The effects of “the System which the irresistible power of His [Bahá’u’llah’s] Law was destined to unfold in a later age”

Anticipating the System which the irresistible power of His [Bahá’u’llah’s] Law was destined to unfold in a later age, He writes: “The world’s equilibrium hath been upset through the vibrating influence of this most great, this new World Order. Mankind’s ordered life hath been revolutionized through the agency of this unique, this wondrous System—the like of which mortal eyes have never witnessed.” “The Hand of Omnipotence hath established His Revelation upon an unassailable, an enduring foundation. Storms of human strife are powerless to undermine its basis, nor will men’s fanciful theories succeed in damaging its structure.”

- Shoghi Effendi  (‘The Dispensation of Baha’u’llah; included in ‘The World Order of Baha’u’llah’)

Baha'u'llah's Prayer-beads and Ring (right), the Bab's Prayer-beads and Ring (left), Baha'u'llah's Pen-case and Tea-glass

Bahá'u'lláh and His siblings

• Mirza Aqa -- a half-brother. Baha’u’llah mentions an occasion in His childhood when during the wedding of this brother His attention was drawn to a puppet show.
• Mirza Muhammad -- a half-brother
• Mirza Muhammad-'Ali -- a half-brother
• Sakinih Khanum -- a half-sister
• Sughra Khanum -- a half-sister
• Sarih Khanum -- she is generally known as 'Ukht', Arabic for sister, because Baha'u'llah has thus referred to her.
• Mirza Mihdi -- he died in his father's lifetime
• Bahá'u'lláh (Mirza, Husayn-'Ali)
• Mirza Musa – faithful to Baha’u’llah. He was entitled Aqay-i-Kalim in later years.
• Nisa Khanum -- she married Mirza Majid-i-Ahi, a secretary of the Russian Legation.
• Shah-Sultan Khanum -- a half-sister. She was also called 'Izziyih Khanum. She later became a firm supporter of Mirza Yahya (Subhi-i-Azal).
• Mirza Taqi – a half-brother. He was a poet and became a Shaykhi much opposed to Baha’u’llah.
• Mirza Rida-Quli -- a half-brother. He earned the designation Haji' by his pilgrimage to Mecca, and kept apart from Baha'u'llah even trying to conceal the fact of their relationship. His wife, Maryam, however, became greatly devoted to Baha’u’llah.
• Mirza Ibrahim -- a half-brother. He died in his father's lifetime.
• Fatimih Sultan Khanum -- a half-sister. She also chose later to follow Mirza Yahya.
• Mirza Yahya -- a half-brother
• Husniyyih Khanum -- a half-sister
• Mirza Muhammad-Quli -- a half-brother. He was greatly devoted to Baha’u’llah.

(Adapted from ‘Baha’u’llah the King of Glory’, by H.M. Balyuzi)

Baha’u’llah’s station

…He that was hidden from the eyes of men is revealed, girded with sovereignty and power!... O ye that inhabit the heavens and the earth! There hath appeared what hath never previously appeared. He Who, from everlasting, had concealed His Face from the sight of creation is now come…. He Who is the sovereign Lord of all is made manifest. The Kingdom is God's… All eyes are gladdened, for He Whom none hath beheld, Whose secret no one hath discovered, hath lifted the veil of glory, and uncovered the countenance of Beauty.

- Baha’u’llah  (‘Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah’)

Baha’u’llah’s “sole purpose”

By the righteousness of God, my Well-Beloved! I have never aspired after worldly leadership. My sole purpose hath been to hand down unto men that which I was bidden to deliver by God, the Gracious, the Incomparable, that it may detach them from all that pertaineth to this world, and cause them to attain such heights as neither the ungodly can conceive, nor the froward imagine.

- Baha’u’llah  (‘Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah’)

Estimated extent of Baha’u’llah’s Writings

Although the documents identified as Baha'u'llah's primary works have been the focus of translation work so far, they represent only a small portion of His writings during His 40-year ministry. All totaled, He revealed thousands of tablets, which altogether would constitute a volume more than 70 times the size of the Qur'an and more than 15 times the size of the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.

