Baha'u'llah's Shawl and Comb

From: Baha'i Sacred Relics

Baha'u'llah's Shawl and Comb

This is Faith -- a poem by Ruhiyyih Khanum

From: Baha'i Songs and Poems

To walk where there is no path,
To breathe where there is no air,
To see where there is no light-
This is Faith.

To cry out in the silence,
The silence of the night,
And hearing no echo believe
And believe again and again
This is Faith.

To hold pebbles and see jewels
To raise sticks and see forests
To smile with weeping eyes
This is Faith.

To Say: 'God, I believe' when others deny,
'I hear' when there is no answer,
'I see' though naught is seen-
This is Faith.

And the fierce love in the heart,
The savage love that cries Hidden
Thou art yet there!
Veil thy face and mute thy tongue
Yet I see and hear Thee, Love,
Beat me down to the bare earth,
Yet I rise and love Thee, Love!
This is Faith.

Ruhiyyih Khanum, written on April 4th, 1954 (‘A Tribute to Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum’, by Violette Nakhjavani)  

The Guardian explains that ‘Abdu’l-Baha had “sure and clear knowledge that His end was nigh ..”

From: Insights from Messages to the Baha'i Wprld - by Shoghi Effendi

How well I remember when, more than two years ago, the Beloved Master turning to a distinguished visitor of His, who was seated by Him in His garden, suddenly broke the silence and said: -- "My work is now done upon this plane; it is time for me to pass on to the other world." Did He not in more than one occasion state clearly and emphatically: -- "Were ye to know what will come to pass after me, surely would ye pray that my end be hastened"? In a Tablet sent to Persia when the storm raised years ago by that Committee of Investigation was fiercely raging around Him, when the days of His incarceration were at their blackest, He reveals the following: -- "Now in this world of being, the Hand of Divine Power hath firmly laid the foundations of this all-highest Bounty and this wondrous Gift. Gradually whatsoever is latent in the innermost of this Holy Cycle shall appear and be made manifest, for now is but the beginning of its growth and the dayspring of the revelation of its Signs. Ere the close of this Century and of this Age, it shall be made clear and manifest how wondrous was that Springtide and how heavenly was that Gift!"

With such assuring Utterances and the unmistakable evidences of His sure and clear knowledge that His end was nigh …. 
- Shoghi Effendi  (Excerpt from a message dated January 21st, 1922 in ‘Baha'i Administration’) (To read the entire message please visit Messages to the Baha'i World Community -- by Shoghi Effendi)

Louis and Louise Gregory -- the first black-white marriage in the American Baha'i community

From: We are Baha'is

Louis and Louise Gregory

Believers mentioned by 'Abdu'l-Baha in The Memorials of the Faithful book

From: Baha'is in Memoriam

Nabíl-i-Akbar

Ismu’lláhu’l-Asdaq
Mullá ‘Alí-Akbar
Shaykh Salmán
Mírzá Muhammad-‘Alí, the Afnán
Hájí Mírzá Hasan, the Afnán
Muhammad-‘Alíy-i-Isfáhání
‘Abdu’s-Sálih, the Gardener
Ustád Ismá’íl
Nabíl-i-Zarandí
Darvísh Sidq-‘Alí
Áqá Mírzá Muhmúd and Áqá Ridá
Pidar-Ján of Qazvín
Shaykh Sádiq-i-Yazdí
Sháh-Muhammad-Amín
Mashhadí Fattah
Nabíl of Qá’in
Siyyid Muhammad-Taqí Manshadí
Muhammad-‘Alí Sabbáq of Yazd
‘Abdu’l-Ghaffár of Isfáhán
‘Alí Najaf-Ábádí

God’s Teachings are the highest means for order and security of all peoples

From: Teachings of the Baha'i Faith

They whom God hath endued with insight will readily recognize that the precepts laid down by God constitute the highest means for the maintenance of order in the world and the security of its peoples.
- Baha'u'llah  (The Kitab-i-Aqdas)

