Contents:
From the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh 1
From the Writings and Utterances of `Abdu'l-Bahá 2, 3,
4, 5
From Letters Written on Behalf of the Universal House of Justice 6, 7,
8, 9
From the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh
Methinks at this moment, I catch the fragrance of His garment1 blowing
from the Egypt of Baha;2 verily He seemeth near at hand, though men may think
Him far away.3 My soul doth smell the perfume shed by the Beloved One; My sense
is filled with the fragrance of My dear Companion.
The duty of long years of love obey And tell the tale of happy days gone
by, That land and sky may laugh aloud today, And it may gladden mind and heart
and eye.4 (The Four Valleys, in The Seven Valleys and The Four Valleys
(Wilmette: Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1995), pp. 59-60)
[1]
From the Writings and Utterances of `Abdu'l-Bahá
Even as the clouds let us shed down tears, and as the lightning flashes
let us laugh at our coursings through east and west. By day, by night, let us
think but of spreading the sweet savours of God. Let us not keep on forever
with our fancies and illusions, with our analysing and interpreting and
circulating of complex dubieties. Let us put aside all thoughts of self; let us
close our eyes to all on earth, let us neither make known our sufferings nor
complain of our wrongs. Rather let us become oblivious of our own selves, and
drinking down the wine of heavenly grace, let us cry out our joy, and lose
ourselves in the beauty of the All-Glorious. (Selections from the Writings of
Abdu'l-Bahá (Haifa: Bahá'í World Centre, 1982), section 195,
p. 236)
[2]
The Prison was a garden of roses to him,5 and his narrow cell a wide and
fragrant place. At the time when we were in the barracks he fell dangerously
ill and was confined to his bed. He suffered many complications, until finally
the doctor gave him up and would visit him no more. Then the sick man breathed
his last. Mirza Aqa Jan ran to Bahá'u'lláh, with word of the death. Not only
had the patient ceased to breathe, but his body was already going limp. His
family were gathered about him, mourning him, shedding bitter tears. The
Blessed Beauty said, "Go; chant the prayer of Ya Shafi -- O Thou, the
Healer -- and Mirza Ja`far will come alive. Very rapidly, he will be as well as
ever." I reached his bedside. His body was cold and all the signs of death
were present. Slowly, he began to stir; soon he could move his limbs, and
before an hour had passed he lifted his head, sat up, and proceeded to laugh
and tell jokes.
He lived for a long time after that, occupied as ever with serving the
friends. This giving service was a point of pride with him: to all, he was a
servant. He was always modest and humble, calling God to mind, and to the
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1. Literally, the garment of Ha, which is the letter "H" and here
represents Baha.
2. This reference is to the story of Joseph in the Qur'an and the Bible.
3. This refers to those who did not expect the imminent advent of Him Whom God
Shall Manifest.
4. The Mathnavi.
5. Mirza Ja far-i-Yazdi.
highest degree full of hope and faith. Finally, while in the Most Great
Prison, he abandoned this earthly life and winged his way to the life beyond.
(Memorials of the Faithful (Wilmette: Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1971), pp. 157-58)
[3]
I desire to make manifest among the friends in America a new light that
they may become a new people, that a new foundation may be established and
complete harmony be realized; for the foundation of Bahá'u'lláh is love. When
you go to Green Acre, you must have infinite love for each other, each
preferring the other before himself. The people must be so attracted to you
that they will exclaim, "What happiness exists among you!" and will
see in your faces the lights of the Kingdom; then in wonderment they will turn
to you and seek the cause of your happiness. You must give the message through
action and deed, not alone by word. Word must be conjoined with deed. You must
love your friend better than yourself; yes, be willing to sacrifice yourself.
The Cause of Bahá'u'lláh has not yet appeared in this country. I desire that
you be ready to sacrifice everything for each other, even life itself; then I
will know that the Cause of Bahá'u'lláh has been established. I will pray for
you that you may become the cause of upraising the lights of God. May everyone
point to you and ask, "Why are these people so happy?" I want you to
be happy in Green Acre, to laugh, smile and rejoice in order that others may be
made happy by you. I will pray for you. (The Promulgation of Universal Peace:
Talks Delivered by Abdu'l- Baha during His Visit to the United States and
Canada in 1912 rev. ed. (Wilmette: Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1982), p. 218)
[4]
My home is the home of peace. My home is the home of joy and delight. My
home is the home of laughter and exultation. Whosoever enters through the
portals of this home, must go out with gladsome heart. This is the home of
light; whosover enters here must become illumined....6 (From a reported
utterance, published in Star of the West, vol. 9, no. 3, 28 April 1918), p. 40)
[5]
From Letters Written on Behalf of the Universal House
of Justice
The Universal House of Justice has requested us to acknowledge your letter
of November 6, 1977 and to say that while laughter should not be suppressed or
frowned upon, it should not be indulged in at the expense of the feelings of
others. What one says or does in a humorous vein should not give rise to
prejudice of any kind. You may recall Abdu'l-Bahá's caution "Beware lest
ye offend the feelings of anyone, or sadden the heart of any person..."
(From "Tablets of Abdu'l-Bahá", vol. I, p. 45) (1
December 1977 to an individual believer) [6]
On page 25 [Ed. - p. 29]
of The Advent of Divine Justice the beloved Guardian is describing the
requirements not only of chastity, but of "a chaste and holy life" --
both the adjectives are important. One of the signs of a decadent society, a
sign which is very evident in the world today, is an almost frenetic
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6. "...not an authentic text, but is to be regarded as a pilgrim's
note." Letter on behalf of the Universal House of Justice, 21 May 1978.
devotion to pleasure and diversion, an insatiable thirst for amusement,
a fanatical devotion to games and sport, a reluctance to treat any matter
seriously, and a scornful, derisory attitude towards virtue and solid worth.
Abandonment of "a frivolous conduct" does not imply that a Bahá'í
must be sour-faced or perpetually solemn. Humour, happiness, joy are characteristics
of a true Bahá'í life. Frivolity palls and eventually leads to boredom and
emptiness, but true happiness and joy and humour that are parts of a balanced
life that includes serious thought, compassion and humble servitude to God are
characteristics that enrich life and add to its radiance.
Shoghi Effendi's choice of words was always significant, and each one is
important in understanding his guidance. In this particular passage, he does
not forbid "trivial" pleasures, but he does warn against
"excessive attachment" to them and indicates that they can often be
"misdirected". One is reminded of `Abdu'l-Bahá's caution that we
should not let a pastime become a waste of time. (8 May 1979
to an individual believer, cited in the compilation, A Chaste and Holy Life)
[7]
Humour too, as you say, is an essential element in preserving a proper
balance in this life and in our comprehension of reality. (23 July 1985 to an
individual believer) [8]
The House of Justice suggests that you may wish to review the use of
humour in your news reports to ensure that the appearance of insensitivity may
not be conveyed inadvertently in a report. It was concerned by the account of
an auction held at a barn dance hosted by the Local Spiritual Assembly of ...
While the intention of the author was clearly to jokingly convey the exuberance
and enthusiasm which were manifested on that occasion, care should be exercised
to avoid giving offence to those who are sensitive to the historical record of
the oppression of women and the denial of their human rights.
The House of Justice trusts that you will find a way of conveying these
observations to the editors of your newsletter in such a manner that their
enthusiasm is not dampened. Indeed, they merit commendation for the overall
quality of their work. (1 July 1988 to a National Spiritual Assembly) [9]