"All-praise to Him Who, by the Shield of His Covenant, hath..."
All-praise to Him Who, by the Shield of His Covenant, hath guarded the
Temple of His Cause from the darts of doubtfulness, Who by the Hosts of
His Testament hath preserved the Sanctuary of His Most Beneficent Law and
protected His Straight and Luminous Path, staying thereby the onslaught of
the company of Covenant-breakers, that have threatened to subvert His
Divine Edifice; Who hath watched over His Mighty Stronghold and
All-glorious Faith, through the aid of men whom the slander of the
slanderer affects not, whom no earthly calling, glory and power can turn
aside from the Covenant of God and His Testament, established firmly by
His clear and manifest words, writ and revealed by His All-glorious Pen
and recorded in the Preserved Tablet.
Salutation and praise, blessing and glory rest upon that primal branch of
the Divine and Sacred Lote-Tree, grown out, blest, tender, verdant and
flourishing from the Twin Holy Trees; the most wondrous, unique and
priceless pearl that doth gleam from out the twin surging seas; upon the
offshoots of the Tree of Holiness, the twigs of the Celestial Tree, they
that in the Day of the Great Dividing have stood fast and firm in the
Covenant; upon the Hands (pillars) of the Cause of God that have diffused
widely the Divine Fragrances, declared His Proofs, proclaimed His Faith,
published abroad His Law, detached themselves from all things but Him,
stood for righteousness in this world, and kindled the Fire of the Love of
God in the very hearts and souls of His servants; upon them that have
believed, rested assured, stood steadfast in His Covenant and followed the
Light that after my passing shineth from the Dayspring of Divine
Guidance--for behold! he is the blest and sacred bough that hath branched
out from the Twin Holy Trees. Well is it with him that seeketh the shelter
of his shade that shadoweth all mankind.
"O ye beloved of the Lord! The greatest of all things is the..."
O ye beloved of the Lord! The greatest of all things is the protection of
the True Faith of God, the preservation of His Law, the safeguarding of
His Cause and service unto His Word. Ten thousand souls have shed streams
of their sacred blood in this path, their precious lives they offered in
sacrifice unto Him, hastened wrapt in holy ecstasy unto the glorious field
of martyrdom, upraised the Standard of God's Faith and writ with their
life-blood upon the Tablet of the world the verses of His Divine Unity.
The sacred breast of His Holiness, the Exalted One, (may my life be a
sacrifice unto Him) was made a target to many a dart of woe, and in
Mazandaran, the Blessed feet of the Abha Beauty (may my life be offered up
for His loved ones) were so grievously scourged as to bleed and be sore
wounded. His neck also was put into captive chains and His feet made fast
in the stocks. In every hour, for a period of fifty years, a new trial and
calamity befell Him and fresh afflictions and cares beset Him. One of
them: after having suffered intense vicissitudes, He was made homeless and
a wanderer and fell a victim to still new vexations and troubles. In
'Iraq, the Day-Star of the world was so exposed to the wiles of the people
of malice as to be eclipsed in splendor. Later on He was sent an exile to
the Great City (Constantinople) and thence to the Land of Mystery
(Adrianople), whence, grievously wronged, He was eventually transferred to
the Most Great Prison (Akka). He Whom the world hath wronged (may my life
be offered for His loved ones) was four times banished from city to city,
till at last condemned to perpetual confinement, He was incarcerated in
this Prison, the prison of highway robbers, of brigands and of manslayers.
All this is but one of the trials that have afflicted the Blessed Beauty,
the rest being even as grievous as this.
"According to the direct and sacred command of God we are..."
According to the direct and sacred command of God we are forbidden to
utter slander, are commanded to show forth peace and amity, are exhorted
to rectitude of conduct, straightforwardness and harmony with all the
kindreds and peoples of the world. We must obey and be the well-wishers of
the governments of the land, regard disloyalty unto a just king as
disloyalty to God Himself and wishing evil to the government a
transgression of the Cause of God.
"O God, my God! Thou seest this wronged servant of Thine,..."
O God, my God! Thou seest this wronged servant of Thine, held fast in the
talons of ferocious lions, of ravening wolves, of bloodthirsty beasts.
