an American woman knelt to Abbas Effendi

Dr. Henry H. Jessup recounted an incident where an American woman knelt to Abbas Effendi, crying "My Lord, my Lord," believing herself to be "in the very presence of the Son of God, the Christ". Jessup questioned Abbas Effendi about accepting worship "due only to the Creator," to which Abbas Effendi reportedly smiled, seemed disturbed, and deflected the conversation to "theological themes". Speer stated, "This is not an attitude which we, as Christians, can approve".

(Robert Elliott Speer Manuscript Collection; Series II: Correspondence; Box 32, File 32:10)

https://archive.org/details/correspondenceba00unse_1/page/n1/mode/2up

Read More

his attitude toward the Jews was always excellent

He ('Abdu'l Baha) especially excelled in his tolerance for all religions, and his attitude toward the Jews was always excellent.

(Yeshayahu Karniel, Dar Hayom, 1921)

https://benyehuda.org/read/22503

Read More

a stew of vegetables and lamb

Khan was often present at meals, at the luncheons or dinners in ‘Akká or Haifa. Various dishes would be served the guests, but ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Himself would have a bowl of ábgúsht, a stew of vegetables and lamb, very simple, and this plain stew was often the diet reserved for Him alone.

(Summon Up Remembrance, Marzieh Gail, p. 136)

Read More

Abdul Baha telling women to tolerate their husband’s cruel actions and ill treatment.

“Hold thy husband dear and always show forth an amiable temper towards him, no matter how ill tempered he may be. Even if thy kindness maketh him more bitter, manifest thou more kindliness, more tenderness, be more loving and tolerate his cruel actions and ill-treatment”.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Lights of Guidance, p. 226

Also this.

Now that you realize that your husband is ill, you should be able to reconcile yourself to the difficulties you have faced with him emotionally, and not take an unforgiving attitude, however much you may suffer.

Shoghi Effendi, Lights of Guidance, p. 227

Read More

Abdul Baha's association with corrupt officers and keeping notorious prostitute girl in his own house

In his memoir, Baha'u'llah's youngest son, Badiullah states:

This officer was a staff Colonel and associated with military & civil functionaries. He had a beautiful step daughter, the child of his wife by former marriage, who gathered young men around her.

Colonel Badri Beg hired a house at Haifa to spend the summer season there. He attended evening parties of the French Consul and leading members of the [Arab] Christian community. They engaged themselves in gambling.

The Most Great Branch [Sir Abbas Effendi] met all the [gambling] losses of the Beg, and provided for the upkeep of the [Beg's] house, and for the expenses of the [Beg's] step daughter. Thus the step daughter came to have plenty opportunity. She became familiar with a good looking Italian man. At night they met together and indulged themselves in love affair.

Some people became aware of the affair and advised the Beg to send the family to Acre. As the Beg himself had connection with the girl, and could not send her away from him. He disregarded the advice.

Eventually the Beg came to know about the affair and this roused his jealousy. One evening the Beg detailed two soldiers to go and deliver a message to the Italian young man on behest of the girl to come & see her at night. The house was unattended. The occupant had gone to Acre. As soon as the Italian young man came into the house & seated himself in the drawing room, the two soldiers appeared at the scene, caught hold of him, strangled him to death, stuffed up his throat with a long piece of rag, took him away and cast him into the sea.

In their hurry & bustle, they did not tie a stone to his foot to keep the corpse at the bottom of the sea.
In the morning his mother and relatives begun to search for the young man. Finally the young man's body was discovered near the sea shore, strangled to death.

The incident set people's tongue wagging. His mother and relatives raised a tumult in Haifa. They held Badri Beg responsible for the incident and brought an action against him and also against [Sir] Abbas Effendi because he came to Haifa after and frequented the Beg's house."

I realized that the allegation against the Most Great Branch [Sir] Abbas Effendi reflected on the whole family. By strong arguments and proof I applied myself to proving that it was impossible for him to have been involved in the matter. I called on members of the bereaved family to offer my condolences. I seized the opportunity to convince them that my brother [Sir] Abbas Effendi had not taken part at all in the matter. The mother of the deceased replied: "If he had not taken part in the matter, and had no connection with the girl, why did he take her to his own home in Acre?" I endeavoured as far as possible to exonerate the Most Great Branch [Sir] Abbas Effendi as the allegation reflected on the family as well as on Baha's name. But I did not expect that he would take her to his own house. I went to Acre to see what had happened. I enquired from the Baha'is and others. I found out that he had put up the notorious prostitute girl in his own house, the 'Abbud-House', which was the dwelling place of the Blessed Beauty [i.e. Baha], exalted be his power, before his ascension [i.e. death].

