August 31

The House of Justice agrees that the exercise of wisdom calls for a measure of love and the development of a sensitive conscience. These, in turn, involve not only devotion to a high standard of uprightness, but also consideration of the effects of one's words and actions. 

(From a letter dated 8 February 1998 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer)

August 30

It is now a little over 125 years since 'Abdu'l-Bahá addressed His open letter to the people of your country. Because of His vital role in a religious community that had been made the object of intense prejudice, the Author necessarily refrained from attaching His name to the document. His message, however, could not have been more clear. Speaking out of a profound love for a native land that He had not seen during the long years of exile since His childhood, the Master appealed in passionate language for its people to call to mind those days when Iran "was as the heart of the world", "the source and centre of sciences and arts, the wellspring of great inventions and discoveries, the rich mine of human virtues and perfections". The time had come, He insisted, when the heirs of so great a civilization could -- and must -- arise and reclaim their heritage. 

(The Universal House of Justice, from a message dated 26 November 2003, addressed to “the Followers of Bahá'u'lláh in the Cradle of the Faith”)

August 29

Your concern about the overemphasis upon the self and ego echoes a central theme of the Manifestation Himself, and it is the subject of many allusions in His Writings wherein, for example, He speaks of "the evil of egotism" and of those who are "captives of egotism." The Master refers to "the rust of egotism" and tells of ". . . the subtlety of the ego of man. It is the Tempter (the subtle serpent of the mind) and the poor soul not entirely emancipated from its suggestions is deceived until entirely severed from all save God." In another passage He says: "As long as the ego is subjected to carnal desires, sin and error continue." And He promised that with assiduous effort "Man will become free from egotism; he will be released from the material world . . . ". 

(From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer included in compilation: ‘Psychology and Knowledge of Self’, prepared at the Baha’i World Center, attached to a letter written on behalf of the House of Justice to an individual believer, dated 23 October 1994)

August 28

He would not recommend fiction as a means of teaching; the condition of the world is too acute to permit of delay in giving them the direct teachings, associated with the name of Baha'u'llah. But any suitable approach to the Faith, which appeals to this or that group, is certainly worthy of effort, as we wish to bring the Cause to all men, in all walks of life, of all mentalities. [1] 

(From a letter dated 23 March 1945written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; compilation on ‘Extracts from the Baha'i Writings on the Subject of Writers and Writing’ prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice, July 1980)

[1] This advice was given to a believer who sought the counsel of the Guardian on ways one might use writing skills to teach the Faith. The believer proposed writing a novel in which the Baha'i teachings and their source would be presented indirectly and in such a way as to stimulate curiosity and search by the reader.

August 27

The Universal House of Justice has considered your letter of 6 December 1979 concerning the novel you are writing involving a romantic relationship and asking whether you should continue this project in light of the advice of 'Abdu'l-Baha that curricula of schools should avoid tales of love.

We have been asked to say that what should be avoided are stories that arouse the passions. From what you say, the purpose of your story is to appeal to higher motivations in life and, in fact, to spread the spirit and teachings of the Cause.

(From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice dated 23 December 1979 to an individual believer; compilation on ‘Extracts from the Baha'i Writings on the Subject of Writers and Writing’ prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice, July 1980) 

August 26

O thou who art attracted to the Kingdom of God! Thy letter was read with the utmost attention. The poetry was beautiful. Praise be to God, thou art severed from all else save the Heavenly Father. Thou hast been of the earth -- thou art now of the Kingdom. Thou hast been of the world -- thou art now of the Realm of Might. Thou art spreading the divine Teachings. Thank thou God, thou art bearing trials in the path of the Kingdom and art enduring persecutions and sufferings. These afflictions are conducive to the spiritual development and the descent of the Holy Spirit. 

