Introducing a New Site: 'The Unfoldment of World Civilization'

Passages in sequential order from a letter by Shoghi Effendi known as ‘The Unfoldment of World Civilization’, March 11, 1936

In 1936 he wrote The Unfoldment of World Civilization; once again, as he so often did, Shoghi Effendi links this to the passing of 'Abdu'l-Bahá. It was a further exposition of the state of the world, the rapid political, moral and spiritual decline evident in it, the weakening of both Christianity and Islam, the dangers humanity in its heedlessness was running, and the strong, divine, hopeful remedy the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh had to offer. Important and educative as these wonderful letters of the Guardian were they provided, in their wealth of apposite quotations from Bahá'u'lláh's own words which the Guardian had translated and lavishly cited, spiritual sustenance for the believers, for we know that the World of the Manifestation of God is the food of the soul. They also contained innumerable beautifully translated passages from the beloved Master's Tablets. All this bounty the Guardian spread for the believers in feast after feast, nourished them and raised up a new strong generation of servants in the Faith. His words fired their imagination, challenged them to rise to new heights, drove their roots deeper in the fertile soil of the Cause. 

- Ruhiyyih Khanum  (‘The Priceless Pearl’)

“the initial stages in the unfoldment of the Golden Age of the Bahá’í Era”: - “the furthermost limits in the organization of human society”

• The emergence of a world community,
• the consciousness of world citizenship,
• the founding of a world civilization and culture—

all of which must synchronize with the initial stages in the unfoldment of the Golden Age of the Bahá’í Era—should, by their very nature, be regarded, as far as this planetary life is concerned, as the furthermost limits in the organization of human society, though man, as an individual, will, nay must indeed as a result of such a consummation, continue indefinitely to progress and develop. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (‘The Unfoldment of World Civilization’, included in ‘The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh)

Stories about Bahá’u’lláh, the Báb, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi and others – pdf downloadable

Other Compilations...

References to the House of Bahá’u’lláh in Baghdad and its designation as “a center of pilgrimage”

The House of Baha'u'llah in Baghdad after
restoration in early 1930's

Within its walls

• the “Most Great House of God,”
• His “Footstool” and the “Throne of His Glory,”
• “the Cynosure of an adoring world,”
• the “Lamp of Salvation between earth and heaven,”
• the “Sign of His remembrance to all who are in heaven and on earth,”
• enshrining the “Jewel whose glory hath irradiated all creation,”
• the “Standard” of His Kingdom,
• the “Shrine round which will circle the concourse of the faithful” was irrevocably founded and permanently consecrated.
• Upon it, by virtue of its sanctity as
• Bahá’u’lláh’s “Most Holy Habitation” and
• “Seat of His transcendent glory,”
• was conferred the honor of being regarded as a center of pilgrimage second to none except the city of ‘Akká, His “Most Great Prison,” in whose immediate vicinity His holy Sepulcher, the Qiblih of the Bahá’í world, is enshrined.

 - Shoghi Effendi  (‘God Passes By’)

June 15, 1955: Festival of Faith, San Francisco

Photograph taken during the reading of prayers of all Faiths at the Festival of Faith, San Francisco, June 15, 1955, preceding the Tenth Anniversary celebration of United Nations. Standing at the far right is Arthur L. Dahl, Jr., who read the Bahá’í prayer. In the background is the 1500-voice choir and the UN flag. 

(Baha’i News, August 1955)

“This is what is worthy of the Bahá’ís” – counsel from ‘Abdu’l-Baha

This is what is worthy of the Bahá’ís: that they be infinitely kind to one another and ready to lay down their lives for each other. For service to the loved ones of God is servitude to His threshold, and consideration shown to the friends is one of the hallmarks of the beloved of the All-Merciful. God, in the loftiness and sublimity of His Lordship, is exalted above and completely independent of all things. The servitude of God’s servants, however, is acceptable and pleasing in His sight. Praised be God that ye have attained thereunto. The recompense for this praiseworthy deed and laudable effort is with Him Who is the Almighty, the Ever-Forgiving. And this recompense consisteth of heavenly confirmation, of divine assistance and gracious favour. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (From a Tablet; Additional Tablets, Extracts and Talks; online Baha’i Reference Library of the Baha’i World Center)

The “evolution in the scope” of the teachings of the Faith during 1844-1944

We perceive a no less apparent evolution in the scope of its teachings, at first designedly rigid, complex and severe, subsequently recast, expanded, and liberalized under the succeeding Dispensation, later expounded, reaffirmed and amplified by an appointed Interpreter, and lastly systematized and universally applied to both individuals and institutions. 

