Religion

Religion, as in the past, is still the world's sole hope, but not that form of religion which our ecclesiastical leaders strive vainly to preach. Divorced from true religion, morals lose their effectiveness and cease to guide and control man's individual and social life. But when true religion is combined with true ethics, then moral progress becomes a possibility and not a mere ideal. The need of our modern youth is for such a type of ethics founded on pure religious faith. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 17 April 1936 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, published in "Bahá'í News" 104 December 1936; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Youth)

Obligatory prayers

…they [believers] should recognize that the obligatory prayers are by their very nature of greater effectiveness and are endowed with a greater power than the non-obligatory ones, and as such are essential. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 4 January 1936 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Youth)

Prayer feeds the soul of a person

It is the soul of man that has first to be fed. And this spiritual nourishment prayer can best provide. Laws and institutions, as viewed by Bahá'u'lláh, can become really effective only when our inner spiritual life has been perfected and transformed. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 4 January 1936 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, The Compilation of Compilations, Vol. II, The Importance of Prayer, Meditation and the Devotional Attitude)

‘Abdu’l-Baha: “fulfills a unique function”

One Who, not only in the Dispensation of Bahá'u'lláh but in the entire field of religious history, fulfills a unique function. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (The World Order of Baha'u'llah)

‘Abdu’l-Baha: “mysterious in His essence”

“…the vibrant personality of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, mysterious in His essence, unique in His station, astoundingly potent in both the charm and strength of His character.” 

- Shoghi Effendi  (‘God Passes By’)

‘Abdu’l-Baha

My name is 'Abdu'l-Bahá. My qualification is 'Abdu'l-Bahá. My reality is 'Abdu'l-Bahá. My praise is 'Abdu'l-Bahá. Thraldom to the Blessed Perfection is my glorious and refulgent diadem, and servitude to all the human race my perpetual religion... No name, no title, no mention, no commendation have I, nor will ever have, except 'Abdu'l-Bahá. This is my longing. This is my greatest yearning. This is my eternal life. This is my everlasting glory." 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (Quoted by Shoghi Effendi, ‘The World Order of Baha'u'llah’)

The “chief goal” of the Baha’i Faith

The Bahá'í Faith, like all other Divine religions, is thus fundamentally mystic in character. Its chief goal is the development of the individual and society, through the acquisition of spiritual virtues and powers. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 4 January 1936 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, The Compilation of Compilations, Vol. II, The Importance of Prayer, Meditation and the Devotional Attitude)

To “cultivate the sense of spirituality”

It is not sufficient for a believer to merely accept and observe the teachings. He should, in addition, cultivate the sense of spirituality, which he can acquire chiefly by the means of prayer. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 4 January 1936 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, The Compilation of Compilations, Vol. II, The Importance of Prayer, Meditation and the Devotional Attitude)

Knowledge – some traditions about, quoted and confirmed by Baha’u’llah

• Knowledge is a light which God sheddeth into the heart of whomsoever He willeth. (A tradition quoted and confirmed  by Baha’u’llah in ‘The Kitab-i-Iqan’)
• Knowledge is one point, which the foolish have multiplied. (A saying quoted and confirmed by Baha’u’llah in ‘The Kitab-i-Iqan’)
• Knowledge is all that is knowable; and might and power, all creation. (A tradition quoted and confirmed  by Baha’u’llah in ‘The Kitab-i-Iqan’)
• All human attainment moveth upon a lame ass, whilst Truth, riding upon the wind, darteth across space. (A statement by Muhammad quoted and confirmed by Baha’u’llah in the Kitab-i-Iqan’)

Humanity: “fruits of one tree” and “leaves of one branch”

The utterance of God is a lamp, whose light is these words: Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch. Deal ye one with another with the utmost love and harmony, with friendliness and fellowship. 

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

To “play nobly our part”

…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  (Excerpt from a letter dated 3 June 1925 to Bahá'í Convention, ‘Bahá'í Administration’)

“Mental faculties” – “inherent properties of the soul”

Now concerning mental faculties, they are in truth of the inherent properties of the soul, even as the radiation of light is the essential property of the sun. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (‘Tablet to August Forel’)

Government of one's self and soul

Moral life consists in the government of one's self. Immortality is government of a human soul by the Divine Will. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, recorded by Julia Grundy during her pilgrimage, ‘Ten Days in the Light of Acca’)

The book of "Gleanings"

A true and adequate knowledge of the Cause is, indeed, indispensable to every one who wishes to successfully teach the Message. The book of "Gleanings" gives the friends a splendid opportunity to acquire this necessary knowledge and understanding. It gives them, in addition, that inspiration and spiritual fervour which the reading of the Holy Words can alone impart. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 2 December 1935 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Guidelines for Teaching)

How to prevent sad feelings from entering one’s heart

When your heart is filled with the love of God there will be no room for sorrow. There will only be love and happiness. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (Words of 'Abdu'l-Baha recorded by Mrs. Crockett; Star of the West, vol. 1, no. 9, August 20, 1910)

“…let your heart burn with loving-kindness…”

Do not be content with showing friendship in words alone; let your heart burn with loving-kindness for all who may cross your path. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (‘Paris Talks’)

During consultation not to voice one’s opinion as correct and right…

…consultation must have for its object the investigation of truth. He who expresses an opinion should not voice it as correct and right but set it forth as a contribution to the consensus of opinion… 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (From a talk, Chicago, 2 May 1912; ‘The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912’)

Not to make religion the “cause of enmity or dissension”

O ye that dwell on earth! The religion of God is for love and unity; make it not the cause of enmity or dissension. 

