| The power of attraction, of magnetism. |
| Mankind was created through the love of God: ‘Veiled in My immemorial being and in the ancient eternity of My essence, I knew My love for thee; therefore I created thee, have engraved on thee Mine image and revealed to Thee My beauty.'10 ‘I loved thy creation, hence I created thee.'11 |
| All creation is based on love, on the attraction of atomic particles. Each level of creation — mineral, vegetable, animal and human — manifests this quality of cohesion, which ‘Abdu'l-Bahá equates with love: ‘The cause of the creation of the phenomenal world is love. All the Prophets have promulgated the law of love.'12 '. . . the axis around which life revolves is love . . . if attraction did not exist between the atoms, the composite substance of matter would not be possible . This stone is the lowest degree of phenomena, but nevertheless within it a power of attraction is manifest without which the stone could not exist. This power of attraction in the mineral world is love, the only expression of love the stone can manifest."13 |
| Love is a divine attribute: ‘That which is acceptable in the sight of God is love. Love is, in reality, the first effulgence of Divinity and the greatest splendour of God.'14 ‘The attributes of God are love and mercy . . . Wherever love is witnessed, know that there is a manifestation of God's mercy ‘15 |
| Man must love God and love others: ‘Love Me, that I may love thee. If thou lovest Me not, My love can in no wise reach thee."16 ‘In the garden of thy heart plant naught but the rose of love.'17 ‘Just as God loves all and is kind to all, so we must really love and be kind to everybody . . . We must strive day and night that love and amity may increase ‘18 |
| ‘Abdu'l-Bahá describes four kinds of love: ‘The love of God towards the identity of God . . . The love of God for His children — for His servants. The love of man for God and the love of man for man. These four kinds of love originate from God.'19 |
| [BD 141] |
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