Not formatted or fully proofread. See http://bahai-library.com/uhj_bahai_world_18 ---------- [p1] THE BAHA'I WORLD VOLUME XVIII 136 Ñ 140 OF THE BAHA'I ERA 1979 Ñ 1983 [p2] Upper chamber of the House of the Bab, Shirdz, where He declared His Mission to Mulid Ijusayn in 1844 (photo courtesy of Mr. K. Mumtdzi). [p3] The Seat of the Universal House of Justice. [p4] THE BAHA'I WORLD AN INTERNATIONAL RECORD Prepared under the supervision of The Universal House of Justice VOLUME XVIII 136 Ñ 140 OF THE BAHA'I ERA 1979 Ñ 1983 BAHA'I WORLD CENTRE HAIFA 1986 [p5] © 1986 The Universal House of Justice World Rights Reserved NOTE: The spelling of the Oriental words and proper names used in this volume of The Baha'i World is according to the system of transliteration established at one of the International Oriental Congresses. ISBN 0 Ñ 85398 Ñ 234 Ñ 1 British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data The Baha'i world: an international record. Vol. 18: 136 Ñ 140 of the Baha'i era, 1979 Ñ 1983 1. Bahai Faith I. Universal House of Justice 297'.89 BP365 ISBN 0 Ñ 85398 Ñ 234 Ñ 1 Printed in Great Britain at the University Press, Oxford, by David Stanford Printer to the University [p6] PREFACE THE successive volumes of The Baha'i World have come to be anticipated by Baha'is as the record of their own collective endeavours on behalf of their Faith, of the establishment and development of its administrative order throughout the world and as the source of data, both historical and statistical, relating to the rise of that Faith during its formative age. By librarians and students The Baha'i World is becoming ever more widely known as a source of authentic information about the aims, tenets, history, activities, organization and growth of the Baha'i Faith. The editors therefore have always in mind the preservation of an even balance between the presentation of material of supreme interest to believers and of a fair and objective picture to enquirers. In this they are guided by the policy of Shoghi Effendi, Guardian of the Baha Faith, who directed the compilation of the successive volumes from I to XII covering the years 1925 to 1954. The first volume, known as Baha'i Year Book; was in fact a one-year survey; the next seven volumes were biennial, terminating in 1940; volume IX recorded the four years from 1940 to 1944; volume X was again biennial and volumes XI and XII presented the periods 1946 to 1950 and 1950 to 1954 respectively. All these volumes were published in the United States under the aegis of the National Spiritual Assembly and the supervision of the Guardian of the Baha'i Faith. Volume XIII, which recorded the passing of the Guardian and the course and completion of his Ten Year Crusade, covered the entire period from 1954 to 1963 and was produced under the supervision of the Universal House of Justice, which thenceforth assumed responsibility for publication. Volumes XIV, XV, XVI and XVII covered the years 1963 to 1968, 1968 to 1973, 1973 to 1976 and 1976 to 1979 respectively. This volume, relating to the years 1979 to 1983, records the observance in the Hoiy Land in July 1982 of the fiftieth anniversary of the passing of The Greatest Holy Leaf, eldest daughter of Baha'u'llah and 'the outstanding heroine of the Baha Dispensation'; ; the successful completion of the first stage of the restoration of the House of 'Abdu'lHh Phsh6 and its opening to pilgrims; the completion of construction of the permanent Seat of the Universal House of Justice and its occupation by that Institution in January 1983; the holding in the Holy Land in May 1983 of the fifth International Convention; the progress made towards construction of the first Mashriqu'l-Adhkar of the Indian Subcontinent in New Delhi and of the first Mashriqu'l-Adhkar of the Pacific Islands in Samoa; the holding in 1982 of five International Conferences dedicated to the Greatest Holy Leaf and marking the fiftieth anniversary of her passing; the progress made in the Seven Year global teaching plan inaugurated at Ridvan 1979 and constituting yet another stage in the unfoldment of 'Abdu'l-Baha's Divine Plan; and the resumption in lr~n on a scale unprecedented in recent history of a campaign designed to extirpate the Baha'i Faith from the land of its birth through the systematic imprisonment and execution of its leaders, the expropriation, desecration and destruction of its holy places, and the persecution and harassment of its rank and file, a process which, to an extent never before witnessed, drew the sympathetic attention of governments, world leaders and the mass media to the true nature of the Revelation of Baha'u'llah and publicized its teachings. [p7] CONTENTS IntroductiAIMS AND PURPOSES OF THE BAHA'I FAITH, by David Hofman 1 PART ONE THE BAHA'I REVELATION I. EXCERPTS FROM THE BAHA'I SACRED WRITINGS 1. Baha'u'llah 9 2. The Bab 15 3. 'Abdu'l-Baha 20 II. EXCERPTS FROM THE WRITINGS OF SHOGHI EFFENDI 32 PART TWO THE COMMEMORATION OF HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES I. THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PASSING OF BAHA'I KHANUM, THE GREATEST HOLY LEAF 1. Passages from the Writings of Baha'u'llah About the Greatest Holy Leaf 41 2. Passages from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha About the Greatest Holy Leaf and a Selection of His Letters to Her 42 3. Passages from the Writings of Shoghi Effendi About the Greatest Holy Leaf and Excerpts from His Letters About Her44 4. A Selection of Letters of the Greatest Holy Leaf 47 5. A Tribute to the Greatest Holy Leaf, by Amatu'I-BahA R6hfyyih Kh~inum 50 6. The Commemoration at the World Centre of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Passing of the Greatest Holy Leaf 53 7. Some References to the Greatest Holy Leaf Found in Works Published in English 55 8. Some Works Published to Commemorate the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Passing of the Greatest Holy Leaf 57 9. The Greatest Holy Leaf: A Reminiscence, by Ali Nakhjav~inf 59 10. The Life and Service of the Greatest Holy Leaf. by Baha'i Nakhjav'~ini 68 [p8] viii CONTENTS PART THREE INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 1979 Ñ 1983 I. THE HOUSE OF 'ABDU'LLAH pAswA 77 II. THE SEVEN YEAR INTERNATIONAL TEACHING PLAN 19791986 1. The Launching of the Seven Year Plan 81 2. The Seven Year International Teaching Plan 1979 Ñ 1986: Progress to Ridvan 1983 86 A. The World Centre 86 B. Worldwide Objectives 103 3. Expansion and Consolidation of the Baha'i Faith Ñ Information Statistical and Comparative 134 A. Africa 134 B. The Americas 135 c. Asia 135 D. Australasia and the Pacific Islands 136 E. Europe 136 III. FIVE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES 1. FiveInternational Conferences: A Pictorial Report 138 2. Messages of the Universal House of Justice to the Five International Conferences: A. Dublin, IreLand 25 Ñ 27 June 1982 156 B. Quito, Ecuador 6 Ñ 8 August1982 157 c. Lagos, Nigeria 19 Ñ 22 August1982 158 D. Canberra, Australia 2 Ñ 5 September 1982 159 E. Montreal, Canada 2 Ñ 5 September /982 161 IV. INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA ACTIVITIES 1979 Ñ 1983 1. Survey by Continents: A. Africa 163 B. The Americas 171 C. Asia 178 D. Australasia and the Pacific Islands 183 E. Europe 187 2. The Association for Baha'i Studies: 1979 Ñ 1983, by Gerald Filson 194 3. The Establishment of the Baha'i International Health Agency 201 4. Baha Scholarship in Australia: 1979 Ñ 1983 202 5. Baha'i Studies Seminars at ~he University of Lancaster: 1977 Ñ 1980, by Peter Smith 204 6. The Development of Baha'i Schools during the Seven Year Plan, by Barbara Barrett 207 7. Baha'i Youth Academy of India 230 8. The Rabbani School at Gwalior, India, by Stephen H. Waite 233 9. Trail of Light, by Barbara Barrett 239 10. TheCentenary of the Founding of the Baha'i Faith in India: 1880 Ñ 1980 246 [p9] CONTENTS ix 11. ThePersecution of the Baha'i Community of fr6n: 1979 Ñ 1983, by Geoffrey Nash 249 A. Survey of Events 251 B.Identity of the Persecutors, and Charges Levelled against the Baha'is 267 c. Pattern of Persecution 271 D. Last Letters, Wills and Testaments 284 Baha'is Killed in Iffin, Ridvan 1978 Ñ Ridvan 1983 290 F.A Representative Selection of Documents Illustrating the Persecution of the Baha'i Community of Ir6n: 1979 Ñ 1983 306 o. Baha Children in Time of Persecution 331 H.Detailed Summary of Actions taken by the Baha'i International Community, ty, National and Local Baha'i Institutions, Governments, Non-Bah6'i 6'i Organizations and Prominent People in Connection with the Persecution of the Baha'is of Jr6n 337 12. Letter from the Universal House of Justice to Iranian Baha'is Living Outside Ir4n 13. TheEmergence of a Universal Moral Order and the Persecution of the Iranian Baha'i Community, by Will. C. van den Hoonaard 363 14. Persecution of the Baha'i Faith in fr6n: A Partial Bibliography of References from Books and Pamphlets, Journals, Newspaper Articles, and Official Documents in some European Languages, compiled by William P. Collins with the assistance of Janet H. Beavers 369 15. A Chronology of some of the Persecutions of the Bab's and Baha in Jrdn: 1844 Ñ 1978, compiled by Dr. Moojan Momen 380 V. THE BAHA'I FAITH AND THE UNITED NATIONS 1. Summary of the Years 1947 Ñ 1979 393 2. The Baha'i International Community and the United Nations 1979 Ñ 1983, by Victor de Araujo 396 Annex I 410 Annex Ii 410 Annex HI 412 3. Activities of the Baha'i International Community Relating to the Persecution of the Baha'i Faith in kin 1979 Ñ 1983 414 VI. RECOGNITION 017 THE BAHA'I FAITH 1. Incorporation of National Spiritual Assemblies 426 2. Incorporation of Local Spiritual Assemblies429 3. A Selection of other Documents Recording Official Recognition of the Baha Faith PART FOUR THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH I. THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE 1. The Constitution of the Universal House of Justice 453 2. The Fifth International Convention for th~ Election of the Universal House of Justice 461 [p10] x CONTENTS 3. The Completion of Construction of the Building for the Seat of the Universal House of Justice: A Pictorial Report 465 II. THE HANDS OF THE CAUSE OF GOD 1. The Hands of the Cause of God and the Extension of their Functions into the Future: A. The Rulers and the Learned 473 B. The Hands of the Cause of God 474 c. The Continental Boards of Counsellors 475 D. The International Teaching Centre 477 2. The Work and Travels of the Hands of the Cause 1979 Ñ 1983 481 3. Hands of the Cause who Represented the Universal House of Justice at Conventions ns for the election of New National Spiritual Assemblies 1979 Ñ 1983 515 4. A Tribute to the Hands of the Cause, by Lilian 'A1~'i 516 5. The Hands of the Cause of God: An Appreciation, by Ray Hudson 521 6. The Development of the Institution of the Continental Boards of Counsellors (adapted from the Hawaiian History Calendar) 528 JIT. THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY 1. Introduction, by Horace Holley 536 2. A Model Declaration of Trust and ByLaws for a National Spiritual Assembly 538 3. A Procedure for the Conduct of the Annual Baha'i Convention 546 4. New National Spiritual Assemblies 548 IV.THE LOCAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY 1. The Institution and its Significance 554 2. ByLaws of a Local Spiritual Assembly 564 V. THE INSTITUTION OF THE MASHRIQU'L-ADHKAR 1. Foreword, by Horace Holley 568 2.The Spiritual Significance of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar 569 3.The Mother Temple of the Indian SubContinent, by F. SahM 571 4. The Lotus of Bahapur, by Sheriar Nooreyezdan 574 5.The First Mashriqu'l-Adhkar of the Pacific Islands 585 VI.THE NONPOLITICAL CHARACTER OF THE BAHA'I FAITH Excerpts from the Writings of Shoghi Effendi589 VII. RELATIONSHIP TO GOVERNMENT 1. Loyalty to Government 595 2. The Baha'i View of Pacifism 596 3.Summary of the Guardian's Instructions on the Obligations of Baha in Connection with Military Service 596 VIII. BAHA'I CALENDAR. FESTIVALS AND DATES OF HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE 1. Foreword 598 2.BahA'i Feasts, Anniversaries and Days of Fasting 598 Baha'i Holy Days on which Work should be Suspended 599 [p11] Page 776 686 821 681 795 741 817 820 774 748 677 687 793 751 669 817 771 781 791 811 811 779 773 731 762 651 611 768 797 819 719 677 618 CONTENTS xI 4. Additional Material gleaned from Nabil's Narrative regarding the Baha'i Calendar 5. Historical Data gleaned from Nabil's Narrative regarding Baha'u'llah 6. Dates of Historical Significance in the Rise of the Baha'i Faith 599 602 606 PART FIVE IN MEMORIAM Abbas, Kamil (K~imi1 Abbas Rids) Adiparvar, Hishmat AI3madp~ir, Fu'6d 'Alipfir, Gu1d~inih Ytisifi Allen, John Altass, Florence Elizabeth Appa, Seewoosumbur Jeehoba Armstrong, Leonora Baha'i, Hasan M. (1-lasan M. Baha'i) Baq~., Shfdrukh Amir-Kfy~. Baker, Richard St. Barbe Beard, Frances Blake, Cecilia King Blakely, Dudley Moore Brechtefeld, Henry Chinniab, Inparaju Cobb, Stanwood Cookson, Alexe Dhacoo, Louis Pierre Henri Doktoro~1u, Sami Edwards, Hermione Vera Keens-Douglas Eggleston, Helen E1i~is, Sub~~ Faizi, Abu'I-Qasim FaIl6h, Muhammad 'All (Afn~tn) Farharigi, Masfh Fitzner, Sarah Florence Funighi, Riihu'I1th Ghobad, Isfandiyar (Isfandiy~r Qub~d) Giachery, Angeline Gibson, Ainoz Everett Greeves, Lisbeth Hakim, Mani~ichihr 1-lalabi, Husayn Haney, Paul Edmond Hayden, Robert Henseler, Julius 722 775 682 811 725 788 754 733 635 784 802 756 723 809 805 711 814 730 728 683 778 674 746 659 710 766 727 690 709 717 665 808 745 707 613 715 794 1-lezari, Ardeshir (Ardishir Hiz~irf) Hokafonu, Mosese Holley, Doris Hutchinson-Smith, Jean Joshi, Asanand Chagla Kahaloa, Solomon Kam~iIi-Sarvist~nf, Mirza Aq~ Kh~in Kazemi (K~izimf), Sharon Rickey Kelsey, Olivia Kempton, Honor Kidder, Dr. Alice G King, Melba M. Call Korean, Suliana Halaholo Labfb, Muhammad Leach, Bernard Lith, Jacob Eduard (Bab) van Lukmani, Dr. M. E. (Dr. M. E. Luqm~ini) Mahmiidf, Zhlnfis NPmat Mavaddat, Nasrollab (Nasru'-1I~h Maviddat) Mesbali, Amine (Dr. Amin'u'-IlAh MisbAh) Mesbah, Jeanne (Jeanne Mis-bTh) Missaghiyeh, Abdul-Missagh ('Abdu'1-Mfthaq Mithaqfyih) Mkhize, Bertha Mobedzadeh, Shah Babram (mm Baha MiibidzAdih) Morais, Kenneth Allan Mirza, Dr. Rahmatu'llAh Miihlschlegel, Dr. Adelbert Mustaffi, Muhammad Nakhj~v~ni, Ja1~i Niang, Elizabeth Idang Nodada, Cecilia Mkize Ober, Dr. Elizabeth Kidder Olinga, Enoch [p12] xii CONTENTS Outhey, Ileannette Pav6n, Clementina Mejia de Pavdn, Segundo Pbllinger, Franz Raman, Appu Raynor, Allan Rhein, Ottilie Rostampour, Ardeshir (Ardashir Rustamp6r) Rowling, Margaret Ruggoo, Arthur Joseph Gustave Sala, Rosemary Sandando, Yowane Scherer, Carl A Scherer, Loretta L Page 721 Schmidt, Dr. Eugen 671 Seep~, Lot Max 671 Shepherd, Harold 700 Sneider, Mabel Addle 787 Sombeek, Ludmila Van 696 Sombeek, Rita van Bleyswijk 703 Steffier, Karl Donald Suleimani, Ridvaniyyih 792 (RidvThiyyih Sulam6nf) 757 Vabdat, 'Ismat Vahdat, Yadu'116h 761 Vargas, Pedro 713 Vujd~ni, Baha 765 Weeden, Gladys Anderson 738 Wilks, Helen Hazel 738 Zonneveid, Arnofl Page 800 806 740 705 689 763 729 752 743 758 743 698 692 707 824 PART SIX DIRECTORY, BIBLIOGRAPHY, GLOSSARY I. BAHA'I DIRECTORY 1. The Universal House of Justice 2. The Hands of the Cause 3. The International Teaching Centre 4. Continental Boards of Counsellors 5. Baha International Community 6. National Spiritual Assemblies 7. Baha'i Publishing Trusts II. BAHA'I BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. Baha'u'llah's BestKnown Works 2. The BTh's BestKnown Works 3. 'Abdu'l-Baha's BestKnown Works 4. Some Compilations from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, the Bab and 'Abdu'l-Baha 5. Shoghi Effendi's BestKnown Works 6. Language and Literature Achievements, Ridvan 1979 Ñ Ridvan 1983: A. Languages in International Use B. Invented Languages c. Africa V. The Americas E. Asia F. Australasia and the Pacific Islands G. Europe ii. Total by Continents 7. Translations of the Short Obligatory Prayer: A. Africa B. The Americas C. Asia 829 829 829 830 830 830 830 833 834 835 836 836 838 839 839 841 843 843 844 845 847 851 857 [p13] CONTENTS Xiii u. Australasia and the Pacific Islands 861 E. Europe 863 F. Invented Languages 865 G. Miscellaneous 865 8. A Bibliography of English Language Works on the Baha'i Faith: Selections, compiled by William P. Collins 866 A. The Writings of Baha'u'llah 867 B. The Writings of the BTh 869 c. The Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha 869 D.Works Compiled from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, The Bab and 'Abdu'l-Baha 873 E. The Writings of Shoghi Effendi 878 r.Works and Messages of the Universal House of Justice 881 o. Writings on the Bab and Baha'i Faiths 881 9. A Partial Bibliography of some Major Original Works on the Baha'i Faith in Languages other than English, compiled by William P. Collins 887 10. A Bibliography of Theses Relating to the Baha'i Faith, compiled by William 890 P. Collins 11. Partial Listing of some Current General Baha'i Periodicals, compiled by William P. Collins 892 III. ORIENTAL TERMS 1. Transliteration of Oriental Words Frequently used in Baha'i Literature 893 2. Guide to Transliteration and Pronunciation of the Persian Alphabet 895 3. Notes on the Pronunciation of Persian Words895 4. Definitions of some of the Oriental Terms used in Baha'i Literature 897 PART SEVEN LITERARY AND MUSICAL WORKS I. ESSAYS AND REVIEWS 1. Memories of 'Abdu'l-Baha, by ~AIi M. Yazdf 907 2. Life as Metaphor, by John S. Hatcher 912 3. Remembering Bernard Leach, by Trudi Scott 929 4. The Concept of Spirituality, by William S. Hatcher 932 5. One Kind Deed, by Dipchand Khianra 966 6. Kaushal Kishore Bhargava: An Appreciation, based on a Memoir by Dipchand Khianra 969 7. August Forel Defends the Persecuted Persian Baha'is: 19254927, by John Paul Vader 970 8. Baha'u'llah and the Fourth Estate, by Roger White 975 9. August Rudd: The First Baha'i Pioneer to Sweden 980 II. VERSE 983 III. MUSIC 993 [p14] LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Frontispiece One: Upper Chamber of the House of the Mb, Shir~z, where He declared His Mission to MuIh Husayn in 1844 (photo courtesy of Mr. K. Mumt6zi) Frontispiece Two: The Seat of the Universal House of Justice Part One: The Baha'i Revelation Page Fart Two: The Commemoration of Historic Anniversaries Baha'i KhThum circa 1890 43 Baha'i Kh4num an early photograph 49 Some relics of the Greatest Holy Leaf preserved in the International Baha'i Archives 52 An early photograph of the marble monument erected by Shoghi Effendi over the resting-place of Baha'i Kh6num 54 Baha'i KMnum' circa 1895 56 Baha'i KhAnurn October 1919 58 Curtis Kelsey astride a donkey. Pilgrim House, Baha; 1921 61 Saichiro Fujita in Persian garb; 1921 61 Baha'i KhThum circa 1919 66 View of the Greatest Holy Leafs monument as it appears today 67 Facsimile of Baha'i Kh6num's handwriting 72 The room occupied by 'Abdu'l-Baha in the House of 'Abdu'IlAh P6sh6 74 The room occupied by the Greatest Holy Leaf in the House of 'Abdu'llih PAsITh 74 Part Three: international Survey of Current Baha'i Activities Exterior view of the House of ~Abdu'1I6h P6shA in its restored condition; 1983 78 Main hail of the quarters of the Holy Family in the House of 'Abdu'IHh PAshA 1983 79 The room in the House of 'Abdu'llAh PAsh6 in which Shoghi Effendi was born in March 1897 79 The room in the House of 'Abdu'116h PhshA in which 'Abdu'l-Baha would receive His guests 80 Graph illustrating growth of the Baha'i Faith 1953 Ñ 1983 82 The Seat of the Universal House of Justice on Mount Carmel 85 Hands of the Cause and Counsellor members of the International Teaching Centre; November 1979 87 A representative sampling from the international press of reports and editorials in defense of the Baha'is 91 Facsimile of House Resolution No, 110, House of Representatives, Eighty-First General Assembly, State of Illinois, adopted 15 March 1979 93 Eacsimiles of documents protesting against the persecution of the Baha'is of I nin 95 Publications of the Baha'i World Centre, 1979 Ñ 198397 Aerial view of the southwest quadrant gardens, Baha; April 1983 99 Youthful participants in the satellite conference, Nairobi, Kenya, with the Hand of the Cause William Sears; October 1982 101 Participants in the satellite conference, Yaound6, Cameroon Republic; October 1982 101 [p15] LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS xv The Hand of the Cause Ugo Giachery viewing the construction of the House of Worship, Western Samoa; September 1982 105 His Excellency Lee Teng-Hui, Governor of Taiwan, honouring Mr. Suleiman A. Suleimani 105 A selection of newsletters in various languages published specifically for children 113 Some published versions of Words of God 114 Baha'i mobile medical camp, India, with members of the Dang tribe 120 Participants in the Scottish Summer School; 1982120 A selection of newsletters published in response to the goals of the Seven Year Plan 122 Participants in the New Zealand Children's Camp; 1981 122 First local all-girl teaching team of Papua New Guinea 124 Tthirih Ñ Iranian Baha'i choir, Southern Ontario, Canada 124 A selection of newsletters for youth 126 Participants in the National Youth Conference, Hong Kong; December 1982 126 Participants in the Baha'i Winter School, Saenz Pefia, Chaco, Argentina 128 The Hand of the Cause Collis Featherstone with participants in the Finnish Baha Summer School; 1982 128 Some Baha'is of the Tapi tribe, Mindoro, Philippines 130 Chinese Baha'is of Calcutta, India 130 Baha'is at Local Baha'i Centre for Nineteen-Day Feast, Nagumeya, Ciskei; 1982 133 Participants in the Pioneer Training Institute, Alberta, Canada; 1981 133 French Minister of State for the Interior, Gaston Defferre and Mine. Defferre, on their Visit to the Seat of the House of Justice; February 1983 137 Five International Conferences Ñ a Pictorial Report138 Participants in the satellite conference, Nairobi, Kenya; October 1982 154 A representative sampling from Canadian newspapers of references to the International Baha'i Conference held in Montreal; September 1982 155 Bushman and other participants who attended a deepening institute held in Khudurnelapye, Botswana; July 1981 164 First Baha'i Summer School, Victoria, Cameroon Republic; March 1980 166 First Local Spiritual Assembly of Mariental, South West Africa/Namibia 169 Bus poster, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A 173 Antonio Cruz, first Baha'i of the Totonaco tribe in \Jeracruz, Mexico 174 Second continental indigenous council, Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A 175 Poster advertising a dance created by Ballet Shayda to honour the martyrs of fr~tn 176 Local Baha'i community poster commemorating the seven Baha'is of Yazd who were martyred in September 1930 176 The Local Spiritual Assembly of Chucuito, Puno, Peru; 1981 178 The ~ChiIdren of Baha' choir performing in observance of U.N. Human Rights Day, 1979 179 ~The Chosen Highway' youth choir, Panchgani, Maharashtra, India; 1982 179 Some Baha'is of the Dang tribe, Gujarat, India; 1982 181 Some Baha'i women of Burma 183 Regional Teaching Conference, Auckland, New Zealand; June 1981 184 The Local Spiritual Assembly of Albury, New South Wales, Australia; 1979 184 U.N. Day observance, Baha House of Worship, Sydney, Australia; 1980 187 Teaching Institute, Sisimiut, Greenland; 25 July 1982 188 National Haziratu'1-Quds of the Republic of Ireland; September 1982 188 A selection of major original publications about the Baha Faith in European languages 191 National Youth Symposium, Sejano, Italy; June 1980191 Annual convention, Iceland; 1981 193 Exterior view of the Association for Baha'i Studies centre, Ottawa, Canada 195 View of the reception area, Baha'i Studies centre, Ottawa, Canada 195 [p16] xvi LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS The Hand of the Cause Abdu'l-Baha R6hiyyih KWinum addressing the international conference on marriage and family life, Ottawa, Canada; 1981 197 The Hand of the Cause John Robarts with recipients of awards 197 Issues of Baha'i Studies and Bah di Studies Notebook published in the period RidvTh 1979 Ñ 1983 199 The Hand of the Cause John Robarts with participants in the inaugural meeting of the Baha'i International Health Agency 201 Mrs. Gayle Morrison delivering the Hasan M. Baha'i lecture during the seventh annual conference of the Association for Baha'i Studies205 A representative sampling of Baha'i scholarly journals, 1979 Ñ 1983 206 Students of the New Era School, Panchgani, India207 Anis Zuni'izf School, Lilavoix, Haiti 208 Odusai School, Tororo District, Uganda; August 1981 209 A woodworking class, New Era High School, Panchgani, Jndia 210 Laying the cornerstone at the site of the Baha'i Youth Academy, Panchgani, India 210 Glory School, Santiniketan, West Bengal State, India 212 Glory School classroom; 1982 212 Shoghi Children's School, Nunna, India 212 A Baha'i tutorial school, Charolipada, India 213 Children in prayer, Baha'i tutorial school, Bairagra, India 214 A Baha'i tutorial school, Jhabua, India; 1983 214 A Baha'i tutorial school, Markara, India 214 Hostel for Baha'i children from Mentawai Islands, Padang, Indonesia 216 A classroom, Tadong Baha'i Primary School, Gangtok, Sikkim; 1980 217 Students of Pachey Phirphiray tutorial school, Sikkirn; 1983 217 Students of Cole gio Ni~r, La Cisterna, Santiago, Chile; 1983 218 Colegio Nar, La Cisterna, Santiago, Chile 220 Nursery class, Santitham School, Yasothon, Thailand 222 The Santitham School, Yasothon, Thaikind; August 1982 222 Inauguration of Anfs Zuniizi School, Lilavoix, Haiti; 20 October 1982 222 The Faizi School, Loncopulle, Chile 222 Tutorial school, Quebrada Nigua, Panama 225 Tutorial school, Piggs Peak, Swaziland 225 Gingalili PreSchool, Nakuru District, Kenya 225 Village tutorial school, Iriga City area, Philippines 225 Baha Centre of Khuan Khreo, South Thailand 227 Louhelen School, Davison, Michigan, U.S.A 227 Louis G. Gregory Institute, Hemingway, South Carolina, U.S.A.; 1983 227 Tutorial school, Bangwade, Upper Zaire; March 1983227 Tutorial preschool, Bulernbu, Swaziland; 1982 228 Participants in second course of the Baha'i Youth Academy of India; 1982 231 Faculty and students of Rabbani School; 1983 234 Ploughing with Rabbani School's team of water-buffalo 237 Mrs. Sherman Waite conducting a class at Rabbani School 238 Four members of the Trail of Light group 240 The Trail of Light group with members of the Aguaruna tribe, Peru 240 The Trail of Light group in Porras, Bolivia 240 The Trail of Light group, Southwest Baha'i Institute, Arizona, U.S.A.; June 1982 241 An outdoor performance of the Trail of Light group, Pucyura, Peru 243 The Trail of Light group in Honduras 244 Press clippings reporting on the centenary of the founding of the Baha'i Faith in India; April 1980 248 The national Haziratu'I-Quds of the Baha'is of fr~in, Tihr~n, seized 15 February 1979 250 [p17] LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS XVII Home of a Baha'i family in Shfniz after being looted and destroyed; 1979 250 Translation into English of a circular letter addressed to a Baha'i who was suspended from employment in government service 251 Site of the House of the Bab in process of being demolished 253 Towns and cities in Inin in which Baha'i holy places, cemeteries and other properties have been seized or destroyed 254 Some members of the National Spiritual Assembly of IrAn and other prominent Baha'is who were kidnapped or executed 258 A desecrated Baha'i cemetery 263 Mourners gathered for the funeral of Dr. Man6chihr Hakim 263 Tent settlement of Baha refugees, Kaffi 272 A Baha'i family harassed and made homeless 272 Mourners gathered for the funeral of Mihdi Anvari and Hid~iyatu'1hih Dihq~nf 282 Relatives visiting graves of Baha'i martyrs in graveyard reserved for 'infidels' 282 The House of Baha'u'llah in T~ikur, district of Niir, MaizindarTh, Ir6n 289 Individual photographs of some of the martyrs 295 Documentation of the persecutions Procession honouring the martyrs, The Hague; August 1982 356 Three books describing the persecutions of the Baha of LrTh 362 Representative press clippings reporting on the persecution of Baha in IrAn 370 Newsstand posters printed by Tribune de Gen~ve and Journal de Gen~ve for display in public newspaper dispensers; 1980 379 Towns and cities in fain in which Baha'is were• arrested or killed between 1979 and 1983 392 Illustration depicting the death of a Baha'i from the magazine lma'rna, circa 1911 392 Baha'i International Community representatives, U.N. Commission on Human Rights, Geneva; 31 January 1983 395 U.N. Day observance, Baha'i Centre, Mauritius; 23 October 1930 395 Baha representatives, Second World Conference on the U.N. Decade for Women, Copenhagen; July 1980 407 Baha literature display, Second World Conference on Women 407 Baha'i International Community representatives to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights held in Geneva; 15 February 1982 409 A selection of major publications of the Baha'i International Community 413 U.N. Day observance, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; 24 October 1980 413 Baha'i delegation to the meetings of the European Parliament; September 1980 416 Baha'i delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Strasbourg, Prance; 29 January 1981 416 Senior Iranian military officers are seen attacking the Baha'i National Centre, TihrTh; 1955 425 Part Four: The World Order of Baha'u'llah The members of the Universal House of Justice elected at Ridvan 1983 460 Delegates to the International Convention 462 Friends gathered at Pilgrim House, Haifa, for the observance during the International Convention, 1983, of the Ninth Day of Ridvan 464 The Hand of the Cause 'AH-Akbar Furhtan with delegates to the Fifth International Convention from Taiwan 480 The Hands of the Cause William Sears, Dr. 'AU-Muhammad VarqA, John Robarts and Abdu'l-Baha Riihiyyih Kh6num August 1980 483 The Hand of the Cause Dr. Ugo Giachery with two young friends in Norway 483 [p18] Will LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS The Hand of the Cause Dr. Rahmatu'llAh MuhAjir, Mendoza, Argentina; December 1979 493 The Hand of the Cause Paul E. Haney with members of the Continental Board of Counsellors in Asia; 6 January 1981 493 The Hands of the Cause Enoch Olinga, Abu'1-QAsim Faizi and Dr. Adelbert Mflhlschleg&1, Pldn, Germany; 1972 504 The Hand of the Cause Dhikru'llAh Khadem, Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A.; August 1982 504 The Hand of the Cause 'Alf-Akbar Furhtan with some delegates to the International Convention; April 1983 513 The Hand of the Cause H. Collis Featherstone, Savonlinna, Finland; July 1982 513 The Hand of the Cause John Robarts with four Baha'is from Zimbabwe 514 Inaugural meeting of the Continental Board of Counsellors in Africa with the Hand of the Cause William Sears; 1981 529 Inaugural meeting of the Continental Board of Counsellors in the Americas with the Hand of the Cause Abdu'l-Baha Rfihiyyih KhThum 1981 529 Inaugural meeting of the Continental Board of Counsellors in Asia with the Hand of the Cause Paul B. Haney; 1981 531 Inaugural meeting of the Continental Board of Counsellors in Australasia with the Hand of the Cause H. Collis Featherstone; 1981 531 Inaugural meeting of the Continental Board of Counsellors in Europe with the Hand of the Cause Dhikru'11Th KhAdem; 1981 533 The members of the Universal House of Justice, the Hands of the Cause, Counsellor members of the International Teaching Centre and members of the Continental BoaTds of Counsellors, Mazra'ih; 1983 533 The Hand of the Cause Amatti'1-Bah~i R6hfyyih Kh6nuni with His Excellency Sir Gerald Christopher Cash, Governor General of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas; 29 April1981 535 New National Spiritual Assemblies Page Page Transkei (1980) 548 Windward Islands (1981) 551 Bermuda (1981) 548 Dominica (1983) 551 Bophuthatswana (1981) 549 St. Lucia (1983) 552 Leeward Islands (1981) 549Uganda (re-established 1981) 553 South West Africa/Nambia (1981) 550 Nepal (re-established 1982) 553 Tuvalu (1981) 550 The Mother Temple of the West, Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A 570 Architectural drawings of the Indian Temple Ñ Podium Level Key Plan and Main Building Section 573 Construction worker at Indian Temple site 581 The Mashriqu'l-Adhkar of the Indian subcontinent under construction; 1 December 1981 583 Construction work in progress; 19 April 1983 583 Architect's model of completed Temple 584 His Highness Malietoa Tanumaffli II visiting the Samoan Temple site at Apia, Western Samoa; 18 December 1981 587 Aerial view of the Samoan Temple under construction; 15 January 1983 587 Two views of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar of the Pacific Islands under construdlion 588 Stairs leading to the main rooms of the House of 'Abdu'llah PAshA 1983 608 [p19] Page 732 733 739 739 740 742 743 744 745 747 749 751 753 754 756 758 759 761 762 763 766 767 769 772 773 775 776 777 Mtihlschlegel, Adelbert Haney, Paul Edmond Olinga, Enoch Enoch Olinga with some members of his family Baha'i, Hasan M (Hasan M Baha'i) Mirza, Rahmatu'1ITh Faizi, Abu'1-Q~sim Gibson, Amoz Everett Leach, Bernard Pav6n, Clementina Mejfa de Pav6n, Segundo Eggleston, Helen Ober, Elizabeth Kidder Kidder, Alice G Hutchinson~Smith, Jean Ahmadpiir, Fu'~id Doktoro~1u, Sami Hokafonu, Mosese King, Melba M. Call Sombeek, Ludmila Van Furiighf, Riihu'IIAh Weeden, Gladys Anderson Raynor, Allan VujdAni, Baha Mr. Vujd~nf's last letter to his family P6llinger, Franz Rhein, Ottilie Sneider, Mabel Addle 1-lalabi, Husayn (1-lusayn R~tibu'1-Halabi) Wilks, Helen Hazel Ghobad, Isfandiyar (Isfandfy~tr Qub~id) Falkih, Muhammad 'Au Afn6n Chinniab, Inparaju Sala, Rosemary Hayden, Robert Giachery, Angeline Nodada, Cecilia Mkize Outhey, Jeannette Abbas, Kamil (K~mi1 'Abbas Rid~i) Blake, Cecilia King Allen, John William Fitzner, Sarah Florence Dhacoo, Louis Pierre Henri Stettler, Karl Donald Cookson, Alexe Mobedzadeh, Shah Bebram (Sh~ih Page 612Bahr~m Mi1ibidz~dih) 615Armstrong, Leonora Stirling 618Scherer, Loretta L Scherer, Carl A 635 Shepherd, Harold Kahaloa, Solomon 636 Vahdat, 'Ismat 652 Vargas, Pedro 659 1-lakim, Man6chihr 666 E1i~s, Subhi 670 Kempton, Honor 672 Labib, Muhammad 672 Suleimani, Ridvaniyyih (Ridv~niyyih 675 Su1am~ini) 678 Appa, Seewoosumbur Jeehoba 678 Beard, Frances 681 Rowling, Margaret 682 Vahdat, Yadu'Ikih 684 Ruggoo, Arthur Joseph Gustave 686 Morais, Kenneth Allan 688 Sombeek, Rita van Bleyswijk 689 Sandando, Yowane 691 Farhangi, Masih 693 Mustaf~, Muhammad 696 Lukmani, M. E. (Muhammad 699 Ibr6himjf LuqmLinf) Mkhize, Bertha 700 Kelsey, Olivia 701 Adiparvar, Hishmat 704 Hezari, Ardeshir (Ardishir Hiz~ri) 706 Edwards, Hermione Vera Keens-Douglas 707 Missaghiyeh, Abdul-Missagh 708 (~Abdu'1-Mfthaq Mithaqiyih) Mahmiidi Zhiniis NP mat 709 Baq~i, Shidrukh Arnir-Kiy6 711 Rarnan, Appu 712 Altass, Florence Elizabeth 713 Mavaddat, Nasrollah (Nasru'IlAh 716 Maviddat) 717 Rostampour, Ardeshir (Ardashfr 720 Rustarnp(izr) 722 Korean, Suliana Halaholo 722 Henseler, Julius 723 Joshi, Asanand Chagla 725 Nakhjav~ini, JaIA1 727 Schmidt, Eugen 728 Baker, Richard St. Barbe 729 Brechtefeld, Henry 730 Seep~, Lot Max Greeves, Lisbeth [p20] xx LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Blakely, Dudley Moore Mesbah, Amine (Amin'u'IHh Misb~ih Mesbab, Jeanne (Marie-Jeanne Irady Misb~h) Cobb, Stanwood Page 810 Kama1f-Sarvist~in(, Mirza Aq~i. Kh~n Lith, Jacob Eduard (Bab) van 813 Njang, Elizabeth Idang Kazemi (K~zimf), Sharon Rickey 813 Holley, Doris 815 Zonneveld, Arnold Part Six: Directory, Bibliography, Glossary The Mayor of La Paz, Bolivia, at the La Paz book fair; July 1981 Baha'i exhibit, International Book Fair, Frankfurt, Germany; October 1982 An example of Mishkin-Qalam's calligraphy Page 817 818 819 820 822 825 845 892 896 Part Seven: Literary and Musical Works Bernard Leach; July 1977 Kaushal Kishore Bhargava August Forel; 1924 The Times of London, 30 August 1980, reported the seizure of the members of the National Spiritual Assembly of fran Anna and August Rudd Some participants in the first Winter School of Sweden; December 1979 931 969 974 979 981 982 [p1] INTRODUCTION AIMS AND PURPOSES OF THE BAHA'I FAITH DAVID HOFMAN RELIGION has two objectives, the regeneration of men and the advancement of mankind. All men have been created to carry forward an ever advancing civilization proclaims Baha'u'llah, and The purpose of the one true God, exalted be His glory, in revealing Himself unto men is to lay bare those gems that lie hidden within the mine of their true and inmost selves. These aims of religion, universal and eternal, nevertheless have been conditioned to the capacities of each age or dispensation and the great religions of the past have developed their social orders within generally definable times and areas. Judaism, for instance, attained its peak under Solomon and was confined, before the dispersion, to the Near East; Zoroastrianism remained Persian until the Arab conquest and the settlement of a remnant in Western India; Christianity became the religion of European civilization; the building of the nation state undertaken by Isldm remained a Muslim experiment until feudal Europe learned the lesson and its city states gave way to and adopted the more advanced order. It has remained for the Baha'i religion to declare and promote the cause of world oider Ñ the sine qua non of its existence Ñ and to disclose the concomitant unities of religion, of mankind and of historical purpose. 