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A further consequence of their being religions of law is that, in both, the moral act stands in the foreground. As important as right belief is right action, and more important than the dogmas are the ethics. Thus we read in the 'Qur'an': "There is no piety in turning your faces toward the east or the west, but he is pious who believeth in God, and the last day, and the angels, and the Scriptures, and the prophets; who for the love of God disburseth his wealth to his kindred, and to the orphans, and the needy, and the wayfarer, and those who ask, and for ransoming; who observeth prayer, and payeth the legal alms, and who is of those who are faithful to their engagements when they have engaged in them, and patient under ills and hardships, and in time of trouble: these are they who are just, and these are they who fear the Lord." And Baha'u'llah revealed these words: "O Son of My Handmaid! Guidance hath ever been given by words, and now it is given by deeds. Every one must show forth deeds that are pure and holy, for words are the property of all alike, whereas such deeds as these belong only to Our loved ones. Strive then with heart and soul to distinguish yourselves by your deeds. In this wise We counsel you in this holy and resplendent tablet." "The essence of faith is fewness of words and abundance of deeds; he whose words exceed his deeds, verily his death is better than his life."
(119:1)
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