February 28

Today the true duty of a powerful king is to establish a universal peace; for verily it signifies the freedom of all the people of the world. Some persons who are ignorant of the world of true humanity and its high ambitions for the general good, reckon such a glorious condition of life to be very difficult, nay rather impossible to compass. But it is not so, far from it. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (From a talk, ‘Star of the West’, vol. 7, no. 14, November 1916; The Compilation of Compilations, Vol. II, Peace)

March 27

In the strict legal sense there are no "grounds" for a Bahá'í divorce. No question of misbehavior of either party is involved and the only condition under which a Bahá'í divorce may be considered is the irreconcilable antipathy of the parties. Thus it is not sufficient that one or both of the parties has asked that the date for the beginning of the year of waiting be fixed; the Assembly must find the condition of irreconcilable antipathy to exist before the date can be fixed. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated May 24, 1972 to a National Spiritual Assembly; Developing Distinctive Baha'i Communities, NSA of USA, 1998 edition)

February 26

The intercalary days are specifically set aside for hospitality, the giving of gifts, etc., Bahá'u'lláh Himself specified that they be used this way, but gave no explanation for it. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (Extract from a letter written by the secretary of the beloved Guardian to the National Spiritual Assembly of Australia and New Zealand on December 26, 1941, quoted in a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, January 18, 1982; compilation: ‘Lights of Guidance’)

February 25

In 'The Bahá'í World', Vol. XV, p. 691 we read: “Bahá'u'lláh designated those days as the 'Ayyam-i-Ha and ordained that they should immediately precede the month of 'Ala, which is the month of fasting. He enjoined upon His followers to devote these days to feasting, rejoicing, and charity.” 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, January 18, 1982; compilation: ‘Lights of Guidance’)

February 24

It is useful to consider Shoghi Effendi's descriptions of the degree of rapport and unity of purpose that existed between Bahá'u'lláh and His Son. For example, in "God Passes By" (Wilmette: Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1987), pp. 325-326, he states that Bahá'u'lláh's "purpose" had been "thoroughly infused into the mind of 'Abdu'l-Bahá" and that "His Spirit" had "profoundly" permeated "His being". And, in "The Dispensation of Bahá'u'lláh", Shoghi Effendi writes that 'Abdu'l-Bahá "gets His light, His inspiration and sustenance direct from the Fountainhead of the Bahá'í Revelation" and that "He reflects even as a clear and perfect Mirror the rays of Bahá’u’lláh's glory". 

(Memorandum from the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice dated 23 May, 1991, on ‘The Secret of Divine Civilization’, accompanied a letter dated 20 June 1991 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer)

February 23

Every century holds the solution of one predominating problem. Although there may be many problems, yet one of the innumerable problems will loom large and become the most important of all....in this luminous century the greatest bestowal of the world of humanity is Universal Peace, which must be founded, so that the realm of creation may obtain composure, the East and the West, which include in their arms the five continents of the globe, may embrace each other, mankind may rest beneath the tent of oneness of the world of humanity, and the flag of universal peace may wave over all the regions.... . . . 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (From a talk, ‘Star of the West’, vol. 7, no. 14, November 1916; The Compilation of Compilations, Vol. II, Peace)

February 22

Free from every desire to be offensive or provocative, without seeking in the least to accuse or denounce any nation or individual, we should as much as it lies in our power broadcast the true facts of the situation. [persecution of believers in Persia] We should intelligently endeavor to enlighten the public opinion of the world on these ugly incidents and incredible happenings that will stain forever the memory of this twentieth century civilization. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated March 3, 1925, addressed to the ‘beloved of the Lord and the handmaids of the Merciful throughout the West’; Baha’i News, no. 6, July-August 1925)

