Synopsis And Codification
Categories: SYNOPSIS AND CODIFICATION OF THE LAWS AND ORDINANCES OF THE KITAB-I-AQDASSources: The Kitab-i-aqdas
I. THE APPOINTMENT OF 'ABDU'L-BAHA AS THE SUCCESSOR OF BAHA'U'LLAH
AND INTERPRETER OF HIS TEACHINGS
A. The faithful are enjoined to turn their faces towards the
One Whom God hath purposed, Who hath branched from this
Ancient Root.
B. The faithful are bidden to refer whatsoever they do not
understand in the Baha'i writings to Him Who hath br
from this mighty Stock.
II. ANTICIPATION OF THE INSTITUTION OF THE GUARDIANSHIP
III. THE INSTITUTION OF THE HOUSE OF JUSTICE
A. The House of Justice is formally ordained.
B. Its functions are defined.
C. Its revenues are fixed.
IV. LAWS, ORDINANCES AND EXHORTATIONS
A. Prayer
1. The sublime station occupied by the Obligatory
Prayers in the Baha'i Revelation.
2. The Qiblih:
a. Identified by the Bab with the One Whom God
will make manifest.
b. The appointment made by the Bab is confirmed by
Baha'u'llah.
c. Baha'u'llah ordains His resting-place as the
Qiblih after His passing.
d. Turning to the Qiblih is mandatory while
reciting the Obligatory Prayers.
3. The Obligatory Prayers are binding on men and women
on attaining the age of maturity, which is fixed at 15.
4. Exemption from offering the Obligatory Prayers is
granted to:
a. Those who are ill.
b. Those who are over 70.
c. Women in their courses provided they perform
their ablutions and repeat a specifically revealed
verse 95 times a day.
5. The Obligatory Prayers should be offered
individually.
6. The choice of one of the three Obligatory Prayers is
permissible.
7. By morning, noon and evening, mentioned in
connection with the Obligatory Prayers, is meant
respectively the intervals between sunrise and noon,
between noon and sunset, and from sunset till two hours
after sunset.
8. The recital of the first (long) Obligatory Prayer,
once in twenty-four hours is sufficient.
9. It is preferable to offer the third (short)
Obligatory Prayer while standing.
10. Ablutions:
a. Ablutions must precede the recital of the
Obligatory Prayers.
b. For every Obligatory Prayer fresh ablutions
must be performed.
c. Should two Obligatory Prayers be offered at
noon one ablution for both prayers is sufficient.
d. If water is unavailable or its use harmful to
the face or hands, the repetition, five times, of
a specifically revealed verse is prescribed.
e. Should the weather be too cold the use of warm
water is recommended.
f. If ablutions have been performed for other
purposes, their renewal prior to the recital of
the Obligatory Prayer is not required.
g. Ablutions are essential whether a bath has been
taken previously or not.
11. Determining the times fixed for Prayer:
a. Reliance on clocks is permissible in
determining the times for offering the Obligatory
Prayers.
b. In countries situated in the extreme north or
south, where the duration of days and nights
varies considerably, clocks and timepieces should
be relied upon, without reference to sunrise or
sunset.
12. In case of danger, whether when travelling or not,
for every Obligatory Prayer not offered a prostration
and the recital of a specific verse is enjoined, to be
followed by the repetition, eighteen times, of another
specific verse.
13. Congregational prayer is forbidden except the Prayer
for the Dead.
14. The recital, in its entirety, of the Prayer for the
Dead is prescribed except for those unable to read, who
are commanded to repeat the six specific passages in
that Prayer.
15. The Obligatory Prayer to be thrice repeated, three
times a day, at morn, noon and evening, has been
superseded by three Obligatory Prayers subsequently
revealed.
16. The Prayer of the Signs has been annulled, and a
specifically revealed verse substituted for it. The
recital of this verse is not however obligatory.
17. Hair, sable, bones and the like do not nullify one's
prayer.
