December 31
As regards the celebration of the Christian Holidays by the
believers: it is surely preferable and even highly advisable that the friends
should in their relation to each other discontinue observing such holidays as
Christmas and New Year, and to have their festal gatherings of this nature
instead during the intercalary days and Naw-Ruz. (From a letter dated 26 May 1982, written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to a
National Spiritual Assembly; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. III, Cultural
Diversity in the Age of Maturity)
December 30
A world, torn with conflicting passions, and perilously
disintegrating from within, finds itself confronted, at so crucial an epoch in
its history, by the rising fortunes of an infant Faith, a Faith that, at times,
seems to be drawn into its controversies, entangled by its conflicts, eclipsed
by its gathering shadows, and overpowered by the mounting tide of its passions.
In its very heart, within its cradle, at the seat of its first and venerable
Temple, in one of its hitherto flourishing and potentially powerful centers,
the as-yet unemancipated Faith of Bahá’u’lláh seems indeed to have retreated
before the onrushing forces of violence and disorder to which humanity is
steadily falling a victim. The strongholds of such a Faith, one by one and day
after day, are to outward seeming being successively isolated, assaulted and
captured. As the lights of liberty flicker and go out, as the din of discord
grows louder and louder every day, as the fires of fanaticism flame with
increasing fierceness in the breasts of men, as the chill of irreligion creeps
relentlessly over the soul of mankind, the limbs and organs that constitute the
body of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh appear, in varying measure, to have become
afflicted with the crippling influences that now hold in their grip the whole
of the civilized world. (Shoghi Effendi, ‘The Advent of Divine Justice’)
December 29
There is no doubt that the poorer classes should be taught
the Cause and given every opportunity to embrace it. More especially in order
to demonstrate to people our cardinal lack of prejudice, class prejudice as
much as any other kind of prejudice. However he feels that the great point is
to confirm people of true capacity and ability–from whatever social stratum
they may be–because the Cause needs now, and will ever-increasingly need, souls
of great ability who can bring it before the public at large, administer its
ever-growing affairs, and contribute to its advancement in every field. (From a letter dated 30 October 1941 written
on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; The Compilation of
Compilations, vol. II, Teaching Among Aboriginal and Indigenous People)
December 28
… the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, which, together
with the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, constitutes the chief depository wherein are enshrined
those priceless elements of that Divine Civilization, the establishment of
which is the primary mission of the Bahá’í Faith. A study of the provisions of
these sacred documents will reveal the close relationship that exists between
them, as well as the identity of purpose and method which they inculcate.
(Shoghi Effendi, from a letter dated February 27, 1929 in ‘The World Order of
Baha’u’llah’)
December 27
The American believers, if they wish to carry out, in the spirit and the letter, the parting wishes of their beloved Master, must intensify their teaching work a thousandfold and extend its ramifications beyond the confines of their native land and as far as the most distant outposts of their far-flung Faith. The Tablets of the Divine Plan invest your Assembly with unique and grave responsibilities, and confer upon it privileges which your sister Assemblies might well envy and admire. The present opportunity is unutterably precious. It may not recur again. Undaunted by the perils and the uncertainties of the present hour, the American believers must press on and prosecute in its entirety the task which now confronts them. I pray for their success from the depths of my heart. (Shoghi Effendi, from a letter dated July 28, 1936; ‘Messages to America’)
December 26
The woman of the East has progressed. Formerly in India,
Persia and throughout the Orient, she was not considered a human being. Certain
Arab tribes counted their women in with the live stock. In their language the
noun for woman also meant donkey; that is, the same name applied to both and a
man's wealth was accounted by the number of these beasts of burden he
possessed. The worst insult one could hurl at a man was to cry out, "Thou
woman!"
December 25
With "The Dawn-Breakers" in your possession you
could also arrange interesting stories about the early days of the Movement
which the children would like to hear. There are also stories about the life of
Christ, Muhammad and the other prophets which if told to the children will
break down any religious prejudice they may have learned from older people of
little understanding.
Such stories regarding the life of different prophets together with their sayings will also be useful to better understand the literature of the Cause for there is constant reference to them. It is however the work of experienced people to bring together such materials and make of them interesting text books for the children.
The Cause will gradually produce people who would answer these needs. It is only a question of time. What we should strive to do is to stimulate different individuals who have the talent to attempt the task. (From a letter dated 19 October 1932 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to a Local Spiritual Assembly and a State Teaching Committee; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Baha’i Education)
Such stories regarding the life of different prophets together with their sayings will also be useful to better understand the literature of the Cause for there is constant reference to them. It is however the work of experienced people to bring together such materials and make of them interesting text books for the children.
The Cause will gradually produce people who would answer these needs. It is only a question of time. What we should strive to do is to stimulate different individuals who have the talent to attempt the task. (From a letter dated 19 October 1932 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to a Local Spiritual Assembly and a State Teaching Committee; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Baha’i Education)
December 24
Nor should it be thought for a moment that the followers of
Bahá’u’lláh either seek to degrade or even belittle the rank of the world’s
religious leaders, whether Christian, Muslim, or of any other denomination,
should their conduct conform to their professions, and be worthy of the
position they occupy. “Those divines,” Bahá’u’lláh has affirmed, “...who are
truly adorned with the ornament of knowledge and of a goodly character are,
verily, as a head to the body of the world, and as eyes
to the nations. The guidance of men hath, at all times, been and is dependent
upon these blessed souls.” (Shoghi Effendi, ‘The Promised Day Is Come’)
December 23
As to the position of Christianity, let it be stated without
any hesitation or equivocation that its divine origin is unconditionally
acknowledged, that the Sonship and Divinity of Jesus Christ are fearlessly
asserted, that the divine inspiration of the Gospel is fully recognized, that the
reality of the mystery of the Immaculacy of the Virgin Mary is confessed, and
the primacy of Peter, the Prince of the Apostles, is upheld and defended. The
Founder of the Christian Faith is designated by Bahá’u’lláh as the “Spirit of
God,” is proclaimed as the One Who “appeared out of the breath of the Holy
Ghost,” and is even extolled as the “Essence of the Spirit.” His mother is
described as “that veiled and immortal, that most beauteous, countenance,” and
the station of her Son eulogized as a “station which hath been exalted above
the imaginings of all that dwell on earth,” whilst Peter
is recognized as one whom God has caused “the mysteries of wisdom and of
utterance to flow out of his mouth.” (Shoghi Effendi, ‘The Promised Day Is Come’)
December 22
The future christening of the ... child should present no
problem, for the Bahá'í parent should have no objection to the baptism of his
child if the Catholic mother wishes it. Similarly, the use of champagne upon
that occasion is a matter which she is free to undertake, but of course the
Bahá'ís would not partake of alcoholic beverages. (The Universal House of
Justice, from a letter dated 7 December 1977 to a National Spiritual Assembly; The
Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Prohibition on Drinking Alcohol)
December 21
Now with reference to your last dear letter in which you had
asked whether the believers have the right to openly express their criticism of
any Assembly action or policy: it is not only the right, but the vital
responsibility of every loyal and intelligent member of the Community to offer
fully and frankly, but with due respect and consideration to the authority of
the Assembly, any suggestion, recommendation or criticism he conscientiously
feels he should in order to improve and remedy certain existing conditions or
trends in his local community, and it is the duty of the Assembly also to give
careful consideration to any such views submitted to them by any one of the
believers. The best occasion chosen for this purpose is the Nineteen Day Feast,
which, besides its social and spiritual aspects, fulfils various administrative
needs and requirements of the Community, chief among them being the need for
open and constructive criticism and deliberation regarding the state of affairs
within the local Bahá'í Community. But again it should be stressed that all
criticisms and discussions of a negative character which result in undermining
the authority of the Assembly as a body should be strictly avoided. For
otherwise the order of the Cause itself will be endangered, and confusion and
discord will reign in the Community. (From a letter dated 13 December 1939 written
on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; The Compilation of
Compilations, vol. III, Issues Concerning Community Functioning)
December 20
The divinely ordained institution of the Local Spiritual
Assembly operates at the first levels of human society and is the basic
administrative unit of Bahá'u'lláh's World Order. It is concerned with
individuals and families whom it must constantly encourage to unite in a
distinctive Bahá'í society, vitalized and guarded by the laws, ordinances and
principles of Bahá'u'lláh's Revelation. It protects the Cause of God; it acts
as the loving shepherd of the Bahá'í flock.
