The “education of Heaven, and…the lessons of the Kingdom”

O thou teacher of the children of the kingdom! Thou hast arisen to perform a service which would justly entitle thee to vaunt thyself over all the teachers on earth. For the teachers of this world make use of human education to develop the powers, whether spiritual or material, of humankind, whilst thou art training these young plants in the gardens of God according to the education of Heaven, and art giving them the lessons of the Kingdom. The result of this kind of teaching will be that it will attract the blessings of God, and make manifest the perfections of man. 

Hold thou fast to this kind of teaching, for the fruits of it will be very great. The children must, from their infancy, be raised to be spiritual and godly Bahá'ís. If such be their training, they will remain safe from every test. 

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

The nine existing religions

The number nine, which in itself is the number of perfection, is considered by the Bahá'ís as sacred because it is symbolic of the perfection of the Bahá'í Revelation, which constitutes the ninth in the line of existing religions, the latest and fullest Revelation which mankind has ever known. The eighth is the Religion of the Báb, and the remaining seven are: Hinduism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam and the religion of the Sabaeans. These religions are not the only true religions that have appeared in the world, but are the only ones which are still existing. There have always been divine prophets and messengers, to many of whom the Qur'án refers. But the only ones existing are those mentioned above. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, dated 28 July 1936; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Extracts from the Baha’i Writings on Buddha, Krishna, Zoroaster, and related subjects)

Reforming the world

The world is undoubtedly facing a great crisis and the social, economic and political conditions are becoming daily more complex. Should the friends desire to take the lead in reforming the world, they should start by educating themselves and understand what the troubles and problems really are which baffle the mind of man. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 27 January 1932 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, published in ‘Bahá'í News’ 63, June 1932; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. 1, Centers of Baha’i Learning)

Reciting prayers in unison

You have asked whether it is permissible for the friends to chant a prayer collectively. There is a difference between chanting a prayer collectively and congregational prayer. The latter is a formal prayer usually led by an individual using a prescribed ritual. Congregational prayer in this form is forbidden in the Faith except in the case of the Prayer for the Dead. While reciting prayers in unison and spontaneously joining in the recitation of the Words of God is not forbidden, the friends should bear in mind the advice of the beloved Guardian on this subject when he stated that:

“although the friends are thus left free to follow their own inclination, ... they should take the utmost care that any manner they practice should not acquire too rigid a character, and thus develop into an institution. This is a point which the friends should always bear in mind, lest they deviate from the clear path indicated in the Teachings." [Synopsis and Codification of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas]

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, dated 6 February 1975; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Extracts on Baha’i Burial)

Verses of God

…the divinely-revealed verses… nothing greater than these verses hath ever appeared, nor will ever be made manifest in the world! 

- Baha’u’llah  (‘The Kitab-i-Iqan’)

Becoming “exemplary recipients” of Baha’u’llah’s “all-sustaining grace and blessings”

The vastness of the field, the smallness of your numbers, the indifference of the masses, must neither discourage nor appall you. You should at all times fix your gaze on the promise of Bahá'u'lláh, put your whole trust in His creative Word, recall the past and manifold evidences of His all-encompassing and resistless power, and arise to become worthy and exemplary recipients of His all-sustaining grace and blessings. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (Appended to a letter dated 29 June 1941 written on his behalf to the National Spiritual Assembly of India; "Dawn of a New Day"; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, The Power of Divine Assistance)

Virtues to strive for

Now amidst all the peoples of the world must the beloved arise, with a heart even as the day-star, a strong inward urge, a shining brow, a musk-scented breath, a tongue speaking ever of God, an exposition crystal-clear, a high resolve, a power born of heaven, a spiritual character, a confirmation nothing short of the divine. Let them one and all become as a splendour on the horizon of heaven, and in the skies of the world a dazzling star. Let them be fruitful trees in the celestial bowers, sweet-scented blooms in the divine gardens; let them be verses of perfection on the page of the universe, words of oneness in the Book of Life. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  ('Selections from the Writings of `Abdu'l-Bahá'; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Excellence in All Things)

Marriage – “a most sacred and binding tie”

