In Haifa, he regularly walked through neighborhoods where hardship was greatest. He would bring bread to families in need and sit with them—not as a benefactor above them, but as a friend. Sometimes, before sunrise, he would sweep the steps leading to the Shrine of the Báb, performing this task long before others awoke—showing that honor and humility walk side by side. When scholars or clergy visited him, he welcomed open discussion, never arguing to “win,” but always encouraging mutual understanding and respect.
Throughout his life, ʻAbdu’l-Bahá emphasized that true religion must support progress and must never oppose knowledge or reason. He taught that science and religion are complementary, stating that the human mind is a divine gift, and using it honors our Creator. In this balance between heart and reason, he saw the foundation for a civilization based on justice and compassion.