Graciously assist me, through my love for Thee, that I may drink deep of
the chalice that brimmeth over with faithfulness to Thee and is filled
with Thy bountiful Grace; so that, fallen upon the dust, I may sink
prostrate and senseless whilst my vesture is dyed crimson with my blood.
This is my wish, my heart's desire, my hope, my pride, my glory. Grant, O
Lord my God, and my Refuge, that in my last hour, my end, may even as musk
shed its fragrance of glory! Is there a bounty greater than this? Nay, by
Thy Glory! I call Thee to witness that no day passeth but that I quaff my
fill from this cup, so grievous are the misdeeds wrought by them that have
broken the Covenant, kindled discord, showed their malice, stirred
sedition in the land and dishonored Thee amidst Thy servants. Lord! Shield
Thou from these Covenant-breakers the mighty Stronghold of Thy Faith and
protect Thy secret Sanctuary from the onslaught of the ungodly. Thou art
in truth the Mighty, the Powerful, the Gracious, the Strong.
"O God, my God! Shield Thy trusted servants from the evils of..."
O God, my God! Shield Thy trusted servants from the evils of self and
passion, protect them with the watchful eye of Thy loving kindness from
all rancour, hate and envy, shelter them in the impregnable stronghold of
Thy Cause and, safe from the darts of doubtfulness, make them the
manifestations of Thy glorious Signs, illumine their faces with the
effulgent rays shed from the Dayspring of Thy Divine Unity, gladden their
hearts with the verses revealed from Thy Holy Kingdom, strengthen their
loins by Thy all-swaying power that cometh from Thy Realm of Glory. Thou
art the All-bountiful, the Protector, the Almighty, the Gracious!
O ye that stand fast in the Covenant! When the hour cometh that this
wronged and broken winged bird will have taken its flight unto the
celestial concourse, when it will have hastened to the Realm of the Unseen
and its mortal frame will have been either lost or hidden neath the dust,
it is incumbent upon the Afnan, that are steadfast in the Covenant of God,
and have branched from the Tree of Holiness; the Hands, (pillars) of the
Cause of God, (the glory of the Lord rest upon them), and all the friends
and loved ones, one and all to bestir themselves and arise with heart and
soul and in one accord, to diffuse the sweet savors of God, to teach His
Cause and to promote His Faith. It behooveth them not to rest for a
moment, neither to seek repose. They must disperse themselves in every
land, pass by every clime and travel throughout all regions. Bestirred,
without rest and steadfast to the end they must raise in every land the
triumphal cry "O Thou the Glory of Glories!" (Ya-Baha'u'l-Abha), must
achieve renown in the world wherever they go, must burn brightly even as a
candle in every meeting and must kindle the flame of Divine love in every
assembly; that the light of truth may rise resplendent in the midmost
heart of the world, that throughout the East and throughout the West a
vast concourse may gather under the shadow of the Word of God, that the
sweet savors of holiness may be diffused, that faces may shine radiantly,
hearts be filled with the Divine spirit and souls be made heavenly.
In these days, the most important of all things is the guidance of the
nations and peoples of the world. Teaching the Cause is of utmost
importance for it is the head corner-stone of the foundation itself. This
wronged servant has spent his days and night in promoting the Cause and
urging the peoples to service. He rested not a moment, till the fame of
the Cause of God was noised abroad in the world and the celestial strains
from the Abha Kingdom roused the East and the West. The beloved of God
must also follow the same example. This is the secret of faithfulness,
this is the requirement of servitude to the Threshold of Baha!
The disciples of Christ forgot themselves and all earthly things, forsook
all their cares and belongings, purged themselves of self and passion and
with absolute detachment scattered far and wide and engaged in calling the
peoples of the world to the Divine Guidance, till at last they made the
world another world, illumined the surface of the earth and even to their
last hour proved self-sacrificing in the pathway of that Beloved One of
God. Finally in various lands they suffered glorious martyrdom. Let them
that are men of action follow in their footsteps!
