How we can help the world to “mirror forth the splendours of the Abha Paradise”

How often the beloved Master was heard to say, should each one of the friends take upon himself to carry out, in all its integrity and implications, only one of the teachings of the Faith, with devotion, detachment, constancy and perseverance and exemplify it in all his deeds and pursuits of life, the world would become another world and the face of the earth would mirror forth the splendours of the Abha Paradise. Consider what marvellous changes would be effected if the beloved of the Merciful conducted themselves, both in their individual and collective capacities, in accordance with the counsels and exhortations which have streamed from the Pen of Glory.  

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 12 January 1923 to the Baha'is of Persia - translated from the Persian; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Living the Life)

To fix our “gaze upon… the counsels and exhortations” of Baha’u’llah

The chosen ones of God ... should not look at the depraved condition of the society in which they live, nor at the evidences of moral degradation and frivolous conduct which the people around them display. They should not content themselves merely with relative distinction and excellence. Rather they should fix their gaze upon nobler heights by setting the counsels and exhortations of the Pen of Glory as their supreme goal. Then it will be readily realized how numerous are the stages that still remain to be traversed and how far off the desired goal lies -- a goal which is none other than exemplifying heavenly morals and virtues. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 30 October 1924 written by Shoghi Effendi to the Local Spiritual Assembly of Tihran, translated from the Persian; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, A Chase and Holy Life)

Baha’i “fasting is a symbol of the spiritual fasting”

...this physical fasting is a symbol of the spiritual fasting, that is, abstaining from all carnal desires, becoming characterized with the attributes of the spiritual ones, attracted to the heavenly fragrances and enkindled with the fire of the love of God. 

- ‘Abdu'l-Baha  (Tablets of Abdu'l-Baha vol. 1)

“human happiness is founded upon spiritual behavior”

In a time to come, morals will degenerate to an extreme degree. It is essential that children be reared in the Bahá’í way, that they may find happiness both in this world and the next. If not, they shall be beset by sorrows and troubles, for human happiness is founded upon spiritual behaviour. 

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

To reflect “upon the chosen ones of God in the earlier ages”

Reflect ye upon the chosen ones of God in the earlier ages! How their worth was unknown during their days; how they were known by people as but ordinary individuals and unimportant persons! Afterwards, their arguments appeared, their lights scintillated, their stars beamed, their trees became lofty, their mysteries gleamed forth, their fruits were praised, their reservoirs became overflowing, their gardens adorned, their birds warbled and their joy became perfect in the Kingdom of their Beneficent Lord. 

- ‘Abdu'l-Baha  (Tablets of ‘Abdu'l-Baha vol. 2)

Showing “kindness and consideration” to one’s parents

If thou wouldst show kindness and consideration to thy parents so that they may feel generally pleased, this would also please Me, for parents must be highly respected and it is essential that they should feel contented, provided they deter thee not from gaining access to the Threshold of the Almighty, nor keep thee back from walking in the way of the Kingdom. Indeed it behoveth them to encourage and spur thee on in this direction. 

- ‘Abdu'l-Bahá  (From a Tablet; The Compilation of Compilations, Vol. I, Family Life)

To gather the Verses of God and put them “into the most excellent order”

It is the concern of the True One to reveal, and the concern of men to spread what hath been revealed. He will, verily, promulgate His Cause by the hands of His scattering and well-favoured angels. Spiritual souls will assuredly emerge from behind the veil of divine protection who will gather together the tokens and verses of God and put them into the most excellent order. This is His sure and irrevocable decree. 

