31 Aug | a.m

The fourth Tajalli is concerning Divinity, Godhead and the like. Were a man of insight to direct his gaze towards the blessed, the manifest Lote-Tree and its fruits, he would be so enriched thereby as to be independent of aught else and to acknowledge his belief in that which the Speaker on Sinai hath uttered from the throne of Revelation.

 

- Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 52

30 Aug | p.m

In truth, knowledge is a veritable treasure for man, and a source of glory, of bounty, of joy, of exaltation, of cheer and gladness unto him. Thus hath the Tongue of Grandeur spoken in this Most Great Prison.

 

- Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 50

30 Aug | a.m

The third Tajalli is concerning arts, crafts and sciences. Knowledge is as wings to man's life, and a ladder for his ascent. Its acquisition is incumbent upon everyone. The knowledge of such sciences, however, should be acquired as can profit the peoples of the earth, and not those which begin with words and end with words. Great indeed is the claim of scientists and craftsmen on the peoples of the world.

 

- Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 50

29 Aug | p.m

Say, none can ever fathom the manifold exigencies of God's consummate wisdom. In truth, were He to pronounce the earth to be heaven, no one hath the right to question His authority. This is that whereunto the Point of the Bayan hath testified in all that was sent down unto Him with truth at the behest of God, He Who hath caused the Dawn to break.

 

- Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 50

29 Aug | a.m

The second Tajalli is to remain steadfast in the Cause of God - exalted be His glory - and to be unswerving in His love. And this can in no wise be attained except through full recognition of Him; and full recognition cannot be obtained save by faith in the blessed words: 'He doeth whatsoever He willeth.'

 

- Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 50

28 Aug | p.m

They that immerse themselves in the ocean of His utterances should at all times have the utmost regard for the divinely-revealed ordinances and prohibitions. Indeed His ordinances constitute the mightiest stronghold for the protection of the world and the safeguarding of its peoples - a light upon those who acknowledge and recognize the truth, and a fire unto such as turn away and deny.

- Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 49

28 Aug | a.m

The first Tajalli which hath dawned from the Day-Star of Truth is the knowledge of God - exalted be His glory. And the knowledge of the King of everlasting days can in no wise be attained save by recognizing Him Who is the Bearer of the Most Great Name. He is, in truth, the Speaker on Sinai Who is now seated upon the throne of Revelation.

 

- Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 49

26 Aug | a.m

The sixth Taraz

Knowledge is one of the wondrous gifts of God. It is incumbent upon everyone to acquire it. Such arts and material means as are now manifest have been achieved by virtue of His knowledge and wisdom which have been revealed in Epistles and Tablets through His Most Exalted Pen - a Pen out of whose treasury pearls of wisdom and utterance and the arts and crafts of the world are brought to light.

 

- Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 38

25 Aug | p.m

By the life of God! The word 'Equity' shineth bright and resplendent even as the sun. We pray God to graciously shed its radiance upon everyone.

 

- Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 38

25 Aug | a.m

The fifth Taraz concerneth the protection and preservation of the stations of God's servants. One should not ignore the truth of any matter, rather should one give expression to that which is right and true. The people of Bahá should not deny any soul the reward due to him, should treat craftsmen with deference, and, unlike the people aforetime, should not defile their tongues with abuse.

 

- Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 37

24 Aug | p.m

O people of Bahá! Trustworthiness is in truth the best of vestures for your temples and the most glorious crown for your heads. Take ye fast hold of it at the behest of Him Who is the Ordainer, the All-Informed.

 

- Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 37

24 Aug | a.m

The fourth Taraz concerneth trustworthiness. Verily it is the door of security for all that dwell on earth and a token of glory on the part of the All-Merciful. He who partaketh thereof hath indeed partaken of the treasures of wealth and prosperity. Trustworthiness is the greatest portal leading unto the tranquillity and security of the people. In truth the stability of every affair hath depended and doth depend upon it.

 

- Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 37

23 Aug | p.m

A goodly character is a means whereby men are guided to the Straight Path and are led to the Great Announcement. Well is it with him who is adorned with the saintly attributes and character of the Concourse on High.

