March 31

The pain and sting of death consists in the dissolution of what was composed and its passage from one condition to another. When one is accustomed to composition, then decomposition is a painful torment; when one is used to a certain degree and station, it is difficult to take leave of it.  It is therefore clear that death is merely the passage from one condition to another. Thus if a predatory animal devours another animal, the latter has in reality not been abased but has been decomposed and recomposed, found a renewed existence, and passed from one body to another. This motion and renewal of beings gives rise to the orderly arrangement and interconnectedness of all things, and were it not for these passages across the vegetable, animal, and human realms, the chain of being would be broken and the innate order of nature would be disrupted. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (From a talk, new resources prepared by the Baha’i World Center, 2019; Baha’i Reference Library)

March 30

Now that your Assembly is formed, and is embarking on its independent existence as a National Body, he wishes to emphasize a point which he is constantly stressing to other National Bodies: you must avoid issuing rules and regulations. The fundamentals laid down in the Bahá’í Administration must, of course, be adhered to, but there is a tendency for Assemblies to constantly issue detailed procedures and rules to the friends, and he considers this hampers the work of the Cause, and is entirely premature. As far as is possible cases which come up should be dealt with and settled as they arise, and not a blanket ruling be laid down to cover all possible similar cases. This preserves the elasticity of the Administrative Order and prevents red tape from developing and hampering the work of the Cause. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 4 November 1948 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the NSA of Canada; ‘Messages to Canada’)

March 29

Regarding the matter of the young men you have raised in your letter: he feels that they should be treated like any other people seeking admittance to the Faith, and be accepted on the same basis. Our teachings, as outlined in the Advent of Divine Justice, on the subject of living a chaste life, should be emphasized to them just as every other applicant, but certainly no ruling whatsoever should be laid down in this matter. The Bahá’ís have certainly not yet reached that stage of moral perfection where they are in a position to too harshly scrutinize the private lives of other souls, and each individual should be accepted on the basis of his faith, and sincere willingness to try to live up to the Divine Standards; further than this we cannot go at present.... 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 4 November 1948 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the NSA of Canada; ‘Messages to Canada’)

March 28

He is pleased to hear that the friends are intensively studying 'God Passes By', as it is most essential for them to gain not only a fuller knowledge of their Faith's history but also to see how persistently it has been attacked by enemies who once held high positions in its ranks. Indeed he hopes a perusal of this book will help not only friends and observers of the Cause to see Ahmad Sohrab in his proper colours, but also believers who are not familiar with the defections of those who were far more highly placed and who turned against the Faith in the days of Bahá'u'lláh and the Master. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 16 October 1944, written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to participants at Louhelen Summer School, August 1944; compilation: ‘Studying the Writings of Shoghi Effendi, prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice, November 1988)

March 27

He feels that you will benefit greatly by the history of the Cause as outlined in 'God Passes By', and he hopes you will master the subjects and facts it contains and help to bring them to the attention of the Bahá'ís, as there is a need in the Cause to see our Holy Faith in its proper perspective, and he feels you can be of great help in this connection. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated August 1944, written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; compilation: ‘Studying the Writings of Shoghi Effendi, prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice, November 1988)

March 26

Know thou that the Messianic Spirit and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit is always manifest, but capacity and ability (to receive it) is more in some and less in others. After the crucifixion the apostles had not in the beginning the capacity and ability of witnessing the Messianic reality. For they were agitated. But when they found firmness and steadfastness, their inner sight became opened, and they saw the reality of the Messiah as manifest. For the body of Christ was crucified and vanished, but the Spirit of Christ is always pouring upon the contingent world, and is manifest before the insight of the people of assurance. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, vol. 1; compilation: Resurrection of Jesus Christ’, prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice)

