Mulla Husayn's sword

In October 1848 Mulla Husayn and about seventy-one of his companions arrived near the town of Barfurush in northern Persia. One of the leading clergy in that town felt threatened by their presence. He instructed the townspeople to go outside the gates of the town and attack them. Seven of Mulla Husayn’s companions were subsequently killed. In the resulting battle the townspeople were defeated and they begged for truce, to which Mulla Husayn agreed. It was during this battle that Mulla Husayn, in one blow from his sword, cut in half an attacker, his musket and the tree behind which the man was hiding. 

(Adapted from ‘The Dawn-Breakers’)

“Craftsmanship is a book among the books of divine sciences”

One of the names of God is the Fashioner. He loveth craftsmanship. Therefore any of His servants who manifesteth this attribute is acceptable in the sight of this Wronged One. Craftsmanship is a book among the books of divine sciences, and a treasure among the treasures of His heavenly wisdom. This is a knowledge with meaning, for some of the sciences are brought forth by words and come to an end with words. 

- Baha’u’llah  (The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Arts and crafts)

Historical view of the ark (citadel) of Tabríz where the Báb was confined

(Baha'i Media Bank)

Quddus’ incredible station & his death compared to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ

Quddus, immortalized by Him [the Báb] as Ismu'llahi'l-Akhir (the Last Name of God); on whom Bahá'u'lláh's Tablet of Kullu't-Ta'am later conferred the sublime appellation of Nuqtiy-i-Ukhra (the Last Point); whom He elevated, in another Tablet, to a rank second to none except that of the Herald of His Revelation; whom He identifies, in still another Tablet, with one of the ‘Messengers charged with imposture’ mentioned in the Qur'án; whom the Persian Bayan extolled as that fellow-pilgrim round whom mirrors to the number of eight Vahids revolve; on whose ‘detachment and the sincerity of whose devotion to God's will God prideth Himself amidst the Concourse on high;’ whom 'Abdu'l-Bahá designated as the ‘Moon of Guidance;’ and whose appearance the Revelation of St. John the Divine anticipated as one of the two ‘Witnesses’ into whom, ere the ‘second woe is past,’ the ‘spirit of life from God’ must enter -- such a man had, in the full bloom of his youth, suffered, in the Sabzih-Maydan of Barfurush, a death which even Jesus Christ, as attested by Bahá'u'lláh, had not faced in the hour of His greatest agony.

- Shoghi Effendi  (‘God Passes By’)

“a tumult in human society such as no mind can fathom”

Already in the space of less than a century the operation of the mysterious processes generated by its [The Báb+Baha’u’llah] creative spirit has provoked a tumult in human society such as no mind can fathom.

- Shoghi Effendi  (Preface to ‘God Passes By’)

The importance of recognizing the Manifestation of God when He appears – the Báb explains

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 favor, 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. 

- The Báb  (‘Selections from the Writings of the Báb)

1910: Dr. Moody and some other Persian Baha'i doctors at a newly established hospital in Tehran

A suggested quote to memorize: Turning one's heart to the Manifestation of God

It behoveth every man to blot out the trace of every idle word from the tablet of his heart, and to gaze, with an open and unbiased mind, on the signs of His Revelation, the proofs of His Mission, and the tokens of His glory. 

- Baha'u'llah  (‘Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah’; included in Ruhi Book 4)

1906 Holy Land: ‘Ali-Kuli Khan and Florence meet ‘Abdu'l-Bahá

'Abdu'l-Baha embraced me and kissed me on the cheeks. He also most warmly welcomed my wife, and took Rahim (our one-year-old son) from my arms. He then sat on the sofa holding Rahim on His lap, and while He gave the baby His rosary to play with, He lovingly inquired after our health, and asked if we had had a good journey. Then looking at me, my wife and the baby, He said to me while smiling, "O Khan! This is the sign of blessing and increase; you went to America one and returned three." These words we took to mean that He blessed our conjugal family life with unity and harmony, and that He bespoke for us Divine bounty and increase. He asked for the baby's age and I answered that he was one year and four days old. Turning to my wife He said in part, while showing her great kindness and favor: "Welcome! Welcome! Marhaba! Praise be to God, that as a result of the Revelation of Abha, the East and the West have embraced each other like unto two beloved ones. You are the first American bride to be united to a Baha'i from Persia. Praise God, for this great favor."

