Rejoice, Rejoice for a New Day has Dawned - song by Benjamin Dlamini

From: Baha'i Songs and Poems

Rejoice, rejoice for a new day bas dawned

The whole wide world is all one fold

Rejoice, rejoice for a new day has dawned

The plan of God has now been told

The Promised One by the name of Bahá

Came to bring a new day

Let us be happy, let us say:

Yá Bahá'u'l- Abhá.

Say Yá Bahá'u'l- Abhá (2X)

“The children must, from their infancy, be raised to be spiritual and godly Bahá'ís.”

From: Daily Spiritual Food for Thought

O thou teacher of the children of the kingdom! Thou hast arisen to perform a service which would justly entitle thee to vaunt thyself over all the teachers on earth. For the teachers of this world make use of human education to develop the powers, whether spiritual or material, of humankind, whilst thou art training these young plants in the gardens of God according to the education of Heaven, and art giving them the lessons of the Kingdom. The result of this kind of teaching will be that it will attract the blessings of God, and make manifest the perfections of man.  

Hold thou fast to this kind of teaching, for the fruits of it will be very great. The children must, from their infancy, be raised to be spiritual and godly Bahá'ís. If such be their training, they will remain safe from every test. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Baha’i Education) 

The Most Great Branch

From: Portraits of 'Abdu'l-Baha
"O Thou Who art the apple of Mine eye! My glory, the ocean of My loving-kindness, the sun of My bounty, the heaven of My mercy rest upon Thee." (Baha'u'llah, quoted by Shoghi Effendi in ‘The World Order of Baha'u'llah’)

'Abdu'l-Baha

One needs God’s assistance to recognize His latest Manifestation

From: Insights from Baha'i Prayers

• God’s “signs … have encompassed the entire creation”;
• The light of God’s “countenance[through His Manifestation].. hath illuminated all that are in heaven and on earth”;
• God’s “mercy … hath surpassed all created things”;
• God’s “grace … hath suffused the whole universe”;
• I need God’s help to “rend asunder the veils that shut me out from” Him;
• When such “veils” are removed I would “hasten unto the Fountain-Head of Thy mighty inspiration, and to the Day-Spring of Thy Revelation and bountiful favors” – thereby recognize God’s latest Manifestation;
• This recognition of God’s latest Manifestation would allow me to “be immersed beneath the ocean of Thy[God’s] nearness and pleasure”.

Baha'i convention in Masonic temple, Chicago, 1910

From: Worldwide Community of Baha'u'llah

Baha'i convention in Masonic temple, Chicago, 1910. Albert Hall presiding.

‘Akka

From: Baha'i Glossary

Also called Akko and Acre: The prison city in Palestine where Baha’u’llah was finally exiled. He arrived there on August 31, 1868. A four-thousand-year-old seaport located on the northern coast of what is now Israel. It is surrounded by fortress-like walls facing the sea. In the mid-1800s it was a penal colony to which the worst criminals of the Ottoman Empire were sent. In 1868 Baha’u’llah and His family and companions were banished to Acre by Sultan ‘Abdu'l-‘Aziz. Because of the privations suffered within its walls Baha’u’llah named Acre "the Most Great Prison."

Instructions from the Master concerning: Convention in Chicago, Delegates, and Mashriqu’l-Adhkar

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

To the maid-servant of God who is firm in the Covenant, Mrs. Corinne True -- Upon her be Baha’u’l-Abha!

Chicago, Ill.

HE IS GOD!

O thou daughter of the Kingdom!

Thy letter, dated January 6, 1910, was received with the enclosed papers.

Regarding the appointment of the time for the opening of the general convention in Chicago, this matter is already written about. Undoubtedly you have received it by this time. It was suggested to postpone the 20th of March to the days of Ridvan, in which the climate is temperate.

You have written regarding the election of delegates from among the Oriental Bahais. The season for this work has not yet come. God willing, in its opportune time they will be sent.

Several plans and designs of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkar have been received from America. Now the believers must display an endeavor so that the land may he bought in its entirety; then collect contributions for the building, and then they may think about the plans. So far the means are lacking. I hope from the favor of the True One that sufficient and ample contribution may be gathered and afterward the best and most acceptable plans be decided upon.

Upon thee be Baha'u'l-Abha!