February 21

We must always remember that in the cesspool of materialism, Bahá'ís - that is some of them - are still to a certain extent affected by the society from which they have sprung. In other words, they have recognized the Manifestation of God, but they have not been believers long enough, or perhaps tried hard enough, to become 'a new creation'. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 5 April 1956 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, quoted by the Universal House of Justice in a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, July 22, 1981; compilation: ‘Removal of Administrative Rights’, prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice, 1993)

February 20

A tempest, [World War II] unprecedented in its violence, unpredictable in its course, catastrophic in its immediate effects, unimaginably glorious in its ultimate consequences, is at present sweeping the face of the earth. Its driving power is remorselessly gaining in range and momentum. Its cleansing force, however much undetected, is increasing with every passing day. Humanity, gripped in the clutches of its devastating power, is smitten by the evidences of its resistless fury. It can neither perceive its origin, nor probe its significance, nor discern its outcome. Bewildered, agonized and helpless, it watches this great and mighty wind of God invading the remotest and fairest regions of the earth, rocking its foundations, deranging its equilibrium, sundering its nations, disrupting the homes of its peoples, wasting its cities, driving into exile its kings, pulling down its bulwarks, uprooting its institutions, dimming its light, and harrowing up the souls of its inhabitants.... 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 28 March 1941 to the Bahá'ís of the West, published as ‘The Promised Day is Come’)

February 19

It is very easy indeed for him to understand how you, with your training, are often tested and irritated by your contact with some of the believers. But then you must remember that your advantages of a reasonable mind and a scientific education have not been given to all, and you cannot expect acceptance of Bahá’u’lláh’s Teachings to endow people with these things automatically! But think of the kind of human beings, if brought up in the society He envisages, and taught in homes, schools and universities which were the mirror and product of His teachings, which would be produced! There you would really have a new race of men. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 5 July 1947 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; included in a compilation on ‘A New Race of Men’ prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice and attached to a letter dated 15 September 2013 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer)

February 18

The Guardian was delighted to hear of your youth group. The children who are trained in the world-embracing teachings of Bahá’u’lláh cannot but grow up to be a truly new race of men. He hopes these young people will prepare themselves for the great task which will face them in the future, that of helping to rebuild the world with the aid and inspiration of the Bahá’í teachings. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 25 December 1941 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the Bahá’ís of Hobart, Australia; included in a compilation on ‘A New Race of Men’ prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice and attached to a letter dated 15 September 2013 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer)

February 17

...That truth is often imparted through dreams no one who is familiar with history, especially religious history, can doubt. At the same time dreams and visions are always coloured and influenced more or less by the mind of the dreamer and we must beware of attaching too much importance to them. The purer and more free from prejudice and desire our hearts and minds become, the more likely is it that our dreams will convey reliable truth, but if we have strong prejudices, personal likings and aversions, bad feelings or evil motives, these will warp and distort any inspirational impression that comes to us.... In many cases dreams have been the means of bringing people to the truth or of confirming them in the Faith. We must strive to become pure in heart and 'free from all save God'. Then our dreams as well as our waking thoughts will become pure and true. We should test impression we get through dreams, visions or inspirations, by comparing them with the revealed Word and seeing whether they are in full harmony therewith. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 16 May 1925 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; compilation: ‘Lights of Guidance’)

February 16

The heart, when pure and free, becomes inspired. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha aboard the ship, March 26, 1912; recorded by Mahmud Zarqani; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’)

February 15

A point to bear in mind is that as laudable as may be the desire to join in protests against human rights violations, in many instances, the direct involvement of Bahá’ís in such activities would draw them into political entanglements which would be detrimental to the Cause of God. This is why the principle of association but not affiliation must be upheld as regards organizations such as Amnesty International. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice dated December 2, 1992; compilation: ‘Involvement in Political Protests and Demonstrations”, prepared by the Office of Public Affairs of US National Spiritual Assembly)

February 14

Local Spiritual Assemblies are at the present newly-born institutions, struggling for the most part to establish themselves both in the Bahá'í community and in the world. They are as yet only embryos of the majestic institutions ordained by Bahá'u'lláh in His Writings This is also true of National Spiritual Assemblies. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter to the National Spiritual Assembly of Bolivia, July 30, 1972; compilation: Lights of Guidance)