'Unity of family, of tribe, of city-state, and nation have been successively attempted and fully established. World unity is the goal towards which a harassed humanity is striving. Nation-buiLding has come to an end. The anarchy inherent in state sovereignty is moving towards a climax. A world, growing to maturity, must abandon this fetish, recognize the oneness and wholeness of human relationships, and establish once for all the machinery that can best incarnate this fundamental principle of its life." Religion sees the course of history as an organic process, moving towards the full realization of all the potentialities implanted in man. The vicissitudes, the great advances, the hiatuses it regards as the natural unfoldment of that process just as the succession of bud, leaf, flower and fruit is the natural unfoldment in the life of a tree; or infancy, childhood, youth and maturity in that of a man. Indeed, Baha'i scripture explains, the process is the same. The sun is the effective agent in the organic life of the earth; r~Iigion in that of humanity. The Sun of Truth is the Word of God upon which depends the education of those who are endowed with the power of understanding and of utterance.2 The creative Word, revealed in each stage of human progress by a Manifestation of God, and conditioned to the requirements of the time, is the effective agent in the long, single process of humanity's development from infancy to World Order. This truth is enshrined in all revealed religion although it needs the illumination of Baha'u'llah's revelation to enable men to perceive it. 'The first picture presented in the Bible is that of human unity in its simplest form; that of a single fami1y~ The last picture is that of a unity manifold and universal in which all kindreds and tongues and peoples and nations are gathered into one and unified in the enjoyment of-a common worship, a common happiness, a common glory. 'The great problem which, according to the 'Shoghi Effendi, Guardian of the Baha'i Faith, The Unfoldment of World Civilization. 2 Baha'u'llah, Darydy-i-Ddni~Ji. I [p2] 2 THE BAHAI WOP~LD Bible, confronts the human race in its progress is that of advancing from the barest, baldest unity through a long experience of multiplying diversities till ultimately a balance between the two principles is struck, poise is gained and the two forces of variety and unity are blended in a multiple, highly developed world fellowship, the perfection of whose union was hardly suggested in the primitive simplicity of early man.'1 This spiritual view of evolution is the constant theme of religion. Each revelation refers to the past, looks forward to the future and concentrates upon the immediate need for spiritual regeneration and enlightenment. The Prophet evokes in human hearts a sacrificial love which transcends self-interest and causes the early believers to dedicate themselves entirely to the practice and diffusion of the new message. As it spreads it works like leaven in society, reforming its morals, uplifting its vision and promoting a greater diffusion of love in social action. 'World history at its core and in its essence is the story of the spiritual evolution of mankind. From this all other activities of man proceed and round it all other activities revolve.'2 Unlike the revelations of the past, the Baha'i revelation releases not only the creative Word necessary to the renewal of spiritual vitality in the human spirit, but embodies that divine energy in an administrative order capable of bringing within its shade all the diversified ethnic groups and myriad types of the human race, who may find within its wide embrace a full, happy and purposeful life. Baha'i activity therefore is directed not oniy, as in the past, to the spreading of the Word, but to the establishment of the fabric of that Order which, enshrined within the creative Word itself, becomes the chief instrument for the further diffusion and social application of the Divine Message. This World Order, which the Baha'i Faith'exists to establish, is none other than that long-promised Kingdom in which peace, justice and brotherhood shall prevail universally and 'the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.'3 The establishment of this World Order is dependent upon the regenera-'George Townshend, The Heart of the Gospel, 1939. 2 ibid. Habakkuk 2:14. tion of mankind which must turn again to God and recognize His purpose. The two aims of religion are, therefore, interacting and interdependent. Such a world-shaking transformation cannot be brought about by any movement of reform, however disinterested, nor by any unaided human effort. Modern man has turned away from God, and bereft of his traditional sanctions, has inevitably wrecked his old order which, in truth, is lamentably inadequate to modern conditions and is not susceptible of repair. Soon, is Baha'u'llah's prophetic view of our day, will the presentday order be rolled up, and a new one spread out in its stead. Likewise, The signs of impending convulsions and chaos can now be discerned, inasmuch as the prevailing order appears to be lamentably defective. The current aim of religion, embodied in the aims and purposes of the Baha'i Faith, is the promotion of the next stage in the organic process of human evolution Ñ the coming of age of the human race. The achievement of this maturity will be attested by the unification of mankind and the federation of the world in a single, all-embracing world society of human brotherhood. But great objectives are reached by dedicated pursuit of the preliminary and intermediate stages of the task, without ever losing sight of the ultimate goal, and this has been and is now the occupation of the Baha'i world community Ñ the completion within specified times of specified goals. These teaching plans to which the Baha'is eagerly devote their lives do far more than simply increase the size and consolidation of that world community. They are devised and launched by the head of the Faith Ñ the Guardian and now the Universal House of Justice Ñ and are therefore conceived from a global view, directed to the immediate needs of the great objective, conservative of the community's resources, worldwide in scale permitting the organic development of each part according to its stage of growth but with due regard for the needs of the whole, fostering intensively the unity, the international cooperation, the diversification of the ethnic, religious and social backgrounds of its increasing membership and developing new resources for the next step forward. It should be noted that none of these plans is isolated in aim or conception but all are directed towards the implementation of three [p3] I NT R 0 D U CT I ON 3 great charters, enshrined in Baha'i sacred Writings, which authorize and guide the expansion of the Faith and the development of its institutions. In past Dispensations the command to 'spread the Gospel' has been general and unspecified. It was the inspired guidance of the beloved Guardian of the Baha'i Faith which disclosed to a spiritually delighted and grateful community yet another of the unique features of this Dispensation in the specific guidance given in these three charters for the implementation of this eternal command. Baha'u'llah's Tablet of Carmel is the charter for the development of the Baha'i World Centre in the twin cities of 'Akka and Haifa, the site of its most sacred Shrines Ñ the tombs of the twin Prophets and of 'Abdu'l-Baha, the Centre of the Covenant Ñ its monuments and gardens, and of its 'world-shaking, world-embracing, world-directing administrative institutions'.1 The Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Baha is the charter for the development of the administrative order of the Faith. In this majestic document, the child of 'that mystic intercourse between Him Who communicated the generating influence of His divine Purpose and the One Who was its vehicle and chosen recipient,'2 are delineated the structure of the administrative order, its modus operandi, its main institutions, the chain of authority, the source of guidance and the position of every believer vis-&-vis the Covenant. It has been well called the 'Charter of the New World Order of Baha'u'llah'. The Tablets of the Divine Plan, a series of fourteen letters written by 'Abdu'l-Baha to the believers of the United States and Canada, some addressed to the entire company of believers in the North American continent and others to those in named geographical areas of that continent, constitute the charter for teaching the Faith throughout the world. 'Abdu'l-Baha names the places, the people to whom teachers must go, the conditions under which they must travel and settle and He reveals several prayers for those who undertake this all-important task. All the international plans of the Faith launched so far have set specitic goals aimed at 'Shoghi Effendi, The Spiritual Potencies of That Consecrated Spot. 2 Shoghi Effendi, The Dispensation of Baha'u'llah. implementing these three charters and it is incontrovertibly apparent that never in any preceding Dispensation has the command to spread the Word of God been given, in the sacred text, such explicit guidance and detailed objectives. As the Faith of Baha'u'llah increases in size and influence other aims and objectives become apparent and ~ossibIe of pursuit. The relationship with agencies, institutions and authorities of the nonBahA'i world becomes an important consideration once the community emerges from obscurity, and has led to public relations programmes and the development of closer association with the United Nations. The Baha'i International Community is accredited as a nongovernmental agency with consultative status to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and in various ways to other agencies of the United Nations. The fostering of this relationship has been the goal of all international plans so far, and is visualized as a continuing process. There are other objectives related to the special characteristics of Baha'i life which become more and more important as the Faith grows and engages greater and greater public attention. They affect Baha'i individuals, communities and institutions alike. These objectives fall into two groups Ñ those concerned specifically with standards of conduct and those which relate to special Baha'i practices. The standards of conduct enjoined by the Prophet are invariably different from and sometimes diametrically opposed to the generally accepted ones of His day. High standards of conduct are, throughout Baha'i scripture, constantly upheld and urged upon the believers, but the Guardian of the Faith in an essay written in 1938 addressed to the believers in the United States and Canada laid great stress upon the 'spiritual prerequisites. which constitute the bedrock on which all teaching plans... must ultimately rest. .'~ He writes of .... a high sense of moral rectitude in their social and administrative activities, absolute chastity in their individual lives, and complete freedom from prejudice in their dealings with peoples of a different race, class, creed or colour.'4 In his expansion of this theme he declared that 'This rectitude of conduct, with Shoghi Effendi, The Advent of Divine Justice. ibid. [p4] 4 THE BAHA WORLD its implications of justice, equity, truthfulness, honesty, fairmindedness, reliability, and trustworthiness, must distinguish every phase of the life of the Baha'i community." 'A chaste and holy life must be made the controlling principle in the behaviour and conduct of all Baha'is, both in their social relationships with the members of their own community, and in their contacts with the world at large.'2 'It requires total abstinence from all alcoholic drinks, from opium, and from similar habit-forming drugs. It condemns the prostitution of art and of literature, the practices of nudism and of corn-panionate marriage, infidelity in marital relationships, and all manner of promiscuity, of easy familiarity, and of sexual vices.'3 'As to racial prejudice, the corrosion of which, for well nigh a century, has bitten into the fibre, and attacked the whole social structure of American society, it should be regarded as constituting the most vital and challenging issue confronting the Baha'i community [of that country] at the present stage of its evolu-'4 tion. The regeneration of men Ñ the first objective of religion mentioned in this essay Ñ is therefore ~een as the prime objective of the Baha'i Faith. Membership in the Faith is drawn from that society which permits and indulges itself in all those corrupt, immoral and prejudiced activities which Baha'is are required to renounce, and since the Faith is steadily but persistently growing in numbers there is reason to hope that slowly but surely a regeneration will take place. Further, these Baha'i standards of conduct are not for individuals alone. They must be the hallmark of Baha'i institutions and communities. ~Such a rectitude of conduct,' wrote the Guardian, 'must manifest itself, with ever-increasing potency, in every verdict which the elected representatives of the Baha'i community, in whatever capacity they may find themselves, may be called upon to pronounce. It must be constantly reflected in the business dealings of all its members, in their domestic lives, in all manner of employment, and in any service they may, in the future, render their government or people.'5 'It must be made the hallmark of that numerically small, yet 'Shoghi Effendi, The Advent of Divine Jusuce. 2 ibid. ibid. 4ibid. ibid. intensely dynamic and highly responsible body of the elected national representatives of every Baha'i community, which constitutes the sustaining pillar, and the sole instrument for the election in every community, of that Universal House whose very name and title, as ordained by Baha'u'llah, symbolizes that rectitude of conduct which is its highest mission to safeguard and enforce.'6 The attitudes deriving from such standards, and from all' the varied teachings of Baha'u'llah, must pervade all Baha'i commu~1ities and imbue them with distinctive characteristics which can be recognized, amid the welter of opposing or mutually uninterested groups and factions into which modern society is disintegrating, as easily as the features of an individual in a crowd. Those special Baha'i practices which will inevitably characterize the Baha'i community, are the regular observances of its Holy Days and Festivals, the abstention from work on nine such days during the year, the observances by all members of the community of the annual fast, of the laws governing marriage and divorce, of daily prayer, of the invariable practice of consultation in all affairs of life, and particularly by the regular observance of the Nineteen Day Feast. The habitual practice of such laws and ordinances is an objective pursued by all Baha'is and Baha'i families. It is seen that the aims and purposes of the Baha'i Faith may be stated as the raising up of a worldwide community recruited from every race, nation, colour, religious and social background known on the planet, inspired, united and regenerated by the spiritual teachings and love of Baha'u'llah, dedicated to the building of that New World Order which 'may well be regarded as the brightest emanation'7 of His mind and is none other than the long hoped for, Christ-promised Kingdom of God on earth. To prepare men for the gifts of that Kingdom Ñ peace, brotherhood, spirituality Ñ and to raise its very fabric in the world, are the immediate and longtime objectives of the Baha'i Faith. The energies of the Baha'is therefore, in pursuance of these aims, flow in three major channels: individual spiritual development, 6 ibid. 'Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By, p. 213. [p5] INTRODUCTION 5 conveying the message of Baha'u'llah to others, and developing the pattern of world society embodied in the Baha'i administrative order. All these activities derive from the sacred text and it is the unique feature of the Baha'i revelation that whereas the first two are common to all revealed religions it is only Baha'u'llah Who creates the jnstitutions and reveals the Jaws, delineates the social order and establishes the principles of the civilization to which His revelation will give rise. Neither Moses nor Christ, Muhammad, Buddha, Zoroaster or Krishna did this, although They all foretold that it would be done by Him Who would take the government upon His shoulders and establish the Kingdom in peace and righteousness. None of the traditional motives operates to create the Baha'i community, neither former associations, political or economic identity of interest, racial or patriotic grouping. Only the recognition and love of Baha'u'llah brings into close relatedness and cooperative action peo-pie from every human background, of all types of character and personality, divergent and diversified interest. Through their brotherhood in Baha'u'llah the old crystallized forms of human divisiveness to which they formerly belonged, whether of class, race, religion, occupation, temperament or degree of civilization lose their rigidity and eventually disintegrate. The growing Baha'i community on the other hand is essentially based on love, is a brotherhood, a family, each member delighting in the diversity of its membership, welcoming the former pariah or outcast as a new flower in the garden, each as proud of his humanity as was ever the former chauvinist of his country. Within such a community the sun of Baha'u'llah's revelation can evoke new morals, new attitudes, new conventions, new hopes and visions, all enshrined within the text of the revelation itself and which provide the spiritual atmosphere and distinctive culture of the new day. Such a community, as it grows, becomes more and more a true social order, providing a soil to human life, a climate for its best development, an arena for the practice of its highest aspirations, and a beacon light to attract and guide the disillusioned, spiritually impoverished, frenetic and frustrated peoples of the earth. The energies of this new culture, guided and conserved to the service of human welfare by the agencies of Baha'u'llah's World Order will result in the proliferation of new arts and sciences, new social and economic relationships, new educational methods and a general accession of wellbeing and felicity. The vision of the Baha'i Faith, though glorious, is a practical one, and the number of its dedicated promoters grows with increasing speed. It is summarized in the following words by the Guardian of the Baha'i Faith in his essay The Unfoldment of World Civilization: 'The unity of the human race, as envisaged by Baha'u'llah, implies the establishment of a world commonwealth in which all nations, races, creeds and classes are closely and permanently united, and in which the autonomy of its state members and the personal freedom and initiative of the individuals that compose them are definitely and completely safeguarded. This commonwealth must, as far as we can visualize it, consist of a world legislature, whose members will, as the trustees of the whole of mankind, ultimately control the entire resources of all the component nations, and will enact such laws as shall be required to regulate the life, satisfy the needs and adjust the relationships of all races and peoples. A world executive, backed by an international Force, will carry out the decisions arrived at, and apply the laws enacted by, this world legislature, and will safeguard the organic unity of the whole commonwealth. A wor!d tribunal will adjudicate and deliver its compulsory and final verdict in all and any disputes that may arise between the various elements constituting this universal system. A mechanism of world intercommunication will be devised, embracing the whole planet, freed from national hindrances and restrictions, and functioning with marvellous swiftness and perfect regularity. A world metropolis will act as the nerve centre of a world civilization, the focus toward& which the unifying forces of life will converge and from which its energizing influences will radiate. A world language will either be invented or chosen from among the existing languages and will be taught in the schools of all the federated nations as an auxiliary to their mother tongue. A world script, a world literature, a uniform and universal system of currency, of weights and measures,.will simplify and facilitate intercourse and under [p6] 6 THE BAHA'! WORLD standing among the nations and races of mankind. In such a world society, science and religion, the two most potent forces in human life, will be reconciled, will cooperate, and will harmoniously develop. The press will, under such a system, while giving full scope to the expression of the diversified views and convictions of mankind, cease to be mischievously manipulated by vested interests, whether private or public, and will be liberated from the influence of contending governments and peo-pies. The economic resources of the world will be organized, its sources of raw materials will be tapped and fully utilized, its markets will be coordinated and developed, and the distribution of its products will be equitably regulated. 'National rivalries, hatred, and intrigues will cease, and racial animosity and prejudice will be replaced by racial amity, understanding and cooperation. The causes of religious strife will be permanently removed, economic barriers and restrictions will be completely abolished, and the inordinate distinction between classes will be obliterated. Destitution on the one hand, and gross accumulation of ownership on the other, will disappear. The enormous energy dissipated and wasted on war, whether economic or political, will be consecrated to such ends as will extend the range of human inventions and technical development, to the increase of the productivity of mankind, to the extermination of disease, to the extension of scientific research, to the raising of the standard of physical health, to the sharpening and refinement of the human brain, to the exploitation of the unused and unsuspected resources of the planet, to the prolongation of human Life, and to the furtherance of any other agency that can stimulate the intellectual, the moral, and spiritual life of the entire human race. 'A world federal system, ruling the whole earth and exercising unchallengeable authority over its unimaginably vast resources, blending and embodying the ideals of both the East and the West, liberated from the curse of war and its miseries, and bent on the exploitation of all the available sources of energy on the surface of the planet, a system in which Force is made the servant of Justice, whose life is sustained by its universal recognition of one God and by its allegiance to one common Revelation Ñ such is the goal towards which humanity, impelled by the unifying forces of life, is moving.' [p7] PART ONE THE BAHA'I REVELATION [p8] [p9] EXCERPTS FROM THE BAHA'I SACRED WRITINGS 1. BAHA'U'LLAH Excerpts from Fire and Light1 ALL praise be to God Who, from every drop of blood shed by His chosen ones, hath brought forth a vast creation whose number none but Himself can reckon. He hath raised them to be the embodiments of His love and the manifestations of His tender affection. It is they who are the hands of His Cause amongst men. It is they who have rendered aid unto God in every age and have arisen to promote that which He bath purposed in such wise that the majesty of the kings and their dreadful might have failed to affright them, nor have they been hindered from following the path of truth by the clash of arms and the furious clamour of battalions. They have raised their triumphal cry amidst all that dwell in the heavens and on the earth, summoning everyone unto the Lord of all mankind, He Who is the Ruler of this world and of the next, the God of the throne on high and of the earth below. He is God Ñ Blessed and Exalted is He ALL praise unto the Almighty the Sanctified Ñ glorified be His power Ñ Who hath ordained that the tyranny of the unjust and the violence of the oppressors should become the means whereby the true lovers draw nigh unto the glorious habitation of the Best All but No. XI are excerpts translated by Mr. Habib Taherzadeh, with the assistance of a Committee at the Baha World Centre, from Fire and Light [Ndr va Nan (Hofheim-Langenhain: Baha'i Verlag, 1982), a compilation from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, 'Abdu'l-Baha and Shoghi Effendi. Beloved and the sincere among His servants attain the Paradise of communion with Him Who is the Desire of all men, and that sufferings and tribulations should serve as the instrument whereby His Word of command is spread abroad and the standards of His praise are unfurled in all regions. How great is His transcendent power, how immensely exalted His all-embracing Will, inasmuch as He produceth light from fire and joy from sorrow. They that are sunk in heedlessness fondly imagine that massacre and crucifixion cause the fire of the Word of God to be extinguished, and regard martyrdom as a devastating injury. They are utterly oblivious of the truth that through such afflictions the Cause of God is exalted, its fame is blazoned far and wide, and the martyrs themselves are enabled to attain the boundless retreats of nearness unto God. Immeasurably exalted is the Lord of Wisdom who doeth that which He willeth and ordaineth whatsoever He pleaseth. III In the Name of the Loving Friend 0 MOTHER! Grieve not over the loss of thy son; rather pride thyself therein. Indeed this is an occasion for gladness and rejoicing, not for despondency and sorrow. I swear by the DayStar of the morn of Truth that thy son hath attained a station such as no pen can depict, nor words adequately describe. His habitation is the realm on high, his associates and companions are sanctified and detached souls, and his sustenance the 9 [p10] 10 THE BAHA'! WORLD imperishable and hidden blessings of the Lord. In truth were that lofty and glorious station to be revealed to an extent smaller than a needle's eye before the eyes of them that dwell on earth, they would, one and all, be so filled with joy and ecstasy as to be consumed thereby. Therefore think not that he hath perished. Indeed he will endure in the heavenly kingdom as long as God Himself endureth. And this calleth for gratitude, not grieving. When he findeth that thou art happy he becometh more cheerful, but when he perceiveth that thou art disconsolate, this provoketh anguish in his heart. Busy thyself in the remembrance of God and unloose thy tongue in celebrating His praise with utmost joy and radiance. God, the Exalted, the True is with thee. He is kinder than a father and more compassionate than a son. Call thou to mind the episode of the land of Taf (Karbil6), when a mother sent forth her son who laid down his life in the path of the Beloved. This Day is the king of days. It behoveth thee to show forth such deeds as will distinguish thee from the women of a bygone age. Such beseemeth the servants and maidservants of God. Be thou resigned to His good-pleasure and seek communion with Him. At this moment the entire company of the Concourse on high are engaged in extolling the virtues of thy son and in acclaiming his attributes. If thou couldst hear, thou wouldst, in thy longing, wing thy flight unto God, the Incomparable, the All-Informed. The day is not far distant when all the dwellers of the earth will magnify his praise and seek blessings from his dust. Verily incalculable is the bounty of thy Lord. Seize thy chance and be of them that endure with patience. NOTHING hath ever happened nor will happen without a cause or effect. Reflect a while and consider how vast the number of the people that have perished, how numerous the cities and towns that have been reduced to dust and now appear as a level plain. Such is their plight now and only God knoweth the future and that which will come to pass. Think not that in this turmoil the friends of God have perished by the sword of the oppressors. I swear by the DayStar of the Kingdom of truth that any of the Loved ones of God that hath quaffed the cup of martyrdom during that episode hath ascended unto the realms above and doth abide securely beneath the canopy of the tender mercy of God. Indeed if those sublime stations were unveiled before the gaze of men, even to the extent of a needle's eye, everyone would raise his voice and exclaim: 'Would that I had been with him!' And if any of the friends halt suffered a material loss, such a loss is and will always be a perfect gain. The people of Baha enjoy utmost benefits, at all times. If at some time or other, according to the dictates of God's inscrutable wisdom, one should incur a certain loss, let not this cause distress. Surely God will glorify it into a gift of inestimable gain. Verily, He is the Lord of Truth, the Powerful, the Knowing, the Wise. 'You should exhort all the friends to patience, to acquiescence, and to tranquillity, saying: 0 ye loved ones of God in that land! Ye are glorified in all the worlds of God because of your relationship to Him Who is the Eternal Truth, but in your lives on this earthly plane, which pass away as a fleeting moment, ye are inflicted with abasement. For the sake of the One True God, ye have been reviled and persecuted, ye have been imprisoned, and surrendered your lives in His path. Ye should not, however, by reason of the tyrannical acts of some heedless souls, transgress the limits of God's commandments by contending with anyone. Whatever hath befallen you, hath been for the sake of God. This is the truth, and in this there is no doubt. You should, therefore, leave all your affairs in His Hands, place your trust in Him, and rely upon Him. He will assuredly not forsake you. In this, likewise, there is no doubt. No father will surrender his Sons to devouring beasts; no shepherd will leave his flock to ravening wolves. He will most certainly do his utmost to protect his own. If, however, for a few days, in compliance with God's all-encompassing wisdom, outward affairs should run their course contrary to one's cherished desire, this is of no consequence and should not matter. Our intent is that all the friends should fix their gaze on the [p11] THE BAHA'I REVELATION 11 Supreme Horizon, and cling to that which hath been revealed in the Tablets. They should strictly avoid sedition, and refrain from treading the path of dissension and strife. They should champion their One True God, exalted be He, through the hosts of forbearance, of submission, of an upright character, of goodly deeds, and of the choicest and most refined words. THEY that yearn for the abode of the Beloved, they that circle round the sanctuary of the Desired One, are not apprehensive of trials and adversities, nor do they flee away from that which is ordained by God. They receive their portion from the ocean of resignation and drink their fill from the soft-flowing stream of His mercy. They would not surrender the good-pleasure of the Friend in exchange for the kingdom of both worlds, nor would they barter that which the Well-Beloved hath decreed in return for dominion over the realms of the infinite. They would eagerly drink the venom of wbe as if it were the water of life and would drain deadly poison to its bitter dregs just as a sweet and life-giving draught. In the arid wastes of desolation they are stirred with enthusiasm through the remembrance of the Friend, and in the dreary wilds of adversity they are eager and impatient to offer themselves as a sacri-flee. Unhesitatingly have they renounced their lives and directed their steps towards the abode of the Best Beloved. They have closed their eyes to the world and fixed their gaze upon the beauteous countenance of the Friend, cherishing no desire but the presence of the loved One and seeking no attainment save reunion with Him. They fly with the feathers of trust in God, and soar with the wings of adherence unto His Will. In their estimation a bloodshedding blade is more desirable than finest silk and a piercing dart more acceptable than mother's milk. 