- Baha’u’llah  (‘Tablets of Baha’u’llah revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas’)

Mentioning Baha’u’llah’s name when teaching the Cause

By the righteousness of God! Whoso openeth his lips in this Day and maketh mention of the name of his Lord, the hosts of Divine inspiration shall descend upon him from the heaven of My name, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. On him shall also descend the Concourse on high, each bearing aloft a chalice of pure light 

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

Attributes to exemplify

The companions of God are, in this day, the lump that must leaven the peoples of the world. They must show forth such trustworthiness, such truthfulness and perseverance, such deeds and character that all mankind may profit by their example. 

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

“regard for the rights that are due to one’s parents”

The fruits that best befit the tree of human life are trustworthiness and godliness, truthfulness and sincerity; but greater than all, after recognition of the unity of God, praised and glorified be He, is regard for the rights that are due to one’s parents. This teaching hath been mentioned in all the Books of God, and reaffirmed by the Most Exalted Pen. Consider that which the Merciful Lord hath revealed in the Qur’án, exalted are His words: “Worship ye God, join with Him no peer or likeness; and show forth kindliness and charity towards your parents...” Observe how loving-kindness to one’s parents hath been linked to recognition of the one true God! Happy they who are endued with true wisdom and understanding, who see and perceive, who read and understand, and who observe that which God hath revealed in the Holy Books of old, and in this incomparable and wondrous Tablet. 

- Baha’u’llah  (‘Questions and Answers’; ‘The Kitab-i-Aqdas’)

Human voice has a “connection with spiritual realities”

In the world of existence physical things have a connection with spiritual realities. One of these things is the voice, which connects itself with the spirit; and the spirit can be uplifted by this means -- for though it is a physical thing, it is one of the material, natural organizations -- therefore, it is effective. 

- 'Abdu'l-Bahá  (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha to Mrs. Mary L. Lucas, quoted in "A Brief Account of My Visit to Acca" [Chicago: Bahá'í Publishing Society, 1905]; The Compilation of Compilations vol II, Music)

Music “moves and awakens” whatever “is in the heart of man”

Whatever is in the heart of man, melody moves and awakens. If a heart full of good feelings and a pure voice are joined together, a great effect is produced. For instance: if there be love in the heart, through melody, it will increase until its intensity can scarcely be borne; but if bad thoughts are in the heart, such as hatred, it will increase and multiply. For instance: the music used in war awakens the desire for bloodshed. The meaning is that melody causes whatever feeling is in the heart to increase. 

- 'Abdu'l-Bahá  (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha to Mrs. Mary L. Lucas, quoted in "A Brief Account of My Visit to Acca" [Chicago: Bahá'í Publishing Society, 1905]; The Compilation of Compilations vol II, Music)

“We should speak in the language of heaven -- in the language of the spirit”

We should speak in the language of heaven -- in the language of the spirit -- for there is a language of the spirit and heart. It is as different from our language as our own language is different from that of the animals, who express themselves only by cries and sounds. It is the language of the spirit which speaks to God. When, in prayer, we are freed from all outward things and turn to God, then it is as if in our hearts we hear the voice of God. Without words we speak, we communicate, we converse with God and hear the answer. ... All of us, when we attain to a truly spiritual condition, can hear the Voice of God. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (From a talk reported by Ethel J. Rosenberg; ‘Baha'u'llah and the New Era’, by Dr. J.E. Esslemont)  

Need to open our “spiritual perception, our inward sight”

Our spiritual perception, our inward sight must be opened so that we can see the signs and traces of God's spirit in everything. Everything can reflect to us the light of the spirit. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Words of ‘Abdul-Baha; extract from a talk given to Miss Laura Barney; Star of the West, vol. 8, no. 4, May 17, 1917)

“sources of disagreement and of difference” among believers

These sources of disagreement and of difference are all due to the lack of thorough understanding, on the part of many of the believers, of the basic laws and principles of Bahá'í Administration. Despite our Guardian's repeated and emphatic instructions and recommendations that the friends should deepen their knowledge, through both study and practice, of all the administrative teachings of the Faith yet, some have, for some reason or another, neglected to do so. The result has been that they are working in the dark, not knowing where to look for guidance in all such matters. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 11 November 1933 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, The Importance of Deepening Our Knowledge and Understanding of the Faith)

The “two essential mediums” for one’s growth and development

To study the principles, and to try to live according to them, are, therefore, the two essential mediums through which you can ensure the development and progress of your inner spiritual life and of your outer existence as well. May Bahá'u'lláh enable you to attain this high station, and may He keep the torch of faith for ever burning in your heart! 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 2 November 1933 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Youth)

Baha’i community life is like a “laboratory”

The Bahá'í community life provides you with an indispensable laboratory, where you can translate into living and constructive action the principles which you imbibe from the Teachings. By becoming a real part of that living organism you can catch the real spirit which runs throughout the Bahá'í Teachings. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 2 November 1933 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Youth)

To “deepen” one’s “knowledge of the history and of the tenets of the Faith”

His brotherly advice to you, and to all loyal and ardent young believers like you, is that you should deepen your knowledge of the history and of the tenets of the Faith, not merely by means of careful and thorough study, but also through active, whole-hearted and continued participation in all the activities, whether administrative or otherwise, of your community. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 2 November 1933 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Youth)

Marriage and family life

The pious deeds of the monks and priests among the followers of the Spirit [Jesus] -- upon Him be the peace of God -- are remembered in His presence. In this Day, however, let them give up the life of seclusion and direct their steps towards the open world and busy themselves with that which will profit themselves and others. We have granted them leave to enter into wedlock that they may bring forth one who will make mention of God, the Lord of the seen and the unseen, the Lord of the Exalted Throne. 

- Baha’u’llah  (‘Tablets of Baha’u’llah revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas’)