Bahai9 - User contributions [en]

Photographs of Central Figures

2025-03-03T07:04:17Z

Ewiki: /* Documents */

==Documents==
* [https://bahai-library.com/uhj_website_photo_bahaullah Photograph of Baha'u'llah on Website (Office of Public Information, Bahá'í World Centre, 1999)]
* [https://bahai-library.org/uhj_photographs_public Permissibility of Circulating Photographs of 'Abdu'l-Bahá Online (Research Department of the Universal House of Justice, 29 January 2024)]

==Photograph of Bahá'u'lláh==

"There is no objection that the believers look at the picture of Bahá’u’lláh, but they should do so with the utmost reverence, and should also not allow that it be exposed openly to the public, even in their private homes."

:(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, December 6, 1939, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1833|1833]])

"Concerning the question of display of the photograph of Baha'u'llah, the Guardian's instructions were that this should be done only with the utmost reverence, and then only on special occasions. While the Guardian did not require believers to send such photographs to the Holy Land, he said that it was better to do so. However, if you have made any photographic copies or negatives of the photograph or the portrait, these should be forwarded to the Holy Land in a safe way."
(From a letter dated 1 August 1967 written by the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer)
"It would be good to advise the young Persian believer who has this picture that, while we do not wish to suggest that he should remove the photograph from his book, it would be inappropriate for him to show it to others in a casual manner. As you know, the photograph of Baha'u'llah is very precious and it should be handled with due reverence and respect."

:(From a letter dated 7 February 1972 written by the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, at https://bahai-library.com/uhj_photographs_bahaullah_miller#photographs)

"The portraits of the Bab and Baha'u'llah should be shown infrequently and on very special occasions, such as a special observance connected with an event intimately associated with the Forerunner or Founder of our Faith.

"We do not think that the regular National Convention is such a special occasion, and we feel that the privilege of displaying these very precious portraits should not be abused."

:(From a letter dated 12 July 1973 written by the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of Panama, at https://bahai-library.com/uhj_photographs_bahaullah_miller#photographs )

===See also===
* [[Portrait of Bahá'u'lláh]]

==So-called photograph of the Báb==

"May I also draw your attention to the fact that the Báb's photograph which appeared in Nicolas' book, Siyyid Alí Muhammad dit le Bab, many years ago, is not authentic, although it presents great similarity to the original drawings of the Báb's portrait."

:(''[[Directives from the Guardian]]'', p. [[dg:7|7]])

==Use of Photographs of 'Abdu'l-Baha==

===Photographs of Abdu'l-Bahá===

"In connection with the selection of particular photographs of Abdu'l-Bahá for circulation among the friends, the Guardian strongly feels that no definite ruling should be laid down establishing the superiority or distinction of any particular photograph. The friends should be left quite free to use their individual independent judgement in this matter."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of the Guardian]] to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada, May 15, 1940: Bahá'í News, No. 138, September 1940, p. 1, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1623|1623]])

===The Picture of 'Abdu'l-Bahá Should Be Placed in a Dignified Position (in (Baha'i Assembly?) Photographs)===

"It is quite important that the Greatest Name or the picture of Abdu'l-Bahá be placed in a dignified position. They should not be placed on the floor, nor, on the other hand, should they be held above the heads of the people in the photograph. It would seem the proper position would be for them to be held about chest height."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of the Guardian]] to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States: Bahá'í News, No. 265, March 1953, p. 4, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1624|1624]] and from a letter written [[on behalf of the Guardian]] to a National Spiritual Assembly, December 10, 1952, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:906|906]])

==="Circulation of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's Photographs"===

"Regarding the use of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's photographs; Shoghi Effendi sees no objection to their circulation. He would, however, suggest that the Paris photograph be used, as well as the American reproduction of it, printed on yellow paper with a quotation from the Kitab-i-Ahd at the bottom."

:([[On behalf of Shoghi Effendi]], ''[[Dawn of a New Day]]'', p. [[dnd:55|55]])

===Believer who had been moved by 'Abdu'l-Bahá's photograph to beg God to show him 'Abdu'l-Bahá's spiritual picture===

"Verily thou hast seen the physical picture of Abdul-Baha printed by the rays of the phenomenal sun (the photograph) and thine eyes became overflowing with tears. Beg thou of God that He may show thee his (Abdul-Baha's) spiritual picture printed by the rays shining from the Merciful Kingdom. Then the attraction of God shall overtake thee, and make thee as a spark of fire with the Love of God."

:([['Abdu'l-Bahá]], ''[[Star of the West]]'', volume 2, issue 14, p. [[text:Star of the West/Volume 2/Issue 14/Text#pg8|8]])

===Friends may copy pictures of the Master for friends but not on wholesale scale (and referred to friends having Shoghi Effendi's own photo)===

"There is no objection to your copying pictures of the Master for your friends, but do not do it on a wholesale scale. He has always preferred that the friends should have the Master's photo rather than his own."

:([[On behalf of Shoghi Effendi]], ''[[High Endeavours]]'', p. {{he|71}})

===See also===
* https://www.bahaiquotes.com/subject/abdul-baha-pictures (though note these are mostly from the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly)

Photographs of Central Figures

2025-03-03T07:02:31Z

Ewiki: /* Documents */

==Documents==
* [https://bahai-library.com/uhj_website_photo_bahaullah Photograph of Baha'u'llah on Website (Office of Public Information, Bahá'í World Centre, 1999)]
* https://bahai-library.org/uhj_photographs_public

==Photograph of Bahá'u'lláh==

"There is no objection that the believers look at the picture of Bahá’u’lláh, but they should do so with the utmost reverence, and should also not allow that it be exposed openly to the public, even in their private homes."

:(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, December 6, 1939, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1833|1833]])

"Concerning the question of display of the photograph of Baha'u'llah, the Guardian's instructions were that this should be done only with the utmost reverence, and then only on special occasions. While the Guardian did not require believers to send such photographs to the Holy Land, he said that it was better to do so. However, if you have made any photographic copies or negatives of the photograph or the portrait, these should be forwarded to the Holy Land in a safe way."
(From a letter dated 1 August 1967 written by the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer)
"It would be good to advise the young Persian believer who has this picture that, while we do not wish to suggest that he should remove the photograph from his book, it would be inappropriate for him to show it to others in a casual manner. As you know, the photograph of Baha'u'llah is very precious and it should be handled with due reverence and respect."

:(From a letter dated 7 February 1972 written by the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, at https://bahai-library.com/uhj_photographs_bahaullah_miller#photographs)

"The portraits of the Bab and Baha'u'llah should be shown infrequently and on very special occasions, such as a special observance connected with an event intimately associated with the Forerunner or Founder of our Faith.

"We do not think that the regular National Convention is such a special occasion, and we feel that the privilege of displaying these very precious portraits should not be abused."

:(From a letter dated 12 July 1973 written by the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of Panama, at https://bahai-library.com/uhj_photographs_bahaullah_miller#photographs )

===See also===
* [[Portrait of Bahá'u'lláh]]

==So-called photograph of the Báb==

"May I also draw your attention to the fact that the Báb's photograph which appeared in Nicolas' book, Siyyid Alí Muhammad dit le Bab, many years ago, is not authentic, although it presents great similarity to the original drawings of the Báb's portrait."

:(''[[Directives from the Guardian]]'', p. [[dg:7|7]])

==Use of Photographs of 'Abdu'l-Baha==

===Photographs of Abdu'l-Bahá===

"In connection with the selection of particular photographs of Abdu'l-Bahá for circulation among the friends, the Guardian strongly feels that no definite ruling should be laid down establishing the superiority or distinction of any particular photograph. The friends should be left quite free to use their individual independent judgement in this matter."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of the Guardian]] to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada, May 15, 1940: Bahá'í News, No. 138, September 1940, p. 1, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1623|1623]])

===The Picture of 'Abdu'l-Bahá Should Be Placed in a Dignified Position (in (Baha'i Assembly?) Photographs)===

"It is quite important that the Greatest Name or the picture of Abdu'l-Bahá be placed in a dignified position. They should not be placed on the floor, nor, on the other hand, should they be held above the heads of the people in the photograph. It would seem the proper position would be for them to be held about chest height."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of the Guardian]] to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States: Bahá'í News, No. 265, March 1953, p. 4, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1624|1624]] and from a letter written [[on behalf of the Guardian]] to a National Spiritual Assembly, December 10, 1952, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:906|906]])

==="Circulation of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's Photographs"===

"Regarding the use of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's photographs; Shoghi Effendi sees no objection to their circulation. He would, however, suggest that the Paris photograph be used, as well as the American reproduction of it, printed on yellow paper with a quotation from the Kitab-i-Ahd at the bottom."

:([[On behalf of Shoghi Effendi]], ''[[Dawn of a New Day]]'', p. [[dnd:55|55]])

===Believer who had been moved by 'Abdu'l-Bahá's photograph to beg God to show him 'Abdu'l-Bahá's spiritual picture===

"Verily thou hast seen the physical picture of Abdul-Baha printed by the rays of the phenomenal sun (the photograph) and thine eyes became overflowing with tears. Beg thou of God that He may show thee his (Abdul-Baha's) spiritual picture printed by the rays shining from the Merciful Kingdom. Then the attraction of God shall overtake thee, and make thee as a spark of fire with the Love of God."

:([['Abdu'l-Bahá]], ''[[Star of the West]]'', volume 2, issue 14, p. [[text:Star of the West/Volume 2/Issue 14/Text#pg8|8]])

===Friends may copy pictures of the Master for friends but not on wholesale scale (and referred to friends having Shoghi Effendi's own photo)===

"There is no objection to your copying pictures of the Master for your friends, but do not do it on a wholesale scale. He has always preferred that the friends should have the Master's photo rather than his own."

:([[On behalf of Shoghi Effendi]], ''[[High Endeavours]]'', p. {{he|71}})

===See also===
* https://www.bahaiquotes.com/subject/abdul-baha-pictures (though note these are mostly from the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly)

Photographs of Central Figures

2025-03-03T06:48:01Z

Ewiki: /* Photograph of Bahá'u'lláh */

==Documents==
* https://bahai-library.com/uhj_website_photo_bahaullah
* https://bahai-library.org/uhj_photographs_public

==Photograph of Bahá'u'lláh==

"There is no objection that the believers look at the picture of Bahá’u’lláh, but they should do so with the utmost reverence, and should also not allow that it be exposed openly to the public, even in their private homes."

:(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, December 6, 1939, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1833|1833]])

"Concerning the question of display of the photograph of Baha'u'llah, the Guardian's instructions were that this should be done only with the utmost reverence, and then only on special occasions. While the Guardian did not require believers to send such photographs to the Holy Land, he said that it was better to do so. However, if you have made any photographic copies or negatives of the photograph or the portrait, these should be forwarded to the Holy Land in a safe way."
(From a letter dated 1 August 1967 written by the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer)
"It would be good to advise the young Persian believer who has this picture that, while we do not wish to suggest that he should remove the photograph from his book, it would be inappropriate for him to show it to others in a casual manner. As you know, the photograph of Baha'u'llah is very precious and it should be handled with due reverence and respect."

:(From a letter dated 7 February 1972 written by the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, at https://bahai-library.com/uhj_photographs_bahaullah_miller#photographs)

"The portraits of the Bab and Baha'u'llah should be shown infrequently and on very special occasions, such as a special observance connected with an event intimately associated with the Forerunner or Founder of our Faith.

"We do not think that the regular National Convention is such a special occasion, and we feel that the privilege of displaying these very precious portraits should not be abused."

:(From a letter dated 12 July 1973 written by the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of Panama, at https://bahai-library.com/uhj_photographs_bahaullah_miller#photographs )

===See also===
* [[Portrait of Bahá'u'lláh]]

==So-called photograph of the Báb==

"May I also draw your attention to the fact that the Báb's photograph which appeared in Nicolas' book, Siyyid Alí Muhammad dit le Bab, many years ago, is not authentic, although it presents great similarity to the original drawings of the Báb's portrait."

:(''[[Directives from the Guardian]]'', p. [[dg:7|7]])

==Use of Photographs of 'Abdu'l-Baha==

===Photographs of Abdu'l-Bahá===

"In connection with the selection of particular photographs of Abdu'l-Bahá for circulation among the friends, the Guardian strongly feels that no definite ruling should be laid down establishing the superiority or distinction of any particular photograph. The friends should be left quite free to use their individual independent judgement in this matter."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of the Guardian]] to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada, May 15, 1940: Bahá'í News, No. 138, September 1940, p. 1, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1623|1623]])

===The Picture of 'Abdu'l-Bahá Should Be Placed in a Dignified Position (in (Baha'i Assembly?) Photographs)===

"It is quite important that the Greatest Name or the picture of Abdu'l-Bahá be placed in a dignified position. They should not be placed on the floor, nor, on the other hand, should they be held above the heads of the people in the photograph. It would seem the proper position would be for them to be held about chest height."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of the Guardian]] to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States: Bahá'í News, No. 265, March 1953, p. 4, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1624|1624]] and from a letter written [[on behalf of the Guardian]] to a National Spiritual Assembly, December 10, 1952, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:906|906]])

==="Circulation of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's Photographs"===

"Regarding the use of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's photographs; Shoghi Effendi sees no objection to their circulation. He would, however, suggest that the Paris photograph be used, as well as the American reproduction of it, printed on yellow paper with a quotation from the Kitab-i-Ahd at the bottom."

:([[On behalf of Shoghi Effendi]], ''[[Dawn of a New Day]]'', p. [[dnd:55|55]])

===Believer who had been moved by 'Abdu'l-Bahá's photograph to beg God to show him 'Abdu'l-Bahá's spiritual picture===

"Verily thou hast seen the physical picture of Abdul-Baha printed by the rays of the phenomenal sun (the photograph) and thine eyes became overflowing with tears. Beg thou of God that He may show thee his (Abdul-Baha's) spiritual picture printed by the rays shining from the Merciful Kingdom. Then the attraction of God shall overtake thee, and make thee as a spark of fire with the Love of God."

:([['Abdu'l-Bahá]], ''[[Star of the West]]'', volume 2, issue 14, p. [[text:Star of the West/Volume 2/Issue 14/Text#pg8|8]])

===Friends may copy pictures of the Master for friends but not on wholesale scale (and referred to friends having Shoghi Effendi's own photo)===

"There is no objection to your copying pictures of the Master for your friends, but do not do it on a wholesale scale. He has always preferred that the friends should have the Master's photo rather than his own."

:([[On behalf of Shoghi Effendi]], ''[[High Endeavours]]'', p. {{he|71}})

===See also===
* https://www.bahaiquotes.com/subject/abdul-baha-pictures (though note these are mostly from the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly)

Kitáb-i-Aqdas/par1

2024-03-23T11:51:49Z

Ewiki: Added SAQ 84

{|border=1
{{:Kitáb-i-Aqdas/byParagraphHeading}}
<onlyinclude>
|-
| [[kap:1|K1]] || [[recognition of the Manifestation]], [[obedience]], [[laws]] || [[Gleanings]], sec. [[gwbs:155|CLV]] || [[kap:36|K36]] || Commentary in [[Some Answered Questions|SAQ]], Chapter [[saqc:65|65]], [[saqc:84|84]]
</onlyinclude>
|}

Manifestation of God

2021-02-19T14:28:53Z

Ewiki:

==Awareness of Their own station==

===Manifestations Had Some Consciousness of Their Station===

"The Manifestations no doubt had some consciousness of Their station, but what the nature of that consciousness was we do not know."

:(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, November 19, 1945: Bahá’í News, No. 210, August 1948, p. 3, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1698|1698]])

===Christ, the Báb, Bahá'u'lláh and 'Abdu'l-Bahá knew about Their missions from early childhood===

"The Holy Spirit was always with Christ. He knew about His mission from early childhood."

:(Words of Abdu'l-Bahá: ''[[Star of the West]]'', Vol. XIV, p. 274; in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1642|1642]])

"Question: "Did Jesus first realize his mission when the Spirit descended upon him in the form of a dove?"

"'Abdu'l-Bahá: "The Holy Spirit was always with Christ."

"Question: "Did he know of it?"

"'Abdu'l-Bahá: "It was hidden from others, but manifest to him. The story about the dove is simply a metaphor. No dove came down. Amongst the people, the Baptist felt that the Holy Spirit was in Christ. The Holy Spirit was always with Christ. He knew about his mission from early childhood."

"Question: "Did the Báb, Bahá'u'lláh and 'Abdu'l-Bahá also know of their mission from early childhood?"

"'Abdu'l-Bahá: "Yes."

"Question: "In a book I read that at the age of twenty-four the Báb realized his mission."

"'Abdu'l-Bahá: "From childhood it was apparent to him, like the sun. The people felt his greatness although they did not know about his future.""

:(From notes sent to America by Mr. Fugeta, in ''[[Star of the West]]'', vol. 14, issue 9, p. [[text:Star of the West/Volume 14/Issue 9/Text#pg274|274]])

===Bahá'u'lláh not aware of His station before experience in the Siyáh-Chál===

"Bahá'u'lláh was not aware of His own station prior to His experience in the Siyáh-Chál of Tiherán. He himself says so by implication in His Tablet to the Sháh."

:([[On behalf of Shoghi Effendi]], ''[[Messages to the Antipodes]]'', [https://bahai-library.com/shoghieffendi_messages_antipodes&chapter=1#15%20March%201948 15 March 1948])

====See also====
* Per the above note and ''[[Dawn-Breakers]]'', p. [https://bahai-library.com/books/dawnbreakers/chapters/2.html#32 32] (and https://bahai-library.com/uhj_sdc_capital_punishment#s7 ), Bahá'u'lláh apparently was aware to some degree of His station before His Revelation in the Siyáh-Chál

==Symbolism behind the entities used to portray the Manifestation of God first receiving Their mission==

===Explanation of Bahá'u'lláh saying He was asleep is a metaphor showing how Manifestations are silent like sleeper before Their declaration===

"We come to the explanation of the words of Bahá'u'lláh when He says: "O king! I was but a man like others, asleep upon My couch, when lo, the breezes of the All-Glorious were wafted over Me, and taught Me the knowledge of all that hath been. This thing is not from Me, but from One Who is Almighty and All-Knowing."+F1 [+F1 Extract from the letter to Násiri'd-Dín Sháh.] This is the state of manifestation: it is not sensible; it is an intellectual reality, exempt and freed from time, from past, present and future; it is an explanation, a simile, a metaphor and is not to be accepted literally; it is not a state that can be comprehended by man. Sleeping and waking is passing from one state to another. Sleeping is the condition of repose, and wakefulness is the condition of movement. Sleeping is the state of silence; wakefulness is the state of speech. Sleeping is the state of mystery; wakefulness is the state of manifestation.

"For example, it is a Persian and Arabic expression to say that the earth was asleep, and the spring came, and it awoke; or the earth was dead, and the spring came, and it revived. These expressions are metaphors, allegories, mystic explanations in the world of signification.

"Briefly, the Holy Manifestations have ever been, and ever will be, Luminous Realities; no change or variation takes place in Their essence. Before declaring Their manifestation, They are silent and quiet like a sleeper, and after Their manifestation, They speak and are illuminated, like one who is awake.

:(''[[Some Answered Questions]]'', pp. [[saq:85|85]]-86)

===The dove which descended on Christ was not a material dove but a spiritual state (as with God appearing as a pillar of fire in the Old Testament)===

"...the dove which descended upon Christ was not a material dove, but it was a spiritual state, which, that it might be comprehensible, was expressed by a sensible figure. Thus in the Old Testament it is said that God appeared as a pillar of fire: this does not signify the material form; it is an intellectual reality which is expressed by a sensible image."

:(''[[Some Answered Questions]]'', p. [[saq:85|85]])

==[["Sin" by Manifestations of God]]==

==Impossibility of people being taught to become the Promised One==

* [[Esotericism#Ignorance_in_belief_that_a_boy_can_be_taught_in_schools_to_become_the_promised_one_.28God_must_instead_choose.29]]

==The Prophet is omniscient at will (not just guided by God)==

"He [the Guardian] likes to be provided with facts by the friends, when they ask his advice, for although his decisions are guided by God, he is not, like the Prophet, omniscient at will, in spite of the fact that he often senses a situation or condition without having any detailed knowledge of it...."

:([[On behalf of Shoghi Effendi]], 4 March 1948, ''[[Unfolding Destiny]]'', p. [[ud:449|449]]; quote also cited in different citation in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1050|1050]])

==(Lack of invincibility of the Prophets)==

===Even the Prophets of God sometimes got tired and cried out in despair===

"We must not only be patient with others, infinitely patient!, but also with our own poor selves, remembering that even the Prophets of God sometimes got tired and cried out in despair!"

:([[On behalf of Shoghi Effendi]], 22 October 1949, ''[[Unfolding Destiny]]'', p. [[ud:456|456]])

=== The Prophets of God suffered agony when the Spirit of God descended on Them and commanded Them to arise and preach ===

"You have voiced the same suffering, the sign of the same mystery, as has been voiced by almost all those who have been called upon to serve God. Even the Prophets of God, we know, suffered agony when the Spirit of God descended on Them and commanded Them to arise and preach. Look at Moses saying, "I am a stutterer!". Look at Muhammad rolled in His rug in agony! The Guardian himself suffered terribly when he learned he was the one who had been made the Guardian.

