A Baha'i Wedding
Sources: 'abdu'l-baha In LondonQuite an oriental note was struck toward the end of 'Abdu'l-Baha's London
visit, by the marriage of a young Persian couple who had sought his
presence for the ceremony, the bride journeying from Baghdad accompanied
by her uncle in order to meet her fiance here and be married before
'Abdu'l-Baha's departure. The bride's father and grandfather had been
followers of Baha'u'llah during the time of his banishment.
therefore print it in his own simple and beautiful language. It will serve
to show a side not touched on elsewhere, and without which no idea of his
visit is complete. We refer to the attitude of reverence with which people
from the East who came to see 'Abdu'l-Baha regard their great teacher.
They invariably rise and stand with bowed heads whenever he enters the
room.
Mirza Dawud writes:--
On Sunday morning, the 1st of October, 1911, A.D., equal to the 9th Tishi
5972 (Hebrew Era), Regina Nur Mahal Khanum, and Mirza Yuhanna Dawud were
admitted into the holy presence of 'Abdu'l-Baha: may my life be a
sacrifice to Him!
After receiving us, 'Abdu'l-Baha said, You are very welcome and it makes
me happy to see you here in London.
Looking at me he said, Never have I united anyone in marriage before,
except my own daughters, but as I love you much, and you have rendered a
great service to the Kingdom of Abha, both in this country and in other
lands, I will perform your marriage ceremony today. It is my hope that you
may both continue in the blessed path of service.
Then, first, 'Abdu'l-Baha took Nur Mahal Khanum into the next room and
said to her, Do you love Mirza Yuhanna Dawud with all your heart and
soul? She answered, Yes, I do.
Then 'Abdu'l-Baha called me to him and put a similar question, that is to
say, Do you love Nur Mahal Khanum with all your heart and soul? I
answered Yes, I do. We re-entered the room together and 'Abdu'l-Baha
took the right hand of the bride and gave it into that of the bridegroom
and asked us to say after him, We do all to please God.
We all sat down and 'Abdu'l-Baha continued; Marriage is a holy
institution and much encouraged in this blessed cause. Now you two are no
longer two, but one. Baha'u'llah's wish is that all men be of one mind and
consider themselves of one great household, that the mind of mankind be
not divided against itself.
It is my wish and hope that you may be blessed in your life. May God help
you to render great service to the kingdom of Abha and may you become a
means of its advancement.
May joy be increased to you as the years go by, and may you become
thriving trees bearing delicious and fragrant fruits which are the
blessings in the path of service.
When we came out, all the assembled friends both of Persia and London
congratulated us on the great honour that had been bestowed upon us, and
we were invited to dine by the kind hostess.
After a little while we gathered around the table with him. During the
meal one of the friends asked 'Abdu'l-Baha how he enjoyed his stay in
London, and what he thought of the English people. I acted as interpreter.
'Abdu'l-Baha replied: I have enjoyed London very much and the bright
faces of the friends have delighted my heart. I was drawn here by their
unity and love. In the world of existence there is no more powerful magnet
than the magnet of love. These few days will pass away, but their import
shall be remembered by God's friends in all ages and in all lands.
There are living nations and dead nations. Syria lost its civilization
through lethargy of spirit. The English nation is a living one, and when
in this spiritual springtime the divine truth come forth with renewed
vitality, the English will be like fruitful trees, and the Holy Spirit
will enable them to flourish in abundance. Then will they gain not only
materially, but in that which is far more important, spiritual progress,
which will enable them to render a greater service to the world of
humanity.
Another asked why the teachings of all religions are expressed largely by
parables and metaphors and not in the plain language of the people.
'Abdu'l-Baha replied:--Divine things are too deep to be expressed by
common words. The heavenly teachings are expressed in parable in order to
be understood and preserved for ages to come. When the spiritually minded
dive deeply into the ocean of their meaning they bring to the surface the
pearls of their inner significance. There is no greater pleasure than to
study God's Word with a spiritual mind.