 

- Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 35

23 Aug | a.m

The third Taraz concerneth good character. A good character is, verily, the best mantle for men from God. With it He adorneth the temples of His loved ones. By My life! The light of a good character surpasseth the light of the sun and the radiance thereof. Whoso attaineth unto it is accounted as a jewel among men.

 

- Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 35

22 Aug | p.m

They that are endued with sincerity and faithfulness should associate with all the peoples and kindreds of the earth with joy and radiance, inasmuch as consorting with people hath promoted and will continue to promote unity and concord, which in turn are conducive to the maintenance of order in the world and to the regeneration of nations.

 

- Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 34

22 Aug | a.m

The second Taraz is to consort with the followers of all religions in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship, to proclaim that which the Speaker on Sinai hath set forth and to observe fairness in all matters.

 

- Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 34

21 Aug | p.m

Having attained the stage of fulfilment and reached his maturity, man standeth in need of wealth, and such wealth as he acquireth through crafts or professions is commendable and praiseworthy in the estimation of men of wisdom, and especially in the eyes of servants who dedicate themselves to the education of the world and to the edification of its peoples.

 

- Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 34

21 Aug | a.m

These sublime words were heard today from the rustling of the divine

Lote-Tree which the Lord of Names hath, with the hand of celestial power, planted in the All-Highest Paradise:

 

The first Taraz and the first effulgence which hath dawned from the horizon of the Mother Book is that man should know his own self and recognize that which leadeth unto loftiness or lowliness, glory or abasement, wealth or poverty.

 

- Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 34

19 Aug | p.m

Let me quaff in Thy Cause, O my God, whatsoever Thou didst desire, and send down upon me in Thy love all Thou didst ordain.  By Thy glory!  I wish only what Thou wishest, and cherish what Thou cherishest.  In Thee have I, at all times, placed my whole trust and confidence.

Raise up, I implore Thee, O my God, as helpers to this Revelation such as shall be counted worthy of Thy name and of Thy sovereignty, that they may remember me among Thy creatures, and hoist the ensigns of Thy victory in Thy land.

 

- Bahá'u'lláh, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 95

19 Aug | a.m

Unsheathe the sword of your tongue from the scabbard of utterance, for therewith ye can conquer the citadels of men's hearts. We have abolished the law to wage holy war against each other.

- Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 24

Assist me with Thy triumphant and effective might, so that my tongue may utter Thy praises and attributes among all people and my soul overflow with the wine of Thy love and knowledge.

- Compilations, Baha'i Prayers, p. 185

18 Aug | p.m

In My presence amongst you there is a wisdom, and in My absence there is yet another, inscrutable to all but God, the Incomparable, the All-Knowing. Verily, We behold you from Our realm of glory, and shall aid whosoever will arise for the triumph of Our Cause with the hosts of the Concourse on high and a company of Our favoured angels.

 

- Baha'u'llah, The Kitáb-i-Aqdas, p. 39

18 Aug | a.m

Valiant acts will ensure the triumph of this Cause, and a saintly character will reinforce its power.

- Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 86

The triumphant hosts of the Celestial Concourse, arrayed and marshalled in the Realms above, stand ready and expectant to assist and assure victory to that valiant horseman who with confidence spurs on his charger into the arena of service.

- Abdu’l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 264

17 Aug | p.m

Erelong shall God draw forth, out of the bosom of power, the hands of ascendancy and might, and shall raise up a people who will arise to win victory for this Youth and who will purge mankind from the defilement of the outcast and the ungodly. These hands will gird up their loins to champion the Faith of God, and will, in My name the Self-Subsistent, the Mighty, subdue the peoples and kindreds of the earth.

 

- Baha'u'llah, The Summons of the Lord of Hosts, p. 19

17 Aug | a.m

Say: If it be Our pleasure We shall render the Cause victorious through the power of a single word from Our presence…. However, since Our loving providence surpasseth all things, We have ordained that complete victory should be achieved through speech and utterance, that Our servants throughout the earth may thereby become the recipients of divine good.

- Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 197

Make by them Thy Word triumphant, and strengthen the loins of Thy loved ones. Unloose their tongues to laud Thy Name, and inspire them to do Thy holy will and pleasure.

- Compilations, Baha'i Prayers, p. 201

16 Aug | p.m

They that have passed beyond the bounds of wisdom fail to understand the meaning of assisting God as set forth in the Book. Say: Fear ye God and sow not the seeds of dissension amongst men. Observe ye that which hath been enjoined upon you by your Lord, the Almighty, the All-Knowing. He knoweth the reality of victory and hath taught it to you with an utterance that the vain imaginings of them that rove distraught in the wilderness of doubt can never corrupt.

- Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 196

16 August | a.m

Ere long, thine eyes will behold the standards of divine power unfurled throughout all regions, and the signs of His triumphant might and sovereignty manifest in every land.

- Baha'u'llah, The Kitáb-i-Íqán, p. 78

Therefore today "victory" neither hath been nor will be opposition to anyone, nor strife with any person; but rather what is well-pleasing is that the cities of [men's] hearts, which are under the dominion of the hosts of selfishness and lust, should be subdued by the sword of the Word, of Wisdom, and of Exhortation.

- Abdu’l-Bahá, A Traveller's Narrative, p. 62

15 Aug | p.m

O SON OF MAN!

Humble thyself before Me, that I may graciously visit thee. Arise for the triumph of My cause, that while yet on earth thou mayest obtain the victory.

 

- Baha'u'llah, The Arabic Hidden Words

15 Aug | a.m

Considering this most mighty enterprise, it beseemeth them that love Him to gird up the loins of their endeavor, and to fix their thoughts on whatever will ensure the victory of the cause of God, rather than commit vile and contemptible deeds.

- Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 242

Everyone, then, who desireth "victory" must first subdue the city of his own heart with the sword of spiritual truth and of the Word, and must protect it from remembering aught beside God...

- Abdu’l-Bahá, A Traveller's Narrative, p. 62

14 Aug | p.m

Arise, O people, and, by the power of God's might, resolve to gain the victory over your own selves, that haply the whole earth may be freed and sanctified from its servitude to the gods of its idle fancies - gods that have inflicted such loss upon, and are responsible for the misery of, their wretched worshipers.

 

- Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 93

14 Aug | a.m

Spread abroad the sweet savors of thy Lord, and hesitate not, though it be for less than a moment, in the service of His Cause. The day is approaching when the victory of thy Lord, the Ever-Forgiving, the Most Bountiful, will be proclaimed.

- Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 43

It is certain that spirituality will overcome materiality and that the divine will have the victory over the human

- Abdu’l-Bahá, Tablets of Abdu’l-Bahá v2, p. 322

12 Aug | a.m

O people of the world! Build ye houses of worship throughout the lands in the name of Him Who is the Lord of all religions.... Then, with radiance and joy, celebrate therein the praise of your Lord, the Most Compassionate. Verily, by His remembrance the eye is cheered and the heart is filled with light.

- Baha'u'llah, The Kitáb-i-Aqdas, p. 29

… by God's help this temple [of worship] will prove to be to the body of human society what the soul is to the body of man. For when these colleges for the study of higher sciences, the hospital, the orphanage and the hospice are built, its doors will be opened to all nations, races and religions, with no line of demarkation and its charities will be dispensed without regard to race or color. Its gates will be flung wide to mankind; prejudice toward none, love for all.

- Abdu’l-Bahá, Divine Philosophy, p. 13

11 Aug | p.m

"Verily, We have enjoined on every son to serve his father." Such is the decree which We have set forth in the Book. And in another Tablet, these exalted words have been revealed…Should a father neglect this most weighty commandment (exhorting the people of God to educate their children) laid down in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas by the Pen of the Eternal King, he shall forfeit rights of fatherhood, and be accounted guilty before God.