Before being seated, and while I had the baby in my arms, 'Abdu'l-Baha looked at Rahim with His glorious face illuminated with joy, and He said in part: "This is the fruit of the union between the East and the West." Turning to my wife, He said: "I see that you love Rahim Khan very much." Upon other occasions during our visit 'Abdu'l-Baha often said: "As Rahim Khan is the first fruit of the union of the East and West, whoever looks upon his face loves him." 

- ‘Ali-Kuli Khan  (1906 Pilgrim Notes)

Outskirt of Shiraz where the Báb often walked

(The Baha'i World 1930-1932)

Why do Baha'i Temples have nine sides?

Nine is the highest digit, hence symbolizes comprehensiveness, culminations; also, the reason it is used in the Temple's form is because 9 has exact numerical value of ' Bahá' (in the numerology connected with the Arabic alphabet) and ' Bahá' is the name of the Revealer of our Faith, Bahá'u'lláh.

The 9-pointed star is not a part of the teachings of our Faith, but only used as an emblem representing '9'. In telling people of the 9 religions of the world, that is 'existing religions, we should not give this as the reason the Temple has nine sides. This may have been an idea of the architect, and a very pleasing idea, which can be mentioned in passing, but the Temple has 9 sides because of the association of 9 with perfection, unity and ' Bahá'." 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi; ‘Directives from the Guardian’)

Reflections on the Ridvan 2009 Message – a talk by Dr. Peter Khan, July 3rd, 2009

I’m very pleased to have the opportunity to speak about a document as significant and of such far reaching importance as the Ridván 2009 Message.

As you know it was and is unique, as far as I can tell, among the various messages of the Universal House of Justice in its brevity and in its tone. It comes hard on the heels of a remarkable event, unprecedented in the history of the Cause, or indeed in the history of the religion throughout the world; and that was the convening, at the instruction of the Universal House of Justice, and with the invaluable assistance of the Members of the International Teaching Centre, of a series of 41 Conferences held throughout the length and breadth of the planet, attended by some eighty thousand people.

As you are, I am sure, aware, that series of conferences had a galvanizing effect on the Bahá’í Community throughout the world and ultimately on the larger society. It was a tangible demonstration of the global spread of the Faith and it created a most welcome surge toward the goal of 1500 Intensive Programs of Growth by the end of the present plan.

This Ridván Message can be regarded as celebratory in term: celebrating the fact that we have achieved an important milestone in reaching some 1000 Intensive Programs of Growth by Ridván 2009, and expressing the confidence of the Universal House of Justice that the goal of the Five Year Plan would be accomplished.

My purpose tonight is not to dwell specifically on those details, but rather to share with you my thoughts about what I see to be two underlying issues, the exploration of which I believe to be crucial to a deeper understanding of this Ridván Message and indeed of the direction in which the faith is now going.

Read more…

The Báb’s paternal and maternal ancestors

The names of the paternal and maternal ancestors of the Báb are as follows: The blessed name of the Báb was Aqa Mirza 'Ali-Muhammad, son of Mirza Muhammad-Rida, the son of Aqa Mirza Nasru'llah, the son of Aqa Mirza Fathullah, the son of Aqa Mirza Ibrahim [Abraham]. He was born into a highly regarded family of Husayni Siyyids [1] to whose nobility, integrity, trustworthiness, piety, devotion, and detachment everyone in the province of Fars would testify. Merchants by profession, they were all considered exemplary in integrity and purity in the entire region of Fars. The mother of the Báb was Fatimih Bagum, the daughter of Haji Mirza Muhammad-Husayn, who was the son of Aqa Mirza 'Abid, [2] the son of Aqa Mirza Siyyid Muhammad. This family also ranked among the renowned and trustworthy merchants of Fars.

- ‘Mirza Habibu’llah Afnan  (‘Tarikh Amr-i-Fars va Shiraz’, translated and annotated as ‘The Genesis of the Bábi-Baha’i Faiths in Shiraz and Fars’, by Ahang Rabbani)

[1] That is, this family traced its ancestry to Imam Husayn.

