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| circa 1902: Mirza Abu'l-Fadl (center) with some early Western believers |
Love, faith and being filled with the will of God are not
contradictory to the temporal affairs that man has to attend to -- that is, we
can be filled with the love of God and at the same time look after our worldly
life and pursuits which are necessary to guarantee our social welfare and
prosperity, etc. -- though in the beginning it is difficult for us to realize
this state in ourselves, yet this can become feasible and practical, if we obey
the laws and ordinances of God.
For instance, consider David: While he was attentive and
watchful over his temporal affairs and worldly dominion to such an extent that
he looked after each one of his soldiers, computed their number, arranged their
sustenance and means of living, and while he was so alert in arranging
administrative affairs that he was not at all heedless of the neighboring kings
and their thoughts -- even through outward means -- even in such wise that
through warfare and battles he strengthened that weak kingdom of the Israelites
and glorified his people before the eyes of the great kings of Egypt and
Assyria -- nevertheless, could it be thought that he was meanwhile separated
from the love of God? Or could it be said he was so carried away by temporal
occupations and cares as to make him heedless of the commemoration of God? And
could we and you, as some people, bring ourselves to believe that David did
sin?