'High-spirited souls by the myriad are deemed necessary in this path, To lay down a hundred lives with every fleeting breath.' It behoveth us to kiss the hand of the wouldbe assassin and to set out, dancing, on our way to the habitation of the Friend. How indescribably pleasant is that hour, how immeasurably sweet that moment when the inmost spirit is intent upon sacrificing itself, when the tabernacle of fidelity is hastening to attain the heights of self-surrender! With necks laid bare, we yearn for the stroke of the ruthless sword wielded by the hand of the Beloved. With breasts aglow with light, we eagerly await the dart of His decree. Contemptuous of name, we have detached ourselves from all else but Him, we shall not run away, we shall not endeavour to repel the stranger, we pray for calamity, that thereby we may soar 'into the sublime heights of the spirit, seek shelter beneath the shade of the tree of reunion, attain the highest stations of love, and drink our fill from the wondrous wine of everlasting communion with Him. Surely we will not forfeit this imperishable dominion, nor will we forgo this incomparable blessing. If hidden beneath the dust, we shall rear our heads from the bosom of the tender mercy of the Lord of mankind. No trial can suppress these companions, no mortal feet can traverse this journey, nor can any veil obscure this countenance. Yea, it is clear and evident that in view of the multitudes of internal and external opponents who have raised the standards of opposition, who have girded the loins of endeavour to eliminate these poor creatures, it standeth to reason that one should turn away from them and flee from this land, nay, from the face of the earth. However, through the lovingkindness of God and by the aid of His invisible confirmations, we are as radiant as the sun and as shining as the moon. We are established upon the throne of tranquillity and seated upon the couch of fortitude. Of what importance is the shipwreck to the fish of the spirit? What doth a soul celestial care if the physical frame is destroyed? Indeed this body is for it a prison; and the ship but a place of confinement to the fish. What else but a nightingale can understand a Nightingale's melody and who else but the intimate friend can recognize the familiar voice of the Friend? VII THE majesty and glory of the Cause are as great as its trials and afflictions are intense. However, trials and afflictions are scarce noticed in this day, inasmuch as the heaven of [p12] 12 THE BAHA'I WORLD divine bounty is uplifted and the ocean of His loving kindness is manifest. If on the one hand cups of bitter woe and suffering are seen, on the other He Who is the AbhA Beauty is proferring, with His Own hand that hath turned white, the chalice of everlasting life. Though the croaking of the Raven is loud, the river of His choice wine is streaming forth. In one of the Tablets the following utterances were sent down by the Revealer of Verses Ñ glorified and exalted be His Words: Say, 0 ye chosen of the one true God! Let not the censure of the froward, nor the denunciations uttered by them that have repudiated His Cause, grieve you; inasmuch as such acts of opposition have, from time immemorial, served as clear proofs of the truth of Him Who is the True One Ñ magnified be His glory. Therefore should ye hear an unseemly word from an ignorant, foolish or negligent soul, be sure that it can never do harm, for the day is not far distant when such persons and whatsoever pertain-eth unto them will have passed away, whereas ye yourselves have been honoured in this day to drink your fill from the living waters of the holy utterances revealed by the All-Merciful and to hearken unto the words: 'Ye are of My company.' Thereupon one of the favoured angels that are nigh unto God and circle round His throne uttered this supplication: '0 my Lord and my Master! 0 my Desired One and my Best Beloved! 0 Thou who art the Beloved of all that are in the heavens and on the earth! I beseech Thee to grant, from the ocean of Thy bounty and the daystar of Thy heavenly grace, that I may be cursed, reviled and denounced a myriad times for the sake of Thy love, that these ears of mine may but once be blessed by hearing Thy sweet words: "Verily thou art of the people of Most of the people of the earth have turned away from the one true God and failed to take their portion from the ocean of divine knowledge. They have ascribed and will continue to ascribe unto Him that which hath caused the inmates of the all-highest Paradise as well as the Prophets and Messengers of God to weep sore and wail. This is not the first divine Revelation that hath been manifested in the world. They that are the chosen ones of God should at all times and under all conditions dedicate themselves assiduously to the service of His Cause. Rumi' Ñ upon him be the mercy of God Ñ saith: 'the moon sheddeth light while the dog howleth.' It behoveth everyone to have the utmost regard for the reformation of the world and for that which beseemeth man's sublime station. However, should the continued existence of anyone be detrimental to the interests of the Cause of God, the Almighty will undoubtedly lay hold on him as He hath in the past. No one hath fathomed nor can fathom His transcendent wisdom. VIII A. PRAISE, exalted above every conception that pen and ink can portray, beseemeth the sublime, the ever-blessed court of the Well-Beloved Who hath initiated the people of Baha into the school of adversity and directed their steps towards the realm of immortality. Glorified, immensely glorified is the omnipotent Lord Who hath made blood as a means to cause the trees of the exalted Paradise to grow and burst forth, and Who hath ordained that trials and afflictions, though bitter and agonizing, should prove sweeter than sugar to the taste of His loved ones. So strong are the bonds of love for this Well-Beloved that adversities and tribulations have been and will ever be powerless to deflect His ardent lovers from treading His Path. I swear by Him Who is Our Beloved and your Beloved, that if one's life be not offered up in His path, it would not be worth even as much as a mustard seed, and if one's inmost being were not Laid down at His feet, it would appear more abject and insignificant than a pebble. However, none but the divine Assayers are able to recognize this gem. In truth, when bereft of vision, what advantage would one gain by entering into the all-highest Paradise? If destitute of hearing, what can one perceive by drawing close unto the celestial Tree of Blessedness? The Assayers of these priceless gems are such souls unto whom the following tribute is paid: 'They that speak not till He hath spoken and act according to His commandment.'2 Likewise He saith: 'They 1 Jalalud-Din Rjimi (AD 1207 Ñ 1273), Persian Stiff poet. 2 Qur'an 21:27 [p13] TEE BAHA'I REVELATION 13 whom neither merchandise nor traffic beguile from the remembrance of the Almighty.'1 Is it fondly imagined that death shall not overtake everyone? Nay, by God! 'Every soul shall taste of death.'2 Such being the case, it would certainly be far better and more fitting if this mortal life were offered up in the path of the Beloved, and sacrificed for the sake of Him Who is the ultimate Desire of all men. Nay, I beg forgiveness of God for this assertion, inasmuch as this sacrifice would be a myriad times more preferable and fitting. Even for this assertion, I once again implore pardon of God. I earnestly hope and pray that the one true God Ñ magnified be His glory Ñ may graciously brighten the eyes of all men with the collyrium of His knowledge, that they may be enabled to discern with both their inner and outer eyes that which the victims of evil passions and corrupt desires are debarred from seeing and recognizing. Salutation and praise rest upon them that have not been kept back by any transitory thing whatever, nor have been alarmed by the violent commotions provoked by the people of the earth Ñ such people as are immersed in the pursuit of earthly vanities and have been deluded by the gay livery of the world, in such wise that they have cast the Cause of God behind their backs. The day is fast approaching when He will have rolled up their domain and spread out a new one in its stead. Verily, He is the One, the Peerless, the Powerful, the Invincible, the Almighty. IF occasionally, in accordance with the exigencies of God's consummate wisdom, an untoward incident should befall the friends, it would undoubtedly serve as a means whereby divine gifts and heaven-sent bounties will be vouchsafed unto them. Ponder thou upon the tragic episode that hath transpired in the land of YA (Yazd). I swear by My life, every single event associated therewith hath led to the exaltation of the Word of God and the advancement of His Cause. Indeed whatsoever doth happen during the days of the Manifestation of God, though to outward seeming it is but grievous abasement, there lieth concealed ibid. 24:37 2 ibid. 3:184 within it incalculable glory and honour; and though it appeareth as dire torment, in reality a myriad blessings are enshrined therein. If those that have erred grievously were aware of the hidden mysteries of martyrdom, they would in no wise commit such deeds. However, God hath caused them to be tongue-tied and bereft of sight, with their minds and power of perception reduced to naught, in such wise that they deem a priceless benefit a grievous loss. With their own hands they help the Cause of God, though they themselves are wholly unconscious of it. Verily God would at one time render His Cause victorious through the aid of His enemies and at another by virtue of the assistance of His chosen ones. Concerning those pure and blessed souls, Our Pen of Glory hath revealed that which excelleth the whole world, its treasures and whatsoever existeth therein. Ere long shall the heedless and the doers of wickedness be repaid for that which their hands have wrought. THE people of the world have grievously erred, for they fondly imagine that they can exterminate the Cause of God, that they would be able to extinguish His effulgent light, and to put out His heavenly lamps. Vain indeed are their imaginings. I swear by the righteousness of God that the more they endeavour to quench His Light, the brighter will it shine, and the more they strive to smother its flame, the fiercer will it burn. God's invincible Will far transcendeth their devices, and His Purpose is supreme above all human desires, inasmuch as all that is in the heavens and all that is on the earth have been called into being through a single holy breeze Ñ the Word of His command Ñ wafted from His presence, and all shall be brought to naught through but one letter of His. From time immemorial He hath been established upon the seat of His sovereignty and through eternity will He continue to occupy the inaccessible heights of His glory. Every created thing is impotent before the evidences of His invincible might, and all beings fade into utter nothingness when confronted with the revelation of His awesome majesty. The eyes of His loved ones have always wept sore, while His enemies have rejoiced [p14] THE BAHA'I WORLD and made merry by reason of their heedlessness. However, that weeping was followed by a myriad blessings and this jubilation by grievous retribution. Ere long the fruits of these two shall appear from the tree of His irrevocable Decree. Therefore how justifiably proud must be the eye which is worthy of shedding tears and how great the felicity of the neck that is fit to be ensnared in the noose of the Friend. o GOD, my God! Thou seest Thy loved ones turning their hearts to Thee, and holding fast unto the cord of Thy ordinances and laws. I beseech Thee by the waves of the sea of Thine utterance, and by Him through whom Thou didst adorn the heavens of Thy might, to graciously protect them, by the aid of Thy hosts. 0 God! Thou beholdest Thy lovers in fran in the clutches of hate and enmity. I beg of Thee, by Thy mercy which hath preceded the contingent world, to raise up from the earth those who will be moved to aid and protect them, and to preserve their xights and the restitution due to them by those who broke Thy Covenant and Testament, and perpetrated such acts as made the inmates of the cities of Thy justice and equity to lament. Thou art, verily, the All-Powerful, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. [p15] THE BAHA'I REVELATION 15 2~ THE Bab Excerpts from Selections from the Writings of the BTh1 THE substance wherewith God hath created Me is not the clay out of which others have been formed. He hath conferred upon Me that which the worldly-wise can never comprehend, nor the faithful discover I am one of the sustaining pillars of the Primal Word of God. Whosoever hath recognized Me, bath known all that is true and right, and hat attained all that is good and seemly; and whosoever hath failed to recognize Me, hath turned away from all that is true and right and hath succumbed to everything evil and unseemly. I swear by the righteousness of Thy Lord, the Lord of all created things, the Lord of all the worlds! Were a man to rear in this world as many edifices as possible and worship God through every virtuous deed which God's knowledge embraceth, and attain the presence of the Lord, and were he, even to a measure less than that which is accountable before God, to bear in his heart a trace of malice towards Me, all his deeds would be reduced to naught and he would be deprived of the glances of God's favour, become the object of His wrath and assuredly perish. For God hath ordained that all the good things which lie in the treasury of His knowledge shall be attained through obedience unto Me, and every fire recorded in His Book, through disobedience unto Me. Methinks in this day and from this station I behold all those who cherish My love and follow My behest abiding within the mansions of Paradise, and the entire company of Mine adversaries consigned to the lowest depths of hellfire I SWEAR by the Most Great Lord! Wert thou2 to be told in what place I dwell, the first person to have mercy on Me would be thyself. In the heart of a mountain is a fortress [MAka] • the inmates of which are confined to two Baha'i World Centre, Haifa, 1976. 2 Muhammad ShAh, to whom this Tablet was addressed. guards and four dogs. Picture, then, My plight •I swear by the truth of God! Were he who hath been willing to treat Me in such a manner to know Who it is Whom he hath so treated, he, verily, would never in his life be happy. Nay Ñ I, verily, acquaint thee with the truth of the matter Ñ it is as if he hath imprisoned all the Prophets, and all the men of truth and all the chosen ones When this decree was made known unto Me, I wrote to him who administereth the affairs of the kingdom, saying: 'Put Me to death, I adjure thee by God, and send My head wherever thou pleasest. For surely an innocent person such as I, cannot reconcile himself to being consigned to a place reserved for criminals and let his life continue.' My plea remained unanswered. Evidently His Excellency the H6ji, is not fully aware of the truth of our Cause. It would be far more heinous a deed to sadden the hearts of the faithful, whether men or women, than to lay waste the sacred House of God. Verily, the One True God beareth Me witness that in this Day I am the true mystic Fane of God, and the Essence of all good. He who doeth good unto Me, it is as if he doeth good unto God, His angels and the entire company of His loved ones. He~ who doeth evil unto Me, it is as if he doeth evil unto God and His chosen ones. Nay, too exalted is the station of God and of His loved ones for any person's good or evil deed to reach their holy threshold. Whatever reacheth Me is ordained to reach Me; and that which hath come unto Me, to him who giveth will it revert. By the One in Whose hand is My soul, he hath cast no one but himself into prison. For assuredly whatsoever God hath decreed for Me shall come to pass and naught else save that which God hath.ordained for us shall ever touch us. Woe betide him from whose hands floweth evil, and blessed the man from whose hands floweth good. Unto no one do I take My plaint save to God; for He is the best of judges. Every state of adversity or bliss is from Him alone, and He is the All-Powerful, the Almighty [p16] 16 THE BAHA'I WORLD III 0 PEOPLES of the earth! Verily the resplendent Light of God hath appeared in your midst, invested with this unerring Book, that ye may be guided aright to the ways of peace and, by the leave of God, step out of the darkness into the light and onto this far-extended Path of Truth. Chapter LXII, Qayydmu'l-Asmd. CONSIDER the manifold favours vouchsafed by the Promised One, and the effusions of His bounty which have pervaded the concourse of the followers of IslAm to enable them to attain unto salvation. Indeed observe how He Who representeth the origin of creation, He Who is the Exponent of the verse, 'I, in very truth, am God', identified Himself as the Gate [B~b] for the advent of the promised Q6'im, a descendant of Muhammad, and in His first Book enjoined the observance of the laws of the Qur'an, so that the people might not be seized with perturbation by reason of a new Book and a new Revelation and might regard His Faith as similar to their own, perchance they would not turn away from the Truth and ignore the thing for which they had been called into being. THOU seest, 0 my Lord, my dwelling-place in the heart of this mountain and Thou dost witness my forbearance. Verily I have desired naught else but Thy love and the love of those who love Thee. How can I extol the effulgent beauty of Thy Lordship, conscious as I am of my nothingness before the habitation of Thy glory? Yet the sorrow of solitude and loneliness prompteth me to invoke Thee through this prayer, perchance Thy trusted servants may become aware of my lamentations, may supplicate unto Thee on my behalf, and Thou wouldst graciously answer their prayers as a token of Thy grace and Thy favour. I bear witness that there is no God but Thee, inasmuch as Thou art invested with sovereignty, grandeur, glory and power which no one among Thy servants can visualize or comprehend. Indeed Thou shalt, by virtue of that which is inherent in Thine Essence, ever remain inscrutable unto all except Thyself. Is there any Remover of difficulties save God? Say: Praised be God! He is God! All are His servants and all abide by His bidding! VII He is God, the Sovereign Lord, the All-Glorious SAY: Praise be to God Who graciously enableth whomsoever He willeth to adore Him. Verily no God is there but Him. His are the most excellent titles; it is He Who causeth His Word to be fulfilled as He pleaseth and it is He Who leadeth those who have received illumination and seek the way of righteousness. Fear thou God, thy Lord, and ffiake mention of His Name in the daytime and at eventide. Follow not the promptings of the faithless, lest thou be reckoned among the exponents of idle fancies. Faithfully obey the Primal Point Who is the Lord Himself, and be of the righteous. Let nothing cause thee to be sore shaken, neither let the things which have been destined to take place in this Cause disturb thee. Strive earnestly for the sake of God and walk in the path of righteousness. Shouldst thou encounter the unbelievers, place thy whole trust in God, thy Lord, saying, Sufficient is God unto me in the kingdoms of both this world and the next. The Day is approaching when God shall bring the faithful together. In truth no God is there other than Him. May the peace of God be with those who have been guided aright through the power of divine guidance. VIII 0 LORD! Render victorious Thy forbearing servants in Thy days by granting them a befitting victory, inasmuch as they have sought martyrdom in Thy path. Send down upon them that which will bring comfort to their minds, will rejoice their inner beings, will impart assurance to their hearts and tranquillity to their bodies and will enable their souls to ascend to the presence of God, the Most Exalted, and to attain the supreme Paradise [p17] THE BAHA'I REVELATION 17 and such retreats of glory as Thou hast destined for men of true knowledge and virtue. Verily Thou knowest all things, while we are but Thy servants, Thy thralls, Thy bondsmen and Thy poor ones. No Lord but Thee do we invoke, 0 God our Lord, nor do we implore blessings or grace from anyone but Thee, 0 Thou Who art the God of mercy unto this world and the next. We are but the embodiments of poverty, of nothingness, of helplessness and of perdition, while Thy whole Being betokeneth wealth, independence, glory, majesty and boundless grace. Turn our recompense, 0 Lord, into that which well beseemeth Thee of the good of this world and of the next, and of the manifold bounties which extend from on high down to the earth below. Verily Thou art our Lord and the Lord of all things. Into Thy hands do we surrender ourselves, yearning for the things that pertain unto Thee. GLORY be unto Thee, 0 Lord! Although Thou mayest cause a person to be destitute of all earthly possessions, and from the begin-fling of his life until his ascension unto Thee he may be reduced to poverty through the operation of Thy decree, yet wert Thou to have brought him forth from the Tree of Thy love, such a bounty would indeed be far better for him than all the things Thou hast created in heaven and earth and whatsoever lieth between them; inasmuch as he will inherit the heavenly home, through the revelation of Thy favours, and will partake of the goodly gifts Thou hast provided therein; for the things which are with Thee are inexhaustible. This indeed is Thy blessing which according to the good-pleasure of Thy Will Thou dost bestow on those who tread the path of Thy love. How numerous the souls who in former times were put to death for Thy sake, and in whose names all men now pride themselves; and how vast the number of those whom Thou didst enable to acquire earthly fortunes, and who amassed them while they were deprived of Thy Truth, and who in this day have passed into oblivion. Theirs is a grievous chastisement and a dire punishment. 0 Lord! Provide for the speedy growth of the Tree of Thy divine Unity; water it then, 0 Lord, with the flowing waters of Thy good-pleasure, and cause it, before the revelations of Thy divine assurance, to yield such fruits as Thou desirest for Thy glorification and exaltation, Thy praise and thanksgiving, and to magnify Thy Name, to laud the oneness of Thine Essence and to offer adoration unto Thee, inasmuch as all this lieth within Thy grasp and in that of none other. Great is the blessedness of those whose blood Thou hast chosen wherewith to water the Tree of Thine affirmation, and thus to exalt Thy holy and immutable Word. Ordain for me, 0 my Lord, and for those who believe in Thee that which is deemed best for us in Thine estimation, as set forth in the Mother Book, for within the grasp of Thy hand Thou boldest the determined measures of all things TRUE death is realized when a person clieth to himself at the time of His Revelation in such wise that he seeketh naught except Him. • God sent forth His Prophet Muhammad, on that day the termination of the prophetic cycle was foreordained in the knowledge of God. Yea, that promise hath indeed come true and the decree of God hath been accomplished as He bath ordained. Assuredly we are today living in the Days of God. These are the glorious days on the like of which the sun hath never risen in the past. These are the days which the people in bygone times eagerly expected. What hath then befallen you that ye are fast asleep? These are the days wherein God hath caused the DayStar of Truth to shine resplendent. What hath then caused you to keep your silence? These are the appointed days which ye have been yearningly awaiting in the past Ñ the days of the advent of divine justice. Render ye thanks unto God, 0 ye concourse of believers. Let not the deeds of those who reject the Truth shut you out as by a veil. Such people have warrant over your bodies only, and God hath not reposed in them power over your spirits, your souls and your hearts. Fear ye [p18] 18 THE BAHA'I WORLD God that haply it may be well with you. All things have been created for your sakes, and for the sake of naught else hath your creation been ordained. Fear ye God and take heed lest forms and apparels debar you from recognizing Him. Render ye thanksgiving unto God that perchance He may deal mercifully with you. This mortal life is sure to perish; its pleasures are bound to fade away and ere long ye shall return unto God, distressed with pangs of remorse, for presently ye shall be roused from your slumber, and ye shall soon find yourselves in the presence of God and will be asked of your doings These verses, clear and conclusive, are a token of the mercy of thy Lord and a source of guidance for all mankind. They are a light unto those who believe in them and a fire of afflictive torment for those who turn away and reject them. XII LAUDED be Thy Name, 0 Lord our God! Thou art in truth the Knower of things unseen. Ordain for us such good as Thine all-embracing knowledge can measure. Thou art the sovereign Lord, the Almighty, the Best Beloved. All praise be unto Thee, 0 Lord! We shall seek Thy grace on the appointed Day and shall put our whole reliance in Thee, Who art our Lord. Glorified art Thou, 0 God! Grant us that which is good and seemly that we may be able to dispense with everything but Thee. Verily Thou art the Lord of all worlds. 0 God! Recompense those who endure patiently in Thy days and, strengthen their hearts to walk undeviatingly in the path of Truth. Grant then, 0 Lord, such goodly gifts as would enable them to gain admittance into Thy blissful Paradise. Exalted art Thou, 0 Lord God. Let Thy heavenly blessings descend upon homes whose inmates have believed in Thee. Verily, unsurpassed art Thou in sending down divine blessings. Send forth, 0 God, such hosts as would render Thy faithful servants victorious. Thou dost fashion the created things through the power of Thy decree as Thou pleasest. Thou art in truth the Sovereign, the Creator, the All-Wise. Say: God is indeed the Maker of all things. He giveth sustenance in plenty to whomsoever He willeth. He is the Creator, the Source of alP beings, the Fashioner, the Almighty, the Maker, the All-Wise. He is the Bearer of the most excellent titles throughout the heavens and the earth and whatever lieth between them. All do His bidding, and all the dwellers of earth and heaven celebrate His praise, and unto Him shall all return. XIII How numerous the souls raised to life who were exposed to dire humiliation in Thy Path for exalting Thy Word and for glorifying Thy divine Unity! How profuse the blood that bath been shed for the sake of Thy Faith to vindicate the authenticity of Thy divine Mission and to celebrate Thy praise! How vast the possessions that were wrongfully seized in the Path of Thy love in order to affirm the loftiness of Thy sanctity and to extol Thy glorious Name! How many the feet that have trodden upon the dust in order to magnify Thy holy Word and to extol Thy glory! How innumerable the voices that were raised in lamentation, the hearts that were struck with terror, the grievous woes that none other than Thee can reckon, and the adversities and afflictions that remain inscrutable to anyone except Thyself; all this to establish, 0 my God, the loftiness of Thy sanctity and to demonstrate the transcendent character of Thy glory. These decrees were ordained by Thee so that all created things might bear witness that they have been brought into being for the sake of naught else but Thee. Thou hast withheld from them the things that bring tranquillity to their hearts, that they might know of a certainty that whatever is associated with Thy holy Being is far superior to and exalted above aught else that would satisfy them; inasmuch as Thine indomitabk power pervadeth all things, and nothing can ever frustrate it. Indeed Thou hast caused these momentous happenings to come to pass that those who are endued with perception may readily recognize that they were ordained by Thee to demonstrate the loftiness of Thy divine Unity and to affirm the exaltation of Thy sanctity. XIV GLORY be unto Thee, 0 Lord, Thou Who has brought into being all created things, through the power of Thy behest. [p19] THE BAHA'I REVELATION 19 O Lord! Assist those who have renounced all else but Thee, and grant them a mighty victory. Send down upon them, 0 Lord, the concourse of the angels in heaven and earth and all that is between, to aid Thy servants, to succour and strengthen them, to enable them to achieve success, to sustain them, to invest them with glory, to confer upon them honour and exaltation, to enrich them and to make them triumphant with a wondrous triumph. Thou art their Lord, the Lord of the heavens and the earth, the Lord of all the worlds. Strengthen this Faith, 0 Lord, through the power of these servants and cause them to prevail over all the peoples of the world; for they, of a truth, are Thy servants who have detached themselves from aught else but Thee, and Thou verily art the protector of true believers. Grant Thou, 0 Lord, that their hearts may, through allegiance to this, Thine inviolable Faith, grow stronger than anything else in the heavens and on earth and in whatsoever is between them; and strengthen, 0 Lord, their hands with the tokens of Thy wondrous power that they may manifest Thy power before the gaze of all mankind. xv 0 LORD! Unto Thee I repair for refuge and toward all Thy signs I set my heart. 0 Lord! Whether travelling or at home, and in my occupation or in my work, I place my whole trust in Thee. Grant me then Thy sufficing help so as to make me independent of all things, 0 Thou Who art unsurpassed in Thy mercy! Bestow upon me my portion, 0 Lord, as Thou pleasest, and cause me to be satisfied with whatsoever Thou hast ordained for me. Thine is the absolute authority to command. xv' 0 LORD! Thou art the Remover of every anguish and the Dispeller of every affliction. Thou art He Who banisheth every sorrow and setteth free every slave, the Redeemer of every soul. 0 Lord! Grant deliverance through Thy mercy and reckon me among such servants of Thine as have gained salvation. [p20] 20 THE BAHA'I WORLD 3. 'ABDU'L-BAIIA Excerpts from Fire and Light1 0 LORD! These pure souls have ascended unto the realms on high. They have proved themselves nimble and sprightly in Thy service. They rid themselves of all, drew nigh unto Thee, and reached the Fountainhead of eternal life. They have now taken their flight from this world on the wings of Longing and have attained Thy kingdom of glory. Gladden Thou their hearts in the world of the unseen and let them abide beneath the shadow of the tree of hope. Bestow upon them Thine infinite mercy and grant them Thy boundless pardon. Make them the signs of Thy forgiveness and the manifestations of Thy forbearance and bounty. Verily Thou art the Bestower, the Loving, the One Who forgiveth the sins of men. 0 LORD! These stainless souls grew contemptuous of the world of dust and have ascended unto Thy kingdom. From this dreary world they have winged their flight unto the realm of resplendent glory. Weary and dejected they languished in this puny nest, eagerly waiting to set out for their celestial habitation. They moved swiftly and sped forth on their flight until they attained unto Thee. 0 Forgiving One! Grant them Thy forgiveness. O All-Loving One! Bestow upon them Thy tender care. 0 All-Sufficing One! Give them Thy bounty and be their comforter and companion. Thou art the Pardoner, the Resplendent, the Bestower, the Lord of Strength. III o FORGIVING Lord! These birds that sang Thy praise left their mortal remains buried in desolate tombs, and ascended with the wings of their spirits unto the Frequented Fane. They freed themselves from-the the pitfalls of this world of dust, so that they might Translated by Mr. Habib Taherzadeh, with the assistance of a Committee at the Baha'i World Centre, from Fire and Light [Ndr viz AJar] (Hofheim-Langenbain: Baha'i Verlag, 1982), a compilation from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, 'Abdu'l-Baha and Shoghi Effendi. partake of immortal life in the realms above might seek shelter beneath the shadow of the tree of hope and abide in a nest upon the twigs of eternity in the Abh~i Paradise, the Kingdom on High, singing hymns of glory and praise in wondrous accents and sweet melodies. 0 Thou kind Lord! These souls are the birds of Thy meadows, the nightingales of Thy rosegarden. Let them dwell within the orchard of Thy forgiveness and grant them access to the concourse wherein Thine eternal glory shineth resplendent, wherein Thy divine beauty is unveiled and perpetual communion with Thee is assured. Enable them to live eternally and to endure forevermore. Thou art the Forgiving, the Bountiful, the All-Loving. o THOU kind Lord! From the horizon of detachment Thou hast manifested souls that, even as the shining moon, shed radiance upon the Tealm of heart and soul, rid themselves from the attributes of the world of existence and hastened forth unto the kingdom of immortality. With a drop from the ocean of Thy loving kindness Thou didst ofttimes moisten the gardens of their hearts until they gained incomparable freshness and beauty. The holy fragrance of Thy divine unity was diffused far and wide, shedding its sweet savours ovdr the entire world, causing the regions of the earth to be redolent with perfume. Raise up then, 0 Spirit of Purity, souls who, like those sanctified beings, will become free and pure, will adorn the world of being with a new raiment and a wondrous robe, will seek no one else but Thee, tread no path except the path of Thy good-pleasure and will speak of naught but the mysteries of Thy Cause. 