The Heart of the Planet

From: Baha'i Points of Interest

The World Center of the Faith located in Israel “.. geographically, spiritually and administratively, constitutes the heart of the entire planet..”. (Shoghi Effendi, 'Messages to America'; the Compilation of Compilations, vol. 1)

Some believers in America in 1910

From: Worldwide Community of Baha'u'llah

Some believers in America in 1910: 1. Dr. Augur;  2. Mrs. Augur's maid; 3. Mrs. Coombs;  4. Miss Fletcher of NY City; 5. Mr. Remey; 6. Mrs. Sutherland; 7. Mrs. Rowland;  8. Mr. Struven;  9. Mrs. Augur 10. Agnes Alexander;  11. Miss Johnson;  12. Virginia Rowland

Holy Land: ‘Abdu’l-Baha has the Power of Ether -- by Juliet Thompson

From: Vignettes about 'Abdu'l-Baha

The next morning, Thursday, though I went unusually early to the Master, He had already left the house. But Lua, Valíyu’lláh Khán [son of the great poet Varqa], and I had a wonderful morning. Valíyu’lláh told us so many things.

“My father,” he said, “spent much time with the Blessed Beauty. The Blessed Beauty Himself taught him.

“One time when my father was in His room, Bahá’u’lláh rose and strode back and forth till the very walls seemed to shake. And He told my father that once in an age the Mighty God sent a Soul to earth endowed with the power of the Great Ether, and that such a Soul had all power and was able to do anything.  ‘Even this walk of Mine’ said Bahá’u’lláh, ‘has an effect in the world.'

“Then He said that His Holiness Jesus Christ had also come with the power of the Great Ether, but the haughty priesthood of His day thought of Him as a poor, unlettered youth and believed that if they should crucify Him, His Teachings would soon be forgotten. Therefore they did crucify Him. But because His Holiness Jesus possessed the power of the Great Ether, He could not remainunderground.  This ethereal power rose and conquered the whole earth. ‘And now,’ the Blessed Beauty said, ‘look to the Master, for this same Power is His.’

The Garden of Ridvan

From: Baha'i Historical Facts

Entrance to the Garden of Ridvan where Baha'u'llah declared His Mission in 1863 and after twelve days departed for Constantinople. ... The beauty of this garden is apparent through its service to humanity -- that is, it was a hospital then and two successive governments have used it similarly ... [as] a center where bodily ailments are healed. (The Baha'i World 1926-1928)

O ye friends and the maid-servants of the Merciful!

From: Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Baha in Star of the West

O ye friends and the maid-servants of the Merciful!

If it is your intention to have the general Convention in Chicago on the day of Naw-Ruz, so that delegates might be sent there from everywhere to deliberate and discuss matters pertaining to the Mashriqu’l-Adhkar, to proclaim the oneness of the kingdom of humanity, to explain the Divine Teachings and to elucidate and expound the Exhortations of the Blessed Perfection, -- it is better to open this Convention during the Feast of Ridvan; for the Feast of Ridvan is greater and more important and the temperature at that time mild and balmy. Therefore, proclaim ye to all parts that all the delegates and friends gather in Chicago during that blessed day.

Upon ye be Baha’ul-Abha!

(signed) Abdul-Baha Abbas.
(Star of the West, Vol. 1, no. 3, April 28, 1910)

Shaykh Ahmad-i-Ahsa’i

From: Baha'i Biographical Notes

Shaykh Ahmad, also known as Shaykh-i-Ahsa’i (1743-1826), was the first of the two forerunners of the Báb, and the founder of the Shaykhi School of Islam. He authored about 96 books. He was a respected interpreter of Islamic doctrine and attracted many followers in the Shi’ih holy cities of Najaf and Karbala. His teachings, which emphasized the near advent of the Promised One of Islam, and the metaphorical rather than literal interpretation of certain scriptures (such as resurrection and Muhammad’s night journey to heaven), prepared the way for the Báb. While traveling in Persia near the end of his life, he chose as his successor a disciple named Siyyid Kazim, who eventually attained the presence of the Báb.

“Do ye know in what cycle ye are created and in what age ye exist?”