- Baha’u’llah  (Quoted by Shoghi Effendi in a message dated Naw-Ruz 1954 to the Baha'is of the East, translated from the Persian; compilation: Lights of Guidance)

“spirituality and morality”: - “the sure foundation for a progressive society”

Bahá’u’lláh describes spirituality and morality as the sure foundation for a progressive society and the solid basis for the protection and soundness of the social order and for the advancement of the common good. The Bahá’í teachings clarify, for example, that trustworthiness and truthfulness enhance the ability for collective undertakings, advance industry and the economy, and ensure the progress of other constructive endeavours. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (Authorized translation of a message to the Baha’is in Iran, dated 17 October 2017)

The “most great sin”

How blessed are these aims, especially the prevention of backbiting. I hope that you may become confirmed therein. Because the worst human quality and the most great sin is backbiting, more especially when it emanates from the tongues of the believers of God. If some means were devised so that the doors of backbiting could be shut eternally and each one of the believers of God unsealed his tongue in the praise of the other, then the teachings of His Holiness Baha’u’llah would be spread, the hearts illumined, the spirits glorified and the human world would attain to everlasting felicity. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (From a Tablet; Baha’i News no. 98, March 1936) 

“The principle of the Oneness of Mankind”

The principle of the Oneness of Mankind, as proclaimed by Bahá'u'lláh, carries with it no more and no less than a solemn assertion that attainment to this final stage in this stupendous evolution is not only necessary but inevitable, that its realization is fast approaching, and that nothing short of a power that is born of God can succeed in establishing it. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a message dated 28 November 1931, published in ‘The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh’; The Compilation of Compilations, Vol.III, Cultural Diversity in the Age of Maturity)

Not to regard “one another as strangers”

"The Tabernacle of Unity," Bahá'u'lláh proclaims in His message to all mankind, "has been raised; regard ye not one another as strangers ... Of one tree are all ye the fruit and of one bough the leaves... The world is but one country and mankind its citizens ... Let not a man glory in that he loves his country; let him rather glory in this, that he loves his kind." 
- Baha’u’llah  (Quoted by Shoghi Effendi in a message dated 28 November 1931, in ‘The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh’; The Compilation of Compilations, Vol.III, Cultural Diversity in the Age of Maturity)

Baha’i books that young Baha’is “should gain a mastery of”

The Guardian feels that a sound knowledge of history, including religious history, and also of social and economic subjects, is of great help in teaching the Cause to intelligent people; as to what subjects within the Faith you should concentrate on he feels that the young Bahá'ís should gain a mastery of such books as the "Gleanings", "The Dawn-Breakers", "God Passes By", the "Iqán", "Some Answered Questions" and the more important Tablets. All aspects of the Faith should be deeply studied – and … they need to know more about the Administration. 
- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 4 May 1946 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. III, Scholarship)

Home visits - “conceived as a means for exposing believers to the fundamentals of the Faith”

Conceived as a means for exposing believers to the fundamentals of the Faith, "home visits" are giving rise to an array of deepening efforts, both individual and collective, in which the friends are delving into the Writings and exploring their implications for their lives. As the spiritual foundations of the community are fortified in this way, the level of collective discourse is raised, social relations among the friends take on new meaning, and a sense of common purpose inspires their interactions. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a message dated Dec. 27, 2005)

A “worldwide regeneration”

Through the movement of Our Pen of Glory We have, at the bidding of the Omnipotent Ordainer, breathed a new life into every human frame, and instilled into every word a fresh potency. All created things proclaim the evidences of this worldwide regeneration... O people! I swear by the one true God! This is the Ocean out of which all Seas have proceeded, and with which every one of them will ultimately be united. From Him all the Suns have been generated, and unto Him they will all return. 

- Baha’u’llah  (Quoted by Shoghi Effendi in ‘The Advent of Divine Justice’)

“The responsibilities of the members of the Spiritual Assemblies that are engaged in teaching the Cause of God…”

The responsibilities of the members of the Spiritual Assemblies that are engaged in teaching the Cause of God in Eastern lands have been clearly laid down in the holy Texts. These bid them to work towards the improvement of morals and the spread of learning; to strive to eradicate ignorance and unenlightenment, eliminate prejudice, and reinforce the foundation of true faith in people's hearts and minds; to seek to develop self-reliance and avoidance of blind imitation; to aim to enhance the efficient management of their affairs, and observe purity and refinement in all circumstances; to show their commitment to truthfulness and honesty, and their ability to conduct themselves with frankness, courage and resolution.