Strengthening and development of Local Spiritual Assemblies is a vital objective... Success in this one goal will greatly enrich the quality of Bahá'í life, will heighten the capacity of the Faith to deal with entry by troops which is even now taking place and, above all, will demonstrate the solidarity and ever-growing distinctiveness of the Bahá'í community, thereby attracting more and more thoughtful souls to the Faith and offering a refuge to the leaderless and hapless millions of the spiritually bankrupt, moribund present order. (The Universal House of Justice, from a letter dated Naw-Ruz 1974 to the Bahá'ís of the World; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Local Spiritual Assemblies)
Strengthening and development of Local Spiritual Assemblies is a vital objective... Success in this one goal will greatly enrich the quality of Bahá'í life, will heighten the capacity of the Faith to deal with entry by troops which is even now taking place and, above all, will demonstrate the solidarity and ever-growing distinctiveness of the Bahá'í community, thereby attracting more and more thoughtful souls to the Faith and offering a refuge to the leaderless and hapless millions of the spiritually bankrupt, moribund present order. (The Universal House of Justice, from a letter dated Naw-Ruz 1974 to the Bahá'ís of the World; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Local Spiritual Assemblies)
December 19
The instruction of these children is even as the work of a
loving gardener who tendeth his young plants in the flowering fields of the
All-Glorious. There is no doubt that it will yield the desired results;
especially is this true of instruction as to Bahá'í obligations and Bahá'í
conduct, for the little children must needs be made aware in their very heart
and soul that "Bahá'í" is not just a name but a truth. Every child
must be trained in the things of the spirit, so that he may embody all the
virtues and become a source of glory to the Cause of God. Otherwise, the mere
word "Bahá'í", if it yield no fruit, will come to nothing.
Strive then to the best of thine ability to let these children know that a Bahá'í is one who embodieth all the perfections, that he must shine out like a lighted taper -- not be darkness upon darkness and yet bear the name "Bahá'í". (‘Abdu’l-Baha, from a Tablet, The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Baha’i Education)
Strive then to the best of thine ability to let these children know that a Bahá'í is one who embodieth all the perfections, that he must shine out like a lighted taper -- not be darkness upon darkness and yet bear the name "Bahá'í". (‘Abdu’l-Baha, from a Tablet, The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Baha’i Education)
December 18
Concerning the positive aspects of chastity the Universal House of Justice states that the Bahá'í Faith recognizes the value of the sex impulse and holds that the institution of marriage has been established as the channel of its rightful expression. Bahá'ís do not believe that the sex impulse should be suppressed but that it should be regulated and controlled.
Chastity in no way implies withdrawal from human relationships. It liberates people from the tyranny of the ubiquity of sex. A person who is in control of his sexual impulses is enabled to have profound and enduring friendships with many people, both men and women, without ever sullying that unique and priceless bond that should unite man and wife. (From a letter dated 8 May 1979 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, A Chase and Holy Life)
Chastity in no way implies withdrawal from human relationships. It liberates people from the tyranny of the ubiquity of sex. A person who is in control of his sexual impulses is enabled to have profound and enduring friendships with many people, both men and women, without ever sullying that unique and priceless bond that should unite man and wife. (From a letter dated 8 May 1979 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, A Chase and Holy Life)
December 17
O ye loving mothers, know ye that in God's sight, the best
of all ways to worship Him is to educate the children and train them in all the
perfections of humankind; and no nobler deed than this can be imagined.(‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Selections from the Writings
of `Abdu'l-Bahá’; The Compilation of Compilations, Vol. I, Family Life)
December 16
We have no way of substantiating the stories of the Old
Testament other than references to them in our own teachings, so we cannot say
exactly what happened at the battle of Jericho. (From a letter dated 25
November 1950 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer;
compilation on ‘The Bible: Extracts on the Old and New Testaments’, prepared by
the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice)
December 15
The significance of the Nineteen Day Feast is thus
threefold. It is a gathering of a devotional, social and administrative
importance. When these three features are all combined, this Feast can and will
surely yield the best and the maximum of results. The friends, however, should
be on their guard lest they overstress the significance of this institution
created by Bahá'u'lláh. They should also take care not to undertake or minimize
its importance. (In a letter written on behalf of Shoghi
Effendi, 2 October 1935 to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States
and Canada; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, The Nineteen Day Feast)
December 14
While he would urge you to courageously
meet and overcome the many obstacles that stand in your way, he would at the
same time advise you that in case of failure and no matter what befalls you,
you should remain radiantly content at, and entirely submissive to, the Divine
will. Our afflictions, tests and trials are sometimes blessings in disguise, as
they teach us to have more faith and confidence in God, and bring us nearer to
Him. (From a letter dated 28 April 1936 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to
an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Living the
Life)
December 13
Regarding divorce, the Guardian stated that it is
discouraged, deprecated and against the good pleasure of God. The Assembly must
circulate among the friends whatever has been revealed from the Pen of
'Abdu'l-Bahá in this connection so that all may be fully reminded. Divorce is
conditional upon the approval and permission of the Spiritual Assembly. The
members of the Assembly must in such matters independently and carefully study
and investigate each case. If there should be valid grounds for divorce and it
is found that reconciliation is utterly impossible, that antipathy is intense and
its removal is not possible, then the Assembly may approve the divorce. (From a letter dated 7 July 1938 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the
National Spiritual Assembly of Iran - translated from the Persian; The
Compilation of Compilations vol. II)
December 12
Viewed in the light of past experience, the inevitable
result of such futile attempts, however persistent and malicious they may be,
is to contribute to a wider and deeper recognition by believers and unbelievers
alike of the distinguishing features of the Faith proclaimed by Bahá'u'lláh.
These challenging criticisms, whether or not dictated by malice, cannot but
serve to galvanize the souls of its ardent supporters, and to consolidate the
ranks of its faithful promoters. They will purge the Faith from those
pernicious elements whose continued association with the believers tends to
discredit the fair name of the Cause, and to tarnish the purity of its spirit.
We should welcome, therefore, not only the open attacks which its avowed
enemies persistently launch against it, but should also view as a blessing in
disguise every storm of mischief with which they who apostatize their faith or
claim to be its faithful exponents assail it from time to time. Instead of
undermining the Faith, such assaults, both from within and from without,
reinforce its foundations, and excite the intensity of its flame. Designed to
becloud its radiance, they proclaim to all the world the exalted character of
its precepts, the completeness of its unity, the uniqueness of its position,
and the pervasiveness of its influence. (Shoghi Effendi, from a letter dated 21
March 1930 to the Bahá'ís of the West, published in ‘The World Order of
Bahá'u'lláh: Selected Letters’; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II,
Opposition)
December 11
Concerning the attendance of certain individuals at the
meeting of the Assemblies and at the invitation of that body: This Shoghi
Effendi considers to be as expert advice, which is absolutely necessary for
good administration. The members of the Assembly are not supposed to know
everything on every subject, so they can invite a person, versed in that
question, to attend their meetings and explain his views. But naturally he will
have no right to vote. (From a letter
written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 23 October 1926 to the National Spiritual
Assembly of the British Isles, published in ‘Unfolding Destiny: The Messages
from the Guardian of the Bahá'í Faith to the Bahá'í Community of the British
Isles’; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Consultation)
December 10
The one chief remaining citadel, the mighty arm which still
raises aloft the standard of an unconquerable Faith, is none other than the
blessed community of the followers of the Most Great Name in the North American
continent. By its works, and through the unfailing protection vouchsafed to it
by an almighty Providence, this distinguished member of the body of the
constantly interacting Bahá’í communities of East and West, bids fair to be
universally regarded as the cradle, as well as the stronghold, of that future
New World Order, which is at once the promise and the glory of the Dispensation
associated with the name of Bahá’u’lláh. (Shoghi Effendi, ‘The Advent of Divine
Justice’, December 25, 1938)
December 9
May our loving and ever-watchful Master, guide and protect
you in all the services you are so whole-heartedly tendering to His sacred
Threshold, and may He enable you to contribute your full share in carrying out
His Great Purpose for mankind! This is my prayer for you all whenever I visit
the Three Holy Shrines, and I feel certain that He will not fail
to answer it, if we but hold fast to those principles for which He lived,
laboured and died. (Shoghi Effendi, excerpt from a letter dated June 1, 1923,
to the Baha’is in Rangoon; Messages of Shoghi Effendi to the Indian
Subcontinent: 1923-1957) (To read the entire letter please visit Messages tothe Baha’i World Community - by Shoghi Effendi)
December 8
He feels that you and your wife should do everything in your
power to produce a harmonious relationship between you and avoid divorce by all
means, if possible. The Bahá'í attitude is that marriage is a very serious and
sacred relationship and divorce a last resort to be avoided if humanly possible.