O my loving friends! After the passing away of this wronged one, it is
incumbent upon the A_gh_san (Branches), the Afnan (Twigs) of the Sacred
Lote-Tree, the Hands (pillars) of the Cause of God and the loved ones of
the Abha Beauty to turn unto Shoghi Effendi--the youthful branch branched
from the two hallowed and sacred Lote-Trees and the fruit grown from the
union of the two offshoots of the Tree of Holiness,--as he is the sign of
God, the chosen branch, the guardian of the Cause of God, he unto whom all
the A_gh_san, the Afnan, the Hands of the Cause of God and His loved ones
must turn. He is the expounder of the words of God and after him will
succeed the first-born of his lineal descendants.
The sacred and youthful branch, the guardian of the Cause of God, as well
as the Universal House of Justice, to be universally elected and
established, are both under the care and protection of the Abha Beauty,
under the shelter and unerring guidance of His Holiness, the Exalted One
(may my life be offered up for them both). Whatsoever they decide is of
God. Whoso obeyeth him not, neither obeyeth them, hath not obeyed God;
whoso rebelleth against him and against them hath rebelled against God;
whoso opposeth him hath opposed God; whoso contendeth with them hath
contended with God; whoso disputeth with him hath disputed with God; whoso
denieth him hath denied God; whoso disbelieveth in him hath disbelieved in
God; whoso deviateth, separateth himself and turneth aside from him hath
in truth deviated, separated himself and turned aside from God. May the
wrath, the fierce indignation, the vengeance of God rest upon him! The
mighty stronghold shall remain impregnable and safe through obedience to
him who is the guardian of the Cause of God. It is incumbent upon the
members of the House of Justice, upon all the A_gh_san, the Afnan, the
Hands of the Cause of God to show their obedience, submissiveness and
subordination unto the guardian of the Cause of God, to turn unto him and
be lowly before him. He that opposeth him hath opposed the True One, will
make a breach in the Cause of God, will subvert His word and will become a
manifestation of the Center of Sedition. Beware, beware, lest the days
after the ascension (of Baha'u'llah) be repeated when the Center of
Sedition waxed haughty and rebellious and with Divine Unity for his excuse
deprived himself and perturbed and poisoned others. No doubt every
vainglorious one that purposeth dissension and discord will not openly
declare his evil purposes, nay rather, even as impure gold, would he seize
upon divers measures and various pretexts that he may separate the
gathering of the people of Baha. My object is to show that the Hands of
the Cause of God must be ever watchful and so soon as they find anyone
beginning to oppose and protest against the guardian of the Cause of God
cast him out from the congregation of the people of Baha and in no wise
accept any excuse from him. How often hath grievous error been disguised
in the garb of truth, that it might sow the seeds of doubt in the hearts
of men!
O ye beloved of the Lord! It is incumbent upon the guardian of the Cause
of God to appoint in his own life-time him that shall become his
successor, that differences may not arise after his passing. He that is
appointed must manifest in himself detachment from all worldly things,
must be the essence of purity, must show in himself the fear of God,
knowledge, wisdom and learning. Thus, should the first-born of the
guardian of the Cause of God not manifest in himself the truth of the
words:--"The child is the secret essence of its sire," that is, should he
not inherit of the spiritual within him (the guardian of the Cause of God)
and his glorious lineage not be matched with a goodly character, then must
he (the guardian of the Cause of God), choose another branch to succeed
him.
The Hands of the Cause of God must elect from their own number nine
persons that shall at all times be occupied in the important services in
the work of the guardian of the Cause of God. The election of these nine
must be carried either unanimously or by majority from the company of the
Hands of the Cause of God and these, whether unanimously or by a majority
vote, must give their assent to the choice of the one whom the guardian of
the Cause of God hath chosen as his successor. This assent must be given
in such wise as the assenting and dissenting voices may not be
distinguished. (secret ballot)
O friends! The Hands of the Cause of God must be nominated and appointed
by the guardian of the Cause of God. All must be under his shadow and obey
his command. Should any, within or without the company of the Hands of the
Cause of God disobey and seek division, the wrath of God and His vengeance
will be upon him, for he will have caused a breach in the true Faith of
God.
The obligations of the Hands of the Cause of God are to diffuse the Divine
Fragrances, to edify the souls of men, to promote learning, to improve the
character of all men and to be, at all times and under all conditions,
sanctified and detached from earthly things. They must manifest the fear
of God by their conduct, their manners, their deeds and their words.
