Baha'i Texts

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Saturday, September 5, 2026

Spit in the Bab's face and curse him, and you will be released from these bonds.

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At this point Sayyid Ḥusayn became frightened and sought repentance and pardon.They told him: “Spit in the Bāb’s face and curse him, and you will be released from these bonds.” He did so and was released. Later, however, in the capital, he again joined Sulaymān Khān, son of Yaḥyā Khān, and was killed during the Bābī disturbances, as will be related in its proper place.

(Mīrzā Muḥammad Taqī Khān Lisān al-Mulk Sipihr’s (d. 1880 CE) official Qājār account of the death of the Bāb in Nāṣikh al-tawārīkh (The Abrogator of the histories))

https://wahidazal66.substack.com/p/mirza-muhammad-taqi-khan-lisan-al

The Baha'i narrative of the execution of the Bab is absent from the earliest historical sources.

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The widely propagated Baha'i narrative of the execution of the Bab involving 750 musketeers arranged in three successive ranks of 250 is completely absent from the earliest historical sources. The official Qajar account simply mentions "a body of soldiers" from the Christian regiment, while the early Babi account mentions a "company" or "group" firing simultaneously.

For more details check "The Execution of the Bāb in Early Bābī and Qājār Sources" A Short Comparative Source-Critical Analysis of the two early accounts of Nāṣikh al-tawārīkh and Nuqṭat’ul-kāf by Wahid Azal

Wednesday, September 2, 2026

‘Abdu’l-Bahá immediately chastened His attendant by slapping him hard in the face in front of the Governor.

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Soon after the arrival of Bahá’u’lláh and His party in ‘Akká the Governor visited the barracks for inspection. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, accompanied by a few believers, went to see him. But the Governor was discourteous and spoke to them in a provocative manner. He threatened to cut the supply of bread if one of the prisoners went missing and then ordered them back to their room. One of the Master’s attendants could not bear to remain silent after such insulting treatment. He retorted with rage and hurled back at the Governor some offensive remarks.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá immediately chastened His attendant by slapping him hard in the face in front of the Governor and ordering him to return to his room.

(Vignettes from the Life of ‘Abdul-Baha - Collected and edited by Annamarie Honnold)

How Muslims and Baha'is treat their covenant-breakers?

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It is related of Shaykh Mahmúd of ‘Akká that he ‘hated the Bahá’ís. While many of his fellow-townsmen had gradually come to realize how very wrong they had been and were speaking of the prisoners in terms of appreciation and praise, Shaykh Mahmúd remained adamant in his hatred. One day he was present at a gathering where people were talking of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as a good man, a remarkable man. The Shaykh could bear it no longer and stormed out, saying that he would show up this ‘Abbás Effendi for what He was. In blazing anger he rushed to the mosque, where he knew ‘Abdu’l-Bahá could be found at that hour, and laid violent hands upon Him. The Master looked at the Shaykh with that serenity and dignity which only He could command, and reminded him of what the Prophet Muhammad had said: “Be generous to the guest, even should he be an infidel.”

Shaykh Mahmúd turned away. His wrath had left him. So had his hate.

(Vignettes from the Life of ‘Abdul-Baha - Collected and edited by Annamarie Honnold)

Sometime after I [Ruhi Afnan] was 'expelled' from the Cause and after the Bab’s shrine on Mount Carmel had been completed, a club of university graduates - chaired by an old friend of my sister's - invited me to talk about the Cause. This I was honoured to do and at the appointed date spoke at that meeting. However, upon leaving the hall, Mr. Mohammad Baha'i and Mr. Mansour, who, at that time worked at the house of Abdul Baha (and were in the service of Shoghi Effendi) came forward, spat in my face and slapping me in the face said 'You are an enemy of the Cause and you give talks about it!?'

http://www.abdulbahasfamily.org/documents/Ruhi-Afnan-1970-letter.pdf

Covenant-Breakers gave away the garments and personal effects of Bahá’u’lláh to government functionaries

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There was a time when the Covenant-Breakers ‘gave away the garments and personal effects of Bahá’u’lláh to government functionaries, to serve as chattels of bribery and to provide as well the means of humiliating ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. At their instigation the Deputy-Governor of Haifa would, whilst visiting ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, ostentatiously wear Bahá’u’lláh’s cloak and brazenly use His spectacles. Before long this man was dismissed from his post and fell on evil days. Then he went to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and begged His forgiveness. He had acted, he said, in the manner he did, because he was prompted by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s own relatives. The Master showed him utmost kindness and generosity...’