March 25

The purpose of the appearance of the holy Manifestations hath ever been the establishment of fellowship and love in the world of humanity. The friends should therefore lay down their lives in this arena that they may exhilarate the people of the world with the wine of love for one another and may gladden the hearts of the whole human race. The more they strive for harmony, the greater their progress; the more they exert effort to achieve unity, the more they will witness the tokens of divine assistance.... 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (From a Tablet; compilation: ‘Give Me Thy Grace to Serve Thy Loved Ones’, prepared by the prepared by the International Teaching Centre for the Continental Counsellors and their Auxiliaries, May 2018, online Baha’i Reference Library of the World Center) 

March 24

As to the question raised by...in connection with Baha'u'llah's statement in the 'Gleanings' concerning the sacrifice of Ishmael; although this statement does not agree with that made in the Bible, Genesis 22:9, the friends should unhesitatingly, and for reasons that are only too obvious, give precedence to the saying of Baha'u'llah, which, it should be pointed out, is fully corroborated by the Qur'an which book is far more authentic than the Bible, including both the New and Old Testaments. The Bible is not wholly authentic, and in this respect is not to be compared with the Qur'an, and should be wholly subordinated to the authentic writings of Baha'u'llah.

- Baha'u'llah  (From a letter dated July 28, 1936 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to a National Spiritual Assembly; compilation: ‘Holy Scriptures of previous Dispensations’, prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice and accompanied a letter dated January 1, 1981 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice)

March 23

Great risks remain ahead: not only must the work the Master, in His Mercy, gave to the North American friends to do, be accomplished, but a deeper spirit of love and unity must be cultivated by the believers within their own communities. The friends themselves are still in many ways spiritually immature; they must study the teachings more profoundly, and learn to function as truly mature souls in all their relationships, both within the Cause and with their fellow-men.

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 5 February 1947 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Teaneck, New Jersey, USA; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, The Importance of Deepening Our Knowledge and Understanding of the Faith)

March 22

The friends must, at all times, bear in mind that they are, in a way, like soldiers under attack. The world is at present in an exceedingly dark condition spiritually; hatred and prejudice, of every sort, are literally tearing it to pieces. We, on the other hand, are the custodians of the opposite forces, the forces of love, of unity, of peace and integration, and we must constantly be on our guard, whether as individuals or as an Assembly or Community, lest through us these destructive, negative forces enter into our midst. In other words we must beware lest the darkness of society become reflected in our acts and attitudes, perhaps all unconsciously. Love for each other, the deep sense that we are a new organism, the dawn-breakers of a New World Order, must constantly animate our Bahá'í lives, and we must pray to be protected from the contamination of society which is so diseased with prejudice.  

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 5 February 1947 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the Local Spiritual Assembly of Atlanta, Georgia; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Living the Life)

March 21

The pure-hearted people of Iran, following a tradition stretching back several thousand years, observe as a national festival this day [Naw-Ruz] that marks the commencement of spring. They put aside all grievances from the preceding year and focus their thoughts on loving fellowship. Bahá’ís across the globe, of every nation and ethnicity, likewise celebrate with great jubilation the festival of Naw-Rúz, as explicitly ordained in the Most Holy Book, and regard it as an opportunity to foster friendship and unity among the peoples of the world. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a message dated 21 March 2010 addressed to the Believers in the Cradle of the Faith)

March 20

The purpose of the coming of Bahá'u'lláh is to bring about the spiritual transformation of the whole of humanity, and to establish the foundation for world unity and peace, on the basis of which a world civilization will flourish and perpetuate itself. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 11 September 1991, written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to the NSA of Canada; compilation: ‘Removal of Administrative Rights’, prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice, 1993)

March 19

Great love and patience are needed towards new believers, especially those who have come from very troubled backgrounds, but ultimately they too have to learn the responsibilities they have taken upon themselves by accepting Bahá'u'lláh and must uphold the principles that Bahá'u'lláh has revealed. If they do not do so, how can the condition of mankind be improved? 