This body of the Hands of the Cause of God is under the direction of the
guardian of the Cause of God. He must continually urge them to strive and
endeavor to the utmost of their ability to diffuse the sweet savors of
God, and to guide all the peoples of the world, for it is the light of
Divine Guidance that causeth all the universe to be illumined. To
disregard, though it be for a moment, this absolute command which is
binding upon everyone, is in no wise permitted, that the existent world
may become even as the Abha Paradise, that the surface of the earth may
become heavenly, that contention and conflict amidst peoples, kindreds,
nations and governments may disappear, that all the dwellers on earth may
become one people and one race, that the world may become even as one
home. Should differences arise they shall be amicably and conclusively
settled by the Supreme Tribunal, that shall include members from all the
governments and peoples of the world.
O ye beloved of the Lord! In this sacred Dispensation, conflict and
contention are in no wise permitted. Every aggressor deprives himself of
God's grace. It is incumbent upon everyone to show the utmost love,
rectitude of conduct, straightforwardness and sincere kindliness unto all
the peoples and kindreds of the world, be they friends or strangers. So
intense must be the spirit of love and loving-kindness, that the stranger
may find himself a friend, the enemy a true brother, no difference
whatsoever existing between them. For universality is of God and all
limitations earthly. Thus man must strive that his reality may manifest
virtues and perfections, the light whereof may shine upon everyone. The
light of the sun shineth upon all the world and the merciful showers of
Divine Providence fall upon all peoples. The vivifying breeze reviveth
every living creature and all beings endued with life obtain their share
and portion at His heavenly board. In like manner, the affections and
loving-kindness of the servants of the One True God must be bountifully
and universally extended to all mankind. Regarding this, restrictions and
limitations are in no wise permitted.
Wherefore, O my loving friends! Consort with all the peoples, kindreds and
religions of the world with the utmost truthfulness, uprightness,
faithfulness, kindliness, good-will and friendliness; that all the world
of being may be filled with the holy ecstasy of the grace of Baha, that
ignorance, enmity, hate and rancor may vanish from the world and the
darkness of estrangement amidst the peoples and kindreds of the world may
give way to the Light of Unity. Should other peoples and nations be
unfaithful to you show your fidelity unto them, should they be unjust
toward you show justice towards them, should they keep aloof from you
attract them to yourself, should they show their enmity be friendly
towards them, should they poison your lives sweeten their souls, should
they inflict a wound upon you be a salve to their sores. Such are the
attributes of the sincere! Such are the attributes of the truthful.
And now, concerning the House of Justice which God hath ordained as the
source of all good and freed from all error, it must be elected by
universal suffrage, that is, by the believers. Its members must be
manifestations of the fear of God and daysprings of knowledge and
understanding, must be steadfast in God's faith and the well-wishers of
all mankind. By this House is meant the Universal House of Justice, that
is, in all countries, a secondary House of Justice must be instituted, and
these secondary Houses of Justice must elect the members of the Universal
one. Unto this body all things must be referred. It enacteth all
ordinances and regulations that are not to be found in the explicit Holy
Text. By this body all the difficult problems are to be resolved and the
guardian of the Cause of God is its sacred head and the distinguished
member for life of that body. Should he not attend in person its
deliberations, he must appoint one to represent him. Should any of the
members commit a sin, injurious to the common weal, the guardian of the
Cause of God hath at his own discretion the right to expel him, whereupon
the people must elect another one in his stead.
"O ye beloved of the Lord! It is incumbent upon you to be submissive..."
O ye beloved of the Lord! It is incumbent upon you to be submissive to all
monarchs that are just and show your fidelity to every righteous king.
Serve ye the sovereigns of the world with utmost truthfulness and loyalty.
Show obedience unto them and be their well-wishers. Without their leave
and permission do not meddle with political affairs, for disloyalty to the
just sovereign is disloyalty to God himself.
This is my counsel and the commandment of God unto you. Well is it with
them that act accordingly.
"By the Ancient Beauty! This wronged one hath in no wise..."