(‘Abdu’l-Baha, Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, vol. 1; memorandum from the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice dated 13 March, 1988)

August 25

The House of Justice suggests that all statements in the Holy Writings concerning specific areas of the relationship between men and women should be considered in the light of the general principle of equality between the sexes that has been authoritatively and repeatedly enunciated in the Sacred Texts. In one of His Tablets 'Abdu'l-Baha asserts: "In this divine age the bounties of God have encompassed the world of women. Equality of men and women, except in some negligible instances, has been fully and categorically announced. Distinctions have been utterly removed." That men and women differ from one another in certain characteristics and functions is an inescapable fact of nature; the important thing is that 'Abdu'l-Baha regards such inequalities as remain as being "negligible."

(From a letter dated 24 December 1980 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer)

August 24

A Supreme Tribunal shall be established by the peoples and Governments of every nation, composed of members elected from each country and Government. The members of this Great Council shall assemble in unity. All disputes of an international character shall be submitted to this Court, its work being to arrange by arbitration everything which otherwise would be a cause of war. The mission of this Tribunal would be to prevent war. 

(‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Paris Talks: Addresses given by 'Abdu'l-Bahá in Paris in 1911-1912’; The Compilation of Compilations, Vol. II, Peace)

August 23

A number of sexual problems, such as homosexuality and transsexuality can well have medical aspects, and in such cases recourse should certainly be had to the best medical assistance. But it is clear from the teaching of Bahá'u'lláh that homosexuality is not a condition to which a person should be reconciled, but is a distortion of his or her nature which should be controlled and overcome. This may require a hard struggle, but so also can be the struggle of a heterosexual person to control his or her desires. The exercise of self-control in this, as in so very many other aspects of life, has a beneficial effect on the progress of the soul. 

(The Universal House of Justice, from a letter dated 6 February 1973 to all National Spiritual Assemblies, published in ‘Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1968-1973’)

August 22

Although we see no objection to a Deputy or a Representative of Huququ'llah becoming an executor of a will, this should not be for the purpose stated in the question. [1] It is important that the believer leave a clear accounting of his properties and his payments of Huququ’llah to date; and name in his will the beneficiary for receiving the Huququ'llah payments due from his estate. If these terms are clearly stated, then any executor is legally bound to discharge their provisions.

The Deputies and Representatives can well assist the friends in acquiring a deeper understanding of the spirit of the law, which calls for full payment of Huququ'llah on a regular basis during one's lifetime. If circumstances have been such that an individual has been unable to carry out this obligation, it is of vital importance that he or she leave behind sufficient information, based on which the executor of the will can easily compute his or her liability to Huququ'llah and dispose of it properly for the benefit of the Universal House of Justice.

In this regard we share with you the following statement which you may wish to provide to the believers for inclusion in their will:

Should it be determined by my executors, after all funeral and testamentary expenses have been discharged and all due debts have been paid, that a sum of money is due from my estate in accordance with the law of Huququ'llah, such an amount should be paid to "National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Canada" earmarked "Right of God" or "Huququ'llah". 

(Extracts from letters written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice - compiled by Board of Trustees of Huququ'llah in Canada in a letter dated 26 November 1996; printed in Baha’i Canada February/March 2009)

[1] The question raised was: “Could or should a Representative or Deputy Trustee be named executor of a will to ensure that the payment of outstanding Huququ’llah is properly discharged?”

August 21

…although to be married is highly desirable, and Bahá'u'lláh has strongly recommended it, it is not the central purpose of life. If a person has to wait a considerable period before finding a spouse, or if ultimately, he or she must remain single, it does not mean that he or she is thereby unable to fulfil his or her life's purpose. 

(The Universal House of Justice, from a letter dated 6 February 1973 to all National Spiritual Assemblies, published in ‘Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1968-1973’)

August 20

Bahá'u'lláh has clearly stated the consent of all living parents is required for a Bahá'í marriage. This applies whether the parents are Bahá'ís or non-Bahá'ís, divorced for years or not. This great law 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. 

