Intercession
Intercession by common individuals for others[edit]
Those near to God are allowed to intercede for others[edit]
"The wealth of the other world is nearness to God. Consequently, it is certain that those who are near the Divine Court are allowed to intercede, and this intercession is approved by God."
- ('Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, Chapter 62, p. 231)
Instinct to pray or meditate on a friend who has passed may be to lean on the strong--those empowered by God to mediate His power (e.g., martyrs)[edit]
"Someone present asked how it was that in prayer and meditation the heart often turns with instinctive appeal to some friend who has passed into the next life.
"'Abdu'l-Bahá answered: "It is a law of God's creation that the weak should lean upon the strong. Those to whom you turn may be the mediators of God's power to you, even as when on earth. But it is the One Holy Spirit that strengthens all men." Hereupon another friend referred to the communing of Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration with Moses and Elijah; and 'Abdu'l-Bahá said: "The faithful are ever sustained by the presence of the Supreme Concourse. In the Supreme Concourse are Jesus, and Moses, and Elijah, and Bahá'u'lláh, and other supreme Souls: there, also, are the martyrs.""
- (Attributed to 'Abdu'l-Bahá, `Abdu'l-Bahá in London, p. 97; also cited in part in Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era, p. 195)
By services and devotion one may win right to plead for spiritual rebirth of unenlightened family members[edit]
"She should certainly not grieve if she finds that her family are not receptive to the teachings — for not every soul is spiritually enlightened. Indeed, many members of the families of the Prophets themselves have remained unconverted even in face of the example and persuasion of the Manifestation of God; therefore, the friends should not be distressed by such things but rather leave the future of those they love in the hand of God, and by their services and devotion to the Faith, win the right to plead for their ultimate spiritual rebirth...."
- (In a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 9 March 1942 to an individual believer, in Family Life (compilation), no. 63)
Intercession by holy individuals for others[edit]
The purpose of seeking to commune with departed spirits ought to be for their benefit as we can supplicate God for their sakes[edit]
"Intercourse with spirits of the departed ought not to be sought for its own sake, nor in order to gratify idle curiosity. It is both a privilege and duty, however, for those on one side of the veil to love and help and pray for those on the other. Prayers for the dead are enjoined on Bahá'ís. `Abdu'l-Bahá said to Miss E. J. Rosenberg in 1904: "The grace of effective intercession is one of the perfections belonging to advanced souls, as well as to the Manifestation of God. Jesus Christ had the power of interceding for the forgiveness of His enemies when on earth, and He certainly has this power now. `Abdu'l-Bahá never mentions the name of a dead person without saying `May God forgive him!' or words to that effect. Followers of the prophets have also this power of praying for the forgiveness of souls. Therefore we may not think that any souls are condemned to a stationary condition of suffering or loss arising from absolute ignorance of God. The power of effective intercession for them always exists. ...
"The rich in the other world can help the poor, as the rich can help the poor here. In every world all are the creatures of God. They are always dependent on Him. They are not independent and can never be so. While they are needful of God, the more they supplicate, the richer they become. What is their merchandise, their wealth? In the other world what is help and assistance? It is intercession. Undeveloped souls must gain progress at first through the supplications of the spiritually rich; afterwards they can progress through their own supplications."
"Again He says: -- "Those who have ascended have different attributes from those who are still on earth, yet there is no real separation.
""In prayer there is a mingling of station, a mingling of condition. Pray for them as they pray for you!" -- `Abdu'l-Bahá in London, p. 97 {Ed. - see p. 96 instead}.
"Asked whether it was possible through faith and love to bring the New Revelation to the knowledge of those who have departed from this life without hearing of it, `Abdu'l-Bahá replied: -- "Yes, surely! since sincere prayer always has its effect, and it has a great influence in the other world. We are never cut off from those who are there. The real and genuine influence is not in this world but in that other." -- Notes of Mary Hanford Ford: Paris, 1911.
"On the other hand, Bahá'u'lláh writes: --
- "He who lives according to what is ordained for him -- the Celestial Concourse, and the people of the Supreme Paradise, and those who are dwelling in the Dome of Greatness will pray for him, by a Command from God, the Dearest and the praiseworthy. (Tablet translated by `Alí Kuli Khán).
Intercession spoken of by Bahá'u'lláh in a prayer was a spiritual act applicable to all Prophets, but more specially to intercession as Muslims believe[edit]
"The intercession spoken of by Bahá'u'lláh in one of His prayers which you have quoted is a purely spiritual act and is applicable to Muhammad as well as to all Prophets. This passage, however, refers more particularly to that kind of intercession in which Muslims believe, though the manner and circumstances of it, according to Bahá'í belief, are mysterious and unknowable."
- (Shoghi Effendi: Dawn of a New Day, p. 80, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1606)