The object of God's teaching to man is that man may know himself in order
to comprehend the greatness of God. The Word of God is for agreement and
concord. If you go to Persia where the friends of Abha are many, you will
at once realize the unifying force of God's work. They are doing their
utmost to strengthen this bond of amity. There, people of different
nationalities gather in one meeting and chant the divine tablets with one
accord. It might be supposed that they were all brethren. We do not
consider anyone a stranger, for it is said by Baha'u'llah 'Ye are all the
rays of one sun; the fruits of one tree; and the leaves of one branch.' We
desire the true brotherhood of humanity. This shall be so, and it has
already begun. Praise to be God, the Helper, the Pardoner!
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85
Know, however, that the seeker, at the outset of his journey, witnesseth change and transformation, as hath already been mentioned. This is undoubtedly the truth, as hath been revealed concerning those days: "On the day when the earth shall be change... 85 He Hath Granted Them No Right To The Property Of Others #61
The injunction to show kindness to Baha'u'llah's kindred does not give them a share in the property of others. This is in contrast to Shi'ih Muslim practice, in which lineal descendants of Muhammad are entitled to receive a share of a certain tax.... 86
In this station, all changing and varying realities are manifest before thee. Whosoever denieth this truth hath verily turned aside from the Cause of God, rebelled against His rule, and gainsaid His sovereignty. For it is indeed within the power of H... 86 Should Anyone Intentionally Destroy A House By Fire
him also shall ye burn; should anyone deliberately take another's life, him also shall ye put to death. 62 The law of Baha'u'llah prescribes the death penalty for murder and arson, with the alternative of life imprisonment (see note 87). In ... 87
O My brother! In this stage, which marketh the beginning of the journey, thou shalt behold divers stations and differing signs, even as was mentioned in connection with the City of Search. All these hold true in their respective planes. It behoveth t... 87 Should Ye Condemn The Arsonist And The Murderer To Life Imprisonment
it would be permissible according to the provisions of the Book. 62 Shoghi Effendi, in response to a question about this verse of the Aqdas, affirmed that while capital punishment is permitted, an alternative, life imprisonment, has been provide... 88
By My Lord! Notwithstanding all that We have revealed unto thee of the mysteries of utterance and the degrees of exposition, methinks I have spoken not a single letter of the ocean of God's hidden knowledge and the essence of His inscrutable wisdom. ... 88 God Hath Prescribed Matrimony Unto You #63
Baha'u'llah, in one of His Tablets, states that God, in establishing this law, has made marriage a fortress for well-being and salvation. The Synopsis and Codification, section IV.C.1.a.-o., summarizes and synthesizes the provisions in the Kitab... 89
Know thou, moreover, that the bird that taketh flight in the atmosphere of the realm on high will never be able to soar unto the heaven of transcendent holiness, nor taste of the fruits which God hath brought forth therein, nor quaff from the streams... 89 Beware That Ye Take Not Unto Yourselves More Wives Than Two
Whoso contenteth himself with a single partner from among the maidservants of God, both he and she shall live in tranquillity. 63 While the text of the Kitab-i-Aqdas appears to permit bigamy, Baha'u'llah counsels that tranquillity and contentm... 8: O Son Of Glory! Be Swift In The Path Of Holiness And Enter The
O SON OF GLORY! Be swift in the path of holiness, and enter the heaven of communion with Me. Cleanse thy heart with the burnish of the spirit, and hasten to the court of the Most High. ... 8: O Son Of Spirit! There Is No Peace For Thee Save By Renouncing
O SON OF SPIRIT! There is no peace for thee save by renouncing thyself and turning unto Me; for it behooveth thee to glory in My name, not in thine own; to put thy trust in Me and not in thyself, since I desire to be loved alone and above all that... 9
In the second Gospel, according to Mark, the Dove of holiness speaketh in such terms: "For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be."(7) And it singeth la... 9 We Have Set Forth The Details Of Obligatory Prayer In Another Tablet#8
The original Obligatory Prayer had for reasons of wisdom been revealed by Baha'u'llah in a separate Tablet (Q and A 63). It was not released to the believers in His lifetime, having been superseded by the three Obligatory Prayers now in use. Sh... 90
