Photographs of Central Figures

Documents[edit]

Photograph of Baha'u'llah on Website (Office of Public Information, Bahá'í World Centre, 1999)
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[edit]

"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. 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 )

So-called photograph of the Báb[edit]

"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. 7)

Use of Photographs of 'Abdu'l-Baha[edit]

Photographs of Abdu'l-Bahá[edit]

"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. 1623)

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

"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. 1624 and from a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to a National Spiritual Assembly, December 10, 1952, in Lights of Guidance, no. 906)

"Circulation of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's Photographs"[edit]

"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. 55)

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

"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. 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)[edit]

"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. 71)