B. Fasting
1. The sublime station occupied by fasting in the Baha'i
Revelation.
2. The period of fasting commences with the termination
of the Intercalary Days, and ends with the Naw-Ruz
Festival.
3. Abstinence from food and drink, from sunrise to
sunset, is obligatory.
4. Fasting is binding on men and women on attaining the
age of maturity, which is fixed at 15.
5. Exemption from fasting is granted to:
a. Travellers
i. Provided the journey exceeds 9 hours.
ii. Those travelling on foot, provided the
journey exceeds 2 hours.
iii. Those who break their journey for less
than 19 days.
iv. Those who break their journey during the
Fast at a place where they are to stay 19
days are exempt from fasting only for the
first three days from their arrival.
v. Those who reach home during the Fast must
commence fasting from the day of their
arrival.
b. Those who are ill.
c. Those who are over 70.
d. Women who are with child.
e. Women who are nursing.
f. Women in their courses, provided they perform
their ablutions and repeat a specifically revealed
verse 95 times a day.
g. Those who are engaged in heavy labour, who are
advised to show respect for the law by using
discretion and restraint when availing themselves
of the exemption.
6. Vowing to fast (in a month other than the one
prescribed for fasting) is permissible. Vows which
profit mankind are however preferable in the sight of
God.
C. Laws of Personal Status
1. Marriage:
a. Marriage is highly recommended but not
obligatory.
b. Plurality of wives is forbidden.
c. Marriage is conditioned upon both parties
having attained the age of maturity which is fixed
at 15.
d. Marriage is conditioned on the consent of both
parties and their parents, whether the woman be a
maiden or not.
e. It is incumbent upon both parties to recite a
specifically revealed verse indicating their being
content with the will of God.
f. Marriage with one's stepmother is forbidden.
g. All matters related to marriage with one's
kindred are to be referred to the House of
Justice.
h. Marriage with unbelievers is permitted.
i. Betrothal:
i. The period of engagement must not exceed
95 days.
ii. It is unlawful to become engaged to a
girl before she reaches the age of maturity.
j. The Dowry:
i. Marriage is conditioned on payment of a
dowry.
ii. The dowry is fixed at 19 mithqals of
pure gold for city-dwellers, and 19
mithqals of silver for village-dwellers,
depending on the permanent residence of the
husband, and not of the wife.
iii. It is forbidden to pay more than 95
mithqals.
iv. It is preferable that a man content
himself with the payment of 19 mithqals of
silver.
v. If the full payment of dowry is not
possible the issue of a promissory note is
permissible.
k. Should either party, following the recital of
the specifically revealed verse and the payment of
the dowry, take a dislike to the other before the
marriage is consummated, the period of waiting is
not necessary prior to a divorce. The taking back
of the dowry, however, is not permitted.
l. The husband must fix for his wife the time of
his return when intending to travel. If, for a
legitimate reason, he is prevented from returning
at the appointed time, he must inform her and
strive to return to her. If he fails to fulfil
either condition, she must wait 9 months, after
which she may remarry, though it is preferable for
her to wait longer. If news of his death or murder
reaches her, and the news is confirmed by general
report or by 2 reliable witnesses, she may remarry
after the lapse of 9 months.
m. If the husband departs without informing his
wife of the date of his return, and is aware of
the law prescribed in the Kitab-i-Aqdas, the wife
may remarry after waiting a full year. If the
husband is unaware of this law, the wife must wait
until news of her husband reaches her.
n. Should the husband, after the payment of the
dowry, discover that the wife is not a virgin, the
refund of the dowry and of the expenses incurred
may be demanded.
o. If the marriage has been conditioned on
virginity the refund of the dowry and of the
expenses incurred may be demanded and the marriage
invalidated. To conceal the matter, however, is
highly meritorious in the sight of God.