(In a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 25 October 1947 to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada; The Compilation of Compilations vol. I, Divorce)

August 19

At this time, likewise, I most urgently request the friends of God to make every effort, as much as lieth within their competence, along these lines. The harder they strive to widen the scope of their knowledge, the better and more gratifying will be the result. Let the loved ones of God, whether young or old, whether male or female, each according to his capabilities, bestir themselves and spare no efforts to acquire the various current branches of knowledge, both spiritual and secular, and of the arts. Whensoever they gather in their meetings let their conversation be confined to learned subjects and to information on the knowledge of the day.

If they do thus, they will flood the world with the Manifest Light, and change this dusty earth into gardens of the Realm of Glory. 

('Abdu'l-Bahá, from a Tablet-translated from the Arabic; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Excellence in All Things)

August 18

…as the Guardian's secretary has written on his behalf, "The task of bringing up a Baha'i child, as emphasized time and again in Baha'i Writings, is the chief responsibility of the mother, whose unique privilege is indeed to create in her home such conditions as would be the most conducive to both his material and spiritual welfare and advancement. The training which a child first receives through his mother constitutes the strongest foundation for his future development..." A corollary of this responsibility of the mother is her right to be supported by her husband -- a husband has no explicit right to be supported by his wife. This principle of the husband's responsibility to provide for and protect the family can be seen applied also in the law of intestacy which provides that the family's dwelling place passes, on the father's death, not to his widow, but to his eldest son; the son at the same time has the responsibility to care for his mother. 

(From a letter dated 24 December 1980 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer)

August 17

“The full measure of your success,” He, [‘Abdu’l-Baha] in another Tablet, addressed to the entire company of His followers in the North American continent these prophetic words: “is as yet unrevealed, its significance unapprehended. Erelong ye will with your own eyes witness how brilliantly every one of you, even as a shining star, will radiate in the firmament of your country the light of divine guidance, and will bestow upon its people the glory of an everlasting life... I fervently hope that in the near future the whole earth may be stirred and shaken by the results of your achievements. The hope which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá cherishes for you is that the same success which has attended your efforts in America may crown your endeavors in other parts of the world, that through you the fame of the Cause of God may be diffused throughout the East and the West, and the advent of the Kingdom of the Lord of Hosts be proclaimed in all the five continents of the globe. 

(‘Abdu’l-Baha, from a Tablet quoted by Shoghi Effendi in a letter dated June 5, 1947; ‘Citadel of Faith’)

August 16

The primary reason for anyone becoming a Baha'i must of course be because he has come to believe the doctrines, the teachings and the Order of Baha'u'llah are the correct thing for this stage in the world's evolution. The Baha'is themselves as a body have one great advantage: they are sincerely convinced Baha'u'llah is right; they have a plan, and they are trying to follow it. But to pretend they are perfect, that the Baha'is of the future will not be a hundred times more mature, better balanced, more exemplary in their conduct, would be foolish. 

(From a letter dated 21 August 1977 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer)

August 15

He hopes that you will develop into Bahá'ís in character as well as in belief. The whole purpose of Bahá'u'lláh is that we should become a new kind of people, people who are upright, kind, intelligent, truthful, and honest and who live according to His great laws laid down for this new epoch in man's development. To call ourselves Bahá'ís is not enough, our inmost being must become ennobled and enlightened through living a Bahá'í life... 

(From a letter dated 25 August 1944 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Youth)

August 14

Every human being has a spiritual nature and also a material nature; his purpose is to subdue the material nature, which inclines him to evil, and, with the aid of Divine Teachings, to develop his spiritual nature so that he can manifest praiseworthy attributes. An individual who chooses to surrender to the promptings of his material nature can sink to levels of depravity and bestiality which are abhorrent to the discerning eye, and which are totally unworthy of the human station. The Baha'i Teachings inform us that there is no independent force of evil in creation, but terms such as "devil" or Satan" are used in sacred books as symbols of the promptings of the lower nature of man. 