(Signed) Abdu’l-Baha Abbas
(Star of the West, Vol. 1, no. 3, April 28, 1910)

Criteria to use for showing kindness

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

The foundation of the Kingdom of God is laid upon justice, fairness, mercy, sympathy and kindness to every soul. Then strive ye with heart and soul to practice love and kindness to the world of humanity at large, except to those souls who are selfish and insincere. It is not advisable to show kindness to a person who is a tyrant, a traitor or a thief because kindness encourages him to become worse and does not awaken him. The more kindness you show to a liar the more he is apt to lie, for he thinks that you know not, while you do know, but extreme kindness keeps you from revealing your knowledge. (‘Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith - Abdu'l-Baha Section)

In the streets of Haifa ...

From: 'Abdu'l-Baha in the Holy Land

'Abdu'l-Baha

‘Asiyih Khanum

From: Baha'i Biographical Notes
‘Asiyih Khanum is the wife of Baha’u’llah and mother of 'Abdu'l-Baha, Bahiyyih-Khaum, and Mirza Mihdi. She married Baha’u’llah in 1835, accompanied Him throughout all of His exiles, and died in 1886. Baha’u’llah addressed her as Navvab (an honorific implying "Grace or "Highness") and designated her as the "Most Exalted Leaf" and His "perpetual consort in all the worlds of God.

Letter from the Universal House of Justice: July 1964 : To the beloved of God gathered in the European Teaching Conference called on the occasion of the dedication of the Mother Temple of Europe

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

Dear Bahá'í Friends,

We have just witnessed the dedication of the Mother Temple of Europe -- a project of untold significance and tremendous potential for the spread of the light of God's Faith in that Continent. One of the major achievements called for by our beloved Guardian at the outset of the Ten Year Crusade, this Mashriqu'l-Adhkar was triumphantly raised during its closing years as the fruit of long and arduous labours in the face of determined opposition and upon the sacrificial gifts of believers from all parts of the world. Now dedicated in the opening months of the Nine Year Plan, it forms a striking link between these two great crusades, demonstrating afresh the organic progress of the Cause whereby the efforts exerted in one period bear fruit in the next, which in turn endow the Bahá'í Community with new and greater capacities for the winning of still greater victories.

You are now gathered in this Conference to deliberate on ways and means of accomplishing the goals which are set before you. Let every believer, as he considers in detail these various goals, bear in mind four supreme objectives: to carry the Message of Bahá'u'lláh to every stratum of society, not only in the towns and cities but also in the villages and country districts where the virus of materialism has had much less effect on the lives of men; to take urgent, wise and well-considered steps to spread the Faith to those countries of Eastern Europe in which it has not yet become established; to reinforce strongly the heroic band of pioneers in the islands of the Mediterranean and the North Sea -- islands which are to play such an important role in the awakening of the entire continent -- as well as to prosecute energetically the goals you are called upon to achieve in other continents and oceans; and to foster the co-operation between National Communities and between National Spiritual Assemblies and the Hands of the Cause of God which has contributed so markedly to the work of the Faith on that Continent and is so essential for its future development.

Dr. Susan Moody with Baha'is in Tehran, Iran 1910

From: Worldwide Community of Baha'u'llah

Dr. Susan Moody with Baha'is in Tehran, Iran 1910

'Abdu'l-Baha's First Public Talk in the West

From: Talks of 'Abdu'l-Baha

Address given by 'Abdu'l-Bahá at the City Temple in London

Sunday, September 10th, 1911

O noble friends; seekers after God! Praise be to God! Today the light of Truth is shining upon the world in its abundance; the breezes of the heavenly garden are blowing throughout all regions; the call of the Kingdom is heard in all lands, and the breath of the Holy Spirit is felt in all hearts that are faithful. The Spirit of God is giving eternal life. In this wonderful age the East is enlightened, the West is fragrant, and everywhere the soul inhales the holy perfume. The sea of the unity of mankind is lifting up its waves with joy, for there is real communication between the hearts and minds of men. The banner of the Holy Spirit is uplifted, and men see it, and are assured with the knowledge that this is a new day.

This is a new cycle of human power. All the horizons of the world are luminous, and the world will become indeed as a garden and a paradise. It is the hour of unity of the sons of men and of the drawing together of all races and all classes. You are loosed from ancient superstitions which have kept men ignorant, destroying the foundation of true humanity.

The gift of God to this enlightened age is the knowledge of the oneness of mankind and of the fundamental oneness of religion. War shall cease between nations, and by the will of God the Most Great Peace shall come; the world will be seen as a new world, and all men will live as brothers.

Morassa Rawhani - First woman to become a member of the Spiritual Assembly of Alexandria, Egypt

From: We are Baha'is
Mrs. Morassa (Yazdi) Rawhani was born in 1887 and named Akkawiya (the one who belongs to 'Akka) by 'Abdu'l-Baha. She was the granddaughter of Haji Abderrehim Yazdi, one of the first bearers of the Sacred Standard. Born in the fortress of 'Akka, she grew up in the Sacred Household under the shelter of the Greatest Holy Leaf.