[2] Fayzi gives his name as Zaynu'l-'Abidin in ‘Hadrat Nuqtih Ula’).

How to bring the Teachings to the attention of others

Consort with all men, O people of Bahá, in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship. If ye be aware of a certain truth, if ye possess a jewel, of which others are deprived, share it with them in a language of utmost kindliness and good-will. 

- Bahá’u’lláh  (Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh)

One of the effects of the revelation of Tablets on Bahá'u'lláh

It has been said that one of the effects of the revelation of Tablets on Bahá'u'lláh was that He would remain for some time after in a state of excitement and, as a result, would be unable to eat.

- Adib Taherzadeh  (The Revelation of Baha'u'llah vol. 1) 

Baha'u'llah's Father's House in Tihran

Excerpt from the Tablet of Unity (Lawh-i Ittihád) -- provisional translation

He is God! Exalted be He in Wisdom and Exposition!

A letter has been received by this Wronged One from one of the Sayyids [1] who have turned towards God, have listened and responded to their Lord, the Compassionate, the All-Bountiful. All [of them] have been remembered in the presence of this Resplendent Beauty and I ask God (Haqq) to confirm[them] all in that which will cause them to be remembered for ever.

Thou hast asked about unity (ittihád). The first kind of unity is unity in religion. This unity has always been the cause of the victory of the Faith of God in every age and century. Togetherness is the mystic sword of God.

For example, should a government see that most of the people of the country have rent asunder the veils and are turning towards the horizon of Divine revelation, it should remain silent and should listen to what is said. Each person who is attentive attains to the knowledge of God, except those who are utterly distant from the Mercy of God. They indeed are fully deserving of anger and vehement opposition. Such persons are, in any case, forbidden and barred.

And another kind of unity is unity in speech. And this is very necessary. For example, consider that if two of the chosen ones of God should come to a town and should speak about the same matter and disagree, this would be the cause of disunity. It would cause them and those around them to be deprived and debarred from the bounties of unity which have been revealed by the Pen of the Lord of Being. That which aids the One True God has always been and is words (bayán), but in this most mighty dispensation, deeds and a goodly character are the hosts of the one True God and are responsible for the triumph of the Cause. If words are used to a due extent, they can be Divine mercy, but if they exceeds that, they become the cause of devastation. In our tablets, we have exhorted all with words within which is concealed the effect of milk, such that it may educate the children of the world and cause them to reach maturity. Words, in every station, have an evident state and a clear effect, and there emanates from them the fragrance of either good or evil. (Read more…)

- Baha’u’llah (provisional translation by Moojan Momen)

[1] This tablet was addressed to Sayyid Asadu'lláh of Rasht, the fourth of five brothers known as Sádát-iKhams

Mental faculties and human soul

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

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

A Baha’i Teaching: - to say a special prayer, known as ‘Obligatory Prayer’, each day

We have enjoined obligatory prayer upon you, ... to be offered at noon and in the morning and the evening unto God, the Revealer of Verses ... When ye desire to perform this prayer, turn ye towards the Court of My Most Holy Presence, this Hallowed Spot that God hath made the Centre round which circle the Concourse on High, and which He hath decreed to be the Point of Adoration for the denizens of the Cities of Eternity, and the Source of Command unto all that are in heaven and on earth; and when the Sun of Truth and Utterance shall set, turn your faces towards the Spot that We have ordained for you. He, verily, is Almighty and Omniscient. 

- Baha'u'llah  ('The Kitab-i-Aqdas’)

October 1920, Holy Land: – ‘Abdu’l-Baha with some pilgrims from California

October 1920, outside the Tomb of the Bab: 'Abdu'l-Baha with some reident believers and pilgrims from California. Front row, seated, left to right: Mirza Ighbal, Emogene Hoagg, Georgia Ralston, Helen Goodall, 'Abdu'l-Baha, Elizabeth Stewart, Ella Cooper, Kathryn Frankland, and Haji Muhammad Yazdani. Saichiro Fujita is standing behind Ella Cooper

