Editing ʻAbdu'l-Bahá (section)

== Appearance and personality ==
[[File:Abbaseffendi1868.jpg|right|thumb|upright|ʻAbdu'l-Bahá in 1868]]

ʻAbdu'l-Bahá was described as handsome,{{sfn|Hogenson|2010|p=40}} and bore striking resemblance to his mother. As an adult he reached medium height but he gave the impression of being taller.{{sfn|Day|2017}} He had dark hair that flowed to his shoulders, grey coloured eyes, a fair complexion and an aquiline nose.<ref>{{Harvnb|Gail|Khan|1987|pp=225, 281}}</ref> In 1890, Orientalist [[Edward Granville Browne]] met him and wrote:

{{blockquote|Seldom have I seen one whose appearance impressed me more. A tall strongly built man holding himself straight as an arrow, with white turban and raiment, long black locks reaching almost to the shoulder, broad powerful forehead indicating a strong intellect combined with an unswerving will, eyes keen as a hawk's, and strongly marked but pleasing features – such was my first impression of 'Abbás Efendí, "the master".{{sfn|Browne|1891|loc=See Browne's "Introduction" and "Notes", esp. "Note W"}}}}

After the death of Bahá’u’lláh, ʻAbdu'l-Bahá began to visibly age. By the late 1890s his hair had turned snow-white and deep lines set on his face.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Redman |first1=Earl |title=Visiting 'Abdu'l-Baha – Volume I: The West Discovers the Master, 1897–1911 |year=2019 |publisher=George Ronald |isbn=978-0-85398-617-1}}</ref> As a young man he was athletic and enjoyed archery, horseback riding and swimming.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Day |first1=Michael |title=Journey To A Mountain: The Story of the Shrine of the Báb: Volume 1 1850-1921 |date=2017 |publisher=George Ronald |isbn=978-0853986034}}</ref> Even later in his life ʻAbdu'l-Bahá remained active going for long walks in Haifa and Acre.

ʻAbdu'l-Bahá was a major presence for the Bahá’ís during his lifetime, and he continues to influence the Bahá’í community today.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Universal House of Justice |title=ON THE OCCASION OF THE CENTENARY COMMEMORATION OF THE ASCENSION OF 'ABDU'L-BAHÁ |url=https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/20211127_001/1#422353082 |website=bahai.org |access-date=16 April 2022}}</ref> Bahá’ís regard ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as the perfect example of the teachings of his father and therefore strive to emulate him. Anecdotes about him are frequently used to illustrate particular points about morality and interpersonal relations. He was remembered for his charisma, compassion,{{sfn|Hogenson|2010|}} philanthropy and strength in the face of suffering. [[John Esslemont]] reflected that "[‘Abdu’l-Bahá] showed that it is still possible, amid the whirl and rush of modern life, amid the self-love and struggle for material prosperity that everywhere prevail, to live the life of entire devotion to God and to the service of one's fellows."{{sfn|Esslemont|1980}}

Even ardent enemies of the Bahá’í Faith were on occasion taken by meeting him. Mírzá 'Abdu'l-Muḥammad Írání Mu'addibu's-Sulṭán, an Iranian, and Shaykh 'Alí Yúsuf, an Arab, were both newspaper editors in Egypt who had published harsh attacks on the Bahá’í Faith in their papers. They called on ‘Abdu’l-Bahá when he was in Egypt and their attitude changed. Similarly, a Christian clergyman, Rev. J.T. Bixby, who was the author of a hostile article on the Bahá’í Faith in the United States, felt compelled to witness Abdu'l-Bahá's personal qualities. The effect of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá on those who were already committed Bahá’ís was greater still.{{sfn|Redman|2019}}

ʻAbdu'l-Bahá was widely known for his encounters with the poor and dying.{{sfn|Redman|2019}} His generosity resulted in his own family complaining that they were left with nothing. He was sensitive to people’s feelings,{{sfn|Day|2017}}{{sfn|Redman|2019}} and later expressed his wish to be a beloved figure of the Bahá’ís saying “I am your father...and you must be glad and rejoice, for I love you exceedingly.” According to historical accounts, he had a keen sense of humour and was relaxed and informal.{{sfn|Hogenson|2010}} He was open about personal tragedies such as the loss of his children and the sufferings he'd endured as a prisoner,{{sfn|Day|2017}} further enhancing his popularity.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá directed the affairs of the Bahá’í community with care. He was inclined to allow a large range of personal interpretations of the Bahá’í teachings as long as these did not obviously contradict fundamental principles. He did, however, expel members of the religion he felt were challenging his leadership and deliberately causing disunity in the community. Outbreaks of persecution of the Bahá’ís affected him deeply. He wrote personally to the families of those who had been martyred.