0 Thou kind Lord! Grant that this youth may attain unto that which is the highest aspiration of the holy ones. Endow him with the wings of Thy strengthening grace Ñ wings of detachment and divine aid Ñ that he may soar thereby into the atmosphere of Thy tender mercy, be able to partake of Thy [p21] THE BAHA'I REVELATION 21 celestial bestowals, may become a sign of divine guidance and a standard of the Concourse on high. Thou art the Potent, the Powerful, the Seeing, the Hearing. He is God o REMNANTS of the martyrs in the path of God! Your letters have been received and despite the lack of a moment's spare time they were perused with the utmost attention. Since it is impossible to answer each letter separately, I am writing you collectively, and this you will surely excuse. Indeed as a result of the outrages perpetrated by the wicked, the attacks of the rapacious beasts and the onslaught of the ravening wolves, those blessed souls have endured woeful tribulations and have borne dire sufferings and distressing calamities, each of which calleth for weeping and wailing, for sighing and lamentation. Were eyes to shed tears of blood, they would afford no consolation. By reason of these tragic events 'Abdu'l-Baha is assailed by despondency and anguish and is beset by bitter sadness and grief. However, when we ponder carefully it will be observed that these unceasing trials and afflictions, these successive ordeals, though they break one's back, crush one's strength, and exhaust one's endurance, are among the greatest gifts of God, the Ever-Living, the All-Powerful, for He thereby accepteth the self-sacrifice which certain souls are prompted to make in His path, enabling them to attire their heads with the glorious crown of martyrdom and to establish themselves upon the throne of everlasting sovereignty. Such hath ever been the qualification of them that enjoy near access unto God, such are the attributes of the pure in heart. This life will surely pass away like unto a fleeting shadow and the gay trappings of this earthly existence will soon be rolled up. The cup of bitter death will be borne round and the fire of anguish and despair will be set ablaze. The foundation of human life will crumble and this clamorous outcry and tumult will be hushed to silence and stillness. Rejoicings will cease and pleasures will come to an end. The souls will set out empty-handed on their journey to the next world, compassed by intense grief and anguish. Of the contemplations of bygone days, of the former life of comfort, joy and power not a single vestige will be left. Utter perdition will prevail and everyone's grievous loss and deprivation will be laid bare. However, such faithful friends as have laid down their lives as martyrs will be stirred by the waves of the ocean of ecstasy. They will be filled with joy and radiance through the revelation of heavenly glad-tidings, will receive divine confirmations of lovingkindness and will be sustained by the wondrous blessings of the peerless Lord in such wise that they will be moved to say: 'Praise be unto God that during our lifetime in this mortal world we became the target of darts in the path of God and were exposed to the dire peril of arrows and spears. Every day a shaft of cruelty was hurled at us, and every moment we drank our fill from the draught of affliction, till eventually we hastened forth to the field of martyrdom for the sake of His love, and offered up our hearts and souls in the path of the All-Merciful'. Indeed at that moment such souls will rejoice with exceeding gladness and will be so carried away by the joyful tidings of God that they will wing their flight to the heaven of eternal glory with the utmost ecstasy, exultation and spiritual blissfulness. It is Our ardent hope now that We too may partake of a drop from this celestial cup and may receive a portion from this life-giving draught. Verily my Lord will vouchsafe His special favours unto whomsoever He pleaseth. No God is there but Him, the All-Bountiful, the Most Generous. Now praise be to God that the remnants of the families of the martyrs stand like a mighty structure, firm, steadfast and immovable. Before the eyes of the peoples of east and west they have proved themselves to be wholly self-sacrificing, eager to rush forth to the field of martyrdom, denizens of the kingdom of His love, seated upon the throne of eternal glory, knights of the arena of sacrifice, and rulers of the realm of renunciation and constancy. Therefore ye should not be sad or sorrowful, nor be oppressed with grief and despondency. [p22] 22 THE BAHA'! WORLD Rather it behoveth you to render Him thanksgiving for being the survivors of those illustrious souls, the remnants of them that are favoured at the Threshold of the Almighty. In truth these calamities and sufferings are a glorious diadem whose glittering gems will shed lustre upon ages and centuries to come. He is the All-Glorious 0 YE friends of God! 0 ye favoured ones at the Threshold of the One Who transcen-deth all limitations! That distinguished martyr, like unto a lucky star, shineth from the dawning-place of divine unity, luminous, resplendent and unmistakable, though mortal eyes are debarred from beholding him. With his face beaming with light, with a luminous brow and enthralling beauty, he is calling aloud from the summit of the heaven of glory, saying: '0 my friends! 0 honoured ones! I quaffed the cup that brimmeth over with the consummate bounty of God and tasted the sweetness of the Abhd Kingdom even from the edge of the sword. I have divested myself of my wornout garments and raised up my banner in the realm of glory. From the world of dust till the heights of the heavens I spurred on the charger of martyrdom and from this luminous horizon I call out and say: "'0 my loved ones! The portals of His most great favour are flung open and the hearts of the people of BaiTh are dilated with joy. The chalice of His bounty is being borne round and the sweet melodies of the birds of the all-highest Paradise reach every receptive ear. The reviving breeze wafting from the garden of the Abh6 Kingdom is laden with perfume and everyone who hath suffered long is granted intimate communion within the retreats of the Lord of Truth. From the Threshold of the Almighty, the All-Wise, His summons hath gone forth unto all men, and from the realm of the Concourse on high the voice of glad-tidings: Happy are ye! is continually raised."' Know ye the excellence of this gracious favour, and esteem the value of this precious gift. The outpourings of the mercy of God are copious like unto a boundless ocean and the manifold blessings of the Abh% Beauty are shed abroad even as the radiance of the shining moon. Were ye to know how great is the revelation of this bounty, how plenteous the gifts that have been vouchsafed, I swear by the ravishing beauty of the Abh6 Beloved and by the soul-stirring smile of that peerless Charmer of hearts, that ye would dance with delight in your eagerness to lay down your lives and would leap with joy as ye hasten to the field of sacrifice. Ye would raise, with one band the brimful cup of self sacrifice, and with the other the laurel of the supreme bounty successfully won. Thus in the arena of renunciation while uttering the triumphal cry: Great is our blessedness! Great is our blessedness! Happy are we! Happy are we! ye will attain the desire of your hearts, the most glorious martyrdom. 0 ye friends of my heart and soul! Slumber not for a moment; relax not nor linger for an instant. In a spirit of exceeding joy and gladness, with unswerving constancy in the Covenant and the Testament of the ever-forgiving Lord and in anticipation of attaining His luminous horizon, make the greatest effort to diffuse His sweet savours and bend your energies to promote His Cause. Be ye heralds of the Covenant, and bearers of the glad-tidings of His Testament. Receive your portion from the breast of His grace, and with high resolve exert your utmost endeavour. Be set aglow with the fire of the love of God, and raise the anthem of jubilation with the full enthusiasm of your heart and soul, so that ye may become intimately familiar with His Call and be initiated into divine knowledge and wisdom. This world is the empire of the spiritual sovereignty of the Abh~ Beauty, and this realm is the seat where the mighty throne of the Kingdom of the Exalted One [the Bab is established. Its effulgent sun, its shining moon never set, its brilliant stars never fade, its bright horizon is never overcast. Its oceans surge and its birds soar in the heights. Its streams are living waters, soft-flowing rivers of immortality. Its trees are saplings planted in the orchard of the Lord of Glory. Its dominion is the immensity of the realm of the placeless, and its territory the domain of the heart. Its abiding joy is attainment unto the presepec of the ever-forgiving Lord. Its sustenance [p23] THE BAHA'I REVELATION 23 is the liberal bounty that His adored Beauty hath bestowed. Its chalice is the cup tempered at the Camphor Fountain, its designation, the Expanse of Eternal Life, a life that transcen-deth the limitations of countless ages. 0 my friends! This is the Call of the Covenant. This is the Dispensation of the Well-Beloved of all mankind. This is the gift that the DayStar of the world bath graciously given. This is the revelation of Ills incorruptible grace, the manifestation of His perpetual assistance, the evidence of the power that is born of God and the potency of the bestowals proffered by the All-Merciful. What else do ye want? What else do ye expect? Which path do ye tread? Be quick, be quick! 0 companions! hurry, hurry! 0 ye loved ones! And upon ye be His glory! VII o REMNANTS of those effulgent lights! O children of those tabernacles of holiness! 0 remembrances of those resplendent spirits! Although your distinguished fathers surrendered their souls in the field of glorious martyrdom, hastened away from the abyss of this sordid world of dust unto the lofty heights of the Ablia Kingdom, and raised the banner of the most great bounty among the Concourse on high, ye have not been left behind, forsaken and lonely. Although your fathers have ascended unto the realms above, Almighty 'God, more affectionate than a father, is ever present. Indeed could ye but know how dear ye are in the presence of your true and heavenly Father, ye would stretch forth your wings and take your flight. And upon ye, 0 loved ones of God, be His glory! VIII He is the All-Glorious o OFFSHOOT of him who in a transport of delight drank of the chalice of martyrdom in the path of God! That essence of being is so graciously confirmed in this day with boundless grace and favour at the court of the sovereign Lord of the seen and the unseen that the embodiments of spiritual majesty and the exponents of true glory are eagerly yearning to render service unto him. Although to outward seeming he was put to a shameful death, in reality he is established upon the throne of unfading exaltation. The day is approaching when kings will seek blessing from his dust and all heads will bow down in his honour, the day when all men will express humility at the revelation of the majesty and grandeur with which the martyrs are invested and all faces will be downcast before the indomitable power of their testimony. If such is what will take place in this visible world, then imagine what it will be in the spiritual realms of God, so exalted above the comprehension of all beings. 0 THOU who art seeking the good-pleasure of the Lord of Glory! I have no time to spare. I am completely absorbed in thinking of, in meditating upon and in lamenting for those distinguished martyrs Ñ may My life be offered up as a sacrifice for them. On the one hand this grievous calamity hath, like unto a dagger, inflicted upon me so' profound an injury that no salve can soothe, nor can any balm assuage; while on the other the scene of sacrifice is seen bedecked with such splendid pageantry, such marvellous festivity that the holy ecstasy of its wine seizeth forevermore the minds of those that are godly and spiritual. Moreover, the Concourse on high and the dwellers in the Abh6 Kingdom are now expoundIng the mystery of sacrifice, the main purport of all heavenly Scriptures. Therefore this hath to some degree relieved my grief. In short, the day is approaching when the meads of the Cause of God, having been watered with blood, will have put forth roses and lilies in such profusion that East and West will become fragrant and North and South perfumed. Peace be upon you! He is God Q YE who have been wronged in the path of God! The loved ones of the Almighty have always been exposed to the dire oppression and tyranny of the people of iniquity, and His chosen ones have continually suffered woeful cruelties at the hand of the perfidious. The friends of God have always quaffed the cup of adversity proffered by the hand of the immortal CupBearer. They have been made targets for the darts and spears of the curses, [p24] 24 THE BAHA'I WORLD accusations and reviling that the rebellious and the wicked hurled at them, and have been persecuted and ill-treated by their opponents among the people of the world. Indeed these tribulations are the very draught with which the Well Ñ Beloved of the world was inebriated and these calamities are but the effulgent light whereby the luminous brow of the DayStar of the world was illumined. Therefore think not that this fierce opposition and cruelty hath brought humiliation and abasement upon you. Nay, I swear by God, besides Whom there is none other God, they redound to imperishable glory and unfading bounty. Indeed this persecution is a cooling draught and these trials a source of delight. This poison is but sugar and this venom the essence of sweetness. This stab in the breast is a soothing balm to heart and soul, and this bitter medicine a healing remedy. One's sense of taste must be unimpaired to perceive its sweetness and to savour its relish. Otherwise to a bilious patient sugar and honey taste more bitter than venom, and to the diabetic a sweet drink is more harmful than deadly poison. Meanwhile, 0 ye loved ones of God, let not these sufferings grieve you, nor let your hearts be sore with sorrow. Ere long will all take a pride in them and will seek distinction and glory in both worlds. One will say: In one period I endured hardships by reason of my faith and certitude in the one true God and was recompensed with certain bounties. Another will state: Because of the love I cherished for the Best Beloved of the world, I once quaffed a deadly poison like unto a cup of eternal life and since then I have received His perpetual grace. Yet another will exclaim: In the path of servitude at the Threshold of the Almighty I was cast into prison and gained boundless favours in return. Another will declare: As a result of the illumination I received from the DayStar of ethereal glory I was made captive and held fast in chains and stocks, for which exceptional rewards were lavished on me. Another will say: My heart was set ablaze with the fire of His love in such wise that I hastened to the field of sacrifice, and kissed the edge of the sword. Another will state: The blessed body of my illustrious father was hacked to pieces in the arena of sacrifice for the sake of my glorious Lord. Another will say: My honoured grandfatheT was inebriated with the cup of martyrdom which the CupBearer of God's eternal Covenant proffered unto him and he became the recipient of manifold favours and bestowals. Still another will exclaim: Our blessed household was ruined in the path of the Adored One. And still another will exclaim: Our innocent ancestors were made homeless for having promoted the Word of God. In short everyone, well-pleased, jubilant and leaping with joy will recount these events at length and will glory in them before the other peoples and kindreds of the earth. Then it will become unmistakably clear and manifest, even to outward seeming, what a great bounty, what a supreme blessing these afflictions and trials in the path of the Blessed Perfection had truly been. Therefore it behoveth you, 0 loved ones of God, to raise up your hands in thanksgiving unto the Threshold of the pcerless One and say: 0 one and oniy God, 0 matchless Creator. Praised and glorified art Thou for having placed this splendid crown upon the brow of these helpless ones, and this mantle of eternal glory on the shoulders of these indigent ones. The rays of Thy sanctity fell upon bodies of clay and the lights of the world of eternity shone forth. A flame of Thy bestowal from the enkindled fire appeared and gave the hearts eternal life. Thanks be to Thee for this blessing and this bestowal and this bounty with which Thou hast distinguished these helpless ones. Thou art the Generous, the Merciful and the All-Loving. 0 THOU who art resigned to His irrevocable Decree! Render thanks unto God for having attained so sublime a station. Thou art treading the path of His good-pleasure; thou hast surrendered thyself unreservedly to that which is ordained and destined by Him; thou hast placed thy whole trust in Him and manifested unswerving constancy and fortitude in the face of this grievous calamity. Thus indeed doth it beseem the loved ones of God to conduct themselves, so that when they are beset by hardships or hemmed in by dire affliction they [p25] THE BAHA'I REVELATION 25 may be able to comfort others and impart consolation unto them, their faces may glow with the light of radiant acquiescence and they may deliver to the flames the veil of moaning, sighing and lamentation, inasmuch as resort to sadness and grief in the midst of tribulation is but an indication of lack of assurance and certitude. In truth were man to attain the stage of certitude in his spiritual development, no affliction could ever depress his spirits, though he would undoubtedly be influenced by reason of his human susceptibilities. Nevertheless, man's inner being will be so revived by the breeze of divinely-ordained woes and trials that the dust of wailing and lamentation will entirely subside and the light of submissive resignation unto Ills Will shall shine forth like unto a radiant morn. And upon thee be greetings and praise. XII He is the All-Glorious o YE who are inebriated with the draught of His Covenant! It is time to pass beyond the desolate wilds of remoteness, so that ye may reach the retreats of the Beloved, drink your fill from the wine of the bestowals of the All-Merciful, hold a heavenly festival, deck forth the stage for a spiritual celebration and, to the strains of harp and lute and the melodies of the Concourse on high and of the songsters in the meads of holiness, break into sweet lays and wondrous tunes in praise and glorification of the AbhA Beauty. 0 ye friends of God! Let not the cavils of the foolish grieve you nor the tribulation of this world dismay you. Indeed, the motivating impulse whereby the sweet savours of God are diffused throughout the world is none but the suffering that befalleth His loved ones and the dire troubles that constantly touch His chosen ones. Consider a while, the greater the affliction they suffered, the higher was raised the banner of devotion and faithfulness, and the more grievous the trials they endured, the more abundant were the outpourings of grace from the Abha Beauty. For it is during the darksome night that the radiance of light is conspicuous and the illumination of the lamp most perceptible. Therefore enlightened faces when exposed to dire hardships shine forth with the utmost radiance and brightness, and the hearts of His chosen ones when held in chains and fetters are filled with exceeding joy, gladness and ecstasy. In the Qayyumu'1-AsmA the Exalted One [the Bab addresseth the Abha Beauty in these words: '0 Thou our great and omnipotent Master! I have sacrificed myself wholly for Thee and have yearned for naught but martyrdom in Thy path.' Ponder ye carefully. The highest aspiration cherished by Him Who is the Leader of the righteous and the DayStar of divine splendour was to lay down His life for the sake of the One Who doeth whatsoever He willeth. Thus it is clear and manifest what should be the supreme aspiration and longing of the loved ones of God. And upon ye be greetings and praise! XIII He is God 0 SERVANTS of the one true God! 0 handmaids of the Merciful! 'From the outset love was rebellious and bloodthirsty, So as to put every stranger to flight.' One of the requisites of true love is willingness to bear every suffering and tribulation that hath occurred in the past or may occur in the future. Hence a passionate lover is always stained with blood, and he that yearneth to meet the Beloved a constant wanderer. How well is it said: 'The worldly wise who garner the ears of grain are unaware of LayI6's secret, For unto none was accorded the great glory but Majn6n Ñ he who set the whole harvest afire.' Thus throughout all ages and centuries the righteous have been made a target to the darts of adversity and have fallen victim to the swords of oppression. At one time they quaffed the cup of dire ordeal, at another they tasted the venoffi of bitter woe. Not for a moment did they enjoy rest and comfort, nor did they repose for a fleeting breath upon the couch of tranquillity. Rather did they endure agonizing torment and patiently carry the [p26] 26 THE BAHA'I WORLD burden of hardship that every oppressor was wont to impose upon them. Having been consigned to dungeons and prisons, they severed themselves from the world and all its peoples. In this way most of the favoured ones of God offered up their lives as martyrs in the field of sacrifice. He Who is the resplendent Morn of divine guidance, the Exalted One [the Bab sank below the horizon of sacrifice. Quddils sought companionship with the Beloved through glorious martyrdom. Mull4 Husayn opened a new gate to the field of martyrdom. Vahid distinguished himself as a peerless figure in the arena of sacrifice. Zan-jdni [Hnjjatj offered up his life as a martyr upon the plain of tribulation. The King of Martyrs hastened forth to the place of sacrifice. The Beloved of Martyrs was enraptured with ineffable gladness when he offered up his life for the sake of God. Ashraf attained the heights of honour as he unflinchingly set his face towards the arena of sacrifice. BadP, as he breathed his last, exclaimed: 'Magnified be my Lord, the Most Glorious!' The martyrs of the land of Y~ [Yazd] drank their fill with relish from the draught of glorious martyrdom, and the martyrs of Shfr6z laid down their lives in the arena of ardent love to the tune of sweet and wondrous melodies. Those massacred in the hind of Nayrfz were inebriated with the brimful cup of sacrifice, and the martyrs of Tabriz were seized with ecstatic joy and unleashed new energies in the field of sacrifice. Those who renounced their lives in M~zandarAn exclaimed: ~O Lord! Destine for us this cup that brimmeth over with the choice wine'; while the martyrs of I~fah6n laid down their lives with utmost joy and radiance. In brief, there is not a spike whose tip is not tinged with the blood of the martyrs, nor is there a place not dyed crimson with the blood of His ardent lovers. The purpose is to enable you to know that one of the tenets of those that thirst after Him and the highest aspiration of such as long to behold His face is to endure hardship, to submit to trials and martyrdom in the path of the Lord of grace. Therefore it behoveth you to render thanks unto God for the bounty of having drunk your fill from this draught and for having tasted deadly poison in the path of the Best-Beloved. Indeed far from being a poison this is pure honey and sugar, and far from being bitter in taste, this is the essence of sweetness. 0, how eager am I to bear affliction in the path of God! 0, what a great joy to suffer hardship for His love! 0, how blessed the man who tasteth the bitterness of woe, and how well is it with him who is swept into the ocean of tribulation in his eagerness to attain the presence of God! It behoveth you to offer thanksgiving at every moment, inasmuch as ye became the target of atrocities in the path of divine guidance and were exposed to grievous oppressions for the sake of the love ye cherish for the Almighty. In truth those that are guided solely by their reason would be unable to perceive the sweetness of this cup, but the ardent lOvers will be overjoyed and enraptured by the holy ecstasy which this wondrous draught doth produce. Every discerning observer who hath gazed upon the countenance of that graceful Beloved was prompted to lay down his life as a martyr, and every receptive ear which had hearkened unto that celestial melody suffered its listener to become so enravished with joy as to offer up himself without hesitation as a sacrifice. The moth which is animated by love will burn its wings as it flitteth round the lamp of God and the phoenix of tender affection will be set ablaze by the fire of ardent desire. No unfamiliar bird can partake of the beat of this Fire, nor can the fowls that dwell upon the dust plunge forth into this heavenly Ocean. However, praise be unto God, ye are the leviathans of this ocean, the birds of this pasture, the moths of this lamp, the ni~htin-gales of this meadow. And upon ye rest the glory of the Most Glorious! XIV He is God 0 FAITHFUL friends in the AbbA Beauty! By reason of the oppression and atrocities that have befallen those two souls whom the people of the world have wronged ye have raised the cry of lamentation and grieving and have wept and sighed bitterly. This is meet and right for those two gazelles of the meadow of oneness were held fast in the talons of ferocious beasts, and those two nightingales of the rosegarden of divine unity [p27] THE BAHA'I REVELATION 27 were gripped in the claws of depraved ravens. There is no doubt that as a result of those dire woes and sufferings the hearts of the friends of God have been set aflame like unto a candle and they bemoan their grief with tearful eyes. I swear by God besides Whom there is none other God, were ye to scrutinize carefully, ye would observe that every tree, every rock or clod of earth hat wept sore over this grievous injustice and hostility, and is wasted away by reason of this world-consuming fire. Indeed those wronged ones had never hurt the feelings of even a moth, nor had they ever put forth the hand of molestation toward a helpless ant. They were innocent of any crime and sought no refuge except the threshold of the Ever-Living, Self-Subsisting Lord. They had committed no error save that of having shaken off their slumber, and had incurred no guilt but that of becoming captive to His musk-laden tresses. Their grave offence was to display a glimpse of the beauty of the heavenly Peacock. To do this they spread out the plumage of sanctity and intoned sweet melodies even as the warbling of a nightingale. This was the only guilt they had committed; their faithfulness was regarded as a crime, and their sincerity as deceit. Yet notwithstanding their manifold expressions of love and fellowship, the ravening wolves attacked those two radiant, Joseph-like beings and ripped open not oniy their shirts but their breasts. Indeed so vehement was their hatred and rancour that they unhesitatingly shed their sacred blood. Ere long will God punish those wicked-doers, both in this world and hereafter for that which they have wrought and will bring dire humiliation upon them in this life and in the next. Verily God is the Avenger, the Almighty. As to those blessed souls: they will, even as the doves of holiness, wing their flight unto the Concourse on high and in the meads of the Abh~ Kingdom will burst into melodious songs, whose strains of sanctity will exhilarate every attentive ear, and whose wondrous accents will be heard at all times by the people of abiding faithfulness. What gift is there greater than this? What blessing is mightier than shedding these few drops of blood in the path of the peerless Lord? What felicity is more meritorious than the bounty of being aided by the mystery of sacrifice to consecrate themselves to the love of the Abh6 Beauty? May my life be offered up for those two martyrs; may my whole being be sacrificed for their sake; may my heart be laid down as a ransom for them. Verily, this is a supreme favour, this is a most glorious felicity. And upon you be salutation and praise. IN these days when the wicked have created violent disturbances and the opponents have bestirred themselves, they have, in every region stretched forth the hand of aggression and raised the banner of injustice and animosity. In every locality they have launched attacks against the oppressed. As is currently known this grievous assault hath assumed nationwide proportions. In IsfaMn they aroused a great commotion; in Rasht the foundations of the city were shaken, and in Qazvin they committed manifest atrocities. Indeed throughout the country agitation is aroused through vehement hostility and dust is stirred up by a raging tempest of hate. And all this notwithstanding that everyone is fully aware that the friends of God are those whom the people of the world have oppressed, and they who are the well-wishers of all kindreds and nations. They tread the path of righteousness and seek to foster amity and fellowship with all mankind. They are contemptuous of their own selves, and inebriated with the wine of the love of the Almighty. They are sincere and steadfast, shining and radiant. They speak forth, they are competent. They defend the helpless, and are a refuge to the fugitive, an asylum to the poor, a haven for the distressed, a remedy for the afflicted and a balm to the wounds of the needy. They eagerly seek to live in perfect peace with the warlike and quarrelsome tribes, and to those who oppose them, they show forth composure, serenity and kindness. Be not saddened and grieved by reason of the atrocities the enemies have perpetrated. The day is fast approaching when the light of love will have dispelled the darkness of animosity and the splendours of the sun of truth will have driven away the gloomy night. This spirit of heavenly fellowship, this uprightness of the friends of God will promote [p28] 28 THE BAHA'I WORLD the wellbeing and tranquillity of all mankind. Warring factions will become peaceful, opposing kindreds friendly, hostile peoples reconciled and aggressive nations united. This is the imperishable glory of the human world. This is the supreme illumination in the kingdom of the Lord of Mercy. XVI He is the All-Glorious 0 YE wronged captives! The divines in that land have put forth the hand of aggression and have surpassed in cruelty the Pharaohs who executed their victims upon the stakes, and the people of Nimrod Thamad and 'Ad. They have closed the eye of justice and with the darts of tyranny have pierced the hearts of the oppressed. They have set on fire the harvest of the wronged ones, and deemed it expedient to inflict upon them every cruelty, molestation and torture, that perchance by so doing the divinely kindled fire might be extinguished, the seething and roaring of the ocean of God's bounty might subside, the outpourings of the clouds of His lovingkindness be stopped, the meteor of heavenly guidance be hindered from shedding its radiance upon those regions, the reviving breezes of divine blessing which blow from the direction of His tender mercy be withheld, the fragrance of the rose of His gracious providence may no longer be diffused from the garden of divine unity, the light of its brilliant orb be obscured, and the secrets of the manifestation of heavenly bestowals be forgotten. Alas! Alas! Those divines are unaware that the waves of the ocean of glory will surge high and the pervasive power of the Cause of God will acquire unprecedented glory. Its orb will shine resplendent and the effulgent light of its meteor will perm~ate the world. Its spark will develop into a flame, its luminous star into a sun, and its drop into a downpour and a flood. Its grain will grow into a harvest, its glittering gem will sparkle in every gathering, its fame will be noised abroad, and the anthem of its glorification will reach the highest heavens. As to these servants and homeless ones: We were so inebriated with our fill from the draught of the love of God that we yearned to drink, deep of that wine of God's Covenant. Thus chalice in hand, dancing and leaping with joy, we hastened into the arena of sacrifice. We offered supplications begging for adversity. We exposed our breasts as a target for the shafts of oppression and with the whole affection of our hearts and souls we welcomed the sword of injustice. This body is the abode of ills and this darkened self a cage to every warbling bird. One's corporeal frame shall become dust and a target to dreadful darts. Therefore if it were offered up in the field of sacrifice for the sake of God, no favour or blessing could be greater than this. Earthly possessions will certainly be lost, and what hath been accumulated will be dispersed; excessive riches will be cast adrift, and the flush of fortune will wither away and fade into nothingness; immense treasures will be squandered and the wealth gathered up by the wind will eventually be blown away by the wind. Hence, better is it for one's riches to be pillaged and plundered in the path of God, than be a booty of the changes and chances of the world. As to lofty buildings, imposing mansions, and magnificent palaces: every inhabited and flourishing place will become desolate and every mighty edifice reduced to ruin. Therefore, how much better it is for these habitations which are more fragile than a spider's web to be wrecked and ruined for the Love of the sovereign Lord of the Kingdom. For if a house of clay be destroyed, there will be reared in its stead a glorious mansion within the soul-uplifting immensity of the realms above. If one's home and dwelling-place be laid waste in this transitory dust-heap, one will be provided with a matchless and incomparable nest within the rosegarden of eternity. Thus all that is related to the loved ones of God, their former glory, their present services, the grievous sufferings they have borne Ñ all will, even as carving on slabs of emerald, be recorded on the scrolls of the Abhh Kingdom, and therefrom will they shed their radiance upon all the worlds of God. Then when that light sheddeth its rays upon the tongues of the world of existence, it giveth rise to expressions of praise and glorification; when directed towards human hearts, it evoketh the memory of noble traits, deeds and virtues; when reflected upon the pages of the world, it becometh the object of the verse: 'and give [p29] THE BAHA'I REVELATION 29 me renown among posterity;'1 it illumineth the surface of the earth, it is made manifest in the form of consecrated spots and sacred Shrines. XVII He is God o SERVANT of Bah& It behoveth thee to render thanks unto the Threshold of the Lord of Oneness for the afflictions that have befallen thee, inasmuch as the adversities that are borne in the path of the one true God are but the revelations of His tender mercy, and any such tribulation is the essence of His bounty. This life is like unto vapour in a desert and the existence of every thing is as a mere illusion, evanescent and bound to extinction. That which endureth is the spiritual reality, it is the shining essence; it is life eternal, it is undisturbed felicity, unfading and perpetual, flourishing and plenteous. The revolution of cycles is powerless to ravage it, nor can the succession of ages and centuries molest it. Therefore, this divinely-ordained reality, this heavenly sign, must needs be preserved. And the amazing thing is this that the most effective means whereby this Light of truth is safeguarded and protected is the onslaught of the enemies, grievous ordeals and manifold hardships. The globe of this lamp is the tempestuous winds and the safety of this ship lieth in the violence of tumultuous waves. Therefore one must show forth gratitude in the face of Job-like afflictions and must evince joy and pleasure at the unyielding cruelty of evildoers, inasmuch as such tribulations lead to immortality, and serve as the supreme factor to attract His consummate blessings and infinite bestowals. And upon thee be the glory of the Most Glorious. XVIII He is God 0 SPIRITUAL friends and loved ones of the All-Merciful! In every Age believers are many but the tested are few. Render ye praise unto God that ye are tested believers, that ye have been subjected to every kind of trial and ordeal in the path of the supreme Lord. In the fire of ordeals your faces have flushed aglow like unto pure gold, and amidst the flames of cruelty and oppression which the wicked had kindled, ye suffered yourselves to be consumed while remaining all the time patient. Thus ye have initiated every believer into the ways of steadfastness and fortitude. You showed them the meaning of forbearance, of constancy, and of sacrifice, and what leadeth to dismay and distress. This indeed is a token of the gracious providence of God and a sign of the infinite favours vouchsafed by the Abh6 Beauty Who bath singled out the friends of that region to bear grievous sufferings in the path of His love. Outwardly they are fire, but inwardly light and an evidence of His glory. Ye have been examples of the verse: 'Let them that are men of action follow in their footsteps.' 