July 16, 2018

How to teach oneself not to be concerned with the faults of others – ‘Abdu’l-Baha explains

As to backbiting, the House of Justice points out that learning not to concern oneself with the faults of others seems to be one of the most difficult lessons for people to master, and that failing in this is a fertile cause of disputes among Baha'is as it is among men and women in general. In Star of the West. Volume 8, No. 10, on page 138, there is a record of a reply given by 'Abdu'l-Baha in a private interview in Paris in 1913. He was asked “How shall I overcome seeing the faults of others - recognizing the wrong in others?” and He replied: “I will tell you. Whenever you recognize the fault of another, think of yourself: What are my imperfections? - and try to remove them. Thus you will grow, become more perfect. You will overcome self, you will not even have time to think of the faults of others…" 
- The Universal House of Justice  (From a message written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, 13 August 1980; compilation: ‘Lights of Guidance’)