2. Divorce:
a. Divorce is strongly condemned.
b. If antipathy or resentment develop on the part
of either the husband or the wife, divorce is
permissible, only after the lapse of one full
year. The beginning and end of the year of waiting
must be testified by two or more witnesses. The
act of divorce should be registered by the
judicial officer representing the House of
Justice. Intercourse during this period of waiting
is forbidden, and whoever breaks this law must
repent and pay the House of Justice 19 mithqals
of gold.
c. A further period of waiting after divorce has
taken place is not required.
d. The wife who is to be divorced as a result of
her unfaithfulness forfeits the payment of the
expenses during the waiting period.
e. Remarrying the wife whom one has divorced is
permissible, provided she has not married another
person. If she has, she must be divorced before
her former husband can remarry her.
f. If at any time during the waiting period
affection should recur, the marriage tie is valid.
If this reconciliation is followed by estrangement
and divorce is again desired, a new year of
waiting will have to be commenced.
g. Should differences arise between husband and
wife while travelling, he is required to send her
home, or entrust her to a dependable person, who
will escort her there, paying her journey and her
full year's expenses.
h. Should a wife insist on divorcing her husband
rather than migrate to another country, the year
of waiting is to be counted from the time they
separate, either while he is preparing to leave,
or upon his departure.
i. The Islamic law regarding remarriage with the
wife whom one has previously divorced is
abrogated.
3. Inheritance:(22)
a. Inheritance falls into the following
categories:
1. children 1,080 out of 2,520 shares
2. husband or wife 390 out of 2,520 shares
3. father 330 out of 2,520 shares
4. mother 270 out of 2,520 shares
5. brother 210 out of 2,520 shares
6. sister 150 out of 2,520 shares
7. teacher 90 out of 2,520 shares
b. The share of the children, as allotted by the
Bab, is doubled by Baha'u'llah, and an equal
portion correspondingly reduced from each of the
remaining beneficiaries.
c.
i. In cases where there is no issue the
share of the children reverts to the House
of Justice to be expended on orphans and
widows and for whatever will profit mankind.
ii. If the son of the deceased be dead and
leave issue, these will inherit the share of
their father. If the daughter of the
deceased be dead and leave issue, her share
will have to be divided into the seven
categories specified in the Most Holy Book.
d. Should one leave offspring but either part or
all of the other categories of inheritors be
nonexistent, two thirds of their shares reverts to
the offspring and one third to the House of
Justice.
e. Should none of the specified beneficiaries
exist, two thirds of the inheritance reverts to
the nephews and nieces of the deceased. If these
do not exist, the same share reverts to the aunts
and uncles; lacking these, to their sons and
daughters. In any case the remaining third reverts
to the House of Justice.
f. Should one leave none of the aforementioned
heirs, the entire inheritance reverts to the House
of Justice.
g. The residence and the personal clothing of the
deceased father pass to the male not to the female
offspring. If there be several residences the
principal and most important one passes to the
male offspring. The remaining residences will
together with the other possessions of the
deceased have to be divided among the heirs. If
there be no male offspring two thirds of the
principal residence and the personal clothing of
the deceased father will revert to the female
issue and one third to the House of Justice. In
the case of the deceased mother all her used
clothing is to be equally divided amongst her
daughters. Her unworn clothing, jewels and
property must be divided among her heirs, as well
as her used clothing if she leaves no daughter.
h. Should the children of the deceased be minors
their share should either be entrusted to a
reliable person or to a company for purposes of
investment, until they attain the age of maturity.
