Search for tag "Research Department, Questions and answers"

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1. 20,000 Martyrs, Source of Statements about, by Universal House of Justice (1984). Two letters from the Research Department. [about]
2. African religions; miracles; strange phenomena, by Universal House of Justice (1996). Five questions: the religion of Santeria; relationship to Sabaeanism; Yoruba-based new world religions; visions and miracles of the Virgin Mary and Fatima; UFOs, aliens, and genetic engineering. [about]
3. Apostle Paul, a "False Teacher"?, by Universal House of Justice (1998). Whether Bahá'í Writings state that Paul was a "false teacher," the relationship between apostles Paul and Peter, and some Bahá'í teachings on Christianity. [about]
4. Apparent Contradictions in the Bahá'í Writings, Reconciliation of, by Universal House of Justice (2002). On apparent contradictions, regarding Mírzá Abu'l-Fadl on Abraham and Zoroaster; 'Abdu'l-Bahá and a Baby Naming Ceremony; Minimum Age of Marriage; Smoking and Firmness in the Covenant; Corporal Punishment; Táhirih as "Woman Suffragette." [about]
5. Aspects of the Bahá'í Teachings, Conditions for Membership, and Voting Rights: Seven various questions, by Universal House of Justice (1991). On Bahá'í status and community membership, spiritual primacy, Most Great Spirit, studying the Covenant, revelation of the Bab, civil elections, and definition of a pioneer. Includes short compilation "Conditions for Membership in the Bahá'í Community." [about]
6. Authenticity of prayer "O God! Refresh and gladden my spirit", by Universal House of Justice (2006). Some details on the history of a popular prayer. Includes comments on the authenticity of published compilations of Abdu'l-Bahá's talks Some Answered Questions, Paris Talks, and The Promulgation of Universal Peace. [about]
7. Authenticity of Prayers and Tablets, by Universal House of Justice, in American Bahá'í (1992). List of some prayers and tablets which are not or might not be authentic; includes 2020 update on the prayer "Help me to refrain from every irregular inclination..." [about]
8. Authenticity of Texts, by Universal House of Justice (1996). Status of texts of Abdu'l-Bahá's talks, of letters from the Universal House of Justice versus its Secretariat, of letters from the Guardian, and of the books Bahá'í World Faith and Foundations of World Unity. [about]
9. Authenticity of The Báb's Farewell Address to the Letters of the Living, by Universal House of Justice (2020). Memorandum of the Research Department of the Bahá'í World Center about the authenticity of the speech of the Báb to the Letters of the Living. [about]
10. Bahá'í Teachings, Aspects of, by Universal House of Justice (1997). Authenticity of Statements; Mathnavi; Quranic quotations; Marriage Prayer; 'Sun' and 'Moon'; Hands of the Cause; Night of Power; Khatt-i-Badi; Sarcophagus for Bahá'u'lláh; International Bahá'í Library Building; Lunar Calendar and Holy Days; Leiden; Kings. [about]
11. Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era Regarding the Explanation of Daniel 12:12: Beckwith's Allegations, by Universal House of Justice (1990). Responses to allegations Francis Beckwith makes in his booklet "Bahá'í" about changes to this book. [about]
12. Bayan (Bayán-i-Farsí and Bayán-i-'Arabí), The: Letters and Letters of the Living, by Universal House of Justice and Iraj Ayman (1994). [about]
13. Bible, Preferred English Translation of, by Universal House of Justice (1996). While Shoghi Effendi recommended the use of the King James translation of the Bible, Bahá'ís are yet welcome to use any translation they wish. [about]
14. Biblical Questions, Interpretation of: Ezekiel 10:19, Jeremiah 49:38 and Micah 7:12, by Universal House of Justice (1998). Can certain passages from the Hebrew Bible be taken as prophetic references to the Bábí or Bahá'í Faiths? [about]
15. "Book of Names" Mentioned in the Tablet of Carmel, The, by Bahá'u'lláh and Shoghi Effendi (2003). Letter from the House and a compilation explaining "People of Bahá" and the line in the Lawh-i-Karmil "Ere long will God sail His Ark upon thee, and will manifest the people of Bahá who have been mentioned in the Book of Names." [about]