Marriage is, in the "Aqdas", set forth as a most sacred and binding tie, and the Bahá'ís should realize that divorce is viewed as a last resort, to be avoided at all costs if possible and not to be lightly granted. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, dated 17 October 1944; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Preserving Baha’i Marriages)

The “Paradise”

Say: This is the Paradise on whose foliage the wine of utterance hath imprinted the testimony: “He that was hidden from the eyes of men is revealed, girded with sovereignty and power!” This is the Paradise the rustling of whose leaves proclaimeth: “O ye that inhabit the heavens and the earth! There hath appeared what hath never previously appeared. He Who, from everlasting, had concealed His Face from the sight of creation is now come.” From the whispering breeze that wafteth amidst its branches there cometh the cry: “He Who is the sovereign Lord of all is made manifest. The Kingdom is God’s,” while from its streaming waters can be heard the murmur: “All eyes are gladdened, for He Whom none hath beheld, Whose secret no one hath discovered, hath lifted the veil of glory, and uncovered the countenance of Beauty.” 

- Baha’u’llah  (Days of Remembrance)

Ridvan Celebrations

…the world-wide celebrations of the “Most Great Festival,” the “King of Festivals,” the “Festival of God” Himself—the Festival associated with the accession of Him Who is the Lord of the Kingdom to the throne of everlasting glory, and with the formal assumption by Him of His prophetic office… 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated June 15, 1946; ‘Messages to America’)

“the Buddha of universal fellowship”; the “Tenth Avatar”

He alone is meant by the prophecy attributed to Gautama Buddha Himself, that “a Buddha named Maitreye, the Buddha of universal fellowship” should, in the fullness of time, arise and reveal “His boundless glory.” To Him the Bhagavad-Gita of the Hindus had referred as the “Most Great Spirit,” the “Tenth Avatar,” the “Immaculate Manifestation of Krishna.” 

- Shoghi Effendi  (‘God Passes By’)

This “Day”

This is the Day whereon naught can be seen except the splendours of the Light that shineth from the face of Thy Lord, the Gracious, the Most Bountiful. Verily, We have caused every soul to expire by virtue of Our irresistible and all-subduing sovereignty. We have, then, called into being a new creation, as a token of Our grace unto men. I am, verily, the All-Bountiful, the Ancient of Days. 

- Baha’u’llah  (Days of Remembrance)

The "Prince of this world"; the "Comforter"; the "Spirit of Truth"; the "Lord of the Vineyard

To Him [Baha’u’llah] Jesus Christ had referred as the "Prince of this world," as the "Comforter" Who will "reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment," as the "Spirit of Truth" Who "will guide you into all truth," Who "shall not speak of Himself, but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak," as the "Lord of the Vineyard," and as the "Son of Man" Who "shall come in the glory of His Father" "in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory," with "all the holy angels" about Him, and "all nations" gathered before His throne. To Him the Author of the Apocalypse had alluded as the "Glory of God," as "Alpha and Omega," "the Beginning and the End," "the First and the Last." 

- Shoghi Effendi  (‘God Passes By’)

“frank and open consultation” - an “important administrative principle”

But before the majority of the Assembly comes to a decision, it is not only the right but the sacred obligation of every member to express freely and openly his views, without being afraid of displeasing or alienating any of his fellow-members. In view of this important administrative principle of frank and open consultation, the Guardian would advise you to give up the method of asking other members to voice your opinion and suggestions. This indirect way of expressing your views to the Assembly not only creates an atmosphere of secrecy which is most alien to the spirit of the Cause, but would also lead to many misunderstandings and complications. The Assembly members must have the courage of their convictions, but must also express whole-hearted and unqualified obedience to the well-considered judgement and directions of the majority of their fellow-members.  

