Self-defense

General attitude on need for turning the other cheek (but not to extremes--see below)[edit]

"Now vengeance, according to reason, is also blameworthy, because through vengeance no good result is gained by the avenger. So if a man strikes another, and he who is struck takes revenge by returning the blow, what advantage will he gain? Will this be a balm for his wound or a remedy for his pain? No, God forbid! In truth the two actions are the same: both are injuries; the only difference is that one occurred first, and the other afterward. Therefore, if he who is struck forgives, nay, if he acts in a manner contrary to that which has been used toward him, this is laudable..."

"But if he who has been struck pardons and forgives, he shows the greatest mercy. This is worthy of admiration."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, p. 267)

"Thus when Christ said: "Whosoever shall smite thee on the right cheek, turn to him the left one also,"+F1 it was for the purpose of teaching men not to take personal revenge..."

"...the words of Christ refer to the conduct of two individuals toward each other: if one person assaults another, the injured one should forgive him. But the communities must protect the rights of man. So if someone assaults, injures, oppresses and wounds me, I will offer no resistance, and I will forgive him. But if a person wishes to assault Siyyid Manshadí,+F1 certainly I will prevent him. Although for the malefactor noninterference is apparently a kindness, it would be an oppression to Manshadí. If at this moment a wild Arab were to enter this place with a drawn sword, wishing to assault, wound and kill you, most assuredly I would prevent him. If I abandoned you to the Arab, that would not be justice but injustice. But if he injure me personally, I would forgive him."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, p. 271)

While the Bábís arose in self-defense per their former beliefs, Bahá'u'lláh, said that in such a predicament (of religious war), it was better to be killed than to kill (and Bahá'ís practiced this)[edit]

"...they arose in self-defence in accordance with their former beliefs, since it was impossible for them to make enquiry as to their duty, and all doors were closed."

Baha'u'llah, on proclaiming some years later His Mission, left no room for uncertainty as to the law of His Dispensation in such a predicament when He affirmed: "It is better to be killed than to kill.""

(Shoghi Effendi?, Dawn-Breakers, p. xxxv; first portion is citing Traveler's Narrative, p. 22)

"Such was the rivalry between the last two princes, who vied with each other in courting the favor of their father, that each endeavored, with the support of the leading mujtahids within his jurisdiction, to outshine the other in the meritorious task of hunting, plundering and exterminating the members of a defenseless community, who, at the bidding of Bahá'u'lláh, had ceased to offer armed resistance even in self-defense, and were carrying out His injunction that "it is better to be killed than kill.""

(Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By, p. 198)

Statement of 'Abdu'l-Bahá not to strike back should not be taken so literally that Bahá'í children must accept to be bullied and thrashed (though always preferable to settle disputes without active self-defense if possible)[edit]

"Regarding your question about children fighting: The statement of the Master, not to strike back, should not be taken so extremely literally that Bahá'í children must accept to be bullied and thrashed. If they can manage to show a better way of settling disputes than by active self-defence, they should naturally do so."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, May 11, 1945, in Lights of Guidance, no. 508)

Not to take prohibition of self-defense too literally (even religious assailant)[edit]

"Shoghi Effendi feels that it should be explained that forbidding self defence by Bahá'u'lláh should not be taken too literally. To put it as bluntly as this, he fears that the question might be misunderstood. Bahá'u'lláh could surely have not meant that a Bahá'í should not attempt to defend his life against any irresponsible assailant who might attack him for any purpose whatever, whether religious or not. Every reasonable person would feel under such circumstances justified in protecting his life...."

(On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Unfolding Destiny, p. 427)

Bahá'í justified in defending his life in an emergency[edit]

"Regarding the question you raised: In an emergency, when there is no legal source at hand to appeal to, a Bahá'í is perfectly justified in defending his life."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, July 24, 1943, in Lights of Guidance, no. 398)

Organized religious attack against Bahá'ís should never turn into any kind of warfare (see holy war); use conscience/judgment to determine when to stop in self-defense to avoid retaliation (including during civil disorder)[edit]

"From the texts you already have available it is clear that Bahá'u'lláh has stated that it is preferable to be killed in the path of God's good-pleasure than to kill, and that organized religious attack against Bahá'ís should never turn into any kind of warfare, as this is strictly prohibited in our Writings.

"The House of Justice does not wish at the present time to go beyond the guidelines given in the above-mentioned statements. The question is basically a matter of conscience, and in each case the Bahá'í involved must use his judgment in determining when to stop in self-defense lest his action deteriorate into retaliation.

"Of course the above principles apply also in cases when a Bahá'í finds himself involved in situations of civil disorder. We have, however, advised the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States that under the present circumstances in that country it is preferable that Bahá'ís do not buy nor own arms for their protection or the protection of their families."

(From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada, May 26, 1969: Messages from the Universal House of Justice, 1968-1973, p. 26, in Lights of Guidance, no. 399)

Should not permit attack by robbers/highwaymen, but should defend oneself and later lodge a complaint to the government; when no legal force at hand, a Bahá'í is justified in defending his life[edit]

"A hitherto untranslated Tablet from Abdu'l-Bahá points out that in the case of attack by robbers and highwaymen, a Bahá'í should not surrender himself, but should try, as far as circumstances permit, to defend himself, and later on lodge a complaint with the government authorities. A statement in a letter written on behalf of the Guardian indicates that in an emergency when there is no legal force at hand to appeal to a Bahá'í is justified in defending his life."

(From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of Honduras, March 20, 1972, in Lights of Guidance, no. 400)