September 29

Constantinople was the capital of the Ottoman Empire from 1453 until 1922. During Bahá’u’lláh’s sojourn in this city, the tyrannical Sultan ‘Abdu’l-‘Azíz occupied the throne. The Ottoman Sultans were also the Caliphs, the leaders of Sunní Islám. Bahá’u’lláh anticipated the fall of the Caliphate, which was abolished in 1924. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (The ‘Notes’ section of the Kitab-i-Aqdas)

September 27

In the years that lie ahead, in order to accomplish the tremendous tasks entrusted to our care by the Master, young people like yourself will be required to carry the work forward and fill the places left vacant by the older generation of believers; indeed they must do more than that, they must create new places and functions for themselves. 

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

September 25

As regards your question concerning the Nineteen Day Feasts: this is really a matter of secondary importance, and should be decided by the Assembly; meetings which have been publicly advertised for a certain date cannot, obviously, be cancelled. As to non-Bahá'ís attending: this should by all means be avoided, but if non-believers come to a Nineteen Day Feast, they should not be put out, as this might hurt their feelings. 

- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 21 September 1946 to two believers; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, The Nineteen Day Feast)

September 23

Bahá’u’lláh addressed two Tablets to Napoleon III (1808-1873), in the second of which He clearly prophesied that Napoleon’s kingdom would be “thrown into confusion”, that his “empire shall pass” from his hands, and that his people would experience great “commotions”. Within a year, Napoleon III suffered a resounding defeat, at the hands of Kaiser William I, at the Battle of Sedan in 1870. He went in exile to England, where he died three years later. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (The ‘Notes’ section of 'The Kitab-i-Aqdas')

September 21

He fully approves the idea of holding study classes, for the deeper the friends go in their understanding of the teachings the more firm and steadfast they will become and more unwavering in their support of the institutions of the Faith. Books such as the Iqán, Some Answered Questions and The Dawn-Breakers should be mastered by every Bahá'í. The first two books will reveal the significance of this divine revelation as well as the unity of all the Prophets of old. The last book will show how the Faith was ushered into the world and how its early adherents heroically faced martyrdom and suffering in their desire to establish the Cause throughout the world. Knowing the life of those heroes will create in us the urge to follow their footsteps and achieve the same. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 9 June 1932 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, The Importance of Deepening Our Knowledge and Understanding of the Faith)

September 19

It was also wonderful to see the interest shown by the public in the general gatherings that formed part of the Convention programme. Shoghi Effendi hopes that as the Temple is gradually completed this interest will increase and they will try to share in the spirit that motivates the friends and, accepting the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh, arise to serve it, and dedicate their life to its spread.

Such gatherings for collection of funds are permissible if it is done with a true spirit of sacrifice, not when the audience is especially aroused to a frenzy and mob psychology is used to induce them to pay. Shoghi Effendi has repeatedly stated that no pressure should be used upon the friends, and psychological pressure falls under that category. But there is much difference between such gatherings, often used by religious bodies, and a true quiet, prayerful atmosphere when a person is of his own accord aroused to make some sacrifice. The distinction is very delicate, but it is for the chairman to use his power to see that one desirable form is not corrupted into the other. All the activities of the Cause should be carried through in a dignified manner. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (In a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 28 May 1932 to an individual believer, published in "Bahá'í News" 67 (October 1932), p. 5; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Baha’i Funds and Contributions)

September 17

Preparations for the Holy Year 1992, when the 100th Anniversary of the Ascension of the Blessed Beauty and the inception of the Covenant will be commemorated, have already begun. It is fitting, then, that the Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh, which links the past and the future with the progressive stages towards the fulfillment of God’s ancient Promise, should be the major theme of the Six Year Plan. Concentration on this theme will enable us all to obtain a deeper appreciation of the meaning and purpose of His Revelation—“A Revelation,” in the words of the Guardian, “hailed as the promise and crowning glory of past ages and centuries, as the consummation  of all the Dispensations within the Adamic Cycle, inaugurating an era of at least a thousand years’ duration, and a cycle destined to last no less than five thousand centuries, signalizing the end of the Prophetic Era and  the beginning of the Era of Fulfillment, unsurpassed alike in the duration  of its Author’s ministry and the fecundity and splendor of His mission.  . . .” The questions that such concentrated study should answer will undoubtedly include the meaning of the Bahá’í Covenant, its origin and what should be our attitude towards it.

Ever present in our contemplation of these profound questions is the magnetic figure of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the Center of the Covenant, the Mystery of God, the perfect Exemplar, Whose unerring interpretation of the Holy Texts and luminous examples of their application to personal conduct shed light on a way of life we must strive diligently to follow. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (Ridvan 1987 message; ‘Messages from the Universal House of Justice, 1963-1986’)

September 15

It is also very important to hold study classes and go deep in the teachings. A great harm is done by starting to teach without being firmly grounded in the literature. "Little knowledge is dangerous" fully applies to the teaching work. The friends should read the Writings to be able to quote from the Tablets when discussing subjects pertaining to the Faith. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 9 May 1932 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, The Importance of Deepening Our Knowledge and Understanding of the Faith)

September 13

If thou desirest eternal life, inhale the heavenly fragrance; and if thou seekest life everlasting, abide beneath the shelter of the Word of God. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Bahá  (From a Tablet—translated from the Persian; compilation: Prayer and Devotional Life prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice, February 2019 )