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 28 October 1935 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Consultation)

Baha’i Youth

A very great responsibility for the future peace and well-being of the world is borne by the youth of today. Let the Bahá'í youth by the power of the Cause they espouse be the shining example for their companions. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 15 April 1965 written by the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, A Chase and Holy Life)

The “principles upon which the Bahá'í economic system would be based”

'Abdu'l-Bahá has developed in various of His talks, which you will find in different compilations, the principles upon which the Bahá'í economic system would be based. A system that prevents, among others, the gradual control of wealth in the hands of a few and the resulting state of both extremes, wealth and poverty. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 28 October 1927 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. III, Economics, Agriculture, and Related Subjects)

Becoming like ignited “candles of guidance”

...the believers of God must become self-sacrificing and like unto the candles of guidance become ignited... Should they show forth such a magnanimity, it is assured that they will obtain universal divine confirmations, the heavenly cohorts will reinforce them uninterruptedly, and a most great victory will be obtained.... 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  ('Tablets of the Divine Plan Revealed by 'Abdu'l-Bahá to the North American Bahá'ís'; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Guidelines for Teaching)

What will lead people “to enter the Faith in large numbers”

It is not sufficient to number the souls that embrace the Cause to know the progress that it is making. The more important consequences of your activities are the spirit that is diffused into the life of the community, and the extent to which the teachings we proclaim become part of the consciousness and belief of the people that hear them. For it is only when the spirit has thoroughly permeated the world that the people will begin to enter the Faith in large numbers. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 18 February 1932, written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, Vol. III, Promoting Entry by Troops)

Education of children

... this teaching of the children is a service to the Blessed Perfection. Whosoever serves the world of humanity in this or any other way is serving His Holiness Baha'u'llah. Your heavenly reward is with Him. The education of children is one of the most great services. All these children are mine. If they are educated and illumined, it is as though my own children were so characterized ... 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (From a talk in the Holy Land: Star of the West, Vol. 13, No.6; compilation: Lights of Guidance)

“The Assembly should be representative of the choicest and most varied and capable elements in every Bahá'í community.”

... I do not feel it to be in keeping with the spirit of the Cause to impose any limitation upon the freedom of the believers to choose those of any race, nationality or temperament who best combine the essential qualifications for membership of administrative institutions. They should disregard personalities and concentrate their attention on the qualities and requirements of office, without prejudice, passion or partiality. The Assembly should be representative of the choicest and most varied and capable elements in every Bahá'í community ...  

- Shoghi Effendi  (In the handwriting of Shoghi Effendi, appended to a letter dated 11 August 1933 written on his behalf to an individual believer, published in 'Bahá'í Institutions'; The Compilation of Compilation, Vol. III, Sanctity and Nature of Baha’i Elections)

The “nucleus” and the “very pattern of the New World Order”

The friends should strive to appreciate, therefore, the Guardian urged, that the Spiritual Assemblies they were painstakingly establishing throughout the world were the forerunners of the local and national "Houses of Justice" envisioned by Bahá'u'lláh. As such, they were integral parts of an Administrative Order that will, in time, "assert its claim and demonstrate its capacity to be regarded not only as the nucleus but the very pattern of the New World Order destined to embrace in the fullness of time the whole of mankind". 

(‘Century of Light’, a document commissioned by and prepared under the supervision of the Universal House of Justice)

The “worst human quality and the most great sin”

Thou hast written regarding thy aims. How blessed are these aims, especially the prevention of back-biting! 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 believers of God. If some means were devised so that the doors of back-biting 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.

I hope that the believers of God will shun completely back-biting, each one praising the other cordially and believe that back-biting is the cause of the Divine wrath, to such an extent that if a person back-bites to the extent of one word, he may become dishonored among all the people, because the most hateful characteristic of man is faultfinding. One must expose the praiseworthy qualities of the souls and not their evil attributes. The friends must overlook their shortcomings and faults and speak only of their virtues and not their defects. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (From a Tablet to Dr. N.G. Skinner, Washington, D.C., revealed August 12, 1913, at Ramleh, Egypt; Baha’i News, no. 46, November 1930)

The Guardian’s translation of the Kitab-i-Iqan

As the ‘Iqan is the most important book wherein Baha’u’llah explains the basic beliefs of the faith, he thought a proper rendering of it would infinitely enhance the teaching work in the West. He hopes that this new rendering will be an improvement on the previous one, but he fully admits that it is far from perfect, far from the original itself. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi; Baha’i News, no. 46, November 1930)

The “unerring Balance”

In the Kitáb-i-Aqdas (Most Holy Book) the following hath been revealed: “Say: O leaders of religion! Weigh not the Book of God with such standards and sciences as are current amongst you, for the Book itself is the unerring Balance established amongst men. In this most perfect Balance whatsoever the peoples and kindreds possess must be weighed, while the measure of its weight should be tested according to its own standard, did ye but know it. 