'And to this let those aspire who aspire unto bliss.'2 In short, the day is approaching when the gay trappings of this earthly Life will have been rolled up and the sorry plight and adversity of the people of iniquity will have waxed more grievous than those experienced by the oppressed. The inmates of palaces will have been subjected to the confinement of graves, and such as occupy the seats of honour will have fallen upon the dust of misery and abasement. However, those who have offered up their lives as martyrs will shine resplendent even as a candle, and the effulgent glory of the friends of God will shed its radiance from the horizon of eternity like unto a brilliant star. Behold how wondrous is the bounty whereufito ye have attained. Ye have followed the example set by Him Whom the world hath wronged. Like unto the DayStar of the world ye have outwardly suffered an eclipse by reason of the injustice the people of malice have wrought. However, far from an eclipse, this is naught but splendour; far from concealment, this is naught but the defeat of the legions. Ere long ye shall behold the shining light of the one true God shedding its radiance upon the whole world, while the heedless ones find themselves in the darkness of extinction. In the estimation of the loved ones of God abasement is exaltation itself, and affliction 1 Qur'an 26:84 2 Qur'an 83:26 [p30] 30 TI-IF BAHA'I WORLD leadeth to faithfulness. Earthly glory and comfort are but a mirage of illusion, while in the realm of the spirit heavenly gifts are everlasting and imperishable. The lights in the nether world may be bright, but they are put out at the break of dawn, whereas the stars that shine in the heaven of the love of God will sparkle continually throughout ages and centuries. Such is everlasting glory; such is infinite bounty; such is life eternal; and such is boundless grace. And upon you rest salutation and praise. XIX THE legions of the world cannot withstand this mighty Army. Its weapons are divine knowledge and assurance, and its sword is its world-encircling light. Physical powers are capable of resisting earthly armies, but are impotent before the onslaught of the hosts of heaven. Thousands of times this hath been tried and proven. The wicked people of Thamfid who manifested fierce hostility towards Sdlih were unable to withstand His indomitable power. Likewise, the tribes of 'Ad perpetrated revolting outrages, but the spiritual sword of H6d remained unsheathed and the divinely-kindled light proved unquenchable. Although the clash of the arms of the wretched Nimrod reached the ears of all peoples, he failed to suppress the glory of Abraham. The misguided Copts marshalled their troops against Moses, yet could not engage Him in battle. The Jews who gainsaid God's Cause aroused violent commotion, regarded the Beauty of the Promised One [Jesus] as a fire no longer bright, stined up fierce opposition and launched a campaign of attacks and aggression against Him, but in the end their opposition proved of no avail. The leaders of 1-JijAz inflicted griev-OHS ordeals and atrocities upon the Prince of Mecca [Muhammad], tormented and injured Him as much as it lay in their power, until their assaults grew so vehement that the Lord of the righteous migrated unto Medina where He proclaimed the Word of God. Later various kindreds and peoples leagued themselves together, waged tribal war and encircled that focal Centre of Light from every direction, but failed to subdue Him. This is but a brief account of past experiences. Nevertheless it is highly deplorable that subsequent generations, wholly unaware of this outstanding truth, still seek to oppose the Beauty of the Promised One with utter heedlessness. They have armed themselves with a myriad darts of iniquity and swords of transgression and are engaged in unrelenting attacks. Ere long will they realize the grievous mistake they have committed. They seek to compress the unlimited ocean; they try to stop forthwith the wondrous outpourings of the vernal showers. But alas for them! The reviving breeze that bloweth from the direction of the Abh6 Kingdom cannot be halted and the musk-laden fragrance of faithfulness that wafteth from the rosegarden of the All-Glorious can never be arrested. During the ministry of Christ the Cause of God did not pass beyond the regions of Jerusalem. Whatever else was achieved came afterwards. Likewise in the days of the Prince of Mecca Ñ may the souls of the favoured ones of God be offered up for His sake Ñ the reputation of His sublime Faith was confined to the boundaries of Hij~iz. However, the fame of this glorious Cause reached the east and the west during the lifetime of the Blessed Beauty, and Tablets were revealed for the crowned heads of the world. This blameworthy people have already heard and Learned how the wicked grievously failed in their opposition towards the Prince of the righteous, yet they are still heedless. This blessed, this mighty Cause which hath stirred the whole earth to its foundation, cannot be restrained by the hostility that these bands of weaklings have unleashed. Ere long will they find themselves in manifest loss. IN/JAY my life be offered up for the dust of these martyrs; may my entire being be a sacrifice for the blood of the chosen ones of God, they who enjoy near access to His exalted Threshold, who are attracted to the summit of transcendent glory, and established upon the seat of truth in the all-glorious Kingdom. 0 ye who have suffered martyrdom! 0 trustees of His Revelation! 0 distinguished men of virtue! 0 illustrious and noble ones! May my inmost reality, my spirit, my entire [p31] THE BAHA'I REVELATION being and whatsoever God hath bestowed upon n-ic through His bounty and grace be laid down as a sacrifice for you. I bear witness that ye are the radiant stars, the gleaming meteors, the resplendent full moons, the brilliant orbs in this wondrous Revelation. Well is it with you, 0 birds that warble in the gardens of divine unity; blessed are ye, 0 lions that roar in the forests of detachment; happy are ye, 0 Leviathans that swim in the waters of His oneness. Verily ye are the signs of divine guidance, ye are the banners that flutter in the field of sacrifice. I beseech God to bless me, through the breezes of holiness wafted from that glorious centre of sacrifice, and to quicken me with the reviving breath of heavenly communion blowing from that blessed region. I beg you to intercede on my behalf in the presence of the ever-living, sovereign Lord that He may graciously suffer me to quaff my fill from the choice sealed wine, may grant me a portion from the unbounded felicity that ye enjoy and may exhilarate my heart by giving me to drink from your chalice which is ternpered at the Camphor Fountain. Verily my Lord is merciful and forgiving. By bestowing the bounty of sacrifice in this realm of ens-tence, He aideth whomsoever He willeth with whatsoever He pleaseth. And upon you rest the glory of the Most Glorious! [p32] EXCERPTS FROM THE WRITINGS OF SHOGHI EFFENDI Excerpts from Fire and Light1 I Fin the days to come should adversities of various kinds encircle that land and national upheavals aggravate its present calamities intensliy the repeated afflictions, and darken still more the horizons of that great country, you should not feel sorrowful and grieved, nor be deflected even to the extent of a hair's breadth from your straight path and chosen highway, which is to vigilantly and persistently exert your utmost efforts to increase the number of your institutions, to consolidate their foundations, to proclaim their existence and to add to their fair name and glory. The liberation of this meek and innocent band of His followers from the fetters of bondage and the talons of the people of tyranny and enmity must needs be preceded by the clamour and agitation of the masses. The realization of glory, of tranquillity, and of true security for the people of Bah6 will necessitate opposition, aggression and commotion on the part of the people of malevolence and iniquity. Therefore, should the buffeting waves of the sea of tribulation intensify and the storms of trials and tribulations assail that meek congregation from all six sides, know of a certainty and without a moment's hesitation that the time for its deliverance has drawn nigh, that the age-old promise of its assured glory will soon be fulfilled, and that at Long last the means are provided for the persecuted people of BaM in that land to attain salvation and supreme triumph. A firm step and an unshakeable resolve are essential so that the remaining All but No. I are excerpts translated by Mr. Habib Taherzadeh, with the assistance of a Committee at the Baha World Centre, from Fire and Light [A/dr va Nar] (Hofheim-Langenhain: Bab~'f Verlag, 1982), a compilation from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, 'Abdu'l-Baha BaM and Shoghi Effendi. stages may come to pass and the cherished ideals of the people of Bah6 may be realized on the loftiest summits, and be made manifest in astounding brilliance. 'Such is God's method, and no change shalt thou find in His method. '2 IN this stern battle of life the members of this oppressed community, aided by the power of the Kingdom, and fortified by heavenly determination, by divinely-imparted hopes and by glad-tidings from on high, are standing ready and alert to face any commotion or calamity. Unrelenting tribulations and increasing obstacles shall not make them flinch, nor cause them dismay or grief. They know with full certitude that as the horizons of the world grow darker, as its agitation becomes more severe and the prevailing chaos and confusion more widespread, the dawn of the Promised Day will correspondingly draw nearer, and the means for the splendours of His light to be shed abroad will be more readily provided. However, the fulfilment of glad-tidings, so glorious and heart-uplifting, must needs be heralded by awesome and distressing events, inasmuch as the realization of these irrevocable and divinely-ordained promises depends on the awakening and the stirring of the conscience of the entire human race, while this cannot be achieved save through the occurrence of unnumbered afflictions, manifold convulsions and growing adversities. And it is precisely for this reason that the people of Baha are nourished from the draught of certitude and are alive and active through the spirit of hope. They strive diligently, are alert and watchful, steadfast and vigilant. With 2 cf. Qur'an 48:23 32 [p33] THE BAHA'I REVELATION heart and soul they exert their effortst They will not allow the pressure of calamities gradually to impair the foundation of the Cause of God, or vitiate the essence of its divinely-revealed principles; nor will they permit the wickedness and the prevalence of crime to nullify or eclipse the radiance of the cardinal laws of their Faith; or the aggressive hands of the opponents and the machinations of the ungodly to inflict harm upon this holy Revelation, or the confused theories and ideologies that prevail in these days to create the least deviation from the straight path of God... III o GRIEF-STRICKEN and self-sacrificing souls! The Hand of Providence has ordained that those innocent victims of tyranny should once again be oppressed in the clutches of the wrongdoers, and the Will of God, the Ever-Living, the Almighty, has purposed that manifold tribulations and adversities should, like a torrential flood, descend successively upon that wronged community. In these years of dire stress our Lord, the All-Wise, has, as a preliminary measure for the fulfilment of His gracious pledge and in conformity with His undeviating principle, kindled a raging fire of trials in that country. Be not sorely grieved or dismayed. This is an effective means, preordained and irrevocable, which has been provided by the Causer of causes, through the operation of His immutable Will, and the exercise of His unquestionable power, and in the face of the machinations of every malicious opponent, so that the glory of His Cause may presently be unveiled before the assemblage of man and, in the days to come, His Faith may be rendered victorious and become securely established in that blessed land. Let nothing frustrate or discourage you. Immerse yourselves in the study of the Holy Tablets. I testify befqre God, Baha'u'llah asserts, 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. In another connection this utterance has been revealed: How great, how very great is this Cause. The day is fast approaching when its stupendous glory will have been made manifest and evident. This heavenly Faith cannot be compared to the transitory things of the world of existence, nor can it be identified with or likened to physical and earthly forces. Its tabernacle has been raised through dire oppression, its advancement and promulgation depend upon spiritual and mysterious agencies, and factors that are awesome, alarming and totally unexpected. The Tongue of the Ancient of Days, the Comforter of the people of the world says: Naught hath been ordained by the finger of His decree for His loved ones except that which is profitable unto them. We beseech Him to graciously enable them to show forth patience and fortitude that haply trials and ordeals might not deflect them from the path of God, the Almighty, the All-Knowing. Through the insults and indignities suffered by the well-assured and faithful maidservants of God, portals of everlasting honour will be flung open before the face of the women in Persia, nay everywhere in the world, and as a result of the beatings, torture and cruelties inflicted upon the newly converted Baha'i youth, a new spirit of liveliness and freshness will stream forth through the veins and arteries of the temple of the Cause of God. The Lamentation of the disconsolate who have been made homeless as a result of this grievous event will reach the ears of the spiritually-minded in the west and its powerful repercussions will release a fresh energy in the world of existence, will forge new spiritual ties, and lay bare the essence of this heavenly Revelation before the eyes of all men, be they friends or strangers. Although the sufferings that have befallen the friends during the past few years were not as frequent, as grievous and widespread as the successive waves of afflictions that have been let loose in recent months, yet notwithstanding this and as a direct consequence of the pangs of anguish and devastating sorrow that have crushed the souls of the friends in Persia, the cherished Cause of God has blossomed forth astonishingly and is advancing with a fresh momentum throughout the five continents of the globe. While Persia remains heedless and unaware and its sorely-tried friends are beset by grievous repressions and cruelties, the hosts of [p34] 34 THE BAHA'I WORLD life, the bearers of the divine Message of salvation are moving far and wide over the extensive territories of the free world, and bending their energies to capture the citadels of men's hearts. The motivating impulse, the driving power which is responsible for the successful achievements of these sanctified beings is derived from the heat and flame and the influence released through the relentless persecutions and ordeals which the pure-hearted friends in Persia are enduring. Wherefore has the Master said: When the light of God is ignited in the East it will shed illumination upon the West and its evidences will become visible both in the North and in the South. 0 spiritual brethren! Although the horizons of that country are dark, and manifold hardships and tribulations are continuous and unremitting; although the foundations of that realm are sorely shaken, and the minds of its people in a state of confusion; although there is no peace or protection for the righteous, and the unbelievers are relentless in their hatred and animosity, this anguish and distress, this abasement and ignorance will not endure, nor will this cruelty, captivity, agitation and disturbance persist. The day is fast approaching when God will have manifested from this horizon such light and power as will cause the sun to be darkened, will obliterate every trace of them that have turned away disdainfully from God, and will illumine the faces of the sincere. It well beseems you to direct your eager gaze to the glad-tidings that have been revealed by the Pen of the Most High and to let the shining prophecies that are contained in His Most Holy Book and in other Tablets illumine your expectant eyes. Can one imagine a pronouncement sweeter, an utterance and promise more perfect, more appropriate, and more glorious than these conclusive verses that have streamed forth from the repository of the Abh6 Pen? Exalted is His Word: Let nothing grieve thee, 0 land of Td [Tihr6n],for God hath chosen thee to be the source of the ]oy of all mankind. He shall, if it be His Will • gather together the flock of God which the wolves have scattered The eye of His lovingkindness shall everlastingly be directed towards thee. The day is approaching when thy agitation will have been transmuted into peace and quiet calm. Moreover, the following significant and soul-stirring words have been set down by the Pen of the Centre of the Covenant: Ere long will it be witnessed that the government of the native land of the Blessed Perfection will become the most honoured government of this world, and Irdn will become the most prosperous of all lands, this indeed is a token of God's bountiful favour, and verily in this is there a lesson unto every beholder. Such God-given promises and sublime glad-tidings that the Pen of the Most High and the divinely-aided and inspired fingers of the Centre of the Covenant have inscribed will, according to the following blessed verse, be unquestionably fulfilled. How enthralling is His Word: Whatsoever hath streamed forth from the Pen of the Most High hath either already occurred or shall assuredly come to pass. Not a single letter thereof will remain unrealized, for verily the fair-minded shall behold it established upon the throne of fulfilment. However, the essential thing is patience, fortitude, courage and audacity. The day is approaching when that country will have turned into a blissful paradise, when the wronged ones of Persia will have become the pride of the world and the leaders of mankind. And this is a promise that will not be belied. 0 FOLLOWERS of the beloved Cause of Baha'u'llah! Regard not the smallness of your numbers, nor be depressed and discontented by reason of the harm and injury that you sustain at the hands of friend or foe. Let not the vilifications, the whisperings and idle remarks of the foolish and the shortsighted grieve you, nor the vast array of the multitude of assailants frighten or alarm you. These tribulations have time and again been foretold by our peerless Master. The prophetic warnings that our supreme Lord has uttered clearly foreshadow the onslaught of the hosts of afffiction. Have you not heard what has flowed from the tongue of the Comforter of mankind in this connection? He says: Say: Tribulation is as water for that which We have planted in human hearts. The day is approaching when out of it will have grown such fruit that every seed thereof will proclaim: Verily, [p35] THE BAHA'I REVELATION 35 no God is there but Him, the Almighty, the All-Knowing. And likewise He has said: Through adversity have We fostered the growth of the Faith of God in bygone ages. Ere long wilt thou witness this Cause shining resplendent above the horizon of glory, invested with ma]esty and power. And also He affirms: God hath made tribulation as the crown wherewith the head of Baha is attired. The time is at hand when its radiance will have enveloped the whole world. By My life! Such tribulations as are sustained in the path of God, the Fashioner of all created things, are as cherished by Me as eyes are cherished by men, nay even more! Unto this thy Lord, the Mighty, the Unconstrained, beareth witness. 0 apostles of Baha'u'llah! How pitiful if we, who are recognized as the bearers of His glorious Name, and related to such an omnipotent Lord, should, in moments of adversity, fail to scrupulously follow the noble example set by Him Who stands peerless in His longsuffering. Happy the one who until his last breath has tasted the venom of woe at the hand of the faithless, and blessed the heart that for the sake of promoting and proclaiming His Cause does not allow himself a moment's rest. Such is the disposition of the pure in heart, such is the method of them that enjoy near access to God, such is the way of the true strivers after God, such befits the hosts that are under the guidance of God, such is the means whereby undoubted triumph and victory will be achieved for the Cause of God. O people of Baha! Lift up your voices, and hail men of wisdom with glad-tidings. Call aloud between earth and heaven, exclaiming: 0 people of the world and workers of injustice and iniquity! Rest assured that we, the followers of the Abh2i Beauty, have paid for our Faith with our lifeblood, and have tasted the sweetness of sacrifice in the path of His love. Our trust in Him sustains our lives, enabling us to be detached from aught else but Him. We shall promote His Cause to the last breath and offer praise and gratitude at all times for the tribulations He ordains. O people of the earth! Know you with absolute certainty, and let every wavering and hesitant soul be apprised and take warning, that whatsoever has explicitly been revealed by the All-Glorious Pen will eventually become clear and evident, even as the sun in its noontide glory. In this snow-white Spot, and in other lands, the immutable Will of Him Who has stretched out the earth and raised up the heavens, shall be fulfilled, the cherished desire of longing hearts will emerge from behind a myriad veils into the realm of existence, and the highest aspiration of the people of Baha will be fully, perfectly and conclusively realized. This is that which our Lord has promised us both openly and privily, and indeed this is a promise that will not prove untrue. Therefore it beseems you to arise and exclaim: 0 concourse of the earth! Die in your wrath. Ere long will the standard of His Faith be hoisted in every city, shedding radiance upon all regions. He is God 0 MIGHTY Lord! Thou seest what hath befallen Thy helpless lovers in this darkest of long nights; Thou knowest how, in all these years of separation from Thy Beauty, the confidants of Thy mysteries have ever been acquainted with burning grief. 0 Powerful Master! Suffer not Thy wayfarers to be abased and brought low; succour this handful of feeble creatures with the potency of Thy might. Exalt Thy loved ones before the assemblage of man, and grant them strength. Allow those broken-winged beings to raise their heads and glory in the fulfilment of their hopes, that we in these brief days of life may gaze with our physical eyes on the elevation and exaltation of Thy Faith, and soar up to Thee with gladdened souls and blissful hearts. Thou knowest that, since Thy ascension, we seek no name or fame, that in this swiftly passing world we wish henceforth no joy, no delight and no good fortune. Then keep Thy word, and exhilarate once more the lives of these, Thy sick at heart. Bring light to our expectant eyes, balm to our stricken breasts. Lead Thou the caravans of the city of Thy love swiftly to their intended goal. Draw those who sorrow after Thee into the high court of reunion with Thee. For in this world below we ask for nothing but the triumph of Thy Cause. And within the precincts of Thy boundless mercy we hope for nothing but Thy presence. [p36] 36 THE BAHA'I WORLD Thou art the Witness, the Haven, the Refuge; Thou art He who rendereth victorious this band of the innocent. THE assaults, onslaughts and attacks perpetrated by the people of arrogance and malice do not and will not endure. They shall, one and all, be dispelled at the appointed time, and no trace of them will be left behind. What will remain, and the influence thereof endure, are the wrongs suffered by the loved ones of God, the audacity they have evinced, the undaunted spirit manifested by the defenders of the Faith of the All-Merciful, their bonds of unity and harmony, and their tenacious adherence and undeviating allegiance to the institutions of the Cause of God in that land. At present the state of affairs is in turmoil tribulations are manifold and the authorities have launched attacks from every direction. However, the invisible Hand of God is at work and the wratliful Avenger is watching over the oppressed community of the righteous and the pious. Things that were hidden will be revealed and realities that were unknown will become clear and evident. The innocence of those longsuffering and sanctified beings will definitely be proved and established, and every act of injustice, of iniquity and malice wrought by the evildoers will be laid bare. The daystar of glory, as is prophesied, will shine forth from that land with such radiance that all men, high or low, of the rulers or the ruled, friend or foe, whether far or near, will be astonished and bewildered. Now is the time for steadfastness. Now is the ripe moment for the stalwart warriors and champions to show forth courage and to demonstrate their heroism in the arena of service, until such time as God will exalt His Cause, will remove the distress and anxiety of His friends and trusted servants, and glorify those who were brought Low among His creatures, to make them spiritual leaders among men, and to make them God's heirs. VII THE shedding of innocent blood in that blessed land will produce marvellous results and from it far-reaching consequences will ensue in the course of time. The fierce storm of woes and calamities and the incessant waves of unnumbered trials and incalculable hardships which in recent days have encompassed that small group from all sides are but the first glimmer, the dawning twilight heralding the advent of the new age that has been foretold in the past. This gloomy night which has lasted for a number of years has plunged every part and region of that country into darkness. The darker the night will turn, and the more intense and dreadful its convulsions and commotions become, the nearer will b~ the appointed time when the bright morn of deliverance will dawn, when the daystar of felicity and emancipation will shine, when the light of the glory, power and independence of the Faith of God will radiate with extraordinary brilliance, when phe fall and collapse, the destruction and ruin of the people of malice and iniquity in that land will become apparent and conspicuous. The hosts of Bah6, the concourse of the sore-oppressed ones in that afflicted country, should all know with absolute certainty that the Cause of God is great, and its strengthening grace quickens every mouldering bone; its heavenly confirmations are ever present, and its adversaries on the offensive, Launching their attacks from all sides. On the one hand they are seized with perturbation and alarm at th~ sight of the quaking of the foundations of their own structure, and its breakdown and collapse, while on the other hand they are amazed and bewildered at the people of Baha, and their high degree of tranquillity and firmness, and their longsuffering and unshakeable patience. This is the day for steadfastness. Now is the time for defence and bravery, so that the evil ones who are lying in wait may be disconcerted, defeated and put to flight, and the prophecies irrevocably decreed by God may be fulfilled without delay. VIII AIIITATIONS, trials, woes, afflictions, and torture, arson, expulsion, plunder, beating, vilification, captivity, banishment, imprisonment, destruction of life Ñ none of these could hinder the advancement of this beloved [p37] THE BAHA'I REVELATION 37 Cause, none could weaken the high resolve of its followers and champions in any part of the world, none could damage or disrupt the structure of its New Order, none could create a cleavage, a division, a schism or any form of sectarianism in the ranks of its embattled hosts. Nay rather, were one to observe with a discerning eye, it would become clear and evident that commotion in itself, the very succession of calamities, upheavals and hardships, and the recurrence of trials, adversities and sufferings have lent an impetus to the power latent in the Cause and reinforced its compelling force and pervasive influence. Indeed as a result of the onrushing tempests of tribulation and the raging hurricanes of tests and trials, the Faith's scope of operation has been enlarged, its pillars have been raised to loftier heights, its foundation has become more secure, its glory more resplendent, the spread of its influence more rapid, its ascendancy and dominion more conspicuous and evident. Every blow that the hands of the wrongdoer have inflicted upon the community of the followers of the Cause of God from without, has proved to be the means of a fresh victory and triumph for the Faith, and every agitation provoked from within through the intrigues and plottings of perfidious traitors has led to a remarkable success for the Cause and to the revelation of its wondrous glory These momentous events, these startling and awesome happenings that have transpired during the past hundred years confirm the truth of this most perfect, this consummate and enthralling utterance that has proceeded from the repository of the All-glorious Pen Ñ exalted is His saying and blessed His Word: From time immemorial have We reared the celestial Trees of divine Revelation with the waters of opposition and the shedding of blood, could ye but perceive it. Likewise He says: By the righteousness of God! This divine Tree will develop by means of the waters of your opposition; yet ye understand not and remain heedless. Moreover He affirms: Through affliction hath His Cause been promoted and His praise glorified. In another connection this blessed verse has been revealed: Should they attempt to conceal its light on the continent it will assuredly rear its head in the midmost heart of the ocean and, raising its voice, proclaim: '1 am the life-giver of the world!' The amazing history of this glorious century will conclusively demonstrate to every opponent of the Cause throughout the world that violent upheavals have strengthened the root of this heavenly Tree, severe trials and hardships have reinforced the foundation of the divine Edifice. Dire abasement became a vesture of glory, while adversity and tribulation were oil which fed the flame of the lamp of God's Revelation. Fierce attacks and violence produced steadfastness and constancy, and persecution and privation created interest, and led to conversion and proclamation. Torment, repression and subjugation were means whereby the light of the ascendancy and triumph of this beloved Cause were eventually diffused far and wide. Convulsions and commotions served in the long run to purify and strengthen the body of the Cause of God, while the clamour of the prattler, the uproar of the deceitful, the tumult of the froward were instrumental in raising high the melody of the Kingdom. The rending and tearing of veils caused such realities and mysteries as were latent in the inmost essence of God's Revelation to be uncovered and brought to light. Wherefore has the All-glorious Pen revealed: Through their injustice we praised the Cause of God, and the anthem of praise, glorifying the Name of thy Lord, was broadcast in all countries. Through their rejection the truth was recognized, and as a result of their cruelties the luminary of justice hath shone forth. Ponder a while, 0 men of understanding, that ye might perceive. Likewise He states: At one time He exalted His Cause by the hand of the people of tyranny, and at another by the hand of His chosen servants Ñ they unto whom the heedless ones appear as but a handful of dust, they who declare that which the Pen of the Most High hat/i proclaimed from the horizon of glory. CONSIDER what momentous glad-tidings the all-glorious Pen has announced in the holy Tablets, what explicit promises His exalted and irrevocable Pen has revealed. In the St2ratu'1-Haykal these gemlike words are recorded: He will, ere long, out of the Bosom [p38] 38 THE BAHA'I WORLD of Power, draw forth the Hands of Ascendancy and Might Ñ Hands who will arise to win victory for this Youth and who will purge mankind from the defilement of the outcast and the ungodly. These Hands will gird up their loins to champion the Faith of God, and will, in My Name the Self-subsistent, the Mighty, subdue the peoples and kindreds of the earth. They will enter the cities and will inspire with fear the hearts of all their inhabitants. Such are the evidences of the might of God; how fearful, how vehement is His might! And likewise these luminous verses are inscribed in this holy Siirih: The day is approaching when God will have raised up, through Thee, such invincible Hands, such indomitable Helpers, who will emerge from behind the veils, will render victorious the All-merciful One amidst all the peoples of the world and will burst forth into such a cry as will leave its mark in all hearts. Thus hath it been decreed in the inscribed Tablet. And they will appear with such power that all the dwellers of the earth will be seized with fear and every one will be sorely shaken. Moreover He has written: Ere long will the Call be raised in every city and thou shalt find the people fearful and dismayed by virtue of the awful ascendancy of God's Revelation. Thus hath it been irrevocably ordained in His Holy Scriptures. And also He declares: Soon will the cry 'yea, yea, here am I, here am I' be heard from every land. For there hath never been, nor can there ever be any other refuge to fly o for anyone. And again He says: The day is fast approaching when God will have manifested from this horizon such light and power as will cause the sun to be darkened, will obliterate every trace of them that have turned away disdainfully from God, and will illumine the faces of the sincere. And likewise He has revealed: Ere long ye shall witness all men believing in His Cause and weeping sore over the good things that have escaped them during His days. Verily He is the Expounder, the All-Knowing. And He also states: Soon will the unbelievers behold the banners of victory and will hear the name of God proclaimed from every direction, On that day will they say: 'Truly we do believe in God' Say! God well knoweth what is hidden in the breasts of all men. And again Tie has written: Ere long will the faithful behold the standards of divine manifestation unfurled in all regions. And likewise He declares: I swear by the Most Great Book that God's Revelation shall gain ascendancy and encompass the whole world. Moreover, the following resplendent words which have flowed from the Pen of the Centre of the Covenant amply confirm that which the All-Glorious Pen of Baha'u'llah has revealed: Despair not of the manifestations of the divine Spirit. Ere long, by the leave of God, the veil will be removed from the face of His Cause, this effulgent light will shed its radiance upon all countries, the signs of His oneness will be spread abroad, and the banners bearing the emblems of your glorious Lord will float above die lofly mansion. And again He affirms: The day will soon come when the light of Divine unity will have so permeated the East and the West that no man dare any longer ignore it. [p39] PART TWO THE COMMEMORATION OF HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES [p40] [p41] THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PASSING OF BAHA'I KHANUM, THE GREATEST HOLY LEAF1 1. PASSAGES FROM THE WRITINGS OF BAHA'U'LLAH ABOUT THE GREATEST HOLY LEAF LET these exalted words be thy love-song on the tree of Baha, 0 thou most holy and resplendent Leaf: 'God, besides Whom is none other God, the Lord of this world and the next!' Verily, We have elevated thee to the rank of one of the most distinguished among thy sex, and granted thee, in My court, a station such as none other woman hath surpassed. Thus have We preferred thee and raised thee above the rest, as a sign of grace from Him Who is the Lord of the throne on high and earth below. We have created thine eyes to behold the light of My countenance, thine ears to hearken unto the melody of My words, thy body to pay homage before My throne. Do thou render thanks unto God, thy Lord, the Lord of all the world. How high is the testimony of the Sadratu'1-Muntah~ for its leaf; how exalted the witness of the Tree of Life unto its fruit! Through My remembrance of her a fragrance laden with the perfume of musk liath been diffused; well Selections from Baha'i Kh~num, The Greatest Holy Leaf, a compilation from Baha'i sacred texts, writings of the Guardian and Baha'i Kh~num's own letters, made by the Research Department at the Baha World Centre, 1982. 