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

Who Bahá’u’lláh considers to be His “true follower”

“Say,” He proclaims, “He is not to be numbered with the people of Bahá who followeth his mundane desires, or fixeth his heart on things of the earth. He is My true follower who, if he come to a valley of pure gold will pass straight through it aloof as a cloud, and will neither turn back, nor pause. Such a man is assuredly of Me. From his garment the Concourse on high can inhale the fragrance of sanctity.… And if he met the fairest and most comely of women, he would not feel his heart seduced by the least shadow of desire for her beauty. Such an one indeed is the creation of spotless chastity. Thus instructeth you the Pen of the Ancient of Days, as bidden by your Lord, the Almighty, the All-Bountiful.” 

- Shoghi Effendi  (Quoting Baháu’lláh in ‘The Advent of Divine Justice’)

‘Abdu’l-Baha had predicted world war

One of those present inquired about the possibility of a world war. In response, the Master said:

“In America, I stated that the Balkan War' was the beginning of the world war to which you refer.” 

At that moment I [Mahmud Zarqani] recalled that, when we were in America, Mirza Ahmad Sohrab told me that the Master had previously made this same remark when asked about the prospect of a world war.

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha en route to Liverpool, on board the Celtic, 13 December 1912; recorded by Mahmud Zarqani, His secretary and chronicler during His travels in the West; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’, vol. 2: ‘Abdu’l-Baha in Europe 1912-1913)

The Bahá’í International Fund and the World Centre Endowment Fund

…the Bahá’í International Fund. A great portion of the resources in this Fund is expended outside the Holy Land for the advancement of the Cause of God. These expenditures are of special importance at this time when the Five Year Plan gives every indication of yielding a significant advance in the process of entry by troops in the years ahead. This same Fund must finance the operation of the Bahá’í World Centre, the maintenance of the sacred properties in the Holy Land, the conduct of the pilgrimage programme, and the defence and proclamation of the Faith….

…the necessity to provide assistance from the Bahá’í International Fund to sustain the work of the Faith in the growing number of countries devastated by warfare, internal division, and endemic poverty. …the necessity to maintain, at a befitting standard, the buildings and gardens at the World Centre….

The Bahá’í International Fund must not fail to meet these needs. To assist it, we have decided to set up the World Centre Endowment Fund, for the preservation, upkeep, and security of the edifices and precincts of the Spiritual and Administrative Centres of the Faith—activities that currently form so large a part of the responsibilities of the Bahá’í International Fund. This decision follows the example of Shoghi Effendi, who during his ministry dedicated the income from lands in the environs of the Jordan Valley for the upkeep of the Holy Shrines.

This Endowment Fund, to which you are urged to contribute, beyond your general support of the Bahá’í International Fund, will initially be used to defray the related expenses, estimated at the present time to be seven million dollars annually. Whatever balance remains unexpended at the end of each year will be retained as an earmarked fund and, as it grows in the years ahead, will provide a continuing source of investment income dedicated to maintaining the magnificent setting of these Holy Places. These precincts were created gradually, during the past century, through the sacrificial outpouring of resources by the believers who responded to the vision of Bahá’u’lláh and supported the strenuous endeavours of the Master and the Guardian. It is essential that this splendour, befitting so sacred a place, be preserved undiminished in the decades and centuries ahead. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a message dated 12 November 2001to the Bahá’ís of the World; ‘Messages from the Universal House of Justice 2001-2022’)

The writing of ‘God Passes BY’ – Ruhiyyih Khanum explains the process the Guardian went through

'God Passes By', the most brilliant and wondrous tale of a century that has ever been told, is truly a "Mother" of future histories, a book wherein every word counts, every sentence burgeons with thought, every thought leads the way to a field of its own. Packed with salient facts it has the range and precision of snow flake crystals, each design perfect in itself, each theme brilliant in outline, coordinated balanced self-contained a matrix for those who follow on and study, evaluate and elaborate the Message and Order of Bahá’u’lláh. It was one of the most concentrated and stupendous achievements of Shoghi Effendi’s life.