(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer,
dated 10 August 1945; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Preserving
Baha’i Marriages)
December 7
December 6
It behoves
us, now that the signs
of that glorious and promised Day
are fast appearing, to arise, with utter selflessness, unity and determination,
to promote and consolidate the Work which He has Himself established in the
heart of that vast Dominion, and prove ourselves, by our wisdom, moderation,
and constancy, worthy of the many bestowals He [‘Abdu’l-Baha] has showered upon
us in the past. If we but follow in His Way, regard at all times the dignity
of the Cause, guard sedulously its unity and vital principles, and exercise the
utmost endeavour to keep its Spirit pure, effective, and unobscured, then, and
only then, can we hope to achieve the immediate spread and triumph of the
Cause. (Shoghi Effendi, excerpt from a letter dated April
20, 1923 addressed to the Baha’is of Canada; ‘Messages to Canada’) (To read the
entire letter please visit Messages to the Baha’i World)
December 5
There can be no doubt that the progress of the Cause from
this time onward will be characterized by an ever increasing relationship to
the agencies, activities, institutions and leading individuals of the
non-Bahá'í world. We shall acquire greater stature at the United Nations,
become better known in the deliberations of governments, a familiar figure to
the media, a subject of interest to academics, and inevitably the envy of
failing establishments. Our preparation for the response to this situation must
be a continual deepening of our faith, an unwavering adherence to its
principles of abstention from partisan politics and freedom from prejudices,
and above all an increasing understanding of its fundamental verities and
relevance to the modern world. (The Universal House of Justice, Ridvan 1984 to
the Bahá'ís of the World; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Teaching
Prominent People)
December 4
The simplicity characterizing the offering of Bahá'í
prayers, whether obligatory or otherwise, should be maintained. Rigidity and
rituals should be strictly avoided. (In the handwriting of Shoghi Effendi,
appended to a letter dated 30 October 1936 written on his behalf to an
individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, Vol. II, The Importance
of Prayer, Meditation and the Devotional Attitude)
December 3
The Cause needs more Bahá'í scholars, people who not only
are devoted to it and believe in it and are anxious to tell others about it,
but also who have a deep grasp of the Teachings and their significance, and who
can correlate its beliefs with the current thoughts and problems of the people
of the world. (From a letter dated 21 October 1943 written on behalf of Shoghi
Effendi to an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. III,
Scholarship)
December 2
Let us pray to God that in these
days of world-encircling gloom, when the dark forces of nature, of hate,
rebellion, anarchy and reaction are threatening the very stability of human
society, when the most precious fruits of civilization are undergoing severe
and unparalleled tests, we may all realize, more profoundly than ever, that
though but a mere handful amidst the seething masses of the world, we are in
this day the chosen instruments of God’s grace, that our mission is most urgent
and vital to the fate of humanity, and, fortified by these sentiments, arise to
achieve God’s holy purpose for mankind. (Shoghi Effendi, excerpt from a letter
dated 14 November 1923 to the Baha’is throughout America, ‘Baha’i Administration’)
(To see the entire letter please visit Messages to the Baha’i World Community –by Shoghi Effendi)
December 1
...In the teachings there is nothing against dancing, but
the friends should remember that the standard of Bahá'u'lláh is modesty and
chastity. The atmosphere of modern dance halls, where so much smoking and
drinking and promiscuity goes on, is very bad, but decent dances are not
harmful in themselves. There is certainly no harm in classical dancing or
learning dancing in school. There is also no harm in taking part in dramas.
Likewise in cinema acting. The harmful thing, nowadays, is not the art itself
but the unfortunate corruption which often surrounds these arts. As Bahá'ís we
need avoid none of the arts, but acts and the atmosphere that sometimes go with
these professions we should avoid. (From a letter dated 30 June 1952 written on
behalf of Shoghi Effendi to a National Spiritual Assembly of India, Pakistan
and Burma; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, A Chase and Holy Life)
November 30
We cannot be sure of the authenticity of any of the phrases
in the Old or the New Testament. What we can be sure of is when such references
or words are cited or quoted in either the Quran or the Bahá'í writings. (From
a letter dated 4 July 1947 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual
believer; compilation on ‘The Bible: Extracts on the Old and New Testaments’,
prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice)
November 29
In the Dispensation of Bahá'u'lláh, women are advancing side
by side with men. There is no area or instance where they will lag behind: they
have equal rights with men, and will enter, in the future, into all branches of
the administration of society. Such will be their elevation that, in every area
of endeavour, they will occupy the highest levels in the human world. Rest thou
assured. Look not upon their present state. In future, the world of womankind
will shine with lustrous brilliance, for such is the will and purpose of
Bahá'u'lláh. At the time of elections the right to vote is the inalienable
right of women, and the entrance of women into all human departments is an
irrefutable and incontrovertible question. No soul can retard or prevent it. (‘Abdu’l-Baha,
from a Tablet to an individual believer, published in ‘Paris Talks: Addresses
given by 'Abdu'l-Bahá in Paris in 1911-1912’;The Compilation of Compilations,
vol. II, Women)
November 28
Salutation and praise, blessing and glory rest upon that primal branch of the Divine and Sacred Lote-Tree, grown out, blest, tender, verdant and flourishing from the Twin Holy Trees; the most wondrous, unique and priceless pearl that doth gleam from out the Twin surging seas; upon the offshoots of the Tree of Holiness, the twigs of the Celestial Tree, they that in the Day of the Great Dividing have stood fast and firm in the Covenant; upon the Hands (pillars) of the Cause of God that have diffused widely the Divine Fragrances, declared His Proofs, proclaimed His Faith, published abroad His Law, detached themselves from all things but Him, stood for righteousness in this world, and kindled the Fire of the Love of God in the very hearts and souls of His servants; upon them that have believed, rested assured, stood steadfast in His Covenant and followed the Light that after my passing shineth from the Dayspring of Divine Guidance—for behold! he is the blest and sacred bough that hath branched out from the Twin Holy Trees. Well is it with him that seeketh the shelter of his shade that shadoweth all mankind. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘The Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Baha)
November 27
The third period (1892–1921) revolves around the vibrant
personality of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, mysterious in His essence, unique in His station,
astoundingly potent in both the charm and strength of His character. It
commences with the announcement of the Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh, a document
without parallel in the history of any earlier Dispensation, attains its climax
in the emphatic assertion by the Center of that Covenant, in the City of the
Covenant, of the unique character and far-reaching implications of that
Document, and closes with His passing and the interment of His remains on Mt.
Carmel. It will go down in history as a period of almost thirty years’
duration, in which tragedies and triumphs have been so intertwined as to eclipse
at one time the Orb of the Covenant, and at another time to pour forth its
light over the continent of Europe, and as far as Australasia, the Far East and
the North American continent. (Shoghi Effendi, ‘God Passes By’)
November 26
An attempt I strongly feel should now be made to clarify our
minds regarding the station occupied by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the significance of
His position in this holy Dispensation. It would be indeed difficult for us,
who stand so close to such a tremendous figure and are drawn by the mysterious
power of so magnetic a personality, to obtain a clear and exact understanding
of the rôle and character of One Who, not only in the Dispensation of
Bahá’u’lláh but in the entire field of religious history, fulfills a unique
function. Though moving in a sphere of His own and holding a rank radically
different from that of the Author and the Forerunner of the Bahá’í Revelation,
He, by virtue of the station ordained for Him through the Covenant of
Bahá’u’lláh, forms together with them what may be termed the Three Central
Figures of a Faith that stands unapproached in the
world’s spiritual history. He towers, in conjunction with them, above the
destinies of this infant Faith of God from a level to which no individual or
body ministering to its needs after Him, and for no less a period than a full
thousand years, can ever hope to rise. (Shoghi Effendi, ‘The World Order of Baha'u'llah’)
November 25
...There is, though, a great difference between this and
previous Dispensations, for Bahá'u'lláh has written that this is "the Day
which shall not be followed by night" ("God Passes By", p. 245).
