Hear how he treats his enemies. One instance of many I have heard will suffice. When the Master came to 'Akká there lived there a certain man from Afghanistan [Haji Siddiq], an austere and rigid Mussulman [Muslim]. To him the Master was a heretic. He felt and nourished a great enmity towards the Master, and roused up others against him. When opportunity offered in gatherings of the people, as in the Mosque, he denounced him with bitter words.
'This man,' he said to all, 'is an imposter. Why do you speak to him? Why do you have dealings with him?' And when he passed the Master on the street he was careful to hold his robe before his face that his sight might not be defiled. Thus did the Afghan. The Master, however, did thus: The Afghan was poor and lived in a mosque; he was frequently in need of food and clothing. The Master sent him both. These he accepted, but without thanks. He fell sick. The Master took him a physician, food, medicine, money. These, also, he accepted; but as he held out one hand that the physician might take his pulse, with the other he held his cloak before his face that he might not look upon the Master. For twenty-four years the Master continued his kindnesses and the Afghan persisted in his enmity.
Then at last one day the Afghan came to the Master's door, and fell down, penitent and weeping, at his feet. 'Forgive me, sir!' he cried. 'For twenty-four years I have done evil to you, for twenty-four years you have done good to me. Now I know that I have been in the wrong.' The Master bade him rise, and they became friends.
'Abdu'l-Bahá, Centre of the Covenant, p. 101
Another governor of 'Akka was dismissed from his duties and sent to Beirut to a new post. He had been very unkind and had not permitted the Bahá'ís to visit their Master, but with characteristic big-heartedness, 'Abdu'l-Bahá, hearing of his dismissal from his post in Beirut, sent a messenger with His good wishes and a gift of a 'very precious ring'. 'Abdu'l-Bahá, still a prisoner, offered to do what He could to be of assistance to him.
In 'Akka there lived a man who so hated 'Abdu'l-Bahá that he would turn his back when he met Him, fearing lest he lost his hatred. One day they met in such a narrow street that the enemy was forced to meet 'Abdu'l-Bahá face to face. 'Abdu'l-Bahá tapped the man upon the shoulder and said, 'Wait a few moments until I speak. However great may be your hatred of Me it can never be as strong as My love for you.' The man was startled, awakened, and made to feel the unconquerable power of love.
Honnold, Annamarie, Vignettes from the Life of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, p. 102
It is related of Shaykh Mahmud of 'Akka that he 'hated the Bahá'ís. While many of his fellow-townsmen had gradually come to realize how very wrong they had been and were speaking of the prisoners in terms of appreciation and praise, Shaykh Mahmud remained adamant in his hatred. One day he was present at a gathering where people were talking of 'Abdu'l-Bahá as a good man, a remarkable man. The Shaykh could bear it no longer and stormed out, saying that he would show up this 'Abbas Effendi for what He was. In blazing anger he rushed to the mosque, where he knew 'Abdu'l-Bahá could be found at that hour, and laid violent hands upon Him. The Master looked at the Shaykh with that serenity and dignity which only He could commend, and reminded him of what the Prophet Muhammad had said: "Be generous to the guests, even should he be an infidel.." Shaykh Mahmud turned away. His wrath had left him. So had his hate. All that he was conscious of was a deep sense of shame and bitter compunction. He fled to his house and barred the door. Some days later he went straight into the presence of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, fell on his knees, and besought forgiveness: "Which door but thine can I seek; whose bounty can I hope for but thine?"' He became a devoted Bahá'í.
Later, while resting, the Master told Mrs. True about His friends. 'These are My friends, My friends. Some of them are My enemies, but they think I do not know it, because they appear friendly, and to them I am very kind, for one must love his enemies and do good to them.'
One of the members of the 'ill-fated Commission of Inquiry, despatched from Constantinople to seal the date of 'Abdu'l-Bahá', managed later to escape to Egypt, but was robbed by his servant on the way. The Bahá'ís in Cairo gave him financial help, which he had requested. Subsequently he asked help from 'Abdu'l-Bahá Himself. The Master 'immediately directed the believers to present him with a sum on His behalf, an instruction which they were unable to carry out owing to his sudden disappearance.'
Room of Bahá'u'lláh at Junayn Garden