“The Perfect Exemplar of His [Baha'u'llah's] Teachings”

From: Portraits of 'Abdu'l-Baha

'Abdu'l-Baha

"...every person must acquire a craft."

From: Daily Spiritual Food for Thought

Thou hast written regarding thy meeting with... He hath written that he desireth to teach thee one of the crafts and show thee affection and consideration. We beseech God that this purpose may be attained, and thou wilt learn such a skill, for according to the divine ordinances, every person must acquire a craft. 

(‘Abdu’l-Baha, The Compilation of Compilations vol. I, The Arts)

Divine Prophets are Manifestations of Truth

From: Talks of ‘Abdu’l-Baha

November 24, 1911 

At the home of Mademoiselle Gastea, Paris, France

All the divine prophets are the Manifestations of Truth. His Highness Moses declared the Truth. His Highness the Christ spread the Truth. His Highness Muhammad established the Truth. All the Chosen Ones of God proclaimed the Truth. His Highness Baha’u’llah unfurled the ensign of Truth. All the sanctified souls who have stepped into the arena of existence have been the lamps of Truth.

Truth is the oneness of the kingdom of humanity. Truth is love among the children of men. Truth is the proclamation of Justice. Truth is divine guidance. Truth is the virtues and perfections of the human world. Truth is equality between the people of all countries. Truth is the illumination of the realm of man.

All the prophets of God have been the heralds of Truth. All have been united and agreed on this principle. Every prophet predicted the coming of a successor and every successor acknowledged the Truth of the predecessor.

Moses prophesied the coming of Christ. Christ acknowledged Moses. His Highness Christ foretold the appearance of Muhammad, and Muhammad accepted the Christ and Moses. When all these divine prophets were united with each other, why should we disagree? We are the followers of those holy souls. In the same manner that the prophets loved each other, we should follow their example, for we are all the servants of God and the Bounties of the Almighty are encircling every one.

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One of Baha'u'llah's Seals

From: Baha'i Sacred Relics

Illumined Seal of Baha'u'llah

How early Eastern believers viewed birthday celebrations

From: Baha’i Points of Interest

It is interesting to note that the early believers in the East during the days of Bahá'u'lláh and ‘Abdu'l-Bahá never celebrated their own birthdays. They considered that such an act would imply self-glorification, a means of boosting one's ego. It never crossed their minds that a certain day was their birthday. So real and genuine was this attitude that a great many individuals did not know the exact date of their birth. In the absence of birth certificates, some parents would record the date of the birth of their children in a certain book, much as Westerners used the family Bible for the same purpose. Even then an individual would be deeply insulted if someone wanted to celebrate his birthday, [1] for the only persons whose birthday merited celebration were the Prophets and Chosen Ones of God. Instead of celebrating birthdays, however, these people held regular annual memorial meetings, inviting their friends to join in remembering one of their loved ones who had passed away. In such a meeting, they prayed for the progress of his soul, recounted his services to the Cause, described his qualities, recited Tablets revealed in his honour, if any, and offered charitable donations on his behalf. This practice of annual remembrance of the departed, which is not a binding obligation in the Bahá'í Faith, is now followed by many Bahá'í families. The organisation of such meetings is not usually the responsibility of the institutions of the Faith. They are arranged by individuals on the anniversaries of the passing of their loved ones. 
(Adib Taherzadeh, ‘The Covenant of Baha'u'llah’)

[1] It must be noted that there is nothing in the Bahá'í writings either to condemn the celebration of one's birthday or to encourage it.  (Adib Taherzadeh, ‘The Covenant of Baha'u'llah’)

1903: Some Baha’is from Chicago

From: Worldwide Community of Baha’u’llah

Some Baha’is from Chicago with Dr. Farid, who translated many of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s talks in the West but later disgraced himself.

Paragraph 1.7 of Surih of Temple in 'The Summons of the Lord of Hosts'

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

"Pointing with her finger unto My head, she addressed all who are in heaven and all who are on earth, saying: By God! This is the Best-Beloved of the worlds, and yet ye comprehend not. This is the Beauty of God amongst you, and the power of His sovereignty within you, could ye but understand. This is the Mystery of God and His Treasure, the Cause of God and His glory unto all who are in the kingdoms of Revelation and of creation, if ye be of them that perceive. This is He Whose Presence is the ardent desire of the denizens of the Realm of eternity, and of them that dwell within the Tabernacle of glory, and yet from His Beauty do ye turn aside."

