Front view of the Haziratu'l-Quds of Tihran, Iran, circa 1935
July 21, 2012
Hands of the Cause of God animated “love”, “wisdom” and “the spirit of dedication” – a note of appreciation by the Universal House of Justice
… for the Hands themselves to extend the range of their individual services beyond the continental sphere, thereby making universally available to the friends the love, the wisdom and the spirit of dedication animating the Guardian's appointees. (From Ridvan 1969 message of the Universal House of Justice) (To read the entire message please visit Messages to the Baha’i World Community – by the Universal House of Justice)
July 19, 2012
In what way we can thank God for the blessings we received to recognize Baha’u’llah
O ye peoples of the Kingdom! How many a soul expended all its span of life in worship, endured the mortification of the flesh, longed to gain an entry into the Kingdom, and yet failed, while ye, with neither toil nor pain nor self-denial, have won the prize and entered in.
It is even as in the time of the Messiah, when the Pharisees and the pious were left without a portion, while Peter, John and Andrew, given neither to pious worship nor ascetic practice, won the day. Wherefore, thank ye God for setting upon your heads the crown of glory everlasting, for granting unto you this immeasurable grace.
The time hath come when, as a thank-offering for this bestowal, ye should grow in faith and constancy as day followeth day, and should draw ever nearer to the Lord, your God, becoming magnetized to such a degree, and so aflame, that your holy melodies in praise of the Beloved will reach upward to the Company on high; and that each one of you, even as a nightingale in this rose garden of God, will glorify the Lord of Hosts, and become the teacher of all who dwell on earth. (‘Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu'l-Baha)
It is even as in the time of the Messiah, when the Pharisees and the pious were left without a portion, while Peter, John and Andrew, given neither to pious worship nor ascetic practice, won the day. Wherefore, thank ye God for setting upon your heads the crown of glory everlasting, for granting unto you this immeasurable grace.
The time hath come when, as a thank-offering for this bestowal, ye should grow in faith and constancy as day followeth day, and should draw ever nearer to the Lord, your God, becoming magnetized to such a degree, and so aflame, that your holy melodies in praise of the Beloved will reach upward to the Company on high; and that each one of you, even as a nightingale in this rose garden of God, will glorify the Lord of Hosts, and become the teacher of all who dwell on earth. (‘Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu'l-Baha)
July 16, 2012
Tablet revealed by Baha’u’llah “on the Anniversary of the Birth [of the Báb] that thou mayest recite it in a spirit of humility and supplication and give thanks unto thy Lord …”
All praise be to Thee, O my God, inasmuch as Thou hast adorned the world with the splendour of the dawn following the night wherein was born the One Who heralded the Manifestation of Thy transcendent sovereignty, the Dayspring of Thy divine Essence and the Revelation of Thy supreme Lordship. I beseech Thee, O Creator of the heavens and Fashioner of names, to graciously aid those who have sheltered beneath the shadow of Thine abounding mercy and have raised their voices amidst the peoples of the world for the glorification of Thy Name.
O my God! Thou beholdest the Lord of all mankind confined in His Most Great Prison, calling aloud Thy Name, gazing upon Thy face, proclaiming that which hath enraptured the denizens of Thy kingdoms of revelation and of creation. O my God! I behold Mine own Self captive in the hands of Thy servants, yet the light of Thy sovereignty and the revelations of Thine invincible power shine resplendent from His face, enabling all to know of a certainty that Thou art God, and that there is none other God but Thee. Neither can the power of the powerful frustrate Thee, nor the ascendancy of the rulers prevail against Thee. Thou doest whatsoever Thou willest by virtue of Thy sovereignty which encompasseth all created things, and ordainest that which Thou pleasest through the potency of Thy behest which pervadeth the entire creation.
O my God! Thou beholdest the Lord of all mankind confined in His Most Great Prison, calling aloud Thy Name, gazing upon Thy face, proclaiming that which hath enraptured the denizens of Thy kingdoms of revelation and of creation. O my God! I behold Mine own Self captive in the hands of Thy servants, yet the light of Thy sovereignty and the revelations of Thine invincible power shine resplendent from His face, enabling all to know of a certainty that Thou art God, and that there is none other God but Thee. Neither can the power of the powerful frustrate Thee, nor the ascendancy of the rulers prevail against Thee. Thou doest whatsoever Thou willest by virtue of Thy sovereignty which encompasseth all created things, and ordainest that which Thou pleasest through the potency of Thy behest which pervadeth the entire creation.
July 12, 2012
To immortalize one’s memory in God’s “glorious and exalted heaven”
Make thou every effort to render service unto God, that from thee may appear that which will immortalize thy memory in His glorious and exalted heaven.
