You should likewise consider in fairness the following: If
Christ Himself had been placed in similar circumstances [like Muhammad’s] and
among such lawless and barbarous tribes; if for thirteen years He and His
disciples had patiently endured every manner of cruelty at their hands; if they
were forced through this oppression to forsake their homeland and take to the
wilderness; and if these lawless tribes still persisted in pursuing them with
the aim of slaughtering the men, pillaging their property, and seizing their
women and children—how would Christ have dealt with them? If this oppression
had been directed towards Him alone, He would have forgiven them, and such an
act of forgiveness would have been most acceptable and praiseworthy; but had He
seen that cruel and bloodthirsty murderers were intent upon killing, pillaging,
and tormenting a number of defenceless souls and taking captive the women and
children, it is certain that He would have defended the oppressed and stayed
the hand of the oppressors.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Table
talks in Akka, authenticated by ‘Abdu’l-Baha; ‘Some Answered Questions’ – 2014
revised translation by the Baha’i World Centre)