A share of the interest accrued should be assigned
to the trustee.
i. The inheritance should not be divided until
after the payment of the Huququ'llah (The Right of
God), of any debts contracted by the deceased and
of any expenses incurred for a befitting funeral
and burial.
j. If the brother of the deceased is from the same
father he will inherit his full allotted share. If
he is from another father he will inherit only two
thirds of his share, the remaining one third
reverting to the House of Justice. The same law is
applicable to the sister of the deceased.
k. In case there are full brothers or full
sisters, brothers and sisters from the mother's
side do not inherit.
l. A non-Baha'i teacher does not inherit. If there
should be more than one teacher, the share
allotted to the teacher is to be equally divided
among them.
m. Non-Baha'i heirs do not inherit.
n. Aside from the wife's used clothing and gifts
of jewellery or otherwise which have been proven
to have been given her by her husband, whatever
the husband has purchased for his wife are to be
considered as the husband's possessions to be
divided among his heirs.
o. Any person is at liberty to will his
possessions as he sees fit provided he makes
provisions for the payment of Huququ'llah and the
discharge of his debts.
D. Miscellaneous Laws, Ordinances and Exhortations
1. Miscellaneous Laws and Ordinances:
a. Pilgrimage
b. Huququ'llah
c. Endowments
d. The Mashriqu'l-Adhkar
e. Duration of the Baha'i Dispensation
f. Baha'i Festivals
g. The Nineteen Day Feast
h. The Baha'i Year
i. The Intercalary Days
j. The age of maturity
k. Burial of the dead
l. Engaging in a trade or profession is made
obligatory and is exalted to the rank of
worship
m. Obedience to government
n. Education of children
o. The writing of a testament
p. Tithes (Zakat)
q. Repetition of the Greatest Name 95 times
a day
r. The hunting of animals
s. Treatment of female servants
t. The finding of lost property
u. Disposition of treasure trove
v. Disposal of objects held in trust
w. Manslaughter
x. Definition of just witnesses
y. Prohibitions:
i. Interpretation of the Holy Writ
ii. Slave trading
iii. Asceticism
iv. Monasticism
v. Mendicancy
vi. Priesthood
vii. Use of pulpits
viii. The kissing of hands
ix. Confession of sins
x. Plurality of wives
xi. Intoxicating drinks
xii. Opium
xiii. Gambling
xiv. Arson
xv. Adultery
xvi. Murder
xvii. Theft
xviii. Homosexuality
xix. Congregational prayer, except for
the dead
xx. Cruelty to animals
xxi. Idleness and sloth
xxii. Backbiting
xxiii. Calumny
xxiv. Carrying arms unless essential
xxv. Use of public pools in Persian
baths
xxvi. Entering a house without the
owner's permission
xxvii. Striking or wounding a person
xxviii. Contention and conflict
xxix. Muttering sacred verses in the
street
xxx. Plunging one's hand in food
xxxi. Shaving one's head
xxxii. Growth of men's hair beyond the
lobe of the ear
2. Abrogation of specific laws and
ordinances of previous Dispensations, which
prescribed:
a. Destruction of books
b. Prohibition of the wearing of silk
c. Prohibition of the use of gold and
silver utensils
d. Limitation of travel
e. Offering priceless gifts to the
Founder of the Faith
f. Prohibition on questioning the
Founder of the Faith
g. Prohibition against remarrying
one's divorced wife
h. Penalizing whoever causes sadness
to his neighbour
i. Prohibition of music
j. Limitations upon one's apparel and
beard
k. Uncleanliness of divers objects and
peoples
l. Uncleanliness of semen
m. Uncleanliness of certain objects
for purposes of prostration
3. Miscellaneous Exhortations:
a. To associate with the followers of
all religions with fellowship
b. To honour one's parents
c. Not to wish for others what one
does not wish for one's self
d. To teach and propagate the Faith
after the ascension of its Founder
e. To assist those who arise to
promote the Faith
f. Not to depart from the Writings or
to be misled by those who do
g. To refer to the Holy Writ when
differences arise
h. To immerse one's self in the study
of the Teachings
i. Not to follow one's idle fancies
and vain imaginations
j. To recite the holy verses at morn
and at eventide
k. To recite the holy verses
melodiously
l. To teach one's children to chant
the holy verses in the
Mashriqu'l-Adhkar
m. To study such arts and sciences as