By the Ancient Beauty! This wronged one hath in no wise borne nor doth he
bear a grudge against any one; towards none doth he entertain any
ill-feeling and uttereth no word save for the good of the world. My
supreme obligation, however, of necessity, prompteth me to guard and
preserve the Cause of God. Thus, with the greatest regret, I counsel you
saying:--"Guard ye the Cause of God, protect His law and have the utmost
fear of discord. This is the foundation of the belief of the people of
Baha (may my life be offered up for them). "His Holiness, the Exalted One,
(the Bab) is the Manifestation of the Unity and Oneness of God and the
Forerunner of the Ancient Beauty. His Holiness the Abha Beauty, (may my
life be a sacrifice for His steadfast friends) is the Supreme
Manifestation of God and the Dayspring of His Most Divine Essence. All
others are servants unto Him and do His bidding." Unto the Most Holy Book
every one must turn and all that is not expressly recorded therein must be
referred to the Universal House of Justice. That which this body, whether
unanimously or by a majority doth carry, that is verily the Truth and the
Purpose of God himself. Whoso doth deviate therefrom is verily of them
that love discord, hath shown forth malice and turned away from the Lord
of the Covenant. By this House is meant that Universal House of Justice
which is to be elected from all countries, that is, from those parts in
the East and West where the loved ones are to be found, after the manner
of the customary elections in Western countries such as those of England.
"O ye beloved of the Lord! Strive with all your heart to shield..."
O ye beloved of the Lord! Strive with all your heart to shield the Cause
of God from the onslaught of the insincere, for souls such as these cause
the straight to become crooked and all benevolent efforts to produce
contrary results.
O God, my God! I call Thee, Thy Prophets and Thy Messengers, Thy Saints
and Thy Holy Ones, to witness that I have declared conclusively Thy Proofs
unto Thy loved ones and set forth clearly all things unto them, that they
may watch over Thy Faith, guard Thy Straight Path and protect Thy
Resplendent Law. Thou art, verily, the All-knowing, the All-wise!
"Whosoever and whatsoever meeting becometh a hindrance to..."
Whosoever and whatsoever meeting becometh a hindrance to the diffusion of
the Light of Faith, let the loved ones give them counsel and say: "Of all
the gifts of God the greatest is the gift of Teaching. It draweth unto us
the Grace of God and is our first obligation. Of such a gift how can we
deprive ourselves? Nay, our lives, our goods, our comforts, our rest, we
offer them all as a sacrifice for the Abha Beauty and teach the Cause of
God." Caution and prudence, however, must be observed even as recorded in
the Book. The veil must in no wise be suddenly rent asunder. The Glory of
Glories rest upon you.
O ye the faithful loved ones of 'Abdu'l-Baha! It is incumbent upon you to
take the greatest care of Shoghi Effendi, the twig that hath branched from
the fruit given forth by the two hallowed and Divine Lote-Trees, that no
dust of despondency and sorrow may stain his radiant nature, that day by
day he may wax greater in happiness, in joy and spirituality, and may grow
to become even as a fruitful tree.
For he is, after 'Abdu'l-Baha, the guardian of the Cause of God, the
Afnan, the Hands (pillars) of the Cause and the beloved of the Lord must
obey him and turn unto him. He that obeyeth him not, hath not obeyed God;
he that turneth away from him, hath turned away from God and he that
denieth him, hath denied the True One. Beware lest anyone falsely
interpret these words, and like unto them that have broken the Covenant
after the Day of Ascension (of Baha'u'llah) advance a pretext, raise the
standard of revolt, wax stubborn and open wide the door of false
interpretation. To none is given the right to put forth his own opinion or
express his particular convictions. All must seek guidance and turn unto
the Center of the Cause and the House of Justice. And he that turneth unto
whatsoever else is indeed in grievous error.
The Glory of Glories rest upon you!
PART TWO: LETTERS FROM SHOGHI EFFENDI
GUARDIAN OF THE BAHA'I CAUSE
JANUARY 21, 1922-JULY 17, 1932
Letter of January 21st, 1922.