- Baha'u'llah, The Kitáb-i-Aqdas, p. 138

If it is not possible, therefore, for a family to educate all the children, preference is to be accorded to daughters since, through educated mothers, the benefits of knowledge can be most effectively and rapidly diffused throughout society.

- Abdu’l-Bahá, Quoted in The Kitáb-i-Aqdas, p. 199

11 Aug | a.m

Enter ye into wedlock, that after you another may arise in your stead. We, verily, have forbidden you lechery, and not that which is conducive to fidelity. Have ye clung unto the promptings of your nature, and cast behind your backs the statutes of God? Fear ye God, and be not of the foolish. But for man, who, on My earth, would remember Me, and how could My attributes and My names be revealed?

- Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 49

The Bahá'í teachings on sexual morality centre on marriage and the family as the bedrock of the whole structure of human society and are designed to protect and strengthen that divine institution. Bahá'í law thus restricts permissible sexual intercourse to that between a man and the woman to whom he is married.

- The Kitáb-i-Aqdas, p. 223

10 Aug | p.m

It behoveth the chiefs and rulers of the world, and in particular the Trustees of God's House of Justice, to endeavour to the utmost of their power to safeguard its [religion’s] position, promote its interests and exalt its station in the eyes of the world. In like manner it is incumbent upon them to enquire into the conditions of their subjects and to acquaint themselves with the affairs and activities of the divers communities in their dominions. We call upon the manifestations of the power of God - the sovereigns and rulers on earth - to bestir themselves and do all in their power that haply they may banish discord from this world and illumine it with the light of concord.

 

- Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 129

10 Aug | a.m

Justice is, in this day, bewailing its plight, and Equity groaneth beneath the yoke of oppression.... Through the movement of Our Pen of glory We have, at the bidding of the omnipotent Ordainer, breathed a new life into every human frame, and instilled into every word a fresh potency. All created things proclaim the evidences of this world-wide regeneration. This is the most great, the most joyful tidings imparted by the Pen of this wronged One to mankind. Wherefore fear ye, O My well-beloved ones? Who is it that can dismay you?

- Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 92

The chosen ones of God…should not look at the depraved condition of the society in which they live, nor at the evidences of moral degradation and frivolous conduct which the people around them display. They should not content themselves merely with relative distinction and excellence. Rather they should fix their gaze upon nobler heights by setting the counsels and exhortations of the Pen of Glory as their supreme goal. Then it will be readily realized how numerous are the stages that still remain to be traversed and how far off the desired goal lies - a goal which is none other than exemplifying heavenly morals and virtues.

- From a letter dated 30 October 1924 written by Shoghi Effendi to the Local Spiritual Assembly of Teheran

9 Aug | p.m

The beginning of magnanimity is when man expendeth his wealth on himself, on his family and on the poor among his brethren in his Faith.

- Bahá'u'lláh, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 156

Organize in an effort to help them [the poor] and prevent increase of poverty. The greatest means for prevention is that whereby the laws of the community will be so framed and enacted that it will not be possible for a few to be millionaires and many destitute. One of Baha’u’llahs’ teachings is the adjustment of means of livelihood in human society. Under this adjustment there can be no extremes in human conditions as regards wealth and sustenance.

- Abdu’l-Bahá, Foundations of World Unity, p. 36

9 Aug | a.m

Having attained the stage of fulfilment and reached his maturity, man standeth in need of wealth, and such wealth as he acquireth through crafts or professions is commendable and praiseworthy in the estimation of men of wisdom, and especially in the eyes of servants who dedicate themselves to the education of the world and to the edification of its peoples

- Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 34

Bahá’u’lláh further states that mendicity should not only be discouraged but entirely wiped out from the face of society. It is the duty of those who are in charge of the organization of society to give every individual the opportunity of acquiring the necessary talent in some kind of profession, and also the means of utilizing such a talent, both for its own sake and for the sake of earning the means of his livelihood.