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

March 18

There are certain teachings and exhortations the observance of which is solely between the individual and God; the non-observance of other laws and ordinances incurs some form of sanction. Some of these violations incur punishment for a single offence, while others are punished only after repeated warnings have failed to remedy the violation. It is not possible to establish a single rule applicable automatically and invariably. Every case is different, and there is more than one variable consideration to take into account, for example, the circumstances of the individual, the degree to which the good name of the Faith is involved, whether the offence is blatant and flagrant. Over and over again the beloved Guardian urged Assemblies to be extremely patient and forbearing in dealing with the friends. He pointed out on many occasions that removal of administrative rights is the heaviest sanction which Assemblies may impose at the present time. These considerations apply to the types of problems you mention in your letter. In all such cases it is for the Assembly to determine at what point the conduct is blatant and flagrant or is harmful to the name of the Faith. They must determine whether the believer has been given sufficient warning before the imposition of sanctions. (The Universal House of Justice 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 20 February 1977; compilation: ‘Removal of Administrative Rights’, prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice, 1993)

March 17

It is surely a very unfortunate case when the parents and children differ on some grave issues of life such as marriage, but the best way is not to flout each other's opinion nor to discuss it in a charged atmosphere but rather try to settle it in an amicable way. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 29 May 1929 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to two believers; compilation: ‘Consent of Parents to Marriage’, prepared by the Research Department)

March 16

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. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (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)

March 15

The Guardian ... has stated that God's plan for mankind is going forward in two ways, that He has, as it were, two plans. One, the Major Plan, is inexorably driving mankind towards the unity and maturity that God intends for it. This plan operates in ways that are mysterious to us and as it pursues its tumultuous course, may even seem at times to interfere with our work, but we can be confident in the beneficence of its goals. The second plan is the one that has been given to the Bahá'ís and it is to the achievement of this that we must devote our attention and energies. It is the part that God Himself has chosen for us in the working out of His grand design. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 24 January 1979, written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer; compilation ’Holocaust, the Greater Plan of God, and the Destiny of the Jewish People’, prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice)

March 14

In regard to your question concerning the authenticity of the Qur'an. I have referred it to the Guardian for his opinion. He thinks that the Qur'an is, notwithstanding the opinion of certain historians, quite authentic, and that consequently it should be considered in its entirety by every faithful and loyal believer as the sacred scriptures of the Muhammadan Revelation. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated July 6, 1934 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; compilation: ‘Holy Scriptures of previous Dispensations’, prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice and accompanied a letter dated January 1, 1981 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice)

March 13

What the Cause really needs most at present is capable teachers, wise, deeply grounded in the Faith. He hopes you will fit yourself to be one of these. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 5 February 1947 written to an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Youth)

March 12

Regarding your question about children fighting: the statement of the Master, not to strike back, should not be taken so extremely literally that Bahá'í children must accept to be bullied and thrashed. If they can manage to show a better way of settling disputes than by active self-defense, they should naturally do so. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 11 May 1945 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Baha’i Education)

March 11

In the years which immediately followed His departure from Persia, Bahá’u’lláh gave priority to the needs of the Bábí community which had gathered in Baghdad, a task which had devolved on Him as the only effective Bábí leader to have survived the massacres. The death of the Báb and the almost simultaneous loss of most of the young faith’s teachers and guides had left the body of the believers scattered and demoralized. When His efforts to rally those who had fled to Iraq aroused jealousy and dissension, He followed the path that had been taken by all of the Messengers of God gone before Him, and withdrew to the wilderness, choosing for the purpose the mountain region of Kurdistan. His withdrawal, as He later said, had “contemplated no return.” Its reason “was to avoid becoming a subject of discord among the faithful, a source of disturbance unto Our companions.” Although the two years spent in Kurdistan were a period of intense privation and physical hardship, Bahá’u’lláh describes them as a time of profound happiness during which He reflected deeply on the message entrusted to Him: “Alone, We communed with Our spirit, oblivious of the world and all that is therein.” 

(‘Baha’u’llah’; A statement prepared by the Bahá'í International Community Office of Public Information, at the request of the Universal House of Justice and published in 1992)

March 10

O ye that are enamoured of the divine Beauty! O ye that are enraptured by the true Beloved! In this day when the fierce gales or tests and trials have encompassed the world, and fear and trembling have agitated the planet, ye must appear above the horizon of unwavering constancy with shining faces and radiant brows in such wise that the gloom of terror and confusion may be entirely obliterated and the light of certitude may shine resplendent in the luminous skies.  

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (From a Tablet; compilation: ‘Give Me Thy Grace to Serve Thy Loved Ones’, prepared by the prepared by the International Teaching Centre for the Continental Counsellors and their Auxiliaries, May 2018, online Baha’i Reference Library of the World Center) 

March 9

Music, as one of the arts, is a natural cultural development, and the Guardian does not feel that there should be any cultivation of "Bahá'í Music" any more than we are trying to develop a Bahá'í school of painting or writing. The believers are free to paint, write and compose as their talents guide them. If music is written, incorporating the sacred writings, the friends are free to make use of it, but it should never be considered a requirement at Bahá'í meetings to have such music. The further away the friends keep from any set forms, the better, for they must realize that the Cause is absolutely universal, and what might seem a beautiful addition to their mode of celebrating a Feast, etc., would perhaps fall on the ears of people of another country as unpleasant sounds -- and vice versa. As long as they have music for its own sake it is all right, but they should not consider it Bahá'í music. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 20 July 1946, written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to a National Spiritual Assembly; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. III, The Importance of Arts in Promoting the Faith)

March 8

The need is very great, everywhere in the world, in and outside the Faith, for a true spiritual awareness to pervade and motivate people's lives. No amount of administrative procedure or adherence to rules can take the place of this soul-characteristic, this spirituality which is the essence of Man. He is very glad to see you are stressing this and aiding the friends to realize its supreme importance. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 25 April 1945 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer) The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Living the Life)

March 7

In this day, to serve the Cause of God is to engender love and fellowship amongst His friends. Let us associate with one another with the utmost selflessness and evanescence, with radiance of spirit, with meekness, humility, and faithfulness. Let us strive to spread the divine fragrances, for the receptiveness of the people in these days is exceedingly great. Should there be a lapse, it would be due to our failings, the cause of which is a lack of unity and concord.  

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (From a Tablet; compilation: ‘Give Me Thy Grace to Serve Thy Loved Ones’, prepared by the prepared by the International Teaching Centre for the Continental Counsellors and their Auxiliaries, May 2018, online Baha’i Reference Library of the World Center)  

March 6

As regards your question: Bahá’u’lláh is, of course, not God and not the Creator; but through Him we can know God, and because of this position of Divine Intermediary, in a sense, He is all (or the other Prophets) we can ever know of that Infinite Essence which is God.

Therefore, we address ourselves in prayer and thought to Him, or through Him to that Infinite Essence behind and beyond Him. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 4 June 1951 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to individual believers; compilation: ‘Prayer and Devotional Life, prepared by the Baha’i World Center February, 2019)

March 5

The nineteen-day fast is a duty to be observed by all. All should abstain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset. This fast is conducive to the spiritual development of the individual. The Greatest Name should be read every day. 

- ‘Abdu'l-Baha  (Tablets of ‘Abdu'l-Baha vol. 1)

March 4

As to your question regarding the Fast: if there is any doubt in the mind of a person as to whether it will really be bad for that person's health to keep it, the best doctor's advice should be obtained. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 14 April 1947 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, quoted by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice in a Memorandum dated 2 January 1998)

March 3

Fasting is symbolic, and a reminder of abstinence from selfish and carnal desires. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, January 10, 1936; compilation: Lights of Guidance)

March 2

As we enter the month of the Fast, every hour of which is, according to the Pen of the Most High, endowed with a special virtue, the lovers of the Blessed Beauty throughout the world draw upon the celestial potency latent in these days in order to obtain a fresh measure of spiritual vitality. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a message dated 1 March 2012 to the Baha’is in Iran, translated from Persian)

March 1

…obligatory prayer and fasting produce awareness and awakening in man, and are conducive to his protection and preservation from tests. 

- ‘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)