Birth of the “Administration of Bahá'u'lláh's invincible Faith”

Out of the pangs of anguish which His bereaved followers have suffered, amid the heat and dust which the attacks launched by a sleepless enemy had precipitated, the Administration of Bahá'u'lláh's invincible Faith was born. The potent energies released through the ascension of the Center of His Covenant crystallized into this supreme, this infallible Organ for the accomplishment of a Divine Purpose. The Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahá unveiled its character, reaffirmed its basis, supplemented its principles, asserted its indispensability, and enumerated its chief institutions.... 

- Shoghi Effendi  (‘America and the Most Great Peace, 21 April 1933, "The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh: Selected Letters’; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, The Significance of the Formative Age of Our Faith)

Estimated extent of Baha’u’llah’s Writings

Although the documents identified as Baha'u'llah's primary works have been the focus of translation work so far, they represent only a small portion of His writings during His 40-year ministry. All totaled, He revealed thousands of tablets, which altogether would constitute a volume more than 70 times the size of the Qur'an and more than 15 times the size of the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. 

(Baha’i World News Service, 22 September 2002)

Siyyáh-Chál: the Black Pit of Tehran

We were consigned for four months to a place foul beyond comparison. As to the dungeon in which this Wronged One and others similarly wronged were confined, a dark and narrow pit were preferable. Upon Our arrival We were first conducted along a pitch-black corridor, from whence We descended three steep flights of stairs to the place of confinement assigned to Us. The dungeon was wrapped in thick darkness, and Our fellow prisoners numbered nearly a hundred and fifty souls: thieves, assassins and highwaymen. Though crowded, it had no other outlet than the passage by which We entered. No pen can depict that place, nor any tongue describe its loathsome smell. Most of these men had neither clothes nor bedding to lie on. God alone knoweth what befell Us in that most foul-smelling and gloomy place! 

- Baha’u’llah  (‘Epistle to the Son of the Wolf’)

“to be completely attracted by the love of Bahá'u'lláh”

Consider how the Báb endured difficulties and tribulations; how He gave His life in the Cause of God; how He was attracted to the love of the Blessed Beauty, Bahá'u'lláh; and how He announced the glad tidings of His manifestation. We must follow His heavenly example; we must be self-sacrificing and aglow with the fire of the love of God. We must partake of the bounty and grace of the Lord, for the Báb has admonished us to arise in service to the Cause of God, to be absolutely severed from all else save God during the day of the Blessed Perfection, Bahá'u'lláh, to be completely attracted by the love of Bahá'u'lláh, to love all humanity for His sake, to be lenient and merciful to all for Him and to upbuild the oneness of the world of humanity. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (From a talk, ‘The Promulgation of Universal Peace’)

Character

One can hardly imagine what a great influence genuine love, truthfulness and purity of motives exert on the souls of men. But these traits cannot be acquired by any believer unless he makes a daily effort to gain them... It is primarily through the potency of noble deeds and character, rather than by the power of exposition and proofs, that the friends of God should demonstrate to the world that what has been promised by God is bound to happen, that it is already taking place and that the divine glad-tidings are clear, evident and complete. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 19 December 1923 written by Shoghi Effendi to the Bahá'ís of the East - translated from the Persian; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Living the Life)

Transformation

It is not enough to proclaim the Bahá'í message, essential as that is. It is not enough to expand the rolls of Bahá'í membership, vital as that is. Souls must be transformed, communities thereby consolidated, new models of life thus attained. Transformation is the essential purpose of the Cause of Bahá'u'lláh, but it lies in the will and effort of the individual to achieve it in obedience to the Covenant. Necessary to the progress of this life-fulfilling transformation is knowledge of the will and purpose of God through regular reading and study of the Holy Word. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (Ridván 1989, message to the Bahá'ís of the World; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. III, Cultural Diversity in the Age of Maturity)

Mulla Husayn witnesses the Báb revealing verses of God

He [The Báb] then proceeded to say: “Now is the time to reveal the commentary on the Súrih of Joseph.” He took up His pen and with incredible rapidity revealed the entire Súrih of Mulk, the first chapter of His commentary on the Súrih of Joseph. The overpowering effect of the manner in which He wrote was heightened by the gentle intonation of His voice which accompanied His writing. Not for one moment did He interrupt the flow of the verses which streamed from His pen. Not once did He pause till the Súrih of Mulk was finished. I sat enraptured by the magic of His voice and the sweeping force of His revelation. 

- Mulla Husayn  (Recalling his experience of witnessing the Declaration of the Báb; ‘The Dawn-Breakers’, by Nabil, translated and edited by Shoghi Effendi)

The beginning of Baha’u’llah’s Cycle

The date of the Manifestation [the Báb] is fixed by the following passage in the Persian Bayán [Vahíd 2, Báb 7): 

“The beginning thereof was when two hours and eleven minutes [had passed] from the evening preceding the fifth of Jamádiyu’l-Ula, 1260 [A.H.], [May 23, 1844] which is the year 1270 of the mission [of Muhammad].” 

