Always, “Abdu’l-Bahá’s emphasis was upon deeds-not upon words. And He set the example. Like the true leader, He never called upon His followers to do anything which
He Himself had not done before, to show the way.
Abdu’l-Bahá’s life in ‘Akká was full of work for other people’s good. He would rise very early, take tea, and then begin His labours of love. Often He would not return to His
home until late in the evening, having had no food and no rest all day.
He would go first to a large room He had rented across the street from His own home. Here He received His guests, and every day people would come in crowds to ask for help
from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
For instance, a man who wished to start a shop would come to Him and ask His advice. Another person would ask for a letter of introduction for some government post.
Perhaps it would be a poor woman whose husband had been taken for a soldier while she and her children were left to starve. Or another would come who would tell Him of how somebody’s children were being badly treated, or about a woman who was beaten by her husband or her brother.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá would send a qualified person with these poor people to state their case before the judge at the Court. In this way He made sure that they received justice.
There were also other guests – guests of great importance. The Governor, the clergy, and the officials of the Court often came, either alone or in groups, to call on ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. He would serve them delicious coffee, and together they would discuss the latest news. Always they would ask ‘Abdu’l-Bahá for explanations, advice, or comment, because they could see that He was full of love and wisdom, understanding, and practical help. When the Court session was finished, the judge would always come to see Abdu’l-Bahá. He would explain to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá the very difficult cases because he knew that ‘Abdul-Bahá would always solve the problems with justice,
Some days ‘Abdu’l-Bahá hardly saw His own family, so many were the people who came in crowds for some kind of help. The sick people were His constant care. Whenever they wished to see Him, He went. To every sick person He sent someone each day to ask, “Did you sleep? How are you? Do you need anything?” If they needed medicines or anything else, He made sure that they received them. He was never careless of anybody or anything, except His own rest and His own food.
Sometimes people sent sweets to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in thanks for His services, but all the sweets, fruits, and cakes which He received were taken to the room across the street to be given to the visitors. The Arabs called Him “The Lord of Generosity”.