He has given us His Covenant which provides for a continuing centre of divine
guidance in the world. The Bahá'í Faith has not lacked for ambitious men who
would seize the reins of authority and distort the Faith for their own ends, but
in every case they have broken themselves and dashed their hopes on the rock of
the Covenant. (14 January 1979, from a letter written on behalf of the Universal
House of Justice to an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations,
vol. I, The Covenant)
November 24
As to your question about the meaning in the Arabic Hidden Words,
"...couldst thou but see with Mine eye": When man reacheth the
station of selflessness, and his love of self is entirely wiped out, his
existence becometh like unto non- existence, and a ray from God's presence
sheddeth its light upon him. Then he can see with the eye of God, and can hear
with His ear. This is like iron in the fire. The qualities of the iron, its
coldness, darkness and hardness are concealed, and it manifests heat,
luminosity, and fluidity, which are the qualities of the fire. ('Abdu'l-Bahá,
from a Tablet to an individual; compilation
‘Hidden Words: References of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi’, prepared by the
Research Department of the Universal House of Justice) (To see this Hidden Word
please visit Daily Verses of God)
November 23
We feel that each National Assembly should carefully and
regularly consult on this vital aspect of the education of the friends, spare
no effort and lose no opportunity in bringing to their attention the needs of
the hour. For example, where land is difficult to obtain, or where funds for
the purchase of endowments are not available, the friends should be appealed to
in a dignified and effective manner to donate from their own land for the use
of Bahá'í institutions. In the construction of local Bahá'í centres, the
National Assembly should carefully devise methods of appealing to the friends
to contribute manpower or local materials for the construction of such
buildings. If ready cash is not available for contributions to the Fund, the
National Assembly should guide the friends in ways they could raise funds by a
collective effort to cultivate a piece of land, by contributing cash crops,
livestock or home-made dishes, sweetmeats, or handicrafts. Special meetings
could also be arranged for the sale of such contributions in kind. (From a
letter dated 9 February 1967 written by the Universal House of Justice to
various National Spiritual Assemblies; The Compilation of Compilations, vol.
II, Teaching the Masses)
November 22
O thou handmaid of God! In this day, to thank God for His
bounties consisteth in possessing a radiant heart, and a soul open to the
promptings of the spirit. This is the essence of thanksgiving.
As for offering thanks by speaking out or writing, although this is indeed acceptable, yet when compared with that other thanksgiving, it is only a semblance and unreal; for the essential thing is these intimations of the spirit, these emanations from the deep recess of the heart. It is my hope that thou wilt be favoured therewith. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’)
As for offering thanks by speaking out or writing, although this is indeed acceptable, yet when compared with that other thanksgiving, it is only a semblance and unreal; for the essential thing is these intimations of the spirit, these emanations from the deep recess of the heart. It is my hope that thou wilt be favoured therewith. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’)
November 21
The
years following Bahá’u’lláh’s arrival in Adrianople witnessed His Revelation’s
attainment, in the words of Shoghi Effendi, of “its meridian glory” through the
proclamation of its Founder’s message to the kings and rulers of the
world. During this relatively brief but
turbulent period of the Faith’s history, and in the early years of His
subsequent exile in 1868 to the fortress town of ‘Akká, He summoned the
monarchs of East and West collectively, and some among them individually, to
recognize the Day of God and to acknowledge the One promised in the scriptures
of the religions professed by the recipients of His summons. “Never since the
beginning of the world”, Bahá’u’lláh declares, “hath the Message been so openly
proclaimed.” (The Universal House of Justice, Introduction to “The Summons of
the Lord of Hosts”)
November 20
Ours is then the duty and
privilege to labor, by day and by night, amidst the storm and stress of these
troublous days, that we may quicken the zeal of our fellow-men, rekindle their
hopes, stimulate their interest, open their eyes to the true Faith of God and
enlist their active support in the carrying out of our common task for the
peace and regeneration of the world. (Shoghi Effendi, excerpt from a letter
dated 14 November 1923 to the Baha’is throughout America, ‘Baha’i
Administration’)
November 19
You have asked whether our prayers go beyond Bahá'u'lláh: it
all depends whether we pray to Him directly or through Him to God. We may do
both, and also can pray directly to God, but our prayers would certainly be more
effective and illuminating if they are addressed to Him through His
Manifestation, Bahá'u'lláh. (From a letter dated 14 October 1937 written on
behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; The Compilation of
Compilations, Vol. II, The Importance of Prayer, Meditation and the Devotional
Attitude)
November 18
The Guardian...noted with keen interest the various
suggestions you had offered to the National Spiritual Assembly in its last
meeting. ...
The spirit of frank and constructive criticism behind your suggestions must have surely impressed them, and awakened them to a fresh and deeper realization of the unique responsibilities which they have to shoulder in this day. (From a letter dated August 19, 1938, written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, compilation on ‘Criticism: Extracts from letters written on behalf of the Guardian to individual believers’, prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice)
The spirit of frank and constructive criticism behind your suggestions must have surely impressed them, and awakened them to a fresh and deeper realization of the unique responsibilities which they have to shoulder in this day. (From a letter dated August 19, 1938, written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, compilation on ‘Criticism: Extracts from letters written on behalf of the Guardian to individual believers’, prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice)
November 17
O ye loved ones of God! Out of gratitude for firmness in the
eternal Covenant arise to serve the threshold of the omnipotent Lord, observe
obligatory prayer and fasting, and spend your time in diffusing the sweet
savours of God and in spreading the Divine verses. Tear asunder the veils,
remove the obstacles, proffer the life-giving waters, and point out the path of
salvation. This is what 'Abdu'l-Bahá admonisheth you every morn and eve.
(‘Abdu’l-Baha, from a Tablet, Compilation ‘The Importance of Obligatory Prayer
and Fasting’, prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of
Justice; The American Baha’i September 2000)
November 16
...when a person becomes a Bahá'í, he gives up the past only
in the sense that he is a part of this new and living Faith of God, and must
seek to pattern himself, in act and thought, along the lines laid down by
Bahá'u'lláh. The fact that he is by origin a Jew or a Christian, a black man or
a white man, is not important any more, but, as you say, lends colour and charm
to the Bahá'í Community in that it demonstrates unity in diversity. (12 March 1949, written on behalf of Shoghi
Effendi to an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. III, Cultural
Diversity in the Age of Maturity)
November 15
The field is immense, the task gigantic, the privilege immeasurably precious. Time is short, and the obligation sacred, paramount and urgent. The American community must muster all its force, concentrate its resources, summon to its aid all the faith, the determination and energies of which it is capable, and set out, single-minded and undaunted, to attain still greater heights in its mighty exertions for the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh. (Shoghi Effendi, letter dated May 30, 1936, ‘Messages to America’)
November 14
Child education is a matter of the utmost importance. The
infant, while yet a suckling, must receive Bahá'í training, and the loving
spirit of Christ and Bahá'u'lláh must be breathed into him, that he may be
reared in accord with the verities of the Gospel and the Most Holy Book. (‘Abdu’l-Baha,
from a Tablet; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Baha’i Education)
November 13
Alcohol should not be served at any reception, either at
home or in a public place, at which you are host... We believe you should not
use the term "cocktail party". The designation of either
"tea" or "reception" would be preferable. (The Universal
House of Justice, from a letter dated 31 December 1967 to an individual
believer; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Prohibition on Drinking
Alcohol)
November 12
… the august figure of Bahá’u’lláh, preeminent in holiness,
awesome in the majesty of His strength and power, unapproachable in the
transcendent brightness of His glory. (Shoghi Effendi, ‘God Passes By’)
November 11
… the Administrative Order of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh—a
system which is at once the harbinger, the nucleus and pattern of His World
Order. (Shoghi Effendi, ‘God Passes By’)
November 10
I cannot refrain from appealing to them who stand identified
with the Faith to disregard the prevailing notions and the fleeting fashions of
the day, and to realize as never before that the exploded theories and the
tottering institutions of present-day civilization must needs appear in sharp
contrast with those God-given institutions which are destined to arise upon
their ruin. I pray that they may realize with all their heart and soul the
ineffable glory of their calling, the overwhelming responsibility of their
mission, and the astounding immensity of their task. (Shoghi Effendi, from a letter
dated March 21, 1930, ‘The World Order of Baha’u’llah’)
November 9
More generally, while it is
disconcerting that Covenant-breaker material is being disseminated on the
Internet, there is little that can or should be done to directly oppose such
dissemination. Rather, the greatest protection to the Cause will be through
ongoing deepening of the Bahá'í community in the Covenant and the history and
teachings of the Faith. An important role that the Internet can play in this
regard is to make authentic Bahá'í literature, on the Covenant and on Bahá'í
teachings generally, easily available. (From a letter dated 19 December 1997
written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual;
compilation ‘Electronic Communication
with Covenant-breakers’, prepared by the Research Department of the Universal
House of Justice)
November 8
Wealth is praiseworthy in the highest degree, if it is
acquired by an individual's own efforts and the grace of God, on commerce,
agriculture, art and industry and if it be expended for philanthropic purposes.