- The Báb  (From manuscript copy of Bayán written by the hand of Siyyid Husayn, amanuensis and companion of the Báb; a footnote in the Dawn-Breakers, translated and edited by Shoghi Effendi)

The Báb: "I am, I am, I am, the promised One!”

"I am," thrice exclaimed the Báb, "I am, I am, the promised One! I am the One whose name you have for a thousand years invoked, at whose mention you have risen, whose advent you have longed to witness, and the hour of whose Revelation you have prayed God to hasten. Verily I say, it is incumbent upon the peoples of both the East and the West to obey My word and to pledge allegiance to My person." 

- The Báb  (Quoted by Nabil in the Dawn-Breakers, translated and edited by Shoghi Effendi)

The Báb: the Maid of Heaven

O people of the earth! By the righteousness of the One true God, I am the Maid of Heaven begotten by the Spirit of Baha, abiding within the Mansion hewn out of a mass of ruby, tender and vibrant; and in this mighty Paradise naught have I ever witnessed save that which proclaimeth the Remembrance of God by extolling the virtues of this Arabian Youth. Verily there is none other God but your Lord, the All-Merciful. Magnify ye, then, His station, for behold, He is poised in the midmost heart of the All-Highest Paradise as the embodiment of the praise of God in the Tabernacle wherein His glorification is intoned. 

- The Báb  (Selections from the Writings of the Báb)

Teaching “high-ranking and influential persons”

I hope that thou wilt ... endeavour to teach some high-ranking and influential persons, for the hearts of the people have become attracted to the Cause of God and their minds bewildered and enthralled by its awesome grandeur. Those who occupy high positions, too, have become profoundly receptive to its message. The loved ones of God should therefore make a determined effort and guide these distinguished souls to the Cause. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (From a Tablet to an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Prominent People)

“singing and music are the spiritual food of the hearts and souls”

…Bahá'u'lláh, in this glorious period has revealed in Holy Tablets that singing and music are the spiritual food of the hearts and souls. In this dispensation, music is one of the arts that is highly approved and is considered to be the cause of the exaltation of sad and desponding hearts.

Therefore ... set to music the verses and the divine words so that they may be sung with soul-stirring melody in the Assemblies and gatherings, and that the hearts of the listeners may become tumultuous and rise towards the Kingdom of Abha in supplication and prayer. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (‘Bahá'í World Faith: Selected Writings of Bahá'u'lláh and 'Abdu'l-Bahá"; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Music)

Acquiring a craft

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)

To “continually study the sacred Writings and the instructions of the beloved Guardian”

…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. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (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)

To “pattern” one’s life according to Baha’u’llah’s Teachings

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. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (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)

A human being “is at the furthermost degree of darkness and the beginning of the light”

Man is in the ultimate degree of materiality and the beginning of spirituality; that is, he is at the end of imperfection and the beginning of perfection. He is at the furthermost degree of darkness and the beginning of the light. That is why the station of man is said to be the end of night and the beginning of day, meaning that he encompasses all the degrees of imperfection and that he potentially possesses all the degrees of perfection. He has both an animal side and an angelic side, and the role of the educator is to so train human souls that the angelic side may overcome the animal. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (Table talks in Akka, authenticated by ‘Abdu’l-Baha; ‘Some Answered Questions’ – 2014 revised translation by the Baha’i World Centre)

Attitude to maintain towards “every failure or shortcoming”

...Every believer needs to remember that an essential characteristic of this physical world is that we are constantly faced with trials, tribulations, hardships and sufferings and that by overcoming them we achieve our moral and spiritual development; that we must seek to accomplish in the future what we may have failed to do in the past; that this is the way God tests His servants and we should look upon every failure or shortcoming as an opportunity to try again and to acquire a fuller consciousness of the Divine Will and purpose. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 9 January 1977 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer; compilation ‘Homosexuality’, prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice)

Reason for showing respect to body after death

The spirit has no more connection with the body after it departs, but, as the body was once the temple of the spirit, we Bahá'ís are taught that it must be treated with respect. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 22 March 1957 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Baha’i Burial)

Science and arts should lead us to “the beauty of Him Who is the object of all knowledge”

Although to acquire the sciences and arts is the greatest glory of mankind, this is so only on condition that man's river floweth into the mighty Sea, and draweth from God's ancient source His inspiration. When this cometh to pass, then every teacher is as a shoreless ocean, every pupil a prodigal fountain of knowledge. If, then, the pursuit of knowledge leadeth to the beauty of Him Who is the object of all knowledge, how excellent that goal; but if not, a mere drop will perhaps shut a man off from flooding grace, for with learning cometh arrogance and pride, and it bringeth on error and indifference to God. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (‘Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá)

“to play nobly our part”

…the comforting thought that if we rise to play nobly our part every deficiency in our lives will be more than compensated by the all-conquering spirit of His grace and power. .... 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 3 June 1925 to Bahá'í Convention, ‘Bahá'í Administration’)