-  Shoghi Effendi  (From a message dated 30 January 1926, to the Local Spiritual Assemblies of Iran, translated from the Persian; Compilation ‘Agriculture and Rural Life’, prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice)

The concept of cluster

The introduction of the concept of the cluster made it possible for the friends to think about the accelerated growth of the community on a manageable scale and to conceive of it in terms of two complementary, reinforcing movements: the steady flow of individuals through the sequence of institute courses and the movement of clusters from one stage of development to the next.  

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a message dated Dec. 27, 2005)

A person’s merit

Let each morn be better than its eve, each morrow richer than its yesterday. Man’s merit lies in service and virtue and not in the pageantry of wealth and riches. 

- Baha’u’llah  (Lawh-i-Hikmat, The Baha’i Year Book 1924-1925; Tablets of Baha’u’llah revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas)

National Spiritual Assemblies

It is my fervent prayer and my most cherished desire that the unfailing guidance of Bahá'u'lláh and the blessings of our beloved Master will enable them [members of National Spiritual Assemblies] to set a high and true example to all other Bahá'í institutions and Local Assemblies, and will show them what absolute harmony, mature deliberation and whole-hearted co-operation can achieve. Should such a representative and responsible body fail to realize this fundamental requisite for all successful achievement, the whole structure is sure to crumble, and the Great Plan of the Future, as unfolded by the Master's Will and Testament, will be rudely disturbed and grievously delayed. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 9 April 1923 written by Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada, published in ‘Bahá'í Administration: Selected Messages 1922-1932’; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, National Spiritual Assembly)

The two wings of the World of Humanity

And among the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh is the equality of women and men. The world of humanity has two wings -- one is women and the other men. Not until both wings are equally developed can the bird fly. Should one wing remain weak, flight is impossible. Not until the world of women becomes equal to the world of men in the acquisition of virtues and perfections, can success and prosperity be attained as they ought to be. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (‘Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá’; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Women)

To “seize the opportunities of the present hour”

It is incumbent upon the Bahá'ís to seize the opportunities of the present hour and, with wisdom, firm resolve and cheerfulness, impress the verities of their Faith upon the attention of every reasonable-minded person in whom they find a willingness to listen, explaining to them its noble principles, its universal teachings, its basic tenets, and the fundamental laws of the new era inaugurated by Bahá'u'lláh. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 2 November 1928 to the Iran Central Spiritual Assembly - translated from the Persian; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Teaching Prominent People)

The Báb & Baha’u’llah

The Báb, the Exalted One, is the Morn of Truth, the splendour of Whose light shineth through all regions. He is also the Harbinger of the Most Great Light, the Abhá Luminary. The Blessed Beauty is the One promised by the sacred books of the past, the revelation of the Source of light that shone upon Mount Sinai, Whose fire glowed in the midst of the Burning Bush. We are, one and all, servants of Their threshold, and stand each as a lowly keeper at Their door. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (From a Tablet; cited in ‘Wellspring of Guidance: Messages of the Universal House of Justice 1963-1968’; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Establishment of the Universal House of Justice)

What happens when “the light of faith is kindled in the lamp of the heart and soul”

When the light of faith is kindled in the lamp of the heart and soul, its spreading rays illumine every limb of the body. When this resplendent light shineth forth through the medium of the tongue, it is made manifest in the powers of speech and utterance. When its beams fall upon the eyes, insight and true vision are revealed, and when it stirreth the ear, it bestoweth attentive hearing. When this light sheddeth its radiance upon the mind, it leadeth to the recognition of the All-Merciful, and when it setteth aglow the limbs, it findeth expression in purity the worship of God. Otherwise, all physical powers, all limbs and members would remain useless and futile and their actions would fade like a mirage in the desert. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (From a Tablet; Online Baha’i Reference Library of the Baha’i World Center)

“Prayer… transcends all ritualistic forms and formulae”