Qualities of North American believers that ‘Abdu’l-Baha admired…

“… the untiring activity of the friends, the complete subordination of their material interests to those of the Cause, the remarkable spread of the Movement in their midst and their staunch firmness in the Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh. It is these encouraging reflections of the Master about His loved ones in America and the tests intellectual rather than physical which He said He would send to them to purify them and make ever brighter than before -- it is these comments and promises of His that make of the Movement in that land such a potential force in the world today. The Beloved Master's cable to the friends in that region is a clear indication of the presence of those counteracting forces that may usher in those storms of tests that the Master Himself has said will ultimately be for the good of the Cause in that land. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a message dated January 21st, 1922 in ‘Baha'i Administration’)

Book: Stories of Baha'u'llah and Some Notable Believers, by Kiser Barnes

A fascinating book about the life and ministry of Baha’u’llah, the latest Manifestation (Prophet) of God. All the stories are from Adib Taherzadeh’s four volumes of the Revelation of Baha’u’llah.

“Here also are stirrings presentations of believers who stood before the world with the spirit of a new era that Baha’u’llah had awakened in them. Discover in these pages how some Apostles of Baha’u’llah, the four Hands of the Cause of God He appointed, the first Jewish believer, the first Zoroastrian believer, the first Christian believer, and other fortunate men and women, daringly recognized that a new religion has once again come into the world. Like the narratives of the world religions gone before, these precious stories fill the heart with wonder” 

(From the cover of the book)

story for children: Shaykh Ahmad’s Secret

Many years ago there lived in Persia a man who knew a very wonderful secret. Perhaps you would not think it a secret because it was written in a Book, so that everyone might read it. But those who read it did not understand just what it meant. Shaykh Ahmad understood because he had studied this Book a great deal and had prayed to understand. And the secret he found there made him so happy that he wished to tell everyone.

Would you like to know the secret? In this Book, which was called the Qur'an, it told that God would send a new Teacher to the world, a very great Teacher like Jesus and Muhammad. We know only a little about God because He is so much greater than we are, and so very wonderful. Sometimes we are so busy taking care of ourselves and having a good time that we do not even think about God. We forget that we would not even be alive if He did not give us life. So once in a while He sends one of these divine Teachers to the earth to remind people about Himself. These Teachers are like Him and They show us how He wishes us to live.

Jesus was one of these Teachers. Some of us know about Him and read about Him in the Bible. Others know more about Muhammad and read about Him in the Qur'an. It was in the Qur'an, which Muhammad wrote, long ago, that Shaykh Ahmad read about the new Teacher who was coming. He was called the Promised One because God had promised He should come.

Other people read about the Promised One in the Qur'an and knew He was to come. But here is the difference between them and Shaykh Ahmad. When Shaykh Ahmad read the words, he felt very sure that it was time for the Promised One to come right away. The others thought that He would not come for a long, long time.

“Books such as the ‘Íqán’, ‘Some Answered Questions’ and ‘The Dawn-Breakers’ should be mastered by every Bahá'í.”

He fully approves the idea of holding study classes, for the deeper the friends go in their understanding of their teachings the more firm and steadfast they will become and the more unwavering in their support of the institutions of the Faith. Books such as the "Íqán", "Some Answered Questions" and "The Dawn-Breakers" should be mastered by every Bahá'í. They should read these books over and over again. The first two books will reveal to them the significance of this divine revelation as well as the unity of all the Prophets of old. The last book will show you how the Faith was ushered into the world and how its early adherents heroically faced martyrdom and suffering in their desire to establish the Cause throughout the world. Knowing the life of those heroes will create in us the urge to follow their footsteps and achieve the same. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 9 June 1932 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi; The Compilation of Compilations vol. I)

October 1896: - the last month 'Abdu'l-Baha and family stayed in the House of Abbud

House of Abbud 1920s (Baha'i Media Bank)