From: Counsels and Explanations by 'Abdu'l-Baha -- Daily Readings

Do ye know in what cycle ye are created and in what age ye exist? This is the age of the Blessed Perfection and this is the time of the Greatest Name! This is the century of the Manifestation, the age of the Sun of the Horizons and the beautiful springtime of His Holiness the Eternal One!

The earth is in motion and growth; the mountains, hills and prairies are green and pleasant; the bounty is overflowing; the mercy universal; the rain is descending from the cloud of mercy; the brilliant Sun is shining; the full moon is ornamenting the horizon of ether; the great ocean-tide is flooding every little stream; the gifts are successive; the favors consecutive; and the refreshing breeze is blowing, wafting the fragrant perfume of the blossoms. Boundless treasure is in the hand of the King of Kings! Lift the hem of thy garment in order to receive it.

If we are not happy and joyous at this season, for what other season shall we wait and for what other time shall we look? 
- ‘Abdu'l-Baha  (Baha'i World Faith – ‘Abdu'l-Baha Section)

Administrative Order

From: Baha'i Glossary

The system of administration as conceived by Baha'u'llah, formally established by 'Abdu'l-Baha, and realized during the Guardianship of Shoghi Effendi. It embodies the international system for administering the affairs of the Baha’i community. It is unique in religious history in that clear instructions concerning succession of authority and the form of organization are set out in writing by Baha’u’llah, the Founder of the Faith. The principal institutions of the Baha’i Administrative Order are the Guardianship and the Universal House of Justice. It also consists, on the one hand, of a series of elected councils, universal, national, and local, in which are invested legislative, executive, and judicial powers over the Baha'i community, and on the other hand, of eminent and devoted Baha'is appointed for the specific purposes of' propagation and protection of the Faith under the guidance of the Head of that Faith, the Universal House of Justice. The democratically elected local and national councils known as Local and National Spiritual Assemblies, direct the affairs of the Baha’i community, uphold Baha’i laws and standards, and take responsibility for the education, guidance, and protection of the community. The appointed institutions, include the Hands of the Cause of God, the International Teaching Center, the Continental Board of Counselors and their Auxiliary Boards and assistants. The appointed members of these institutions perform a counseling and advisory function and have particular responsibility for the protection and expansion of the Baha’i Faith.

April 30, 1963: Message of the Universal House of Justice to the Baha'i World

From: Messages to the Baha'i World Community -- by the Universal House of Justice

Presented by a member of the Universal House of Justice to the Baha’is assembled in Royal Albert Hall, London

"All praise, O my God, be to Thee Who art the Source of all glory and majesty, of greatness and honour, of sovereignty and dominion, of loftiness and grace, of awe and power. Whomsoever Thou wiliest Thou causest to draw nigh unto the Most Great Ocean, and on whomsoever Thou desirest Thou conferrest the honour of recognizing Thy Most Ancient Name. Of all who are in heaven and on earth, none can withstand the operation of Thy sovereign Will. From all eternity Thou didst rule the entire creation, and Thou wilt continue for evermore to exercise Thy dominion over all created things. There is none other God but Thee, the Almighty, the Most Exalted, the All-Powerful, the All-Wise."

Beloved friends:

On this glorious occasion, the celebration of the Most Great Jubilee, we raise our grateful thanks to Bahá'u'lláh for all His bounties showered upon the friends throughout the world. This historic moment marks at one and the same time the fulfilment of Daniel's prophecy, the Hundredth Anniversary of the Declaration of the Promised One of all ages, the termination of the first epoch of the Divine Plan of 'Abdu'l-Bahá designed to establish the Faith of God in all the world, and the successful conclusion of our beloved Guardian's world-encircling Crusade, enabling his lovers and loved ones everywhere to lay this glorious harvest of victory in his name at the feet of the Blessed Beauty. This Most Great Jubilee is the crowning victory of the lifework of Shoghi Effendi, Guardian of the Cause of God. He it was, and he alone, who unfolded the potentialities of the widely scattered, numerically small, and largely unorganized Bahá'í community which had been called into being during the Heroic Age of the Faith. He it was who unfolded the grand design of God's Holy Cause, set in motion the great plans of teaching already outlined by 'Abdu'l-Bahá, established the institutions and greatly extended the endowments at the World Centre, and raised the Temples of America, Africa, Australasia and Europe, developed the Administrative Order of the Cause throughout the world, and set the Ark of the Cause true on its course. He appointed the Hands of the Cause of God.

