…the Law of God is divided into two parts. One is the fundamental
basis which comprises all spiritual things—that is to say, it refers to the
spiritual virtues and divine qualities; this does not change nor alter: it is
the Holy of Holies, which is the essence of the Law of Adam, Noah, Abraham,
Moses, Christ, Muhammad, the Báb, and Bahá’u’lláh, and which lasts and is
established in all the prophetic cycles. It will never be abrogated, for it is
spiritual and not material truth; it is faith, knowledge, certitude, justice,
piety, righteousness, trustworthiness, love of God, benevolence, purity,
detachment, humility, meekness, patience and constancy. It shows mercy to the
poor, defends the oppressed, gives to the wretched and uplifts the fallen.
These divine qualities, these eternal commandments, will
never be abolished; nay, they will last and remain established for ever and
ever. These virtues of humanity will be renewed in each of the different
cycles; for at the end of every cycle the spiritual Law of God—that is to say,
the human virtues—disappears, and only the form subsists.
(‘Abdu’l-Baha, table
talks in Akka, authenticated by ‘Abdu’l-Baha; ‘Some Answered Questions’)