41 is it with him that hath inhaled it and exclaimed: 'All praise be to Thee, 0 God, my Lord the most glorious!' How sweet thy presence before Me; how sweet to gaze upon thy face, to bestow upon thee My lovingkindness, to favour thee with My tender care, to make mention of thee in this, My Tablet Ñ a Tablet which I have ordained as a token of My hidden and manifest grace unto thee. 0 MY Leaf! Hearken thou unto My Voice: Verily there is none other God but Me, the Almighty, the All-Wise. I can well inhale from thee the fragrance of My love and the sweet-smelling savour wafting from the ral-ment of My Name, the Most Holy, the Most Luminous. Be astir upon God's Tree in conformity with thy pleasure and unloose thy tongue in praise of thy Lord amidst all mankind. Let not the things of the world grieve thee. Cling fast unto this divine Lote-Tree from which God hath graciously caused thee to spring forth. I swear by My life! It behoveth the lover to be closely joined to the loved one, and here indeed is the Best-Beloved of the world. [p42] 42 THE BAHA'I WORLD 2. PASSAGES FROM THE WRITINGS OF 'ABDU'L-BAHA ABOUT THE GREATEST HOLY LEAF AND A SELECTION OF HIS LETTERS TO HER To MY honoured and distinguished sister do thou convey the expression of my heartfelt, my intense longing. Day and night she liveth in my remembrance. I dare make no mention of the feelings which separation from her hath aroused in mine heart; for whatever I should attempt to express in writing will assuredly be effaced by the tears which such sentiments must bring to mine eyes 0 DfYA!1 It is incumbent upon thee, throughout the journey, to be a close, a constant and cheerful companion to my honoured and distinguished sister. Unceasingly, with the utmost vigour and devotion, exert thyself, by day and night, to gladden her blessed heart; for all her days she was denied a moment of tranquillity. She was astir and restless every hour of her life. Moth-like she circled in adoration round the undying flame of the Divine Candle, her spirit ablaze and her heart consumed by the fire of His Jove LII 0 MY well-beloved, deeply spiritual sister! Day and night thou livest in my memory. Whenever I remember thee my heart swelleth with sadness and my regret groweth more intense. Grieve not, for I am thy true, thy unfailing comforter. Let neither despondency nor despair becloud the serenity of thy life or restrain thy freedom. These days shall pass away. We will, please God, in the Abh6 Kingdom and beneath the sheltering shadow of the Blessed Beauty, forget all these our earthly cares and will find each one of these base calumnies amply compensated by His expressions of praise and favour. From the beginning of time sorrow and anxiety, regret and tribulation, have always been the lot of every loyal servant of God. Ponder this in thine heart and consider how very true Daughter of 'Abdu'l-Baha it is. Wherefore, set thine heart on the tender mercies of the Ancient Beauty and be thou filled with abiding joy and intense gladness 0 MY dear sister! Praise be to God, within the sheltering grace of the Blessed Beauty, here in the lands of the West a breeze hath blown from over the rosegardens of His bestowals, and the hearts of many people have been drawn as by a magnet to the AbM Realm. Whatever hath come to pass is from the confirmations of the Beloved; for otherwise, what merit had we, or what capacity? We are as a helpless babe, but fed at the breast of heavenly grace. We are no more than weak plants, but we flourish in the spring rain of His bestowals. Wherefore, as a thank-offering for these bounties, on a certain day don thy garb to visit the Shrine, the ka'bjh of our heart's desire, turn thyself toward Him on my behalf, lay down thy head on that sacred Threshold, and say: 0 divine Providence! 0 Thou forgiving Lord! Sinner though I be, I have no refuge save Thyself. All praise be Thine, that in my wanderings over mountains and plains, my toils and troubles on-the seas, Thou hast answered still my cries for help, and confirmed me, and favoured me, and honoured me with service at Thy Threshold. To a feeble ant, Thou hast given Solomon's might. Thou hast made of a gnat a lion in the thicket of Thy Mercy. Thou hast bestowed on a drop the swelling waves of the sea, Thou hast carried up a mote to the pinnacles of grace. Whatever was achieved, was made possible through Thee. Otherwise, what strength did the fragile dust possess, what power did this feeble being have? o divine Providence! Do not seize us in our sins, but give us refuge. Do not look upon our evil ways, but grant forgiveness. Consider not [p43] THE COMMEMORATION OF HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES 43 Baha'i Khdnum circa 1890. our just deserts, but open wide Thy door of grace. Thou art the Mighty, the Powerful! Thou art the Seer, the Knower! 43 MY spiritual sister! Thou didst go away to Haifa, supposedly for oniy three or four days. Now it becometh apparent that the spiritual power of the Shrine hath brought thee joy and radiance, and even as a magnet is holding thee fast. Thou surely wouldst remember us as well. Truly the spiritual quality of the holy place, its fresh skies and delicate air, its crystal waters and sweet plains and charming seascape, and the holy breathings from the Kingdom all do mingle in that Sacred Fold. Thou art right to linger there Kiss the light of the eyes of the company of spiritual souls, Shoghi Effendi [p44] 44 THE BAHA'I WORLD 3. PASSAGES FROM THE WRITINGS OF SLIOGHI EFFENDI ABOUT THE GREATEST HOLY LEAF AND EXCERPTS FROM HIS LETTERS ABOUT HER 0 YE who burn in the flames of bereavement! By the Daystar of the World, my bereaved and longing heart is afire with a grief that is beyond my description. The sudden, the grievous and calamitous news that the Most Exalted, the pure, the holy, the immaculate, the brightly shining Leaf, the Remnant of Baha, and His trust, the eternal fruit and the one last remembrance of the Hoiy Tree Ñ may my life be offered for the wrongs she suffered Ñ has ascended, reached me like live coals cast into a frail and afflicted heart. The foundations of my serenity were shattered, and tears of desolation came like a flood that carries all away 0 brothers and sisters in the spirit! In this solemn hour, from one direction we can hear the sounds of loud weeping, and cries of mourning and woe, rising out of the throats of the people of Bah6 throughout this nether world, because of their separation from that rich mine of faithfulness, that Orb of the heaven of eternal glory Ñ because of her set~ ting below the horizon of this holy Spot. But from another direction can be heard the songs of praise and holy exultation from the Company on High and the undying dwellers in Paradise, and from beyond them all God's Prophets, coming forth to welcome that fair being, and to place her in the retreats of glory, and to seat her at the right hand of Him Who is the Centre of God's Mighty Covenant. The community of Baha, whether in the East of the world or the West, are lamenting like orphans left destitute; fevered, tormented, unquiet, they are voicing their grief. Out of the depths of their sorrowing hearts, there rises to the Abhai Horizon this continual piercing cry: 'Where art thou gone, 0 torch of tender love? Where art thou gone, 0 source of grace and mercy? Where art thou gone, 0 symbol of bounty and generosity? Where art thou gone, 0 dayspring of detachment in this world of being? Where art thou gone, 0 trust left by Bail among His people, 0 remnant left by Him among His servants, 0 sweet scent of His garment, shed across all created things!' 0 ye who loved that luminous face! The oil within that shining lamp was used up in this world and its light was extinguished; and yet, in the lamp-niche of the Kingdom, the fingers of the Lord of the heavenly throne have kindled it so bright, and it has cast such a splendour on the maids of Heaven Ñ dwelling in chambers of red rubies and circling about her Ñ that they all called from out their souls and hearts, '0 joy upon joy!' and with shouts of, 'Well done! Well done! Upon thee be God's blessings, 0 Most Exalted Leaf!' did they welcome that quintessence of love and purity within the towering pavilions of eternity. At that time, as bidden by the Lord, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting, did the heavenly Crier raise up his voice and cry out: '0 Most Exalted Leaf! Thou art she who did endure with patience in God's way from thine earliest childhood and throughout all thy life, and did bear in His pathway what none other hath borne, save only God in His own Self, the Supreme Ruler over all created things, and before Him, His noble Herald, and after Him, His holy Branch, the One, the Inaccessible, the Most High. The people of the Concourse on High seek the fragrance of thy presence, and the dwellers in the retreats of eternity circle about thee. To this bear witness the souls of the cherubim within the tabernacles of majesty and might, and beyond them the tongue of God the One True Lord, the Pure, the Most Wondrous. Blessedness be thine and a goodly abode; glad tidings to thee and a happy ending!' ... DEARLY-BELOVED Greatest Holy Leaf! Through the mist of tears that fill my eyes I can clearly see, as I pen these lines, thy [p45] THE COMMEMORATION OF HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES 45 noble figure before me, and can recognize the serenity of thy kindly face. I can still gaze, though the shadows of the grave separate us, into thy blue, love-deep eyes, and can feel in its calm intensity, the immense love thou didst bear for the Cause of thine Almighty Father, the attachment that bound thee to the most lowly and insignificant among its followers, the warm affection thou didst cherish for me in thine heart. The memory of the ineffable beauty of thy smile shall ever continue to cheer and hearten me in the thorny path I am destined to pursue. The remembrance of the touch of thine hand shall spur me on to follow steadfastly in thy way. The sweet magic of thy voice shall remind me, when the hour of adversity is at its darkest, to hold fast to the rope thou didst seize so firmly all the days of thy life. Bear thou this my message to 'Abdu'l-Baha, thine exalted and divinely-appointed Brother: If the Cause for which Baha'u'llah toiled and laboured, for which Thou didst suffer years of agonizing sorrow, for the sake of which streams of sacred blood have flowed, should, in the days to come, encounter storms more severe than those it has already weathered, do Thou continue to overshadow, with Thine all-encompassing care and wisdom, Thy frail, Thy unworthy appointed child. Intercede, 0 noble and well-favoured scion of a heavenly Father, for me no less than for the toiling masses of thy ardent lovers, who have sworn undying allegiance to thy memory, whose souls have been nourished by the energies of thy love, whose conduct has been moulded by the inspiring example of thy life, and whose imaginations are fired by the imperishable evidences of thy lively faith, thy unshakeable constancy, thy invincible heroism, thy great renunciation. Whatever betide us, however distressing the vicissitudes which the nascent Faith of God may yet experience, we pledge ourselves, before the mercy-seat of thy glorious Father, to hand on, unimpaired and undivided, to generations yet unborn, the glory of that tradition of which thou hast been its most brilliant exemplar. In the innermost recesses of our hearts, 0 thou exalted Leaf of the AbhA Paradise, we have reared for thee a shining mansion that the hand of time can never undermine a shrine which shall frame eternally the matchless beauty of thy countenance, an altar whereon the fire of thy consuming love shall burn for ever. III 0 THOU Scion of Bah6! I weep over thee in the night season, as do the bereaved; and at break of day I cry out unto thee with the tongue of my heart, my limbs and members, and again and again I repeat thy well-loved name, and I groan over the loss of thee, over thy meekness and ordeals, and how thou didst love me, over the sufferings thou didst bear, and the terrible calamities, and the wretchedness and the griefs, and the abasement, and the rejection Ñ and all this only and solely for the sake of thy Lord and because of thy burning love for those, out of all of creation, who shared in thine ardour. Whensoever, in sleep, I call to mind and see thy smiling face, whenso~ver, by day or night, I circumambulate thine honoured tomb, then in the innermost depths of my being are rekindled the fires of yearning, and the cord of my patience is severed, and again the tears come and all the world grows dark before my eyes. And whensoever I remember what blows were rained upon thee at the close of thy days, the discomforts, trials and illnesses Ñ and I picture thy surroundings now, in the Sanctuary on High, in the midmost heart of Heaven, beside the pavilions of grandeur and might; and I behold thy present glory, thy deliverance, the delights, the bounties, the bestowals, the majesty and dominion and power, the joy, thine exultation, and thy triumph Ñ then the burden of my grieving is Lightened, the cloud of sorrow is dispelled, the heat of my torment abates. Then is my tongue loosed to praise and thank thee, and thy Lord, Him Who did fashion thee and did prefer thee to all other handmaidens, and did give thee to drink from His sweet-scented lips. Who withdrew the veil of concealment from thy true being and made thee to be a true example for all thy kin to follow, and caused thee to be the fragrance of His garment for all of creation. And at such times I strengthen my resolve to follow in thy footsteps, and to continue onward in the pathway of thy love; to take thee as my model, and to acquire the quali [p46] 46 THE BAHA'I WORLD ties, and to make manifest that which thou didst desire for the triumph of this exalted and exacting, this most resplendent, sacred, and wondrous Cause. Then intercede thou for me before the throne of the Almighty, 0 thou who, within the Company on High, dost intercede for all of humankind. Deliver me from the throes of my mourning, and confer upon me and those who love thee in this nether world what will remove our afflictions, and bring assurance to our hearts, and quiet the winds of our sorrows, and console our eyes, and fulfil our hopes both in this world and the world to come Ñ O thou whom God hast singled out from amongst all the countenances of the AbM Paradise, and hast honoured in both His earth and His Kingdom on high, and of whom He has made mention in the Crimson Book, in words which wafted the scent of musk and scattered its fragrance over all the dwellers on earth! 0 thou Greatest Holy Leaf! If I cry at every moment out of a hundred mouths, and from each of these mouths I speak with a hundred thousand tongues, yet I could never describe nor celebrate thy heavenly qualities, which are known to none save only the Lord God; nor could I befittingly tell of even the transient foam from out the ocean of tine endless favour and grace. Except for a very few, whose habitation is in the highest retreats of holiness, and who circle, in the furthermost Sanctuary, by day and by night about the throne of God, and are fed at the hand of the AbliA Beauty on purest milk Ñ except for these, no soul of this nether world has known or recognized thine immaculate, thy most sacred essence, nor has any befittingly perceived that ambergris fragrance of thy noble qualities, which richly anoints thy brow, and which issues from the divine wellspring of mystic musk; nor has any caught its sweetness. To this bear witness the Company on High, and beyond them God Himself, the Supreme Lord of all the heavens and the earths: that during all thy days, from thine earliest years until the close of thy life, thou didst personify the attributes of thy Father, the MateMess, the Mighty. Thou wert the fruit of His Tree, thou wert the lamp of His love, thou wert the symbol of His serenity, and of His meekness, the pathway of His guidance, the chann&1 of His blessings, the sweet scent of His robe, the refuge of His loved ones and His handmaidens, the mantle of His generosity and grace. 0 thou Remnant of the divine light, 0 thou fruit of the Cause of our All-Compelling Lord! From the hour when thy days did set, on the horizon of this Snow-White, this unique and Sacred Spot, our days have turned to night, our joys to great consternation; our eyes have grown blind with sorrow at thy passing, for it has brought back that supreme affliction yet again, that direst convulsion, the departing of thy compassionate Brother, our Merciful Master. And there is no refuge for us anywhere except for the breathings of thy spirit, the spotless, the excellently bright; no shelter for us anywhere, but through thine intercession, that God may inspire us with His own patience, and ordain for us in the other life the reward of meeting thee again, of attaining thy presence, of gazing on thy countenance, and partaking of thy light. O thou Maid of Baha! The best and choicest of praises, and the most excellent and most glorious of salutations, rest upon thee, 0 thou solace of mine eyes, and beloved of my soul! Thy grace to me was plenteous, it can never be concealed; thy love for me was great, it can never be forgotten. Blessed, a thousand times blessed, is he who loves thee, and partakes of thy splendours, and sings the praises of thy qualities, and extols thy worth, and follows in thy footsteps; who testifies to the wrong~ thou didst suffer, and visits thy resting-place, and circles around thine exalted tomb, by day and by night [p47] THE COMMEMORATION OF HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES 47 4. A SELECTION OF LETTERS OF THE GREATEST HOLY LEAF FROM this hallowed and snow-white Spot, this blessed, heavenly Garden, wherefrom the fragrance of God is diffused to all regions, I hail you with salutations, most tender, most wondrous, and most glorious, and impart to you the most joyful tiding. This tiding serves as the sweet-smelling savour of His raiment to them that long to behold His face, it represents the highest aspiration of His steadfast leaves, it is the animating impulse for the happiness of the world, it is the source of ineffable gladness to the people of Bah6, a remedy to the afflicted, and a refreshing draught for the thirsty. By the righteousness of God, 0 beloved friend, through this glad-tiding the ailing are cured and every mouldering bone is quickened. This most joyful tiding is the news of the good health and wellbeing of the blessed, the exalted, the holy person of 'Abdu'l-Baha, 'He Whom God hath purposed' Ñ may the life of all created things be offered up for His oneness. THE Festival of Ridvan is come and the splendour of the light of God is shining from the invisible horizon of His mercy. The overflowing grace of the Lord of oneness is pouring down copiously from the unseen world and the glad-tidings of the Kingdom are coming in from all countries. The resplendent morn that betokens the advancement of the Cause of God and heralds the exaltation of His Word is dawning in every region. Praise be to God that the fame of the Ancient Beauty Ñ may my life be offered up for His loved ones Ñ has been noised abroad in the world and the glory of His Cause is spread far and wide throughout the East and the West. These joyous developments will indeed gladden the hearts of His loved ones. III THE passing of 'Abdu'l-Baha, may our lives be a sacrifice for His meekness, was the ultimate calamity, the most great disaster. The light has fled our hearts, and our souls are wedded to sorrow, and no power in all the world can furnish any consolation, save• only the power that comes from the steadfastness of the believers and their deep-rooted faith, and their unity, and their love for one another. Oniy these can lessen the pain and quiet the anguish Although to outward seeming the Sun of the Covenant has hidden Himself behind the clouds, and the Orb of the Testament is concealed, and on the holy horizon of glory, He has now set, and is lost to view Ñ still His rays are shining from out His hidden place, and forever will His light shed down its splendours. For ever and ever will He, with all that invisible grace, and those bestowals of the spirit, lead the seeker onward, and guide the yearning, and ravish the hearts of the lovers. A. PHYSICIAN treats every illness with a certain remedy and to every painful sore he applies a specially prepared compound. The more severe the illness, the more potent must be the remedy, so that the treatment may prove effective and the illness cured. Now consider, when the divine Physician1 determined to conceal His countenance from the gaze of men and take His flight to the AbhA Kingdom, He knew in advance what a violent shock, what a tremendous impact, the effect of this devastating blow would have upon His beloved friends and devoted lovers. Therefore He prepared a highly potent remedy and compounded a unique and incomparable cure Ñ a cure most exquisite, most glorious, most excellent, most powerful, most perfect, and most consummate. And through the movement of His Pen of eternal bounty He recorded in His weighty and involable Testament the name of Shoghi Effendi Ñ the bough that has grown from the two offshoots of the celestial glory, the branch that has branched from the two hallowed and sacred Lote-Trees. Abdu'l-Baha. [p48] 48 THE BAHA'I WORLD Then He winged His flight to the Concourse on High and to the luminous horizon. Now it devolves upon every well-assured and devoted friend, every firm and enkindled believer enraptured by His love, to drink this healing remedy at one draught, so that the agony of bereavement may be somewhat alleviated and the bitter anguish of separation dissipated. This calls for efforts to serve the Cause, to diffuse the sweet savours of God, to manifest selflessness, consecration and self-sacrifice in our labours in His Path. THE Ancient Beauty, the Most Great Name, has, through the splendours of His grace in this most glorious of all ages, made this world of dust to radiate light. The loving counsels of 'Abdu'l-Baha have turned the beloved of the Lord into signs and tokens of humility and lowliness. He has taught them selflessness, and freedom from material things, and detachment from the world, and has enabled them to understand the verities of Heaven. In that supernal realm we are all but motes; in the court of the Lord God's majesty we are but helpless shadows. He is the Shelter for all; He is the Protector of all; He is the Helper of all; He is the Preserver of all. Whensoever we look upon ourselves, we, one and all, despair; but He, with all His grace, His bestowals, His bounties, is the close Companion of each one. It is certain that tests and trials are inseparable from this life and a vital requirement thereof, especially for the human race and above all for those who claim to have faith and love. Only through trials can the genuine be known from the worthless, and purity from pollution, and the real from the false. The meaning of the sacred verse: 'Do men think when they say "We believe" they shall be let alone and not be put to proof?'1 prevails at all times and is applicable at every breath, and fire will only bring out the brightness of the gold. So it is my hope that with lowliness and a contrite heart, with supplications and prayers, with good intentions and faithfulness, with purity of heart and adherence to the truth, Q~If~J1 29:2. with rising up to serve and with the blessings and confirmations of the Lord, we may come into a realm, and arrive at a condition, where we shall live under His overshadowing mercy, and His helping hand shall come to our aid and succour. THE Pen of the divine Ordainer has so decreed that this house of sorrows should be encompassed by unending calamity and pain. Even before the dark clouds of one disaster are scattered, the lowering storm of yet a new grief takes over, casting its darkness across the inner skies of the heart. Such has been the lot of this brokenhearted one and the other leaves of the Holy Tree, from earliest child-hocid until this hour; such has been the fruit we have plucked from the tree of our lives. We can see before us the Holy Shrine where lies the blessed, riddled body of the Primal Point, and memory of the delicate and tender remains of other martyrs passes before our eyes. The remembrance of the Ancient Beauty's dungeon in Tihr~n, and that most noble Being's exile from city to city, culminating in the murk of the 'AkM prison, is engraved upon our minds. The calamities, the massive afflictions, endured by 'Abdu'l-Baha throughout His entire life, and Hi wailing at the break of dawn are recorded for all time upon the tablets of the soul, and those cries that rose out of His luminous heart will linger on in the mind's ear. It is clear, too, how the most dire of all ordeals, the ascension of the divine Beauty, made the structure of our existence to topple down; how being deprived of Him consfimed the very limbs of our bodies. And when our fiery tears brought on by this were not yet dried, and the heart's wound had not healed over, then the bearer of God's decree called us to yet another anguish, that dire calamity, that terrible disaster, the passing of 'Abdu'l-Baha. Then were we, the sorrow-stricken, thrust again into the fires of separation, and the pitch darkness of deep mourning enshrouded this family. Beloved friends of the Blessed Beauty: what could have been the purpose of those holy Beings in enduring such agonies? Why did those precious and luminous souls accept [p49] THE COMMEMORATION OF HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES 49 Baha'i Khdnum; an early photograph. all that hardship and pain? Any just observer will acknowledge that They had no other end in view but to better the human race and cleanse it from the imperfections of this contingent world, and see to its advancement, and endow all peoples with the wondrous virtues of humankind. Thanks be to God's bounties, the signs of such perfections, the lights of such bestowals, have become clearly manifest throughout the world. The tree of His Cause grows ever more massive, day by day, and heavier with fruit, and from moment to moment taller, and it shall cast its wondrous shade over all who seek its shelter VII 0 KIND Lord! 0 Comforter of anguished hearts! Send down Thy mercy upon us, and Thy grace, bestow upon us patience, give us the strength to endure. With Thy generous hand, lay Thou a balm upon our sores, grant us a medicine for this never-healing woe. Console Thou Thy loved ones, comfort Thy friends and handmaids, heal Thou our wounded breasts, and with Thy bounty's remedy, restore our festering hearts. With the gentle breeze of Thy compassion, make fresh and green again these boughs, withered by autumn blasts; restore Thou to flourishing life these flowers, shrivelled by the blight of bereavement. With tidings of the AbhA Paradise, wed Thou our souls to joy, and rejoice Thou our spirits with heartening voices from the dwellers in the realm of glory. Thou art the Bounteous, Thou art the Clement; Thou art the Bestower, the Loving [p50] 50 THE BAHA'! WORLD 5. A TRIBUTE TO THE GREATEST HOLY LEAF Abdu'l-Baha R6hfyyih KhThum 'THE outstanding heroine of the Baha'i Dispensation.' Thus does the Guardian characterize his illustrious great-aunt, the peerless daughter of Baha'u'llah, the faithful and beloved sister of 'Abdu'l-Baha. The Greatest Holy Leaf was the eldest daughter of Baha'u'llah, the Founder of the Baha'i Faith. Born in Persia in 1846 she, in her long life which ended in 1932, spanned, with the exception of two years, the entire Heroic Age of this new world religion. At the age of six when her Father was cast into the subterranean dungeon in TihrTh known as the 'Black Hole', her home was immediately looted and despoiled. In a day the wealthy and noble family was beggared and hid in fear of their lives as Baha'u'llah lay in heavy chains Ñ the most prominent, the most blameless victim of the turmoil which His Forerunner's liberal teachings had provoked in a land of bitter Muslim Shf'ah fanaticism. Nay-vTh, the refined, frail, saintly mother of the little girl, fled to a humble dwelling near the dungeon where she could be near her illustrious and much-loved Spouse; 'Abdu'l-Baha, her eight-year-old Brother, accompanied His mother when daily she went to the home of friends to ascertain whether Baha'u'llah was still alive or had been executed that day Ñ for every day some of His coreligionists were martyred, often being handed over to va±ious guilds, the butchers, the bakers, the shoemakers, the blacksmiths, who exercised their ingenuity on new ways of torturing them to death. Through long days of constant terror the little girl stayed at home with her four-year-old brother Mihdf; often, she recalled, she could hear the shrieks of the mob as they carried off their victims. After four months Baha'u'llah was released through the intervention of various prominent people, and He and His family were exiled to 'IrAq. In a very severe winter, through the snowbound mountains of western Persia, the ill-clad, destitute party for three months suffered the ordeal of what He described as that terrible journey. Navv6b sold the gold buttons of her clothes to help buy food and washed their garments till her delicate hands bled. Such were the earliest recollections of Baha'i Kh6num; the happy, secure days of her first six years must have become a dreamlike experience, for no real peace ever entered her life again. Her Brother 'Abdu'l-Baha testified to this: For all her days she was denied a moment of tranquillity. The family had barely settled in Baghd6d when the infant Faith of Baha'u'llah was seized by a new convulsion; a year after His arrival, when the Greatest Holy Leaf was eight, He withdrew for two years to the mountains of Su1aym~niyyih, living as a dervish, His whereabouts unknown to His family and admirers alike. This sacrifice, however, did not avert calamity; the internal and external enemies of His Faith had relentlessly pursued their ends, and in May 1863, just after Baha'u'llah had revealed His own station to some of His followers, for the second time Baha'i KhAnum became an exile and travelled with her mother and other women in covered carts for almost four months from Baghdad to Constantinople, the capital of the Ottoman Empire, in the caravan of her Father, which comprised about seventy of His followers. By now the young girl had turned her back on the world Ñ a decision which is ever an inward orientation Ñ and was wholly dedicated, every moment of her life, to serving her Divine Father, her Brother 'Abdu'l-Baha Whom she adored, her frail, heroic and beloved mother, her younger brother Mihdf who had rejoined them, and all the followers of Baha'u'llah Ñ indeed, all and sundry who ever crossed her path! Yet a third banishment lay ahead of the Greatest Holy Leaf; with no warning or justification, four months after their arrival, in the depths of a very bitter winter, the SultAn once again exiled Baha'u'llah, His family and companions, this time to the city of his displeasure, Adrianople. At the beginning of December, for twelve days, over the windswept plains of western Turkey, in storms of snow and rain, in carts and on pack animals, the party struggled, Baha'u'llah Himself testifying that: Neither My family, nor those who [p51] THE COMMEMORATION OF HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES 51 accompanied Me, had the necessary raiment to protect them from the cold in that freezing weather. 