16. Celestial Pavilion, Inmates of, by Universal House of Justice, in Lights of Irfan, 4 (2003). [about]
17. Compilation of Extracts Regarding Arius, by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice and Abdu'l-Bahá (1991). Collection of materials regarding an early Christian theologian who, in expounding that Christ was subordinate to God the Father, discarded the trinity and fractured the unity of the Church. [about]
18. Condition of non-Bahá'í Relatives after Death, The, by Universal House of Justice (1991). Four questions: Do the non-Bahá'í parents of believers become Bahá'ís in the next world? What is the definition of "kin"? What is the requisite spiritual state of the believer? What conditions are associated with the divine bounty? [about]
19. Consultation, Portraits, Rakahs, Murtus, and Unknown Language, by Universal House of Justice (2009). Three replies from the Research Department to an individual, dated 2009, 2010 and 2018, on a variety of topics. [about]
20. Contacting the Universal House of Justice; Obligatory Prayer, Greatest Name, Exemptions, by Universal House of Justice (1998). Procedures on contacting the Universal House of Justice; memorandum on obligatory prayer, reciting the Greatest Name, and exemptions from prayer. [about]
21. Daniel's Prophecies, by Universal House of Justice, in Lights of Irfan, Volume 8 (2007). Regarding the fulfilment of the Biblical prophecy of Daniel concerning 1,335 days, and modifications made to Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era. [about]
22. Definition of the Word "Ungodly", by Universal House of Justice (2001). Answer to a question inspired by the Hidden Word "Walk not with the ungodly and seek not fellowship with him" (Persian #57). [about]
23. Dictionary Used by the Guardian, by Universal House of Justice (1997). Clarification/confirmation that the English dictionary used by Shoghi Effendi was Webster's (1934). [about]
24. Early Bahá'í Census in Iran, by Universal House of Justice (2016). No systematic census was taken of the numbers of early believers, before the Guardian's call for such a count in 1923. Iran's own statistics in the 1920s count "several tens of thousands" of Bahá'ís. [about]
25. English Sources and Authenticity of Fifteen Prayers in the Dutch Prayer Book Bahá'í Gebeden, by Universal House of Justice (2001). [about]
26. Evolution, Diagram Illustrating the True Story of, by Universal House of Justice (1997). Explanation of the chart Cycle of Life prepared by Lua Getsinger. [about]
27. Exemption from Obligatory Prayer for the Sick, by Universal House of Justice (2000). [about]
28. Fadil-i-Mazandarani, by Universal House of Justice (1998). Was Fadil-i-Mazandarani declared a Hand of the Cause of God, and on determining if there were other Hands. [about]
29. Five Questions: Loss of Voting Rights, Mani, Magi, Five-Pointed Star, Joseph Smith, by Universal House of Justice, in Bahá'í Studies Bulletin, 4:3-4:4 (1991). Responses to various questions. Closes with quotations on Confucianism and Genesis. [about]
30. Gaia Concept, The, by Universal House of Justice (1992). Overview of the Gaia hypothesis, a concept which regards the entire planet as a living organism. [about]
31. God the All-Humorous, by Universal House of Justice (1997). Did Bahá'u'lláh ever refer to God as the "All-Humorous"? [about]
32. Goddess Religion, Ancient, by Universal House of Justice (1992). Ancient goddess religions and the role of the feminine in theology. [about]
33. Grammatical Clarifications, by Universal House of Justice (2001). Letter and memorandum in response to questions about possible misprints in published extracts from letters of Shoghi Effendi and the Universal House of justice [about]
34. Guardianship, Anticipation of, in the Kitab-i-Aqdas, by Universal House of Justice (1992). Did Bahá'u'lláh anticipate the Institution of the Guardianship in the Kitab-i-Aqdas? [about]
35. Hands of the Cause of God Cannot Appoint a Guardian, by Universal House of Justice (2015). Short letter quoting the Guardian's statement that the Hands of the Cause of God have to ratify the current guardian's appointment of another guardian, and they may also suggest another guardian, but cannot themselves appoint one. [about]