Comprehend, in like manner, every station, sign, and allusion, that thou mayest perceive all things in their own place and consider all matters in their proper light. For in this station, the City of Divine Unity, are to be found those who have enter... 90 He Who Would Take Into His Service A Maid May Do So With Propriety #63
Baha'u'llah states that a man may employ a maiden for domestic service. This was not permissible under Shi'ih Muslim practice unless the employer entered into a marriage contract with her. Baha'u'llah emphasizes that the service referred to in thi... 91
Know then that all thou hast heard and witnessed that Daystar of Truth, the Primal Point, ascribe to Himself from the designations of former times is only on account of the weakness of men and the scheme of the world of creation. Otherwise, all names... 91 This Is My Bidding Unto You; Hold Fast To It As An Assistance To Yourselves #63
While marriage is enjoined in the Kitab-i-Aqdas, Baha'u'llah clarifies that it is not obligatory (Q and A 46). Shoghi Effendi, in a letter written on his behalf, also declared that marriage is by no means an obligation, and he affirmed that in the... 92
Know, moreover, that all that We have mentioned concerning these journeys is intended for none but the elect amongst the righteous. And shouldst thou spur on the charger of the spirit and traverse the meads of heaven, thou wouldst complete all these ... 92 We Have Conditioned It Upon The Permission Of Their Parents #65
In a letter written on his behalf, Shoghi Effendi has commented on this provision of the law: Baha'u'llah has clearly stated the consent of all living parents is required for a Baha'i marriage. This applies whether the parents are... 93
O My brother! If thou be a champion of this arena, speed within the lands of certitude, that thy soul may be delivered in this day from the bondage of misbelief, and that thou mayest perceive the sweet savours that waft from this garden. Verily, the ... 93 No Marriage May Be Contracted Without Payment Of A Dowry #66
The Synopsis and Codification, section IV.C.1.j.i.-v., summarizes the main provisions concerning the dowry. These provisions have their antecedents in the Bayan. The dowry is to be paid by the bridegroom to the bride. It is fixed at 19 mithqals... 94
His fragrant breaths diffused in Eastern lands could well To sick ones in the West restore their sense of smell!(59) ... 94 For City-dwellers At Nineteen Mithqals Of Pure Gold And For
village-dwellers at the same amount in silver 66 Baha'u'llah specifies that the criterion for determining the dowry payment is the location of the permanent residence of the bridegroom, not of the bride (Q and A 87, 88). ... 95
After this heavenly journey and mystical ascent the wayfarer will enter within the Garden of Wonderment. Were I to disclose unto thee the reality of this station, thou wouldst lament and bewail the plight of this Servant Who remaineth in the hands of... 95 Whoso Wisheth To Increase This Sum
it is forbidden him to exceed the limit of ninety-five mithqals... If he content himself, however, with a payment of the lowest level, it shall be better for him according to the Book. 66 In answer to a question about the dowry, Baha'u'llah sta... 96
Were I to recount unto thine eminence the dire adversities that have befallen Me, thou wouldst be so grieved as to forsake the mention of all things and to forget thyself and all that the Lord hath created on earth. But as this is not Our wish, I hav... 96 Should Any One Of His Servants Intend To Travel He Must Fix For His Wife A Time When He Will Return Home #67
If the husband leaves without informing his wife of the date of his return, and no news of him reaches her and all trace of him is lost, Baha'u'llah has stated that, should the husband have been aware of the law prescribed in the Kitab-i-Aqdas, th... 97
As We have digressed from Our theme, let Us leave aside these allusions and return to Our discussion of this city. Verily, whoso entereth therein shall be saved, and whoso turneth aside therefrom will assuredly perish. ... 97 It Behoveth Her To Wait For A Period Of Nine Months After Which There Is No Impediment To Her Taking Another Husband #67
In the event of the husband's failure, either to return at the end of the specified period of time or to notify his wife of a delay, the wife must wait nine months, after which she is free to remarry, though it is preferable for her to wait longer... 98
O thou who art mentioned in these Tablets! Know thou that he who embarketh upon this journey will marvel at the signs of the power of God and the wondrous evidences of His handiwork. Bewilderment will seize him from every side, even as hath been atte... 98 She Should Choose The Course That Is Praiseworthy #67
Baha'u'llah defines the course that is praiseworthy as the exercise of patience (Q and A 4). ... 99
I knew not what amazement was Until I made Thy love my cause. O how amazing would it be If I were not amazed by Thee!(63) ... 99 Two Just Witnesses #67
Baha'u'llah sets out the criterion of justness in relation to witnesses as a good reputation among the people. He states that it is not necessary that the witnesses should be Baha'is since The testimony of all God's servants, of whatever ... 9: O Fleeting Shadow! Pass Beyond The Baser Stages Of Doubt And Rise To
O FLEETING SHADOW! Pass beyond the baser stages of doubt and rise to the exalted heights of certainty. Open the eye of truth, that thou mayest behold the veilless Beauty and exclaim: Hallowed be the Lord, the most excellent of all creators! ... 9: O Son Of Being! My Love Is My Stronghold; He That Entereth Therein
O SON OF BEING! My love is My stronghold; he that entereth therein is safe and secure, and he that turneth away shall surely stray and perish. ... A Baha'i Wedding
Quite an oriental note was struck toward the end of 'Abdu'l-Baha's London visit, by the marriage of a young Persian couple who had sought his presence for the ceremony, the bride journeying from Baghdad accompanied by her uncle in order to meet he... A Description Of The Kitab-i-aqdas By Shoghi Effendi
Taken from _God Passes By_, His History of the First Baha'i Century Unique and stupendous as was this Proclamation, it proved to be but a prelude to a still mightier revelation of the creative power of its Author, and to what may well rank ... A Loving Farewell Greeting
After leaving London and during his two months stay in Paris, 'Abdu'l-Baha frequently sent back messages to his English friends, some of whom journeyed over to take advantage of the conferences there. On the eve of his departure for Alexandria, he... A Message From 'abdu'l-baha
Written for The Christian Commonwealth and published September 29th, 1911. God sends Prophets for the education of the people and the progress of mankind. Each such Manifestation of God has raised humanity. They serve the whole world by the bo... A True Baha'i
A student of the modern methods of the higher criticism asked 'Abdu'l-Baha if he would do well to continue in the church with which he had been associated all his life, and whose language was full of meaning to him. 'Abdu'l-Baha answered: You must... Address Given By 'abdu'l-baha At The City Temple
Sunday, September 10th, 1911 O noble friends; seekers after God! Praise be to God! Today the light of Truth is shining upon the world in its abundance; the breezes of the heavenly garden are blowing throughout all region... All Glory Be To Thee, O Lord My God! I Bear
All glory be to Thee, O Lord my God! I bear witness for Thee to that whereto Thou Thyself didst bear witness for Thine own Self, ere the day Thou hadst created the creation or made mention thereof, that Thou art God, and that there is none other G... All Glory Be To This Day The Day In Which The
All glory be to this Day, the Day in which the fragrances of mercy have been wafted over all created things, a Day so blest that past ages and centuries can never hope to rival it, a Day in which the countenance of the Ancient of Days hath turned ... All Praise And Glory Be To God Who
All praise and glory be to God Who, through the power of His might, hath delivered His creation from the nakedness of non-existence, and clothed it with the mantle of life. From among all created things He hath singled out for His special favor th... All Praise Be To God Who Hath Adorned
All praise be to God Who hath adorned the world with an ornament, and arrayed it with a vesture, of which it can be despoiled by no earthly power, however mighty its battalions, however vast its wealth, however profound its influence. Say: the ess... All Praise Be To Thee, O Lord, My God! How Mysterious
All praise be to Thee, O Lord, my God! How mysterious the Fire which Thou hast enkindled within my heart! My very limbs testify to the intensity of its heat, and evince the consuming power of its flame. Should my bodily tongue ever attempt to desc... All Praise Be To Thee, O My God! Thou Beholdest
All praise be to Thee, O my God! Thou beholdest my helplessness and poverty, and bearest witness unto my woes and trials. How long wilt Thou abandon me among Thy servants? Suffer me to ascend into Thy presence. The power of Thy might beareth me wi... All Praise To The Unity Of God And All
All praise to the unity of God, and all honor to Him, the sovereign Lord, the incomparable and all-glorious Ruler of the universe, Who, out of utter nothingness, hath created the reality of all things, Who, from naught, hath brought into being the... All Praise, O My God, Be To Thee Who Art The