With her mother, she moved to Alexandria, Egypt where for a few months she was in charge of cleaning the private room of 'Abdu'l-Baha and was asked by Him several times to sew some of His clothes. She was entrusted to be the Early Prayer Reader of His private quarters.

Mrs. Rawhani was the first woman to become a member of the Spiritual Assembly of Alexandria, Egypt, and dedicated her time to deepening the women in her locality.

In February 1957, as authorized by the Guardian, she arrived as a pioneer to Rabat, Morocco. She actively participated in the formation of two Assemblies, that of Rabat and Sale, and although of advanced age, she was occupied in deepening the friends and teaching the children in these two localities.

She remained conscious to the last moment of her life, and passed away on October 6, 1971. Her burial in the Baha'i Cemetery at Rabat, Morocco was attended by a large number of believers of Morocco, the majority native believers; also in attendance was a representative from the Iranian Embassy in Rabat. (Baha’i News, January 1972)

Purpose of Religion

From: Gems of insight from 'Abdu'l-Baha
Religion should be the means of good fellowship and love. It must upraise the standard of harmony and solidarity. If religion is conducive to hatred and enmity, its existence is harmful to the welfare of the community. ('Abdu'l-Baha, ‘Divine Philosophy)

Quiz 5

From: Baha'i Knowledge Hunt

• What name did Baha’u’llah assume during His retirement to the mountainous region of Sulaymaniyyih? Answer
• Is it true that Shoghi Effendi was less than 2 years old when the first group of pilgrims from the west visited the Master in the winter of 1898-9?   Answer
• Who did the Guardian refer to as “England’s outstanding Baha’i pioneer-worker”?   Answer
• Is it true that ‘Abdu’l-Baha had 13 grandchildren?   Answer
• During the reign of which king was Jesus born in the land of Judea?  Answer
• Can you give a couple of examples of the extraordinary qualities that the Bab exhibited when He was about 5 years old?   Answer
• Is it true that ‘Abdu’l-Baha says in a Tablet that each person that has become a Baha’i has been “chosen” by God for that honor and privilege?   Answer 

October 20, 1819: The Báb is born

From: Baha'i Calendar - this month in history 

Siyyid (or Mirza) 'Ali-Muhammad, known to history as the Báb, was the son of Siyyid (or Mir) Muhammad-Rida, a mercer of Shiraz [Persia]. He was born on October 20th 1819 (Muharram 1st, 1235 A.H.). Through both His father and His mother He was descended from Imam Husayn, the third Imam. Thus He stood in direct line of descent from the Prophet Muhammad. According to Mirza Abu'l-Fadl-i-Gulpaygani [a renown Baha’i scholar], Siyyid Muhammad-Rida, the Bab's father, died when his only child was an infant, unweaned. Then the care of the child devolved upon a maternal uncle, Haji Mirza Siyyid 'Ali. He was the only relative of the Báb to espouse His Cause openly during His lifetime and, as will be seen, to accept martyrdom for His sake. But according to a manuscript history of the Bábí-Bahá'í Faith in Shiraz by Haji Mirza Habibu'llah-i-Afnan,[1] Siyyid Muhammad-Rida [the Bab’s father] passed away when his son was nine years old, and 'Abdu'l-Bahá appears to confirm this account.[2]

(H.M. Balyuzi, The Bab - The Herald of the Day of Days, p. 32)

[1] Haji Mirza Habibu'llah's father, Aqa Mirza-Aqa, was a nephew of the wife of the Báb, and his paternal grandfather, Aqa Mirza Zaynu'l-'Abidin, was a paternal cousin of the father of the Báb.

[2] Browne (ed.), A Traveller's Narrative, Vol. II, p. 2.]

A ring belonging to the Báb

From: Baha'i Scared Relics

A ring belonging to the Báb

The extent of the sufferings of Christ

From: Baha'i Scriptures concerning Jesus and Christianity

And when the days of Moses were ended, and the light of Jesus, shining forth from the dayspring of the Spirit, encompassed the world, all the people of Israel arose in protest against Him. (Baha’u’llah, Book of Certitude )

Reflect how Jesus, the Spirit of God, was, notwithstanding His extreme meekness and perfect tender-heartedness, treated by His enemies. So fierce was the opposition which He, the Essence of Being and Lord of the visible and invisible, had to face, that He had nowhere to lay His head. He wandered continually from place to place, deprived of a permanent abode. (Baha’u’llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah)