November 20

With regard to your first question, Shoghi Effendi wishes me to tell you that he has already written to America what for the present should be the qualifications of a true believer. He must accept Bahá'u'lláh as a supreme and divine Manifestation and 'Abdu'l-Bahá as the chief Interpreter and Exemplar of those teachings. He must accept each and all of the provisions of the Master's last Will and Testament and must work with and accept the present administration of the Cause. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 22 May 1927, written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; compilation: ‘Conditions for Membership in the Bahá'í Community’, included in a Memorandum from the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice dated 30 December 1991, attached to a letter dated 30 December 1991 written on behalf of the Uinersal House of Justice to an individual believer; Baha’i Library Online)

November 18

Let no one fail to appreciate the possibilities thus created. Passivity is bred by the forces of society today. A desire to be entertained is nurtured from childhood, with increasing efficiency, cultivating generations willing to be led by whoever proves skilful at appealing to superficial emotions. Even in many educational systems students are treated as though they were receptacles designed to receive information. That the Bahá’í world has succeeded in developing a culture which promotes a way of thinking, studying, and acting, in which all consider themselves as treading a common path of service—supporting one another and advancing together, respectful of the knowledge that each one possesses at any given moment and avoiding the tendency to divide the believers into categories such as deepened and uninformed—is an accomplishment of enormous proportions. And therein lie the dynamics of an irrepressible movement. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (Ridvan 2010 message; online Baha’i Reference Library of the Baha’i World Center)

November 16

To Israel He [Bahá’u’lláh] was neither more nor less than the incarnation of the “Everlasting Father”; the “Lord of Hosts” come down “with ten thousands of saints”; to Christendom Christ returned “in the glory of the Father,” to Shí‘ah Islám the return of the Imám Husayn; to Sunní Islám the descent of the “Spirit of God” (Jesus Christ); to the Zoroastrians the promised Sháh-Bahrám; to the Hindus the reincarnation of Krishna; to the Buddhists the fifth Buddha. 

- Shoghi Effendi  ('God Passes By')

November 14

Pregnant indeed are the years looming ahead of us all. The twin processes of internal disintegration and external chaos are being accelerated every day and are inexorably moving towards a climax.... The Community of the Most Great Name, the leaven that must leaven the lump, the chosen remnant that must survive the rolling up of the old, discredited, tottering Order and assist in the unfoldment of a new one in its stead, is standing ready, alert, clear-visioned, and resolute.... Fierce and manifold will be the assaults with which governments, races, classes and religions, jealous of its rising prestige and fearful of its consolidating strength, will seek to silence its voice and sap its foundations. Unmoved by the relative obscurity that surrounds it at the present time, and undaunted by the forces that will be arrayed against it in the future, this community, I cannot but feel confident, will, no matter how afflictive the agonies of a travailing age, pursue its destiny, undeflected in its course, undimmed in its serenity, unyielding in its resolve, unshaken in its convictions. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 5 July 1938 to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada, published in "Messages to America: Selected Letters and Cablegrams Addressed to the Bahá'ís of North America, 1932-1946"; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. 1, Crisis and Victory)

November 12

In the name He [Bahá’u’lláh] bore He combined those of the Imám Husayn, the most illustrious of the successors of the Apostle of God—the brightest “star” shining in the “crown” mentioned in the Revelation of St. John—and of the Imám ‘Alí, the Commander of the Faithful, the second of the two “witnesses” extolled in that same Book. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (‘God Passes By’)

November 10

You ask whether the believers are to take an active role in combatting what they perceive as negative forces in their society. As the House of Justice has previously stated, "most people have no clear concept of the sort of world they wish to build, nor how to go about building it. Even those who are concerned to improve conditions are therefore reduced to combatting every apparent evil that takes their attention. Willingness to fight against evils, whether in the form of conditions or embodied in evil men, has thus become for most people the touchstone by which they judge a person’s moral worth. Bahá’is, on the other hand, know the goal they are working towards and know what they must do, step by step, to attain it. Their whole energy is directed towards the building of the good, a good which has such a positive strength that in the face of it the multitude of evils—which are in essence negative—will fade away and be no more. To enter into the quixotic tournament of demolishing one by one the evils in the world is, to a Bahá’i, a vain waste of time and effort."