"So you see your sense of inadequacy, your realisation of your own unworthiness is not unique at all. Many, from the Highest to the humblest have had it. Now the wisdom of it is this: it is such seemingly weak instruments that demonstrate that God is the Power achieving the victories and not men. If you were a wealthy, prominent, strong individual who knew all about Africa and looked upon going out there as fun, any service you render, and victories you have, would be laid to your personality, not to the Cause of God! But because the reverse is true, your services will be a witness to the Power of Bahá'u'lláh and Truth of His Faith.

"Rest assured, dear sister, you will ever-increasingly be sustained, and you will find joy and strength given to you, and God will reward you. You will pass through these dark hours triumphant. The first Bahá'í going on such an historic mission could not but suffer--but the compensation will be great....

:([[On behalf of Shoghi Effendi]], 11 January 1951, ''[[Unfolding Destiny]]'', p. [[ud:459|459]])

===Had the Prophets, 'Abdu'l-Baha, and Shoghi Effendi had fewer problems and worries, they could have given more creatively===

"What the Master meant in the words you quoted is simply that joy gives one more freedom to create; if the Prophets, the Master Himself, and the Guardian, had less problems and worries, They could give forth a great deal more creatively to the Cause. When He said that "grow to be as a fruitful tree" he meant that, by lifting burdens from the Guardian and trying as much as possible to do our share of the work of the Faith, we would help Shoghi Effendi to develop his full powers as Guardian and, through the Covenant, the Cause would spread its shadow over all men. This we have seen happen in the last 30 years, but that does not mean we must not try to our utmost to help him by our lives and our services."

:([[On behalf of Shoghi Effendi]], 5 October 1952, ''[[Unfolding Destiny]]'', p. [[ud:461|461]])

==Discussions==
* Cole, Juan (1982). ''[https://bahai-library.com/cole_concept_manifestation The Concept of Manifestation in the Bahá'í Writings]''.

==Todos for this page==
* Include any further quotes about Dove on Christ, Baha'u'llah from [[sleep]], etc.; compare to Christ speaking as babe per Qur'an, etc.

==See also==
* [[Promised One]]
* [[Prophets]]

Prophets

2021-02-19T14:25:45Z

Ewiki: /* See also */

==[[Central Figures and Institutions]] of the Bahá'í Faith in order of rank (though Bahá'u'lláh and the Báb are equal in station, the Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh is greater than that of the Báb):==

*[[Bahá'u'lláh]]
*[[The Báb]]
*[['Abdu'l-Bahá]]
*[[Administrative Order]]
**[[Guardianship]]
***[[Shoghi Effendi]]
**[[The Universal House of Justice]]

==Guiding (and inspired) Figures/Institutions of the Bahá'í Faith in order of time appearance:==

*[[Shaykh Ahmad]] (inspired)
*[[Siyyid Kázim]] (inspired)
*[[The Báb]]
*[[Bahá'u'lláh]]
*[['Abdu'l-Bahá]]
*[[Shoghi Effendi]] (brief period at beginning of [[Bahíyyih Khánum]]'s temporarily accepting responsibilities)
*[[Hands of the Cause of God]] (temporary custodians/stewards)
*[[The Universal House of Justice]]

==Prior Manifestations of God and Prophets ==

(in approximate reverse chronological order)

*[[Muhammad]] (see also the [[Imámate]])
*[[Christ]] (on the issue of successorship, see [[Peter]])
*[[Buddha]]
*[[Zoroaster]]
*[[Elijah]] (Elias)
*[[Jonah]] (Jonas)
*[[Jethro]]
*[[Moses]]
*[[Krishna]]
*[[Joseph]]
*[[Ishmael]] (Ismael)
*[[Lot]] (Lut)
*[[Abraham]] (Ibráhím)
*[[Sálih]]
*[[Húd]]
*[[Noah]]
*[[Founder of Sabaeanism]] (unknown if older or more recent than Hinduism; same as [[Seth]] and/or [[Idrís]]?)
*[[Abel]]
*[[Adam]]
*[[Pre-Adamic Prophets]]

===Uncertain===
*[[Elisha]]?
*[[Dhu'l Kifl]]?
*[[Aaron]]?
*[[Jacob]]?
*[[Isaac]]?
*[[David]] (not King David) (list earlier?)?
*[[Idrís]] (or Hermes; same as [[Enoch]]?)
*[[Enoch]]?
*[[Seth]]?

==Lesser prophets==

*[[John the Baptist]]
*[[Isaiah]]
*[[Daniel]]
*[[Ezekiel]]
*[[Zechariah (prophet)|Zechariah]]
*[[Micah]]
*[[Joel]]
*[[Jeremiah]]
*[[Job]]
*[[Solomon]]
*[[King David]] (see also the discussion at [[David]])
*[[Zakariya]]
*[[Joshua]]?

*For other individuals of high stations, see [[Letters of the Living]], [[Apostles of Bahá'u'lláh]], [[elders|Four and twenty elders]], [[Hands of the Cause]], [[Disciples of 'Abdu'l-Bahá]]

==Other Lesser Prophets==

"Regarding your questions: We cannot possibly add names of people we (or anyone else) think might be Lesser Prophets to those found in the Qur'án, the Bible and our own Scriptures. For only these can we consider authentic Books."

:(March 13, 1950, to an individual believer, from a compilation of extracts from letters written on behalf of the Guardian on these and related subjects, enclosed with a letter to an individual believer on November 30, 1980 from the Universal House of Justice, ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1696|1696]])

==Figures who are described in our Writings in unequivocally positive terms but who are not considered to be Manifestations of God (or Lesser Prophets?)==

*[[Confucius]]

==Figures who may possibly be inspired to some degree (our Writings do not say or they find some common teachings but reject others) but are not Manifestations of God or Lesser Prophets==

*[[Joseph Smith]]
*[[Lao Zi]]
*[[Emanuel Swedenborg]]
*[[Emerson]]

==(The Qur'án also open to more Prophets than those listed explicitly in the Qur'án)==

"some apostles have we sent, whom we have formerly mentioned unto thee; and other apostles have we sent, whom we have not mentioned unto thee"

:([[Qur'án]] 4:[https://bahai-library.com/writings/quran/4.html#Paragraph%20164 164])

==Succession of Prophets from days of Christ was Muhammad, the Báb, and Bahá’u’lláh (so others between these times would not be Manifestations of God)==

"...as the Bahá’í Teachings quite clearly outline the succession of Prophets from the days of Christ as being Muhammad, the Báb, and finally Bahá’u’lláh, it is obvious that Joseph Smith is not a Manifestation of God."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of Shoghi Effendi]] to an individual believer, August 18, 1941: Bahá’í News, No. 416, November 1965, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1727|1727]])

==No more information about Prophets mentioned in the Íqán==

"We know no more about the prophets mentioned in the Íqán than what Bahá’u’lláh states in that Book."

:(November 25, 1950, to an individual believer, from a compilation of extracts from letters written on behalf of the Guardian on these and related subjects, enclosed with a letter to an individual believer on November 30, 1980 from the Universal House of Justice, ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1696|1696]])

== Past Prophets lost to history==

===In General===

====There have been many Manifestations even a million years ago====

"...there have been many holy Manifestations of God. One thousand years ago, two hundred thousand years ago, one million years ago, the bounty of God was flowing, the radiance of God was shining, the dominion of God was existing."

:([[‘Abdu’l-Bahá]], ''[[Promulgation of Universal Peace]]'', p. [[pup:463|463]])

====A perfect Manifestation has always existed====

"...from the beginning that has no beginning to the end that has no end, a perfect Manifestation has always existed. This Man of whom we speak here is not just any man: that which we intend is the Perfect Man. For the noblest part of the tree, and the fundamental purpose of its existence, is the fruit. A tree without fruit is of no use. Therefore, it cannot be imagined that the world of existence, whether in the realms above or below, was once populated by cows and donkeys, cats and mice, and yet was deprived of the presence of man. What a false and vacuous notion!"

:([[‘Abdu’l-Bahá]], ''[[Some Answered Questions]]'')

===Asian or Far Eastern Prophets===

"Regarding your questions: The only reason there is not more mention of the Asiatic prophets is because their names seem to be lost in the mists of ancient history. Buddha is mentioned and Zoroaster in our scriptures—both non-Jewish prophets or non-semitic prophets. We are taught there always have been Manifestations of God, but we do not have any record of their names."

:(October 4, 1950, to an individual believer, from a compilation of extracts from letters written on behalf of the Guardian on these and related subjects, enclosed with a letter to an individual believer on November 30, 1980 from the Universal House of Justice, ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1696|1696]])

"The teachings bear no reference to any genealogical tie between the Prophets of the Near and [[Far East]]."

:(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, March 31, 1941, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1695|1695]])

===Possibly Indians of America were Influenced by Prophets in Asia===

"It is possible the Indians of the Americas were influenced in the remote past by Prophets in Asia. But again, as there is nothing in our teachings about it, we cannot do more than speculate."

:(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, November 25, 1950, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1576|1576]])

===See also===
* [[Far East Prophets]]

==[[Future Manifestations of God]]==

* [[Him Who will be sent down unto you after Me]] (To come no sooner than 2852 C.E. or 1008 B.E. (i.e., 1000 years since the beginning of the Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh))
* [[Next Universal Manifestation of God]] (to come no sooner than 500,000 years)

==Manifestations elsewhere in the universe==

===In the past===

==== The globe did not always exist but a Perfect Manifestation must always exist (somewhere) ====

"If man did not exist, the universe would be without result, for the object of existence is the appearance of the perfections of God.

"Therefore, it cannot be said there was a time when man was not. All that we can say is that this terrestrial globe at one time did not exist, and at its beginning man did not appear upon it. But from the beginning which has no beginning, to the end which has no end, a Perfect Manifestation always exists."

:([['Abdu'l-Bahá]], ''[[Some Answered Questions]]'', p. [[saq:196|196]])

"...the earth has not always existed, but the world of existence has always been, for the universe is not limited to this terrestrial globe."

:([['Abdu'l-Bahá]], ''[[Some Answered Questions]]'', p. [[saq:151|151]])

===In the future===
* See [[Bahá'í Cycle#There_will_be_a_Prophet_Similar_in_Station_to_Bah.C3.A1.27u.27ll.C3.A1h_after_500.2C000_years.2C_but_we_cannot_say_definitely_that_His_Revelation_will_be_inter-planetary]]

===In the present?===

* See [[Extraterrestrial life]].

====Todos for this section====

* Quotes on not being possible to have multiple Manifestations for humanity at the exact same time in same place (oneness of God)?

==Some ideas are just cults and philosophies which the Prophets cannot waste time elucidating but scholars may respond to==

===While the peoples of the world derive their inspiration from God, a few (cults) are merely the outcome of human perversity===

"There can be no doubt whatever that the peoples of the world, of whatever race or religion, derive their inspiration from one heavenly Source, and are the subjects of one God. The difference between the ordinances under which they abide should be attributed to the varying requirements and exigencies of the age in which they were revealed. All of them, except a few which are the outcome of human perversity, were ordained of God, and are a reflection of His Will and Purpose."

:([[Bahá'u'lláh]], ''[[Gleanings]]'', sec. [[gwbs:111|111]], p. [[gwb:217|217]])

===Learning Can Be the Veil Between the Soul of Man and Truth===

"Bahá'u'lláh has said that learning can be the veil between the soul of man and the eternal truth; in other words, between man and the knowledge of God. We have seen that many people who become very advanced in the study of modern physical sciences are led to deny God, and to deny His Prophets. That does not mean that God and the Prophets have not and do not exist. It only means that knowledge has become a veil between their hearts and the light of God.

"It would be absolutely impossible for anyone to answer all the questions that might be asked by the curious, whether scholars or ordinary people, on any subject. If the Prophets of God only came to this world in order to answer people's questions, and elucidate all the 'nonsense', for the most part, that people have gotten together and formed into cults and philosophies, they would have no time to instruct man by their example and through their teachings in a new way of life."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of Shoghi Effendi]] [[to an individual believer]], April 22, 1954; in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1822|1822]])

===Have Not Had Time to Evolve Bahá'í Scholars Who Can Deal with These Subjects===

"We must turn aside from these vain imaginings and suppositions and philosophizings of the world, and fix our eyes upon the clear stream of the Teachings of Bahá'u'lláh. Out of these teachings, and the society which they will create on this planet, will come a solution to all of the problems of men. Gradually, greater scholars, more deeply spiritual thinkers, will be able to answer from a Bahá'í standpoint many of these questions. It is not necessary that they should be in the divine text; they can be studied and learned in the future; but at present we have not had time to evolve the Bahá'í scholars who can deal with these subjects in detail, and take upon themselves to answer the abstruse points and the many unfounded doctrines which are advanced by modern philosophers."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of Shoghi Effendi]] to an individual believer, April 22, 1954; in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1823|1823]])

===Everybody is Entitled to Their Own Opinion===

"Everybody is entitled to their own opinion. If they do not set it forth with conviction, they are failing in their duty to expose their ideas sincerely and graphically; but because they believe something firmly themselves does not in anyway imply that what they believe is the truth. Between the truth which comes from God through His Prophets, and the glimmerings, often misunderstood and misinterpreted, of truth which come from the philosophers and thinkers, there is an immense difference. We must never, under any circumstances, confuse the two."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of Shoghi Effendi]] to an individual believer, April 22, 1954: Ibid., in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1821|1821]])

===We must use Writings of the Prophets as our measurement (and Bahá'u'lláh did not mention reincarnation)===

"We must use the Writings of the Prophets as our measurement. If Bahá'u'lláh had attached the slightest importance to occult experiences, to the seeing of auras, to the hearing of mystic voices; if He had believed that reincarnation was a fact, He, Himself, would have mentioned all of these things in His Teachings. The fact that He passed over them in silence shows that to Him, they had either no importance or no reality, and were consequently not worthy to take up His time as the Divine Educator of the human race."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of Shoghi Effendi]] to an individual believer, April 22, 1954: Ibid., in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1827|1827]])

===See also===
* [[Esotericism]]

==Significance of material body of the Manifestations==

===Significance of Remains of the Prophets===
"… There is no special physical significance in the remains of the Prophets or relics of Their Persons. But there is a profound spiritual significance in the sense that Their dust was the physical mirror of the greatness of God. In other words we know God through His Prophets, Who have bodies, these bodies—Their very dust—are precious through association. It is natural for people to be touched by a lock of hair or some token of one they loved; how much more should we treasure and feel moved by a relic of the Beloved of God."
:(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, November 13, 1944: Bahá’í News, No. 210, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1711|1711]])

===The Atoms of the Prophets are Just Atoms===
"The reflection of the qualities of holy souls can take place at any time; it is not confined to the period when the Manifestation is on this Earth.

"The atoms of the Prophets are just atoms, like all others, but the association of this great spiritual power with them leaves in the place They are laid to rest, a spiritual atmosphere, if one can use this expression. They are, no doubt, endowed with a tremendous spiritual influence and far-reaching power. But the physical character of Their atoms are not different from other peoples, any more than Their bodies and physical functions are different."
:(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, October 28, 1949, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1712|1712]])

==See also==

* [[Manifestation of God]]
* [[WikiPedia:Prophets of Islam|Prophets of Islam (Wikipedia)]]
* [[Religion]]

Prophets

2021-02-19T14:25:07Z

Ewiki:

==[[Central Figures and Institutions]] of the Bahá'í Faith in order of rank (though Bahá'u'lláh and the Báb are equal in station, the Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh is greater than that of the Báb):==

*[[Bahá'u'lláh]]
*[[The Báb]]
*[['Abdu'l-Bahá]]
*[[Administrative Order]]
**[[Guardianship]]
***[[Shoghi Effendi]]
**[[The Universal House of Justice]]

==Guiding (and inspired) Figures/Institutions of the Bahá'í Faith in order of time appearance:==

*[[Shaykh Ahmad]] (inspired)
*[[Siyyid Kázim]] (inspired)
*[[The Báb]]
*[[Bahá'u'lláh]]
*[['Abdu'l-Bahá]]
*[[Shoghi Effendi]] (brief period at beginning of [[Bahíyyih Khánum]]'s temporarily accepting responsibilities)
*[[Hands of the Cause of God]] (temporary custodians/stewards)
*[[The Universal House of Justice]]

==Prior Manifestations of God and Prophets ==

(in approximate reverse chronological order)

*[[Muhammad]] (see also the [[Imámate]])
*[[Christ]] (on the issue of successorship, see [[Peter]])
*[[Buddha]]
*[[Zoroaster]]
*[[Elijah]] (Elias)
*[[Jonah]] (Jonas)
*[[Jethro]]
*[[Moses]]
*[[Krishna]]
*[[Joseph]]
*[[Ishmael]] (Ismael)
*[[Lot]] (Lut)
*[[Abraham]] (Ibráhím)
*[[Sálih]]
*[[Húd]]
*[[Noah]]
*[[Founder of Sabaeanism]] (unknown if older or more recent than Hinduism; same as [[Seth]] and/or [[Idrís]]?)
*[[Abel]]
*[[Adam]]
*[[Pre-Adamic Prophets]]

===Uncertain===
*[[Elisha]]?
*[[Dhu'l Kifl]]?
*[[Aaron]]?
*[[Jacob]]?
*[[Isaac]]?
*[[David]] (not King David) (list earlier?)?
*[[Idrís]] (or Hermes; same as [[Enoch]]?)
*[[Enoch]]?
*[[Seth]]?

==Lesser prophets==

*[[John the Baptist]]
*[[Isaiah]]
*[[Daniel]]
*[[Ezekiel]]
*[[Zechariah (prophet)|Zechariah]]
*[[Micah]]
*[[Joel]]
*[[Jeremiah]]
*[[Job]]
*[[Solomon]]
*[[King David]] (see also the discussion at [[David]])
*[[Zakariya]]
*[[Joshua]]?

*For other individuals of high stations, see [[Letters of the Living]], [[Apostles of Bahá'u'lláh]], [[elders|Four and twenty elders]], [[Hands of the Cause]], [[Disciples of 'Abdu'l-Bahá]]

==Other Lesser Prophets==

"Regarding your questions: We cannot possibly add names of people we (or anyone else) think might be Lesser Prophets to those found in the Qur'án, the Bible and our own Scriptures. For only these can we consider authentic Books."

:(March 13, 1950, to an individual believer, from a compilation of extracts from letters written on behalf of the Guardian on these and related subjects, enclosed with a letter to an individual believer on November 30, 1980 from the Universal House of Justice, ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1696|1696]])

==Figures who are described in our Writings in unequivocally positive terms but who are not considered to be Manifestations of God (or Lesser Prophets?)==

*[[Confucius]]

==Figures who may possibly be inspired to some degree (our Writings do not say or they find some common teachings but reject others) but are not Manifestations of God or Lesser Prophets==

*[[Joseph Smith]]
*[[Lao Zi]]
*[[Emanuel Swedenborg]]
*[[Emerson]]

==(The Qur'án also open to more Prophets than those listed explicitly in the Qur'án)==

"some apostles have we sent, whom we have formerly mentioned unto thee; and other apostles have we sent, whom we have not mentioned unto thee"

:([[Qur'án]] 4:[https://bahai-library.com/writings/quran/4.html#Paragraph%20164 164])

==Succession of Prophets from days of Christ was Muhammad, the Báb, and Bahá’u’lláh (so others between these times would not be Manifestations of God)==

"...as the Bahá’í Teachings quite clearly outline the succession of Prophets from the days of Christ as being Muhammad, the Báb, and finally Bahá’u’lláh, it is obvious that Joseph Smith is not a Manifestation of God."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of Shoghi Effendi]] to an individual believer, August 18, 1941: Bahá’í News, No. 416, November 1965, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1727|1727]])

==No more information about Prophets mentioned in the Íqán==

"We know no more about the prophets mentioned in the Íqán than what Bahá’u’lláh states in that Book."

:(November 25, 1950, to an individual believer, from a compilation of extracts from letters written on behalf of the Guardian on these and related subjects, enclosed with a letter to an individual believer on November 30, 1980 from the Universal House of Justice, ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1696|1696]])

== Past Prophets lost to history==

===In General===

====There have been many Manifestations even a million years ago====

"...there have been many holy Manifestations of God. One thousand years ago, two hundred thousand years ago, one million years ago, the bounty of God was flowing, the radiance of God was shining, the dominion of God was existing."

:([[‘Abdu’l-Bahá]], ''[[Promulgation of Universal Peace]]'', p. [[pup:463|463]])

====A perfect Manifestation has always existed====

"...from the beginning that has no beginning to the end that has no end, a perfect Manifestation has always existed. This Man of whom we speak here is not just any man: that which we intend is the Perfect Man. For the noblest part of the tree, and the fundamental purpose of its existence, is the fruit. A tree without fruit is of no use. Therefore, it cannot be imagined that the world of existence, whether in the realms above or below, was once populated by cows and donkeys, cats and mice, and yet was deprived of the presence of man. What a false and vacuous notion!"

