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The Faith of Islam, the succeeding link in the chain of Divine Revelation, introduced, as Baha'u'llah Himself testifies, the conception of the nation as a unit and a vital stage in the organization of human society, and embodied it in its teaching. This indeed is what is meant by this brief yet highly significant and illumination pronouncement of Baha'u'llah: "Of old (Islamic Dispensation) it hath been revealed: 'Love of one's country is an element of the Faith of God.'" This principle was established and stressed by the Apostle of God, inasmuch as the evolution of human society required it at that time. Nor could any stage above and beyond it have been envisioned, as world conditions preliminary to the establishment of a superior form of organization were as yet unobtainable. The concept of nationality, the attainment to the state of nationhood, may, therefore, be said to be the distinguishing characteristics of the Muhammadan Dispensation, in the course of which the nations and races of the world, and particularly in Europe and America, were unified and achieved political independence.
(124:2)
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