36. Hidden Word #63; quote from Promulgation of Universal Peace, by Universal House of Justice (2010). Two minor questions regarding matters of translation: a passage from Hidden Words Persian #63, and a passage from PUP quoted in Portals to Freedom. [about]
37. Identity of Man Who Asked "What is the object of life to a Bahá'í?", by Universal House of Justice (2004). On the identity of the individual to whom Shoghi Effendi said "The object of life to a Bahá’í is to promote the oneness of mankind." [about]
38. Ishraqát, Tablet of, Date of Revelation, by Universal House of Justice (1996). Clues that could provide a date for the revelation of Bahá'u'lláh's "Tablet of Ishraqat." Includes part of Sen McGlinn's original query to which the House. [about]
39. Kitáb-i-Aqdas (Most Holy Book): The Obligatory Prayers, by Universal House of Justice and Ismael Velasco (2000). [about]
40. Kitáb-i-Íqán, The Book of Certitude: Notes on paragraph numbering, by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice, in A Companion to the Study of the Kitáb-i-Íqán, ed. Hooper Dunbar (1998). Official paragraph numbering. [about]
41. Legislative Responsibilities of the Universal House of Justice Regarding Obligatory Prayers, Guardian's Statement on, by Universal House of Justice (1995). Brief note about which aspects of obligatory prayer the House may one day legislate on. [about]
42. Letters of Living, Dawn-Breakers, Quddús, Terraces, by Universal House of Justice (2000). Five unrelated questions: Identity of the Letters of the Living; "List of Illustrations" in the Dawn-Breakers; Status of the Writings of Quddus; Naming of the Terraces at the Arc; and The Bab's Tablets in the Dawn-Breakers. [about]
43. Lot and His Daughters, by Universal House of Justice (2015). Discussion of two Bahá'í references on the Biblical story of Lot; an interpretation of a Bible verse is not inevitably dependent on the Biblical source being authentic or reliable. [about]
44. Mark of the Beast and Implanted Computer Chips, by Universal House of Justice (1998). Concerns about implanted computer chips as the "Mark of the Beast," and the response of individual Bahá'ís to government. [about]
45. Materials Provided by the Bahá'í World Centre on Gender in the Writings, and Matters of Translation, by Abdu'l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi (2002). A collection of letters about gender pronouns in Writings, a compilation concerning the translations of Shoghi Effendi, the literary style of translation, and guidance on translating the Writings into indigenous languages. [about]
46. Materials Provided by the Bahá'í World Centre on Universal Auxiliary Language, by Abdu'l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi (2002). A collection of resources on the International Auxiliary Language: compilation from the Bahá'í Writings, letter and memorandum from the Research Department, and two bibliographies listing citations from the Writings and from scholarship. [about]
47. Mental Tests, by Universal House of Justice (1995). Meaning of the phrase "mental tests" in the writings of Abdu'l-Bahá and of Shoghi Effendi. Includes short compilation of relevant passages. [about]
48. Mirza Mihdi, "Holy Family", capitalization of pronouns, Guardian's use of English, by Universal House of Justice (1998). Five unrelated questions about Mirza Mihdi; use of the title "Holy Family"; capitalization of personal pronouns; and the Guardian's use of English in his translations. [about]
49. Mírzá Yahyá Azal, Designation of in the Writings of the Báb, by Universal House of Justice, in Lights of Irfan, Volume 8 (2007). [about]
50. Monogamy, Sexual Equality, Marital Equality, and the Supreme Tribunal, by Universal House of Justice (1996). Questions about monogamy, the Supreme Tribunal, and the Bahá'í concept of equality of the sexes in light of some Bahá'í laws and history which appear to undermine it [about]
51. Napoleon III and Queen Victoria, Responses to the Tablets of Baha'u'llah, by Universal House of Justice (1997). Do we know what Napoleon and Queen Victoria really said upon receiving tablets from Bahá'u'lláh? [about]
52. New Religious Movements, Tolkien, Marriage, by Universal House of Justice (1994). Various questions: new religious movements; Indian Letter of the Living; J.R.R. Tolkien; eternality of the marriage bond; illumination of Bahá'u'lláh's tablets. [about]