In this period of uncertainty and transition, different political and social groups are vying for power to direct humanity towards their varying, and often conflicting, visions of an ideal society. At times, some of their objectives may be similar to those of the Faith. However, the Bahá’i community does not see itself as one among these competing groups and organizations. As discussed above, its approach is different. In working to build a new world based on the vision of Bahá’u’llah, Baháis must inevitably distinguish between those dimensions of public issues that are in keeping with the Bahá’i Teachings, which they can actively support, and those that are not, which they would neither promote nor necessarily oppose. Moreover, in pursuing their aims, Baháis cannot become embroiled in political controversies that would divide the Bahá’i community, dissipate its energies, and deflect it from its purpose to unify society. In attempting to determine what lines of action may be suitable in this regard, believers are advised to turn to their National Spiritual Assemblies. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 6 August 2020 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer; compilation: ‘Selected Extracts on Political Non-Involvement and Social Transformation’, attached to a letter dated 26 February 2021 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer)

November 8

The sincere interest in the welfare of your country and its peoples that has prompted you to write is acknowledged. It is clear that you are generally aware of the principle of noninvolvement in politics enunciated by Shoghi Effendi; this principle not only demands that Bahá’ís strictly avoid any type of partisan political activity but also requires that they refrain from becoming involved in debates surrounding any political controversy or reacting, orally or otherwise, in a manner that could be taken as evidence of support for a partisan political stance. Moreover, it is not for Bahá’ís, in offering social commentary, to vilify specific individuals, organizations, or governments or to make attacks on them. “Except to speak well of them, make thou no mention of the earth’s kings, and the worldly governments thereof”, was the counsel of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to one believer. Therefore, Bahá’ís should be circumspect in the manner in which they mention any political figures when making public comments, regardless of whether such comments are sympathetic or critical. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 26 February 2021 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer; US Baha’i National Administrative website)

November 6

Regarding the very delicate and complex question of ascertaining the qualifications of a true believer, I cannot in this connection emphasize too strongly the supreme necessity for the exercise of the utmost discretion, caution and tact, whether it be in deciding for ourselves as to who may be regarded a true believer or in disclosing to the outside world such considerations as may serve as a basis for such a decision. I would only venture to state very briefly and as adequately as present circumstances permit the principal factors that must be taken into consideration before deciding whether a person may be regarded a true believer or not. Full recognition of the station of the Forerunner, the Author, and the True Exemplar of the Bahá'í Cause, as set forth in 'Abdu'l-Bahá's Testament; unreserved acceptance of, and submission to, whatsoever has been revealed by Their Pen; loyal and steadfast adherence to every clause of our Beloved's sacred Will; and close association with the spirit as well as the form of the present day Bahá'í administration throughout the world — these I conceive to be the fundamental and primary considerations that must be fairly, discreetly, and thoughtfully ascertained before reaching such a vital decision. Any attempt at further analysis and elucidation will, I fear, land us in barren discussions and even grave controversies that would prove not only futile but even detrimental to the best interests of a growing Cause.... 

- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter dated 24 October 1925 to a National Spiritual Assembly, published in "Bahá'í Administration: Selected Messages 1922-1932")

November 4

As regards your husband's attitude towards the Cause: unfriendly though that may be you should always hope that, through conciliatory and friendly means, and with wise, tactful and patient effort you can gradually succeed in winning his sympathy for the Faith. Under no circumstances should you try to dictate and impose upon him by force your personal religious convictions. Neither should you allow his opposition to the Cause [to] seriously hinder your activities.... You should act patiently, tactfully and with confidence that your efforts are being guided and reinforced by Bahá'u'lláh. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 23 July 1937 to an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, Vol. I, Family Life)

November 2

A God that is only loving or only just is not a perfect God. The Divinity has to possess both of these aspects as every father ought to express both in his attitude towards his children. If we ponder a while, we will see that our welfare can be ensured only when both of these divine attributes are equally emphasized and practised. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 29 April 1933 to an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, Vol. I, Family Life)

October 31

In accepting Bahá’u’lláh you have accepted Christ in His appearance as the Father, as He Himself so clearly foretold. The Catholic Church does not believe this; on the contrary, it still awaits the return of Christ. If you decide, in order to be buried next to your dear husband, to return to the Church, you either would have to, in good faith, deny Bahá’u’lláh or you would be just using the church as a means to satisfy a desire of your own, which would certainly not be an upright and conscientious thing to do.

When you think that your husband’s soul is now free of the limitations of this world, and that he no doubt is beginning to see religious truth in its true light and to appreciate the station of Bahá’u’lláh, you should ask yourself whether he would wish you to leave the truth for this day and re-enter the church just for the sake of your dust being near his dust. Your spirit, when you pass away, will be near his spirit; of what importance, then, is the body? He will pray for your guidance in this matter. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi; ‘Directives from the Guardian’)

October 29

It is good for the Bahá’ís to learn that being a Bahá’í is essentially an inner thing, or way of life, and not dependent on fixed patterns. Important as our organized Institutions are, they are not the Faith itself. The strength of the Cause grows no matter how much disrupted its activities may temporarily be. This we see over and over again, in lands where the Faith has been temporarily banned; at times when the believers are persecuted and even killed; where they are serving all alone or scattered and isolated. So it has been a stimulating experience for the American believers to be without their schools for a few years, rather than a depressing one. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi; ‘Directives from the Guardian’) 

October 27

There are two kinds of Bahá’ís, one might say: those whose religion is Bahá’í and those who live for the Faith. Needless to say if we can belong to the latter category, if we can be in the vanguard of heroes, martyrs and saints, it is more praiseworthy in the sight of God. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi; ‘Directives from the Guardian’)

October 25

They [“the members of the Universal House of Justice”] are to follow, in a prayerful attitude, the dictates and promptings of their conscience. They may, indeed they must, acquaint themselves with the conditions prevailing among the community, must weigh dispassionately in their minds the merits of any case presented for their consideration, but must reserve for themselves the right of an unfettered decision. “God will verily inspire them with whatsoever He willeth,” is Bahá’u’lláh’s incontrovertible assurance. They, and not the body of those who either directly or indirectly elect them, have thus been made the recipients of the divine guidance which is at once the life-blood and ultimate safeguard of this Revelation. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (‘The Dispensation of Baha’u’llah; included in ‘The World Order of Baha’u’llah’)

October 23

As regards the question of what procedure the Bahá’í Assemblies should adopt when dissatisfied with the services of any of their officers, should such dissatisfaction involve the loyalty of an Assembly officer to the Faith, he should, following a majority vote be dismissed. But in case the dissatisfaction is due to the incompetence of a member, or simply to a neglect on his part to discharge his duties, this does not constitute sufficient justification to force his resignation or dismissal from the Assembly. He should be kept in office until new elections are held. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 22 November 1940 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to a Spiritual Assembly; ‘The Unfolding Destiny, The Messages from the Guardian of the Baha’i Faith to the Baha’i Community of the British Isles)

October 21

While the believers, he feels, should exert every effort to obtain from the authorities a permit exempting them from active military service in a combatant capacity, it is their duty at the same time, as loyal and devoted citizens, to offer their services to their country in any field of national service which is not specifically aggressive or directly military. Such forms of national work as air raid precaution service, ambulance corps, and other humanitarian work or activity of a non-combatant nature, are the most suitable types of service the friends can render, and which they should gladly volunteer for, since in addition to the fact that they do not involve any violation of the spirit or principle of the Teachings, they constitute a form of social and humanitarian service which the Cause holds sacred and emphatically enjoins. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 27 November 1938 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to a Spiritual Assembly; ‘The Unfolding Destiny, The Messages from the Guardian of the Baha’i Faith to the Baha’i Community of the British Isles)

October 19

The world around us is seething with unrest caused by the conflicting interests of governments, peoples, races and individuals. Each of these contending parties has some good and some evil on its side, and, whereas we will unhesitatingly uphold Bahá’i principles, we will never become embroiled in these internecine conflicts by identifying ourselves with one or other of the parties, however much in our hearts we may sympathize with its aims. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 18 August 1985, written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to a National Spiritual Assembly; included in a letter dated 26 February 2021, written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer; US Baha’i National Administrative website)

October 17

The believers must discriminate between the two extremes of bringing people into the Cause before they have fully grasped its fundamentals and making it too hard for them, expecting too much of them, before they accept them. This requires truly keen judgment, as it is unfair to people to allow them to embrace a movement the true meaning of which they have not fully grasped. It is equally unfair to expect them to be perfect Bahá’ís before they can enter the Faith. Many teaching problems arise out of these two extremes... 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi; ‘Directives from the Guardian’)

October 15

What is needed to achieve success in the teaching field is a complete dedication on the part of the individual, consecration to the glorious task of spreading the Faith, and the living of the Bahá'í life, because that creates the magnet for the Holy Spirit, and it is the Holy Spirit which quickens the new soul. Thus, the individual should be as a reed, through which the Holy Spirit may flow, to give new life to the seeking soul.

One should search out those who are receptive to the Faith, and then concentrate on those persons in their teaching. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 18 December 1953, written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi; ‘High Endeavors: Letters to Alaska’)