Spiritual Food for Thought - from the Writings of Shoghi Effendi and Universal House of Justice: September 2018

September 30

He is the Guardian of the Cause in the very fullness of that term, and the appointed interpreter of its teachings, and is guided in his decisions to do that which protects it and fosters its growth and highest interests.

He always has the right to step in and countermand the decisions of a national assembly; if he did not possess this right he would be absolutely impotent to protect the Faith, just as the N.S.A., if it were divested of the right to countermand the decisions of a local assembly, would be incapable of watching over and guiding the national welfare of the Bahá’í Community.

It very seldom happens—but it nevertheless does happen—that he feels impelled to change a major (as you put it) decision of an N.S.A.; but he always unhesitatingly does so when necessary, and the N.S.A. in question should gladly and unhesitatingly accept this as a measure designed for the good of the Faith which its elected representatives are so devotedly seeking to serve.

- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter dated 13 May 1945 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi; ‘Letters to Australia and New Zealand’)

September 29

…the essence of the other teachings of Bahá’u’lláh is the unity of humankind, the plan and the path for its realization, a new conception of religion commensurate with the stage of humanity’s coming maturity, and the founding of necessary provisions for the prosperity of the world on the basis of unity, justice, and peace.

- The Universal House of Justice (Authorized translation of a message to the Baha’is in Iran, dated 17 October 2017)

September 28

In this connection the Guardian wishes me to draw your attention to a recently published book on ‘Persia’ written by an English lady by the name of Merrit-Hawks, in which she makes a few, though very favorable and significant statements regarding the importance and position of the Cause in that country. The author, who has traveled extensively throughout the land, and has associated with many classes of the population, has been much impressed all through the journey by the comparatively high intellectual, moral and spiritual level which the Baha’is occupy among their fellow-countrymen.

- Shoghi Effendi (From a message written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Baha’i News, no. 96, December 1935)

September 27

I wish also to express his (the Guardian’s) thanks and appreciation for other enclosures and especially for the book ‘Modern Mystics’ by Sir Francis Younghusband, a copy of which you have been most kind in sending him. The author’s account of the early days of the Movement is very thrilling, indeed, and quite authoritative, being based on Nabil’s Narrative. It is hoped that this work will have great influence in spreading the Message in many circles, and in this way will give wide and effective publicity to the Cause.

- Shoghi Effendi (From a message written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Baha’i News, no. 96, December 1935)

September 26

…individuals, with a positive attitude and in a posture of learning, endeavour through their own initiative to fulfil personal spiritual obligations and to carry out acts of Bahá’í service while encouraging and supporting others to do the same. Such individuals strive to make the promotion of moral principles, the advancement of the spiritual education of children and junior youth, and the multiplication of other community-building activities part of their daily lives. They seek to resolve various problems in their individual and collective lives through a process of consultation while maintaining unity at all times.

- The Universal House of Justice (Authorized translation of a message to the Baha’is in Iran, dated 12 May 2016)

September 25

Just as the National Assembly has full jurisdiction over all its local Assemblies, the Guardian has full jurisdiction over all National Assemblies; he is not required to consult them, if he believes a certain decision is advisable in the interests of the Cause. He is the judge of the wisdom and advisability of the decisions made by these bodies, and not they of the wisdom and advisability of his decisions. A perusal of the Will and Testament makes this principle quite clear.
- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter dated 13 May 1945 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi; ‘Letters to Australia and New Zealand’)

September 24

No nation can achieve prosperity and salvation without the refinement of character. If morality were to dominate, success in all aspects would be guaranteed because thoughts would become illumined; individual and collective relations strengthened; moral courage enhanced; arts, sciences, and rationality promoted; commerce advanced; and spiritual and material welfare and mutual respect and freedom for all would become the pivot of policies for the management of affairs. Thus would a nation be transformed into another creation.

- The Universal House of Justice (Authorized translation of a message to the Baha’is in Iran, dated 17 October 2017)

September 23

Fair-minded historians of course know why a distinguished Person from the Núrí family—inhabitants of Mázindarán—born in Tehran, descended from the ancient kings of Persia, One who held His native land in such special affection, was forced to leave His country. Forty years of exile did not diminish in the slightest His connection to that land. With tender love and benevolence for His compatriots, Bahá’u’lláh set about establishing a united, vibrant, and progressive community composed of people from diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds. Through the dispatch of Tablets, the sending of teachers, and the messages of loving kindness conveyed through those who flocked to His presence in the prison-city of ‘Akká in the Holy Land, He assisted the people of Iran who, in His words, are “adorned with the ornaments of talent and capacity” to nurture that God-given capacity.

