BAHAI SCRIPTURES

Selections from the
Utterances of

BAHA'U'LLAH AND ABDUL BAHA

EDITED BY
HORACE HOLLEY

Approved by Bahai Committee on Publications, 1923

NEW YORK

BRENTANO'S

Publishers

PART ONE

THE GLORY OF GOD

"This Day is the Day of God, and God alone is
speaking in it; and none should be mentioned save Him."

All rights reserved

PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

VAIL-BALLOU COMPANY
BINGHAMTON AND NEW YORK

INTRODUCTION

Since the occasion when mention of the Bahai Cause was first made in this countryÐat the Congress of Religions held in the Columbian Exposition in 1893Ðinterest in the Bahai principles and teachings has steadily increased. Sufficient foundation had been laid by 1912, when Abdul Baha came to America, to prepare for his message a cordial, sympathetic and reverent reception in the liberal synagogues, churches, new thought centers, universities and societies organized for scientific, ethical, economic and political progress in numerous cities.
The succeeding yearsÐso fateful for the destiny of civilization, so disturbing to every social institution and so challenging to the noblest and most disinterested faculties of soul, mind and heartÐhave served to deepen and extend that preliminary interest and build upon that foundation a permanent spiritual structure in many lives. The years since 1912, in fact, have thrown an ever-clearer light upon the need, in the world's consciousness, for precisely those principles and teachings so perfectly embodied in Abdul Baha and so definitely associated with his life and work.
To one who has acquainted himself with the Bahai writings, evidences of the penetration of their fundamental influence are revealed in increasing measure from day to day and throughout the world. The leaders of religion, science and practical affairs are beginning to manifest an attitude of universality and a spirit of unity which seems a direct reflection of the light Abdul Baha cast upon the manifold problems of living and the fundamental problem of life. Day by day the realization deepens in all conscious men and women that in this age new forces are seeking expressionÐforces so mighty that the difference between understanding and misunderstanding is the immediate crisis between the alternatives of a new, worldwide and spiritualized civilization and a further, even more disastrous undoing of the things that are.
It is upon the plane of understanding that the power of the

Bahai writings operates, in that area of being which lies beyond the personal desire, the personal thought, the personal will. Their operation is to restore in the individual, whatever his race, class, creed, profession or temperament, that eternal vision of the oneness of God whose evolving expression is directly the development of the soul, and indirectly the harmonious organization of mankind. Compared to other writings of this age, the Bahai Scriptures are as light compared to the reflection of light from surfaces more or less luminous or opaque. This essential quality of illumination, as distinct from the subject illuminated, and of vision, as distinct from the subject visioned, reveals anew the very sources of man's spiritual being, and discloses, also, the predominant forces working to mold the character of the new day.
The purpose of this book is to bring together, in convenient form and helpful arrangement, that portion of the Bahai writings already available in various books, magazines and also manuscript translation, selecting from them sufficient material to supply the reader and student a larger perspective upon these principles and teachings than any single work has yet accomplished in the English language. While it is inevitable that most, if not all the Bahai writings will one day undergo re-translation, and be presented in a worthier and more permanent form than is possible at the present time, nevertheless the need of a suitable compilation now urgently exists, and it is hoped that the present work will at least serve as one link in the chain of effort whereby the Bahai writings are carried from their source in the "most great prison" of Akka to the mind and heart of the self-imprisoned race.
In this country at least, the Bahai message of the unity of religions, the reconciliation of science and religion, and the promulgation of Universal Peace, is established upon a recognition of the fact that in Abdul Baha a new spirit of universality had manifested its vital, penetrative essence. Not so well understood is the fact that the root and source of Abdul Baha's utterances, the foundation of his being, attested on every possible occasion by him, was entire devotion to the utterances and the being of his father, Baha'u'llah. This inner and spiritual relationship, likened by Baha'u'llah to that of the root and the "greatest branch" or trunk of a tree, is brought out in the present volume through the method adopted to organize its contents not only by chapters,

