Handicrafts
Blessed are those who will engage in handicrafts[edit]
"Blessed are those who have fixed their gaze on the realm of glory and have followed the commandments of the Lord of Names. Blessed is he who in the days of God will engage in handicrafts. This is a bounty from God, for in this Most Great Dispensation it is acceptable in the sight of God for man to occupy himself in a trade which relieveth him of depending upon charity. The craft of every craftsman is regarded as worship."
- (Bahá'u'lláh from a Tablet - translated from the Persian, in Arts and Crafts (compilation), sec. 1, no. 1)
Human education includes handicrafts, among the activities essential to man (see Human Education[edit]
"Human education signifies civilization and progress-- that is to say, government, administration, charitable works, trades, arts and handicrafts, sciences, great inventions and discoveries and elaborate institutions, which are the activities essential to man as distinguished from the animal."
- ('Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, p. 8; also cited in Social and Economic Development (compilation) and Bahá'í Education (compilation))
((Collective) Sale of handicrafts as possible contribution when cash is not available)[edit]
"If ready cash is not available for contributions to the Fund, the National Assembly should guide the friends in ways they could raise funds by a collective effort to cultivate a piece of land, by contributing cash crops, livestock or home-made dishes, sweetmeats, or handicrafts. Special meetings could also be arranged for the sale of such contributions in kind."
- (From a letter dated 9 February 1967 written by the Universal House of Justice to various National Spiritual Assemblies; in Teaching the Masses, no. 8)