All praise, O my God, be to Thee Who art the Source of all glory and majesty, of greatness and honor, of sovereignty and dominion, of loftiness and grace, of awe and power. Whomsoever Thou willest Thou causest to draw nigh unto the Most Great Ocea... All-praise Be To Thee, O Lord, My God! I Know
All-praise be to Thee, O Lord, my God! I know not how to sing Thy praise, how to describe Thy glory, how to call upon Thy Name. If I call upon Thee by Thy Name, the All-Possessing, I am compelled to recognize that He Who holdeth in His hand the im... Amongst The Proofs Demonstrating The Truth
Amongst the proofs demonstrating the truth of this Revelation is this, that in every age and Dispensation, whenever the invisible Essence was revealed in the person of His Manifestation, certain souls, obscure and detached from all worldly entangl... And Now Concerning Thy Question
And now concerning thy question whether human souls continue to be conscious one of another after their separation from the body. Know thou that the souls of the people of Baha, who have entered and been established within the Crimson Ark, shall a... And Now Concerning Thy Question Regarding
And now, concerning thy question regarding the creation of man. Know thou that all men have been created in the nature made by God, the Guardian, the Self-Subsisting. Unto each one hath been prescribed a pre-ordained measure, as decreed in God's m... And Now Concerning Thy Question Regarding
And now concerning thy question regarding the soul of man and its survival after death. Know thou of a truth that the soul, after its separation from the body, will continue to progress until it attaineth the presence of God, in a state and condit... And Now Concerning Thy Reference To The
And now concerning thy reference to the existence of two Gods. Beware, beware, lest thou be led to join partners with the Lord, thy God. He is, and hath from everlasting been, one and alone, without peer or equal, eternal in the past, eternal in t... And Now Regarding Thy Question "how
And now regarding thy question, "How is it that no records are to be found concerning the Prophets that have preceded Adam, the Father of Mankind, or of the kings that lived in the days of those Prophets?" Know thou that the absence of any referen... Are Superstitions Useful
A lady enquired whether some superstitions might not be good for ignorant people, who, if they were without them might perhaps be without beliefs of any kind? 'Abdu'l-Baha replied that superstitions were of two kinds; those that were harmful an... Art
A painter asked: Is art a worthy vocation? 'Abdu'l-Baha turning to her impressively, said: Art is worship. An actor mentioned the drama, and its influence. The drama is of the utmost importance. said 'Abdu'l-Baha. It has been a great educational... As To Thy Question Concerning The Origin
As to thy question concerning the origin of creation. Know assuredly that God's creation hath existed from eternity, and will continue to exist forever. Its beginning hath had no beginning, and its end knoweth no end. His name, the Creator, presup... As To Thy Question Concerning The Worlds
As to thy question concerning the worlds of God. Know thou of a truth that the worlds of God are countless in their number, and infinite in their range. None can reckon or comprehend them except God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. Consider thy sta... At Brooklands
The morning of the second day, a neighbour sent over her car asking if 'Abdu'l-Baha would not like to take his guests to the Brooklands aviation ground. Though it was windy, an aviator was on the track, when he heard who the visitor was offered to... At Byfleet
On the afternoon of September 9th, a number of working women of the Passmore Edwards' Settlement, who were spending their holidays with Miss Schepel and Miss Buckton at Vanners, in Byfleet, a village some twenty miles out of London, had the great ... At One Time We Address The People Of The Torah And Summon
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Be generous in prosperity, and thankful in adversity. Be worthy of the trust of thy neighbor, and look upon him with a bright and friendly face. Be a treasure to the poor, an admonisher to the rich, an answerer of the cry of the needy, a preserver... Be Not Dismayed O Peoples Of The World
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Behold the disturbances which, for many a long year, have afflicted the earth, and the perturbation that hath seized its peoples. It hath either been ravaged by war, or tormented by sudden and unforeseen calamities. Though the world is encompassed... Bestir Yourselves O People In Anticipation Of
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