53. Nine-Pointed Star, The: History and Symbolism, by Universal House of Justice (1999). The history and the proper place and use of the nine-pointed star, a common Bahá'í symbol, in comparison and relation to the official five-pointed star and the Greatest Name symbols. [about]
54. Notes on Letter from Shoghi Effendi re Parental Consent for Marriage, by Universal House of Justice (2021). Answers re a letter from the Guardian from 1929 on: the correct order of two excerpts from this letter; confirmation that he read and approved all letters written by his secretaries; this is one of few letters where a secretary offered a personal opinion. [about]
55. Obligatory Prayer, Ablutions, and Repetition of the Greatest Name, by Universal House of Justice (2004). On recitation of the specific verses associated with the performance of ablutions for the medium Obligatory Prayer. Includes compilation of references regarding repetition of the Greatest Name 95 times per a Day. [about]
56. Obligatory Prayer, Questions about, by Universal House of Justice (2000). Answers to four questions about reciting prayers at meetings; changing language gender; repetition of Greatest Name; and raising hands. [about]
57. Prayer "Make me a hollow reed," Source of, by Universal House of Justice (1999). The prayer "Oh, God, make me a hollow reed..." is neither by Abdu'l-Bahá nor George Townshend, and its author is unknown. [about]
58. Prayer for Shaykh Kázim Samandar (Múnáját-i-Jináb-i-Samandarí), by Bahá'u'lláh and Universal House of Justice (2001). Brief prayer revealed by Bahá'u'lláh to aid in making decisions. Translation and accompanying letter by the Bahá'í World Centre. [about]
59. Prayer of the Bab "God Sufficeth...," Two versions of, by Universal House of Justice (1996). The original text of the prayer "God Sufficeth" has not been found, and there may be two versions. [about]
60. Prophecy of Daniel; Modifications of Baha'u'llah and the New Era, by Universal House of Justice (1996). Regarding the fulfilment of the Biblical prophecy of Daniel concerning 1,335 days, and modifications made to Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era. [about]
61. Research Department, Functions of; Etymologies of three terms, by Universal House of Justice, in Bahá'í Studies Bulletin (1992). Two questions: (1) what is the function of the Research Department, and (2) etymologies of the three terms "world of exemplars," "'álam," and "barzakh." Includes translated excerpts of tablets of Bahá'u'lláh and Abdu'l-Bahá. [about]
62. Resurrection and Return of Jesus, by Universal House of Justice, in Lights of Irfan, Volume 9 (2008). The body of Christ; the burial of Christ; His return; and explaining the Bahá'í view to Christians. [about]
63. Sabaeans and African-based Religions in the Americas, The, by Universal House of Justice, in Lights of Irfan, 13 (2012). Overview by the Research Department about the religion of the Sabaeans [aka Sabeans], and some indigenous practices in the southern Americas such as Yoruba, Santeria, and Brazilian Candomble. [about]
64. Science and Religion, Quotations on, by Universal House of Justice (1997). Regarding a compilation on science and religion; includes a short list of references to science and religion. [about]
65. Secret of Divine Civilization Translation, Capital Punishment, and Other Questions, by Universal House of Justice (1991). On the capitalization of pronouns, reference to "we Muslims," works of Abdu'l-Bahá revealed during the time of Bahá'u'lláh, the first person to recognize Bahá'u'lláh, and designer of the temple in Ishqabad. Includes a compilation on capital punishment. [about]
66. Self-Defense, the Ungodly, Infallibility, and Sexual Violence and Abuse, by Universal House of Justice (2004). Answers to a number of questions, with extracts from four letters of the House, on self-defense, the ungodly, infallibility, sexual violence, and abuse. [about]
67. Servants in the Households of Baha'u'llah and the Bab, by Universal House of Justice (2000). Whether or not the servants of the Bab and Bahá'u'lláh were slaves, and a list of relevant sources for further research. [about]
68. "Share your time with God", by Universal House of Justice (2004). Source of the quotation "Share your time with God. Spend half of the day in search of livelihood," from a pilgrim's note. [about]