(Baha’i World News Service, 22 September 2002)

“…a rendezvous of the soul with the Source of its light and guidance…”

For the purpose of the Holy Year is not fulfilled by public memorials alone, befitting as they will be. Essential to its purpose is the opportunity it offers for inner reflection on the part of every Bahá'í individual. Indeed, this is a special time for a rendezvous of the soul with the Source of its light and guidance, a time to turn to Bahá'u'lláh, to seek to obtain a deeper appreciation of His purpose, to renew allegiance to Him. This is a time of retreat to one's innermost being, to the dwelling-place of the Spirit of Baha, that interior to which He summons us when He says: "Turn thy sight unto thyself, that thou mayest find Me standing within thee, mighty, powerful and self-subsisting." This is a time for recommitment to the Covenant, for rededication to duty, for revitalizing the energy for teaching, the "most meritorious of all deeds". 

- The Universal House of Justice  (Ridvan 1992 message)

“The Administrative Order conceived by Baha'u'llah”

The Administrative Order conceived by Baha'u'llah accomplishes its divinely ordained purpose through a system of institutions, each with its defined sphere of action. The central governing body of the Order is the Universal House of Justice, whose terms of reference are the revealed Word of  Baha'u'llah together with the interpretations and expositions of 'Abdu'l-Baha  and the Guardian. Under its guidance, legislative, executive and judicial authority over the affairs of the Baha'i community is exercised by Local and National Spiritual Assemblies. This authority is also exercised by Regional Councils, committees and other agencies established by these institutions, to the extent that it is so delegated.

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a message dated 1 January 2001)

Bahá’u’lláh and, to an almost equal extent, the Báb and ‘Abdu’l Bahá, have bequeathed to posterity mines of such inestimable wealth…”

A mere reference to the claims which, in vehement language and with compelling power, He [Baha’u’llah] Himself has repeatedly advanced cannot but fully demonstrate the character of the Revelation of which He was the chosen bearer. To the words that have streamed from His pen—the fountainhead of so impetuous a Revelation—we should, therefore, direct our attention if we wish to obtain a clearer understanding of its importance and meaning. Whether in His assertion of the unprecedented claim He has advanced, or in His allusions to the mysterious forces He has released, whether in such passages as extol the glories of His long-awaited Day, or magnify the station which they who have recognized its hidden virtues will attain, Bahá’u’lláh and, to an almost equal extent, the Báb and ‘Abdu’l Bahá, have bequeathed to posterity mines of such inestimable wealth as none of us who belong to this generation can befittingly estimate. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (‘The Dispensation of Baha’u’llah’, included in ‘The World Order of Baha’u’llah’)

“The Revelation of Baha’u’llah is, in relation to the body of the world, as the spirit of man is to his body.”

The Revelation of Baha’u’llah is, in relation to the body of the world, as the spirit of man is to his body. In relation to the body of the world (humanity) Divinity is as the light within a lantern. In relation to the soil of the hearts, it is the quickening shower. In relation to the spiritual growth of the trees, it is the vernal breeze; and in relation to the recovery of the diseased body politic, it is a quick acting remedy, because it is the cause of the oneness of the world of humanity. It is love among all mankind. It is a bond which unites all the religions. It is the unity which welds together all the races. It is the connection between all the countries. It is universal peace among the nations. It is universal peace among all the peoples. It is the universal peace which will bring together all nativities. And undoubtedly it is the spirit of the world. It is the light of the world. Likewise, it is an impetus to the promulgation of knowledge, and it is the cause of agreement of religion with science and reason.

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (From a talk in Oakland, California, at the home of Helen Goodall, October 3, 1912; Star of the West, vol. 4, no. 11, September 27, 1913)

“He Who is everlastingly hidden from the eyes of men can never be known except through His Manifestation, and His Manifestation can adduce no greater proof of the truth of His Mission than the proof of His own Person.”

Know thou of a certainty that the Unseen can in no wise incarnate His Essence and reveal it unto men. He is, and hath ever been, immensely exalted beyond all that can either be recounted or perceived. From His retreat of glory His voice is ever proclaiming: “Verily, I am God; there is none other God besides Me, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. I have manifested Myself unto men, and have sent down Him Who is the Day Spring of the signs of My Revelation. Through Him I have caused all creation to testify that there is none other God except Him, the Incomparable, the All-Informed, the All-Wise.” He Who is everlastingly hidden from the eyes of men can never be known except through His Manifestation, and His Manifestation can adduce no greater proof of the truth of His Mission than the proof of His own Person.