After Baha’u’llah left the barracks (4 November 1870), He lived in a succession of houses in various parts of the city [of Akka] (the houses of Malik, Khawwam and Rabi'a) before moving into a house belonging to ‘Udi Khammir, a Christian merchant (also the owner of the mansion of Bahji) in September 1871. It was here that ‘Abdu’l-Baha was married and the Kitab-i-Aqdas revealed. The larger adjoining house of 'Abbud was later rented and openings made to join the two houses together, the whole complex becoming known as the House of 'Abbud. 'Abdu'l-Baha and His family remained resident until about October 1896. The room of Baha'u'llah became a place of pilgrimage during His lifetime. With the marriages of 'Abdu'l-Baha's daughters (1896 onwards) the House of 'Abbud was no longer adequate for the growing family, and parts of the complex of buildings known as the House of 'Abdu’llah Pasha were rented. This is where Shoghi Effendi was born (March 1897) and the early Western pilgrims met 'Abdu'l-Baha (from December 1898). After ‘Abdu’l-Baha moved to Haifa the house was no longer in Baha’i hands, and eventually fell into disrepair. It was purchased by the Baha'is in 1975, and after extensive restoration was opened to Baha'i pilgrimage in 1983. 

- Peter Smith  (A Concise Encyclopedia of the Baha’i Faith) 

The "temple of the world" has been "fashioned after the image and likeness of the human body"

…as the human body in this world, which is outwardly composed of different limbs and organs, is in reality a closely integrated, coherent entity, similarly the structure of the physical world is like unto a single being whose limbs and members are inseparably linked together.  Were one to observe with an eye that discovereth the realities of all things, it would become clear that the greatest relationship that bindeth the world of being together lieth in the range of created things themselves, and that co-operation, mutual aid and reciprocity are essential characteristics in the unified body of the world of being, inasmuch as all created things are closely related together and each is influenced by the other or deriveth benefit therefrom, either directly or indirectly.

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (The Compilation of Compilations vol. I, Conservation of the Earth's Resources)

Shoghi Effendi - 'Abdu'l-Baha's Grandson: The Guardian of the Baha'i Faith

Colorized Photo of Shoghi Effendi

Need to understand meaning behind symbols in Christianity

Some Christians claim that the Holy Ghost descended after the resurrection of the Christ and that Christ is alluding to this. But as the Holy Ghost was always with …Christ, is this logical? Again He says, "He will guide you unto truth," “He will be better for you than I”, He adds, "Until I go, He cannot come." Endeavor to understand the divine words, otherwise difficulties will arise. Had the Jews understood symbology, they would have understood the Christ. The holy books are full of significance and must never be taken literally. Elijah also was expected to come from heaven, and … Christ said, "Elijah is none other than John the Baptist." The reality of John was in the supreme concourse. It is essential to have divine perception in order to see the truth, to hear the call, and obey -- liberating the hearts from all earthly attachment. 

- Abdu'l-Baha  (‘Divine Philosophy’)

Meditation: God is “sanctified from the mention of… [His] servants” and is “exalted above the description of…[His] creatures”

O God, my God, and my Desire, and my Adored One, and my Master, and my Mainstay, and my utmost Hope, and my supreme Aspiration! Thou seest me turning towards Thee, holding fast unto the cord of Thy bounty, clinging to the hem of Thy generosity, acknowledging the sanctity of Thy Self and the purity of Thine Essence, and testifying to Thy unity and Thy oneness. I bear witness that Thou art the One, the Single, the Incomparable, the Ever-Abiding. Thou didst not take unto Thyself a partner in Thy dominion, nor didst Thou choose a peer for Thyself upon earth. All created things have borne witness unto that which the Tongue of Thy grandeur hath testified ere their creation. Verily Thou art God; there is none other God but Thee! From everlasting Thou wast sanctified from the mention of Thy servants, and exalted above the description of Thy creatures. Thou beholdest, O Lord, the ignorant seeking the ocean of Thy knowledge, the sore athirst the living waters of Thine utterance, the abased the tabernacle of Thy glory, the poor the treasury of Thy riches, the suppliant the dawning-place of Thy wisdom, the weak the source of Thy strength, the wretched the heaven of Thy bounty, the dumb the kingdom of Thy mention.

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

The “magnitude” of Baha’u’llah’s “shadow” on “successive Prophets destined to be raised up after Him”

The brightness of the millennial glory which it must shed in the fullness of time dazzles our eyes. The magnitude of the shadow which its Author will continue to cast on successive Prophets destined to be raised up after Him eludes our calculation.

- Shoghi Effendi  (Preface to ‘God Passes By’)