Briefly, every nation has a day known as a holiday which
they celebrate with joy. In the sacred laws of God, in every cycle and
dispensation, there are blessed feasts, holidays and workless days. On such
days all kinds of occupations, commerce, industry, agriculture etc., are not
allowed. Every work is unlawful. All must enjoy a good time, gather together,
hold general meetings, become as one assembly, so that the national oneness,
unity and harmony may become personified in all eyes. As it is a blessed day it
should not be neglected or without results by making it a day limited to the
fruits of mere pleasure. During such blessed days institutions should be
founded that may be of permanent benefit and value to the people so that in
current conversation and in history it may become widely known that such a good
work was inaugurated on such a feast day. Therefore, the intelligent must
search and investigate reality to find out what important affair, what
philanthropic institutions are most needed and what foundations should be laid
for the community on that particular day, so that they may be established. For
example, if they find that the community needs morality, then they may lay down
the foundation of good morals on that day. If the community be in need of
spreading sciences and widening the circle of knowledge, on that day they
should proceed in that direction, that is to say, direct the thoughts of all
the people to that philanthropic cause. If, however, the community is in need
of widening the circle of commerce or industry or agriculture they should start
the means so that the desired aim may be attained. If the community needs
protection, proper support and care of orphans, they should act upon the
welfare of the orphans, etc. Such undertakings that are beneficial to the poor,
the weak and the helpless should be pursued in order that, on that day, through
the unity of all and through great meetings, results may be obtained, the glory
and blessings of that day may be declared and manifest..
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Star of
the West, vol. 9, no. 1, March 1918; quoted in A Compilation on ‘Social and
Educational Development’, prepared by the Research Department of the Universal
House of Justice; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. 3; compilation: Lights
of Guidance)