benefit mankind
n. To take counsel together
o. Not to be indulgent in carrying out
the statutes of God
p. To repent to God of one's sins
q. To distinguish one's self through
good deeds
i. To be truthful
ii. To be trustworthy
iii. To be faithful
iv. To be righteous and fear God
v. To be just and fair
vi. To be tactful and wise
vii. To be courteous
viii. To be hospitable
ix. To be persevering
x. To be detached
xi. To be absolutely submissive
to the Will of God
xii. Not to stir up mischief
xiii. Not to be hypocritical
xiv. Not to be proud
xv. Not to be fanatical
xvi. Not to prefer one's self to
one's neighbour
xvii. Not to contend with one's
neighbour
xviii. Not to indulge one's
passions
xix. Not to lament in adversity
xx. Not to contend with those in
authority
xxi. Not to lose one's temper
xxii. Not to anger one's
neighbour
r. To be closely united
s. To consult competent physicians
when ill
t. To respond to invitations
u. To show kindness to the kindred of
the Founder of the Faith
v. To study languages for the
furtherance of the Faith
w. To further the development of
cities and countries for the
glorification of the Faith
x. To restore and preserve the sites
associated with the Founders of the
Faith
y. To be the essence of cleanliness:
i. To wash one's feet
ii. To perfume one's self
iii. To bathe in clean water
iv. To cut one's nails
v. To wash soiled things in
clean water
vi. To be stainless in one's
dress
vii. To renew the furnishings of
one's house
V. SPECIFIC ADMONITIONS, REPROOFS AND
WARNINGS Addressed to:
1. The entire human race
2. Crowned heads of the world
3. The concourse of
ecclesiastics
4. The Rulers of America and
Presidents of the Republics
therein
5. William I, King of Prussia
6. Francis Joseph, Emperor of
Austria
7. The people of the Bayan
8. Members of parliaments
throughout the world
VI. MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS
1. The transcendent character of
the Baha'i Revelation
2. The exalted station of the
Author of the Faith
3. The supreme importance of the
Kitab-i-Aqdas, The Most Holy
Book
4. The doctrine of the Most
Great Infallibility
5. The twin duties of
recognition of the Manifestation
and observance of His Laws, and
their inseparability
6. The end of all learning is
the recognition of Him Who is
the Object of all knowledge
7. The blessedness of those who
have recognized the fundamental
verity He shall not be asked of
His doings
8. The revolutionizing effect of
the Most Great Order
9. The selection of a single
language and the adoption of a
common script for all on earth
to use: one of two signs of the
maturity of the human race
10. Prophecies of the Bab
regarding He Whom God will make
manifest
11. Prediction relating to
opposition to the Faith
12. Eulogy of the king who will
profess the Faith and arise to
serve it
13. The instability of human
affairs
14. The meaning of true liberty
15. The merit of all deeds is
dependent upon God's acceptance
16. The importance of love for
God as the motive of obedience
to His Laws
17. The importance of utilizing
material means
18. Eulogy of the learned among
the people of Baha
19. Assurance of forgiveness to
Mirza Yahya should he repent
20. Apostrophe addressed to
Tihran
21. Apostrophe addressed to
Constantinople and its people
22. Apostrophe addressed to the
banks of the Rhine
23. Condemnation of those who
lay false claim to esoteric
knowledge
24. Condemnation of those who
allow pride in their learning to
debar them from God
25. Prophecies relating to
Khurasan
26. Prophecies relating to
Kirman
27. Allusion to Shaykh
Ahmad-i-Ahsa'i
28. Allusion to the Sifter of
Wheat
29. Condemnation of Haji
Muhammad-Karim Khan
30. Condemnation of Shaykh
Muhammad-Hasan
31. Allusion to Napoleon III
32. Allusion to Siyyid
Muhammad-i-Isfahani
33. Assurance of aid to all
those who arise to serve the
Faith
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Some have regarded it as lawful to infringe on the integrity of the substance of their neighbor, and have made light of the injunction of God as prescribed in His Book. Evil fall upon them, and the chastisement of God, the All-Powerful, the Almigh... Some Of The Experiences Of His Forty Years Imprisonment