:([[‘Abdu’l-Bahá]], ''[[Some Answered Questions]]'')

===Asian or Far Eastern Prophets===

"Regarding your questions: The only reason there is not more mention of the Asiatic prophets is because their names seem to be lost in the mists of ancient history. Buddha is mentioned and Zoroaster in our scriptures—both non-Jewish prophets or non-semitic prophets. We are taught there always have been Manifestations of God, but we do not have any record of their names."

:(October 4, 1950, to an individual believer, from a compilation of extracts from letters written on behalf of the Guardian on these and related subjects, enclosed with a letter to an individual believer on November 30, 1980 from the Universal House of Justice, ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1696|1696]])

"The teachings bear no reference to any genealogical tie between the Prophets of the Near and [[Far East]]."

:(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, March 31, 1941, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1695|1695]])

===Possibly Indians of America were Influenced by Prophets in Asia===

"It is possible the Indians of the Americas were influenced in the remote past by Prophets in Asia. But again, as there is nothing in our teachings about it, we cannot do more than speculate."

:(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, November 25, 1950, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1576|1576]])

===See also===
* [[Far East Prophets]]

==[[Future Manifestations of God]]==

* [[Him Who will be sent down unto you after Me]] (To come no sooner than 2852 C.E. or 1008 B.E. (i.e., 1000 years since the beginning of the Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh))
* [[Next Universal Manifestation of God]] (to come no sooner than 500,000 years)

==Manifestations elsewhere in the universe==

===In the past===

==== The globe did not always exist but a Perfect Manifestation must always exist (somewhere) ====

"If man did not exist, the universe would be without result, for the object of existence is the appearance of the perfections of God.

"Therefore, it cannot be said there was a time when man was not. All that we can say is that this terrestrial globe at one time did not exist, and at its beginning man did not appear upon it. But from the beginning which has no beginning, to the end which has no end, a Perfect Manifestation always exists."

:([['Abdu'l-Bahá]], ''[[Some Answered Questions]]'', p. [[saq:196|196]])

"...the earth has not always existed, but the world of existence has always been, for the universe is not limited to this terrestrial globe."

:([['Abdu'l-Bahá]], ''[[Some Answered Questions]]'', p. [[saq:151|151]])

===In the future===
* See [[Bahá'í Cycle#There_will_be_a_Prophet_Similar_in_Station_to_Bah.C3.A1.27u.27ll.C3.A1h_after_500.2C000_years.2C_but_we_cannot_say_definitely_that_His_Revelation_will_be_inter-planetary]]

===In the present?===

* See [[Extraterrestrial life]].

====Todos for this section====

* Quotes on not being possible to have multiple Manifestations for humanity at the exact same time in same place (oneness of God)?

==Some ideas are just cults and philosophies which the Prophets cannot waste time elucidating but scholars may respond to==

===While the peoples of the world derive their inspiration from God, a few (cults) are merely the outcome of human perversity===

"There can be no doubt whatever that the peoples of the world, of whatever race or religion, derive their inspiration from one heavenly Source, and are the subjects of one God. The difference between the ordinances under which they abide should be attributed to the varying requirements and exigencies of the age in which they were revealed. All of them, except a few which are the outcome of human perversity, were ordained of God, and are a reflection of His Will and Purpose."

:([[Bahá'u'lláh]], ''[[Gleanings]]'', sec. [[gwbs:111|111]], p. [[gwb:217|217]])

===Learning Can Be the Veil Between the Soul of Man and Truth===

"Bahá'u'lláh has said that learning can be the veil between the soul of man and the eternal truth; in other words, between man and the knowledge of God. We have seen that many people who become very advanced in the study of modern physical sciences are led to deny God, and to deny His Prophets. That does not mean that God and the Prophets have not and do not exist. It only means that knowledge has become a veil between their hearts and the light of God.

"It would be absolutely impossible for anyone to answer all the questions that might be asked by the curious, whether scholars or ordinary people, on any subject. If the Prophets of God only came to this world in order to answer people's questions, and elucidate all the 'nonsense', for the most part, that people have gotten together and formed into cults and philosophies, they would have no time to instruct man by their example and through their teachings in a new way of life."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of Shoghi Effendi]] [[to an individual believer]], April 22, 1954; in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1822|1822]])

===Have Not Had Time to Evolve Bahá'í Scholars Who Can Deal with These Subjects===

"We must turn aside from these vain imaginings and suppositions and philosophizings of the world, and fix our eyes upon the clear stream of the Teachings of Bahá'u'lláh. Out of these teachings, and the society which they will create on this planet, will come a solution to all of the problems of men. Gradually, greater scholars, more deeply spiritual thinkers, will be able to answer from a Bahá'í standpoint many of these questions. It is not necessary that they should be in the divine text; they can be studied and learned in the future; but at present we have not had time to evolve the Bahá'í scholars who can deal with these subjects in detail, and take upon themselves to answer the abstruse points and the many unfounded doctrines which are advanced by modern philosophers."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of Shoghi Effendi]] to an individual believer, April 22, 1954; in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1823|1823]])

===Everybody is Entitled to Their Own Opinion===

"Everybody is entitled to their own opinion. If they do not set it forth with conviction, they are failing in their duty to expose their ideas sincerely and graphically; but because they believe something firmly themselves does not in anyway imply that what they believe is the truth. Between the truth which comes from God through His Prophets, and the glimmerings, often misunderstood and misinterpreted, of truth which come from the philosophers and thinkers, there is an immense difference. We must never, under any circumstances, confuse the two."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of Shoghi Effendi]] to an individual believer, April 22, 1954: Ibid., in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1821|1821]])

===We must use Writings of the Prophets as our measurement (and Bahá'u'lláh did not mention reincarnation)===

"We must use the Writings of the Prophets as our measurement. If Bahá'u'lláh had attached the slightest importance to occult experiences, to the seeing of auras, to the hearing of mystic voices; if He had believed that reincarnation was a fact, He, Himself, would have mentioned all of these things in His Teachings. The fact that He passed over them in silence shows that to Him, they had either no importance or no reality, and were consequently not worthy to take up His time as the Divine Educator of the human race."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of Shoghi Effendi]] to an individual believer, April 22, 1954: Ibid., in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1827|1827]])

===See also===
* [[Esotericism]]

==Significance of material body of the Manifestations==

===Significance of Remains of the Prophets===
"… There is no special physical significance in the remains of the Prophets or relics of Their Persons. But there is a profound spiritual significance in the sense that Their dust was the physical mirror of the greatness of God. In other words we know God through His Prophets, Who have bodies, these bodies—Their very dust—are precious through association. It is natural for people to be touched by a lock of hair or some token of one they loved; how much more should we treasure and feel moved by a relic of the Beloved of God."
:(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, November 13, 1944: Bahá’í News, No. 210, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1711|1711]])

===The Atoms of the Prophets are Just Atoms===
"The reflection of the qualities of holy souls can take place at any time; it is not confined to the period when the Manifestation is on this Earth.

"The atoms of the Prophets are just atoms, like all others, but the association of this great spiritual power with them leaves in the place They are laid to rest, a spiritual atmosphere, if one can use this expression. They are, no doubt, endowed with a tremendous spiritual influence and far-reaching power. But the physical character of Their atoms are not different from other peoples, any more than Their bodies and physical functions are different."
:(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, October 28, 1949, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1712|1712]])

==See also==

* [[WikiPedia:Prophets of Islam|Prophets of Islam (Wikipedia)]]
* [[Religion]]
* [[Manifestation of God]]

Prophets

2021-02-19T14:24:40Z

Ewiki:

==[[Central Figures and Institutions]] of the Bahá'í Faith in order of rank (though Bahá'u'lláh and the Báb are equal in station, the Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh is greater than that of the Báb):==

*[[Bahá'u'lláh]]
*[[The Báb]]
*[['Abdu'l-Bahá]]
*[[Administrative Order]]
**[[Guardianship]]
***[[Shoghi Effendi]]
**[[The Universal House of Justice]]

==Guiding (and inspired) Figures/Institutions of the Bahá'í Faith in order of time appearance:==

*[[Shaykh Ahmad]] (inspired)
*[[Siyyid Kázim]] (inspired)
*[[The Báb]]
*[[Bahá'u'lláh]]
*[['Abdu'l-Bahá]]
*[[Shoghi Effendi]] (brief period at beginning of [[Bahíyyih Khánum]]'s temporarily accepting responsibilities)
*[[Hands of the Cause of God]] (temporary custodians/stewards)
*[[The Universal House of Justice]]

==Prior Prophets and Manifestations of God==

(in approximate reverse chronological order)

*[[Muhammad]] (see also the [[Imámate]])
*[[Christ]] (on the issue of successorship, see [[Peter]])
*[[Buddha]]
*[[Zoroaster]]
*[[Elijah]] (Elias)
*[[Jonah]] (Jonas)
*[[Jethro]]
*[[Moses]]
*[[Krishna]]
*[[Joseph]]
*[[Ishmael]] (Ismael)
*[[Lot]] (Lut)
*[[Abraham]] (Ibráhím)
*[[Sálih]]
*[[Húd]]
*[[Noah]]
*[[Founder of Sabaeanism]] (unknown if older or more recent than Hinduism; same as [[Seth]] and/or [[Idrís]]?)
*[[Abel]]
*[[Adam]]
*[[Pre-Adamic Prophets]]

===Uncertain===
*[[Elisha]]?
*[[Dhu'l Kifl]]?
*[[Aaron]]?
*[[Jacob]]?
*[[Isaac]]?
*[[David]] (not King David) (list earlier?)?
*[[Idrís]] (or Hermes; same as [[Enoch]]?)
*[[Enoch]]?
*[[Seth]]?

==Lesser prophets==

*[[John the Baptist]]
*[[Isaiah]]
*[[Daniel]]
*[[Ezekiel]]
*[[Zechariah (prophet)|Zechariah]]
*[[Micah]]
*[[Joel]]
*[[Jeremiah]]
*[[Job]]
*[[Solomon]]
*[[King David]] (see also the discussion at [[David]])
*[[Zakariya]]
*[[Joshua]]?

*For other individuals of high stations, see [[Letters of the Living]], [[Apostles of Bahá'u'lláh]], [[elders|Four and twenty elders]], [[Hands of the Cause]], [[Disciples of 'Abdu'l-Bahá]]

==Other Lesser Prophets==

"Regarding your questions: We cannot possibly add names of people we (or anyone else) think might be Lesser Prophets to those found in the Qur'án, the Bible and our own Scriptures. For only these can we consider authentic Books."

:(March 13, 1950, to an individual believer, from a compilation of extracts from letters written on behalf of the Guardian on these and related subjects, enclosed with a letter to an individual believer on November 30, 1980 from the Universal House of Justice, ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1696|1696]])

==Figures who are described in our Writings in unequivocally positive terms but who are not considered to be Manifestations of God (or Lesser Prophets?)==

*[[Confucius]]

==Figures who may possibly be inspired to some degree (our Writings do not say or they find some common teachings but reject others) but are not Manifestations of God or Lesser Prophets==

*[[Joseph Smith]]
*[[Lao Zi]]
*[[Emanuel Swedenborg]]
*[[Emerson]]

==(The Qur'án also open to more Prophets than those listed explicitly in the Qur'án)==

"some apostles have we sent, whom we have formerly mentioned unto thee; and other apostles have we sent, whom we have not mentioned unto thee"

:([[Qur'án]] 4:[https://bahai-library.com/writings/quran/4.html#Paragraph%20164 164])

==Succession of Prophets from days of Christ was Muhammad, the Báb, and Bahá’u’lláh (so others between these times would not be Manifestations of God)==

"...as the Bahá’í Teachings quite clearly outline the succession of Prophets from the days of Christ as being Muhammad, the Báb, and finally Bahá’u’lláh, it is obvious that Joseph Smith is not a Manifestation of God."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of Shoghi Effendi]] to an individual believer, August 18, 1941: Bahá’í News, No. 416, November 1965, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1727|1727]])

==No more information about Prophets mentioned in the Íqán==

"We know no more about the prophets mentioned in the Íqán than what Bahá’u’lláh states in that Book."

:(November 25, 1950, to an individual believer, from a compilation of extracts from letters written on behalf of the Guardian on these and related subjects, enclosed with a letter to an individual believer on November 30, 1980 from the Universal House of Justice, ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1696|1696]])

== Past Prophets lost to history==

===In General===

====There have been many Manifestations even a million years ago====

"...there have been many holy Manifestations of God. One thousand years ago, two hundred thousand years ago, one million years ago, the bounty of God was flowing, the radiance of God was shining, the dominion of God was existing."

:([[‘Abdu’l-Bahá]], ''[[Promulgation of Universal Peace]]'', p. [[pup:463|463]])

====A perfect Manifestation has always existed====

"...from the beginning that has no beginning to the end that has no end, a perfect Manifestation has always existed. This Man of whom we speak here is not just any man: that which we intend is the Perfect Man. For the noblest part of the tree, and the fundamental purpose of its existence, is the fruit. A tree without fruit is of no use. Therefore, it cannot be imagined that the world of existence, whether in the realms above or below, was once populated by cows and donkeys, cats and mice, and yet was deprived of the presence of man. What a false and vacuous notion!"

:([[‘Abdu’l-Bahá]], ''[[Some Answered Questions]]'')

===Asian or Far Eastern Prophets===

"Regarding your questions: The only reason there is not more mention of the Asiatic prophets is because their names seem to be lost in the mists of ancient history. Buddha is mentioned and Zoroaster in our scriptures—both non-Jewish prophets or non-semitic prophets. We are taught there always have been Manifestations of God, but we do not have any record of their names."

:(October 4, 1950, to an individual believer, from a compilation of extracts from letters written on behalf of the Guardian on these and related subjects, enclosed with a letter to an individual believer on November 30, 1980 from the Universal House of Justice, ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1696|1696]])

"The teachings bear no reference to any genealogical tie between the Prophets of the Near and [[Far East]]."

:(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, March 31, 1941, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1695|1695]])

===Possibly Indians of America were Influenced by Prophets in Asia===

"It is possible the Indians of the Americas were influenced in the remote past by Prophets in Asia. But again, as there is nothing in our teachings about it, we cannot do more than speculate."

:(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, November 25, 1950, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1576|1576]])

===See also===
* [[Far East Prophets]]

==[[Future Manifestations of God]]==

* [[Him Who will be sent down unto you after Me]] (To come no sooner than 2852 C.E. or 1008 B.E. (i.e., 1000 years since the beginning of the Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh))
* [[Next Universal Manifestation of God]] (to come no sooner than 500,000 years)

==Manifestations elsewhere in the universe==

===In the past===

==== The globe did not always exist but a Perfect Manifestation must always exist (somewhere) ====

"If man did not exist, the universe would be without result, for the object of existence is the appearance of the perfections of God.

"Therefore, it cannot be said there was a time when man was not. All that we can say is that this terrestrial globe at one time did not exist, and at its beginning man did not appear upon it. But from the beginning which has no beginning, to the end which has no end, a Perfect Manifestation always exists."

:([['Abdu'l-Bahá]], ''[[Some Answered Questions]]'', p. [[saq:196|196]])

"...the earth has not always existed, but the world of existence has always been, for the universe is not limited to this terrestrial globe."

:([['Abdu'l-Bahá]], ''[[Some Answered Questions]]'', p. [[saq:151|151]])

===In the future===
* See [[Bahá'í Cycle#There_will_be_a_Prophet_Similar_in_Station_to_Bah.C3.A1.27u.27ll.C3.A1h_after_500.2C000_years.2C_but_we_cannot_say_definitely_that_His_Revelation_will_be_inter-planetary]]

===In the present?===

* See [[Extraterrestrial life]].

====Todos for this section====

* Quotes on not being possible to have multiple Manifestations for humanity at the exact same time in same place (oneness of God)?

==Some ideas are just cults and philosophies which the Prophets cannot waste time elucidating but scholars may respond to==

===While the peoples of the world derive their inspiration from God, a few (cults) are merely the outcome of human perversity===

"There can be no doubt whatever that the peoples of the world, of whatever race or religion, derive their inspiration from one heavenly Source, and are the subjects of one God. The difference between the ordinances under which they abide should be attributed to the varying requirements and exigencies of the age in which they were revealed. All of them, except a few which are the outcome of human perversity, were ordained of God, and are a reflection of His Will and Purpose."

:([[Bahá'u'lláh]], ''[[Gleanings]]'', sec. [[gwbs:111|111]], p. [[gwb:217|217]])

===Learning Can Be the Veil Between the Soul of Man and Truth===

"Bahá'u'lláh has said that learning can be the veil between the soul of man and the eternal truth; in other words, between man and the knowledge of God. We have seen that many people who become very advanced in the study of modern physical sciences are led to deny God, and to deny His Prophets. That does not mean that God and the Prophets have not and do not exist. It only means that knowledge has become a veil between their hearts and the light of God.

"It would be absolutely impossible for anyone to answer all the questions that might be asked by the curious, whether scholars or ordinary people, on any subject. If the Prophets of God only came to this world in order to answer people's questions, and elucidate all the 'nonsense', for the most part, that people have gotten together and formed into cults and philosophies, they would have no time to instruct man by their example and through their teachings in a new way of life."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of Shoghi Effendi]] [[to an individual believer]], April 22, 1954; in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1822|1822]])

===Have Not Had Time to Evolve Bahá'í Scholars Who Can Deal with These Subjects===

"We must turn aside from these vain imaginings and suppositions and philosophizings of the world, and fix our eyes upon the clear stream of the Teachings of Bahá'u'lláh. Out of these teachings, and the society which they will create on this planet, will come a solution to all of the problems of men. Gradually, greater scholars, more deeply spiritual thinkers, will be able to answer from a Bahá'í standpoint many of these questions. It is not necessary that they should be in the divine text; they can be studied and learned in the future; but at present we have not had time to evolve the Bahá'í scholars who can deal with these subjects in detail, and take upon themselves to answer the abstruse points and the many unfounded doctrines which are advanced by modern philosophers."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of Shoghi Effendi]] to an individual believer, April 22, 1954; in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1823|1823]])

===Everybody is Entitled to Their Own Opinion===

"Everybody is entitled to their own opinion. If they do not set it forth with conviction, they are failing in their duty to expose their ideas sincerely and graphically; but because they believe something firmly themselves does not in anyway imply that what they believe is the truth. Between the truth which comes from God through His Prophets, and the glimmerings, often misunderstood and misinterpreted, of truth which come from the philosophers and thinkers, there is an immense difference. We must never, under any circumstances, confuse the two."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of Shoghi Effendi]] to an individual believer, April 22, 1954: Ibid., in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1821|1821]])

===We must use Writings of the Prophets as our measurement (and Bahá'u'lláh did not mention reincarnation)===

"We must use the Writings of the Prophets as our measurement. If Bahá'u'lláh had attached the slightest importance to occult experiences, to the seeing of auras, to the hearing of mystic voices; if He had believed that reincarnation was a fact, He, Himself, would have mentioned all of these things in His Teachings. The fact that He passed over them in silence shows that to Him, they had either no importance or no reality, and were consequently not worthy to take up His time as the Divine Educator of the human race."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of Shoghi Effendi]] to an individual believer, April 22, 1954: Ibid., in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1827|1827]])

===See also===
* [[Esotericism]]

==Significance of material body of the Manifestations==

===Significance of Remains of the Prophets===
"… There is no special physical significance in the remains of the Prophets or relics of Their Persons. But there is a profound spiritual significance in the sense that Their dust was the physical mirror of the greatness of God. In other words we know God through His Prophets, Who have bodies, these bodies—Their very dust—are precious through association. It is natural for people to be touched by a lock of hair or some token of one they loved; how much more should we treasure and feel moved by a relic of the Beloved of God."
:(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, November 13, 1944: Bahá’í News, No. 210, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1711|1711]])

===The Atoms of the Prophets are Just Atoms===
"The reflection of the qualities of holy souls can take place at any time; it is not confined to the period when the Manifestation is on this Earth.

"The atoms of the Prophets are just atoms, like all others, but the association of this great spiritual power with them leaves in the place They are laid to rest, a spiritual atmosphere, if one can use this expression. They are, no doubt, endowed with a tremendous spiritual influence and far-reaching power. But the physical character of Their atoms are not different from other peoples, any more than Their bodies and physical functions are different."
:(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, October 28, 1949, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1712|1712]])

==See also==

* [[WikiPedia:Prophets of Islam|Prophets of Islam (Wikipedia)]]
* [[Religion]]
* [[Manifestation of God]]

Joseph

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Ewiki: See also Prophets

==(The Qur'áníc/Biblical) Joseph was a Manifestation of God==

"Joseph was one of the 'Sent Ones' of the Qur'an, meaning a Manifestation of God."