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

“no one should exalt himself over the other”

O Children of Men! Know ye not why We created you all from the same dust? That no one should exalt himself over the other. Ponder at all times in your hearts how ye were created. Since We have created you all from one same substance it is incumbent on you to be even as one soul, to walk with the same feet, eat with the same mouth and dwell in the same land, that from your inmost being, by your deeds and actions, the signs of oneness and the essence of detachment may be made manifest. Such is My counsel to you, O concourse of light! Heed ye this counsel that ye may obtain the fruit of holiness from the tree of wondrous glory. 

- Baha’u’llah  (‘The Hidden Words of Baha’u’llah’)

Virtues to be distinguished by

You must be distinguished amidst men by your sanctity and detachment, loftiness of purpose, magnanimity, determination, noble-mindedness, tenacity, the elevation of your aims and your spiritual qualities; that you may become the means of exaltation and glory for the Cause of God and the dawning-places of His heavenly bestowals; that you may conduct yourselves in conformity with the counsels and exhortations of the Blessed Beauty—may my life be offered up for His loved ones—and by reflecting Bahá’í qualities and attributes, you may stand out distinguished from others. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (From a Tablet; ‘Baha’i Prayers and Tablets for Children’, prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice)

Divorce

As you know, in the Bahá'í Faith, divorce is discouraged and should be resorted to only when a prolonged effort to effect reconciliation has been unsuccessful. However, it should also be noted that divorce is permissible when an irreconcilable antipathy exists between the two parties to the marriage. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 6 August 1989 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice; The Compilation of Compilations vol II, Preserving Baha’i Marriages)

‘Abdu’l-Baha: “the Expounder of the Book”

…in this Dispensation of the Blessed Beauty (Baha’u’llah) among its distinctions is that He did not leave people in perplexity. He entered into a Covenant and Testament with the people. He appointed a Center of the Covenant. He wrote with His own pen and revealed it in the Kitab-i-Aqdas, the Book of Laws, and Kitab-i-Ahd, the Book of the Covenant, appointing him (‘Abdu’l-Baha) the Expounder of the Book. You must ask him (‘Abdu’l-Baha) regarding the meanings of the texts of the verses. Whatsoever he says is correct.

Outside of this, in numerous Tablets He (Baha’u’llah) has explicitly recorded it, with clear, sufficient, valid and forceful statements. In the Tablet of the Branch He explicitly states: “Whatsoever the Branch says is right, or correct; and every person must obey the Branch with his life, with his heart, with his tongue. Without his will, not a word shall anyone utter.” 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (From a talk, 1912, USA; (Star of the West, vol. 5, no. 15, December 12, 1914)

A “teacher of the Cause”

O ye divine believers! Today any soul who is a teacher of the Cause is confirmed. The teachers are in the front rank, are favored at the Threshold of the Almighty and helped from the Kingdom of Abha! The believers of God must exercise the utmost love, respect and consideration towards the teachers so that in whatever place they may enter, joy and happiness be obtained. But regarding the qualifications of the teachers, they are revealed in the Divine Tablets. They must adorn themselves with those attributes. I declare by God, beside whom there is no God, that if today a weak mosquito is characterized with the qualifications of the teachers and summons the people to the Divine Kingdom, it will become a soaring falcon of heaven, and the ephemeral moth will be changed into an eagle of the apex of the Merciful; the drop will be transformed into a surging ocean, and the atom will emit the brilliancy of the sun. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (From a Tablet, ‘Star of the West, vol. 5, no. 14, November 23, 1914)

Worlds of God

As to thy question concerning the worlds of God. Know thou of a truth that the worlds of God are countless in their number, and infinite in their range. None can reckon or comprehend them except God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise… Verily I say, the creation of God embraceth worlds besides this world, and creatures apart from these creatures. In each of these worlds He hath ordained things which none can search except Himself, the All-Searching, the All-Wise. 

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