February 13

. . . [The Universal House of Justice] attaches great importance to this work which, as you may know, is regarded as a reliable account of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's travels in the West and an authentic record of His utterances, whether in the form of formal talks, table talks or random oral statements. Mírzá Mahmúd was a careful and faithful chronicler and engaged in assembling and publishing his work with the permission of the beloved Master, as he states in the Introduction. Indeed, Shoghi Effendi drew upon it for details about the Master's visit to the West in writing God Passes By . . . 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated April 30, 1984 addressed to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States; included in ‘Preface to Mahmud’s Diary’)

February 12

Mankind, in these fateful years, [World War II] which at once signalize the passing of the first century of the Bahá'í Era and proclaim the opening of a new one, is, as ordained by Him Who is both the Judge and the Redeemer of the human race, being simultaneously called upon to give account of its past actions, and is being purged and prepared for its future mission. It can neither escape the responsibilities of the past, nor shirk those of the future. God, the Vigilant, the Just, the Loving, the All-Wise Ordainer, can, in this supreme Dispensation, neither allow the sins of an unregenerate humanity, whether of omission or of commission, to go unpunished, nor will He be willing to abandon His children to their fate, and refuse them that culminating and blissful stage in their long, their slow and painful evolution throughout the ages, which is at once their inalienable right and their true destiny. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 28 March 1941 to the Bahá'ís of the West, published as ‘The Promised Day is Come’)

February 11

Mindful as we are of the repeated and emphatic injunctions of our beloved ‘Abdu’l- Baha to scrupulously avoid meddling by word or deed with the political affairs of Persia, we cannot but feel gravely concerned at the plight and the perilous position of a vast number of our brothers and sisters in that beloved yet most backward of countries. Whilst we disassociate ourselves with the confused political aspirations of the contending factions in Persia, we should, if we be faithful to our trust, watch carefully every development in the situation, and by every lawful and legitimate means strive to alleviate the sufferings of our patient friends and ensure the protection of our Sacred Cause. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated March 3, 1925, addressed to the ‘beloved of the Lord and the handmaids of the Merciful throughout the West’; Baha’i News, no. 6, July-August 1925)

February 10

I appeal to the larger body of believers… to ever bear in mind the supreme injunction of ‘Abdu’l Baha, to teach unceasingly until the “head cornerstone of the foundation” of the Cause of God is firmly established in every heart. Let those whose time, resources and means allow, travel throughout the length and breadth of that vast continent, let them scatter to the most distant regions of the earth and, fired with enthusiasm and detachment, hand on the torch of God’s undying flame to the waiting multitudes of a sadly-stricken world. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a message dated June 3rd, 1925 addressed to the 1925 Baha’i Convention at Green Acre; Baha’i News no. 6, July-August, 1925; ‘Baha’i Administration’)

February 9

In its relationship to the individual believer, the Assembly should continuously invite and encourage him to study the Faith, to deliver its glorious message, to live in accordance with its teachings, to contribute freely and regularly to the Fund, to participate in community activities, and to seek refuge in the Assembly for advice and help, when needed." 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter to the National Spiritual Assembly of Bolivia, July 30, 1972; compilation: Lights of Guidance)

February 8

Among the more salient objectives to be attained by the local Spiritual Assembly in its process of development to full maturity are to act as a loving shepherd to the Bahá'í flock, promote unity and concord among the friends, direct the teaching work, protect the Cause of God, arrange for Feasts, Anniversaries and regular meetings of the community, familiarize the Bahá'ís with its plans, invite the community to offer its recommendations, promote the welfare of youth and children, and participate, as circumstances permit, in humanitarian activities. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter to the National Spiritual Assembly of Bolivia, July 30, 1972; compilation: Lights of Guidance)