:(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, July 30, 1941; quoted in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1665|1665]])

==Anecdotes regarding==
* Qur'án [[Qur'án12|12]]

==Discussions==
* https://bahai-library.com/stokes_joseph_babi_bahai

==See also==
*[[Joseph Smith]]
*[[Tablet of Joseph]]
*[[Prophets]]

Tobacco

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Ewiki:

==Writings==
* [[Tablet of Purity]], in ''[[Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá]]'', sec. [[swabs:129|129]] (earlier translation in ''[[Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá]]'', pp. [[tab:581|581]]-585)
* [https://bahai-library.com/uhj_reconciliation_apparent_contradictions#s4 Smoking and Firmness in the Covenant]

==Smoking though allowed is discouraged==

Concerning the use of alcoholic drinks and drugs the Guardian wishes you to know that they have been explicitly forbidden in the "Kitab-i-Aqdas". Opium is, undoubtedly, prohibited. But smoking, though allowed, is discouraged. Various other points which may be raised in this connection and which have not been explained in the Holy Writings have to be carefully considered and acted upon by the future International House of Justice which is the body empowered by Baha'u'llah to legislate in all matters which have not been explicitly revealed in the Sacred Writings of the Faith.

:(On behalf of? Shoghi Effendi, ''[[Dawn of a New Day]]'', December 27, 1933)

==Avoid atmosphere with much smoking==

* See [[Cultural-Entertainment Centers/Halls]].

==From ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'' (to categorize)==

===The Renouncing of Tobacco, Alcohol and Opium--Purity and Sanctity Should Distinguish the People of Bahá===

"O ye, God's loved ones! Experience hath shown how greatly the renouncing of smoking, of intoxicating drink, and of opium, conduceth to health and vigour, to the expansion and keenness of the mind and to bodily strength. There is today a people[+F1 (Possibly Abdu'l-Bahá was referring to the Sikhs)] who strictly avoid tobacco, intoxicating liquor and opium. This people is far and away superior to the others, for strength and physical courage, for health, beauty and comeliness. A single one of their men can stand up to ten men of another tribe. This hath proved true of the entire people: that is, member for member, each individual of this community is in every respect superior to the individuals of other communities.

"Make ye then a mighty effort, that the purity and sanctity which, above all else, are cherished by Abdu'l-Bahá, shall distinguish the people of Bahá; that in every kind of excellence the people of God shall surpass all other human beings; that both outwardly and inwardly they shall prove superior to the rest; that for purity, immaculacy, refinement, and the preservation of health, they shall be leaders in the vanguard of those who know. And that by their freedom from enslavement, their knowledge, their self-control, they shall be first among the pure, the free and the wise."

:([['Abdu'l-Bahá]], ''[[Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá]]'', p. 150, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1188|1188]])

===Smoking is Discouraged, But Not Forbidden===

"Regarding your questions: Concerning smoking: It is not forbidden in the Bahá'í teachings and no one can enforce its prohibition. It is strongly discouraged as a habit which is not very clean or very healthy. But it is a matter left entirely to the conscience of the individual and not of major importance, whereas the use of alcohol is definitely forbidden and thus not left optional to the conscience of the believer."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of Shoghi Effendi]] to an individual believer, April 19, 1941, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1189|1189]])

===Smoking Has Nothing to Do with Firmness in the Covenant===

"Smoking has nothing to do with firmness in the Covenant. Bahá'ís are advised not to smoke for reasons of health and hygiene, not because of any spiritual reasons. We naturally cherish every hint and advice from Abdu'l-Bahá regarding our conduct, but as He has not forbidden this, we must leave each person free to decide for himself."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of Shoghi Effendi]] to an individual believer, August 9, 1944, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1190|1190]])

===To New Bahá'ís, We Should Not Stress Giving Up Smoking===

"He feels that we should not lay stress to new Bahá'ís on the necessity of giving up smoking, especially as this is purely optional, and many of the Bahá'ís still do smoke. There are many things in the Teachings that require a stiff effort on the part of a new believer, and we should not add to the hurdles at the very beginning, so to speak."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of Shoghi Effendi]] to an individual believer, December 4, 1954, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1191|1191]])

===Smoking by Degrees Injurious===

"...I wish to say that, in the sight of God, the smoking of tobacco is a thing which is blamed and condemned, very unclean, and of which the result is by degrees injurious. Besides it is a cause of expense and of loss of time and it is a harmful habit...."

:([['Abdu'l-Bahá]], ''[[Bahá'í World Faith]]'', p. [[bwf:335|335]], in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1192|1192]])

===Guidelines for Individuals and Assemblies About Tobacco Smoking===

"Many believers feeling the same concern expressed by Dr. ... wrote to the beloved Guardian about it. In answer to such letters the Guardian's secretary replied on his behalf that Bahá'ís had no right to prevent anyone from smoking; that Bahá'ís were free to smoke but it was preferable for them not to do so; and that an issue should not be made of this matter. The use of tobacco, in common with other personal practices, should be subject to considerations of courtesy. The Bahá'í in his daily life, whether smoker or non-smoker, should always be conscious of the rights of those about him and avoid doing anything which would give offense.

"Believers have also raised the question about smoking during Bahá'í meetings. It is entirely within the authority of Local and National Spiritual Assemblies to prohibit smoking in meetings held under their auspices. An Assembly may well feel that it does not wish to raise an additional barrier to seekers by prohibiting smoking at public meetings in a society where it is the accepted practice to smoke. On the other hand, it might be wise for the Assembly to caution the Bahá'ís to restrain their smoking at teaching meetings and firesides in case it is offensive to some seekers. In the case of Nineteen Day Feasts or meetings of Assemblies or committees, it is not right that friends who find smoking offensive should be made to endure it in Bahá'í meetings which they are required or expected to attend. If certain individuals feel that they must smoke, then arrangements, such as a break in the meeting, could be made for their convenience. It would, of course, be entirely inappropriate to smoke during the devotional part of a Feast, or at any other devotional gathering.

"It is to be hoped that the widespread publicity being given to the evil effects of smoking, both on smokers and on those who have to breathe smoke-laden air, will help to convince everyone of the wisdom of Abdu'l-Bahá in strongly discouraging Bahá'ís from smoking. However, Bahá'ís must be careful not to go beyond the Teachings in this matter and try to enforce as a law a matter in which Bahá'u'lláh has deemed it wise to allow freedom of decision."

:(From a letter of the [[Universal House of Justice]] to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, March 4, 1974, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1193|1193]])

==See also==
* [[Intoxicating substances]]

==Todos for this page==
* Replace BWF quote with updated version from SWAB--see [[Tablet of Purity]] for page numbers.

[[Category:Applied Material Sciences-Professions]]

Biochemical homeopathy

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Ewiki:

==Longer references on the healing by foods in the future==
* 'Abdu'l-Bahá, ''[[Some Answered Questions]]'', chapter [[saqc:73|73]]
* ''[[Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá]]'', sec. [[swabs:134|134]], pp. [[swab:152|152]]-156

==Biochemical Homeopathy in conformity with the Baha'i medical concept (but this statement not to be taken in isolation)==

"One of the friends of Persia wrote to Shoghi Effendi and asked this question: "Is it true that 'Abdu'l-Bahá has said that biochemical homeopathy, which is a form of food medicine, is in conformity with the Bahá'í medical concept?" The beloved Guardian's reply to this question in a letter dated 25th November, 1944 was as follows: "This statement is true, and the truth thereof will be revealed in the future." (The question and answer are translated from the Persian.)

:"The Universal House of Justice has also asked us to inform you that it does not wish the above statement to be circulated in isolation from the many and varied other texts in the Writings on medicine. However, you may share it with any of your friends who are interested."

:(12 November 1975, written by the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer; in compilation on Health, Healing, and Nutrition, no. [https://bahai-library.com/?file=compilation_health_healing_nutrition.html#83 83])

===See also===

- See [[Medicine]] on the need not to associate the Faith with a particular field of medicine and need to understand the terms of reference made by Baha'u'llah in His Tablet to a Physician.

=='Abdu'l-Bahá's indication of the role for physician to determine imbalances of a patient and for taking foods compensating for an inadequate amount of a healthy component==

"It is the function of a skilled physician to determine which constituent of his patient's body hath suffered diminution, which hath been augmented. Once he hath discovered this, he must prescribe a food containing the diminished element in considerable amounts, to re-establish the body's essential equilibrium..."

:([['Abdu'l-Bahá]], ''[[Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá]]'', sec. [[swabs:134|134]], p. [[swab:154|154]])

"The outer, physical causal factor in disease, however, is a disturbance in the balance, the proportionate equilibrium of all those elements of which the human body is composed. To illustrate: the body of man is a compound of many constituent substances, each component being present in a prescribed amount, contributing to the essential equilibrium of the whole. So long as these constituents remain in their due proportion, according to the natural balance of the whole-- that is, no component suffereth a change in its natural proportionate degree and balance, no component being either augmented or decreased--there will be no physical cause for the incursion of disease.

"For example, the starch component must be present to a given amount, and the sugar to a given amount. So long as each remaineth in its natural proportion to the whole, there will be no cause for the onset of disease. When, however, these constituents vary as to their natural and due amounts --that is, when they are augmented or diminished--it is certain that this will provide for the inroads of disease."

:([['Abdu'l-Bahá]], ''[[Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá]]'', sec. [[swabs:134|134]], p. [[swab:153|153]])

===(In the same context of food-based remedies, 'Abdu'l-Bahá uses the natural example of animals finding pleasurable constituents)===

"...when the constitution is in a state of equilibrium, there is no doubt that whatever is relished will be beneficial to health...Observe how an animal...consumeth whatever herb is pleasurable to these senses, and benefiteth therefrom. Were it not for this power of selectivity, the animals would all be dead in a single day; for there are a great many poisonous plants, and animals know nothing of the pharmacopoeia."

:([['Abdu'l-Bahá]], ''[[Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá]]'', sec. [[swabs:134|134]], p. [[swab:155|155]])

===See also===
* [['Abdu'l-Bahá]], ''[[Memorials of the Faithful]]'', pp. [[mf:68|68]]-69, in which He relates His own prescription for an ill believer, of food agreeable to that believer, and the subsequent death of the believer when the believer mistakenly followed the same prescription as 'Abdu'l-Bahá gave earlier at a time when he had no appetite (and other differences of condition).

==Specific [[food|foods]] with healing properties==

* [[honey]]

==See also==
* [[Medicine]]

[[Category:Applied Material Sciences-Professions]]

Intoxicating substances

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Ewiki:

==General information in relation to prohibited substances==

"It is inadmissible that man, who hath been endowed with reason, should consume that which stealeth it away. Nay, rather it behoveth him to comport himself in a manner worthy of the human station, and not in accordance with the misdeeds of every heedless and wavering soul."

:([[Bahá'u'lláh]], ''[[Kitáb-i-Aqdas]]'', par. [[kap:119|119]])

"Gambling and the use of opium have been forbidden unto you. Eschew them both, O people, and be not of those who transgress. Beware of using any substance that induceth sluggishness and torpor in the human temple and inflicteth harm upon the body. We, verily, desire for you naught save what shall profit you, and to this bear witness all created things, had ye but ears to hear."

:([[Bahá'u'lláh]], ''[[Kitáb-i-Aqdas]]'', par. [[kap:155|155]])

==Not prevented from taking certain classes of drugs when prescribed by qualified physicians as part of a medical treatment==

"It should be noted that the above prohibition against taking certain classes of drugs does not forbid their use when prescribed by qualified physicians as part of a medical treatment."

:(Notes to the ''[[Kitáb-i-Aqdas]]'', par. [[kap:170|170]])

== See also ==
* [[alcohol]]
* [[drugs]]
* [[tobacco]]

[[Category:Applied Material Sciences-Professions]]

Nutrition

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Ewiki:

==Published Compilations==
*https://bahai-library.com/compilation_health_healing_nutrition

==What to eat==
* [[Diet]]

==How to eat==
* Not to [[plunging hands in food|plunge hands in food]]

==Obtaining food==
* [[Agriculture]]
* [[Hunting]]

==Spiritual activities surrounding food==
* [[Saying grace]]

==Discussions among Baha'is about diet (such as vegeterianism) or in refusing/requesting specific foods==
* [[Diet in public discussions]]

==Use of foods for medicinal purposes==
* [[Biochemical homeopathy]]

==Importance of studying==

"The Báb hath said that the people of Baha must develop the science of medicine to such a high degree that they will heal illnesses by means of foods."

:([['Abdu'l-Bahá]], ''[[Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá]]'', sec. [[swabs:134|134]])

[[Category:Applied Material Sciences-Professions]]

Spiritual and material healing

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Ewiki:

==From ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'' (to categorize)==

===Prayers for Spiritual and Material Healing===

"...The prayers which were written for the purpose of healing are both for the spiritual and material healing. Therefore chant them for the spiritual and material healing. If healing is best for the patient surely it will be granted. For some who are sick, healing for them shall be the cause of other ills. Thus it is that wisdom does not decree the answer to some prayers.

"O maid-servant of God. The Power of the Holy Spirit heals both material and spiritual ills."

:([['Abdu'l-Bahá]]: Tablet to Ella Goodall Cooper: Daily Lessons Received at Akka, 1976 ed., p. 86, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:924|924]])

===The Greatest Name Influences Both Spiritual and Physical Matters===

"That the Most Great Name exerciseth influence over both physical and spiritual matters is sure and certain."

:(From a Tablet to an individual believer, by Abdu'l-Bahá: Selections from Bahá'í Writings on Some Aspects of Health, Healing, Nutrition and Related Matters, April 1984, p. 2, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:925|925]])

"O maid-servant of God! Continue in healing hearts and bodies and seek healing for sick persons by turning unto the Supreme Kingdom and by setting the heart upon obtaining healing through the power of the Greatest Name and by the spirit of the love of God."

:(Tablets of Abdu'l-Bahá, Vol. III, p. 629)

===Two Ways of Healing Sickness===

"There are two ways of healing sickness, material means and spiritual means. The first is by the treatment of physicians; the second consisteth in prayers offered by the spiritual ones to God and in turning to Him. Both means should be used and practiced.

"Illnesses which occur by reason of physical causes should be treated by doctors with medical remedies; those which are due to spiritual causes disappear through spiritual means. Thus an illness caused by affliction, fear, nervous impressions,

will be healed more effectively by spiritual rather than by physical treatment. Hence, both kinds of treatment should be followed; they are not contradictory. Therefore thou shouldst accept physical remedies inasmuch as these too have come from the mercy and favour of God, Who hath revealed and made manifest medical science so that His servants may profit from this kind of treatment also. Thou shouldst give equal attention to spiritual treatments, for they produce marvellous effects.

"Now, if thou wishest to know the true remedy which will heal man from all sickness and will give him the health of the divine kingdom, know that it is the precepts and teachings of God. Focus thine attention upon them."

:([['Abdu'l-Bahá]]: ''[[Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá]]'', pp. 151-152, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:926|926]])

===Two Processes of Healing--Prayer Alone Not Sufficient===

"As you know Bahá'u'lláh has ordained that in case of illness we should always consult the most competent physicians. And this is exactly what the Guardian strongly advises you to do. For prayer alone is not sufficient. To render it more effective we have to make use of all the physical and material advantages which God has given us. Healing through purely spiritual forces is undoubtedly as inadequate as that which materialist physicians and thinkers vainly seek to obtain by resorting entirely to mechanical devices and methods. The best result can be obtained by combining the two processes, spiritual and physical."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of the Guardian]] to an individual believer, March 12, 1934: Extracts from the Guardian's Letters on Spiritualism, Reincarnation and Related Subjects, p. 9, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:927|927]])

===Spiritual and Material Healing Essential and Complementary===

"With regard to your question concerning spiritual healing. Such a healing constitutes, indeed, one of the most effective methods of relieving a person from either his mental or physical pains and sufferings. Abdu'l-Bahá has in His 'Paris Talks' emphasized its importance by stating that it should be used as an essential means for effecting a complete physical cure. Spiritual healing, however, is not and cannot be a substitute for material healing, but it is a most valuable adjunct to it. Both are, indeed, essential and complementary."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of Shoghi Effendi]] to an individual believer, February 16, 1935: Selections from Bahá'í Writings on Some Aspects of Health, Healing, Nutrition and Related Matters, April 1984, p. 10, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:928|928]])

===Physical Healing Must Be Reinforced by Spiritual Healing===

"With reference to your question concerning spiritual healing. Its importance, as you surely know, has been greatly emphasized by Abdu'l-Bahá Who considered it, indeed, as an essential part of physical processes of healing. Physical healing cannot be complete and lasting unless it is reinforced by spiritual healing. And this last one can be best obtained through obedience to the laws and commandments of God as revealed to us through His Manifestations. Individual believers, however, can also help by imparting healing to others. But the success of their efforts depends entirely on their strict adherence to the Teachings, and also on the manner in which they impart them to others. According to Bahá'u'lláh man cannot obtain full guidance directly from God. He must rather seek it through His Prophets. Provided this principle is clearly understood and explained, the Guardian sees no harm that the friends should try to effect spiritual healing on others. Any such cure effected, however, should be done in the name of Bahá'u'lláh and in accordance with His teachings. For God, and God alone, is the Supreme and Almighty Physician and all else are but instruments in His hands."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of Shoghi Effendi]] to an individual believer, May 23, 1935: Extracts from the Guardian's Letters on Spiritualism, Reincarnation and Related Subjects, p. 8, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:929|929]])

===Healing of Illness--There is No Such Thing as "Bahá'í Healers"===

"The Guardian knows nothing about your kind of healing, nor would he care to go into the question in detail, as he has no time for such matters. But he can lay down for your guidance certain broad principles: there is no such thing as Bahá'í healers or a Bahá'í type of healing. In His Most Holy Book (the Aqdas) Bahá'u'lláh says to consult the best physicians, in other words, doctors who have studied a scientific system of medicine: He never gave us to believe He Himself would heal us through 'healers', but rather through prayer and the assistance of medicine and approved treatments.

"Now, as long as your healing is in no opposition to these principles, as long as you do not try and take the place of a regular doctor in trying to heal others, but only give them your kind of help through constructive suggestion-- or whatever it may be--and do not associate this help with being a channel of the direct grace of Bahá'u'lláh, the Guardian sees no harm in your continuing your assistance to others. But you must conscientiously decide whether in view of the above you are really justified in continuing. He will pray for your guidance and happiness...."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of the Guardian]] to an individual believer, June 6, 1948: Ibid., p. 8, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:930|930]])

===To Associate Such Things with the Cause Ultimately Injures It===

"He feels the attitude taken by you and the Assembly of Caracas towards the remarkable healing powers exhibited by ... has been the right one. To associate such things with the Cause directly would be only to ultimately injure its reputation and misrepresent it, as her powers--which are certainly very hard to find any logical explanation for--are not common to Bahá'ís, but rather a phenomenon seen among individuals, (rarely) of religious backgrounds.

"As to its being direct inspiration of Bahá'u'lláh, we certainly cannot say this. We can only be grateful that she has actually been able to help people who direly needed it. She herself being a devoted Bahá'í, there is no reason why she should not be known as one. But certainly it should in no way be connected with her healing powers."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of the Guardian]], September 30, 1949, to an individual believer: Ibid., p. 8, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:931|931]])

===Not a Unique Phenomenon===

"The Guardian has already heard about ...'s seemingly remarkable powers of healing and he wrote the friends who communicated with him that he feels that she is naturally free to use this power, so far beyond our understanding, but not a unique phenomenon in history by any means, for the good of others, but that it is better not to directly associate it with the Faith.

"In other words this dear soul is a Bahá'í, and we are all proud that she is one. But she should not give the impression she is a Bahá'í healer, for we have no such thing, but rather that she is a Bahá'í by faith, whom God seems to have blessed with this precious bounty individually of being able to often heal others."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of the Guardian]] to an individual believer, October 26, 1949: Ibid., pp. 8-9, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:932|932]])

===To Be Able to Help Another Soul Who is Suffering===

"The Guardian sees no reason why you should not continue to help sick people. As he wrote to some of the believers regarding this matter previously, as long as you do not say you are healing them as a Bahá'í, or because you are a Bahá'í (because we have no 'healers' in the Cause as such) there can be certainly no objection to your doing it. On the contrary to be able to help another soul who is in suffering is a great bounty from God."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of the Guardian]] to an individual believer, October 5, 1950: Ibid., p. 9, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:933|933]])

===Try Not to Have the Faith Identified with Such Things===

"He thinks your Assembly's decision regarding spiritual healing being demonstrated at a Bahá'í meeting was quite sound. We should try not to have the Faith identified with such things in the eyes of the public officially. What the believers do privately, which in no way contravenes the Teachings, is their own affair."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of the Guardian]] to the National Spiritual Assembly of the British Isles, June 25, 1953: Ibid., p. 9, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:934|934]])

===Should Not Become Healer===

"He does not feel that you should try to do anything special about the capacity you feel to help people when they are ill. This does not mean you should not use it, when the occasion arises, such as it did recently. But he means you should not become a 'healer' such as the Christian Scientists have, and we Bahá'ís do not have."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of the Guardian]] to an individual believer, December 25, 1949: Ibid., p. 9, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:935|935]])

===Healing by the Holy Spirit===

"We have no reason to believe that the healing of the Holy Spirit cannot be attracted by ordinary human beings. But this is rare, a mystery, and a gift of God."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of the Guardian]] to an individual believer, March 26, 1950: Ibid., p. 9, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:936|936]])

===Both Spiritual and Physical Forces Needed to Secure Speedy Recovery===

"In the Book of Aqdas Bahá'u'lláh urges us, that when we obtain any physical ailment we should refer to the doctor and abide by his decision. Physical and spiritual forces have both to be used to secure the speedy recovery of the patients; no partial treatment is sufficient. So you should pray for your son and also be faithful in your obedience to the directions of the physicians who are trying to restore him to health."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of Shoghi Effendi]] to an individual believer, June 1, 1933, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:939|939]])

===Physical Ailments Have No Effect on the Soul===

"Regarding your questions concerning the condition of the soul during illness. The passages in the 'Gleanings' make it quite clear that physical ailments, no matter how severe, cannot bring any change in the inherent condition of the soul. As Bahá'u'lláh says: 'The spirit is permanent and steadfast in its station'. The veil or hindrance that interposes between soul and body during physical disease is sickness itself. Sickness reveals a lack of balance in human organism, an absence of equilibrium in the forces essential for the normal functioning of the human body."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of Shoghi Effendi]] to an individual believer, March 8, 1936, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:940|940]])

===The Supreme Need of the World Today is for Spiritual Healing--Bahá'ís Are the Leaven that Must Leaven the Lump===

"However much the need may be for physical healing, the supreme need of the world today is for spiritual healing. Life in this world is so relatively short--and at present it is fraught with a thousand difficulties and dangers; whereas life in the true sense is eternal, and for this eternal life people need some preparation in these turbulent times.