Comments:

Let’s repeat the incredible pronouncements that the Maid of Heaven (representing the Most Great Spirit) makes concerning Baha’u’llah:

   · “the Best-Beloved of the worlds”;
   · “the Beauty of God amongst” us;
   · “the power of His[God’s] sovereignty within” us;
   · “the Mystery of God and His[God’s] Treasure;
   · “the Cause of God and His[God’s] glory unto all who are in the kingdoms of Revelation and of creation”;
   · “He Whose Presence is the ardent desire of the denizens of the Realm of eternity..”;
   · “He Whose Presence is the ardent desire of … them that dwell within the Tabernacle of glory…”

These are awe-inspiring references!

As we know the Bab explains that all Manifestations of God are representations of one Entity -- the Primal Will of God. The attributes of the Primal Will that these Manifestations of God were allowed by God to gradually and progressively reveal to mankind, however, were in accordance to our evolving capacity. Baha’u’llah’s mission was to bring the attributes of “Glory” and “Splendor” to our midst – in both this life and the life after!

Here is the reference from the Báb about the Primal Will of God:

The effect of 'Abdu'l-Baha's visit on Britain and the spiritual qualities of British believers

From: Insights from Messages to the Baha’i World Community – by Shoghi Effendi

That in every one of you our departed Master reposed His future and truest hopes for an able and convincing presentation of the Cause to the outside world, is abundantly revealed in His spoken and written words to you, as well as in His general references to the spirit of sincerity, of tenacity and devotion that animates His friends of that land.

The fierce tests that have raged over that island in the past; the calm and determination with which they have been so bravely faced and surmounted; the seeds of loving fellowship that the Beloved in person has more than once scattered in its soil; the rise, as its result, of a few but indeed capable, reliable, devoted and experienced followers and admirers of the Cause; the splendid and in many instances unique opportunities that are yours -- these indeed are cherished thoughts for a land that illumines its past and should cheer its future. (Shoghi Effendi, excerpt from a letter dated 16 December 1922 to Baha'is in Great Britain; The Unfolding Destiny of the British Baha'i Community, p. 10) (To see the entire letter please visit Messages to the Baha'i World)

Difficulties Experienced by Each Manifestation of God

From: Baha’i Scriptures concerning Jesus & Christianity

Judge thou fairly, I adjure thee by God. What proof did the Jewish doctors adduce wherewith to condemn Him Who was the Spirit of God (Jesus Christ), when He came unto them with truth? What could have been the evidence produced by the Pharisees and the idolatrous priests to justify their denial of Muhammad, the Apostle of God when He came unto them with a Book that judged between truth and falsehood with a justice which turned into light the darkness of the earth, and enraptured the hearts of such as had known Him? (Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 81) 

Consider and call thou to mind the days whereon the Spirit of God (Jesus Christ) appeared, and Herod gave judgment against Him. God, however, aided Him with the hosts of the unseen, and protected Him with truth, and sent Him down unto another land, according to His promise. He, verily, ordaineth what He pleaseth. Thy Lord truly preserveth whom He willeth, be he in the midst of the seas or in the maw of the serpent, or beneath the sword of the oppressor." (Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 57)

He that married not (Jesus Christ) could find no place wherein to abide, nor where to lay His head, by reason of what the hands of the treacherous had wrought. His holiness consisted not in the things ye have believed and imagined, but rather in the things which belong unto Us. Ask, that ye may be made aware of His station which hath been exalted above the vain imaginings of all the peoples of the earth. Blessed are they that understand. (Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 49)

The Constitution of the Universal House of Justice

From: Introduction to Baha’i Books

The Constitution of the Universal House of Justice is referred to by the beloved Guardian as the “Most Great Law of the Faith of Baha’u’llah” (The Universal House of Justice, Ridvan 130, 1973). It contains 16 pages and is divided into two sections:

1. Declaration of Trust; and

2. By-Laws

For an inspiring and informative review of its contents, please see the transcript of a talk given by Mr. Ali Nakhjavani, a member of the House of Justice. A copy is posted at Baha’i Talks

Divine Lote-Tree

From: Baha’i Glossary

A reference to the tree beyond which there is no passing - in ancient times, the tree that Arabs planted to mark the end of a road. In Islam, the term symbolizes the point in the heavens beyond which neither humans nor angels can pass in their approach to God, thus delimiting the bounds of divine knowledge as revealed to humankind. In Baha’i usage it is a reference to the Messenger of God - i.e., Baha’u’llah.