September 11

… we, as Bahá’ís, must not have any affiliations with churches or political parties. But he feels certain that when you meditate on this matter you yourselves will see the wisdom of it. We, as Bahá’ís, can never be known as hypocrites or as people insincere in their protestations and because of this we cannot subscribe to both the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh and ordinary church dogma. The churches are waiting for the coming of Jesus Christ; we believe He has come again in the Glory of the Father. The churches teach doctrines—various ones in various creeds—which we as Bahá’ís do not accept; such as the bodily Resurrection, confession, or, in some creeds, the denial of the Immaculate Conception. In other words there is no Christian church today whose dogmas we, as Bahá’ís can truthfully say we accept in their entirety—therefore to remain a member of the Church is not proper for us, for we do so under false pretences. We should, therefore, withdraw from our churches but continue to associate, if we wish to, with the church members and ministers. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 24 June 1947 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi; ‘The Light of Divine Guidance, vol. 1)

September 9

…Smoking is not forbidden by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá; He advises against it for reasons of health, but we have no right to prevent anyone from smoking. But drinking and the use of drugs are strictly forbidden and the Bahá’ís should obey this command. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 26 February 1947 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi; ‘The Light of Divine Guidance, vol. 1)

September 7

When we turn to God with our whole heart and invoke His Name, a spiritual connection is established through which we become a channel of divine influence. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 19 October 1925 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; compilation: Prayer and Devotional Life prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice, February 2019)

September 5

…in the United States; ‘Abdu’l-Bahá conferred many honours on New York and called it the “City of the Covenant”, but this did not prevent Chicago from being chosen as the National Administrative Headquarters owing to its central position in America. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 31 July 1946 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi; ‘The Light of Divine Guidance, vol. 1)

September 3

As regards the question you asked him: he feels that the Bahá’ís in Germany should, by all means, follow the same procedure as regards withdrawing from church membership as that in America. You should point out to the believers that, by belonging to other organized religious bodies, we are not acting openly because we firmly believe Christ has come again—so how can we belong to a church which does not accept Bahá’u’lláh and His message as the fulfilment of Jesus’ message and the reappearance of Jesus Himself? 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 30 July 1946 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi; ‘The Light of Divine Guidance, vol. 1)

September 1

Shoghi Effendi undertook the translation of the Dawn-Breakers only after being convinced that its publication will arouse the friends to greater self-sacrifice and a more determined way of teaching. Otherwise he would not have devoted so much time to it.

Reading about the life and activities of those heroic souls is bound to influence our mode of living and of the importance we attach to our services in the Cause. Shoghi Effendi therefore hopes that the friends will read, nay rather study that book, and encourage their young people to do that as well... 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 9 May 1932 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer) The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, The Importance of Deepening Our Knowledge and Understanding of the Faith)

August 30

Even though Shoghi Effendi would urge every believer to sacrifice as much as possible for the sake of contributing towards the fund of the National Assembly, yet he would discourage the friends to incur debts for that purpose. We are asked to give what we have, not what we do not possess, especially if such an act causes suffering to others. In such matters we should use judgement and wisdom and take into our confidence other devoted Bahá'ís. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 4 May 1932 to an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Baha’i Funds and Contributions)

August 28

Another essential thing is that those who do embrace the Faith should be constantly urged to study the literature of the Cause. It is not sufficient that our numbers should increase, we want people whose faith stands on a rock and no trial can move. We want people who will in turn arise and carry the Message to other people and guide other souls. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 13 April 1932 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, The Importance of Deepening Our Knowledge and Understanding of the Faith)

August 26

Perhaps the reason why you have not accomplished so much in the field of teaching is the extent you looked upon your own weaknesses and inabilities to spread the message. Bahá'u'lláh and the Master have both urged us repeatedly to disregard our own handicaps and lay our whole reliance upon God. He will come to our help if we only arise and become an active channel for God's grace. Do you think it is the teachers who make converts and change human hearts? No, surely not. They are only pure souls who take the first step, and then let the spirit of Bahá'u'lláh move them and make use of them. If any one of them should even for a second consider his achievements as due to his own capacities, his work is ended and his fall starts. This is in fact the reason why so many competent souls have after wonderful services suddenly found themselves absolutely impotent and perhaps thrown aside by the Spirit of the Cause as useless souls. The criterion is the extent to which we are ready to have the will of God operate through us.

Stop being conscious of your frailties, therefore; have a perfect reliance upon God; let your heart burn with the desire to serve His mission and proclaim His call; and you will observe how eloquence and the power to change human hearts will come as a matter of course.

Shoghi Effendi will surely pray for your success if you should arise and start to teach. In fact the mere act of arising will win for you God's help and blessings. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 31 March 1932 to an individual believer written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, The Power of Divine Assistance)

August 24

The account of your work among the foreign students made Shoghi Effendi very happy. Not only will these young people get a good impression of American families and hospitality, but the spiritual training you try to give them will make their education so much more complete and worthwhile. This is beside the fact that in their heart is planted the seeds of the Bahá'í teachings which in time will germinate and bring forth wondrous fruits. All these young people when they return home will carry the Message with them and even though they do not become confirmed believers, they will remain friends always ready to render a service to the Bahá'í teachers they happen to meet. Shoghi Effendi hopes you will carry on that work but at the same time try to make them true Bahá'ís -- in spirit as well as in faith. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 4 February 1932 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Youth)