"Your work to improve the health of people is a meritorious way of serving mankind, but it can never be compared with the work of illumining the souls and minds of men with the Light of Bahá'u'lláh. The people of the world are teeming millions, the Bahá'ís only a handful, yet they are the precious leaven that must leaven the lump."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of Shoghi Effendi]] to an individual believer, May 8, 1942, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:942|942]])

===Some Illnesses Have to Do with the Spiritual Development of the One Affected or of the Loved Ones===

"The Beloved Guardian has asked me to assure you and the parents of the dear baby of his prayers for his healing, both material and spiritual.

"It is difficult for us to understand these calamities when they come to us. Those who are firm in the Faith, know that the Hand of God protects them, and if something of this nature comes upon them, it is for some reason, which may have to do with the spiritual development of the one affected, or the spiritual development and welfare of the loved ones; or even for the melting of the hearts of non-Bahá'ís, who will be affected by the Divine Spirit, through the manner in which the Bahá'í meets such an ordeal."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of Shoghi Effendi]] to an individual believer, July 23, 1953, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:943|943]])

===Disease of Two Kinds--Madness Can Be Cured Through Prayer===

"Disease is of two kinds: material and spiritual. Take for instance, a cut hand; if you pray for the cut to be healed and do not stop its bleeding, you will not do much good; a material remedy is needed.

"Sometimes if the nervous system is paralysed through fear, a spiritual remedy is necessary. Madness, incurable otherwise, can be cured through prayer. It often happens that sorrow makes one ill; this can be cured by spiritual means."

:([['Abdu'l-Bahá]] in London, Addresses and Notes of Conversations, 1982 ed., p. 65, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:949|949]])

===The Physician Has Two Powers===

"O thou distinguished physician!... Praise be to God that thou hast two powers: one to undertake physical healing and the other spiritual healing. Matters related to man's spirit have a great effect on his bodily condition. For instance, thou shouldst impart gladness to thy patient, give him comfort and joy, and bring him to ecstasy and exultation. How often hath it occurred that this hath caused early recovery. Therefore, treat thou the sick with both powers. Spiritual feelings have a surprising effect on healing nervous ailments."

:([['Abdu'l-Bahá]]: ''[[Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá]]'', pp. 150-151, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:963|963]])

==See also==
* [[Medicine]]
* [[physician]]

[[Category:Applied Material Sciences-Professions]]

Diet

2020-11-30T14:34:06Z

Ewiki:

==General recommendation for vegetarian diet==

===Vegetarian diet recommended (though not binding on believers)===

"Regarding the eating of animal flesh and abstinence therefrom, know thou of a certainty that, in the beginning of creation, God determined the food of every living being, and to eat contrary to that determination is not approved....Even without eating meat he would live with the utmost vigour and energy. For example, the community of the Brahmins in India do not eat meat; notwithstanding this they are not inferior to other nations in strength, power, vigour, outward senses or intellectual virtues. Truly, the killing of animals and the eating of their meat is somewhat contrary to pity and compassion, and if one can content oneself with cereals, fruit, oil and nuts, such as pistachios, almonds and so on, it would undoubtedly be better and more pleasing."

: ([['Abdu'l-Bahá]], from a Tablet - translated from the Persian; ''[[Health, Healing, and Nutrition]]'', no. [https://bahai-library.com/compilation_health_healing_nutrition#17 17])

===Simple Vegetarian Diet Preferable to Eating Meat, but a Very Controversial Question===

"In regard to the question as to whether people ought to kill animals for food or not, there is no explicit statement in the Baha'i Sacred Scriptures (as far as I know) in favour or against it. It is certain, however, that if man can live on a purely vegetarian diet and thus avoid killing animals, it would be much preferable. This is, however, a very controversial question and the Baha'is are free to express their views on it."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of Shoghi Effendi]] to an individual believer, July 9, 1931; quoted in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1010|1010]])

===Food of the future===

3."What will be the food of the future?" "Fruit and grains. The time will come when meat will no longer be eaten. Medical science is only in its infancy, yet it has shown that our natural diet is that which grows out of the ground. The people will gradually develop up to the condition of this natural food."

:('Abdu'l-Bahá, cited in Julia M. Grundy. "Ten Days in the Light of 'Akka", rev. ed. (Wilmette: Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1979), pp. 8-9; ''[[Health, Healing, and Nutrition]]'', no. [https://bahai-library.com/compilation_health_healing_nutrition#41 41])

"'Abdu'l-Bahá has indicated that in the future human beings will be vegetarians, but abstention from eating meat is not a law of this Dispensation. The laws of God are attuned to the needs and possibilities of each age."

:(The Universal House of Justice, 1998 Dec 16, ''[[Traditional African Culture, Aspects of|Traditional Aspects of African Culture]]'', no. [https://bahai-library.com/compilation_traditional_african_culture#26 26])

"Question: What will be the food of the united people?

"Answer: As humanity progresses, meat will be used less and less, for the teeth of man are not carnivorous. For example, the lion is endowed with carnivorous teeth which are intended for meat and if meat be not found, the lion starves. The lion cannot graze; its teeth are of different shape. The formation of the lion's stomach is such that it cannot receive nourishment save through meat. The eagle has a crooked beak; the lower part shorter than the upper. Were it to try to pick up grain it would find it impossible; were it to try to graze, it would fail. Therefore it is compelled to partake of meat. But the domestic animals, the cow, horse, donkey, sheep, etc., have herbivorous teeth formed to cut grass which is their fodder. The human teeth, the molars, are formed to grind grain. The front teeth, the incisors, are for fruits, etc. It is therefore quite apparent, according to the implements for eating, man's food is intended to be grain and not meat. When mankind is more fully developed the eating of meat will gradually cease."

:('Abdu'l-Bahá, ''[[Star of the West]]'', Vol. 3, Issue 10, p. [[text:Star of the West/Volume 3/Issue 10/Text#pg29|29]])

===Vegetarianism encouraged but circumstances may make it difficult (e.g., for the indigenous of the Arctic)===

Your concern for the prevention of cruelty to animals and for restraint in exploiting them unduly for food and other purposes is indeed praiseworthy. As the laws brought by Bahá’u’lláh become known and operative throughout the world, we believe that humanity will find the proper balance in adjusting itself to nature and to the world of animals. As in so many other areas, the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh in this regard follow the golden mean: kindness toward animals is definitely upheld, vegetarianism is encouraged, hunting is regulated, but certain latitude is left to individual conscience and in practical regard to the diversity of circumstances under which human beings live. For example, the indigenous peoples of the Arctic would be hard-pressed to subsist without recourse to animal products.

:([[Universal House of Justice]], 29 June 1995, to an individual believer; cited at http://www.bahaiquotes.com/quotepage.php?Quotes%2FAnimals+-+Cruelty )

==By protagonist==

===For infants===

* [[Breast-feeding]]

==Specific recommended foods==

*1. cereals ([[#no1|1]], [[#no2|2]])
*2. grains ([[#no1|1]], [[#no3|3]], [[#no4|4]])

*3. fruits ([[#no1|1]], [[#no2|2]], [[#no3|3]], [[#no4|4]])
*4. vegetables ([[#no2|2]])

*5. nuts ([[#no1|1]]), such as "pistachios" ([[#no1|1]]) or "almonds" ([[#no1|1]], [[#no2|2]])
*6. oils ([[#no1|1]])

(The diet here ''suggested'' in the Baha'i Writings seems to be not only vegeterian but vegan since dairy products are not presented as examples. However, again, no such diet is binding on believers.)

<div id="no1"></div>1. "But now coming to man, we see he hath neither hooked teeth nor sharp nails or claws, nor teeth like iron sickles. From this it becometh evident and manifest that the food of man is cereals and fruit. Some of the teeth of man are like millstones to grind the grain, and some are sharp to cut the fruit. Therefore he is not in need of meat, nor is he obliged to eat it. Even without eating meat he would live with the utmost vigour and energy. For example, the community of the Brahmins in India do not eat meat; notwithstanding this they are not inferior to other nations in strength, power, vigour, outward senses or intellectual virtues. Truly, the killing of animals and the eating of their meat is somewhat contrary to pity and compassion, and if one can content oneself with cereals, fruit, oil and nuts, such as pistachios, almonds and so on, it would undoubtedly be better and more pleasing."
: ([['Abdu'l-Bahá]], from a Tablet - translated from the Persian; ''[[Health, Healing, and Nutrition]]'', no. [https://bahai-library.com/compilation_health_healing_nutrition#17 17])

<div id="no2"></div>2. "Thou hast written regarding the four canine teeth in man, saying that these teeth, two in the upper jaw and two in the lower, are for the purpose of eating meat. Know thou that these four teeth are not created for meat-eating, although one can eat meat with them. All the teeth of man are made for eating fruit, cereals and vegetables. These four teeth, however, are designed for breaking hard shells, such as those of almonds. But eating meat is not forbidden or unlawful, nay, the point is this, that it is possible for man to live without eating meat and still be strong. Meat is nourishing and containeth the elements of herbs, seeds and fruits; therefore sometimes it is essential for the sick and for the rehabilitation of health. There is no objection in the Law of God to the eating of meat if it is required. So if thy constitution is rather weak and thou findest meat useful, thou mayest eat it."
: ('Abdu'l-Bahá, from a Tablet - translated from the Persian; ''[[Health, Healing, and Nutrition]]'', no. [https://bahai-library.com/compilation_health_healing_nutrition#18 18])

<div id="no3"></div>3."What will be the food of the future?" "Fruit and grains. The time will come when meat will no longer be eaten. Medical science is only in its infancy, yet it has shown that our natural diet is that which grows out of the ground. The people will gradually develop up to the condition of this natural food."
: ('Abdu'l-Bahá, cited in Julia M. Grundy. "Ten Days in the Light of 'Akka", rev. ed. (Wilmette: Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1979), pp. 8-9; ''[[Health, Healing, and Nutrition]]'', no. [https://bahai-library.com/compilation_health_healing_nutrition#41 41])

<div id="no4"></div>4. "Question: What will be the food of the united people?

"Answer: As humanity progresses, meat will be used less and less, for the teeth of man are not carnivorous. For example, the lion is endowed with carnivorous teeth which are intended for meat and if meat be not found, the lion starves. The lion cannot graze; its teeth are of different shape. The formation of the lion's stomach is such that it cannot receive nourishment save through meat. The eagle has a crooked beak; the lower part shorter than the upper. Were it to try to pick up grain it would find it impossible; were it to try to graze, it would fail. Therefore it is compelled to partake of meat. But the domestic animals, the cow, horse, donkey, sheep, etc., have herbivorous teeth formed to cut grass which is their fodder. The human teeth, the molars, are formed to grind grain. The front teeth, the incisors, are for fruits, etc. It is therefore quite apparent, according to the implements for eating, man's food is intended to be grain and not meat. When mankind is more fully developed the eating of meat will gradually cease."

:('Abdu'l-Bahá, ''[[Star of the West]]'', Vol. 3, Issue 10, p. [[text:Star of the West/Volume 3/Issue 10/Text#pg29|29]])

==Non-forbidden foods (meat)==

===Meat not forbidden (especially for the weak in constitution)===

<div id="nff-no1"></div>1. "Say: O concourse of priests and monks! Eat ye of that which God hath made lawful unto you and do not shun meat. God hath, as a token of His grace, granted you leave to partake thereof save during a brief period. He, verily, is the Mighty, the Beneficent. Forsake all that ye possess and hold fast unto that which God hath purposed. This is that which profiteth you, if ye be of them that comprehend. We have ordained a fast of nineteen days in the most temperate of the seasons, and have in this resplendent and luminous Dispensation relieved you from more than this. Thus have We set forth and made clear unto you that which ye are bidden to observe, that ye may follow the commandments of God and be united in that which the Almighty, the All-Wise, hath appointed unto you."

:([[Bahá'u'lláh]], ''[[Summons of the Lord of Hosts]]'', [[Súriy-i-Haykal]], par. [[slh:h154|154]])

<div id="nff-no2"></div>2. "But eating meat is not forbidden or unlawful, nay, the point is this, that it is possible for man to live without eating meat and still be strong. Meat is nourishing and containeth the elements of herbs, seeds and fruits; therefore sometimes it is essential for the sick and for the rehabilitation of health. There is no objection in the Law of God to the eating of meat if it is required. So if thy constitution is rather weak and thou findest meat useful, thou mayest eat it."

:([['Abdu'l-Bahá]], Tablet translated from the Persian, compilation on ''[[Health, Healing, and Nutrition]]'', no. [https://bahai-library.com/compilation_health_healing_nutrition#18 18])

<div id="nff-no3"></div>3. "...nor is it forbidden to eat meat."

:(In a letter written [[on behalf of Shoghi Effendi]], 18 December 1945 to an individual believer, compilation on ''[[Health, Healing, and Nutrition]]'', no. [https://bahai-library.com/compilation_health_healing_nutrition#61 61])

<div id="nff-no4"></div>4. "The truth is that it is not befitting for man to be carnivorous. However, man has accustomed himself to such a life and now it has become routine and acceptable. That is why its prohibition is not advisable at present."

:([[Pilgrim's note]], attributed to 'Abdu'l-Bahá, in response to an oral inquiry of an English believer about the "Society of Vegetarians", Memories of Nine Years in 'Akka, p. 274)

===Pork is not forbidden===
<div id="pnf-no1"></div>1. "The eating of pork is not forbidden in the Baha'i Teachings."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of Shoghi Effendi]] to an individual believer, March 27, 1938; quoted in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1012|1012]]; also in ''[[Dawn of a New Day]]'', p. [[dnd:201|201]])

==In past Dispensations==

===In cycle of Abraham, camel meat was allowed, but in time of Jacob, it was prohibited===

"Other laws formerly valid were annulled during the time of Moses. For example, it was lawful in Abraham's cycle to eat the flesh of the camel, but during the time of Jacob this was prohibited. Such changes and transformations in the teaching of religion are applicable to the ordinary conditions of life, but they are not important or essential."

:([['Abdu'l-Bahá]], ''[[Promulgation of Universal Peace]]'', p. [[pup:365|365]])

===Response to question about Manifestations variably allowing or forbidding beef or pork: reason is that each age differs, and the Manifestation has the authority to completely alter past laws===

"Another of his questions is this: “Among the Manifestations of the past one hath, in His time, allowed the eating of beef while another hath forbidden it; one hath permitted the eating of pork whereas another hath proscribed it. Thus do their ordinances differ. I entreat the True One, exalted be His name, to graciously specify the appropriate religious prohibitions.”

"A direct reply and detailed explanation of this matter would have overstepped the bounds of wisdom, inasmuch as people of diverse faiths associate with the distinguished Sáhib and a direct reply would have contravened the laws of Islam. The answer was therefore sent down from the heaven of the Divine Will in an implicit manner. Indeed the statement in the first passage where He saith: “The All-Knowing Physician hath His finger on the pulse of mankind” was, and remaineth, the answer to his question. He further saith: “Be anxiously concerned with the needs of the age ye live in, and centre your deliberations on its exigencies and requirements.” That is, fix your gaze upon the commandments of God, for whatsoever He should ordain in this day and pronounce as lawful is indeed lawful and representeth the very truth. It is incumbent upon all to turn their gaze towards the Cause of God and to observe that which hath dawned above the horizon of His Will, since it is through the potency of His name that the banner of "He doeth what He willeth” hath been unfurled and the standard of "He ordaineth what He pleaseth” hath been raised aloft. For instance, were He to pronounce water itself to be unlawful, it would indeed become unlawful, and the converse holdeth equally true. For upon no thing hath it been inscribed “this is lawful” or “this is unlawful”; nay rather, whatsoever hath been or will be revealed is by virtue of the Word of God, exalted be His glory.

"These matters are sufficiently clear and require no further elaboration. Even so, certain groups believe that all the ordinances current amongst them are unalterable, that they have ever been valid, and that they will forever remain so. Consider a further passage, glorified and exalted be He: “These words are being uttered in due measure, that the newly born may thrive and the tender shoot flourish. Milk must be given in suitable proportion, that the children of the world may attain to the station of maturity and abide in the court of oneness.”16 For instance, some believe that wine hath ever been and shall remain forbidden. Now, were one to inform them that it might one day be made lawful, they would arise in protest and opposition. In truth, the people of the world have yet not grasped the meaning of "He doeth whatsoever He willeth”, nor have they comprehended the significance of Supreme Infallibility. The suckling child must be nourished with milk. If it be given meat it will assuredly perish, and this would be naught but sheer injustice and unwisdom. Blessed are they that understand. Supreme Infallibility, as I once heard from His blessed lips, is reserved exclusively to the Manifestations of the Cause of God and the Exponents of His Revelation. This matter is mentioned but briefly, for time is short and as scarce as the legendary phoenix."

:([[Bahá'u'lláh]], ''[[Tabernacle of Unity]]'', par. [https://bahai-library.com/bahaullah_tabernacle_unity#par2.30 2.30]-2.32)

==[[Diet in public discussions]]==

==Todos for this page==
* Incorporate other items from https://bahai-library.com/uhj_lawh_tibb

==See also==
* [[Nutrition]]
* [[Food]]
* [[Alcohol]] (forbidden)
* [[Saying grace]]
* [[Kindness to animals]]
* [[Hunting]]

[[Category:Applied Material Sciences-Professions]]

Alcohol

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Ewiki:

== Compilations ==
* [https://bahai-library.com/compilation_prohibition_drinking_alcohol Prohibition on Drinking Alcohol]

== Letters from the Universal House of Justice==
* https://bahai-library.com/uhj_prohibition_alcohol

==Wine has advantages, but its disadvantages outweigh its advantages==

"They ask thee concerning wine and gambling. Say: "In them is great sin, and some profit, for men; but the sin is greater than the profit.""

:([[Qur'án]], 2:219)

==Avoid atmosphere with much drinking==

* See [[Cultural-Entertainment Centers/Halls]].

==From ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'' (uncategorized)==
===The Renouncing of Tobacco, Alcohol and Opium--Purity and Sanctity Should Distinguish the People of Bahá===

"O ye, God's loved ones! Experience hath shown how greatly the renouncing of smoking, of intoxicating drink, and of opium, conduceth to health and vigour, to the expansion and keenness of the mind and to bodily strength. There is today a people[+F1 (Possibly Abdu'l-Bahá was referring to the Sikhs)] who strictly avoid tobacco, intoxicating liquor and opium. This people is far and away superior to the others, for strength and physical courage, for health, beauty and comeliness. A single one of their men can stand up to ten men of another tribe. This hath proved true of the entire people: that is, member for member, each individual of this community is in every respect superior to the individuals of other communities.

"Make ye then a mighty effort, that the purity and sanctity which, above all else, are cherished by Abdu'l-Bahá, shall distinguish the people of Bahá; that in every kind of excellence the people of God shall surpass all other human beings; that both outwardly and inwardly they shall prove superior to the rest; that for purity, immaculacy, refinement, and the preservation of health, they shall be leaders in the vanguard of those who know. And that by their freedom from enslavement, their knowledge, their self-control, they shall be first among the pure, the free and the wise."

:([['Abdu'l-Bahá]]: ''[[Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá]]'', p. 150, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1188|1188]])

===Both Light and Strong Drinks Prohibited Unless Prescribed by a Doctor===

"Regarding the use of liquor: According to the text of the Book of Aqdas, both light and strong drinks are prohibited. The reason for this prohibition is that alcohol leadeth the mind astray and causeth the weakening of the body. If alcohol were beneficial, it would have been brought into the world by the divine creation and not by the effort of man. Whatever is beneficial for man existeth in creation. Now it hath been proved and is established medically and scientifically that liquor is harmful.