69. Sin-covering Gaze, by Universal House of Justice (2001). Brief explanation of a possible source for a story of Christ told by Abdu'l-Bahá about encountering a dead dog and commenting on the beauty of its teeth; i.e., having a "sin-covering gaze." [about]
70. Socrates in History and the Bahá'í Writings, by Universal House of Justice (1995). Historical facts known about Socrates, some of the difficulties inherent in endeavouring to unravel the historical Socrates, and quotations from the Bahá'í Writings. [about]
71. Tablet of 'Abdu'l-Baha Concerning Arius, by Universal House of Justice (1998). Arius was an early Christian theologian whose rejection of the Trinity, Abdu'l-Bahá said, destroyed the unity of the Church. [about]
72. Tablet of Ahmad and Tablet of the Holy Mariner, by Universal House of Justice (1996). Date of publications of translations of the Tablet of Ahmad and the Tablet of the Holy Mariner. [about]
73. Tablet of Maqsud, by Universal House of Justice (2001). Date of the revelation of the Tablet of Maqsúd and its mention of "Two great powers." [about]
74. Tablet of the Báb Lawh-i-Vasaya, "Will and Testament"; Titles of Mírzá Yahyá, by Universal House of Justice (2004). Two questions: on the Tablet of the Bab "Lawh-i-Vasaya: The Will and Testament"; the nature of the appointment and titles of Mírzá Yahyá. Includes two attachments: Tablet of the Bab Lawh-i-Vasaya and excerpt from Making the Crooked Straight. [about]
75. Tablet of The Desired One (Lawh-i-Maqsúd): Wilmette Institute faculty notes, by Universal House of Justice and Juan Cole (1999). [about]
76. Tablet of the Maiden: Commentary on its translation, by Universal House of Justice (1997). Two letters on the mystical/symbolic content of Tablet of the Maiden, with comments on the translation by Juan Cole [about]
77. Tablet to Amir Khan and Tablet of the Holy Mariner, by Universal House of Justice (1996). Three letters about Abdu'l-Bahá'ís Tablet to Amír Khán; one letter about the Tablet of the Holy Mariner, the "Call of God," and Native American Prophets; short note from David Ruhe about Deganawida. [about]
78. Tablet to Sháh-Muhammad-Amín (Amínu'l-Bayán) (Lawh-i-Amínu'l-Bayán): Excerpt, by Bahá'u'lláh and Universal House of Justice (2003). Excerpt of a tablet revealed in honour of the first Trustee of Huquq’u’lláh, surnamed the “Trusted of the Bayán," with introductory letter from the House of Justice. [about]
79. Tablets and Utterances of 'Abdu'l-Bahá Quoted in Compilations and Letters of the Universal House of Justice, by Universal House of Justice (2003). Discusses the authenticity of quotations included in letters from the Universal House of Justice, plus comments on pilgrims' notes. [about]
80. Tablets to the Kings, by Universal House of Justice (1989). Two questions on the Tablets to the Kings: which ones were delivered and how, and the response of Queen Victoria. [about]
81. Tahirih and Women's Suffrage, by Universal House of Justice, in Bahá'í Studies Bulletin, 4:2 (1990). Two letters on Táhirih's association with women's suffrage, and the authenticity of the words "You can kill me as soon as you like, but you cannot stop the emancipation of women". [about]
82. Texts, Sacred, Numbers and Classifications of, by Universal House of Justice, in Lights of Irfan, Volume 10 (2002). Three letters, from 2002, 2010, and 2013, about numbers of Sacred Texts catalogued by the Bahá'í World Center and their classification into "authenticated," "revised," and "transcribed." [about]
83. Translations of the Bible Used by Abdu'l-Baha, by Universal House of Justice (1996). Which translations of the Bible were used by Abdu'l-Bahá. [about]
84. Translations of the Qur'án and Introductory Books on the Bahá'í Faith, Recommendations Concerning, by Universal House of Justice (2002). On translations of the Qur'an, and introductory books on the Bahá'í Faith. [about]
85. Whether Bahá'u'lláh and the Báb Met, Indications in the Writings and Historical Records Relative to the Question, by Universal House of Justice, in Andalib, 5:17 (1985). Overview of sources indicating that Bahá'u'lláh and The Báb never met in person. [about]

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