but also by parts or "books"; the first book containing the words of Baha'u'llahÐthe Bahai Scriptures in essenceÐthe second book containing the words of Abdul BahaÐthe authoritative interpretation of the Bahai Scriptures and their direct application to the fundamental problems of the age. By this method the utterances of Abdul Baha are established in clearest relationship to their source, and consequently their purpose; moreover the utterances of Baha'u'llah are established in relationship to all the Scriptures which have gone before: whose unfoldment, whose reinforcement they are.
While for the purpose of the student acquainting himself with the Bahai writings for the first time, an outline at least of the historical conditions under which they were successively revealed would seem highly desirable, even essential, to the fullest understanding of their significance and most intimate sympathy for their application, nevertheless it will be found that this need is met in the process of reading the Bahai message itself. Chapter Seven contains an address by Abdul Baha which has for its theme the history of the Bahai Cause; and numerous references to that history will also be found in other passages. Moreover, inspiring as the actual record of those events are, the principal matter is not to realize the Bahai Scriptures as a detail in history so much as a source of light whereby history itself is illumined.
"How wonderful that the Well Beloved is manifest as the sun, while strangers are in search of vanities and wealth! Yea, He is concealed by the intensity of manifestation, and He is hidden by the ardor of emanation!"

HORACE HOLLEY

New York City
February 12, 1923

GLOSSARY

Abdul BahaÐServant of Baha; the title assumed by the eldest son of Baha'u'llah, appointed by him as the "Center of his Covenant"; known also as the "Greatest Branch"; "Interpreter of the Holy Books" and "Mystery of God."

AhhaÐMost Glorious; a title of Baha'u'llah; in "Abha Kingdom" it refers to the plane or sphere of Oneness.

ArifÐThe letter "A"; used symbolically, like the Greek "Alpha."

BabÐDoor or Gate; the title given by Mohammedans to the expected Twelfth Imam; assumed by Ali Mohammed after his declaration on May 23, 1844.

BabiÐA follower of the Bab during the period preceding the declaration of Baha'u'llah.

Baha'u'llahÐGlory of God; the "Greatest Name"; the title used by the Bab in referring to "Him Whom God shall manifest"; assumed by Hosein Ali, Prince of Nur, after his declaration to the followers of the Bab on April 21, 1853.

BeyanÐRevelation; in particular, the title of the Bab's principal work.

El-Nas-Sjidil-AkdasÐThe temple in Jerusalem.

FitratÐInterval between two Manifestations.

Gha'imÐOne who arises; the Mohammedan equivalent of the Christian, word Messiah; used with reference to the Bab.

Hosein, sometimes rendered HuseinÐThe family name of Baha'u'llah.

IghanÐAssurance or Certainty; in particular, the title of a book or Tablet by Baha'u'llah. Approximately one half of this Tablet forms Chapter One of the present compilation.

IrakÐPersia.

JahileyehÐThe time of darkness among the Arabs before the appearance of Mohammed.

Ka'aba, or Ca'abaÐHouse of pilgrimage at Mecca.

KawtherÐA fountain in Paradise; symbol of divine knowledge.

Kitab-El-AkdasÐMost Holy Book; the title of a work by Baha'u'llah, also known as the Book of Laws.

K. S.ÐKoran Surat; a Chapter or Book of the Koran.

ManifestationÐThe term used by Baha'u'llah to designate (most frequently in the phrase Manifestation of God) the founder of Religion, in distinction from the prophets and spiritual leaders who renew or purify spiritual thought and religious practices during the intervals between the Manifestation's physical presences.

Mashrekol-AzkarÐDawningplace of the mention of God; the term given by Baha'u'llah to the Bahai, or universal, house of devotion.

MikbalÐPlace of Pilgrimage.

MustagathÐThe time of universal change and readJastinent to a higher spiritual plane that coincides with the appearence of the Manifestation; in particular, the Day of Judgment which the Bab foretold would follow his departure.

Nahia MocadassahÐThe holy direction for turning white engaged in prayer and devotion.

NauroozÐNew Year; the festival celebrated on March 21, the vernal equinox or astronomical new year.

RizwanÐThe custodian of Paradise, in particular, the garden near Baghdad where the declaration of Baha'u'llah was made; also the festival celebrating this event on April 21.

Sadrat-El-MuntahaÐThe tree planted by ancient Arabs at the end of a road, to guide travelers; symbolically, the Manifestation in the day of his spiritual influence.

SalsabileÐA fountain in Paradise.

SiratÐThe bridge, sharp as the edge of a sword, over which each soul must pass to attain salvation.

Supreme ConcourseÐThe spiritual world of unity; the plane of reality established by the Manifestation at the beginning of the arc of ascent.

TajalleyatÐSplendors, or rays of light; in particular, the name of a Tablet of Baha'u'llah quoted in Chapter Three of the present compilation.

TarazatÐOrnaments; in particular, the name of a Tablet of Baha'u'llah quoted in Chapter Three of the present compilation.

Tor, El-TorÐMount Sinai.

Index

B'aBiters; tffyc: tp paragraahg and not to pag®*)

THE END