Dearly beloved brethren and sisters in 'Abdu'l-Baha:
At this early hour when the morning light is just breaking upon the Holy
Land, whilst the gloom of the dear Master's bereavement is still hanging
thick upon the hearts, I feel as if my soul turns in yearning love and
full of hope to that great company of His loved ones across the seas, who
now share with us all the agonies of His separation.
It is idle for me to emphasize how much the sorrowful ladies of the Holy
Household look forward to the work that lies before the friends in the
American continent, who in the past have rendered so glorious a service to
His Cause and will now, faithful to His special love for them, carry on
their mission still more gloriously than ever before. True, the shock has
been too terrible and sudden for us all to recover from in so short a
time, but whenever we recall His Sayings and read His Writings, hope
springs in our hearts and gives us the peace that no other material
comfort can give.
How well I remember when, more than two years ago, the Beloved Master
turning to a distinguished visitor of His, who was seated by Him in His
garden, suddenly broke the silence and said:--"My work is now done upon
this plane; it is time for me to pass on to the other world." Did He not
in more than one occasion state clearly and emphatically:--"Were ye to know
what will come to pass after me, surely would ye pray that my end be
hastened?" In a Tablet sent to Persia when the storm raised years ago by
that Committee of Investigation was fiercely raging around Him, when the
days of His incarceration were at their blackest, He reveals the
following:--"Now in this world of being, the Hand of Divine Power hath
firmly laid the foundations of this all-highest Bounty and this wondrous
Gift. Gradually whatsoever is latent in the innermost of this Holy Cycle
shall appear and be made manifest, for now is but the beginning of its
growth and the dayspring of the revelation of its Signs. Ere the close of
this Century and of this Age, it shall be made clear and manifest how
wondrous was that Springtide and how heavenly was that Gift!"
With such assuring Utterances and the unmistakable evidences of His sure
and clear knowledge that His end was nigh, is there any reason why the
followers of His Faith, the world over, should be perturbed? Are not the
prayers He revealed for us sufficient source of inspiration to every
worker in His Cause? Have not His instructions paved before us the broad
and straight Path of Teaching? Will not His now doubly effective power of
Grace sustain us, strengthen us and confirm us in our work for Him? Ours
is the duty to strive by day and night to fulfill our own obligations and
then trust in His Guidance and never failing Grace. Unity amongst the
friends, selflessness in our labors in His Path, detachment from all
worldly things, the greatest prudence and caution in every step we take,
earnest endeavor to carry out only what is His Holy Will and Pleasure, the
constant awareness of His Presence and of the example of His Life, the
absolute shunning of whomsoever we feel to be an enemy of the Cause ...
these, and foremost among them is the need for unity, appear to me as our
most vital duties, should we dedicate our lives for His service. Should we
in this spirit arise to serve Him, what surer and greater promise have we
than the one His Glorious Father, Baha'u'llah, gives us in His Most Holy
Book:--"Verily, We behold you from Our Realm of Effulgent Glory, and shall
graciously aid whosoever ariseth for the triumph of Our Cause with the
hosts of the Celestial Concourse and a company of Our chosen angels."
How dearly all the Holy Leaves(1) cherish that memory of the departed
Master, as He commented upon the fresh tidings that poured in from that
continent, admiring the untiring activity of the friends, the complete
subordination of their material interests to those of the Cause, the
remarkable spread of the Movement in their midst and their staunch
firmness in the Covenant of Baha'u'llah. It is these encouraging
reflections of the Master about His loved ones in America and the tests
intellectual rather than physical which He said He would send to them to
purify them and make ever brighter than before--it is these comments and
promises of His that make of the Movement in that land such a potential
force in the world today. The Beloved Master's cable to the friends in
that region is a clear indication of the presence of those counteracting
forces that may usher in those storms of tests that the Master Himself has
said will ultimately be for the good of the Cause in that land.
And finally, the ladies of the Sacred Household and we, the rest of His
kindred and family, will pray at His Hallowed Shrine for every one of you
and He will surely watch over and enhance in the course of time that noble
part of His heritage that He has bequeathed to His friends in the Far
West; friends from whom in return He expects so much and whom He has loved
and still doth love so dearly.
Your sincere co-worker in His Cause,
SHOGHI.
Haifa, Palestine.
January 21st, 1922.
Letter of March 5, 1922.