The method of Shoghi Effendi in writing God Passes By was to sit down for a year and read every book of the Bahá’i Writings in Persian and English, and every book written about the Faith by Bahá’is, whether in manuscript form or published, and everything written by non-Bahá’is that contained significant references to it.

I think in all this must have covered the equivalent of at least two hundred books. As he read he made notes and compiled and marshalled his facts. Anyone who has ever tackled a work of an historical nature knows how much research is involved how often one has to decide, in the light of relevant material between this date given in one place and that date given in another, how backbreaking the whole work is. How much more so then was such a work for the Guardian who had, at the same time, to prepare for the forthcoming Centenary of the Faith and make decisions regarding the design of the superstructure of the Báb’s Shrine. 

Study Guide to the Forward section of God Passes By – pdf downloadable

Requirements for membership in the Bahá’í community: – Guidance from the Universal House of Justice

In considering the status of believers such as Mr…, it is necessary to review the requirements for membership in the Bahá’í community. The basic considerations are set out by the Guardian in his statement:

“...I would only venture to state very briefly and as adequately as present circumstances permit the principal factors that must be taken into consideration before deciding whether a person may be regarded a true believer or not. Full recognition of the station of the Forerunner, the Author, and the True Exemplar of the Bahá’í Cause, as set forth in Abdu’l-Bahá’s Testament; unreserved acceptance of, and submission to, whatsoever has been revealed by their Pen; loyal and steadfast adherence to every clause of our Beloved’s sacred Will; and close association with the spirit as well as the form of the present day Bahá’í administration throughout the world—these I conceive to be the fundamental and primary considerations that must be fairly, discreetly and thoughtfully ascertained before reaching such a vital decision. ... (Bahá'i Administration, p. 90, October 24, 1925)

This specification was restated by the Universal House of Justice in addressing the issue of acceptance of new believers, when it wrote:

Those who declare themselves as Bahá’ís should become enchanted with the beauty of the teachings, and touched by the love of Bahá’u’lláh. The declarants need not know all the proofs, history, laws, and principles of the Faith, but in the process of declaring themselves they must, in addition to catching the spark of faith, become basically informed about the Central Figures of the Faith, as well as the existence of laws they must follow and an administration they must obey. (From a letter to all National Spiritual Assemblies, 13 July 1964)

It follows that individuals who do not satisfy these requirements cannot be regarded as members of the Bahá’í community, irrespective of whatever statements they might make concerning the nature of their belief in Bahá’u’lláh. Such a situation arises, in some instances, when a person claims to accept the station of Bahá’u’lláh but does not accept the authority of the Administrative Institutions. The Guardian clarified this matter in a letter written on his behalf, stating:

... To accept the Cause without the administration is like to accept the teachings without acknowledging the divine station of Bahá’u’lláh. To be a Bahá'í is to accept the Cause in its entirety. To take exception to one basic principle is to deny the authority and sovereignty of Bahá’u’lláh, and therefore is to deny the Cause… (Letter to a National Spiritual Assembly, 30 May 1930)

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 28 June 1987 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to the NSA of New Zealand;  ‘Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1986-2001’)

Ninety-five Excerpts from Tablets and Talks of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá - Pdf downloadable

Navváb - “the Most Exalted Leaf”: “May God have mercy upon him that draweth nigh unto thee, and remembereth thee.. that He may forgive us, and forgive them that have turned unto thee, and grant their desires, and bestow upon them, through His wondrous grace, whatever be their wish.”