In an apartment in Cadogan Gardens sits a spiritually illumined Oriental, whose recent advent in London marks the latest junction of the East and West. The teaching of 'Abdu'l-Baha has already brought about the commingling of thousands of Engli... Some Personal Characteristics
There is a note in 'Abdu'l-Baha's character that has not been emphasized, and with which no idea of him is complete. The impressive dignity which distinguishes his presence and bearing is occasionally lighted by a delicate and tactful humour, whic... Some Texts Revealed By Baha'u'llah Supplementary To The Kitab-i-aqdas
A number of Tablets revealed by Baha'u'llah after the... A number of Tablets revealed by Baha'u'llah after the Kitab-i-Aqdas contain passages supplementary to the provisions of the Most Holy Book. The most noteworthy of these have been... Speech Of Professor Michael Sadler
We have met together to bid farewell to 'Abdu'l-Baha, and to thank God for his example and teaching, and for the power of his prayers to bring Light into confused thought, Hope into the place of dread, Faith where doubt was, and into troubled hear... Spiritual Relationship
In the evening of September 28th, 'Abdu'l-Baha was with a number of assembled guests. He said all of you here are sisters. Bodily relationships may pass; even two sisters may be inimical to each other, but the spiritual relationship is eternal,... Spreading The Teaching
When asked by an American friend: Which is the best way to spread the teaching? he said: By deeds. This way is open to all, and deeds are understood by all. Join yourselves to those who work for the poor, the weak and the unfortunate; this is grea... St John's Westminster: Introduction
On September 17th, 'Abdu'l-Baha at the request of the venerable Archdeacon of Westminster addressed the congregation of Saint John the Divine after evening service. With a few warm words characteristic of his whole attitude Archdeacon Wilberforce ... Suffer Me, O My God, To Draw Nigh Unto Thee,
Suffer me, O my God, to draw nigh unto Thee, and to abide within the precincts of Thy court, for remoteness from Thee hath well-nigh consumed me. Cause me to rest under the shadow of the wings of Thy grace, for the flame of my separation from Thee... Sultan 'abdu'l-'aziz
HEARKEN, O King, to the speech of Him that speaketh the truth, Him that doth not ask thee to recompense Him with the things God hath chosen to bestow upon thee, Him Who unerringly treadeth the straight Path. He it is Who summoneth thee unto God, t... Symbols
Someone wished to know if it were a good custom to wear a symbol, as, for instance, a cross. He said: You wear the cross for remembrance, it concentrates your thoughts; it has no magical power. Baha'is often wear a stone with the greatest name eng... Synopsis And Codification
I. THE APPOINTMENT OF 'ABDU'L-BAHA AS THE SUCCESSOR OF BAHA'U'LLAH AND INTERPRETER OF HIS TEACHINGS A. The faithful are enjoined to turn their faces towards the One Whom God hath purposed, Who hath branched fr... Tear Asunder In My Name The Veils That
Tear asunder, in My Name, the veils that have grievously blinded your vision, and, through the power born of your belief in the unity of God, scatter the idols of vain imitation. Enter, then, the holy paradise of the good-pleasure of the All-Merci... That Which Thou Hast Heard Concerning
That which thou hast heard concerning Abraham, the Friend of the All-Merciful, is the truth, and no doubt is there about it. The Voice of God commanded Him to offer up Ishmael as a sacrifice, so that His steadfastness in the Faith of God and His d... The All-knowing Physician Hath His Finger
The All-Knowing Physician hath His finger on the pulse of mankind. He perceiveth the disease, and prescribeth, in His unerring wisdom, the remedy. Every age hath its own problem, and every soul its particular aspiration. The remedy the world neede... The All-knowing Physician Hath His Finger On The
THE All-Knowing Physician hath His finger on the pulse of mankind. He perceiveth the disease, and prescribeth, in His unerring wisdom, the remedy. Every age hath its own problem, and every soul its particular aspiration. The remedy the world neede... The All-merciful Hath Conferred Upon Man
