Shoghi Effendi feels that it should be explained that
forbidding self defence by Bahá'u'lláh should not be taken too literally. To
put it as bluntly as this, he fears that the question might be misunderstood.
Bahá'u'lláh could surely have not meant that a Bahá'í should not attempt to
defend his life against any irresponsible assailant who might attack him for
any purpose whatever, whether religious or not. Every reasonable person would
feel under such circumstances justified in protecting his life....
- Shoghi
Effendi (From a letter dated 30 November 1930, written on behalf of Shoghi
Effendi; printed in ‘The Unfolding Destiny of the British Baha'i Community’)