- The Universal House of Justice (Authorized translation of a message to the Baha’is in Iran, dated 17 October 2017)

September 22

…the purpose of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation is to bring about a civilization that is neither of the East nor of the West, a civilization based on coherence between the material and the spiritual needs of humankind. …recognizing Him marks the commencement of a commitment to dedicate one’s personal and family life to contributing to the establishment of that civilization. …the fulfilment of this goal is facilitated through the activities and the maturation of the three protagonists in the advancement of civilization: the individual, the community, and the institutions.

- The Universal House of Justice (Authorized translation of a message to the Baha’is in Iran, dated 12 May 2016)

September 21

As regards fasting, it constitutes, together with the obligatory prayers, the two pillars that sustain the revealed Law of God. They act as stimulants to the soul, strengthen, revive and purify it, and thus insure its steady development.

- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter dated 10 January, 1936 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi; Baha’i News, no. 98, March 1936)

September 20

Shoghi Effendi has repeatedly stated, to believers in every part of the world, that the individual Bahá’ís are entirely free to write to him on any matter they please; naturally he is equally free to answer in any manner he pleases. At the present time, when the institutions of the Cause are just beginning to function, he considers it essential to keep up this large correspondence, much as it adds to his many other burdens. It is sometimes the case that the very first intimation he receives of some important step influencing the interests of the Faith, one way or another, comes from an individual’s letter instead of from an assembly; it would naturally be preferable for the information to come from an administrative body, but whatever the source, the Guardian is solely concerned with the welfare of the Faith, and when he deems a certain step detrimental he states his views in his reply. This he is at entire liberty to do.

- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter dated 13 May 1945 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi; ‘Letters to Australia and New Zealand’)

September 19

In our public outreach, we need to correlate the Teachings with current thought, and be very clear about the bases and assumptions upon which various conceptions rest, and not swallow uncritically whatever ideas happen to be in vogue. Likewise, as a community we need to be future oriented, to have a clear vision and to think through the steps necessary to bring it to fruition.

- The Universal House of Justice (From a letter dated 25 February 1996 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer; compilation: ‘Achieving Race Unity and Advancing the Process of Entry by Troops’, prepared by the Office of the Secretariat of the Universal House of Justice)

September 18

In essence, the House of Justice feels that methods should be subordinated to purposes and goals, and are to be selected, adapted or discarded, as they show themselves to be effective or not. In this regard, it has often been observed that attempts which set out, self-consciously, to arrive at unity often lose momentum, unless they lead beyond discussion to some form of action. With respect to principles, it will assist the friends greatly if the issue of addressing race unity can be formulated within the broad context of the social development of the community. The distinctiveness of the Bahá’í approach to many issues needs to be sharpened.

September 17

During His epic visit to America, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá openly expressed His views on the need to eradicate racial prejudice and took bold actions to demonstrate the importance of this principle as it applies to relations between black and white people. Shoghi Effendi, in “The Advent of Divine Justice”, wrote in unequivocal language on this theme, addressing specifically the nature of the actions required on the part of the members of each race to remove this scourge from social relations within the Bahá’í community. He repeatedly appealed in other messages for urgent attention to be given to the matter, warning of the severe consequences that neglecting it would entail.

- The Universal House of Justice (From a letter dated 10 March 2004 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice; compilation: ‘Achieving Race Unity and Advancing the Process of Entry by Troops: Extracts from Letters Written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to Individual Believers in the United States’, prepared by the Baha’i World center)

September 16

It is the duty of the N.S.A. to exercise the greatest wisdom, forbearance and tact in handling the affairs of the Cause. Many of the differences which arise between the believers are due to their immaturity, their extreme zeal and sincerity.

- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter dated 13 May 1945 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi; ‘Letters to Australia and New Zealand’)

September 15

As regards the chanting of Tablets in the Temple, Shoghi Effendi wishes in this connection to urge the friends to avoid all forms of rigidity and uniformity in matters of worship. There is no objection to the recital or chanting of prayers in the Oriental language, but there is also no obligation whatsoever of adopting such a form of prayer at any devotional service in the auditorium of the Temple. It should neither be required nor prohibited. The important thing that should always be borne in mind is that with the exception of certain specific obligatory prayers, Baha’u’llah has given us no strict or special rulings in matters of worship, whether in the Temple or elsewhere. Prayer is essentially a communion between man and God, and as such transcends all ritualistic forms and formulae.”

- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter dated June 15, 1935, written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Baha’i News, no. 93, July 1935)

September 14

Question: What is meant by the Apostles’ speaking in tongues?

Answer: The meaning is that the Apostles taught in a spiritual tongue, a tongue that embraces all tongues. For the Word of the Kingdom comprises spiritual meanings and divine mysteries, and whoso attains to this Word will find the realities and mysteries of creation to be clear and evident. The divine inner meanings are the all-encompassing reality of all tongues.

Therefore, the Holy Spirit endowed the Apostles with the tongue of the Kingdom, and they spoke with all peoples as if in their own tongue; that is, whenever they conversed with a person of any faith or nation, it was as though they were speaking his own tongue. Were it otherwise, there are at present more than a thousand known languages and it would be fair to expect that the Apostles would have written at least one Gospel in the language of one of the other nations. It is, however, well established that the Gospel was written only in Hebrew and in Greek. No Gospel was even written in Latin, though that was at the time the official language of the land. Yet, as the Apostles were not proficient in Latin, no Gospel was written in that language.

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Table Talks at Akka; Online Baha’i Reference Library of the Baha’i World center)

September 13

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.

- The Universal House of Justice (From a letter dated 1 April 1996 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice; compilation: ‘Achieving Race Unity and Advancing the Process of Entry by Troops: Extracts from Letters Written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to Individual Believers in the United States’, prepared by the Baha’i World Center)

September 12

The Bahá’ís are fully entitled to address criticisms to their assemblies; they can freely air their views about policies or individual members of elected bodies to the assembly, local or national, but then they must whole-heartedly accept the advice or decision of the assembly, according to the principles already laid down for such matters in Bahá’í administration.

- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter dated 13 May 1945 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi; ‘Letters to Australia and New Zealand’)

September 11

The Most Holy Book is the Book to which all peoples shall refer, and in it the Laws of God have been revealed. Laws not mentioned in the Book should be referred to the decision of the Universal House of Justice. There will be no grounds for difference.... Beware, beware lest anyone create a rift or stir up sedition. Should there be differences of opinion, the Supreme House of Justice would immediately resolve the problems. Whatever will be its decision, by majority vote, shall be the real truth, inasmuch as that House is under the protection, unerring guidance and care of the one true Lord. He shall guard it from error and will protect it under the wing of His sanctity and infallibility. He who opposes it is cast out and will eventually be of the defeated.

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a Tablet; cited in ‘Wellspring of Guidance: Messages of the Universal House of Justice 1963-1968’; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Establishment of the Universal House of Justice)

September 10

Regarding the matter of Mrs. ... and the inharmony that seems to exist among certain of the friends in ...: when Bahá’ís permit the dark forces of the world to enter into their own relationships within the Faith they gravely jeopardise its progress; it is the paramount duty of the believers, the local assemblies, and particularly the N.S.A. to foster harmony, understanding and love amongst the friends. All should be ready and willing to set aside every personal sense of grievance—justified or unjustified—for the good of the Cause, because the people will never embrace it until they see in its community life mirrored what is so conspicuously lacking in the world: love and unity.

- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter dated 13 May 1945 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi; ‘Letters to Australia and New Zealand’)

September 9

Undeterred, unruffled, exultant with joy, Táhirih arose, [1] and, without the least premeditation and in a language strikingly resembling that of the Qur’án, delivered a fervid and eloquent appeal to the remnant of the assembly, ending it with this bold assertion: “I am the Word which the Qá’im is to utter, the Word which shall put to flight the chiefs and nobles of the earth!” Thereupon, she invited them to embrace each other and celebrate so great an occasion.

On that memorable day the “Bugle” mentioned in the Qur’án was sounded, the “stunning trumpet-blast” was loudly raised, and the “Catastrophe” came to pass. The days immediately following so startling a departure from the time-honored traditions of Islám witnessed a veritable revolution in the outlook, habits, ceremonials and manner of worship of these hitherto zealous and devout upholders of the Muhammadan Law.