The All-Merciful hath conferred upon man the faculty of vision, and endowed him with the power of hearing. Some have described him as the "lesser world," when, in reality, he should be regarded as the "greater world." The potentialities inherent i... The Ancient Beauty Hath Consented To Be
The Ancient Beauty hath consented to be bound with chains that mankind may be released from its bondage, and hath accepted to be made a prisoner within this most mighty Stronghold that the whole world may attain unto true liberty. He hath drained ... The Bearers Of The Trust Of God Are Made
The Bearers of the Trust of God are made manifest unto the peoples of the earth as the Exponents of a new Cause and the Revealers of a new Message. Inasmuch as these Birds of the celestial Throne are all sent down from the heaven of the Will of Go... The Beginning Of All Things Is The Knowledge
The beginning of all things is the knowledge of God, and the end of all things is strict observance of whatsoever hath been sent down from the empyrean of the Divine Will that pervadeth all that is in the heavens and all that is on the earth. ... The Book Of God Is Wide Open And His
The Book of God is wide open, and His Word is summoning mankind unto Him. No more than a mere handful, however, hath been found willing to cleave to His Cause, or to become the instruments for its promotion. These few have been endued with the Div... The Breath Hath Been Wafted, And The Breeze Hath
THE Breath hath been wafted, and the Breeze hath blown, and from Zion hath appeared that which was hidden, and from Jerusalem is heard the Voice of God, the One, the Incomparable, the Omniscient. ... The Captivity Of Man
'Abdu'l-Baha said:--Luxuries cut off the freedom of communication. One who is imprisoned by desires is always unhappy; the children of the Kingdom have unchained themselves from their desires. Break all fetters and seek for spiritual joy and enlig... The Change Of Heart
To one who spoke of the people's desire to possess the land, and of the strong under-current of rebellion on the part of the labouring classes, 'Abdu'l-Baha said: Fighting, and the employment of force, even for the right cause, will not bring abou... The City Temple: Introduction
On September 10th, the first Sunday after 'Abdu'l-Baha's arrival in England, he spoke from the City Temple pulpit to the evening congregation at the special desire of the Pastor, the Reverend R. J. Campbell. Though 'Abdu'l-Baha's coming had not ... The Coming Of Peace
By what process continued the questioner, will this peace on earth be established? Will it come at once after a universal declaration of the Truth? No, it will come about gradually, said 'Abdu'l-Baha. A plant that grows too quickly lasts but a ... The Divine Springtime Is Come O Most Exalted
The Divine Springtime is come, O Most Exalted Pen, for the Festival of the All-Merciful is fast approaching. Bestir thyself, and magnify, before the entire creation, the name of God, and celebrate His praise, in such wise that all created things m... The Divine Who Hath Seized And Quaffed The Most Holy
THE divine who hath seized and quaffed the most holy Wine, in the name of the sovereign Ordainer, is as an eye unto the world. Well is it with them who obey him, and call him to remembrance. ... The Divine Whose Conduct Is Upright, And The Sage Who
THE divine whose conduct is upright, and the sage who is just, are as the spirit unto the body of the world. Well is it with that divine whose head is attired with the crown of justice, and whose temple is adorned with the ornament of equity. ... The Elected Representatives Of The Peoples In Every Land
O YE the elected representatives of the people in every land! Take ye counsel together, and let your concern be only for that which profiteth mankind, and bettereth the condition thereof, if ye be of them that scan heedfully. Regard the world as t... The Farewell
On the last morning of 'Abdu'l-Baha's stay in London many friends gathered both at Cadogan Gardens and at the station to bid him farewell. An impressive and interesting ceremony was performed at the house by a Zoroastrian (a physician), who sent a... The First And Foremost Duty Prescribed
The first and foremost duty prescribed unto men, next to the recognition of Him Who is the Eternal Truth, is the duty of steadfastness in His Cause. Cleave thou unto it, and be of them whose minds are firmly fixed and grounded in God. No act, howe... The First Duty Prescribed By God For His
