Bahá’í Sacred Writings, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, #353
O ye true friends of the Most Great Name and spiritual companions of the Ancient Beauty! Praise be to God that ye came into the world in this century of light and age of mysteries. Ye entered beneath His sheltering shadow, apprehended the secret of existence, and were guided by His glorious light. How beloved were ye, for ye attained unto knowledge and discernment. How many erudite scholars were deprived, while ye were made the intimates of His mysteries; and how many who claimed true understanding were lost and wandered astray in the desert of remoteness, while ye found your way to the sanctuary of the Day-Star of the world. What bestowal is this, what favour and guidance!
Render thanks for these bounties, and arise to fulfil the counsels and admonitions of the Incomparable Lord of the world. Observe that which hath been set forth in the Books and Tablets, and show forth the nature and disposition of the people of Bahá. Be wholly free from every joy but the glad-tidings of God, and stay clear of all ease and comfort save that which is found beneath the shelter of the Lord. Be even as fruitful trees and as stars of the most luminous horizon. Become the servants of the one true God and His selfless lovers in both the East and the West. Be Bahá’ís in character and disposition, and be heavenly in heart and soul. Look upon enemies as friends, and see ill-wishers as well-wishers. Account the faithless as loyal friends, consider the ignorant as the wise, and deem savage foes as intimate companions. That is to say, treat the sinner, the ill-wisher, and the bloodthirsty enemy as ye would the loyal friend and close confidant.
My meaning is this: Be the source of pure goodness and utter bounty; look not upon the worthiness or merit of the people. In every age and cycle, love and forbearance have been enjoined, but a pretext was always advanced, and that was the question of worthiness or unworthiness, that this person was malicious and scheming or that one bloodthirsty and hateful. And even if forgiveness was shown, reproach and censure went hand in hand with pardon and forgiveness. In this Dispensation, however, all such matters are abrogated, and heartfelt love and kindness towards all peoples have been expressly set forth in the Book.