O faithful ones! Should ye visit the resting-place of the Most Exalted Leaf, who hath ascended unto the Glorious Companion, stand ye and say: ‘Salutation and blessing and glory upon thee, O Holy Leaf that hath sprung from the Divine Lote-Tree! I bear witness that thou hast believed in God and in His signs, and answered His Call, and turned unto Him, and held fast unto His cord, and clung to the hem of His grace, and fled thy home in His path, and chosen to live as a stranger, out of love for His presence and in thy longing to serve Him. May God have mercy upon him that draweth nigh unto thee, and remembereth thee through the things which My Pen hath voiced in this, the most great station. We pray God that He may forgive us, and forgive them that have turned unto thee, and grant their desires, and bestow upon them, through His wondrous grace, whatever be their wish. He, verily, is the Bountiful, the Generous. Praise be to God, He Who is the Desire of all worlds; and the Beloved of all who recognize Him. 

- Baha’u’llah  (Quoted by Shoghi Effendi in a letter dated December 21, 1939; ‘Messages to America’)

Manifestations of “a rectitude of conduct” “with ever-increasing potency” by each Baha’i

Such a rectitude of conduct must manifest itself, with ever-increasing potency, 

• in every verdict which the elected representatives of the Bahá’í 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. 
• It must be exemplified in the conduct of all Bahá’í electors, when exercising their sacred rights and functions. 
• It must characterize the attitude of every loyal believer towards 
• nonacceptance of political posts, 
• nonidentification with political parties, 
• nonparticipation in political controversies, and 
• nonmembership in political organizations and ecclesiastical institutions. 
• It must reveal itself in the uncompromising adherence of all, whether young or old, 
• to the clearly enunciated and fundamental principles laid down by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in His addresses, and 
• to the laws and ordinances revealed by Bahá’u’lláh in His Most Holy Book. 
• It must be demonstrated

Upper chamber of the House of the Báb, Shíráz, where He declared His Mission to Mullá Husayn in 1844

Virtues each Baha’i is called upon to strive to develop – summarized by the beloved Guardian from the Writings of Bahá’u’llah and ‘Abdu’l-Baha

“righteousness”

“Cleave unto righteousness, O people of Bahá,” He [Bahá’u’lláh] thus exhorts them, “This, verily, is the commandment which this wronged One hath given unto you, and the first choice of His unrestrained will for every one of you.”  

“righteous act”

“One righteous act,” He [Bahá’u’lláh], again, has written, “is endowed with a potency that can so elevate the dust as to cause it to pass beyond the heaven of heavens. It can tear every bond asunder, and hath the power to restore the force that hath spent itself and vanished.… Be pure, O people of God, be pure; be righteous, be righteous.… 

“truthfulness”; "honesty"; not to “deal treacherously with anyone”

“Beautify your tongues, O people,” He [Bahá’u’lláh] further admonishes them, “with truthfulness, and adorn your souls with the ornament of honesty. Beware, O people, that ye deal not treacherously with anyone. Be ye the trustees of God amongst His creatures, and the emblems of His generosity amidst His people.”

“eye… chaste,… hand faithful,… tongue truthful,.… heart enlightened”

“Let your eye be chaste,” is yet another counsel, “your hand faithful, your tongue truthful, and your heart enlightened.”

“countenance of truth”; “brow of fidelity”; “temple of righteousness”; “hosts of justice”; “a luminary above the horizon of virtue”

“Be an ornament to the countenance of truth,” is yet another admonition, “a crown to the brow of fidelity, a pillar of the temple of righteousness, a breath of life to the body of mankind, an ensign of the hosts of justice, a luminary above the horizon of virtue.”

Recitation of the Prayer for the Dead: - “should be read in its entirety by one person, while all others stand in silence”

22 May 1987

The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Australia

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

In response to your letter of 15 April 1987 enclosing a letter from Miss. . . concerning the Prayer for the Dead, the Universal House of Justice instructs us to reply as follows.

The Prayer for the Dead should be read in its entirety by one person, while all others stand in silence. It is not the practice for those present to repeat any part of the prayer in unison.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

Department of the Secretariat

(Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1986-2001)