"As to the meaning of that which is written in the Tablets: 'I have chosen for thee whatsoever is in the heaven and the earth', this signifieth those things which are in accordance with the divine purpose and not the things which are harmful. For instance, one of the existing things is poison. Can we say that poison must be used as it hath been created by God? Nevertheless, intoxicating liquor, if prescribed by a physician for the patient and if its use is absolutely necessary, then it is permissible.

"In brief, I hope that thou mayest become inebriated with the wine of the love of God, find eternal bliss and receive inexhaustible joy and happiness. All wine hath depression as an after effect, except the wine of the Love of God."

:(From a Tablet of Abdu'l-Bahá to an individual believer, translated from the Persian: Prohibition of Intoxicating Drinks, A Compilation, April 1979, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1171|1171]])

===In the Kitab-i-Aqdas It is Forbidden to Take Anything that Deranges the Mind===

"With regard to your first question on alcohol and drinking, Bahá'u'lláh, fully aware of the great misery that it brings about, prohibits it as He expressly states that everything that takes away the mind, or in other words makes one drunk, is forbidden."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of Shoghi Effendi]] to an individual believer, February 15, 1926: Prohibition of Intoxicating Drinks, A Compilation, April 1979, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1172|1172]])

===Drinking Forbidden, No Excuse to Touch It Even in Plum Pudding===

"Under no circumstances should Bahá'ís drink. It is so unambiguously forbidden in the Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh that there is no excuse for them even touching it in the form of a toast, or in a burning plum pudding; in fact, in any way."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of the Guardian]] to an individual believer, March 3, 1957: Cited in a letter from the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of Ecuador, December 21, 1972, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1173|1173]])

===Cake Flavours and Extracts===

"You ask whether it is permissible for the friends to use cake flavours, such as vanilla, lemon and rum flavoured extracts, as such flavours have a certain percentage of alcohol in them, and whether Bahá'ís may work in factories manufacturing such extracts.

"We have found no texts prohibiting the friends from using flavoured extracts in their food. This may be a matter for later legislation by the Universal House of Justice but for the time being the friends should be left free to do as they choose. The same principle applies to those who are employed in factories manufacturing such extracts."

:(From a letter of the [[Universal House of Justice]] to an individual believer, April 7, 1974, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1174|1174]])

===Strictly Prohibited Foods Flavoured with Alcoholic Liquors===

"With reference to your question whether those foods which have been flavoured with alcoholic liquors such as brandy, rum, etc., should be classified under the same category as the intoxicating drinks, and consequently be avoided by believers, the Guardian wishes all the friends to know that such foods, or beverages, are strictly prohibited."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of the Guardian]] to an individual believer, January 9, 1939, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1175|1175]])

===Alcohol for Home Remedies, No Instruction Allowing Its Use===

"Although it is clear from the teachings that the use of alcohol is permitted if it is prescribed by a physician for treatment purposes, we have not been able to find any instructions which permit its use in the preparation of home remedies for common illnesses."

:(From a letter of the [[Universal House of Justice]] to the National Spiritual Assembly of Ecuador, December 21, 1973, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1176|1176]])

===The Serving of Alcoholic Drinks by Bahá'ís and Bahá'í Institutions===

"In response to questions raised on the permissibility of serving alcoholic drinks in a number of different circumstances, the Universal House of Justice has formulated the following guidelines.

"The fact that Bahá'ís themselves must not drink alcohol is abundantly clear and needs no comment here. With regard to the serving of alcohol to non-Bahá'ís:

1. No Bahá'í institution should serve alcohol to non-Bahá'ís under any circumstances.

2. If an individual Bahá'í is entertaining an individual guest or a small group of guests as an official representative of the Bahá'í community, he should not serve alcohol in his own home, but must use his discretion whether or not to do so if the entertaining is taking place in a restaurant.

3. No Bahá'í should serve alcohol at any function or reception given by him, such as a wedding reception or a party to which a number of people are invited.

4. When a Bahá'í is privately entertaining an individual non-Bahá'í or a small group of guests in his own home, he must himself judge whether or not to serve alcohol. This will depend to a great degree on the customs of the country in which he is living, the individuals concerned, and the host's relationship to his guests. Obviously it is better for the Bahá'í not to serve alcohol if possible, but against this he must weigh the probable reaction of the guest in the circumstances which prevail and in the particular situation. In some countries there would be no problem in failing to provide alcohol to a guest; in others it would be regarded as extremely peculiar and anti-social and would immediately raise a barrier to further contact. It is not desirable to make a major issue of the matter.

5. When such private entertaining of an individual or small group of non-Bahá'ís is taking place in a restaurant the same general principles as in point 4 above apply, except that in such a public place a failure to provide alcoholic drinks would be less easily understood than in a private home, and the Bahá'í must use his discretion accordingly.

6. Alcohol must not be served in a restaurant or other business which is wholly owned by Bahá'ís.

7. If a Bahá'í is employed by others in a job which involves the serving of alcohol, he is not obliged to change that employment. This is a matter left to each individual to decide in the light of his own conscience. Obviously such kinds of employment vary widely from bartending to serving in a grocery in which wine is retailed. If the job requires a great deal of involvement with the serving of alcohol it is better for the Bahá'í to obtain other employment if he can."

:(Guidelines prepared by the Universal House of Justice, The Serving of Alcoholic Drinks by Bahá'ís and Bahá'í Institutions, attached to a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, January 31, 1982, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1177|1177]])

===A Business Partnership Between a Bahá'í and Non-Bahá'ís===

"Since no explicit text or instruction of the beloved Guardian has been found on such a situation, i.e., the sale of alcoholic beverages by a business in which a Bahá'í is a partner with non-Bahá'ís, the House of Justice feels that no hard and fast rules should be drawn at the present time. This is a matter which needs to be decided in each case in the light of the spirit of the teachings and the circumstances of the case and, unless the situation is endangering the good name of the Faith, it should be left to the conscience of the believer concerned who should, of course, make every effort to dissociate himself from such an activity."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of the Universal House of Justice]] to the National Spiritual Assembly of India, October 10, 1983, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1178|1178]])

===Assembly's Role Toward Those Who Continue to Drink===

"As to those believers who continue to drink, they should be lovingly exhorted, then firmly warned and eventually deprived of their voting rights. The number of times a person is exhorted and warned is a matter left to the discretion of each Local Spiritual Assembly, in consultation with the National Spiritual Assembly. The policy you adopt should not be one of removing the administrative rights of the believers in a bureaucratic and automatic way, as this would be unwise and unjust. Your Assembly as well as all Local Spiritual Assemblies should courageously and continuously remind the friends of their obligation in this respect, handle firmly all flagrant cases, and use such cases in a way that, by force of example, they exert their influence upon the other believers. It must be made clear to the Local Assemblies that they should be willing to cooperate with the believers affected by such drinking habits, when any such believer promises gradually and systematically to reduce his drinking with the objective in mind of entirely abandoning this habit."

:(From a letter of the [[Universal House of Justice]] to the National Spiritual Assembly of South and West Africa, November 12, 1965, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1179|1179]])

===Alcoholism and Alcoholics Anonymous===

"With regard to the problem of alcoholism, which is indeed a terrible scourge to mankind, it must never become a source of disunity among believers. Bahá'u'lláh's principle, in case of sickness, is to consult the best physician you can, follow his advice, and pray. If, therefore, you have consulted Alcoholics Anonymous, this should be your procedure. If, however, you are not satisfied with them, you are entirely free to consult someone else. But the same principle would apply. Do what the doctor (or expert) says, and pray."

:(From a letter of the [[Universal House of Justice]], July 14, 1963, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1180|1180]])

===Bahá'í Advertising Agent Should Use Wisdom in Avoiding the Promotion of Intoxicating Drinks===

"The House of Justice ... points out that, as far as advertising is concerned, the Bahá'í must use wisdom in deciding what is allowable and what is not. For example, while the issuing of an advertisement specifically for wines would seem to be inadmissible, there would be no objection to a Bahá'í advertising agent's issuing an advertisement listing the prices of goods on sale at a supermarket even if wines and spirits are included on it. It is, thus, a matter of emphasis and wisdom. Primarily the House of Justice wishes the decision in such matters to be left to the judgement of the individual concerned, but where there is any doubt, or where the National Spiritual Assembly feels that the good name of the Faith is being injured, the Assembly should, of course, be consulted and could decide in specific instances.

"In view of the requirements of his conscience in light of Bahá'í law, a Bahá'í advertising agent might be well advised to include a clause in any contract he signs in which difficulties of this nature might arise, protecting his right to demur."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of the Universal House of Justice]] to an individual believer, December 20, 1977: Prohibition of Intoxicating Drinks, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1181|1181]])

===The Right of the Non-Bahá'í Parent--The Serving of Champagne===

"The future christening of the child should present no problem, for the Bahá'í parent should have no objection to the baptism of his child if the Catholic mother wishes it. Similarly, the use of champagne upon that occasion is a matter which she is free to undertake, but of course the Bahá'ís would not partake of alcoholic beverages."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of the Universal House of Justice]] to a National Spiritual Assembly, December 7, 1977: Prohibition of Intoxicating Drinks, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1182|1182]])

==See also==
* [[Intoxicating substances]]
* [[Wine]]

==Todos for this page==
* https://bahai-library.com/compilation_traditional_african_culture#s4b

[[Category:Applied Material Sciences-Professions]]

Vaccination

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Ewiki:

==Compilations==
* https://bahai-library.com/compilation_vaccination_us-nsa

==Nothing in the teachings about vaccination==

"Regarding your question about vaccination: These are technical matters which have not been specifically mentioned in the teachings, and consequently the Guardian cannot make any statement about them. No doubt medical science will progress tremendously as time goes by, and the treatment of disease become more perfect."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of the Guardian]] to an individual believer, December 24, 1943: Bahá'í News, No. 173, p. 3, February 1945, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:992|992]]; also in ''[[Directives from the Guardian]]'', no. 212, p. [[dg:80|80]])

[[Category:Applied Material Sciences-Professions]]

Suicide

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Ewiki:

==Suicide strongly condemned, though does not make one cease to be a Bahá'í==

"Regarding the 'In Memoriam' section of 'Bahá'í News': Although suicide is so strongly condemned in the teachings, it does not mean that a person has ceased to be a Bahá'í because he killed himself; he should, therefore, be mentioned, the same as other believers, in this section."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of Shoghi Effendi]] to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada, March 29, 1945, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:674|674]])

==Suicide is forbidden as only God can take life away and doing so endangers the soul==

"Suicide is forbidden in the Cause. God Who is the Author of all life can alone take it away, and dispose of it in the way He deems best. Whoever commits suicide endangers his soul, and will suffer spiritually as a result in the other Worlds Beyond."

:(From a letter written on behalf of [[Shoghi Effendi]] to an individual believer, August 25, 1939, also in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1200|1200]])

==Nabil's suicide was out of overwhelming love==

"Nabil's suicide was not insanity but love. He loved Baha'u'llah too much to go on in a world that no longer held Him."

:(On behalf of [[Shoghi Effendi]], ''[[Unfolding Destiny]]'', p. [[ud:406|406]])

==Consolation for the bereaved==

===Consolation for the bereaved parent (development will continue in the next world)===

"...He was very sad to hear of your sadness and difficulties. Should that be only due to the passing of your son, it is not fully justified, at least in the light of the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh. He explicitly states that, had we the vision to see the other world, and the mind to conceive its glory, we would not desire to remain here even for a moment. Man is destined by God to undergo a spiritual development that extends throughout eternity. His life upon this earth is only the first stage of that development. When we outgrow our physical form, and are considered by God ready to reap the fruit of our spiritual development, we proceed to the other world. We term it death only because of our shortsightedness. A more proper term would be 'a more abundant life'. It is a forward step we have taken. In the light of the teachings, therefore, the proper attitude for you, is to pray that God may encompass your son with His infinite blessings, that He may enhance his development and give him that felicity which awaits every ... soul.

"...the world is full of suffering. Bahá'u'lláh tells us that the deeper are the furrows it digs into our very being, the greater will be the fruit of our life and the more enhanced our spiritual development. All the Saints that shine in the history of society had to pass through tribulations. Their form was various but their effect has always been the same, namely, the purification of our heart and soul for receiving the light of God."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of Shoghi Effendi]] to an individual believer, December 9, 1931, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:678|678]])

===Other references===

* SWA, sec. [[swabs:170|170]]; also quoted in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', p. [[log:602|602]]; (consolation to widow of one who committed suicide)
* https://bahai-library.com/writings/shoghieffendi/ldg/vol2/sec-108.html (prayer for mother whose son "so tragically" took his life)
* ESW, p. [[esw:108|108]], [[esw:111|111]] (quoted also in https://bahai-library.com/study/esw.taherzadeh.html) (ends with prayer for forgiveness of a believer who committed suicide)
* https://bahai-library.com/faizi_adrianople_akka (section II) (after believer who had attempted suicide was treated, Bahá'u'lláh "promised him that he would eventually attain his heart's desire, and exhorted him not to be sad. He must be patient, fix his gaze upon God, feel happy and abide by His Will.")

==From ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'' (to subcategorize or add to other pages)==

===The Light Manifested by Bahá'u'lláh Can Ease Despair of Young People===

"It is too bad that young and promising men, who if they remain living can render great services to humanity, should take away their life at a moment of despair.

"The world, especially in these days, is full of woes and sufferings. We should be brave and have a stout heart. Trials and tribulations should arouse in us added vigour and greater determination and not dampen our zeal and kill our spirit."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of Shoghi Effendi]] to an individual believer, March 12, 1933, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:675|675]])

===Bahá'ís Are Free to Pray for the Dead===

"A Bahá'í is certainly free to pray for those who have passed on regardless of the cause of their death, using the words of any of the prayers of his choice which have been revealed through the bounty of God. The manner in which the Supreme Being, in His justice as well as in His mercy, will deal with every individual soul is a mystery unknown to us on this earthly plane."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of the Universal House of Justice]] to an individual believer, December 21, 1978, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:676|676]])

===One Should Put All Thought of Suicide and Death Out of Mind===

"In reply to your letter of 1st May 1979, the Universal House of Justice has instructed us to share with you the following excerpt from a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi by his secretary to a believer who asked about suicide.

'Suicide is forbidden in the Cause. God Who is the Author of all life can alone take it away, and dispose of it in the way He deems best. Whoever commits suicide endangers his soul, and will suffer spiritually as a result in the other Worlds Beyond.'

"The House of Justice admonishes you to put all thought of suicide and death out of your mind and concentrate on prayer and effort to serve the Cause of Bahá'u'lláh."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of the Universal House of Justice]] to an individual believer, June 7, 1979, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:677|677]])

==Todos for this page==

*Include the following authoritative sources:
** GPB, p. [[gpb:180|180]] (believer prevented from committing suicide)
* Find sources for points mentioned at https://bahai-library.com/suicide_bahai_faith

==See also==
* [[Euthanasia]]

[[Category:Applied Material Sciences-Professions]]

Euthanasia

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Ewiki:

==Normally God alone can dispense with life, but the Universal of Justice will legislate on it in the future and this is currently left to the consciences of those responsible==

"As to the questions relating to euthanasia ... the House of Justice has asked us to share with you these two statements...

'As to the Baha'i viewpoint on the removal or withholding of life support in medical cases where intervention prolongs life in disabling illnesses, nothing has been found in the Sacred Text specifically on this matter. In such cases decisions must be left to those responsible, including the patient.'

:(From a letter dated 31st May 1979 written on behalf of the [[Universal House of Justice]] to an individual believer)

'We have received your letter of March 18, 1974 in which you ask for the Baha'i viewpoint on euthanasia and on the removal of life support in medical cases where physiological interventions prolong life in disabling illnesses. In general our teachings indicate that God, the Giver of life, can alone dispose of it as He deems best, and we have found nothing in the Sacred Text on these matters specifically but in a letter to an individual written on behalf of the beloved Guardian by his secretary regarding mercy killings, or legalized euthanasia, it is stated:

"...this is also a matter which the Universal House of Justice will have to legislate."

'Until such time as the Universal House of Justice considers legislation on euthanasia, decisions in the matters to which you refer must be left to the consciences of those responsible.'"

:(From a letter dated 17 May 1974 from the [[Universal House of Justice]] to the National Spiritual Assembly of Alaska; last selection also in a letter written [[on behalf of the Universal House of Justice]] to the compiler, October 27, 1981, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:985|985]])

==See also==
* [[Life support]]
* [[Suicide]]

[[Category:Applied Material Sciences-Professions]]

Organ transplantation and donation

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Ewiki:

==Nothing specific found in the writings on transplant of organs or regarding time of death==

"We have your letter of September 13, 1968, making inquiry about instructions which may apply to organ transplants such as the heart or kidney.

"On 18 September, 1968, we wrote to the National Spiritual Assembly of Argentina as follows:

'We have not come across anything specific in the writings on transplants of hearts and other organs or regarding the time of death, and the Universal House of Justice does not wish to make any statements on these points at this time.'"

:(From a letter of the [[Universal House of Justice]] to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, September 23, 1968, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:983|983]])

==Organ donation not forbidden and a noble thing to do==

"In reply to your letter of October 1st inquiring about organ transplants and Bahá'ís acting as donors for parts of the body, we refer you first of all to our letter of March 3rd 1967 in which we quoted to you a passage from one of the beloved Guardian's letters on this subject.

"We are also able to give you the following from a letter of the beloved Guardian by his secretary: 'There is nothing in the teachings which would forbid a Bahá'í to bequeath his eyes to another person or for a hospital; on the contrary it seems a noble thing to do.' This passage is from a letter dated September 6th 1946.

"The House of Justice does not wish at the present time to go beyond the elucidation contained in the above statements."

:(From a letter of the [[Universal House of Justice]] to the National Spiritual Assembly of the British Isles, October 16, 1969, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:984|984]])

[[Category:Applied Material Sciences-Professions]]

Psychiatry

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Ewiki:

==Nothing in teachings about Freud; psychiatry important to medicine but still growing; should turn to psychiatry when advisable though not always right==

"There is nothing in our teachings about Freud and his method. Psychiatric treatment in general is no doubt an important contribution to medicine, but we must believe it is still a growing rather than a perfected science. As Bahá'u'lláh has urged us to avail ourselves of the help of good physicians Bahá'ís are certainly not only free to turn to psychiatry for assistance but should, when advisable, do so. This does not mean psychiatrists are always wise or always right, it means we are free to avail ourselves of the best medicine has to offer us."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of the Guardian]] to the National Spiritual Assembly of the British Isles, June 15, 1950, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:957|957]])

==No Objection to One Seeing a Psychiatrist==

"As regards your seeing a psychiatrist: There is no objection to your trying this form of treatment if your physician recommends it, and any intelligent doctor would never be prejudiced against the Faith through the difficulties incurred by a patient due to illness.

"There is no object in over-taxing your will power and strength by forcing yourself to do things for the Cause. You should let your mind rest in the thought of the infinite love, mercy and forgiveness of Bahá'u'lláh, and cease to fret about whether you are or are not doing your share until you fully recover your health--and evidently you already are on the road to recovery!"

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of Shoghi Effendi]] to an individual believer, March 26, 1945, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:951|951]])

[[Category:Applied Material Sciences-Professions]]

Herbs

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Ewiki:

==Curative herbs with medicinal effects can be used==

"Regarding the use of traditional curative herbs, any herb known to have medicinal effects can surely be used by the friends, and those administering such medicaments should be left entirely free to carry out their profession. However, it must be borne in mind that this is different from traditional fetishist practices which involve communication with departed spirits."

:([[On behalf of the Universal House of Justice]] to a National Spiritual Assembly, 23 December 1991, in ''[[Cultural Diversity in the Age of Maturity]]'', no. [https://bahai-library.com/?file=compilation_cultural_diversity_maturity#229 229])

==If medicine is necessary, use a single herb if possible==

"Treat disease first of all through diet, and refrain from medicine. If you can find what you need for healing in a single herb do not use a compound medicine. Leave off medicine when the health is good, and use it in case of necessity."

:([[Lawh-i-Tibb]], [https://bahai-library.com/resources/tablets-notes/lawh-tibb/uhj.html excerpts])

==Animals know by their sense of smell to find agreeable herbs which replenish their body's decreased constituents==

Observe how an animal will graze in a field where there are a hundred thousand kinds of herbs and grasses, and how, with its sense of smell, it snuffeth up the odours of the plants, and tasteth them with its sense of taste; then it consumeth whatever herb is pleasurable to these senses, and benefiteth therefrom. Were it not for this power of selectivity, the animals would all be dead in a single day; for there are a great many poisonous plants, and animals know nothing of the pharmacopoeia. And yet, observe what a reliable set of scales they have, by means of which to differentiate the good from the injurious. Whatever constituent of their body hath decreased, they can rehabilitate by seeking out and consuming some plant that hath an abundant store of that diminished element; and thus the equilibrium of their bodily components is re-established, and they are rid of their disease.

:([['Abdu'l-Bahá]], ''[[Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá]]'', sec. [[swabs:134|134]], p. [[swab:155|155]]-156)

[[Category:Applied Material Sciences-Professions]]

==See also==
* [[Drug dispensary]]

Zakát

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Variously also called charity, alms, alms-tax, or tithes (but in the original obligatory sense). Zakát is distinct from [[Huqúqu'lláh]] which has a greater emphasis, is presently binding, is wholly noncompulsory from the standpoint of the community yet is considered spiritually obligatory for Bahá'ís.