'Abdu'l-Baha, Who rode beside His Father's conveyance, was again badly frostbitten, as He had already been on the long journey from Tihr~n to Baghd6d, and suffered its effects till the end of His life. On their arrival, ill, destitute, prisoners, they were assigned to crowded, cold, vermin-infested houses Ñ for Baha'i Kh6num the most repugnant of all her sufferings. So terrible was their plight during this period that Baha'u'llah asserts: The eyes of Our enemies wept over Us, and beyond them those of every discerning person. During the four years and eight months they sojourned in Adrianople fresh horrors attended the exiled family. In spite of Baha'u'llah's every effort to redeem His half-brother, Mirza Yahy~, his intense jealousy reached its apex and he poisoned Baha'u'llah, Whose life hung in the balance for a month, and Who carried the mark of this treachery in a trembling hand until the end of His life. The Greatest Holy Leaf often stated that all the years of her life, from childhood to maturity, were overshadowed by the constant threat that she might be separated from her beloved Father; it was a very real threat for on a number of occasions there was a plan to divide the exiles, Baha'u'llah to be sent to some unknown destination and His family to another. Once again the machinations of His enemies, within and without, ripened into a plan of this nature. The same Su1t~n who had exiled Him from Baghd6d to Constantinople, and from Constantinople to Adrianople, now issued another edict of exile which was to carry Him to the prison-city of 'Akka in Syria for the last twenty-four years of His life Ñ but His frantic family did not know this, they only knew another exile, and probably permanent separation, now lay ahead. After a miserable, crowded voyage of ten days, with little food, through rough seas, in August heat, the band of exiles Ñ still all together due to the masterful intervention of 'Abdu'l-Baha Ñ were finally locked into the barracks of the prison-city of 'Akka Illness, death, privation were their lot for two years, the worst blow of all being the death of the gentle, universally loved Mihdf who, while walking on the prison roof and meditating, fell through an opening and died of his injuries. His body was washed in the presence of his Father Whose poignant grief has been recorded by Him; what went on in the hearts of the tender mother, the loving sister, we can only imagine. Slowly the wheels of destiny revolved. Through the unceasing efforts of 'Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'u'llah was able, although still a prisoner, to live the last years of His life in relative peace in a beautiful mansion in the countryside outside 'Akka. Baha'i KM-num, however, continued to live in 'Akka with 'Abdu'l-Baha and His family, whose imprisonment was not permanently lifted until the fall of the SultAnate in 1908 freed all political prisoners. The sun of the glory of her Father set in 1892, an event which again led to violent upheavals caused by internal and external enemies of the Faith; but the selfless devotion, the consecration to service in whatever form was needed, which had been manifested in Baha'i KMnum's life since she was six years old, continued unchanged; her whole being now revolved about the Brother she adored, the Centre of His Father's Covenant, the Head of His Faith. During the years of ever-increasing freedom and victory 'Abdu'l-Baha embarked upon His history-making visits to Egypt, Europe and North America. Some of His letters to the Greatest Holy Leaf reflect not only His constant love and thoughts of her but His joy over the triumphant nature of His tour. But once again, inevitably it seems in her sorrow-filled life, great afflictions came upon her. In November 1921 this Brother Ñ so adored, so close a companion since their earliest childhood Ñ closed His eyes and passed away from a world that had so honoured Him, so afflicted Him for almost four score years. The death of the partner in her trials, her exiles, her family's upheavals and crises, would have been sufficient for any woman of her age; added to it now came the condition of 'Abdu'l-Baha's successor, His eldest grandson, appointed Guardian of His Faith, a young man of twenty-four, devastated with grief because 'Abdu'l-Baha had died during his absence at Oxford University, and completely overwhelmed and prostrated by the news of the station and responsibilities conferred upon him in his Grandfather's Will and [p52] 52 THE BAHA I WORLD Testament. As always Baha'i Kh6num rose to the occasion, comforted, supported, nursed and encouraged the heartbroken youth, the youth of whom, when he was a child, 'Abdu'l-Baha had written to her: Kiss the fresh flower of the garden of sweetness, Shoghi Effendi. More than this, she accepted the headship of the Faith which Shoghi Effendi, in his great distress, conferred upon her when he withdrew, as he wrote, until such time as having gained health, strength, self-confidence and spiritual energy' he would be able to take into his hands 'entirely and regularly the work of service .' Upon Baha'i KlAnum's frail shoulders yet again God placed a heavy load. Though she was now seventy-five, she bore, with her usual nobility, dignity, self-effacement and great inner assurance and strength, all the terrible events related to and produced by the ascension of her Brother. At last came the great freeing, her turn to shake the dust of this earth from her feet and wing away to realms on high. But the release and reward for her was far different for him whom she left behind; 'to one who was reared by the hands of her loving kindness', Shoghi Effendi wrote, 'the burden of this direst of calamities is well-nigh unbearable'. Torrents of passionate feeling poured from his pen, in English to the Baha'is of the West, in Persian and Arabic to the Baha of the East. All his love and, above all, her glory, became embodied in immortal words. During the thirty-six years of the Guardian's ministry he never ceased to remember her, to associate her with the unfoldment of the Faith throughout the world, the rise of its institutions at the World Centre; the largest or smallest of his own undertakings; whether publicly or quietly in his personal life, her memory and influence were always there. He summed up what she represented historically, and to him personally in his dedication to her of The Dawn Breakers Ñ the masterpiece he created out of Nabfl's Narrative through his unique translation: To The Greatest Holy Leaf The Last Survivor of a Glorious and Heroic Age I Dedicate This Work in Token of a Great Debt of Gratitude and Love Some relics of the Greatest Holy Leaf preserved in the International Baha'i Archives. [p53] THE COMMEMORATION OF HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES 53 6. THE COMMEMORATION AT THE WORLD CENTRE OF THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PASSING OF THE GREATEST HOLY LEAF As midnight of 14 July 1982 approached, the Baha'is of the World Centre were gathered in the forecourt of the pilgrim house. With the arrival of Abdu'l-Baha R4ifyyih KlThnum, the assembled friends silently followed her into the brightly illuminated Shrine of the Bab which cast a swathe of golden light against the dark mountain. It was the fiftieth anniversary of the passing of the Greatest Holy Leaf and, in union with Baha'is around the globe, the World Centre paid its tribute to the most remarkable woman of the Baha'i Dispensation. Ai the Shrine the friends heard the recitation of the Tablet of Visitation at the tomb of the BTh, followed by the chanting of the Tablet of Visitation in the Shrine of 'Abdu'l-Baha They then quietly, reverently filed out of the Shrine, and proceeded up to the main gate where police were temporarily holding traffic, silently crossed the road and wound their way through the Monument Gardens to the light-drenched tomb of the Greatest Holy Leaf whose graceful, nine-columned monument had been decorated beautifully with flowers. The night air rang with the Arabic words of Baha'u'llah's tribute to His daughter: This is My testimony for her who hath heard My voice and drawn nigh unto Me. Verily, she is a leaf that hath sprung from this preexistent Root The passage was read in English. Deep emotion stirred the hearts of the friends who were keenly aware of the privilege that was theirs in being in such a spot, at such a time, and hearing in surroundings of ineffable beauty and peace, these words: Let these exalted words be thy love-song on the tree of Baha, 0 thou most holy and resplendent leaf The hushed crowd stood for a long moment of reflection, loath to leave the peaceful spot. The first gathering ever held in the Permanent Seat of the Universal House of Justice on Mount Carmel was a seminar on the life of the Greatest Holy Leaf, held on 17 July 1982. Though not entirely ready for occupancy, the Seat was the venue for a memorable programme which, together with the midnight commemoration at the tomb, constituted the World Centre's observance of the fiftieth anniversary of the passing of Baha'i Khdnum. At nine am. the Hands of the Cause, members of the Universal House of Justice and Counsellor members of the International Teaching Centre, together with their families and the World Centre staff, gathered in the reception concourse whose beauty surprised even those who had seen it emerging over several years. The aesthetic perfection of the surroundings brought peace and assurance to the participants' spirits, belying the troubled world outside. The chairman paid tribute to the dedicated work of the many friends whose efforts had led to that thrilling moment. He spoke of the international crew of volunteer workers from Canada, Ecuador, England, Germany, frTh, Mauritius, New Zealand, South Africa and the United States who had put in extra-long hours to ensure the readiness of those portions of the building which were used for the anniversary observance. The broad stairway, seven metres wide, leading down into the concourse from the second floor, served as dais. The friends were seated to the left of the main entrance, while behind them lay an area of comparable size which will permit the seating of more than twice the two hundred and fifty people who were in attendance. Numerous arrangements of roses and other flowers accented the structural beauty of the reception concourse whose design reflects classic perfection of proportion. The warm July air of Haifa drifted gently in through the, large windows which stood open to receive the breeze. A Tablet of 'Abdu'l-Baha addressed to the Greatest Holy Leaf was first chanted then repeated in English. The first to deliver her talk that day was one who had close personal association with Baha'i Khlium, the Hand of the Cause Abdu'l-Baha Rhhfyyih Kfrmnum. She began her re [p54] 54 THE BAHA'I WORLD An early photograph of the marble monument erected by Shoghi Effendi over the resting-place of Baha'i Khdnum. marks, however, by calling to mind 'one whose chair is empty today'. The friends' thoughts turned to Mr. Amoz Gibson, the well-loved member of the Universal House of Justice, whose death they had so recently mourned. She then spoke for more than an hour sharing her memories of 'Kh4num' as the Greatest Holy Leaf was known. She told of the privilege she was given as a young girl of sharing intimate moments with Khdnum in the Master's House during her stay in Haifa with her mother, May Maxwell, in 1923. Counsellor Anneliese Bopp presented a summary of the life of 'the outstanding heroine of the Baha'i Dispensation'. She enumerated some of the titles by which Baha'u'llah Kh4num is called in the literature of. the Faith, among which are: 'well-beloved sister of 'Abdu'l-Baha'; the Holy Family's 'most precious, most great adorning'; 'the brightly shining Leaf, the Remnant of Bah6, and His trust, the eternal fruit and the one last remembrance of the Holy Tree'. In the afternoon, Mr. 'Ali Na~j~jav~nf shared precious memories from the life of the Greatest Holy Leaf. He noted That the dome of the Seat is reminiscent of the dome of the monument of the Greatest Holy Leaf, saying that the architect intended this visible link between the two structures. The emotions that stirred in each privileged participant through the recitals of treasured memories can only be guessed at, but showed clearly on the participants' faces. Mrs. Baha'u'llah Ma'Anf gave an original presentation on the Greatest Holy Leafs place in religious history, outlining first the role of each of the outstanding women of previous Dispensations, and reinforcing the friends' respect for the capacities and services of the Greatest Holy Leaf and for the effective contributions she made at several times in the history of the Cause. During a break for refreshments the friends went out by the back door of the Concourse and enjoyed the shade bf the colonnade while admiring the dramatic display of colour that had in recent months appeared in the terraced gardens. The five-tiered garden rises steeply for twenty-five metres and is profusely planted with a variety of flowers, blossoming shrubs and small trees. Portraits of Baha'i Khdnum and scenes associated with her life were shown in a slide presentation prepared by Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Thompson. This was followed by recitation in Persian and English of a prayer from the pen of the Greatest Holy Leaf which provided a fitting conclusion to a day spent commemorating her saintly life. [p55] THE COMMEMORATION OF HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES 55 7. SOME REFERENCES TO THE GREATEST HOLY LEAF Baha'u'llah and 'Abdu'l-Baha Tablets Revealed in Honor of the Greatest Holy Leaf (New York: National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States and Canada, 1933). Shoghi Effendi: Advent of Divine Justice (Wilmette: Baha'i Publishing Trust, 1974), p. 37. Baha'i Administration (Wilmette: Baha'i Publishing Trust, 1980), pp. 25, 57, 70, 93, 187 Ñ 196. The Dawn-Breakers (Wilmette: Baha Publishing Trust, 1974), dedication. God Passes By (Wilmette: Baha'i Publishing Trust, 1974), pp. 108, 347, 350, 392. Guidance for Today and Tomorrow (Low-don: Baha'i Publishing Trust, 1973), pp. 58 Ñ 71. Messages to America: Selected Letters and Cablegrams Addressed to the Baha'is of North America 1 932 Ñ 1946 (Wilmette: Baha'i Publishing Committee, 1947), pp. 1, 31, 37. Messages to the Baha'i World (Wilmette: Baha'i Publishing Trust, 1971), p. 74. World Order of Baha'u'llah (Wilmette: Baha Publishing Trust, 1980), pp. 67 Ñ 68, 81 Ñ 82, 93 Ñ 94, 98. Others: Baha'i, H. M. 'Abdu'l-Baha, the Centre of the Covenant of Baha'u'llah (London: George Ronald, 1971), pp. 12, 54 Ñ 55, 74, 332, 401, 416, 454 Ñ 455, 463 Ñ 464, 482. Baha'i, H. M. Edward Granville Browne and the Baha'i Faith (London: George Ronald, 1970), pp. 119 Ñ 120. Blomfield, Lady Sarah The Chosen Highway (Wilmette: Baha'i Publishing Trust, 1967), pp. 37 Ñ 69, 73. 1 Compiled by the Research Department of the Baha World Centre and distributed by the Universal House of Justice to all National Spiritual Assemblies on 25 February 1982. Many of these references are accounts of early pilgrimages and make only brief mention of the Greatest Holy Leaf. Gail, Marzieh Khanam, the Greatest Holy Leaf, as Remembered by Marzieh Gail (Oxford: George Ronald, 1982). Maxwell, May An Early Pilgrimage (Lon-don: George Ronald, 1969), pp. 18 Ñ 19. Muh6jir, lrdn Furhtan, comp. The Mystery of God (London: Baha'i Publishing Trust, 1979), pp. 278 Ñ 304. Rabanni, Riihiyyih The Priceless Pearl (London: Baha'i Publishing Trust, 1969), pp. 6 Ñ 7, 10 Ñ 11, 13 Ñ 15, 21 Ñ 22, 39, 44, 46 Ñ 51, 57 Ñ 58, 63, 90, 102 Ñ 103, 112, 115, 129 Ñ 130, 139 Ñ 140, 144 Ñ 148, 151 Ñ 152, 168, 199, 218, 236, 259, 261 Ñ 262, 266 Ñ 267, 273, 279 Ñ 280, 430, 438. Universal House of Justice Baha'i Holy Places at the World Centre (Haifa: Baha'i World Centre, 1968), pp. 62 Ñ 70. The Baha'i World, an International Record. vol. II, 1926 Ñ 1928, pp. 83, 132. vol. III, 1928 Ñ 1930, p. 64. vol. V, 1932 Ñ 1934, pp. 22 Ñ 23, 114 Ñ 115, 169 Ñ 188. vol. VIII, 1938 Ñ 1940, pp. 5, 8, 206, 255 Ñ 256, 262, 266. vol. IX, 1940 Ñ 1944, p. 329. vol. X, 1944 Ñ 1946, p. 536. voJ. XI, 1946 Ñ 1950, pp. 474, 492. vol. XVI, 1973 Ñ 1976, pp. 54, 66, 73. Baha'i News, published by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States. no. 18, June 1927, p. 5. no. 36, December 1929, p. 1. no. 52, May 1931, pp. 1 Ñ 2. no. 62, May 1932, p. 2. no. 65, August 1932, pp. 1 Ñ 2. no. 66, September 1932, p. 1. no. 72, March 1933, p. 3. no. 121, December 1938, p. 3. no. 124, April 1939, p. 1. no. 128, August 1939, p. 4. no. 133, February 1940, p. 1. no. 135, April 1940, insert. Star of the West (Chicago: Baha News Service). vol. 10, no. 17, pp. 312 Ñ 314. [p56] 56 THE BAHA'I WORLD vol. 12, no. 10, pp. 163 Ñ 167; no. 11, pp. 186 Ñ 188; no. 13, pp. 211 Ñ 214; no. 15, p. 245; no. 19, pp. 302 Ñ 303. vol. 13, no. 4, pp. 68 Ñ 69, 82 Ñ 83, 88; no. 8, pp. 207 Ñ 210, 219 Ñ 220; no. 11, p. 314. vol. 17, no. 8, pp. 256 Ñ 260. vol. 18, no. 9, pp. 278 Ñ 282. vol. 20, no. 1, p. 18; no. 4, p. 104. vol. 23, no. 5, p. 134; no. 7, pp. 202 Ñ 204; no. 12, pp. 374 Ñ 377. vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 18 Ñ 20; no. 3, pp. 90 Ñ 93. vol. 25, no. 4, pp. 118 Ñ 122. Baha'i Khdnum; circa 1895. [p57] THE COMMEMORATION OF HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES 57 8. SOME WORKS PUBLISHED TO COMMEMORATE THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF TI-TB PASSING OF THE GREATEST HOLY LEAF IN its message to 'the Baha'is of the world', Nawruz 1981, the Universal House of Justice announced its intention to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the passing of the Greatest Holy Leaf by issuing 'a compilation of letters to her and of statements about her by Baha'u'llah, 'Abdu'l-Baha, and the beloved Guardian, and of her own letters'. The successful achievement of this objective was announced to all National Spiritual Assemblies on 12 April 1982. 'The fiftieth anniversary of the ascension of Baha'i Kitnum, eldest daughter of Baha'u'llah and designated by Him the Greatest Holy Leaf, will occur on July 15th of this year,' the House of Justice advised all National Spiritual Assemblies on 24 January 1982. 'We summon the entire Baha'i world to a befitting commemoration of the life of the greatest woman in the Baha'i Dispensation. 'National Spiritual Assemblies are requested to arrange national commemorative services, and to ensure that all local communities hold befitting meetings. These services should be held on the date of the anniversary or on the weekend immediately following it, and in those countries where Mashriqu'l-Adhkar's are in existence, they should be held in the Temple.' Enclosed with the letter was a bibliography of references to the Greatest Holy Leaf in Baha'i literature in English to assist national communities in arrangements for the services.1 Many and varied were the programmes held throughout the Baha'i world, each characterized by dignity and devotion. In addition, numerous teaching proj ects were inaugurated in her memory and conferences and deepening classes were held at which her heroic life was studied. Set out below is a bibliography compiled by William P. Collins of publications produced in commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the passing of the Greatest Holy Leaf: See p. 55. MAJOR WORKS: 1. Baha'i Khdnum, the Greatest Holy Leaf I a compilation from Baha'i Sacred Texts and writings of the Guardian of the Faith and Baha'i KhThum's own letters made by the Research Department at the Baha'i World Centre. Haifa: Baha'i World Centre, 1982. xix, 252 pp. 2. Faizi, Abu'1-Q6sim. A Gift of Love Offered to the Greatest Holy Leaf! compiled and edited by Gloria Faizi. n.p.: Gloria A. Faizi, 1982, 39 pp. 3. Gail, Marzieh Kh4num the Greatest Holy Leaf I as remembered by Marzieh Gail. Oxford: George Ronald, 1981. 40 pp. 4. Savi, Julio. Baha'i Khdnum, Ancella di Baha. Roma: Casa Editrice Baha'i, 1983. xiii, 112 pp. PAMPHLETS AND COMMEMORATIVE PRO GRAMMES: 5. Baha'i Khdnum. FLubumbashi: Baha'i Administrative Committee for Central South ZaYre, 1982] 8 pp. 6. Baha'i Khdnum, das Groesste Heilige Blatt. [Bern]: Nationale Vertiefungskomi-tee der Schweiz, 1982. 5 pp. 7. Baha'i Khdnum, tias Griisste Heilige Bleat, 1846 Ñ 1932 / herausgegeben vom Nationalen Geistigen Rat der Baha in Deutschland zum ftinfzigsten Jahrestag des Hindscheidens das Grdssten Heiligen Blattes. [Hofheim-Langenhain]: Nationale Geistige Rat der Baha'i in Deutschland, [1982] 32 pp. 8. Baha'i Khdnum, la Plus Sainte Feujile, 1846 Ñ 1932. [Berne, Switzerland: National Deepening Committee, 1982] 3 pp. 9. Baha'i Khdnum, the Greatest Holy Leaf rLondon: National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United Kingdom, 1982] [2]pp. 10. idem. [4] pp. 11. Commemoraci6n del Quincuagdsimo Ani-versario tie la Ascensi6n de Baha'i Khdnum 'liz Hoja Mds Sagrada.' [S anti [p58] 58THE BAHA'I WORLD N Baha'i Khdnum; October 1919. ago, Chile]: C6mit~ Nacional Baha'i de Educaci6n, [1982] 1 p. 12. Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Passing of the Greatest Holy Leaf, Baha'i Khdnum, 15th July 1982/139. [St. Michael: National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Barbadosj, 1982 [4] pp. 13. A Commemorative Service for the 50th Anniversary of the Ascension of the Greatest Holy Leaf, Baha'i House of Worship, 15th July 1982 at 8.00 p.m. [Mona Vale, N.S.W.I: Baha'i House of Worship, 1982. t4] pp. 14. The Fiftieth Anniversary of the Passing of Baha'i Kh~num, 'The Greatest Holy Leaf,' Daughter of Baha'u'llah. [Port of Spain: National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Trinidad and Tobago], 1982. [12] pp. 15. 50th Anniversary of the Passing of the Greatest Holy Leaf. [Guami: National Spiritual Assembly [of the Baha'is of the Mariana Islands], 1982. [4] pp. 16. 'The Greatest Holy Leaf' Baha'i K/id-num, Daughter of Baha'u'llah: A Selection of Writings about Her Life and Qualities to Commemorate the Fiftieth Anniversary of Her Passing on July 15, 1982. [Acera: National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Ghana, 1982] 4 pp. 17. Hadrat al-Waraqat al-Mubdrakat al-'Ulyd ft Dhikr~ Su'i~dihd al-Khamsin. [Rabat: National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Morocco, 1982] [14] pp. 18. Rabbani, RiThiyyih. Baha'i Khdnum, the Greatest Holy Leaf! by Abdu'l-Baha Rimfyyih Kh~num. Malawi: Baha'i International Summer School, Malawi, 1982 (Lilongwe: Extension Aids Branch, Ministry of Agriculture). ix pp. Introduction to item 1. 19. Seminar on the Greatest Holy Leaf: Seat of the Universal House of Justice, Reception Concourse, 17 July 1982. [Haifa: Baha'i World Centre], 1982. [4] pp. [p59] THE COMMEMORATION OF HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES 59 9. THE GREATEST HOLY LEAF: A REMINISCENCE1 'All Na~Jjav6ni As we sit together in this gathering lam reminded of the fact that our beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, speaks about the mystic bond that exists between the Greatest Holy Leaf and Baha'u'llah. Obviously this is so, for she was not only His daughter but was referred to by Him as the woman who has the highest rank among all women believers in the Baha dispensation, a station that none surpasses. Shoghi Effendi, basing himself on this statement, has named her the outstanding heroine of the Baha dispensation. The Greatest Holy Leaf also had a mystic bond, as Shoghi Effendi describes the relationship, with her brother, 'Abdu'l-Baha, the Centre of the Covenant Ñ One Who not only knew her station and appointed her to be in total charge of His household, but Who entrusted her with the sacred remain~ of the Bab which were housed in her room for some ten years in the house of 'Abdu'llAh P~sh6 Who entrusted her with His last will and testament and Who realized that after His passing she would play a central role in the community, as He knew that Shoghi Effendi was not present at the time of His passing. We can be sure that 'Abdu'l-Baha passed away with His mind at rest, because He knew that Shoghi Effendi would soon be there, and that the Greatest Holy Leaf was there. After the passing of 'Abdu'l-Baha the mystic bond between Shoghi Effendi and the Greatest Holy Leaf assumed far-reaching proportions. I am sure that future historians and other writers will write about the eleven years that passed from the night of the passing of 'Abdu'l-Baha to the night of the passing of the Greatest Holy Leaf. The thought was borne in today, as I gazed at the friends assembled in this meeting in this majestic setting, that the House of Justice is beginning to forge its links and bonds with the 1 Excerpts from an address presented during the World Centre seminar commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the passing of the Greatest Holy Leaf, held in the reception concourse, permanent Seat of the Universal House of Justice, 17 July 1982. Greatest Holy Leaf. Why? Following so close upon the fiftieth anniversary of her passing the very first meeting in the permanent Seat of the Universal House of Justice is held in her name. The architect of this building, Mr. Husayn Am~nat, today confirmed my recollection that he had deliberately designed the dome of this building to be reminiscent of the dome on the monument erected at the resting-place of the Greatest Holy Leaf. If we compare these two domes we will see the resemblance in broad outline. He did so, he said, because of the wellknown statement of Shoghi Effendi in which he likened the administrative order of the Faith of Baha'u'llah to the monument of the Greatest Holy Leaf, the dome representing the Universal House of Justice. This building, itself, standing so close to her resting-place, caused me to reflect, as I stood outside, upon yet another symbolism. It is as though someone were standing with his arms outstretched in a semicircle, this arc, the world administrative seat of the Faith of Baha'u'llah, encircling the consecrated spot where these three precious souls are buried, the Greatest Holy Leaf, the Purest Branch and Navv6b Ñ chief among them the Greatest Holy Leaf. Thus we are now witnessing the forging of bonds at the World Centre of the Faith between the Universal House of Justice and the Greatest Holy Leaf. It is somewhat embarrassing to find myself speaking of my own recollections of the Greatest Holy Leaf. I came to the Holy Land in 1922 when I was two-and-a-half years old. The Greatest Holy Leaf passed away in 1932. Of course, I have no memories left of the first two or three years because I was too young, but a few memories have remained of the later years of that decade. I will, then, speak about this young child who has memories of being in the presence of the Greatest Holy Leaf. This child had a brother who was very close to him Ñ my brother Jal6l who passed away in May of this year Ñ and the experiences which I relate were joint experiences. I am grateful to [p60] 60 THE BAHA'I WORLD Baha'u'llah for having occasion to mention my brother's name here today. The young child of whom I speak was born of a mother, I'kitimib KhAnum, who had spent her youthful life in service to the Greatest Holy Leaf, serving for some fifteen years, dating back to the time when the Master was in the house of 'Abdu'11Th P6sh6 in 'Akka Some of you may have met her sister, my aunt, Zeenat Baghdadi, who came to the Holy Land not long ago to give information relating to the restoration of the house of 'Abdu'116h P6shi These two sisters, when they were young girls in 'Akka, nine and eleven years old, were accepted into the household of 'Abdu'l-Baha. My mother was chosen to serve the Greatest Holy Leaf for all those years. So in our family home we had many stories and feelings Ñ the feelings more important than the stories Ñ about the Greatest Holy Leaf, and the way my mother felt about her. These things are in my background and are for you to visualize as I speak to you. Speaking about this bond between Shoghi Effendi and the Greatest I-Ioiy Leaf, Zeenat, my aunt, used to say that in the house of 'Abdu'llah PAshA there used to be a parrot. The Greatest Holy Leaf used to take a mirror hold it before the bird and bid it to say 'Ya lidhi va Mahba bE!' (0 my God and my Beloved!) and to say 'Shoghi ]dn!' (Shoghi dear!) Early in the morning, at dawn, my aunt recalled, the household could hear the parrot crying 'Ya lidhi va Mahbabi!. Shoghiffin!' We have my aunt's voice on tape and I have tried to imitate that 'Shoghi jdn!' with its high pitch. During the period of the commission of investigation in the time of 'Abdu'1-Hamid, when grave problems confronted 'Abdu'l-Baha, it was necessary for the Master to conceal His Will and Testament. Although I have no evidence to support my belief, I am convinced that the only soul apart from 'Abdu'l-Baha who knew at that time who would be the Master's successor was the Greatest Holy Leaf. She was the depository of His secrets, so to speak. When you visit the house of 'Abdu'llAh PAsh~ you will be shown the room of the Greatest Holy Leaf. My aunt said that she had often wondered why it was that the Greatest Holy Leaf would sit on the mandar in that room, in utter silence, for hours on end. My aunt described my mother sitting at the feet of the Greatest Holy Leaf, also remaining silent and motionless, hour after hour. She said it was only later that she understood that it was because the remains of the Bab were in that room. If we wish to visualize it Ñ forgive my saying this but I am trying to make it understood Ñ it is as though we were asked to live and sleep in the Shrine of the BTh. Obviously, we can well imagine that the Greatest Holy Leaf lived in reverence, turning her heart to the Mb, realizing the sacred trust she had to protect for ten years in that room. Zeenat used to explain to us that there were several things clearly visible in the life of the Greatest Holy Leaf in the house of 'Abdu'116h PashA and, of course, later on these patterns were transferred to her life at the house of 'Abdu'l-Baha in Haifa. One was the undisputed authority of the Greatest Holy Leaf after 'Abdu'l-Baha; that was definitely clear. It was not Munirili Kh6num indeed, far from it. It was the Greatest Holy Leaf. A second was her leadership in coordinating the meetings related to the Baha'i women. Whether in 'Akka or Haifa, she presided over their meetings and controlled everything. The friends would come to her for names for their children, for consultation about a forthcoming marriage and requesting her blessing on the union. She would generally inform the friends about the development of the Cause and whatever 'Abdu'l-Baha had said. She was the central point for the Baha'i women in the community in the Holy Land. A third was her contact with women of the higher social class in 'Akka and later in Haifa. Zeenat said that whenever prominent persons such as the Mufti of 'Akka, the Governor, or other high officials of the government called upon Abdu'l-Baha, He would ask the Greatest Holy Leaf, rather than His daughters or His wife, to visit the women in their homes while He entertained the men in His home. In addition to Persian, the Greatest Holy Leaf spoke fluent Turkish and Arabic. A fourth aspect became increasingly clear as the Research Department made a study and review of the documents at the World Centre: the extensive correspondence conducted by the Greatest Holy Leaf from the days of Baha'u'llah until the end of her life. During [p61] THE COMMEMORATION OF HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES 61 the last six years of Baha'u'llah's Ministry she was the Most Exalted Leaf after her mother, and there are letters written by her at that time. During the Ministry of 'Abdu'l-Baha likewise there are letters from her, and after the passing of the Master, of course, during the difficult period when she was head of 'Abdu'l-Baha's household and head of the committee which was operating here in charge of the affairs of the Faith in the absence of Shoghi Effendi, until the period when he was able to take the reins of authority in his capable hands. A fifth aspect was her domestic duties. Ella Goodall Cooper wrote a few lines which I think describe very well the busy life of the Greatest Holy Leaf in the household of the Master. 'One day', she writes, 'we caught a glimpse of her in the kitchen, seated on a low stool, her firm, capable hands busy with a large lamb that had just been brought in from the market. Quickly dividing it, she directed which part was to be made into broth, which part served for the evening meal, which part kept possibly for the morrow, and which was to be sent to those poor or incapacitated friends who were daily supplied from 'Abdu'1-Curtis Curtis KeLsey astride a donkey, Pilgrim House, Baha; 1921. Baha'is table.' The relationship of the Greatest Holy Leaf to the poor is an element of her life which is sometimes forgotten. During the First World War she was the person responsible for feeding the poor from the Master's house: she cooked for them, sent them rations or supplied rations when the poor came asking. All this was under her control. An American believer, Curtis Kelsey, was present in the Holy Land at the time of the passing of 'Abdu'l-Baha. In the memoir of Mr. Kelsey written by Nathan Rutstein we find a description of the event: 'The Greatest Holy Leaf calmly went about comforting the grief-stricken, absorbing their pain. As Curtis watched her move from person to person, stroking a shoulder, clasping a stretched-out hand, he noticed that she exhibited the kind of strength that 'Abdu'l-Baha radiated. Some sensed that and clung to her. Her control, her poise, her unrestrained flow of compassion assured him that the Faith would not falter. She was, at that moment, the head of the Faith that her dear brother had led so successfully for twenty-nine years, giving His all. She was a tower of strength that all would rally around for support. 'As he watched the Greatest Holy Leaf, her Saichiro Fujita in Persian garb; 1921. [p62] 62 THE BAHA'I WORLD eyes caught his and she walked over to him. Since he was not crying, he wondered why she was coming toward him. "Kelsey," she said, "will you take Fujita and Khusraw to 'Akka to tell the friends there of the Master's passing and then come right back?" Here she was in the midst of this storm of sorrow, yet she was in full control, giving instructions, comforting everyone around her although she was the one who was in need of the greatest comfort. When the beloved Guardian passed away and a torrent of grief afflicted the Baha'is of the world, our beloved Arnatu'1-BalA Riihfyyih KlAnum acted in exactly the same way. In response to a request of the Universal House of Justice the Hand of the Cause Abu'1-Q~sim Faizi has written a brief account of his visits to Haifa during the time when he was a student at the American University in Beirut. He relates a little story that is touching, one we have heard from him many times. One day Shoghi Effendi asked Mr. Faizi to chant a prayer; he had a most melodious and heartwarming voice. The next day Shoghi Effendi said that the Greatest Holy Leaf had heard his voice and she would like him to sing and chant for her. With a few other students, Mr. Faizi went to the Greatest Holy Leaf and chanted. The next day Shoghi Effendi inquired whether Mr. Faizi had visited the Greatest Holy Leaf. 'Yes,' Mr. Faizi replied. 'And did you chant for her?' 