(From a letter dated 9 September 1992 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer)

August 13

…the House of Justice has decided that when a Baha'i has suffered sexual abuse such as incest from a parent, that believer is free to approach the National Spiritual Assembly for a determination that such an action warrants deprivation of the right of the parent to give consent to marriage. At present such matters have to be referred by a National Assembly to the Universal House of Justice on a case by case basis. 

(From a letter dated 22 December 1992 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer)

August 12

A dynamic process, divinely propelled, possessed of undreamt-of potentialities, world-embracing in scope, world-transforming in its ultimate consequences, had been set in motion on that memorable night when the Báb communicated the purpose of His mission to Mullá Ḥusayn in an obscure corner of Shíráz. 

(Shoghi Effendi, ‘God Passes By’)

August 11

The beloved Guardian has been very impressed with the latest book written by our dear departed coworker, George Townshend 'Christ and Baha'u'llah. This book outlines clearly the relationship of Christ and Baha'u'llah, and presents the manners in which the Baha'is are setting up the Kingdom of God for which the Christians are praying. It is challenging, and surely will affect many religious leaders. The Guardian feels your Assembly should make this book the basis of a very active teaching campaign. 

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, April 19, 1957: Baha’i News, No. 316, p. 5, June 1957; compilation: ‘Lights of Guidance’) 

August 10

If we are to avoid becoming entrammeled in the enervating coils of cynicism which are a characteristic of this age of transition, we must, as the "custodians of...the forces of love", ground our efforts in indomitable faith. In the future the Cause of God will spread throughout America; millions will be enlisted under its banner and race prejudice will finally be exorcised from the body politic. Of this have no doubt. It is inexorable, because it is the Will of Almighty God. However, as the House of Justice has been trying to get the friends to understand for some time, the necessary precondition to translation of our community's social vision into reality is a massive expansion in the number of committed, deepened believers who are well-grounded in the essentials of the Cause. Those who fail to comprehend the urgency assigned to the objective of achieving a large expansion have obviously failed to appreciate the moral imperative behind this aim. 

(From a letter dated April 1, 1996, written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer)

August 9

Bahá'ís believe that the love of God is evident in all His laws, no matter how severe some of them may appear to be, because He is revealing to us the purpose and true pattern for which we are created. 

(From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice, quoted in a Memorandum from the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice, dated May 3, 1994) 

August 8

The laws and ordinances that constitute the major theme of this Book, [the Kitab-i-Aqdas] Bahá’u’lláh, moreover, has specifically characterized as “the breath of life unto all created things,” as “the mightiest stronghold,” as the “fruits” of His “Tree,” as “the highest means for the maintenance of order in the world and the security of its peoples,” as “the lamps of His wisdom and loving-providence,” as “the sweet smelling savor of His garment,” as the “keys” of His “mercy” to His creatures. 

(Shoghi Effendi, ‘God Passes By’)

August 7

A Bahá'í recognizes that one aspect of his spiritual and intellectual growth is to foster the development of his conscience in the light of divine Revelation -- a Revelation which, in addition to providing a wealth of spiritual and ethical principles, exhorts man "to free himself from idle fancy and imitation, discern with the eye of oneness His glorious handiwork, and look into all things with a searching eye". This process of development, therefore, involves a clear-sighted examination of the conditions of the world with both heart and mind. 

(From a letter dated 8 February 1998 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer) 

August 6

While there should be no mention of personalities in connection with Bahá'í elections, it is quite appropriate for believers to discuss the requirements and qualifications for membership in the institution to be elected. Shoghi Effendi offers clear guidance on this point: "I feel that reference to personalities before the election would give rise to misunderstanding and differences. What the friends should do is to get thoroughly acquainted with one another, to exchange views, to mix freely and discuss among themselves the requirements and qualifications for such a membership without reference or application, however indirect, to particular individuals." 

