Throughout our lives, we strive to obey the commandments of God and to reflect in all our actions qualities such as love, justice, humility, and generosity, praying to Him daily to guide us and to strengthen us. We are also dedicated to seeking knowledge of God and of His creation in all that we do. As our knowledge of God increases, so does our love for Him. But what does it mean to gain knowledge of God? We know God through those Special Beings that He sends to humanity from time to time Who bring us His laws and teachings. By listening to the words of the Manifestation of God for today, by studying His laws and teachings, and applying them to our lives, we draw closer to God. Of course, we also have to learn more and more about God’s creation and do our best to study the universe and understand its workings. And as we do so, we see that every created thing speaks to us of God’s greatness and glory.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá explains that, when we look at the world, we see the signs of God’s perfections everywhere. As we reflect on His words and try to understand their meaning, we are able to discern God’s tokens and signs all around us. The sun shines and gives light, warmth and life to the world, reminding us of the love of God, without which we would perish. The rain falls on the earth just as the bounties of God are continuously showered upon our souls. A mountain rises towards the heavens calling to mind His majesty and grandeur. To help us remember the importance of acquiring knowledge, especially knowledge of God, let us memorize the following quotation:

In his youth, he studied mathematics, astronomy, philosophy, and Arabic, mastering these subjects in addition to his native Persian. He became a professor at a university in Tehran, Iran.

One afternoon, Mirza Abu’l-Fadl and his companions set out on donkeys to visit the countryside. When a donkey lost a shoe, they stopped at a blacksmith’s shop.

Blacksmith: “Sir, may I ask you a question that has puzzled me?”

Mirza Abu’l-Fadl: “Yes, of course.”

Blacksmith: “Is it true that each drop of rain is accompanied by an angel from heaven?”

Mirza Abu’l-Fadl: “Yes, it is true.”

Blacksmith: “Is it true that if there is a dog in a house, no angel will visit that house?”

Mirza Abu’l-Fadl: “Yes, it is true.”

Blacksmith: “Then no rain should fall on a house with a dog.”

Mirza Abu’l-Fadl had no answer and left the shop embarrassed. He later learned that the blacksmith was a Bahá’í. They shared a mutual friend, a draper who was also a Bahá’í, who invited Mirza Abu’l-Fadl to discussions. In these meetings, his questions and objections were answered in simple and wise ways, leaving him at a loss.

For several months, Mirza Abu’l-Fadl continued to meet with various Bahá’ís, some quite scholarly themselves. Finally, he turned his heart to God, seeking the truth. He became convinced of Bahá’u’lláh’s mission and, after nearly a year, became a devoted believer and teacher of the Bahá’í Faith.