The first duty prescribed by God for His servants is the recognition of Him Who is the Day Spring of His Revelation and the Fountain of His laws, Who representeth the Godhead in both the Kingdom of His Cause and the world of creation. Whoso achiev... The First Summer
We had no communication whatever with the out-side world. Each loaf of bread was cut open by the guard to see that it contained no message. All who believed in the Baha'i manifestation, children, men and women, were imprisoned with us. There were ... The First Valley
If the travelers seek after the goal of the Intended One (maqsud), this station appertaineth to the self--but that self which is The Self of God standing within Him with laws.(90) On this plane, the self is not rejected but beloved; it is well-p... The Four Valleys
_He is the Strong, the Well-Beloved!_ O light of truth, Hisam-i-Din, the bounteous, No prince hath the world begot like unto Thee!(81) I am wondering why the tie of love was so abruptly severed, and the firm covenant of friendship broken.... The Fourth Valley
If the mystic knowers be of those who have reached to the beauty of the Beloved One (Mahbub), this station is the apex of consciousness and the secret of divine guidance. This is the center of the mystery: He doth what He willeth, ordaineth what H... The Generations That Have Gone On Before
The generations that have gone on before you--whither are they fled? And those round whom in life circled the fairest and the loveliest of the land, where now are they? Profit by their example, O people, and be not of them that are gone astray. ... The Great Being Saith: O Ye Children Of Men!
The Great Being saith: O ye children of men! The fundamental purpose animating the Faith of God and His Religion is to safeguard the interests and promote the unity of the human race, and to foster the spirit of love and fellowship amongst men. Su... The Great Being Wishing To Reveal The
The Great Being, wishing to reveal the prerequisites of the peace and tranquillity of the world and the advancement of its peoples, hath written: The time must come when the imperative necessity for the holding of a vast, an all-embracing assembla... The Great Being, Wishing To Reveal The Prerequisites Of
THE Great Being, wishing to reveal the prerequisites of the peace and tranquillity of the world and the advancement of its peoples, hath written: The time must come when the imperative necessity for the holding of a vast, an all-embracing assembla... The Hearts That Yearn After Thee, O My God, Are
The hearts that yearn after Thee, O my God, are burnt up with the fire of their longing for Thee, and the eyes of them that love Thee weep sore by reason of their crushing separation from Thy court, and the voice of the lamentation of such as have... The Kitab-i-aqdas
1 The first duty prescribed by God for His servants is the recognition of Him Who is the Dayspring of His Revelation and the Fountain of His laws, Who representeth the Godhead in both the Kingdom of His Cause and the world of creation. Whoso... The Life After Death
Mrs. S. asked some questions with reference to the conditions of existence in the next world, and the life after death; she said that having recently lost a very near relative, she had given much thought to this subject. Many thought that re-union... The Most Great Law Is Come, And The Ancient Beauty
THE Most Great Law is come, and the Ancient Beauty ruleth upon the throne of David. Thus hath My Pen spoken that which the histories of bygone ages have related. At this time, however, David crieth aloud and saith: 'O my loving Lord! Do Thou numbe... The Most Great Name Beareth Me Witness!
The Most Great Name beareth Me witness! How sad if any man were, in this Day, to rest his heart on the transitory things of this world! Arise, and cling firmly to the Cause of God. Be most loving one to another. Burn away, wholly for the sake of t... The One True God, Exalted Be His Glory, Hath Ever Regarded,
THE one true God, exalted be His glory, hath ever regarded, and will continue to regard, the hearts of men as His own, His exclusive possession. All else, whether pertaining to land or sea, whether riches or glory, He hath bequeathed unto the king...