Above all, if a judicious and resourceful individual should initiate measures
which would universally enrich the masses of the people, there could be no
undertaking greater than this, and it would rank in the sight of God as the
supreme achievement, for such a benefactor would supply the needs and insure
the comfort and well-being of a great multitude. Wealth is most commendable,
provided the entire population is wealthy. If, however, a few have inordinate
riches while the rest are impoverished, and no fruit or benefit accrues from
that wealth, then it is only a liability to its possessor. If, on the other
hand, it is expended for the promotion of knowledge, the founding of elementary
and other schools, the encouragement of art and industry, the training of
orphans and the poor -- in brief, if it is dedicated to the welfare of society
-- its possessor will stand out before God and man as the most excellent of all
who live on earth and will be accounted as one of the people of paradise. (‘Abdu’l-Baha,
‘The Secret of Divine Civilization’; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. III,
Economics, Agriculture, and Related Subjects)
November 7
The Guardian wishes you, therefore, to pray, and to
supplicate the Almighty that He may give you a fuller measure of His grace;
that through it your spiritual energies may be quickened and that you may
become more imbued with that spirit which must needs animate, sustain and
strengthen every sincere and true follower of the Faith. (From a letter dated 13
March 1934 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; The
Compilation of Compilations, Vol. II, The Importance of Prayer, Meditation and
the Devotional Attitude)
November 6
This great law [parental consent] He has laid down to strengthen the social fabric, to knit closer the ties of the home, to place a certain gratitude and respect in the hearts of children for those who have given them life and sent their souls out on the eternal journey towards their Creator. We Bahá'ís must realize that in present-day society the exact opposite process is taking place: young people care less and less for their parents' wishes, divorce is considered a natural right, and obtained on the flimsiest and most unwarrantable and shabby pretexts. People separated from each other, especially if one of them has had full custody of the children, are only too willing to belittle the importance of the partner in marriage also responsible as a parent for bringing those children into this world. The Bahá'ís must, through rigid adherence to the Bahá'í laws and teachings, combat these corrosive forces which are so rapidly destroying home life and the beauty of family relationships, and tearing down the moral structure of society. (From a letter dated25 October 1947 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States; compilation ‘Consent of Parents to Marriage’, prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice)
November 5
As to the most great characteristic of the revelation of Bahá'u'lláh, a specific teaching not given by any of the Prophets of the past: It is the ordination and appointment of the Center of the Covenant. By this appointment and provision He has safeguarded and protected the religion of God against differences and schisms, making it impossible for anyone to create a new sect or faction of belief. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912’; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, The Covenant)
November 4
O ye the faithful loved ones of 'Abdu'l-Bahá! It is incumbent upon you to take the greatest care of Shoghi Effendi, the twig that hath branched from and the fruit given forth by the two hallowed and Divine Lote-Trees, that no dust of despondency and sorrow may stain his radiant nature, that day by day he may wax greater in happiness, in joy and spirituality, and may grow to become even as a fruitful tree. (‘Abdu'l-Baha, The Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’)
November 3
In the land of its birth, … a country whose capital has been hailed by Bahá’u’lláh as the “mother of the world” and the “dayspring of the joy of mankind” … (Shoghi Effendi, letter dated December 25, 1938, ‘The Advent of Divine Justice’)
November 2
Regarding the question whether it is necessary to obtain the consent of the parents of a non-Bahá'í participant in a marriage with a Bahá'í: as Bahá'u'lláh has stated that the consent of the parents of both parties is required in order to promote unity and avoid friction, and as the "Aqdas" does not specify any exceptions to this rule, the Guardian feels that under all circumstances the consent of the parents of both parties is required. (From a letter dated 12 August 1941 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to a National Spiritual Assembly; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Preserving Baha’i Marriages)
November 1
The present condition of the world -- its economic instability, social dissensions, political dissatisfaction and international distrust -- should awaken the youth from their slumber and make them inquire what the future is going to bring. It is surely they who will suffer most if some calamity sweep over the world. They should therefore open their eyes to the existing conditions, study the evil forces that are at play and then with a concerted effort arise and bring about the necessary reforms -- reforms that shall contain within their scope the spiritual as well as social and political phases of human life. (From a letter dated 13 March 1932 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, published in "Bahá'í News" 68, November 1932; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Youth)
October 31
Every meeting which is organized for the purpose of unity and concord will be conducive to changing strangers into friends, enemies into associates, and ‘Abdu'l-Bahá will be present in his heart and soul with that meeting. ('Abdu'l-Baha, 'Tablets of ‘Abdu'l-Bahá ‘Abbás', vol. 3; compilation ‘Baha’i Meetings,’ prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice)
October 30
We must strive to attain to that condition [1] by being separated from all things and from the people of the world and by turning to God alone. It will take some effort on the part of man to attain to that condition, but he must work for it, strive for it. We can attain to it by thinking and caring less for material things and more for the spiritual. The further we go from the one, the nearer we are to the other. The choice is ours.
Our spiritual perception, our inward sight must be opened, so that we can see the signs and traces of God's spirit in everything. Everything can reflect to us the light of the Spirit. (Words of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's, quoted by Dr. Esslemont in ‘Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era’; The Compilation of Compilations, Vol. II, The Importance of Prayer, Meditation and the Devotional Attitude) [1] The spiritual condition in which conversation with God becomes possible.
Our spiritual perception, our inward sight must be opened, so that we can see the signs and traces of God's spirit in everything. Everything can reflect to us the light of the Spirit. (Words of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's, quoted by Dr. Esslemont in ‘Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era’; The Compilation of Compilations, Vol. II, The Importance of Prayer, Meditation and the Devotional Attitude) [1] The spiritual condition in which conversation with God becomes possible.