- Shoghi Effendi, The Kitáb-i-Aqdas, p. 192

8 Aug | p.m

The parents must exert every effort to rear their offspring to be religious, for should the children not attain this greatest of adornments, they will not obeytheir parents, which in a certain sense means that they will not obey God. Indeed, such children will show no consideration to anyone, and will do exactly as they please.

- Bahá'u'lláh,  The Compilation of Compilations vol. I, p. 385

Deliver my longings and greetings to the consolation of thine eye,.... Verily I love them both even as a compassionate father loveth his dear children. As to thee, have for them an abundant love and exert thine utmost in training them, so that their being may grow through the milk of the love of God, forasmuch as it is the duty of parents to perfectly and thoroughly train their children.

- Abdu’l-Bahá, Tablets of Abdul-Bahá ‘Abbás, vol. 2, pp. 262-63

8 Aug | a.m

We have enjoined you in the Book "to worship no one but God and to show kindness to your parents". [Qur’án 46:15.] Thus hath the one true God spoken and the decree hath been fulfilled by the Almighty, the All-Wise. Therefore We have caused thee to return unto her [thy mother] and unto thy sister, that your mother's eyes may thereby be cheered, and she may be of the thankful. Say, O My people! Show honour to your parents and pay homage to them. This will cause blessings to descend upon you from the clouds of the bounty of your Lord, the Exalted, the Great.

- Bahá’u’lláh, The Compilation of Compilations vol. I, p. 386

There are also certain sacred duties on children toward parents, which duties are written in the Book of God, as belonging to God. The [children's] prosperity in this world and the Kingdom depends upon the good pleasure of parents, and without this they will be in manifest loss.

- Abdu’l-Bahá, Tablets of Abdul-Bahá ‘Abbás, vol. 2, pp. 262-63

7 Aug | p.m

Blessed is the house that hath attained unto My tender mercy, wherein My remembrance is celebrated, and which is ennobled by the presence of My loved ones, who have proclaimed My praise, cleaved fast to the cord of My grace and been honoured by chanting My verses. Verily they are the exalted servants whom God hath extolled in the Qayyúmu’l-Asmá' and other scriptures.

- Bahá’u’lláh, The Compilation of Compilations vol. I, p. 38

My home is the home of peace. My home is the home of joy and delight. My home is the home of laughter and exultation. Whosoever enters through the portals of this home, must go out with gladsome heart. This is the home of light; whosoever enters here must become illumined....

- Abdu’l-Bahá, published in Star of the West, vol. 9, no. 3, p. 40

7 Aug | a.m

Concern yourselves with the things that benefit mankind, and not with your corrupt and selfish desires. O ye followers of this Wronged One! Ye are the shepherds of mankind; liberate ye your flocks from the wolves of evil passions and desires, and adorn them with the ornament of the fear of God.

- Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 29

I ask you, Is not fellowship and brotherhood preferable to enmity and hatred in society and community? The answer is self-evident. Love and fellowship are absolutely needful to win the good-pleasure of God which is the goal of all human attainment.

- Abdu’l-Bahá, Foundations of World Unity, p. 99

5 Aug | p.m

He should show kindness to animals, how much more unto his fellow-man, to him who is endowed with the power of utterance... He should not wish for others that which he doth not wish for himself, nor promise that which he doth not fulfil.

 

- Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 265

5 Aug | a.m

Teach thou the Cause of God with an utterance which will cause the bushes to be enkindled, and the call 'Verily, there is no God but Me, the Almighty, the Unconstrained' to be raised therefrom.

- Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 143

Rest assured that the breathings of the Holy Spirit will loosen thy tongue. Speak, therefore; speak out with great courage at every meeting. When thou art about to begin thine address, turn first to Bahá'u'lláh, and ask for the confirmations of the Holy Spirit, then open thy lips and say whatever is suggested to thy heart; this, however, with the utmost courage, dignity and conviction.

- Abdu’l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 269

4 Aug | p.m

O people of Bahá! Ye are the dawning-places of the love of God and the daysprings of His loving-kindness. Defile not your tongues with the cursing and reviling of any soul, and guard your eyes against that which is not seemly.

 

- Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 27