(Vignettes from the Life of ‘Abdul-Baha - Collected and edited by Annamarie Honnold)

Friday, July 31, 2026

They will now be punished

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“America,” he said, “is no longer even actively quarreling. They are passively stagnant.” This is why, he said, that he asked them to disperse — so that they may become alive again and not wither. They will now be punished, he told a pilgrim, both materially and spiritually if they do not disperse. Those who now fail to respond to the summons of the Crusade will suffer both materially and spiritually. Those who do not respond to the commander, he said, will feel this double suffering.

Baha'u'llah sold off the properties without Azal's consent

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The Bab explicitly appointed Subh-i-Azal (Mirza Yahya) as his deputy and successor in 1850, leaving behind a sealed will and testament declaring that no new Manifestation would appear for at least 2000 years. Baha'u'llah violated this appointment by proclaiming himself to be "He Whom God Shall Make Manifest" only a few years after the Bab's death. This was a direct betrayal of the Bab's explicit instructions and a deliberate attempt to seize leadership of the Babi community for personal ambition.

While Subh-i-Azal was preparing for exile, Baha'u'llah sold their father's properties and inheritance in Tehran without his consent, leaving Azal in severe financial hardship. Baha'u'llah then engaged in systematic character assassination, portraying Subh-i-Azal as "the living example of evil and greed," a "puppet," and a "liar." Baha'u'llah appropriated half of the government allowance (pension) intended for the Babi community and used his greater social influence to isolate Subh-i-Azal during their exiles in Baghdad, Istanbul, and Edirne.

Azali sources hold Baha'u'llah responsible for the deaths of prominent Babis who remained loyal to Subh-i-Azal, including the Bab's cousin Mirza Ali Akbar and the scholar Dayyan. Baha'u'llah sought to poison Subh-i-Azal during the conflict in Edirne and, after the Ottoman authorities separated the two brothers, several Azalis sent to Akka with Baha'u'llah were murdered soon after their arrival. This sustained campaign of marginalization forced Subh-i-Azal into a lonely, ascetic exile in Cyprus while Baha'u'llah's movement eclipsed the original Babi faith.

(Subhi Ezel Mirza Yahya ve Ezeliler, by Yasin İPEK, 2021, Kayseri Üniversitesi, Kayseri, Türkiye, Language : Turkish)

https://search.trdizin.gov.tr/en/yayin/detay/458910

Thursday, July 30, 2026

The Ignominious Defeat of the Decrepit Ottoman Empire and The Haifa Title-Deeds: Signed by the Son of the Arch-Breaker of Baha'u'llah's Covenant

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Profiting from the freedom accorded the world center of the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh, ever since the ignominious defeat of the decrepit Ottoman empire during the war of 1914-18, the forces released through the inception of the stupendous Plan conceived by Him could now flow unchecked, under the beneficent influence of a sympathetic regime, into channels designed to disclose to the world at large the potencies with which that Plan had been endowed. The interment of 'Abdu'l-Bahá Himself within a vault of the Báb's mausoleum, enhancing still further the sacredness of that mountain; the installment of an electric plant, the first of its kind established in the city of Haifa, flooding with illumination the Grave of One Who, in His own words, had been denied even "a lighted lamp" in His fortress-prison in Adhirbayjan; the construction of three additional chambers adjoining His sepulcher, thereby completing 'Abdu'l-Bahá's plan for the first unit of that Edifice; the vast extension, despite the machinations of the Covenant-breakers, of the properties surrounding that resting-place, sweeping from the ridge of Carmel down to the Templar colony nestling at its foot, and representing assets estimated at no less than four hundred thousand pounds, together with the acquisition of four tracts of land, dedicated to the Bahá'í Shrines, and situated in the plain of 'Akká to the north, in the district of Beersheba to the south, and in the valley of the Jordan to the east, amounting to approximately six hundred acres; the opening of a series of terraces which, as designed by 'Abdu'l-Bahá, are to provide a direct approach to the Báb's Tomb from the city lying under its shadow; the beautification of its precincts through the laying out of parks and gardens, open daily to the public, and attracting tourists and residents alike to its gates -- these may be regarded as the initial evidences of the marvelous expansion of the international institutions and endowments of the Faith at its world center. Of particular significance, moreover, has been the exemption granted by the Palestine High Commissioner to the entire area of land surrounding and dedicated to the Shrine of the Báb, to the school property and the archives in its vicinity, to the Western pilgrim-house situated in its neighborhood, and to such historic sites as the Mansion in Bahji, the House of Bahá'u'lláh in 'Akká, and the garden of Ridvan to the east of that city; the establishment, as a result of two formal applications submitted to the civil authorities, of the Palestine Branches of the American and Indian National Spiritual Assemblies, as recognized religious societies in Palestine (to be followed, for purposes of internal consolidation, by a similar incorporation of the branches of other National Spiritual Assemblies throughout the Bahá'í world); and the transfer to the Branch of the American National Spiritual Assembly, through a series of no less than thirty transactions, of properties dedicated to the Tomb of the Báb, and approximating in their aggregate fifty thousand square meters, the majority of the title-deeds of which bear the signature of the son of the Arch-breaker of Bahá'u'lláh's Covenant in his capacity as Registrar of lands in Haifa.