(The Universal House of Justice, from a letter dated 25 March 2007)

August 5

Are not the prayers He [‘Abdu’l-Baha] revealed for us sufficient source of inspiration to every worker in His Cause? Have not His instructions paved before us the broad and straight Path of Teaching? Will not His now doubly effective power of Grace sustain us, strengthen us and confirm us in our work for Him? Ours is the duty to strive by day and night to fulfill our own obligations and then trust in His Guidance and never failing Grace. Unity amongst the friends, selflessness in our labors in His Path, detachment from all worldly things, the greatest prudence and caution in every step we take, earnest endeavor to carry out only what is His Holy Will and Pleasure, the constant awareness of His Presence and of the example of His Life… 

(Shoghi Effendi, from a letter dated January 21, 1922; ‘Baha’i Administration’)

August 4

How well I remember when, more than two years ago, the Beloved Master turning to a distinguished visitor of His, who was seated by Him in His garden, suddenly broke the silence and said:—“My work is now done upon this plane; it is time for me to pass on to the other world.” Did He not in more than one occasion state clearly and emphatically:—“Were ye to know what will come to pass after me, surely would ye pray that my end be hastened?” In a Tablet sent to Persia when the storm raised years ago by that Committee of Investigation was fiercely raging around Him, when the days of His incarceration were at their blackest, He reveals the following:—“Now in this world of being, the Hand of Divine Power hath firmly laid the foundations of this all-highest Bounty and this wondrous Gift. Gradually whatsoever is latent in the innermost of this Holy Cycle shall appear and be made manifest, for now is but the beginning of its growth and the dayspring of the revelation of its Signs. Ere the close of this Century and of this Age, it shall be made clear and manifest how wondrous was that Springtide and how heavenly was that Gift!” 

(Shoghi Effendi, from a letter dated January 21, 1922; ‘Baha’i Administration’)

August 3

A Faith Whose Founder [the Báb] did not content Himself with the claim to be the Gate of the Hidden Imám, Who assumed a rank that excelled even that of the Sáhibu’z-Zamán, [Lord of the Age] Who regarded Himself as the precursor of one incomparably greater than Himself, Who peremptorily commanded not only the subjects of the Sháh, but the monarch himself, and even the kings and princes of the earth, to forsake their all and follow Him, Who claimed to be the inheritor of the earth and all that is therein—a Faith Whose religious doctrines, Whose ethical standards, social principles and religious laws challenged the whole structure of the society in which it was born, soon ranged, with startling unanimity, the mass of the people behind their priests, and behind their chief magistrate, with his ministers and his government, and welded them into an opposition sworn to destroy, root and branch, the movement initiated by One Whom they regarded as an impious and presumptuous pretender. 

(Shoghi Effendi, ‘God Passes By’)

August 2

The Báb’s return to His native land (Safar 1261) (February- March, 1845) was the signal for a commotion that rocked the entire country. The fire which the declaration of His mission had lit was being fanned into flame through the dispersal and activities of His appointed disciples. Already within the space of less than two years it had kindled the passions of friend and foe alike. The outbreak of the conflagration did not even await the return to His native city of the One Who had generated it. The implications of a Revelation, thrust so dramatically upon a race so degenerate, so inflammable in temper, could indeed have had no other consequence than to excite within men’s bosoms the fiercest passions of fear, of hate, of rage and envy. 

(Shoghi Effendi, ‘God Passes By’)

August 1

... There is a tendency to mix up the functions of the Administration and try to apply it in individual relationships, which is abortive, because the Assembly is a nascent House of Justice and is supposed to administer, according to the Teachings, the affairs of the community. But individuals toward each other are governed by love, unity, forgiveness and a sin-covering eye. Once the friends grasp this they will get along much better, but they keep playing Spiritual Assembly to each other and expect the Assembly to behave like an individual... 

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effend to an individual believer, October 5, 1950; compilation: ‘Living the Life’; compilation: Lights of Guidance’)