August 7, 1912, Parsons’ residence
Dublin, New Hampshire, USA
He is God!
We must first prove that there is no annihilation in
creation. Annihilation is only the decomposition of elements. For example, all
these things we see in existence are made up of elements; that is, single atoms
have combined and have formed infinite patterns. Every combination produces an
entity. For example, through the combination of certain elements this flower has
come into existence. Its annihilation means only the decomposition of this
combination, it does not mean the destruction of the individual atoms or
principal elements because these remain and will not be destroyed. When we say
that this flower is destroyed we mean that its combination is decomposed but
the principal elements remain; only their combination is destroyed.
In the same way, man has come into existence as the result
of the combination of certain elements. Although his death is the
disintegration of these elements, the elements are not annihilated. Therefore,
life consists of the combination of elements and death of their dissolution or
transference from one state to another. The transference of the vegetable to
the animal world is the death of the former. Draw your own conclusions from
this. Similarly, the transference of man from this world of matter and the dissolution
of his elements constitute human death. Thus, it should be known that for
existence there is no death. At most there is a transfer from one state to
another. As the soul of man is not the result of composition and does not come
into being through the affinity of molecular elements, it is not subject to
disintegration. If it were, then we would say the soul has died. But because it
is not composed, therefore it cannot be decomposed. And it is clear that even
the basic elements are not subject to decomposition as they are not a compound
composition. No doubt remains regarding this matter.
Second, the transference of the body from one condition to another brings about no change or alteration in the soul. For instance, the body is young but it grows old, while the soul remains unaffected; the body becomes weak but the soul does not; the body becomes diseased or paralyzed but the soul remains unchanged. It has often come to pass that one of the limbs of the body has been amputated; the soul, however, remains the same and is not affected at all. Therefore, it is clear that the changes experienced by the body do not affect the soul. As long as it is unchanged, it will remain eternal. The pivot of mortality is change and alteration.
Third, in the world of sleep, man's body is powerless and
his faculties inactive. The eye does not see, the ear does not hear, the body
does not move; but the soul sees, hears, moves and discovers realities.
Therefore, it is proven that the soul is not destroyed with the death of the
body; it does not perish after the death of the body; it does not sleep when
the body is asleep; rather, it has perception, it discovers, it flies and it
travels.
Fourth, the body is here but the soul is present in the East
or the West. While in the West, it puts the affairs of the East in order; while
in the East, it explores the affairs of the West. It manages and regulates the
momentous affairs of the world. The body is in one single place but the soul is
present in various places and countries. It discovers America while in Spain.
Thus, the soul has a control and influence which the body has not. The body
cannot see but the soul can see and has perception. Therefore, it follows that
its existence is not dependent on the body.
Fifth, no effect occurs without a cause. It is impossible
for a cause to be non-existent when its light and radiance are manifest, for
fire not to exist when its heat is sensed, for light not to exist when
illumined objects are witnessed, mind not to exist when the power of thought is
present. Briefly, there can be no effect without a cause, for as long as there
is an effect there must be a cause. Therefore, though Christ appeared one
thousand nine hundred and twelve years ago, His signs still exist today and His
sovereignty and influence are manifest. Is it possible for that divine Spirit
to be non-existent and these great signs still to be present? Therefore it is
established that the Cause of these signs is He Who is the source of eternal
light and everlasting bounties.
Sixth, everything can have only one shape, whether it be
triangular, square or pentagonal. An object cannot have different shapes at the
same time. For instance, this carpet is rectangular; is it possible that it can
have a circular shape as well? It cannot. That is possible only if it loses its
first form and takes a new one. Nevertheless, while it is impossible for an
object to possess diverse forms at one and the same time, the spirit of man
possesses all forms and has manifold shapes simultaneously. It has no need to
change from one form to another. As it is beyond change and forms, it is
non-material and eternal.
Seventh, when a man looks at creation, he sees two things:
that which is perceptible to the senses and that which is abstract. The things
that are perceptible to the senses, such as vegetables, minerals and animals,
that can be seen by the eyes, heard by the ears, smelled, touched or tasted,
are subject to change. But rational powers are not perceived by the physical
senses. The power of the mind and knowledge are intellectual realities and are
not subject to change or alteration. The eye cannot see them; the ear cannot
hear them. It is impossible that knowledge, which is an intellectual reality,
be changed into ignorance. The soul, too, is one of the intellectual realities:
it is unalterable and is not subject to annihilation.
A person who is endowed with perception has spirituality and
heavenly attributes; he can recognize that the human soul has never been
subject to annihilation and will never become so. He sees that all created
beings are in harmony with the spirit and are under its influence. He knows
himself to be eternal, everlasting, constant, imperishable and encompassed by
the lights of God, the Lord of glory. For he has spiritual susceptibilities and
is affected by conscience and spiritual impulses. He is not limited by rational
constraints or human emotions and sentiments. However, the man who has no
perception or inner sight finds himself always dejected and lifeless; every
time he thinks of death, he is afraid, because he considers himself to be
mortal.
Blessed souls are not of this category. They sense that they are eternal, luminous and imperishable like the disciples of Christ. It is for this reason that at the time of death or martyrdom Bahá'ís rejoice, because they know there is no death or annihilation for them. At most, the body disintegrates but the soul exists in the divine world and has everlasting life.
~ ‘Abdu’l-Baha (A talk, recorded by Mahmud Zarqani; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’)
Blessed souls are not of this category. They sense that they are eternal, luminous and imperishable like the disciples of Christ. It is for this reason that at the time of death or martyrdom Bahá'ís rejoice, because they know there is no death or annihilation for them. At most, the body disintegrates but the soul exists in the divine world and has everlasting life.
~ ‘Abdu’l-Baha (A talk, recorded by Mahmud Zarqani; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’)