Equally significant has been the founding on Mt. Carmel of two international Archives, the one adjoining the shrine of the Báb, the other in the immediate vicinity of the resting-place of the Greatest Holy Leaf, where, for the first time in Bahá'í history, priceless treasures, hitherto scattered and often hidden for safekeeping, have been collected and are now displayed to visiting pilgrims…. (God Passes By, p. 347)

Equally significant has been the founding on Mt. Carmel of two international Archives, the one adjoining the shrine of the Báb, the other in the immediate vicinity of the resting-place of the Greatest Holy Leaf, where, for the first time in Bahá'í history, priceless treasures, hitherto scattered and often hidden for safekeeping, have been collected and are now displayed to visiting pilgrims….(God Passes By, p. 347)

(Bahá'í Answers, compiled by Olivia Kelsey, 1947, APPROVED BY THE REVIEWING COMMITTEE OF THENATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA)

https://bahai-library.com/kelsey_bahai_answers

Saturday, July 25, 2026

Loyalty and Support for the State of Israel

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The Israeli government’s decision to officially recognize the Baha'i Faith in 1971 was heavily influenced by the community's positive relationship with the state:

Official Rationale for Recognition: Zerach Warhaftig, the Minister for Religious Affairs at the time, cited the "strong Baha'i affinity for the land of Israel" and their "support for the state of Israel" as primary incentives for granting recognition.

Key Factors of Support: The Israeli archives note several specific behaviors that contributed to this favorable view:
• A "friendly attitude" toward the state.
• Abstention from proselytization within Israel.
• Significant financial investment in the country and the promotion of tourism.
• General "sympathy for the state of Israel" and the global influence of its believers.

Despite this support, the Baha'i leadership requested that the Israeli government refrain from mentioning their "support for the state" in the public announcement of their recognition. This was done out of concern for the safety and fate of Baha'is living in neighboring countries, specifically mentioning Morocco and Egypt at that time.

(Dr. D Gershon Lewental (Ben-Gurion University of the Negev): The Evangelical Episcopal Church’s Role in the Official Israeli Recognition of the Bahāʾī Faith  https://youtu.be/EdGsr5CtkSE  Starts at 15.00 minutes)

Friday, July 24, 2026

Siyyid Muhammad Isfahani was a spy thus he was killed by a group of Baha'is in Akka

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When Siyyid Muhammad was sent to Akka with the group of exiles, he acted as a spy for the Ottoman government. He was tasked with monitoring the activities of Baha'u'llah and the Baha'is and reporting them to the central authorities.

In 1288 AH (1871 AD), Siyyid Muhammad and two of his associates (Mirza Aqajan and Mirza Rida-Quli) were killed in Akka by a group of Baha'is.

(Taqrirat-i-Dar Bareh Kitab-i-Aqdas by Abdu'l-Hamid Ishraq-Khavari)

Thursday, July 23, 2026

Baha'i individuals who served in various military or medical roles

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Bahá’í individuals who served in various military or medical roles, utilizing their service to teach their religion while under authority:

  • 'Ali-Muhammad Khan Varqá: A conscripted artillery officer in Írán.
  • Rúḥu’lláh Mawzún: A member of the Naval Officers Division in Írán.
  • Dr. 'Abdu'l-Karím Khan Ayádí: An army physician in Írán.
  • Malik-Khusraví: A military college instructor in Írán.
  • Áqáyán Aḥmadí and Jalílí: Conscripted officers in Írán.
  • Philip Hainsworth: A member of the Royal Army Medical Corps during WWII who was the first Bahá’í to settle in Uganda and was named a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh.
  • Robert Yool: A British reservist.
  • Alvin Blum: A member of the U.S. Army Medical Corps who taught the Faith extensively in New Zealand during WWII and later became a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh for the Solomon Islands.
  • Sergeant Bruce Davison: A member of a medical unit who organized the first Local Spiritual Assembly of Frankfurt, Germany.
  • John Carl Eichenauer, III: A soldier in Germany who helped restore religious rights to German Bahá’ís and provided a link to the international Bahá’í community.
  • Sergeant Jim Heggie: A serviceman who taught the Bahá’í message to fellow young men in the armed forces.
  • Benjamin Kaufman: A member of the medical corps who shared his experiences in the book In the Army.
  • Captain Henry Jarvis: A captain who served in the Pacific and France, aiding and encouraging Bahá’í communities in those regions.
  • Edwin H. Koyl: A Technical Sergeant with a medical unit in New Guinea who shared the Bahá’í message with his battalion.
  • Charles H. McAllister: A Pfc. in a medical detachment who taught Bahá’í ideas to nearly everyone in his battalion.
  • R. C. Niss: A Technical Sergeant in the Aleutian Islands.
  • David Ned Blackmer: A Technician Fifth Grade in a field hospital who distributed Bahá’í literature and spoke of the Faith in England and to army personnel.
  • H. Duncan McAlear: A Corporal with the Anti-Aircraft Artillery in Belgium who met people seeking the Faith while on leave.
  • Anthony Yuen Seto: A Reserve Officers Training Camp member in Honolulu during WWI who later chaired the first Local Spiritual Assembly of Honolulu.
  • Edwin Whitaker Mattoon: A First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army during WWI who met Bahá’ís in other lands and corresponded about the Faith.
  • Charles Dunning: A veteran of both World Wars (including service in the RAF) who was named a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh for opening the Orkney Islands.
  • Yadu'lláh Vahdat: A Lieutenant-Colonel in Iran nicknamed "Shield of the Faith" who was retired due to his beliefs and killed in 1981.
  • 'Abbas Íshqúlí: A retired Colonel who served as Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of Írán and protected the community during persecutions.
  • 'Ináyatu'lláh Suhráb: A retired Colonel who undertook travel teaching trips to remote tribal areas in Írán and compiled study courses.
  • Munír Vakíl: A Brigadier and legal counsellor in the Iraqi Ministry of Defence who became a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh for the Kuria Muria Islands.
  • Philip Desmond Harvey: A Royal Navy aircraft technician who pioneered for over 36 years in southern Africa.
  • Lloyd Gardner: A Navy medic during WWII who helped establish the first Local Spiritual Assembly of Halifax, Canada.
  • Iraj Afshín: A Colonel in the Iranian Army.
  • 'Abdu'l-Majíd Mutahhar: An army administrator who left the military to pioneer as a teacher in remote villages of Iran.
  • Mansúr 'Ahdiyyih: A veteran of the Iranian military who later served as a custodian of the Bahá’í Shrines in the Holy Land.
  • James Wilbur Walton: A U.S. Army veteran of WWII and a travel teacher.
  • Fritz Semle: A WWI soldier.
(Source: Baha'i World)

Wednesday, July 22, 2026

Shoghi Effendi paid a visit to David Ben-Gurion, to establish a good relationship

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on 21 January 1949 he paid a visit to the Prime Minister of the new State of Israel, David Ben-Gurion, to establish a good relationship and to inform him about the Bahá’í Faith and his own role as head. He responded to a request by Mr Ben-Gurion for more information by promising to send him his history, God Passes By.

(Coronation On Carmel by Michael V. Day)

a station such as none other woman hath surpassed,

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Moreover, as a further testimony to the majestic unfoldment and progressive consolidation of the stupendous undertaking launched by Bahá'u'lláh on that holy mountain, may be mentioned the selection of a portion of the school property situated in the precincts of the Shrine of the Báb as a permanent resting-place for the Greatest Holy Leaf, the "well-beloved" sister of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, the "Leaf that hath sprung" from the "Pre-existent Root," the "fragrance" of Bahá'u'lláh's "shining robe," elevated by Him to a "station such as none other woman hath surpassed," and comparable in rank to those immortal heroines such as Sarah, Asiyih, the Virgin Mary, Fatimih and Tahirih, each of whom has outshone every member of her sex in previous Dispensations.

(Bahá'í Answers, compiled by Olivia Kelsey, 1947, APPROVED BY THE REVIEWING COMMITTEE OF THENATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS
OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA)

https://bahai-library.com/kelsey_bahai_answers

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