'Yes,' said Mr. Faizi. Then Shoghi Effendi said that he had left his door open in order to enjoy the chanting and explained that the Greatest Holy Leaf first heard Mr. Faizi chant because she had left her door ajar on the earlier occasion. Mr. Faizi in his reminiscences describes another occasion on which the Greatest Holy Leaf was very happy. He writes, 'When our small group of students from Beirut was ushered into the presence of the Greatest Holy Leaf she was seated at the upper end of a large room facing the door.' I think this must be the same room which served as the women's tearoom. 'The wife of the Master Munirili Kh6num sat next to her and other ladies of the household sat on either side in a semicircle. The mother of the Guardian, Dfy6'iyyih Khfinum, stood behind the Greatest Holy Leaf with her hands resting on the shoulders of her beloved aunt. We students were given seats facing this beautiful audience. Khdnum sat still, her lily-white hands resting gently on her lap. She was a queen who inspired love and reverence and at her throne of grandeur we offered our grateful hearts. Her glance was full of love but she did not speak to us. The Master's wife, Munfrih KhAnum, spoke on her behalf. She greeted us whQn we arrived and thanked us warmly in KhAnum's name at the end of our programme of prayers, songs and Baha'i poems. On yet another occasion the students were invited. 'This time she said she would like to hear one of the songs that labourers sing in IrAn as they go home in the evening on their way back from work. She asked if there was anyone among us who knew these songs. We were surprised that Kitnum should still remember such songs which she must have heard on the streets in TihrTh during her early childhood. Perhaps the sight of a group of young Persians or the music of the t6r (one of the students had a tAr, a Persian stringed instrument) had taken her memories back to those days.' Marjory Morten in her tribute to the Greatest Holy Leaf makes a touching observation which is accurase as far as my own experiences go: 'She delighted in making presents Ñ sweetmeats and goodies and coins for the children, and for others flowers, keepsakes Ñ a vial of attar of roses, a rosary, or some delicate thing that she had used and cared for. Anything that was given her she one day gave to someone else, someone in whom she felt a special need of a special favour. She was channel rather than cup; open treasury, not locked casket.' I have selected just four brief passages from the memoir written by the Hand of the Cause Keith Ransom-Kehier. These passages ring true: 'On two occasions she removed my Baha'i ring and after holding it for some time replaced it reversed. Twice she blew on the palm of my hand, a sweet, cool, delicious breath and then exultantly exclaimed: "It is all right now." 'She would reach out her delicate hand and, pressing my cheek close against her own, would make some lover-like exclamation. I was dissolved by her sweetness. 'For the most part she would chant in a low [p63] THE COMMEMORATION OF HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES 63 delicious voice some glorious Tablet or poem, soothing my hand or holding me under the chin as she sang. 'Every Sunday she insisted in going to the meeting on Mt. Carmel: she had to be lifted in and out of the car.' Keith Ransom-Kehier refers here to the last time she met Baha'i KMnum toward the close of her life; she was here in March 1932, not long before the passing of the Greatest Holy Leaf. As to my own memories, perhaps I could present one or two vignettes. The first I call 'a mouthful from Kh6num but not Kh6num's mouthful'. I say this because in The Priceless Pearl Abdu'l-Baha Rhhfyyih KhAnum refers to KhAnum's mouthful, and she did so again in her remarks this morning. About 1926 or 1927, when I was about five or six years old, I came to the Master's house with my mother one hot afternoon Ñ it was probably during the summer months Ñ and the door of the house was open. The Greatest Holy Leaf was seated next to the big round table which is still there in the hail of the Master's house. The samovar was next to her and around this table were seated Munfrih Kh6num and the daughters of 'Abdu'l-Baha. We reached the hail and stood there and bowed, I following my mother's example. Khdnum looked at us and told us to come in. She was having tea. As I came closer I saw that she was having fresh Arabic bread, white cheese and fresh mint. These were placed on the table. She had made one mouthful of bread, cheese and mint, apparently intending to have it herself. It was ready to be eaten and she was still holding it in her hand. As we approached she asked me to come forward and I moved closer to her. She then asked me to close my eyes and I dutifully closed them. Then she said, 'Open your mouth!' and she put the tidbit in my mouth. So vivid is this experience that every time I recall it I feel that I can taste that fresh mint, bread and cheese from the hand of the Greatest Holy Leaf. I feel and taste it every time I bring the incident to memory. My brother, JaTM, was two years older than I was. The second story is about him. I was not present on one occasion when he was leaving the presence of the Greatest Holy Leaf. It was at the time of the mandate when we had British currency. She placed one shilling in his hand and said, 'Jahi, here is a shilling, half for you and half for your brother.' JaN said 'But Kmnum, bow can I break this coin?' She laughed and beckoned him to her and gave him another shilling. 'This one is for your brother.' Many were the times my brother and I had sweetmeats, nuts, cookies and other goodies in her room. Often she was tired and would be seated or in bed. She would say, 'Bring that box from under the mandar. Bring it out Ñ that's right, bring it out. Now open it. Take one for yourself and give one to your brother.' How many times I have gone into that room in great reverence and knelt down, as we used to before the portraits of Baha'u'llah and the Bab, and watched while the Greatest Holy Leaf sat there reverently unveiling the portraits and then closing them up again after the viewing was over. We have heard of the delight the Greatest Holy Leaf took in giving presents. Mr. Abu'1-Q6sim Faizi describes an event he witnessed when some Arab women came to pay a visit. Baha'i KlAnum wanted to give them something, but finding nothing in her room she requested that some sugar cubes be brought from the kitchen and she presented them to her guests. She always wanted to give gifts to others. The story I will now relate, although not all of it refers to the Greatest Holy Leaf, illustrates what I witnessed of the tender relationship between the Greatest Holy Leaf and Shoghi Effendi. Once our mother asked my brother and I to go to the Master's house after prayers at the Shrine of the BTh. In those days the Guardian was younger and, following prayers, he would walk down to Abbas Street and, the terraces beyond Abbas Street not yet having been built, he would turn to the right on Abbas Street, and then proceed to Hapar-sim Street and straight down to the Master's house. The pilgrims would usually walk with him. On that particular day my brother and I, too, followed Shoghi Effendi because we thought how much better it was to go to the Master's house with him. When Shoghi Effendi reached the gate he turned and said, 'H Amdni'lldh' (May you be under God's protection) and went in. Being younger than Jal6.1, I was glad to follow him when he set out after [p64] 64 THE BAHA'I WORLD Shoghi Effendi. The Guardian went up the stairs and we did, too, and then entered the house. It was the custom of the Guardian to have his one major meal each day with the Greatest Holy Leaf. It was also his practice to go to her after meeting with the pilgrims and sit and talk to her. Shoghi Effendi turned right to go through the corridor next to the room in which the Master passed away and proceeded to the next room which was the Greatest Holy Leafs bedroom. He went along that corridor and we followed, and when he opened the door I was so close to Shoghi Effendi at that point that I saw that the Greatest Holy Leaf was in bed. As soon as she heard the footsteps of Shoghi Effendi and the opening of the door she was at the point of rising from bed to sit in the presence of the Guardian. Although the distance is not far from the door to the bed, Shoghi Effendi literally ran from the door to the bed and gently restrained her, saying 'Jd'iz fist' (it is not permissible). He did not want her to be disturbed. There is a little sequel to this incident and although it does not directly relate to the Greatest Holy Leaf, since we have begun the story, let me finish it. In the room of KhAnum, Shoghi Effendi seated himself. My brother and I, with childish aplomb, sat down too. Then my mother found out what had happened and sent the maid immediately to tell us to come out. The door was opened again and with a motion of her eyes the maid signalled us to leave. Jaldi very reverently stood and bowed and withdrew from the room. But I thought this wasn't right; I thought, 'This is not the way to do things!' I felt there should be a handshake. This, of course, was totally inappropriate but to my childish mind it seemed the proper thing to do. I went straight over to Shoghi Effendi who was seated in a deep comfortable armchair and offered him my little hand. Shoghi Effendi looked at me and pulled himself closer, accepted my hand and shook it. This all took time. When I went outside my mother asked me what had delayed me and I explained that my brother didn't shake hands and I thought I should. She was horrified and struck my hand, saying, 'Out of reverence for the Guardian you should have done exactly what your brother did.' Of course, I felt very bad about this. As we were going home my mother asked again, incredulously, 'You shook hands?' I said, 'Yes.' 'With your right hand?' 'Of course.' 'Give me your hand.' I did, and she kissed it several times. When the Greatest Holy Leaf passed away in her eighty-sixth year, on 15 JuLy 1932, an announcement was printed in Haifa and distributed to everyone concerned, Baha'is and others, in Haifa, 'Akka and Jerusalem. At the top is set out stanza 33 of the Hidden Words of Baha'u'llah, from the Arabic: 0 Son of Spirit! With the joyful tidings of light I hail thee: rejoice! To the court of holiness I summon thee; abide therein that thou mayest live in peace for evermore. Baha'u'llah. Then it states: 'The family of the late Sir 'Abdu'l-Baha 'Abbas announces with profound sorrow the death of Baha'i KMnum, sister of the late Sir 'Abdu'l-Baha 'Abbas, who passed away peacefully at 1 am. on the morning of July 15. The funeral procession from her home in the Persian Colony is at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, July 15th.' The passing of the Greatest Holy Leaf was the most significant event in Haifa since the passing of 'Abdu'l-Baha. Many people gathered for the funeral; indeed, there were a hundred cars following the procession. Shoghi Effendi obviously was not in Haifa. Apart from many dignitaries, the Mayor of Haifa was present and the representative of the northern district. There were people present not only from Haifa, but 'AkM, Abii-SinAn, Nablus, Jaffa and Jerusalem, and of course the Baha were present. The prayer for the dead was read in the Master's house in the main hail. Some of the friends served as pallbearers. The coffin was raised shoulder high on the shoulders of the friends and carried from the Master's house up to the Shrine. The coffin was brought in not through the main gate but through the small gate next to the school, almost immediately above the cluster of cypress trees where Baha'u'llah sat, and then down the path to the Shrine. As I recall, it was not taken inside but was placed outside and prayers were read there as well. Then her coffin was raised again and carried along the same route to her resting-place. The site was chosen by Shoghi Effendi and he himself had [p65] THE COMMEMORATION OF HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES 65 instructed his father in Haifa exactly where the site should be and how the burial should take place. Shoghi Effendi also instructed the Baha to visit her resting-place every day for nine days. Every afternoon for nine days we gathered at her resting-place for prayers. There were among the local Arabs those who had written eulogies (Marthiyyih) about the Greatest Holy Leaf and they wanted to read them. There was no time on the day of the funeral so this was set aside because evening came on and everybody had to go home. Very soon requests were made for a meeting in the Master's house for these poets and various officials to come and, as is the custom, offer condolences to the family, recite poems written in honour of the Greatest Holy Leaf and speak words of praise in her memory. This was immediately reported to Shoghi Effendi who said no. Instead, he said that on the fortieth day after her passing a luncheon should be held for the poor and all else who might come. On the 25th of August all the friends gathered. Some of us were cooking, others were cleaning, others were laying tables and others were serving. Your humble servant was among those who were serving. A long table was laid seating 100 people. We had ten or eleven turnovers; over 1,000 people came. This is how it went on until 3 or 4 o'clock in the afternoon. A tent had been erected in the garden where those waiting to be seated could shelter from the hot summer sun. Shoghi Effendi also gave the sum of £100 Ñ a considerable amount in those days Ñ to the municipality of Haifa asking that it be distributed to the needy in the name of the Greatest Holy Leaf. An announcement was made in the papers and the municipality set up a special committee to screen applications for assistance and distribute the money to those genuinely in need. Before I conclude let me mention the hands of the Greatest Holy Leaf. The veins stood out visibly, very much in relief. There was a wonderful softness and a supple tenderness in her hands. She truly spoke with her hands. I have had the privilege of having her hand over my head; she stroked my head many times as a child. And I want to tell you I have kissed those hands many times; I have broken the law of the Kitab-i-Aqdas! I can conclude with no more fitting tribute than that of Shoghi Effendi. This is such a beautiful description of Khdnum: It would take me too long to make even a brief allusion to those incidents of her life, each of which eloquently proclaims her as a daughter, worthy to inherit that priceless heritage bequeathed to her by Baha'u'llah. A purity of life that reflected itself in even the minutest details of her daily occupations and activities; a tenderness of heart that obliterated every distinction of creed, class and colour; a resignation and serenity that evoked to the mind the calm and heroic fortitude of the Bib; a natural fondness of flowers and children that was so characteristic of Baha'u'llah; an unaffected simplicity of manners; an extreme sociability which made her accessible to all; a generosity, a love, at once disinterested and undiscriminating, that reflected so clearly the attributes of 'Abdu'l-Baha's character; a sweetness of temper; a cheerfulness that no amount of sorrow could becloud; a quiet and unassuming disposition that served to enhance a thousandfold the prestige of her exalted rank; a forgiving nature that instantly disarmed the most unyielding enemy Ñ these rank among the outstanding attributes of a saintly life which history will acknowledge as having been endowed with a celestial potency that few of the heroes of the past possessed. And then these beautiful words: Dearly-beloved Greatest Holy Leaf! Through the mist of tears that fill my eyes I can clearly see, as I pen these lines, thy noble figure before me, and can recognize the serenity of thy kindly face. I can still gaze, though the shadows of the grave separate us, into thy blue, love-deep eyes, and can feel in its calm intensity, the immense love thou did'st bear for the Cause of thine Almighty Father, the attachment that bound thee to the most lowly and insignificant among its followers, the warm affection thou didst cherish for me in thine heart. The memory of the ineffable beauty of thy smile shall ever continue to cheer and hearten me in the thorny path I am destined to pursue. The remembrance of the touch of thine hand shall ~pur me on [p66] 66 THE BAHA'I WORLD to follow steadfastly in thy way, the sweet magic of thy voice shall remind me, when the hour of adversity is at its darkest, to hold fast to the rope thou did'st seize so firmly all the days of thy life. Abdu'l-Baha Riihiyyih KhAnurn spoke of praying to the Greatest Holy Leaf. I want to make a confession. For the past fifty years since her passing, every time I have had a very difficult, difficult problem that I found myself unable to resolve, I have turned to the Greatest 1-joly Leaf. Baha'i Khdnum circa 1919. [p67] THE COMMEMORATION OF HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES 67 View of the Greatest Holy Leaf's monument as it appears today. [p68] THE BAHA'I WORLD 10. THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF THE GREATEST HOLY LEAF' Baha'i Nakhj av~ni A. CROSS the world, from East to West, thousands of Baha'is have turned their hearts this year towards one single woman called the 'Maid of Bah&. In conferences they have stood before multitudes to speak of the 'Scion of Bah&, the 'Remnant of Bah6'. In solitude they have all found themselves speechless to describe adequately this 'archetype of the people of Bah&. 'Abdu'l-Baha Himself refers to her in a way that recalls all that cannot be said: 'I dare make no mention', He wrote, 'of the feelings which separation from her have aroused in my heart I do not know', He continues, 'in what words I could describe my longing for my honoured sister.' Shoghi Effendi, writing about his great-aunt after her passing in July 1932 also acknowledged that words could not adequately convey all that she was: 'Not even a droplet of all thine endless love can I aspire to fathom, nor can I adequately praise and tell of even the most trifling out of all the events of thy precious life.' How can we hope to encompass anything of her nature, therefore, when those who give us the words remind us that they will not suffice? How can we contain her when all our lives put together cannot comprehend the least trifling of the events she witnessed, the suffering she endured? It must be with feelings of awe that we approach this subject and with a sense of wonder that we ask who was this 'Maid' this 'Scion', this 'Remnant of Baha' who must remain for all of time our archetype'. She was named Baha'i (Baha'u'llah) by Baha'u'llah. She was given the titles of the Greatest Holy Leaf, the Most Exalted Leaf, but in her letters she referred to herself as 'this yearning prisoner', 'this lowly and grief-stricken maidservant', 'this wronged one'. In the writings of Shoghi Effendi we find expressions which have captured something of her nature and his wonderful imagery speaks where we fall silent. She has been called a Adapted from the address of Dr. Baha'i Nakhjav~nf to the Baha International Conference, Montreal, Qu6bec, 3 September 1982. 'leaf sprung' from the 'Preexistent Root', 'the fruit of His Tree, the lamp of His love, the symbol of His serenity .' He calls her a 'love-loin moth', a soaring pillar', a 'rich mine of faithfulness', an 'orb in the heaven of eternal glory'. She holds a rank in this dispensation that is higher than any other woman can hold. Her station is one among those that revolve arodnd the greater Manifestations of the past, those women who, like moths, revolved around the great suns of the previous Manifestations. Baha'u'llah wrote of her in these words: 'Verily, We have elevated thee to the rank of one of the most distinguished among thy sex, and granted thee, in My court, a station such as none other woman hath surpassed.' During the ministry of 'Abdu'l-Baha her station was similarly exalted. Shoghi Effendi described her as a 'staunch and trusted supporter of the peerless Branch of Bah&, 'a companion to Him beyond compare', 'His competent deputy', 'His representative and vicegerent with none to equal her'. Shoghi Effendi also describes how much she meant to him during the first years of his own ministry, until her passing. He says she was 'my sole earthly sustainer', 'my most affectionate comforter', 'the joy and inspiration of my life'. The Greatest Hoiy Leaf had a subtle bond with Baha'u'llah, 'Abdu'l-Baha and Shoghi Effendi, a kinship that was infinitely tender and powerful. To Baha'u'llah she was far more than a daughter for she was like a mirror in which His good pleasure was exquisitely reflected. He says to her, 'How sweet to see thy presence before Me, how sweet to gaze upon thy face.' To 'Abdu'l-Baha she was far more than a sister, for in letters of consuming tenderness He writes to her as '0 My sister in the spirit and the companion of My heart, the beloved of My soul'. After her passing the secretary of Shoghi Effendi wrote of what she meant to the Guardian saying that the spiritual attachment he felt for her was 'a bond so strong as to defy description, nor can the mind encompass that exalted state'. Per [p69] THE COMMEMORATION OF HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES 69 haps it is not presumptuous, therefore, if we should say that this subtle and mystic bond is still present with us today working through the Covenant of God, through the divinely ordained administrative order of God, and that her loving care and protection are with us still. Indeed, it can be no coincidence that the Universal House of Justice should have summoned the Baha'i world to remember her, fifty years after her passing, at a time which coincides with the year in which the House of Justice is itself advancing toward the plenitude of its powers, entering its Seat on the slopes of Mount Carmel, occupying a building set like a jewel on that arc at whose hub and centre lies enshrined the monument of the Greatest 1-Ioiy Leaf. That subtle bond was a legacy given to us fifty years ago when she passed away. Today we receive that legacy again and none of us needs feel portionless or orphaned. The following cannot pretend to be an historical account and is not intended as a source of biographical detail. Instead it will attempt to consider the degree of suffering experienced by the Greatest Holy Leaf, her service that gradually widened its sphere of influence as a result of that suffering, and finally the nature of the symbol that she is for us, not only as individuals but as members of institutions. The greatness of her station can only be measured by her obedience and her love for the Covenant of God. Her obedience and love for the Covenant is what ensured her proximity to the Centre of the Covenant throughout her life, and that proximity surely cannot be measured except by some reflection on the degree to which she suffered. The Greatest Holy Leaf was an initiate of suffering, schooled in sacrifice, and she learned everything there was to know about loss. From the earliest years of her life she was deprived not only of home and security, but also of her dearest Father, when He was thrown into the SfyTh-Chdi and later when He removed Himself for two years from the community in BaghdAd. Separation from Baha'u'llah and exile from her home: such were the experiences that marked the begin-fling of her life. In His letters to her later we read how 'Abdu'l-Baha's was one of the educating voices that trained her in the school of sacrifice and instilled in her the capacity to endure. He wrote, 'If thou dost not bear these hardships, who would ever bear them?' And this is what makes of her such a poignant symbol for us today. He counsels her at times of loneliness with words such as, 'However great the distance that separates us, we still feel as though we were seated under the same roof, in one and the same gathering, for are we not all under the shadow of the Tabernacle of God and beneath the canopy of His infinite grace and mercy?' Through her, therefore, we learn from Him. During these early years of separation and sacrifice during which she lost one brother, and later in 'Akka lost yet another, Mirza Mihdi, she played the role of auxiliary in the household, assisting her mother. Most of her services were internal, within the household. She served tea. We can imagine how much she must have learned from the mother who was so dear to her, with what joy she must have prepared for the return of Baha'u'llah from Su1aym~nfyyih. She was herself never married, but that training she received as assistant to her own mother made of her a symbol of such maternal love as we cannot conceive, for she was entirely unpossessive in her mothering. When she died Shoghi Effendi wrote that we were orphaned, left destitute, for the whole Baha'i world at that time seemed under her protective care. If we think of this quality in relation to individuals we see how often we may be called upon to be mothers to each other, no matter who we are. When we think of this quality in relation to the institutions of the Faith we realize that we surely have in our Assemblies a parent whom we can turn to with absolute trust if those institutions could also evince the characteristics of such gentle mothering. However the institutions need to be cared for also, and mothered, for this is the infant Faith of God. And modelling ourselves upon the Greatest Holy Leaf we, too, can try to extend that mothering, that generosity, that nurture, that nourishment to the infant institutions that are growing up all over the world. It was around 1886 when the Greatest Holy Leaf had to endure the loss of her own mother. At that point in time Baha'i Kh6num received the title of 'The Greatest Holy Leaf'. She took over the role of her mother, was at the helm of the household of [p70] 70 THE BAHA'I WORLD Baha'u'llah, conducted the management of the affairs of the house, saw to the food that had to be bought and prepared, met the wives of the pilgrims and extended her love and generosity to the community of women who entered that house. Her loss was therefore paralleled by increased responsibility and this pattern was repeated throughout her life. In 1892 she had to face the 'supreme affliction', the passing of Baha'u'llah, and the degree of that suffering was what nerved her to enter an even wider arena of service to the Cause. Her condition at that time was such that 'Abdu'l-Baha wrote, 'My sister for a considerable period, that is, from the day of Baha'u'llah's ascension, had grown so thin and feeble and was in such a weakened condition from the anguish of her mourning that she was close to breakdown.' But it is such a lady who was nevertheless able to stand as the supporter and companion of 'Abdu'l-Baha at a time of severe crisis. Her role in the Baha community at this point was much more significant, for she had to receive on His behalf the wives of the dignitaries who came to visit the World Centre. Still she conducted the household affairs but the scope was now wider. Shoghi Effendi writes of how far-reaching was her generosity and compassion for the people of 'Akka at that time and how, in spite of this, she was met with rejection and denial and was given no relief at the time of her own great grief. During the last years in 'Akka, before the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, when circumstances were so difficult and the life of 'Abdu'l-Baha alP was under threat, it was the Greatest Holy Leaf who was trusted by Him, who was the custodian of His will, who was responsible for the safe keeping of His testament. She it was in whose room the casket of the Blessed Mb was kept for ten years because she was so trusted by 'Abdu'l-Baha In this way, surely, she is also a model for us not oniy within our individual lives but through our institutions, for where else could we turn in a world so sadly shaken? Where else but toward the solace of those divinely appointed institutions? To which other haven could we turn and put our trust and confidence? The Greatest Holy Leaf was an extremely practical person. Indeed, due to the extraordinary multiplicity of her capacities we owe her a faithfulness in this attempt to convey the diversity of her nature. It is too easy for us to create a myth about her, to impose upon her the weight and strain of our twentieth-century interpretations which are inadequate for the duration of this mighty dispensation. She was truly sensitive and finely tuned but she was also immensely practical. There is a description drawn by an early pilgrim which shows her as the housekeeper of 'Abdu'l-Baha, a role which she also performed during the early years of Shoghi Effendi's ministry: 'One day we caught a glimpse of her in the kitchen seated on a low stool, her firm capable hands busy with a large lamb that had just been brought in from the market. Quickly dividing it, she directed which part was to be made into broth, which part served for the evening meal, which part kept for the morrow, and which sent to those poor or incapacitated friends who were daily supplied from 'Abdu'l-Baha's table.' It is fitting that we should consider the Greatest Holy Leaf as a model not only for our individual lives but for the qualities of service and the kind of obedience to the Covenant which can stream through our institutions, when we think of her in this capacity of practical housekeeper. Our institutions are dealing with our lives. It is human beings that are passing through the hands of our assemblies. We must have not only tender compassion for them but be immensely practical in our manner of dealing with community affairs so as not to cause harm or hardship or waste. During the trials that affected 'Abdu'l-Baha, during the threat on His life, the capacities of the Greatest Holy Leaf as housewife and mother enabled her to support 'Abdu'l-Baha. In a much deeper sense than mere external practicality, she evihced a stability that was rooted in steadfastness to the Covenant. Shoghi Effendi says of that period, 'Suffice it to say that but for her sleepless vigilance, her tact, her courtesy, her extreme patience and heroic fortitude, grave complications might have ensued and the load of 'Abdu'l-Baha's anxious care would have been considerably increased.' It was an element of her very practical nature that she did not wish to burden 'Abdu'l-Baha any more than was necessary, and protected. Him with her discretion. [p71] THE COMMEMORATION OF HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES 71 What joy it must have given her when the imprisonment was lifted and her beloved brother was permitted to be free and travel to the West! This was one separation the cost of which she surely did not mind paying, for the letters that streamed back to her from Europe and America must have filled her heart with happiness. The victories of the Faith were great recompense for all her previous suffering. And when He left her in Haifa, 'Abdu'l-Baha gave her a much wider role. In His absence she had to deal with many of the affairs in Haifa which had been His responsibility. Everything which did not require interaction with the male world was left to her, because we must remember that this was the Middle East and it would not have been fitting for a lady such as the Greatest Holy Leaf to deal with business affairs; such matters were taken care of by the male members of 'Abdu'l-Baha's household. But nevertheless her sphere of influence was wider and she received both men and women dignitaries and officials, spoke to the pilgrims on behalf of 'Abdu'l-Baha inspired them, gave her assistance to the poor and offered her medical services to the sick. Shortly after 'Abdu'l-Baha returned to the Holy Land after His travels in the West, World War I broke out. The Greatest Holy Leaf was in a position to offer some needed help to the local community. Shoghi Effendi writes that 'her words of cheer and comfort, the food, the money, the clothing she freely dispensed, the remedies which by a process of her own she herself prepared and diligently applied, all these had their share in comforting the disconsolate.' Here again we might consider how much she is a model for us not only as individuals but as institutions. She was a natural healer. She not only had compassion for the sick but insight into the nature of their sickness and she offered remedies which she prepared, as Shoghi Effendi said, by 'a process of her own'. We might bear this in mind when we think of how often our Assemblies need to be a source of healing for the community, how they are required to consider each individual case, diagnose the condition, prescribe the remedies in the same way she did, so that by means of prevention, the health of the community might be ensured. We are told that she turned to professionals when necessary; so, too, do the institutions. Through her own suffering she became attuned to the needs of the community and the importance of her role increased. The next great blow in her life came in 1921 with the passing of 'Abdu'l-Baha. The One Who had always been there to comfort her was now gone, and now she became the comforter. It is at this point in her life that we begin to bear her own voice speaking in the beautiful tablets which have been translated by the Universal House of Justice for us this year. Among them there is one prayer that rises from the depths of her anguish and in it she becomes a spokesman for the suffering masses of the world. She speaks in the language of the heart on behalf of all who have been downtrodden, who have been suppressed, who have experienced a separation and Loss of such magnitude that she alone could understand their plight: '0 God, my God! 'Thou seest me immersed in the depths of grief, drowned in my sorrow, my heart on fire with the agony of parting, my inmost self aflame with longing. Thou seest my tears streaming down, hearest my sighs rising up like smoke, my never-ceasing groans, my cries, my shouts that will not be stilled, the useless wailing of my heart. 'For the sun of joy has set, has sunk below the horizon of this world, and in the hearts of the righteous the lights of courage and consolation have gone out. So grave this catastrophe, so dire this disaster, that the inner being crumbles away to dust. Where else could we find a spokesman who could so speak on our behalf about our deepest anguish? We know now why she has been offered to us as an intercessor, as one to whom we might turn at times of great despair. It seems most fitting that we reach toward her first, beg her assistance, ask for her compassion, because she has so keenly felt the pain of being human. She was no mediator between man and God, nor a mystery given by God to man, but simply a woman whose voice calling upon God seems universal in its truth and its sincerity. So, too, our institutions might echo that voice of compassion for us, might speak on our behalf when we feel [p72] 72 THE BAHA'I WORLD f ~ks7 ]4<~ I Ñ k Ñ < Ñ ~ a Ñ QL< A" p Y fAt Ar ~ ~'v vA~/?»At Vt~j 2)) rV ~$'V/7t W , ~& 7 ~