October 29
You should give serious concern to the matter of teaching, and think of ways of imparting the Message to prominent people, for once such person have given their allegiance to the Faith they will cause the people to be led, troop after troop, to the wellspring of unfailing guidance. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, from a Tablet to an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Teaching Prominent People)
October 28
The Báb’s only chance of meeting MuHammad Sháh—a meeting which He Himself had requested and on which He had pinned His fondest hopes—was dashed to the ground by the intervention of the cowardly and capricious Hájí Mírzá Aqásí, who trembled at the thought lest His contact with the sovereign, already unduly inclined to befriend that Cause, should prove fatal to his own interests. (Shoghi Effendi, Epilogue section of ‘The Dawn-Breakers’)
October 27
In the heart of the European continent a community which, as predicted by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, is destined, by virtue of its spiritual potentialities and geographical situation, to radiate the splendor of the light of the Faith on the countries that surround it, has been momentarily eclipsed through the restrictions which a regime that has sorely misapprehended its purpose and function has chosen to impose upon it. Its voice, alas, is now silenced, its institutions dissolved, its literature banned, its archives confiscated, and its meetings suspended. (Shoghi Effendi, letter ‘To the beloved of God and the handmaids of the Merciful throughout the United States and Canada’, December 25, 1938, ‘The Advent of Divine Justice’)
October 26
Over and over, in going through the correspondence he received from your Assembly, he was struck by the fact that the friends acted so unadministratively. Instead of taking up their accusations and problems and criticisms with their Local Assembly, or the National Assembly, they spoke to individuals or individual members of the Assembly, or they refused to meet with the Assembly. The first thing a believer should do is to turn to an Assembly -- that is why we have Assemblies! He feels this trouble would never have arisen if the Bahá'ís utilized their Assemblies as they should. One of the healing remedies Bahá'u'lláh has given to a sick world is the Assembly (which in the future will become a House of Justice); its members have very sacred and heavy responsibilities, its power to steer the Community, to protect and assist its members is likewise very great. (From a letter dated 30 June 1949 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. III, Issues Concerning Community Functioning)
October 25
As the Bahá'í Administrative Order rapidly expands throughout the world it behooves everyone associated with it to familiarize himself with its principles, to understand its import and to put its precepts into practice. Only as individual members of Local Spiritual Assemblies deepen themselves in the fundamental verities of the Faith and in the proper application of the principles governing the operation of the Assembly will this institution grow and develop toward its full potential. (The Universal House of Justice, from a letter dated 11 August 1970 to all National Spiritual Assemblies; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Local Spiritual Assemblies)
October 24
Thy letter was received. Praise be to God it imparted the good news of thy health and safety and indicated that thou art ready to enter an agricultural school. This is highly suitable. Strive as much as possible to become proficient in the science of agriculture, for in accordance with the divine teachings the acquisition of sciences and the perfection of arts are considered acts of worship. If a man engageth with all his power in the acquisition of a science or in the perfection of an art, it is as if he has been worshipping God in churches and temples. Thus as thou enterest a school of agriculture and strivest in the acquisition of that science thou art day and night engaged in acts of worship - acts that are accepted at the threshold of the Almighty. What bounty greater than this that science should be considered as an act of worship and art as service to the Kingdom of God. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Selections from the Writings of `Abdu'l-Bahá’; The Compilation of Compilations, Vol. I, The Arts and Crafts)
October 23
I need not tell you how grievously he deplores the fact that there are so many negative forces prevailing in Bahá'í gatherings and particularly in such an important meeting as the Convention. The oft-repeated words of the Master concerning unity and harmonious co-operation among the friends should be carefully and thoughtfully remembered now more than ever. Nothing is more contrary to the spirit of the Cause than discord and strife, which are the inevitable outcome of selfishness and greed. Pure detachment and selfless service, these should be the sole motives of every true believer. And unless each and every one of the friends succeeds in translating such qualities into living action, no hope of further progress can be entertained. It is now that unity of thought and action is most needed. It is now, when the Cause is entering a new phase of development, when its Administration is being gradually consolidated amid the welter and chaos of a tottering civilization, that the friends should present a united front to those forces of internal dissension, which, if not completely wiped out, will bring our work to inevitable destruction. (From a letter dated 24 September 1933 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Living the Life)
October 22
Furthermore, although all created things grow and develop, yet are they subjected to influences from without. For instance, the sun giveth heat, the rain nourisheth, the wind bringeth life, so that man can develop and grow. Thus it is clear that the human body is under influences from the outside, and that without those influences man could not grow. And likewise, those outside influences are subjected to other influences in their turn. For example, the growth and development of a human being is dependent upon the existence of water, and water is dependent upon the existence of rain, and rain is dependent upon the existence of clouds, and clouds are dependent upon the existence of the sun, which causeth land and sea to produce vapour, the condensation of vapour forming the clouds. Thus each one of these entities exerteth its influence and is likewise influenced in its turn. Inescapably then, the process leadeth to One Who influenceth all, and yet is influenced by none, thus severing the chain. The inner reality of that Being, however, is not known, although His effects are clear and evident. ('Abdu'l-Baha, 'Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá'; compilation ‘Nature,’ prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice)
October 21
Thus it is an especial blessing that from among the descendants of Abraham should have come all the Prophets of the children of Israel. This is a blessing that God has granted to this descent: to Moses from his father and mother, to Christ from his mother's line; also to Muhammad and the Báb, and to all the Prophets and the Holy Manifestations of Israel. The Blessed Beauty [Bahá'u'lláh] is also a lineal descendant of Abraham, for Abraham had other sons besides Ishmael and Isaac who in those days migrated to the lands of Persia and Afghanistan, and the Blessed Beauty is one of their descendants. Hence it is evident that inherited character also exists, and to such a degree that if the characters are not in conformity with their origin, although they belong physically to that lineage, spiritually they are not considered members of the family, like Canaan,[Cf. Genesis 9:25] who is not reckoned as being of the race of Noah. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, "Some Answered Questions"; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Baha’ Education)
October 20
We behold, as we survey the episodes of this first act of a sublime drama, the figure of its Master Hero, the Báb, arise meteor-like above the horizon of Shíráz, traverse the sombre sky of Persia from south to north, decline with tragic swiftness, and perish in a blaze of glory. We see His satellites, a galaxy of God-intoxicated heroes, mount above that same horizon, irradiate that same incandescent light, burn themselves out with that self-same swiftness, and impart in their turn an added impetus to the steadily gathering momentum of God’s nascent Faith.
He Who communicated the original impulse to so incalculable a Movement was none other than the promised Qá’im (He who ariseth), the Sáhibu’z-Zamán (the Lord of the Age), Who assumed the exclusive right of annulling the whole Qur’ánic Dispensation, Who styled Himself “the Primal Point from which have been generated all created things ... the Countenance of God Whose splendor can never be obscured, the Light of God Whose radiance can never fade.” (Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By)
He Who communicated the original impulse to so incalculable a Movement was none other than the promised Qá’im (He who ariseth), the Sáhibu’z-Zamán (the Lord of the Age), Who assumed the exclusive right of annulling the whole Qur’ánic Dispensation, Who styled Himself “the Primal Point from which have been generated all created things ... the Countenance of God Whose splendor can never be obscured, the Light of God Whose radiance can never fade.” (Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By)
October 19
Even as the clouds let us shed down tears, and as the lightning flashes let us laugh at our coursings through east and west. By day, by night, let us think but of spreading the sweet savours of God. Let us not keep on forever with our fancies and illusions, with our analysing and interpreting and circulating of complex dubieties. Let us put aside all thoughts of self; let us close our eyes to all on earth, let us neither make known our sufferings nor complain of our wrongs. Rather let us become oblivious of our own selves, and drinking down the wine of heavenly grace, let us cry out our joy, and lose ourselves in the beauty of the All-Glorious. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu'l-Baha’; compilation ‘Humor and Laughter’, prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice)