==Enjoined to purify means through Zakát (measure of assessment yet to be enjoined)==

"It hath been enjoined upon you to purify your means of sustenance and other such things through payment of Zakát. Thus hath it been prescribed in this exalted Tablet by Him Who is the Revealer of verses. We shall, if it be God's will and purpose, set forth erelong the measure of its assessment. He, verily, expoundeth whatsoever He desireth by virtue of His own knowledge, and He, of a truth, is Omniscient and All-Wise."

:([[Bahá'u'lláh]], ''[[Kitáb-i-Aqdas]]'', par. [[kap:146|146]])

::Summarized as "Tithes (Zakát)" under "Miscellaneous Laws and Ordinances" at [https://bahai-library.com/writings/bahaullah/aqdas/synopsis.html#IV.D.1.p IV.D.1.p]

==Zakát to follow that revealed in the Qur'án==

"In one of the Tablets He, exalted be His words, hath revealed: And in the matter of Zakát, We have likewise decreed that you should follow what hath been revealed in the Qur'án."

:([[Bahá'u'lláh]], ''[[Kitáb-i-Aqdas]]'', Question and Answers, no. [[kaq:107|107]])

* '''Zakát was a binding tax of fixed portions of certain categories income beyond specified limits to be used for charity and the Faith'''
* '''Limits of certain categories of income depended on the commodity (as earned through trade?); percentage assessed also varied by commodity'''
* '''Limits for exemption, the categories of income concerned, the frequency of payments, and the scale of rates for the various categories of Zakát to be set by the Universal House of Justice'''
* '''Believers to contribute to the Bahá'í Fund in the meantime'''

"Zakát is referred to in the Qur'án as a regular charity binding upon Muslims. In due course the concept evolved into a form of alms-tax which imposed the obligation to give a fixed portion of certain categories of income, beyond specified limits, for the relief of the poor, for various charitable purposes, and to aid the Faith of God. The limit of exemption varied for different commodities, as did the percentage payable on the portion assessable.

"Bahá'u'lláh states that the Bahá'í law of Zakát follows "what hath been revealed in the Qur'án" (Q and A [[kaq:107|107]]). Since such issues as the limits for exemption, the categories of income concerned, the frequency of payments, and the scale of rates for the various categories of Zakát are not mentioned in the Qur'án, these matters will have to be set forth in the future by the Universal House of Justice. Shoghi Effendi has indicated that pending such legislation the believers should, according to their means and possibilities, make regular contributions to the Bahá'í Fund."

:(''[[Kitáb-i-Aqdas]]'', Notes, no. [[kan:161|161]])

"In respect to tithes Bahá'u'lláh has ordained that what is prescribed in the Qur'án should be followed. In general the law imposes an obligation to give a portion of one's assets for the relief of the poor, for various other charitable purposes, and to aid the Faith of God. The details of the application of this law are left to the Universal House of Justice to decide in future, and the Guardian has stated that in the meantime the believers may contribute regularly and according to their means to the Bahá'í Fund."

:(''[[Synopsis and Codification of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas]]'' (original publication), note [https://bahai-library.com/bahaullah_synopsis_codification#note32 32])

==References in the Qur'án==

(variously translated as "charity" or "alms", etc.): (most fall into the category of being a prerequisite of a true believer and of obtaining a reward or avoiding punishment; a few mention it as an injunction of the Faith in previous Dispensations)

*2:[https://bahai-library.com/writings/quran/2.html#Paragraph%2083 83] (part of the Covenant to the Children of Israel)
*2:[https://bahai-library.com/writings/quran/2.html#Paragraph%20177 177] (among the aspects of being righteous, truthful, and of the God-fearing)
*2:[https://bahai-library.com/writings/quran/2.html#Paragraph%20277 277] (practicioners shall have a reward and no fear or grief)
*4:[https://bahai-library.com/writings/quran/4.html#Paragraph%2077 77] (a previous injunction)
*4:[https://bahai-library.com/writings/quran/4.html#Paragraph%20162 162] (among the actions to obtain a "mighty reward")
*9:[https://bahai-library.com/writings/quran/9.html#Paragraph%205 5], 9:[https://bahai-library.com/writings/quran/2.html#Paragraph%2011 11] (a prerequisite of repentance for idolaters not to be slain (outside of the months forbidding fighting))
*9:[https://bahai-library.com/writings/quran/9.html#Paragraph%2018 18] (Among the prerequisites for those (among the idolaters) wishing to maintain the mosques)
*22:[https://bahai-library.com/writings/quran/22.html#Paragraph%2078 78] (general injunction to observe Zakát)
*23:[https://bahai-library.com/writings/quran/23.html#Paragraph%204 4] (Those who pay are successful and will inherit Paradise) (see also v. 1 and 11)
*24:[https://bahai-library.com/writings/quran/24.html#Paragraph%2037 37] (will receive a best reward and increase of bounty without measure)
*24:[https://bahai-library.com/writings/quran/24.html#Paragraph%2056 56] (observe Zakát to be shown mercy)
*27:[https://bahai-library.com/writings/quran/27.html#Paragraph%203 3] (a delineation of what believers do)
*30:[https://bahai-library.com/writings/quran/30.html#Paragraph%2039 39] (those who give to Zakát (as opposed to gathering interest for the wealth of the people) will increase their wealth manifold)
*31:[https://bahai-library.com/writings/quran/31.html#Paragraph%204 4] (the Qur'án a guidance to those who believe and pay Zakát)
*33:[https://bahai-library.com/writings/quran/33.html#Paragraph%2033 33] (wives of the Prophet enjoined to pay Zakát (leading to purity))
*41:[https://bahai-library.com/writings/quran/41.html#Paragraph%207 7] (woe to the idolaters who do not give to Zakát or believe in the Herafter)
*98:[https://bahai-library.com/writings/quran/98.html#Paragraph%205 5] (a previous injunction as part of true belief; followers will have a reward; idolaters and people of the Book who reject to be in Hell-Fire)

==Among the laws not binding in the Western world (or anywhere?)==

* See https://bahai-library.com/uhj_laws_not_binding

==See also==
* [[Taxation]]
* [[Storehouse]]

[[Category:Islám]]

Zakát

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Lost property

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==Procedures to be taken upon the finding of lost property==

"Question: What procedure should be followed on the discovery of lost property?

"Answer: If such property be found in the town, its discovery is to be announced once by the town crier. If the owner of the property is then found, it should be delivered up to him. Otherwise, the finder of the property should wait one year, and if, during this period, the owner cometh to light, the finder should receive from him the crier's fee and restore to him his property; only if the year should pass without the owner's being identified may the finder take possession of the property himself. If the value of the property is less than or equal to the crier's fee, the finder should wait a single day from the time of its discovery, at the end of which, if the owner hath not come to light, he may himself appropriate it; and in the case of property discovered in an uninhabited area, the finder should observe a three days' wait, on the passing of which period, if the identity of the owner remain unknown, he is free to take possession of his find."

:([[Bahá'u'lláh]], ''[[Kitáb-i-Aqdas]]'', Question and Answer, no. [[kaq:17|17]])

::Summarized by Shoghi Effendi at [[syn:IV.D.1.t|IV.D.1.t]] under "Miscellaneous Laws and Ordinances" as "The finding of lost property"

==A possible outline of the above==
# Discovery (of an item is greater in value than the town crier's fee) to be announced once by the town crier
## If the owner is found, deliver it to him.
## If the owner is not found, a year should elapse.
### If the owner appears, the property should be restored (after paying a crier's fee)
### If the owner does not appear, the finder can take possession of it.
# For an item of less or equal value to the town crier's fee (found in a habited area), the discoverer must wait one day (after announcing it to the village anyways?).
## If the owner does not come to light, the discoverer can possess it.
# For an item of less or equal value to the town crier's fee (found in an uninhabited area), the discoverer must wait three days (not taking possession of it).
## If the owner does not come to light, the discoverer can appropriate the property.

==A revenue for the village [[storehouse]]==

"The storehouse has seven revenues: ...all lost objects found whose owners cannot be traced...".

:(From a Tablet dated 4 October 1912 to an individual believer -translation from the Persian in the Economics compilation, sel. [https://bahai-library.com/compilation_economics_agriculture#9 9] (or see Redistribution of Wealth compilation no. [https://bahai-library.com/compilation_redistribution_wealth#9 9]); an earlier translation can be found in "Foundations of World Unity" (Wilmette: Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1972, pp. [[fwu:39|39]]-40).)

::''Question:'' If taken in conjunction with the quotation from the Kitáb-i-Aqdas above, will this revenue come as part of the town-crier's fee, or for those who do not wish to appropriate the possessions?

==Law not yet binding==

"[[syn:IV.D.1.t|IV.D.1.t]], The laws relating to the finding of lost property...are all designed for a future state of society. These matters are usually covered by the civil law of each country." (Universal House of Justice, https://bahai-library.com/uhj_laws_not_binding )

==See also==
* [[treasure trove disposition]] (for disposition of goods found (manifestly) not belonging to anyone)

[[Category:Contents]]

Treasure

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==Spiritual Symbolism of Treasure in the Bahá'í Writings==

(add here)

==See also==
* [[treasure trove disposition]] (for the procedures to be taken (in the future) upon discovering a treasure trove in a community)

[[Category:Contents]]

Treasure trove disposition

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==2/3 of any treasure found to go to the House of Justice (or to trustworthy persons in each locality until the latter is established); 1/3 to go to the discoverer==

"Question: Concerning the law on treasure trove.

"Answer: Should a treasure be found, one third thereof is the right of the discoverer, and the other two thirds should be expended by the men of the House of Justice for the welfare of all people. This shall be done after the establishment of the House of Justice, and until that time it shall be committed to the keeping of trustworthy persons in each locality and territory. He, in truth, is the Ruler, the Ordainer, the Omniscient, the All-Informed."

:(''[[Kitáb-i-Aqdas]]'', Question and Answer, no. [[kaq:101|101]])

:Summarized by Shoghi Effendi at [[syn:IV.D.1.u|IV.D.1.u]] under "Miscellaneous Laws and Ordinances" as "Disposition of treasure trove"

==A revenue for the village [[storehouse]]==

"The storehouse has seven revenues: ...one third of all treasure-trove...".

:([['Abdu'l-Bahá]], from a Tablet dated 4 October 1912 to an individual believer, translation from the Persian in the Economics compilation, sel. [https://bahai-library.com/unpubl.compilations/economics.html#9 9] (or see [[Redistribution of Wealth (compilation)]] no. [https://bahai-library.com/unpubl.compilations/redistribution.wealth.html#9 9]); an earlier translation can be found in "[[Foundations of World Unity]]" (Wilmette: Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1972, pp. [[fwu:39|39]]-40).)

" Fifth [of the revenues for the storehouse], if any treasures shall be found on the land they should be devoted to this storehouse."

:([['Abdu'l-Bahá]], from a Tablet dated 25 July 1919 to an individual believer -- provisional translation from the Persian quoted in the [[Economics (compilation)]], sel. [https://bahai-library.com/unpubl.compilations/economics.html#10 10])

==Law not yet binding==

""The laws relating to...the [https://bahai-library.com/writings/bahaullah/aqdas/synopsis.html#IV.D.1.u u]...disposition of treasure trove...are all designed for a future state of society. These matters are usually covered by the civil law of each country."
:([[Universal House of Justice]], at https://bahai-library.com/uhj_laws_not_binding )

:Note: The apparent inconsistency in amounts between the ''[[Kitáb-i-Aqdas]]'' Question and Answer amount and the 4 October 1912 Tablet (as well as perhaps the Tablet dated 25 July 1919) might be explained by a statement of [['Abdu'l-Bahá]] made concerning a matter related to the [[storehouse]], namely the tax or tithe (see [[Zakát]]), which states:
::"What hath been stated is only an example and this doth not mean that it should be enforced exactly in this manner."
:::(From a Tablet dated 25 July 1919 to an individual believer -- provisional translation from the Persian quoted in the [[Economics (compilation)]], sel. [https://bahai-library.com/compilation_economics_agriculture#10 10])

==See also==
* [[storehouse]] (for the recipient institution of treasure trove funds)
* [[lost property]] (for goods found which might belong to someone)
* [[mines]] (for the appropriation of discovered natural resources)
* [[treasure]] (for the spiritual symbolism of treasures)

[[Category:Contents]]

Mines

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==The mine as a spiritual symbol==

"Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value..."

:([[Bahá'u'lláh]], ''[[Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh]]'', p. [[tb:162|162]])

==The owners of mines should share a fairly certain percentage of their incomes with their employees==

"...the owners of properties, mines and factories should share their incomes with their employees and give a fairly certain percentage of their products to their workingmen in order that the employees may receive, beside their wages, some of the general income of the factory so that the employee may strive with his soul in the work."

:([['Abdu'l-Bahá]], "[[Foundations of World Unity]], p. [https://bahai-library.com/writings/abdulbaha/fwu/fwu.html#43 43])

===See also===
* [[profit-sharing]]

==1/3 of the revenue of all mines are to go to the village [[storehouse]]==

"The storehouse has seven revenues: Tithes, taxes on animals, property without an heir, all lost objects found whose owners cannot be traced, one third of all treasure-trove, one third of the produce of all mines, and voluntary contributions."

:([['Abdu'l-Bahá]], quoted in Redistribution of Wealth, no. [https://bahai-library.com/unpubl.compilations/redistribution.wealth.html#9 9])

==See also==
* [[treasure trove disposition]] (for the distribution of discovered (long-lost?) man-made valuables)
* [[lost property]] for the procedure for alerting the community about lost property and possibly in time distributing it if there are no claimants

[[Category:Applied Material Sciences-Professions]]

Storehouse

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==Detailed references giving an overview of some of the principles of a Bahá'í economic system/storehouse==

*Economics compilation, sel. [https://bahai-library.com/compilation_economics_agriculture#9 9] (or see [[Redistribution of Wealth (compilation)]] no. [https://bahai-library.com/compilation_redistribution_wealth#9 9]), [https://bahai-library.com/compilation_economics_agriculture#10 10], [https://bahai-library.com/compilation_economics_agriculture#11 11]; some mention of the tax in [https://bahai-library.com/compilation_economics_agriculture#31 31]

==Property bequeathed by those without heirs shall revert to the House of Justice for benefit of orphaned (and widowed)==

"Should the deceased leave no offspring, their share shall revert to the House of Justice, to be expended by the Trustees of the All-Merciful on the orphaned and widowed, and on whatsoever will bring benefit to the generality of the people, that all may give thanks unto their Lord, the All-Gracious, the Pardoner."

:([[Bahá'u'lláh]], ''[[Kitáb-i-Aqdas]]'', paragraph [[kap:21|21]])

==The Local House of Justice is to receive property bequeathed by those without heirs==

"In a Tablet enumerating the revenues of the local treasury, 'Abdu'l-Bahá includes those inheritances for which there are no heirs, thus indicating that the House of Justice referred to in these passages of the Aqdas relating to inheritance is the local one."

:(Note [[kan:42|42]] of the [[Kitáb-i-Aqdas]])

:(Note: Excerpts [https://bahai-library.com/compilation_economics_agriculture#9 9] of the Economics compilation mentions "property without an heir" as a revenue of the storehouse and excerpt [https://bahai-library.com/compilation_economics_agriculture#11 11] states "whosoever dies without leaving any heirs all his heritage will go to the general storehouse". This verse from the Kitáb-i-Aqdas mentions something omitted in the Tablets: expending the money also for the widowed.)

==Now is not the time to establish a Bahá'í village==

"Now is not the time for the friends to seek to establish a Bahá'í village; they have definite tasks confronting them of the utmost importance and urgency, and on these they should concentrate their attention. Nor does the Guardian feel it is necessary for the friends to buy land at this time. In the future, when they have accomplished the goals set out for them by the beloved Master Himself, they will be able to develop more community projects, but now such enterprises would merely dissipate their strength, which should all be directed into the teaching work."
:(26 March 1943; quoted in [[Redistribution of Wealth (compilation)]], no. [https://bahai-library.com/compilation_economics_agriculture#30 30])

==([[Pilgrim's note]] discussing the storehouse in some detail)==

* https://bahai-library.com/latimer_light_world#thehouseofjustice (sections Economic Justice, Seven Revenues, Seven Expenditures, The House of Justice)

==Revenue==

* See [[Taxation]]

==See also==
* [[treasure trove disposition]]
* [[lost property]]
* [[mines]]
* [[Zakát]] (the tax or "tithe")

==Todos for this page==
* Reference quotes from the Aqdas indicating case of intestacy as source of revenue for House of Justice (among others indicated above)?

[[Category:Applied Material Sciences-Professions]]

Genetics

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==Differences in intelligence recognized as innate==
* ''[[Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá]]'', sec. [[swabs:104|104]].

==Topics==
* [[Genetic engineering]]
* [[Eugenics]]

==Todos for this page==
* Add quotations on influence of genetics

[[Category:Theoretical material studies]]

Evolution

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==Letters concerning==
* https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/20160221_001/1#121128222 (also as separate document at https://bahai-library.com/uhj_science_sacred_scriptures )

==Documents concerning==
* ''[[Some Answered Questions]]'', Chapter [[saqc:46|46]]
* https://bahai-library.com/abdulbaha_some_answered_questions#f2-13

==Human beings existed in plan potentially from the "beginning"; was going to evolve into human species and not a haphazard branch of the ape family==

"We cannot prove man was always man for this is a fundamental doctrine, but it is based on the assertion that nothing can exceed its own potentialities, that everything, a stone, a tree, an animal and a human being existed in plan, potentially, from the very "beginning" of creation. We don't believe man has always had the form of man, but rather that from the outset he was going to evolve into the human form and species and not be a haphazard branch of the ape family."

:([[On behalf of Shoghi Effendi]], ''[[Messages to the Antipodes]]'', p. [[antip2:241|241]])

==Todos for this page==
* Add more representative quotations and references

[[Category:Theoretical material studies]]

Anatomy

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==By region of [[body]]==
* Head
** [[Face]]
** [[Brow]]
** [[Eye]]
** [[Nose]]
** [[Mouth]]/[[Lips]]
** [[Ears]]
** [[Hair]]
** [[Teeth]]
* Arms
** [[Hands]], [[Fingers]], [[Nails]], [[Self-cleaning#Armpits|Armpits]]
* Torso
** [[Bosom]]/[[Breast]], [[Back]], [[Sodomy|Rear]]
* Lower
** [[Sexual organs]]
** [[Feet]], [[Nails]]

==See also==
* [[Biology]]
* [[Body]]
* [[Nudity]]/[[Nudism]]

[[Category:Theoretical material studies]]

UFOs

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==Documents==
* https://bahai-library.com/uhj_sabeans_mary_ufos#s3

==Nothing in the Bahá'í Faith about flying saucers/spaceships (and though fascinating and open to scientific investigation, we should focus on the earth's people by spreading Message of Bahá'u'lláh)==

"One thing he can assure you however is that there is nothing in the Bahá'í Faith about flying saucers."

:([[On behalf of Shoghi Effendi]], ''[[Messages to the Antipodes]]'', p. [https://bahai-library.com/writings/shoghieffendi/antipodes/antipodes.html#426 426])

"There is nothing in the Teachings about spaceships; and the Guardian does not feel this is a subject on which he can offer the friends any advice whatsoever. Indeed, to be frank, he is so busy with the work of the Cause that he seldom has time to devote much thought to speculation of this nature, however fascinating it may be."

:(From a letter dated 15 February 1957 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to several believers, cited at [https://bahai-library.com/uhj_sabeans_mary_ufos#s3 African religions; miracles; strange phenomena])

"As you rightly state, Bahá'u'll'áh affirms that every fixed star has its planets, and every planet its own creatures. The House of Justice states however, that it has not discovered anything in the Bahá'í Writings which would indicate the degree of progress such creatures may have attained. Obviously, as creatures of earth have managed to construct space probes and send them into outer space, it can be believed that creatures on other planets may have succeeded in doing likewise.

"Regarding the attitude Bahá'ís should take toward unidentified flying objects, the House of Justice points out that they fall in the category of subjects open to scientific investigation, and as such, may be of interest to some, but not necessarily to everyone. In any case, Bahá'ís have a fundamental obligation at this stage of the development of the earth's people, that is, the responsibility of spreading the unifying Message of Bahá'u'lláh."

:(From a letter dated 11 January 1982 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, cited at [https://bahai-library.com/uhj_sabeans_mary_ufos#s3 African religions; miracles; strange phenomena])

==See also==
* [[Astrobiology]]

[[Category:Theoretical material studies]]

Astronomy

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==General reference==

"The Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh are many. The precepts and teachings they contain are universal, covering every subject. He has revealed scientific explanations ranging throughout all the realms of human inquiry and investigation--astronomy, biology, medical science, etc....He wrote lengthy Tablets upon civilization, sociology and government. Every subject is considered."