February 7

The Bahá'í administration is only the first shaping of what in future will come to be the social life and laws of community living. As yet the believers are only first beginning to grasp and practice it at times it seems a little self-conscious and rigid in its workings. It is because we are learning something very difficult but very wonderful -- how to live together as a community of Bahá'ís according to the glorious teachings. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi quoted by the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of Bolivia, July 30, 1972; compilation: Lights of Guidance)

February 6

It is also quite permissible for a National Spiritual Assembly to debar an individual believer from serving on a Local Spiritual Assembly without removing his or her voting rights and they may also debar a believer from attending the consultative part of a Nineteen Day Feast. You may also debar a believer from voting in elections without imposing all the other administrative sanctions involved in administrative expulsion. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 31 January 1972; 'Developing Distinctive Baha'i Communities', NSA of USA, 1998 edition)

February 5

Let the West, and particularly the Great Republic of the New World, where a quarter of a century ago Baha’u’llah’s Banner was firmly implanted, realize that upon it now rests the responsibility of achieving the universal recognition of the Baha’i Faith, of fulfilling Abdu’l Baha’s fondest hopes.

Persia, the cradle of an unfolding world civilization, is still bereft of her freedom, sunk in ignorance, a prey to contending policies and factions, beset on one hand by the powers of orthodoxy and sectarian fanaticism and assailed on the other by the forces of materialism and unbelief. In her evil plight she is radiantly confident that the Flame she has kindled in the world will, in the fullness of time, blaze forth in the heart of the mighty West and shed redeeming illumination upon the silent sufferers of a distracted country. Will it be America, will it be one of the nations of Europe, that will seize the torch of Divine Guidance from Persia’s fettered hands and with it set the western world aflame? 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a message dated June 3rd, 1925 addressed to the 1925 Baha’i Convention at Green Acre; Baha’i News no. 6, July-August, 1925; ‘Baha’i Administration’)

February 4

The National Spiritual Assembly should distinguish between its functions as an adviser and counsellor of the friends and its role as the enforcer of Bahá'í Laws. For example, it is quite in order for the Assembly to advise a believer to consult a psychiatrist or any other doctor, if it feels this is necessary, but such advice should not be linked with any deprivation of voting rights which may have to be imposed for flagrant immorality. You may feel it advisable to give such advice to a person who is being deprived of his voting rights, but the two actions should be clearly separate--one is administrative, the other is advice given for the person's own good which he may or may not accept as he wishes. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter to a National Spiritual Assembly, September 21, 1965; Compilation ‘Removal of Administrative Rights,’ prepared by the Research department of the Universal House of Justice)

February 3

Woman must especially devote her energies and abilities toward the industrial and agricultural sciences, seeking to assist mankind in that which is most needful. By this means she will demonstrate capability and ensure recognition of equality in the social and economic equation.

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (From a talk; 'The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912')

February 2

Huqúq is applied on everything one possesseth. However, if a person hath paid the Huqúq on a certain property, and the income from that property is equal to his needs, no Huqúq is payable by that person.

Huqúq is not payable on agricultural tools and equipment, and on animals used in ploughing the land, to the extent that these are necessary. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (From a Tablet; Compilation: 'Agriculture and Rural Life', prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice)

February 1

High aims and pure motives, however laudable in themselves, will surely not suffice if unsupported by measures that are practicable and methods that are sound. Wealth of sentiment, abundance of good will and effort, will prove of little avail if we should fail to exercise discrimination and restraint and neglect to direct their flow along the most profitable channels. The unfettered freedom of the individual should be tempered with mutual consultation and sacrifice, and the spirit of initiative and enterprise should be reinforced by a deeper realization of the supreme necessity for concerted action and a fuller devotion to the common weal. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a message dated June 3rd, 1925 addressed to the 1925 Baha’i Convention at Green Acre; Baha’i News no. 6, July-August, 1925; ‘Baha’i Administration’)