Following in the Footsteps of the Master

Looking for a role model who is infallible? Who has personally lived and found noble ways to deal with every problem facing our volatile, uncertain century? 

That person can be found in the life and example of ʻAbdu’l-Bahá, whose name means “Servant of the Glory”, the oldest  son of the Founder of the Baha’i Faith, Baháʼu’lláh. Born in Persia during a time so dark and corrupt it’s instability and brutalities were considered unspeakable. By contrast ʻAbdu’l-Bahá’s entire life upheld the principles of His Father’s teachings: the elimination of all forms of racial and religious prejudice, the equality of women and men, service to humanity, and the principles of world peace just to name a few.

Living a life of extreme difficulty, imprisonment and persecution for exemplifying the teachings of Baháʼu’lláh, ʻAbdu’l-Bahá said of Himself:

“My name is ʻAbdu’l-Bahá, my identity is ʻAbdu’l-Bahá, my qualification is ʻAbdu’l-Bahá, my reality is ʻAbdu’l-Bahá, my praise is ʻAbdu’l-Bahá. Thraldom to the Blessed Perfection is my glorious and refulgent diadem; and servitude to all the human race is my perpetual religion. …No name, no title, no mention, no commendation hath he nor will ever have except ʻAbdu’l-Bahá. This is my longing. This is my supreme apex. This is my greatest yearning. This is my eternal life. This is my everlasting glory!”1

Hear the song composed with this quote: https://www.bahaiblog.net/2018/11/abdul-baha-by-dominique-sylvester/

To walk in His footsteps is to learn how to show love under hatred, calm when under attack, and action for the common weal from the tiniest of acts of service to the largest and most impactful projects. Up at 4 am every morning, ʻAbdu’l-Bahá served the poor of the area where he was Himself a prisoner. A beautiful story showing ʻAbdu’l-Bahá’s kindness to a homeless man read by a charming young storyteller shows how important small acts of service to others can transform both the giver and the receiver. 

Yet His actions were not confined to small personal kindnesses. On April 27,1920 ʻAbdu’l-Bahá  was  knighted by the British Empire for having the foresight to plant, harvest and store grain and corn in anticipation of the first world war, saving the city of Haifa and surrounding region from starvation. 

The example of the Master, as ʻAbdu’l-Bahá was called by others, inspired and continues to inspire people around the world. When asked about the role of ʻAbdu’l-Bahá in his life, Pierre-Yves Mocquais, an Edmonton Bahá’í community member said:

“ Many years ago I was on pilgrimage saying prayers at the Shrine of ʻAbdu’l-Bahá when I had the distinct impression that he was there with me in the room. I felt his warm embrace and his assurance that he would never leave me alone. I was completely surrounded by love, it was a very powerful feeling. Since then, I daily feel the presence of ʻAbdu’l-Bahá in my life and when I am worried or frustrated, often turn to his unconditional love for solace.” 

Another Edmonton community member, Sima Abbasi explained,

“Sometimes when I am in public  I see people doing things that make me feel uncomfortable or are frightening. I always ask myself, ‘How did ʻAbdu’l-Bahá deal with that fear when he was living in the dangerous streets of Akka? How did He always see the light of the person’s inner being and treat everyone with love? How did he see their souls when outwardly they were dirty, sick or showing signs of mental distress?’ Then I ask ʻAbdu’l-Bahá to give me courage and wisdom to know how to be in those situations. I look to his example  to find the balance between safety and courage and to ask for the wisdom to know what to do. That is the role the Master plays in my life.” 

This year, the Universal House of Justice, governing body of the Bahá’í world,  has designated a special year to honour ʻAbdu’l-Bahá. The entire world was given an injunction to find ways to walk in His footsteps through our exemplification of Baháʼu’lláh’s teachings and through acts of service both small and large. To help inspire you in your spiritual journey, here are some sites to check out as you consider walking in the Footsteps of the Master.