thou
shalt rest eternally neath the shade of the favours of the All-Merciful
and shalt be assured of His bounties. Engage in the praise of the True One
and rejoice in His loving-kindness.

The world passeth away, and that which is everlasting is the love of God.
God willing, thou shalt circumambulate the True One in every world of His
worlds and shalt be free from all else save Him....

(From a Tablet - translated from the Persian and Arabic) [53]

54: All should know, and in this regard attain the splendours of the sun
of...

All should know, and in this regard attain the splendours of the sun of
certitude, and be illumined thereby: Women and men have been and will
always be equal in the sight of God. The Dawning-Place of the Light of God
sheddeth its radiance upon all with the same effulgence. Verily God
created women for men, and men for women. The most beloved of people
before God are the most steadfast and those who have surpassed others in
their love for God, exalted be His glory....

The friends of God must be adorned with the ornament of justice, equity,
kindness and love. As they do not allow themselves to be the object of
cruelty and transgression, in like manner they should not allow such
tyranny to visit the handmaidens of God. He, verily, speaketh the truth
and commandeth that which benefitteth His servants and handmaidens. He is
the Protector of all in this world and the next.

(From a Tablet - translated from the Persian and Arabic) [54]

Extracts From the Writings and Utterances of 'Abdu'l-Baha:

55: The Lord, peerless is He, hath made woman and man to abide with each
other...

The Lord, peerless is He, hath made woman and man to abide with each other
in the closest companionship, and to be even as a single soul. They are
two helpmates, two intimate friends, who should be concerned about the
welfare of each other.

If they live thus, they will pass through this world with perfect
contentment, bliss, and peace of heart, and become the object of divine
grace and favour in the Kingdom of heaven. But if they do other than this,
they will live out their lives in great bitterness, longing at every
moment for death, and will be shamefaced in the heavenly realm.

Strive, then, to abide, heart and soul, with each other as two doves in
the nest, for this is to be blessed in both worlds.

("Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha", sec. 92, p. 122) [55]

56: ...following th