The important thing that should always be borne in mind is that with the exception of certain specific obligatory prayers, Baha’u’llah has given us no strict or special rulings in matters of worship, whether in the Temple or elsewhere. Prayer is essentially a communion between man and God, and as such transcends all ritualistic forms and formulae. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated June 15, 1935, written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Baha’i News, no. 93, July 1935)

The right of voting in Baha’i elections

I feel I must reaffirm the vital importance and necessity of the right of voting -- a sacred responsibility of which no adult recognized believer should be deprived, unless he is associated with a community that has not as yet been in a position to establish a local Assembly. This distinguishing right which the believer possesses, however, does not carry with it nor does it imply an obligation to cast his vote, if he feels that the circumstances under which he lives do not justify or allow him to exercise that right intelligently and with understanding. This is a matter which should be left to the individual to decide himself according to his own conscience and discretion. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated April 28, 1935, addressed to NSA of United States and Canada, Baha’i News, no. 93, July 1935)

The transformative effect of the Word of God on a human being

The vitality of men's belief in God is dying out in every land; nothing short of His wholesome medicine can ever restore it. The corrosion of ungodliness is eating into the vitals of human society; what else but the Elixir of His potent Revelation can cleanse and revive it? Is it within human power, O Hakim, to effect in the constituent elements of any of the minute and indivisible particles of matter so complete a transformation as to transmute it into purest gold? Perplexing and difficult as this may appear, the still greater task of converting satanic strength into heavenly power is one that We have been empowered to accomplish. The Force capable of such a transformation transcendeth the potency of the Elixir itself. The Word of God, alone, can claim the distinction of being endowed with the capacity required for so great and far-reaching a change. 

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

The “inconceivable greatness of this Revelation”

I testify before God to the greatness, the inconceivable greatness of this Revelation. Again and again have We in most of Our Tablets borne witness to this truth, that mankind may be roused from its heedlessness. 

- Baha’u’llah  (Quoted by Shoghi Effendi in a letter dated December 25, 1935; ‘The Advent of Divine Justice’)

The “essential requisites for our spiritual growth”

Bahá'u'lláh has stated quite clearly in His Writings the essential requisites for our spiritual growth, and these are stressed again and again by 'Abdu'l-Bahá in His Talks and Tablets. One can summarise them briefly in this way:

• The recital each day of one of the Obligatory Prayers with pure-hearted devotion.
• The regular reading of the Sacred Scriptures, specifically at least each morning and evening, with reverence, attention and thought.
• Prayerful meditation on the teachings, so that we may understand them more deeply, fulfil them more faithfully, and convey them more accurately to others.
• Striving every day to bring our behaviour more into accordance with the high standard that are set forth in the Teachings.
• Teaching the Cause of God.
• Selfless service in the work of the Cause and in the carrying on of our trade or profession. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to a National Spiritual Assembly, September 1, 1983; compilation: Lights of Guidance)

“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 Baha'u'llah 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; compilation ‘Baha’i Marriage and Family Life’)

Knowledge

In truth, knowledge is a veritable treasure for man, and a source of glory, of bounty, of joy, of exaltation, of cheer and gladness unto him. Happy the man that cleaveth unto it, and woe betide the heedless.

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

Why we are encouraged to “memorize selections from the Writings”

Bahá'u'lláh has pointed out that upon the Word of God "must depend the gathering together and spiritual resurrection of all men", that "every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God is endowed with such potency as can instill new life into every human frame", and that were man to "taste the sweetness of the words which the lips of the All-Merciful have willed to utter, he would, though the treasures of the earth be in his possession, renounce them one and all, that he might vindicate the truth of even one of His commandments". It is because of such considerations that the Five Year Plan calls for the friends to memorize selections from the Writings. If a believer finds it difficult to memorize, he may be encouraged to make for his own use a selection of extracts, however brief, which he could reread and enjoy at his own leisure, to satisfy his inner soul.

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a list of “Suggested Goals for Spiritual Assemblies”, included in a letter from the Universal House of Justice dated 24 December 1975 to the National Spiritual Assembly of Reunion; The Compilation of Compilations vol. 2)