- Baha’u’llah  (‘Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah’)

“it was by means of hints and allusions that Bahá’u’lláh first declared His mission during those twelve days” in the garden of Ridvan

Garden of Ridvan c 1930

When Bahá’u’lláh returned from Sulaymáníyyih, He illumined Baghdád with His light: The call of God was raised anew and a tumult arose in Persia. In Baghdád Bahá’u’lláh stood firm before all peoples. The government of Persia was extremely hostile in those days, and all were seeking by every means to cause Him suffering and to bring Him to harm. At last the Persian government, having grown alarmed at His influence, said: “Baghdád is close to Persia and is a place of passage for the Persians. Thus, in order to put out this fire Bahá’u’lláh must be banished to a distant land.” The Persian government then petitioned the Ottoman government, and Bahá’u’lláh was as a result transferred with all due honour out of Baghdád. Leaving the city, Bahá’u’lláh went to the garden of Najíb Páshá and resided there for twelve days. During that time many people, both high and low, and even the Governor and a number of other officials, attained His blessed presence. These are the twelve days of Ridván.

In any event, it was by means of hints and allusions that Bahá’u’lláh first declared His mission during those twelve days. Certain among the friends grasped His intent, but others did not fully understand. At last Bahá’u’lláh came to Constantinople and the Súrih of pilgrimage was revealed, wherein the instruction is given to circumambulate the House of Baghdád. In that Súrih the Cause is openly manifest, but the phrase “He Whom God shall make manifest” does not appear. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (From a Talk, ‘Twelve table talks given by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in ‘Akká’; Online Baha’i Reference Library, Baha’i World Centre)

Baha’u’llah came to “establish the Kingdom of peace and everlasting life”

Through His [Baha’u’llah] death and teachings we have entered into His Kingdom. His essential teaching was the unity of mankind and the attainment of supreme human virtues through love. He came to establish the Kingdom of peace and everlasting life. Can you find in His words any justification for discord and enmity? The purpose of His life and the glory of His death were to set mankind free from the sins of strife, war and bloodshed. The great nations of the world boast that their laws and civilization are based upon the religion of Christ. Why then do they make war upon each other? The Kingdom of Christ cannot be upheld by destroying and disobeying it. The banners of His armies cannot lead the forces of Satan. Consider the sad picture of Italy carrying war into Tripoli. If you should announce that Italy was a barbarous nation and not Christian, this would be vehemently denied. But would Christ sanction what they are doing in Tripoli? Is this destruction of human life obedience to His laws and teachings? Where does He command it? Where does He consent to it? He was killed by His enemies; He did not kill. He even loved and prayed for those who hung Him on the cross. Therefore, these wars and cruelties, this bloodshed and sorrow are Antichrist, not Christ. These are the forces of death and Satan, not the hosts of the Supreme Concourse of heaven.  

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (From a talk at Home of Mr. and Mrs. Howard MacNutt, ‘The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912’)

“The teachings of Baha'u’llah will establish a new way of life for humanity”

The teachings of Baha'u’llah will establish a new way of life for humanity. Those who are Baha'is must endeavor to establish this way of life just as rapidly as possible. Now that the hour has arrived when the Baha'i Faith is gaining prominence, and is being reviewed by so many peoples, it is necessary that the adherents of the Faith should live up to the high ideals of the Faith in every way. In this way they can demonstrate that the Baha'i Faith does create a new way of life, which brings to the individual a complete association with the Will of God, and thus the establishment of a peaceful and universal society. Divisional attachments are of men, while universal service is of God.

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 20 November 1955 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; ‘Afire with the Vision, Messages from Shoghi Effendi to Latin America’)

Baha’u’llah “never studied in a school or associated with the learned and the divines”

His [Baha’u’llah’s] father was a court minister, not a divine, and it is well known throughout Persia that He never studied in a school or associated with the learned and the divines. He passed the early part of His life in the utmost comfort and happiness, and His companions and associates were Persians of rank rather than learned men.

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Table talks in Akka, authenticated by ‘Abdu’l-Baha; ‘Some Answered Questions’ – 2014 revised translation by the Baha’i World Centre)