October 18
Regarding the question you asked him about one of the believers who seems to be flagrantly homosexual -- although to a certain extent we must be forbearing in the matter of people's moral conduct because of the terrible deterioration in society in general, this does not mean that we can put up indefinitely with conduct which is disgracing the Cause. The person should have it brought to his attention that such acts are condemned by Bahá'u'lláh, and that he must mend his ways, if necessary consult doctors, and make every effort to overcome this affliction, which is corruptive for him and bad for the Cause. If after a period of probation you do not see an improvement, he should have his voting rights taken away. The Guardian does not think, however, that a Bahá'í body should take it upon itself to denounce him to the Authorities unless his conduct borders on insanity. (From a letter 20 June 1953 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada, published in "Messages to Canada"; compilation ‘Homosexuality’, prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice)
October 17
The administrative machinery of the Cause having now sufficiently evolved, its aim and object fairly well grasped and understood, and its method and working made more familiar to every believer, I feel the time is ripe when it should be fully and consciously utilized to further the purpose for which it has been created. It should, I strongly feel, be made to serve a twofold purpose. On one hand, it should aim at a steady and gradual expansion of the Movement along lines that are at once broad, sound and universal; and on the other, it should ensure the internal consolidation of the work already achieved. It should both provide the impulse whereby the dynamic forces latent in the Faith can unfold, crystallize, and shape the lives and conduct of men, and serve as a medium for the interchange of thought and the co-ordination of activities among the divers elements that constitute the Bahá'í community. (From a letter dated 11 May 1926 written by Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada, published in ‘Bahá'í Administration: Selected Messages 1922-1932’; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, National Spiritual Assembly)
October 16
Another problem closely linked with the above and which directly affects areas where mass teaching work is being carried out is the extent to which the local believers contribute to the Fund. As you note, one of the objectives of the Nine Year Plan is universal participation in Bahá'í community life. This can be possible when each believer understands that his personal spiritual life will be enriched and universal blessings will descend only if each Bahá'í participates in contributing, however poor he may be, however small the contribution, and in whatever form it is offered. Your Assembly must devote enough time at each meeting to consider carefully this basic process. We must be confident that the principles laid down in our Writings are not only workable, but are the only solution to the ills of mankind. With such confidence in their hearts, the members of each National Assembly faced with this stupendous problem must deliberate, and within the framework of the social and economic conditions of the communities they are serving, they must find ways and means that would gradually, yet positively, help in realising this purpose. (From a letter dated 25 June 1964 written by the Universal House of Justice to all National Spiritual Assemblies engaged in teaching work among the masses; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Teaching the Masses)
October 15
An authoritative Tradition states: "As for him who is one of the learned, he must guard himself, defend his faith, oppose his passions and obey the commandments of his Lord. It is then the duty of the people to pattern themselves after him." (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ’The Secret of Divine Civilization’; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. III, Scholarship)
October 14
Divine Justice demands that the rights of both sexes should be equally respected since neither is superior to the other in the eyes of Heaven. Dignity before God depends, not on sex, but on purity and luminosity of heart. Human virtues belong equally to all! (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Paris Talks: Addresses given by 'Abdu'l-Bahá in Paris in 1911-1912’; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Women)
October 13
Few will fail to recognize that the Spirit breathed by Bahá'u'lláh upon the world, and which is manifesting itself with varying degrees of intensity through the efforts consciously displayed by His avowed supporters and indirectly through certain humanitarian organizations, can never permeate and exercise an abiding influence upon mankind unless and until it incarnates itself in a visible Order, which would bear His name, wholly identify itself with His principles, and function in conformity with His laws. That Bahá'u'lláh in His Book of Aqdas, and later 'Abdu'l-Bahá in His Will -- a document which confirms, supplements, and correlates the provisions of the Aqdas -- have set forth in their entirety those essential elements for the constitution of the world Bahá'í Commonwealth, no one who has read them will deny. According to these divinely-ordained administrative principles, the Dispensation of Bahá'u'lláh -- the Ark of human salvation -- must needs be modeled. From them, all future blessings must flow, and upon them its inviolable authority must ultimately rest. (Shoghi Effendi, March 21, 1930, ‘The World Order of Baha'u'llah’)
October 12
I need not enlarge at the present moment upon what I have stated in the past, that contributions to the local and national Funds are of a purely voluntary character; that no coercion or solicitation of funds is to be tolerated in the Cause; that general appeals addressed to the communities as a body should be the only form in which the financial requirements of the Faith are to be met … (Shoghi Effendi, February 27, 1929, ‘The World Order of Baha'u'llah’)
October 11
One of the characteristics of the Bahá'í society will be the gathering of the believers each day during the hours between dawn and two hours after sunrise to listen to the reading and chanting of the Holy Word. In many communities at the present time, especially in rural ones, such gatherings would fit naturally into the pattern of the friends' daily life, and where this is the case it would do much to foster the unity of the local community and deepen the friends' knowledge of the Teachings if such gatherings could be organized by the Local Spiritual Assembly on a regular basis. Attendance at these gatherings is not to be obligatory, but we hope that the friends will more and more be drawn to take part in them. This is a goal which can be attained gradually.(The Universal House of Justice to all National Spiritual Assemblies, Naw-Rúz 1974; compilation ‘Agriculture and Rural Life’, prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice)
October 10
In the convulsions of contemporary society, in the frenzied, world-wide ebullitions of men’s thoughts, in the fierce antagonisms inflaming races, creeds and classes, in the shipwreck of nations, in the downfall of kings, in the dismemberment of empires, in the extinction of dynasties, in the collapse of ecclesiastical hierarchies, in the deterioration of time-honored institutions, in the dissolution of ties, secular as well as religious, that had for so long held together the members of the human race—all manifesting themselves with ever-increasing gravity since the outbreak of the first World War that immediately preceded the opening years of the Formative Age of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh—in these we can readily recognize the evidences of the travail of an age that has sustained the impact of His Revelation, that has ignored His summons, and is now laboring to be delivered of its burden, as a direct consequence of the impulse communicated to it by the generative, the purifying, the transmuting influence of His Spirit. (Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By)
October 9
He wishes to start a new section in "The Bahá'í World" devoted wholly to poems written by Bahá'ís. Though it may be a humble beginning it is a start for great future achievements. Shoghi Effendi wishes thereby to encourage those who are talented to give expression to the wonderful spirit that animates them. We need poets and writers for the Cause and this is undoubtedly one good way to urge them on. Some of the poems are written by very youthful persons yet they ring so true and give expression to such thoughts that one should halt and admire. In Persia the Cause has given birth to poets that even non-Bahá'ís consider as great. We hope before long we will have similar persons arise in the West. (From a letter dated 2 January 1932 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. III, The Importance of Arts in Promoting the Faith)
October 8
As to those believers who continue to drink, they should be lovingly exhorted, then firmly warned and eventually deprived of their voting rights. The number of times a person is exhorted and warned is a matter left to the discretion of each Local Spiritual Assembly, in consultation with the National Spiritual Assembly. The policy you adopt should not be one of removing the administrative rights of the believers in a bureaucratic and automatic way, as this would be unwise and unjust. Your Assembly as well as all Local Spiritual Assemblies should courageously and continuously remind the friends of their obligation in this respect, handle firmly all flagrant cases, and use such cases, in a way that by force of example, they exert their influence upon the other believers. It must be made clear to the Local Assemblies that they should be willing to cooperate with the believers affected by such drinking habits, when any such believer promises gradually and systematically to reduce his drinking with the objective in mind of entirely abandoning this habit.