Quiz 10

From: Baha’i Knowledge Hunt

• Is it true that the spiritual world is a “counterpart” of this physical world?    Answer 

• ‘Abdu’l-Baha is reported to have said that one’s “faith embodies three degrees”. Can you name them?   Answer

• Baha’u’llah’s vision of a “Maiden”, which the Guardian explains in God Passes By as the representation of the “Most Great Spirit” is compared to the “sacred fire, the Burning Bush, the Dove and the Angel Gabriel” in which religions, respectively?    Answer 

• Which Baha’i sacred tombs lie at the center of the arc on Mount Carmel that accommodates the buildings of the Universal House of Justice, the International Teaching Center, the Center for the study of the Text, and the International Archives?    Answer 

• How was Baha’u’llah related to Abraham?    Answer 

• How old is the seaport of Akka?    Answer

• It is the first time in known history that a Messenger of God is known to be on this continent. Which continent is it?    Answer

Baha'u'llah Sought Justice as a Child

From: Baha’i Stories

While still a child, the Blessed Beauty (Baha'u'llah) watched as a government tax-collector, on three separate occasions, accosted His father and demanded, in cruel and unjust manner, the payment of taxes. Unable to bear the injustice of it all, He, though in early childhood, mounted His horse and rode fpr two days until He arrived in Tihran (the capital of Persia). There He sought the dismissal of this unjust and tyrannical tax-collectot. He succeeded in obtaining the necessary papers ordering the dismissal, and returned to His parents. 

(Mr. Furutan, ‘Story of Baha'u'llah’)

Hand of the Cause Enoch Olinga with his family

From: We are Baha’is

Hand of the Cause Enoch Olinga (second from left) with members of his family; to his left, his daughter, Florence, to his right, his wife, Elizabeth, and extreme right, his son, George. (Baha'i News July 1972)

Each believer should “pattern his life according to the Teachings” – no “set of rigid regulations”

From: Daily Spiritual Food for Thought

It is neither possible nor desirable for the Universal House of Justice to set forth a set of rules covering every situation. Rather is it the task of the individual believer to determine, according to his own prayerful understanding of the Writings, precisely what his course of conduct should be in relation to situations which he encounters in his daily life. If he is to fulfil his true mission in life as a follower of the Blessed Perfection, he will pattern his life according to the Teachings. The believer cannot attain this objective merely by living according to a set of rigid regulations. When his life is oriented toward service to Bahá'u'lláh, and when every conscious act is performed within this frame of reference, he will not fail to achieve the true purpose of his life.

Therefore, every believer must continually study the sacred Writings and the instructions of the beloved Guardian, striving always to attain a new and better understanding of their import to him and to his society. He should pray fervently for Divine Guidance, wisdom and strength to do what is pleasing to God, and to serve Him at all times and to the best of his ability. 

(From a letter dated 17 October 1968 written by the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, a Chase and Holy Life)

Going to Mashriqu'l-Adhkár at dawn

From: Daily Verses of God

Blessed is he who, at the hour of dawn, centering his thoughts on God, occupied with His remembrance, and supplicating His forgiveness, directeth his steps to the Mashriqu'l-Adhkár and, entering therein, seateth himself in silence to listen to the verses of God, the Sovereign, the Mighty, the All-Praised. Say: The Mashriqu'l-Adhkár is each and every building which hath been erected in cities and villages for the celebration of My praise. Such is the name by which it hath been designated before the throne of glory, were ye of those who understand. 

(Baha’u’llah, the Kitab-i-Aqdas)

1913: Baha’i students at Beirut School

From: Worldwide Community of Baha’u’llah

1913 - Some Baha’i students with their teachers at Beirut School. Shoghi Effendi is indicated by an “x”.

October 27, 1957: Shoghi Effendi caught Asiatic influenza in London and a doctor prescribed medicine

From: Baha’i Calendar – this month in history

On Sunday afternoon[while in London], October 27th, Shoghi Effendi told Ruhiyyih Khanum that he had a pain across his knuckles in both hands; she asked him if he had any other pains, and he said no, that just his fingers pained him and were stir He added: "I feel so tired, so tired." She begged him to rest, saying that if he did not wish to go to bed, at least he should rest quietly because the probability was that he was getting the influenza which was sweeping through Europe and indeed all over the world. (She herself had been in bed with fever since Thursday night.) That night he had a fever and by the following day his temperature had risen to thirty-nine degrees. Ruhiyyih Khanum succeeded in finding an excellent doctor who had taken over the practice of a well-known Harley Street physician who had retired. This doctor was contacted and immediately prescribed medicine for the beloved Guardian and came to see him early in the evening when he was able to get away from his hospital. He examined his patient very carefully; heart, chest, temperature, pulse, etc., and said that he considered that both the Guardian and Ruhiyyih Khanum had cases of Asiatic influenza, the beloved Guardian's case being the more severe.

(Ruhiyyih Khanum, ‘The Passing of Shoghi Effendi’)

To train our soul in this life so that “at the hour of death, [it will] ascend, in the utmost purity and sanctity and with absolute detachment.”

From: Human Soul and Its Eternal Journey

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 Baha'u'llah)