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Purpose of Man’s Creation

From: Gems of insight from 'Abdu'l-Baha

The purpose of the creation of man is the attainment of the supreme virtues of humanity through descent of the heavenly bestowals. The purpose of man's creation is, therefore, unity and harmony, not discord and separateness. If the atoms which compose the kingdom of the minerals were without affinity for each other, the earth would never have been formed, the universe could not have been created. Because they have affinity for each other, the power of life is able to manifest itself, and the organisms of the phenomenal world become possible. When this attraction or atomic affinity is destroyed, the power of life ceases to manifest; death and nonexistence result. 
- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (From a talk, 'The Promulgation of Universal Peace')

Baha'u'llah's Surih of the Temple

From: Reflecting on Baha'i Writings: The Summons of the Lord of Hosts

The book called The Summons of the Lord of Hosts contains many authorized English translations of some powerful Tablets revealed by Baha’u’llah. They are:

Suriy-i-Haykal / Surih of the Temple
Pope Pius IX
Napoleon III
Czar Alexander II
Queen Victoria
Násiri'd-Dín Sháh / Lawh-i-Sultán
Suriy-i-Ra'is
Lawh-i-Ra'ís
Lawh-i-Fu'ád
Suriy-i-Mulúk / Surih of the Kings

All of these Tablets were sent to the kings and rulers of the world at the time of Baha’u’llah – some individually and some collectively. All were revealed during Baha’u’llah’s five years in Adrianople which ended in 1868 with His further banishment to the fortress town of ‘Akka.

We are going to explore these Tablets together, one at a time, hoping that in that process our hearts and minds become more enchanted by the beauty, richness, and depth of their contents, inspiring us to higher levels of certitude.

The Master

From: Portraits of 'Abdu'l-Baha

My name is 'Abdu'l-Bahá. My qualification is 'Abdu'l-Bahá. My reality is 'Abdu'l-Bahá. My praise is 'Abdu'l-Bahá. Thraldom to the Blessed Perfection is my glorious and refulgent diadem, and servitude to all the human race my perpetual religion... No name, no title, no mention, no commendation have I, nor will ever have, except 'Abdu'l-Bahá. This is my longing. This is my greatest yearning. This is my eternal life. This is my everlasting glory. 
- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Quoted by Shoghi Effendi in ‘The World Order of Baha'u'llah’)

'Abdu'l-Baha

Baha'i Saints, Heroes, Martyrs and Administrators - by Hartmut Grossman

From: Baha'i Talks, Messages and Articles

[Notes of a talk given by Universal House of Justice Member Hartmut Grossman to the first group of Baha’i Pilgrims to enter the Cell of Baha’u’llah, in Akka, after a break of eight years. This talk was given on the evening of October 30th, 2003.]

The Universal House of Justice views the re-opening of the Cell of Baha’u’llah as being a very significant event, so much so that prior to the pilgrims’ visit, all of the members went to the Cell as a Body to say special prayers.

We should remember the suffering that occurred at this prison - the prison designated by Him as the Most Great Prison, which is deeply significant considering the conditions under which He suffered in the ‘Black-Pit’, the Siyah-Chal, in Tehran. He had just arrived when he was forced to sell His carpet, the carpet He used to sleep on, to pay for the funeral expenses of one of the members of His entourage. Even after paying the expenses, the body was still treated very disrespectfully, but He had to make the attempt. It was while confined to this Cell that He sacrificed His son. Many, many other afflictions were faced by Him there.

Many events of note also took place in this Cell, one of which was His giving the Tablet to the Shah of Persia to Badi for its delivery. Baha’u’llah had written the Tablet prior to His arrival in Acco, but there was not a believer at that time who exhibited the necessary levels of devotion and sacrifice. So to give the Tablet to Badi, He bound the eyes of the guards so that Badi could be smuggled into His presence and safely back out again. The second Tablet to Napoleon and the Tablet to Queen Victoria were also written from this Cell.

Read more ….

October 1848: Mulla Husayn entered the Shrine of Shaykh Tabarsi

From: Baha'i Calendar -- this month in history

Mulla Husayn and his companions entered the Shrine of Shaykh Tabarsi and were attacked that night by a body of horsemen from Qadi-Kula. 
- Moojan Momen  ('The Baha’i World, vol. 18')

Blessed souls that have been “the cause of the illumination of the world of humanity”

From: Daily Spiritual Food for Thought

Blessed souls whether Moses, Jesus, Zoroaster, Krishna, Buddha, Confucius, or Muhammad were the cause of the illumination of the world of humanity. How can we deny such irrefutable proof? How can we be blind to such light?... 
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Extracts from the Baha’i Writings on Buddha, Krishna, Zoroaster and related subjects)

Book: Prayers and Meditations by Baha'u'llah

From: Introduction to Baha'i Books

"He is indeed pleased to know that the Book of Prayers and Meditations by Bahá'u'lláh has been out in time to enable the friends to read it during the Fast, and he has every hope that the perusal of such a precious volume will help to deepen more than any other publication, the spirit of devotion and faith in the friends, and thus charge them with all the spiritual power they require for the accomplishment of their tremendous duties towards the Cause..." (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Directives from the Guardian

A “diamond-mine of communion with God, unsurpassed in any religious literature of the world …” (Hand of the Cause Ruhiyyih Khanum, The Priceless Pearl)

"It contains nearly two hundred selections – prayers which reveal the infinite bounty of God’s purpose for man – spiritual understanding, steadfastness, unity, immortality, capacity for human service, awareness for the providential nature of this age when all things are made new." (Hand of the Cause Horace Holley)
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The Reality of Gospels

From: Christian Themes in Baha'i Literature

If a Christian sets aside traditionary forms and blind imitation of ceremonials and investigates the reality of the gospels, he will discover that the foundation principles of the teachings of His Holiness Christ were mercy, love, fellowship, benevolence, altruism, the resplendence or radiance of divine bestowals, acquisition of the breaths of the Holy Spirit and oneness with God. 
- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Foundations of World Unity)

1914 -- First & Second group photographs taken of 'Abdu'l-Baha in the Holy Land

From: 'Abdu'l-Baha in the Holy Land 

‘Abdu'l-Baha with some pilgrims and resident Baha'is gathered at the Shrine of the Bab on Mount Carmel

Jewish, Zoroastrian, and Muslim-background Baha'i pilgrims along with some resident Bahais in the presence of 'Abdu'l-Baha in front of His house in Haifa, 1914

Quiz

From: Baha'i Knowledge Hunt

* This disciple accompanied the Bab on His pilgrimage to Mecca in 1845. Answer

* Did anyone from the West meet the Bab? Answer

* Abdu’l-Hamid II was the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire between what years? Answer

* As remarked by His mother, what was so unusual about the Bab during His very early childhood? Answer

* The Guardian defines this place to be as the Heart of the entire planet? Answer

* By what name does Baha’u’llah refer to John the Baptist? Answer

January 21st, 1922: Message from Shoghi Effendi to Baha'is Worldwide

From: Messages to the Baha'i World Community -- by Shoghi Effendi

 Dearly beloved brethren and sisters in 'Abdu'l-Bahá

At this early hour when the morning light is just breaking upon the Holy Land, whilst the gloom of the dear Master's bereavement is still hanging thick upon the hearts, I feel as if my soul turns in yearning love and full of hope to that great company of His loved ones across the seas, who now share with us all the agonies of His separation.

It is idle for me to emphasize how much the sorrowful ladies of the Holy Household look forward to the work that lies before the friends in the American continent, who in the past have rendered so glorious a service to His Cause and will now, faithful to His special love for them, carry on their mission still more gloriously than ever before. True, the shock has been too terrible and sudden for us all to recover from in so short a time, but whenever we recall His Sayings and read His Writings, hope springs in our hearts and gives us the peace that no other material comfort can give.

How well I remember when, more than two years ago, the Beloved Master turning to a distinguished visitor of His, who was seated by Him in His garden, suddenly broke the silence and said: -- "My work is now done upon this plane; it is time for me to pass on to the other world." Did He not in more than one occasion state clearly and emphatically: -- "Were ye to know what will come to pass after me, surely would ye pray that my end be hastened"? In a Tablet sent to Persia when the storm raised years ago by that Committee of Investigation was fiercely raging around Him, when the days of His incarceration were at their blackest, He reveals the following: -- "Now in this world of being, the Hand of Divine Power hath firmly laid the foundations of this all-highest Bounty and this wondrous Gift. Gradually whatsoever is latent in the innermost of this Holy Cycle shall appear and be made manifest, for now is but the beginning of its growth and the dayspring of the revelation of its Signs. Ere the close of this Century and of this Age, it shall be made clear and manifest how wondrous was that Springtide and how heavenly was that Gift!"

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The first Baha'i of Hawaiian blood

From: We are Baha'is

Mary Fantom

Mrs. Mary Fantom has the distinction of being the first Baha'i of Hawaiian blood. She was affectionately known as Auntie May. She was a long time resident of Maui and closely associated with Hand of the Cause Agnes Alexander. This photograph was taken on Auntie May's ninety-first birthday. 
(Baha'i News, March 1971)

The reason God sends “Prophets and Messengers”

From: Daily Verses of God

The Prophets and Messengers of God have been sent down for the sole purpose of guiding mankind to the straight Path of Truth. The purpose underlying their revelation hath been to educate all men, that they may, at the hour of death, ascend, in the utmost purity and sanctity and with absolute detachment, to the throne of the Most High.... 
- Baha’u’llah  (‘Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh’; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I. Baha’i Education)

The Bab's robe

From: Baha'i Sacred Relics

The Báb’s robe

Dr. John Esslemont - Hand of the Cause of God

From: Baha’i Heroes and Heroines

John Ebenezer Esslemont, who passed away at Haifa November 22, 1925, was born on May 19, 1874, the son of John E. Esslemont of Fairford, Cults, Aberdeenshire.

He received his preliminary education at Ferryhill public school and continued his studies at the Robert Gordon College and ultimately at Aberdeen University, where he graduated with honors in April, 1898, obtaining not only the medical degrees of Bachelor of Medicine and of Surgery, but also a Philip Research Scholarship at the University. He spent the second half of 1899 at Berne and Strasburg, at both of which places he wrote papers on his research work, which were published and considered valuable.

Returning to Scotland in December, 1899, Esslemont took up the position of assistant to Professor Cash at Aberdeen University, which position he held until 1901, when he went to Australia, remaining there two years. During this residence in Australia, he married on December 19, 1902.

Early in his life Esslemont’s health proved a cause of trouble and anxiety, and in 1903 he was obliged to leave Australia, returning to Aberdeenshire, where he spent the summer, but found it necessary in the winter of that year to proceed to South Africa, the climate of which country it was hoped would prove beneficial to his pulmonary ailment. He remained in South Africa for five years, returning to his native country in 1908, when he obtained the post of resident medical officer at the Home Sanatorium, Bournemouth, which he continued to hold until 1923, when, owing to the death of the proprietor, the Sanatorium was closed and Esslemont found himself without medical occupation.

In 1924 he received a warm invitation from Shoghi Effendi, Guardian of the Cause, asking him to spend the winter at Haifa, and early in November he left London, proceeding direct to Port Said. Writing from Malta, the only port of call, on November Esslemont spoke of a delightful voyage and of feeling much improved in health. He spent a day or two in Port Said, where he was most warmly received by the friends, and arrived at Haifa on November 21st. Here he at once devoted himself to the work of assisting Shoghi Effendi in his multi-farious correspondence, which work he continued in spite of ill-health until end.
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