We feel sure that your National Assembly will, with wisdom, loving kindness and determination succeed in uprooting this evil from your ranks and bring about the spiritual upliftment and advancement of the believers under your area of jurisdiction.(The Universal Haouse of Justice, 12 November 1965 to a National Spiritual Assembly; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Prohibition on Drinking Alcohol)
October 7
For the burial of the dead the only requirements now binding in the West are to bury the body (not to cremate it), not to carry it more than a distance of one hour's journey from the place of death, and to say the Prayer for the Dead if the deceased is a believer over the age of 15. (From a letter dated 9 June 1974 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of Iceland; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Extracts on Baha’i Burial)
October 6
We cannot believe that as the Movement grows in strength, in authority and in influence, the perplexities and the sufferings it has had to contend with in the past will correspondingly decrease and vanish. Nay, as it grows from strength to strength, the fanatical defendants of the strongholds of Orthodoxy, whatever be their denomination, realizing the penetrating influence of this growing Faith, will arise and strain every nerve to extinguish its light and discredit its name. For has not our beloved 'Abdu'l-Bahá sent forth His glowing prophecy from behind the prison walls of the citadel of 'Akká -- words so significant in their forecast of the coming world turmoil, yet so rich in their promise of eventual victory... (Shoghi Effendi, from a letter dated 12 February 1927 to the Bahá'ís of the West, published in "Bahá'í Administration: Selected Messages 1922-1932"; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Opposition)
October 5
From the fellowship and commingling of the elemental atoms life results. In their harmony and blending there is ever newness of existence. It is radiance, completeness; it is consummation; it is life itself. Just now the physical energies and natural forces which come under our immediate observation are all at peace. The sun is at peace with the earth upon which it shines. The soft breathing winds are at peace with the trees. All the elements are in harmony and equilibrium. A slight disturbance and discord among them might bring another San Francisco earthquake and fire. A physical clash, a little quarreling among the elements as it were, and a violent cataclysm of nature results. This happens in the mineral kingdom. Consider, then, the effect of discord and conflict in the kingdom of man, so superior to the realm of inanimate existence. How great the attendant catastrophe, especially when we realize that man is endowed by God with mind and intellect. Verily, mind is the supreme gift of God. Verily, intellect is the effulgence of God. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912; compilation: ‘Nature’, prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice)
October 4
The meditative faculty is akin to the mirror; if you put it before earthly objects it will reflect them. Therefore if the spirit of man is contemplating earthly subjects he will be informed of these. But if you turn the mirror of your spirits heavenwards, the heavenly constellations and the rays of the Sun of Reality will be reflected in your hearts, and the virtues of the Kingdom will be obtained. Therefore let us keep this faculty rightly directed -- turning it to the heavenly Sun and not to earthly objects -- so that we may discover the secrets of the Kingdom, and comprehend the allegories of the Bible and the mysteries of the spirit. May we indeed become mirrors reflecting the heavenly realities, and may we become so pure as to reflect the stars of heaven. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Paris Talks: Addresses given by 'Abdu'l-Bahá in Paris in 1911-1912"; The Compilation of Compilations, Vol. II, The Importance of Prayer, Meditation and the Devotional Attitude)
October 3
I consider it my duty to warn every beginner in the Faith that the promised glories of the Sovereignty which the Bahá’í teachings foreshadow, can be revealed only in the fullness of time, that the implications of the Aqdas and the Will of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, as the twin repositories of the constituent elements of that Sovereignty, are too far-reaching for this generation to grasp and fully appreciate. (Shoghi Effendi, March 21, 1930, ‘The World Order of Baha’u’llah’)
October 2
… the administration of the Cause is to be conceived as an instrument and not a substitute for the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, that it should be regarded as a channel through which His promised blessings may flow, that it should guard against such rigidity as would clog and fetter the liberating forces released by His Revelation. (Shoghi Effendi, February 27, 1929, ‘The World Order of Baha’u’llah’)
October 1
The community of the organized promoters of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh in the American continent—the spiritual descendants of the dawn-breakers of an heroic Age, who by their death proclaimed the birth of that Faith—must, in turn, usher in, not by their death but through living sacrifice, that promised World Order, the shell ordained to enshrine that priceless jewel, the world civilization, of which the Faith itself is the sole begetter. (Shoghi Effendi, ‘The Advent of Divine Justice’)
September 30
As to whether the materials prepared by the Research Department constitute the authoritative word of the Universal House of Justice on a particular subject, as raised in your third question, the House of Justice indicates that such materials, though prepared at its direction, represent the views of that Department. While such views are very useful as an aid to resolving perplexities or gaining an enhanced understanding of the Bahá'í Teachings, they should never be taken to be in the same category as the elucidations and clarifications provided by the Universal House of Justice in the exercise of its assigned functions. However, the House of Justice chooses to convey the materials prepared by the Research Department to the friends because it wishes them to be thoughtfully attended to and seriously considered. (From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, dated 22 October, 1996)
September 29
We do not believe that there was a bodily resurrection after the Crucifixion of Christ, but that there was a time after His Ascension when His disciples perceived spiritually His true greatness and realized He was eternal in being. This is what has been reported symbolically in the New Testament and been misunderstood. His eating with His disciples after resurrection is the same thing. (From a letter dated 9 October 1947 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; compilation ‘Resurrection of Jesus Christ’, prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice)
September 28
As there were no followers of the Báb or Bahá'u'lláh derived from the religions of the Far East in Their days, this may be the reason that They did not address any Tablets directly to these people. Also we must remember that every religion springs from some root, and just as Christianity sprang from Judaism, our own religion sprang from Islam, and that is why so many of the teachings deduce their proofs from Islam. (From a letter dated 5 March 1951 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Extracts from the Baha’i Writings on Buddha, Krishna, Zoroaster, and related subjects)
September 27
The original of "Some Answered Questions" in Persian is preserved in the Holy Land; its text was read in full and corrected by ‘Abdu'l-Bahá Himself. Unfortunately, Abdu'l-Bahá did not read and authenticate all transcripts of His other talks, some of which have been translated into various languages and published. For many of His addresses included in "The Promulgation of Universal Peace" and "Paris Talks", for example, no original authenticated text has yet been found. However, the Guardian allowed such compilations to continue to be used by the friends. In the future each talk will have to be identified and those which are unauthenticated will have to be clearly distinguished from those which form a part of Bahá'í Scripture. This does not mean that the unauthenticated talks will have to cease to be used -- merely that the degree of authenticity of every document will have to be known and understood. (From a letter dated 23 March 1987 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice included in a Memorandum from the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice, dated 28 March 1996 attached to a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, dated 22 October, 1996)
September 26
‘Abdu'l-Bahá, Who incarnates an institution for which we can find no parallel whatsoever in any of the world's recognized religious systems, may be said to have closed the Age to which He Himself belonged and opened the one in which we are now laboring. His Will and Testament should thus be regarded as the perpetual, the indissoluble link which the mind of Him Who is the Mystery of God has conceived in order to insure the continuity of the three ages that constitute the component parts of the Bahá'í Dispensation. The period in which the seed of the Faith had been slowly germinating is thus intertwined both with the one which must witness its efflorescence and the subsequent age in which that seed will have finally yielded its golden fruit. (Shoghi Effendi, The Dispensation of Baha’u’llah)
September 25
As to whether there is a distinction between correspondence from the World Centre that has been signed "The Universal House of Justice" and that signed on behalf of the Secretariat: In brief, the manner in which each of these letters is prepared depends upon the contents of the letter. Drafts of letters which contain newly formulated policies are consulted upon and approved during a meeting of the House of Justice; correspondence dealing with previously enunciated policies, or with matters of a routine nature, are prepared, as delegated by the House of Justice, by its Secretariat and initialed by at least the majority of the members of the House of Justice before being dispatched. All letters written over the signature of the Department of the Secretariat are authorized by the Universal House of Justice. (From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, dated 22 October, 1996)
September 24
Dominating the entire range of this fascinating spectacle towers the incomparable figure of Bahá'u'lláh, transcendental in His majesty, serene, awe-inspiring, unapproachably glorious. Allied, though subordinate in rank, and invested with the authority of presiding with Him over the destinies of this supreme Dispensation, there shines upon this mental picture the youthful glory of the Báb, infinite in His tenderness, irresistible in His charm, unsurpassed in His heroism, matchless in the dramatic circumstances of His short yet eventful life. And finally there emerges, though on a plane of its own and in a category entirely apart from the one occupied by the twin Figures that preceded Him, the vibrant, the magnetic personality of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, reflecting to a degree that no man, however exalted his station, can hope to rival, the glory and power with which They who are the Manifestations of God are alone endowed. (Shoghi Effendi, The Dispensation of Baha’u’llah)
September 22
Concerning the position of Mirza Yahya in the Babi community, the Guardian has made it quite clear in "God Passes By" that Mirza Yahya was the Bab's "nominee" and was the "recognized chief of the Babi community" following the martyrdom of the Bab. He has also referred to him as "titular head" and "a mere figurehead" (see "God Passes By" page 90). The position occupied by Mirza Yahya was far different from being an appointed Successor of a Manifestation of God in the sense that St. Peter, the Imam 'Ali or 'Abdu'l-Bahá were appointed Successors with far-reaching authority. Obviously the Bab had no need to appoint such a Successor, for He knew that Bahá'u'lláh was already present and ready to be revealed at the appointed time. He seems, therefore, merely to have nominated a titular head for the Babi community as a focal point of unity until such time as He Whom God will make manifest would decide to unveil Himself. (Extract from a letter dated 4 August 1980, written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer; A Memorandum from the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice dated 28 May 2004)
September 21
The spirit of man is itself informed and strengthened during meditation; through it affairs of which man knew nothing are unfolded before his view. Through it he receives Divine inspiration, through it he receives heavenly food. Meditation is the key for opening the doors of mysteries. In that state man abstracts himself: in that state man withdraws himself from all outside objects; in that subjective mood he is immersed in the ocean of spiritual life and can unfold the secrets of things-in-themselves. To illustrate this, think of man as endowed with two kinds of sight; when the power of insight is being used the outward power of vision does not see. This faculty of meditation frees man from the animal nature, discerns the reality of things, puts man in touch with God. This faculty brings forth from the invisible plane the sciences and arts. Through the meditative faculty inventions are made possible, colossal undertakings are carried out; through it governments can run smoothly. Through this faculty man enters into the very Kingdom of God. (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, excerpt ftom a talk, ‘Paris Talks: Addresses given by 'Abdu'l-Bahá in Paris in 1911-1912’; The Compilation of Compilations, Vol. II, The Importance of Prayer, Meditation and the Devotional Attitude)
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