:([['Abdu'l-Bahá]], ''[[Promulgation of Universal Peace]]'', p. [[pup:155|155]])

==Astronomy is a Science, Astrology is Not==

"Astronomy is a science, astrology does not come under the same category, but we should be patient with people who believe in it, and gradually wean them away from reliance on such things."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of Shoghi Effendi]], dated December 24, 1941, to an individual believer: Ibid., in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1746|1746]])

==Extraterrestrial life==

See [[Extraterrestrial life]]

==UFO's, aliens, and genetic engineering==

* https://bahai-library.com/uhj_sabeans_mary_ufos#s3

==See also==
* [[Astrology]]

==Todos for this page==
* From the [[Astrology]] page or elsewhere, include references here about the scientific influence of distant bodies on our own (but not spiritual)

[[Category:Theoretical material studies]]

Extraterrestrial life

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==Creatures Are to be Found on Every Planet==

"Regarding the passage on p. [[gwb:163|163]] of the 'Gleanings': The creatures which Bahá'u'lláh states to be found on every planet cannot be considered to be necessarily similar or different from human beings on this earth. Bahá'u'lláh does not specifically state whether such creatures are like or unlike us. He simply refers to the fact that there are creatures on every planet. It remains for science to discover one day the exact nature of these creatures."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of Shoghi Effendi]] to an individual believer, February 9, 1937, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1581|1581]])

==There are other worlds inhabited by beings capable of knowing God==

"No. 6. No. But `Abdu'l-Bahá stated there are other worlds than ours which are inhabited by beings capable of knowing God."

:([[On behalf of Shoghi Effendi]], ''[[Light of Divine Guidance]]'', vol. 2, p. [[ldg2:82|82]])

==Dwellers of other planets exist but are adapted to their environment==

"The earth has its inhabitants, the water and the air contain many living beings and all the elements have their nature spirits, then how is it possible to conceive that these stupendous stellar bodies are not inhabited? Verily, they are peopled, but let it be known that the dwellers accord with the elements of their respective spheres. These living beings do not have states of consciousness like unto those who live on the surface of this globe: the power of adaptation and environment moulds their bodies and states of consciousness, just as our bodies and minds are suited to our planet.

"For example, we have birds that live in the air, those that live on the earth and those that live in the sea. The sea birds are adapted to their elements, likewise the birds which soar in the air, and those which hover about the earth's surface. Many animals living on the land have their counterparts in the sea. The domestic horse has his counterpart in the sea-horse which is half horse and half fish.

"The components of the sun differ from those of this earth, for there are certain light and life-giving elements radiating from the sun. Exactly the same elements may exist in two bodies, but in varying quantities. For instance, there is fire and air in water, but the allotted measure is small in proportion.

"They have discovered that there is a great quantity of radium in the sun; the same element is found on the earth, but in a much smaller degree. Beings who inhabit those distant luminous bodies are attuned to the elements that have gone into the composition of their respective spheres."

:(I. F. Chamberlain, comp. "Divine Philosophy" (Boston: The Tudor Press, 1918), pp. 114-15; cited in Compilation on Nature, no. [https://bahai-library.com/compilation_nature_bwc#14 14])

==See also==
* [[UFOs]]
* [https://bahai-library.com/uhj_gaia_concept Gaia]

[[Category:Theoretical material studies]]

Earth revolves around the sun

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==Earth revolves around the sun==

"The animal cannot realize the intelligence of a human being, he only knows that which is perceived by his animal senses, he cannot imagine anything in the abstract. An animal could not learn that the world is round, that the earth revolves round the sun, or the construction of the electric telegraph. These things are only possible to man. Man is the highest work of creation, the nearest to God of all creatures."

:(''[['Abdu'l-Bahá]]'', ''[[Paris Talks]]'', p. [[pta:24|24]])

"A child does not grasp the fact that the earth revolves round the sun, but, when his intelligence is awakened, the fact is clear and plain to him."

:(''[['Abdu'l-Bahá]]'', ''[[Paris Talks]]'', p. [[pta:145|145]])

==See also==
* [[Roundness of the earth]]

[[Category:Theoretical material studies]]

Mountain

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==Metaphorical References to Mountains in the Baha'i Writings==

# Be firm as mountains: Kitáb-i-Aqdas, par. [[kap:183|183]]
# [[Traveller's Narrative]]: Even Mt. Alborz could not resist or stand the strength and harshness of religious prejudice, but the Bab stood before the ecclesiastics.(?)

[[Category:Contents]]

Roundness of the earth

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==The earth is round==

"The animal is incapable of knowing that the earth is round. In brief, abstract intellectual phenomena are human powers."

:(''[['Abdu'l-Bahá]]'', ''[[Promulgation of Universal Peace]]'', p. [[pup:241|241]])

"The animal cannot realize the intelligence of a human being, he only knows that which is perceived by his animal senses, he cannot imagine anything in the abstract. An animal could not learn that the world is round, that the earth revolves round the sun, or the construction of the electric telegraph. These things are only possible to man. Man is the highest work of creation, the nearest to God of all creatures."

:(''[['Abdu'l-Bahá]]'', ''[[Paris Talks]]'', p. [[pta:24|24]])

==See also==
* [[Earth revolves around the sun]]
* [[Conspiracy theory]]

[[Category:Theoretical material studies]]

Age of creation

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==Talks==
* ''[[Promulgation of Universal Peace]]'', pp. [[pup:218|218]]-220
* ''[[Promulgation of Universal Peace]]'', pp. [[pup:462|462]]-468

== Story in Genesis of six thousand years is symbolic (and would be impossible if literal) ==
"Notwithstanding this, we read in Genesis in the Old Testament that the lifetime of creation is but six thousand years. This has an inner meaning and significance; it is not to be taken literally. For instance, it is said in the Old Testament that certain things were created in the first day. The narrative shows that at that time the sun was not yet created. How could we conceive of a day if no sun existed in the heavens? For the day depends upon the light of the sun. Inasmuch as the sun had not been made, how could the first day be realized? Therefore, these statements have significances other than literal."

:(''[[Promulgation of Universal Peace]]'', p. [[pup:463|463]])

==The creation of heaven and earth in six days is symbolic==

"As to the record in the Bible concerning Adam's entering paradise, His eating from the tree and His expulsion through the temptation of Satan: These are all symbols beneath which there are wonderful and divine meanings not to be calculated in years, dates and measurement of time. Likewise, the statement that God created the heaven and the earth in six days is symbolic. We will not explain this further today. The texts of the Holy Books are all symbolical, needing authoritative interpretation."

:(''[[Promulgation of Universal Peace]]'', pp. [[pup:219|219]]-220)

==See also==
* [[Age of the earth]]
* [[Adam]]
* [[Adamic Cycle]]

[[Category:Theoretical material studies]]
[[Category:Christianity]]

Age of the earth

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==Life on the earth is very ancient; not just one or two million years old==

"...life on this earth is very ancient—not one or two hundred thousand, or even one or two million years old: It is ancient indeed..."

{{saq|41|3}}

==The lifetime of creation being but 6000 years old per Genesis has an inner not literal meaning==

"Notwithstanding this, we read in Genesis in the Old Testament that the lifetime of creation is but six thousand years. This has an inner meaning and significance; it is not to be taken literally. For instance, it is said in the Old Testament that certain things were created in the first day. The narrative shows that at that time the sun was not yet created. How could we conceive of a day if no sun existed in the heavens? For the day depends upon the light of the sun. Inasmuch as the sun had not been made, how could the first day be realized? Therefore, these statements have significances other than literal."

:(''[[Promulgation of Universal Peace]]'', p. [[pup:463|463]])

==This world was created over millions of years as proved by science==

"We Bahá'ís do not believe in Genesis literally. We know this world was not created in seven days, or six, or eight, but evolved gradually over a period of millions of years, as science has proved. As to where the idea of a seven-day week originated, it is certainly very ancient and you should refer to scholars for an answer."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of the Guardian]] to an individual believer, October 28, 1949, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1658|1658]])

==See also==
* [[Age of universe]]

[[Category:Theoretical material studies]]

Fourth dimension

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==Nothing in the teachings about the Fourth Dimension (and should put such abstruse subjects out of your mind)==

There is nothing in the teachings of our Faith about the Fourth Dimension, and he feels that with all the practical work the Bahá’ís have to do during the next ten years you should put such abstruse subjects out of your mind entirely. They can do no good and will lead you nowhere."

:(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, July 19, 1953: Ibid., in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1736|1736]])

==""Fourth Dimensional Consciousness" and other instructions to Marie Watson, the so-called tablet is erroneous and not a work of 'Abdu'l-Bahá==

"From time to time the National Spiritual Assembly receives letters from Bahá'ís or local Spiritual Assemblies about the authenticity of certain prayers or "tablets" that are circulated in typed form.

"The Research Department of the Universal House of Justice is asked to check these writings for authenticity. The following works that commonly circulate in the Bahá'í community are not authentic:

""Fourth Dimensional Consciousness" and other instructions to Marie Watson. This so-called tablet from 'Abdu'l-Bahá is erroneous; Shoghi Effendi has stated that it is not a work by 'Abdu'l-Bahá.""

:(Research Department of the Bahá'í World Centre, [https://bahai-library.com/uhj_authenticity_prayers_tablets Authenticity of Prayers and Tablets], 9/92, in ''American Bahá'í'')

==See also==
* [[Psychic]]
* [[Esotericism]]
* [[Physics]]

[[Category:Theoretical material studies]]

Transmutation of elements

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==As allegory==

===Copper of scorn to be transmuted into gold of honor===

"The nucleus of the new race is forming. The harbinger of the new ideals of international justice is appearing. The trees of hope will become verdant; the copper of scorn and derision will be transmuted into the gold of honor and praise; the arid desert of ignorance will be transformed into the luxuriant garden of knowledge; the threatening clouds shall be dispelled and the stars of faith and charity will again twinkle in the clear heaven of consciousness."

:(''[[Bahá'í Scriptures]]'', no. {{bs|990}})

==Copper protected in its own mine from becoming solidified would in 70 years become gold while the real elixir can cause copper to become gold in a single moment just as the souls can advance from the world of dust to the realm of holiness==

"It is evident that nothing short of this mystic transformation could cause such spirit and behaviour, so utterly unlike their previous habits and manners, to be made manifest in the world of being. For their agitation was turned into peace, their doubt into certitude, their timidity into courage. Such is the potency of the Divine Elixir, which, swift as the twinkling of an eye, transmuteth the souls of men!

"For instance, consider the substance of copper. Were it to be protected in its own mine from becoming solidified, it would, within the space of seventy years, attain to the state of gold. There are some, however, who maintain that copper itself is gold, which by becoming solidified is in a diseased condition, and hath not therefore reached its own state.

"Be that as it may, the real elixir will, in one instant, cause the substance of copper to attain the state of gold, and will traverse the seventy-year stages in a single moment. Could this gold be called copper? Could it be claimed that it hath not attained the state of gold, whilst the touch-stone is at hand to assay it and distinguish it from copper?

"Likewise, these souls, through the potency of the Divine Elixir, traverse, in the twinkling of an eye, the world of dust and advance into the realm of holiness; and with one step cover the earth of limitations and reach the domain of the Placeless. It behooveth thee to exert thine utmost to attain unto this Elixir which, in one fleeting breath, causeth the west of ignorance to reach the east of knowledge, illuminates the darkness of night with the resplendence of the morn, guideth the wanderer in the wilderness of doubt to the well-spring of the Divine Presence and Fount of certitude, and conferreth upon mortal souls the honour of acceptance into the Ridvan of immortality. Now, could this gold be thought to be copper, these people could likewise be thought to be the same as before they were endowed with faith."

:([[Bahá'u'lláh]], ''[[Kitab-i-Iqan]]'', pp. {{ki|156}}-158)

==Transmutation (of density, form, or substance) is possible for any mineral into any mineral (including copper to gold and gold to copper) ==

"Consider the doubts which they who have joined partners with God have instilled into the hearts of the people of this land. "Is it ever possible," they ask, "for copper to be transmuted into gold?" Say, Yes, by my Lord, it is possible. Its secret, however, lieth hidden in Our Knowledge. We will reveal it unto whom We will. Whoso doubteth Our power, let him ask the Lord his God, that He may disclose unto him the secret, and assure him of its truth. That copper can be turned into gold is in itself sufficient proof that gold can, in like manner, be transmuted into copper, if they be of them that can apprehend this truth. Every mineral can be made to acquire the density, form, and substance of each and every other mineral. The knowledge thereof is with Us in the Hidden Book."

:([[Bahá'u'lláh]], ''[[Gleanings]]'', sec. [[gwbs:97|97]])

==Emergence of "Divine philosophy" science will include discovery of radical approach to transmutation of elements==

"The first sign of the coming of age of humanity referred to in the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh is the emergence of a science which is described as that "divine philosophy" which will include the discovery of a radical approach to the transmutation of elements. This is an indication of the splendours of the future stupendous expansion of knowledge."

:([[Bahá'u'lláh]], ''[[Kitáb-i-Aqdas]]'', no. [[kan:194|194]])

===See also===

* [http://www.google.com/custom?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&cof=L%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fbahai-library.com%2Fgraphics%2Flogo.gif%3BLH%3A44%3BLW%3A561%3BBIMG%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fbahai-library.com%2Fback015.gif%3BLC%3A%23004834%3BVLC%3A%23BF1000%3BAH%3Acenter%3BS%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fbahai-library.com%3B&domains=bahai-library.com&q=%22divine+philosophy%22+-%22Abdul+Baha+on+Divine+Philosophy%22&btnG=Google+Search&sitesearch=bahai-library.com some references to "divine philosophy" in the Bahá'í Writings]

==Greater emphasis on spiritual elixir==
* ''[[Kitáb-i-Íqán]]'' pp. {{ki|157}}-{{ki|158}}

==Alchemy as a vain and discarded learning (as an all-consuming pursuit or if (falsely) seen as a prerequisite for spiritual knowledge?)==

* ''[[Kitáb-i-Íqán]]'', p. {{ki|186}}

==Because of our inability to prove now does not mean it is not true==

"Considering that a century ago, nobody knew the nature of matter, and couldn't split any kind of an atom, it should not surprise the scientist that Abdu'l-Baha states that copper can be transmuted into gold.

"There may come a time, for all we know, when the mass of many atoms can be changed by scientists. We have no way of proving or disproving at present the statement of Abdu'l-Baha. Just because we cannot demonstrate a contention in the Baha'i Teachings does not mean the contention is not true.

"The same holds true of the statement of Baha'u'llah in the Iqan, regarding transmutation of copper into gold after seventy years, under certain conditions.

"We as Baha'is must assume that, as He had access to all knowledge, He was referring to a definite physical condition which theoretically might exist. Because we don't know what this condition is in scientific terms does not refute Baha'u'llah's statement at all.

"The Guardian hopes that Mr. ... will not let so small a thing stand in his path. The principle of Faith is to accept anything the Manifestation of God says, once you have accepted Him as being the Manifestation. That is really the crux of the whole matter. It is a question of confidence."

:(From a letter written [[on behalf of Shoghi Effendi]] to an individual believer, March 14, 1955, from ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'' p. 479, no. [[logn:1580|1580]])

[[Category:Theoretical material studies]]

Material-Physical

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=Material/Physical defined=

'Abdu'l-Bahá describes material education (here used for studies and affairs) in the following terms:

:"Material education is concerned with the progress and development of the body, through gaining its sustenance, its material comfort and ease. This education is common to animals and man."

::([[Some Answered Questions]] Chapter [[saqc:3|3]])

=Material/Physical studies and affaris=

==[[Theoretical Material Studies]]==
*[[Physical Sciences]]
**[[Physics]]
**[[Chemistry]]
**[[Earth Sciences]]
***[[Geology]]
***[[Physical Geography]] (e.g., countries'/bodies of water names, locations, etc. (atlas tied to politics, history, cultures, etc.))
***[[Astronomy]]
*[[Life Sciences]]
**[[Biology]]/[[Ecology]]

==[[Applied Material Studies and Disciplines]]==
(refers to physical concept or process)

===[[Applied Material Sciences-Professions]]===
(most directly) Applying Material Knowledge
*[[Agriculture]], [[Gardening]], [[Hunting]]
*[[Medicine]] (see also i.c. above for medicine pertaining to patient as protagonist)
*[[Domestic Life]] (food sustenance and appearance maintenance: food preparation, cleaning) (see also Nutrition: Obtaining and Preparing Food and [[personal functions]])
*[[Engineering and Technology]] (see also sciences)
**[[Mechanical-electrical-civil-aeronautics-energy]]
**[[Computer]] (Programming, applications, WEB design, robotics)
**[[Communications]] (Amateur Radio/CB, [[Radio]], TV, Internet)
**[[Energy and Resources]]
*[[Business]]
**[[Business-Marketing-Sales]] (see also sciences and social)
*[[Economics]] (Finance, Banking, etc.)
*[[Exercise-Sports-Motions-Actions|Sports]]
*[[Military]], [[Police]], [[Fire-fighting]]
*[[Crafts]] (see arts section)

===[[Personal material disciplines-ethics]]===

====[[Health and Healing (individual)]]====
(Body's Health, Physical Needs of the Mind, Spiritual effect of the body (Beauty or grace))
*[[Exercise]], [[Sports]] and Physical [[Games]]
*[[Nutrition]]
*[[Personal Medicine-Safety]]
*[[Personal functions]] (Hygiene, Grooming, etc.)
*[[Reflection-Travel-Rest-Games-Meditation]] (see spiritual section)

====[[Finances]]/[[Ownership]]====
(see also consolidation: Funds and section iv.e. and iv.f)

=====[[Financial management]]=====

* Management, investing, saving, etc.

=====[[Expenditures]] and [[Ownership]]=====
(material goods and services)
*[[Material resources and services]] (use, rent, lease, purchase, save for/layaway, etc.)
*[[Facilities-residence-property-transportation]] (see physical geography)
*[[Crafts-Furnishings-Clothing]]
*[[Appliances-equipment and supplies]] (transportation, communications, entertainment, security, waste, energy) (see also proclamation, expansion, consolidation)
*[[Materials-Consumables]]
*[[Energy]] (Light/Heat)
*[[Food]]
*[[Living things]] (plants, pets, etc.)

=====[[Financial Virtues]]=====

e.g., [[frugality]], [[generosity]], [[trustworthiness]], etc.

==[[Material processes of restoration-maintenance-enhancement]]==
*[[Efficiency-reduce use]] (Energy, Materials) Transportation/Postal/Disposal (Include errands such as returning items, traveling for purchases, etc.)
*[[Cleaning-Preserve-Beautify]]
*[[Reuse-Recycle-Restore-Heal-Repair-Tinkering]]
*[[Construction-Grow-Purchase]] including Residence, Furnishings/Crafts, Appliances/Equipment (consider Beauty)

==[[Material community infrastructure-planning]]==
(Can be viewed with Intellectual and Spiritual Community Infrastructure, according to protagonist (e.g., local or national Mashrqu'l- Adhkár), etc.)
*[[Food Production and Distribution]]
*[[Resource Harvesting-Processing-Utilization]] (including Energy, Water, Air, Minerals, Timber, etc.)
*[[Environmental preserves-cemeteries]]
*[[Urban planning-housing]] (including hostels for travelers, homes for poor, aged, disabled, orphaned)
**[[Business-residential zoning]]
**[[Transportation]] (Systems)
*[[Communications]] (Systems, see also Media)
*[[Security-Protection-Inspection]] (police, prisons, fire, hospital, drug dispensary)
*[[Waste Collection-Recycling-Management]]
*[[Financial Institutions]] (charity, lending, saving, managing, etc.)

[[Category:Material-Physical| ]]

Material-Physical

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Material-Physical

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Category:Interfaith dialogue

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[[Category:Faith traditions]]

Category:Bahá'í Faith

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[[Category:Faith traditions]]

Spiritism

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==Not to join religious or political associations like Spiritism even if there are some good points in it, as can't reconcile teachings of the Faith with all views of any existing group; disassociate gradually so as not to arouse antagonism==

"...the Guardian feels it incumbent upon him to make it quite clear that membership in every Bahá'í organization excludes the possibility of joining any religious or political association, even though such an alliance does not involve a complete repudiation of Bahá'í principles and doctrines. It would be utterly impossible to reconcile the teachings of the Faith with all the views and conceptions which any existing group, whether religious or political, may advocate. In view of that, it seems but logical that a Bahá'í cannot be a spiritist at the same time. Not that the ideas which the spiritists proclaim are each and all in direct opposition to the Bahá'í teachings. As a matter of fact there are some good points in spiritism. But this is not sufficient justification for a believer to accept membership in a spiritist organization.

"While Shoghi Effendi would urge you to dissociate yourself from the spiritists, he wishes you at the same time to act with caution and wisdom. Your separation from the spiritists should be gradual, and in a way that would not arouse the antagonism of your friends and relatives. Too sudden and abrupt a change is, indeed, harmful not only to you but to those who through you have been attracted to the Cause...."

:(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, April 14, 1934, in ''[[Lights of Guidance]]'', no. [[logn:1399|1399]])

[[Category:Faith traditions]]

Category:Bahá'í Faith

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[[Category:Contents]]

Category:Faith traditions

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[[Category:Contents]]