- Shoghi Effendi (‘God Passes By)

[1] Reference to Tahirih’s appearance at the conference of Badasht

September 8

…it is only too obvious that unless a member can attend regularly the meetings of his local Assembly, it would be impossible for him to discharge the duties incumbent upon him, and to fulfill his responsibilities, as a representative of the community. Membership in a local Spiritual Assembly carries with it, indeed, an obligation and capacity to remain in close touch with local Baha’i activities, and ability to attend regularly the sessions of the Assembly.

- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter dated 27 January 1935 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi; Baha’i News no. 94, August 1935)

September 7

He also wishes me to inform you that the symbol of the Greatest Name represents an invocation which can be translated either as ‘O Glory of Glories’ or ‘O Glory of the All-Glorious.’ The word glory used in this connection is a translation of the Arabic term ‘Baha,’ the name of Baha’u’llah.

- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter dated April 28, 1935, written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Baha’i News no. 93, July 1935)

September 6

In regard to your question concerning the nature and character of Baha’i marriage. As you have rightly stated, such a marriage is conditioned upon the full approval of all four parents. Also your statement to the effect that the principle of the oneness of mankind prevents any true Baha’i from regarding race itself as a bar to union is in complete accord with the Teachings of the Faith on this point. For both Baha’u’llah and ‘Abdu’l-Baha never disapproved of the idea of inter-racial marriage, nor discouraged it. The Baha’i Teachings, indeed, by their very nature transcend all limitations imposed by race, and as such can and should never be identified with any particular school of racial philosophy.

- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter dated 27 January 1935 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the NSA of the United States and Canada; Baha’i News, no. 90, March 1935)

September 5

With reference to your question whether the figures of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh should be made to appear as characters in dramatic works written by the believers, Shoghi Effendi’s opinion is that such an attempt to dramatize the Manifestations would be highly disrespectful, and hence should be avoided by the friends, even in the case of the Master. Besides it would be practically impossible to carry out such a plan faithfully, and in a dignified and befitting manner.

- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter dated 27 January 1935 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the NSA of the United States and Canada; Baha’i News, no. 90, March 1935)

September 4

As you say, the Writings are not so rich on this subject [Baha’i economics] and many issues at present baffling the minds of the world are not even mentioned. The primary consideration is the spirit that has to permeate our economic life and this will gradually crystallize itself into definite institutions and principles that will help to bring about the ideal condition foretold by Baha’u’llah.

- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter dated 20 December 1931 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi; Baha’i News, no. 90, March 1935)

September 3

…at his [the Guardian’s] repeated directions the National Assemblies of Egypt, ‘Iraq and Persia are adopting the exact text of your Assembly’s Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, as well as the local By-Laws, and are taking the necessary steps for incorporating their Assemblies as duly recognized bodies empowered to administer the national and local affairs of the Faith in their respective countries. The Indian N.S.A., as well as the Bombay Spiritual Assembly, have already set the example in this respect, both in the matter of incorporation, and in the adoption of the text of the constitutions of the American Baha’i Assemblies.

- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter dated 1 December 1934 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the NSA of the United States and Canada; Baha’i News, no. 89, January 1935)

September 2

As to the meaning of the quotation, “My fears are for Him who will be sent down unto you after Me,” this refers to the Manifestation who is to come after a thousand or more years, who like all previous Messengers of God will be subjected to persecutions, but will eventually triumph over them. For men of ill-will have been and will always continue to be in this world, unless mankind reaches a state of complete and absolute perfection -- a condition which is not only improbable but actually impossible to attain. The fundamental difference, however, between this Dispensation and all previous ones is this, that in this Revelation the possibility of permanent schism between the followers of the Prophet has been prevented through the direct and explicit instructions providing for the necessary instruments designed to maintain the organic unity of the body of the faithful.

- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter dated 1 December 1934 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the NSA of the United States and Canada; Baha’i News, no. 89, January 1935)

September 1

…although ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s station is not that of a Manifestation of God, nevertheless supplications may be addressed to Him. It is essential, however, that every believer should realize that while doing so he is directing his thoughts towards the Master as an intermediary between him and the Manifestation, and not as the Source of Divine Revelation and Spiritual Guidance. Provided this distinction is clearly established there can be no harm or objection in addressing prayers to ‘Abdu’l-Baha.

- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter dated 1 December 1934 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the NSA of the United States and Canada; Baha’i News, no. 89, January 1935)