Say: Glorified art Thou, O my God! I implore Thee by the Dawning-Place of Thy signs and by the Revealer of Thy clear tokens to grant that I may, under all conditions, hold fast the cord of Thy loving providence and cling tenaciously to the hem of Thy generosity. Reckon me then with those whom the changes and chances of the world have failed to deter from serving Thee and from bearing allegiance unto Thee, whom the onslaught of the people hath been powerless to hinder from magnifying Thy Name and celebrating Thy praise. Graciously assist me, O my Lord, to do whatever Thou lovest and desirest. Enable me then to fulfil that which will exalt Thy Name and will set ablaze the fire of Thy love. Thou art, in truth, the Forgiving, the Bountiful. (Baha’u’llah, Tablets of Baha’u’llah revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas)
Say: Glorified art Thou, O my God! I implore Thee by the Dawning-Place of Thy signs and by the Revealer of Thy clear tokens to grant that I may, under all conditions, hold fast the cord of Thy loving providence and cling tenaciously to the hem of Thy generosity. Reckon me then with those whom the changes and chances of the world have failed to deter from serving Thee and from bearing allegiance unto Thee, whom the onslaught of the people hath been powerless to hinder from magnifying Thy Name and celebrating Thy praise. Graciously assist me, O my Lord, to do whatever Thou lovest and desirest. Enable me then to fulfil that which will exalt Thy Name and will set ablaze the fire of Thy love. Thou art, in truth, the Forgiving, the Bountiful. (Baha’u’llah, Tablets of Baha’u’llah revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas)
July 9, 2012
1928: Haifa and Mount Carmel
Haifa and Mount Carmel 1928 (Star of the West, vol. 18, no. 11, February 1928)
July 7, 2012
“There are two ways of healing sickness, material means and spiritual means… Both means should be used and practiced.”
There are two ways of healing sickness, material means and spiritual means. The first is by the treatment of physicians; the second consisteth in prayers offered by the spiritual ones to God and in turning to Him. Both means should be used and practised.
Illnesses which occur by reason of physical causes should be treated by doctors with medical remedies; those which are due to spiritual causes disappear through spiritual means. Thus an illness caused by affliction, fear, nervous impressions, will be healed more effectively by spiritual rather than by physical treatment. Hence, both kinds of treatment should be followed; they are not contradictory. Therefore thou shouldst also accept physical remedies inasmuch as these too have come from the mercy and favour of God, Who hath revealed and made manifest medical science so that His servants may profit from this kind of treatment also. Thou shouldst give equal attention to spiritual treatments, for they produce marvellous effects.
Now, if thou wishest to know the true remedy which will heal man from all sickness and will give him the health of the divine kingdom, know that it is the precepts and teachings of God. Focus thine attention upon them. (‘Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu'l-Baha)
Illnesses which occur by reason of physical causes should be treated by doctors with medical remedies; those which are due to spiritual causes disappear through spiritual means. Thus an illness caused by affliction, fear, nervous impressions, will be healed more effectively by spiritual rather than by physical treatment. Hence, both kinds of treatment should be followed; they are not contradictory. Therefore thou shouldst also accept physical remedies inasmuch as these too have come from the mercy and favour of God, Who hath revealed and made manifest medical science so that His servants may profit from this kind of treatment also. Thou shouldst give equal attention to spiritual treatments, for they produce marvellous effects.
Now, if thou wishest to know the true remedy which will heal man from all sickness and will give him the health of the divine kingdom, know that it is the precepts and teachings of God. Focus thine attention upon them. (‘Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu'l-Baha)
July 5, 2012
A sample of contexts in which the phrase “Fear ye God” is used by Baha’u’llah
“Fear ye God, and be not of them that have denied Him.” [His Manifestation] (Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 38)
“Fear ye God, and be not of the foolish.” (Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 49)
“Fear ye God, and turn not away disdainfully from His Revelation.” (Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 38)
“Fear ye God, and be not of those who perish.” (Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 104)
“Fear ye God, and contend not with Him as the people of the Qur'án have contended with Me.” (Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 146)
“Fear ye God, and take heed not to outstrip the bounds of moderation, and be numbered among the extravagant.” (Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 250)
“Fear ye God, and withhold not yourselves from recognizing the One Who is the Object of your creation.” (Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 314)
“Fear ye God, and be not of the foolish.” (Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 49)
“Fear ye God, and turn not away disdainfully from His Revelation.” (Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 38)
“Fear ye God, and be not of those who perish.” (Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 104)
“Fear ye God, and contend not with Him as the people of the Qur'án have contended with Me.” (Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 146)
“Fear ye God, and take heed not to outstrip the bounds of moderation, and be numbered among the extravagant.” (Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 250)
“Fear ye God, and withhold not yourselves from recognizing the One Who is the Object of your creation.” (Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 314)
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