About The Hidden Words
of Baha'u'llah
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The Hidden Words were mostly revealed in 1858 shortly after Baha'u'llah's return from His retirement in the mountains of Kurdistan. Additional verses were later revealed and added to the work we have today. In the words of Dr Adib Taherzadeh, in his book, The Revelation of Baha'u'llah:
"The chief aim of Baha'u'llah in The Hidden Words is to detach man from this mortal world and to protect his soul from its greatest enemy, himself. The Hidden Words provides a means by which, in the terms of the above analogy, the bird of the human heart can cleanse its wings from the defilement of this world and resume its flight into the realms of God.
Attachment to this world can be described as anything which prevents the soul from drawing nearer to God. Baha'u'llah has taught that this world and all that is therein is created for the benefit of man. He is entitled to possess all the good things he can earn, and enjoy all the legitimate pleasures that life bestows upon him. But at no time must he become attached to them. Baha'u'llah further teaches that man must take a great interest in this life, work for the betterment of the world and assist in the building of a new world order for mankind.
In one of His Tablets Baha'u'llah has made the following remarks:
Should a man wish to adorn himself with the ornaments of the earth, to wear its apparels, or partake of the benefits it can bestow, no harm can befall him, if he alloweth nothing whatever to intervene between him and God, for God hath ordained every good thing, whether created in the heavens or in the earth, for such of His servants as truely believe in Him. Eat ye, O people, of the good things which God hath allowed you, and deprive not yourselves from His wondrous bounties. Render thanks and praise unto Him, and be of them that are truely thankful
On the other hand, Baha'u'llah warned the rich in these word:
O ye that pride yourselves on mortal richs!
Know ye in truth that wealth is a mighty barrier between the seeker and his desire, the lover and his beloved. The rich, but for a few, shall in no wise attain the court of His presence nor enter the city of content and resignation. Well is it then with him, who, being rich, is not hindered by his riches from the eternal kingdom, nor deprived by them of imperishable dominion. By the Most Great Name! The splendour of such a wealthy man shall illuminate the dwellers of heaven even as the sun enlightens the people of the earth!"
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