...a large multitude of people will arise against you,
showing oppression, expressing contumely and derision, shunning your society, and
heaping upon you ridicule. However, the Heavenly Father will illumine you to
such an extent that, like unto the rays of the sun, you shall scatter the dark
clouds of superstition, shine gloriously in the midst of Heaven and illumine
the face of the earth. You must make firm the feet at the time when these
trials transpire, and demonstrate forbearance and patience. You must withstand
them with the utmost love and kindness; consider their oppression and
persecution as the caprice of children, and do not give any importance to
whatever they do. For at the end the illumination of the Kingdom will overwhelm
the darkness of the world and the exaltation and grandeur of your station will
become apparent and manifest...
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a Tablet to an individual
believer, published in ‘Bahá'í News [Star of the West], vol. 1, no. 10,
September 1910; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Opposition)