Effect of violating spiritual laws

If an individual violates the spiritual laws for his own development he will cause injury not only to himself but to the society in which he lives. Similarly, the condition of society has a direct effect on the individuals who must live within it. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 6 February 1973 to all National Spiritual Assemblies; ‘Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1968-1973’; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, A Chase and Holy Life)

“The ‘master-key’ to self-mastery is self-forgetting”

Today the confirmations of the Kingdom of Abha are with those who renounce themselves, forget their own opinions, cast aside personalities and are thinking of the welfare of others. Whosoever has lost himself has found the universe and the inhabitants thereof. Whosoever is occupied with himself is wandering in the desert of heedlessness and regret. The "master-key" to self-mastery is self-forgetting. The road to the palace of life is through the path of renunciation. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, Star of the West, vol. 17, no. 2; also in compilation: ‘Psychology and Knowledge of Self by Bahá'u'lláh, 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi and Universal House of Justice’, prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice)

Becoming a “wayfarer in the realms of the spirit”

[While aboard the ship to America] An American came to see the Master in the late afternoon and spoke to Him about his travels around the world. ‘Abdu'l-Bahá told him:

“You have traveled in this world; I hope you will now traverse the world of the Kingdom and become a wayfarer in the realms of the spirit.” 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, recorded by Mahmud Zarqani; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’)

Prayers are granted by God through His universal Manifestations

O handmaid of God! Prayers are granted through the universal Manifestations of God. Nevertheless, where the wish is to obtain material things, even where the heedless are concerned, if they supplicate, humbly imploring God's help- even their prayer hath an effect. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (‘Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá’; The Compilation of Compilations, Vol. II, The Importance of Prayer, Meditation and the Devotional Attitude)

Human spirit needs to be “reinforced by Holy Spirit”

The human spirit possesseth wondrous powers, but it should be reinforced by the Holy Spirit. What thou hearest other than this is pure imagination. If, however, it be assisted by the bounty of the Holy Spirit, then will its strength be a thing to marvel at. Then will that human spirit uncover realities, and unravel mysteries. Turn thy heart fully to the Holy Spirit, and invite others to do the same; then shall ye witness wonderful results. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (‘Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha’)

The “color of one’s servitude to God”

There are no whites and blacks before God. All colors are one, and that is the color of servitude to God. Scent and color are not important. The heart is important. If the heart is pure, white or black or any color makes no difference. God does not look at colors; He looks at the hearts. He whose heart is pure is better. He whose character is better is more pleasing. He who turns more to the Abha Kingdom is more advanced. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Excerpt from a talk given at Howard University on 23 April 1912; ‘The Promulgation of Universal Peace’)

How a human being becomes an angel

Man has two aspects: the physical, which is subject to nature, and the merciful or divine, which is connected with God. If the physical or natural disposition in him should overcome the heavenly and merciful, he is, then, the most degraded of animal beings; and if the divine and spiritual should triumph over the human and natural, he is, verily, an angel. 

- ‘Abdu'l-Baha  (From a talk; ‘The Promulgation of Universal Peace’)

The reason Prophets come to the world

The Prophets come into the world to guide and educate humanity so that the animal nature of man may disappear and the divinity of his powers become awakened. The divine aspect or spiritual nature consists of the breaths of the Holy Spirit. The second birth of which Jesus has spoken refers to the appearance of this heavenly nature in man. It is expressed in the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and he who is baptized by the Holy Spirit is a veritable manifestation of divine mercy to mankind. Then he becomes just and kind to all humanity; he entertains prejudice and ill will toward none; he shuns no nation or people. 

- ‘Abdu'l-Baha  (From a talk; ‘The Promulgation of Universal Peace’)

The “purpose of this life is to prepare the soul for the next”

In considering the effect of obedience to the laws on individual lives, one must remember that the purpose of this life is to prepare the soul for the next. Here one must learn to control and direct one's animal impulses, not to be a slave to them. Life in this world is a succession of tests and achievements, of falling short and of making new spiritual advances. Sometimes the course may seem very hard, but one can witness, again and again, that the soul who steadfastly obeys the Law of Bahá'u'lláh, however hard it may seem, grows spiritually, while the one who compromises with the law for the sake of his own apparent happiness is seen to have been following a chimera: he does not attain the happiness he sought, he retards his spiritual advance and often brings new problems upon himself. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter to an individual believer, excerpts from a letter to all National Spiritual Assemblies, February 6, 1973; compilations: ‘Lights of Guidance’)

Soul and Body

The soul of man is the sun by which his body is illumined, and from which it draweth its sustenance, and should be so regarded. 

- Baha’u’llah  (‘Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah’)

“…marriage is by no means an obligation”

...Of course, under normal circumstances, every person should consider it his moral duty to marry. And this is what Bahá'u'lláh has encouraged the believers to do. But marriage is by no means an obligation. In the last resort it is for the individual to decide whether he wishes to lead a family life or live in a state of celibacy. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated May 3, 1936 to an individual believer; cited by the Universal House of Justice, in a letter to an individual believer, February 6, 1973: ‘Messages from the Universal House of Justice, 1968-1973’; compilation: ‘Lights of Guidance’)