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Attitude of the Patient On the part of the patient the prime requisite is, turning with all the heart to God, with implicit trust both in His Power and in His Will to do whatever is best. To an American lady, in August 1912, 'Abdu'l-Baha said: - All of these ailments will pass away and you will receive perfect physical and spiritual health... Let your heart be confident and assured that through the Bounty of Baha'u'llah, through the Favor of Baha'u'llah, everything will become pleasant for you... But you must turn your face wholly towards the Abha (All-Glorious) Kingdom, giving perfect attention - the same attention that Mary Magdalene gave to His Holiness Christ - and I assure you that you will get physical and spiritual health. You are worthy. I give you the glad tidings that you are worthy because your heart is pure... Be confident! Be happy! Be rejoiced! Be hopeful! (73:5) Although in this particular case 'Abdu'l-Baha guaranteed the attainment of sound physical health, He does not do so in every case, even where there is strong faith on the part of the individual. He wrote: - The prayers which were revealed to ask for healing apply both to physical and spiritual healing. Recite them, then, to heal both the soul and the body. If healing is right for the patient, it will certainly be granted; but for some ailing persons, healing would only be the cause of other ills, and therefore wisdom doth not permit an affirmative answer to the prayer (73:7) O handmaid of God! The power of the Holy Spirit healeth both physical and spiritual ailments. - Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha (73:9) Again He writes to one who is ill: - Verily the Will of God acts sometimes in a way for which mankind is unable to find out the reason. The causes and reasons shall appear. Trust in God and confide in Him, and resign thyself to the Will of God. Verily thy God is affectionate, compassionate and merciful .. and will cause His Mercy to descend upon Thee
(73:9)
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