(Page 76-77, The Memoirs of Badiullah [The Most Luminous Branch] Baha'u'llah's Youngest Son)

Read More

Abdul Baha's allegation of ‘European Prostitutes at the Bahja Mansion’

In his memoir, Baha'u'llah's youngest son, Badiullah states:

I came from Haifa to Acre. I called on the Most Great Branch Sir Abbas Effendi. He inquired after my health and displayed the utmost love towards me. He then said: "The Most Mighty Branch Mirza Muhammad Ali took three European prostitutes to the Bahja mansion and put them there for the night. He then despatched them to Syria. He has disgraced us."

Although I knew that such a thing was not possible to take place, yet it caused some astonishment. I proceeded to the Bahja mansion and enquired from the Most Pure Branch Mirza Diyaullah whether any female guests had stayed for the night in the mansion. He replied: "The Most Great Branch [Sir Abbas Effendi] sent a note in which he said: "three female travellers from Europe will spend the night in the Bahja mansion. Entertain them to the utmost. In the morning they will be travelling to Beirut, accompanied by [their dragoman] Khwaja Baha." Agreeably to his directions [in the note] we entertained them, and in the morning they proceeded to Beirut, accompanied by Khwaja Baha."

Mirza Diyaullah "produced to me the note, which was penned in Sir Abbas Effendi's handwriting." These three women were from Europe. They were not Bahais.

(Page 26, The Memoirs of Badiullah [The Most Luminous Branch] Baha'u'llah's Youngest Son)

Read More

‘Abdu’l-Baha indicated to him that the Shah would be assassinated

When Mirza Mahmud-i-Furughi, an outstanding teacher of the Faith, was on pilgrimage, ‘Abdu’l-Baha indicated to him that the Shah would be assassinated and told him to warn the believers to be on their guard.

In 1896 Nasiri’d-Din Shah was indeed struck down by an assassin on the very eve of his jubilee celebrations. The Baha'is had nothing whatever to do with this deed but memories of the assassination attempt made by three deranged Babis in 1852 were still powerful. In its report the London Times supposed that the murderer was a 'Babi'. Only gradually was it realized that the Baha'is were not responsible.

(Servant of the Glory - The Life of 'Abdu'l-Baha by Mary Perkins)

Read More

attempts to kill ‘Abdu’l-Baha

In these years the Covenant-breakers gave up demanding that the Master pay for their upkeep but at the same time two attempts were made by them to kill ‘Abdu’l-Baha. Poison was twice placed by one individual in a jug of drinking water used by Him but on both occasions it was discovered in time. Another individual concealed a dagger under his clothes with the intention of using it to kill ‘Abdu'l-Baha but the attempt was not successful.

(Servant of the Glory - The Life of 'Abdu'l-Baha by Mary Perkins)

Read More

Feeding the British army in 1918.

‘Abdu’l-Baha had given the Baha’i farmers specific guidance in their agricultural development, and His instructions on the storage of grains allowed the accumulations which permitted Him to feed the population of ‘Akka during the deprivation of World War I and even-to aid the British army in meeting its needs in 1918.

(Door of hope - a century of the Baháʻí faith in the Holy Land - Ruhe, David S (David Sieger), 1914-2005 George Ronald)

Read More

Baha'u'llah and Mirza Musa's properties in Palestine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCBenVHiXVY

Baha'u'llah and Mirza Musa's properties in Palestine and Abdul Baha selling these lands to Jewish Colonization Association (JCA) in 1903 and to other Jewish organizations. 

Starts from 15 mins 20 Sec.

Read More

America is a noble nation, the standard-bearer of peace throughout the world

America is a noble nation, the standard-bearer of peace throughout the world, shedding light to all regions. Foreign nations are not untrammeled and free from intrigues and complications like the United States; therefore, they are not able to bring about universal harmony. But America — praise be to God! — is at peace with all the world and is worthy of raising the flag of brotherhood and international agreement.

-Abdul Baha

https://centenary.bahai.us/talk/america-noble-nation-standard-bearer-peace

Read More

You know, before 'Abdu'l-Bahá passing away, it was on a Friday, we went visit the mosque in Haifa, Friday morning.

You know, before 'Abdu'l-Bahá passing away, it was on a Friday, we went visit the mosque in Haifa, Friday morning. That day return from mosque, He had to walk up the step. He says "I am tired," went into the room. Then Friday, Saturday, Sunday! Three days. Sunday night, He passed away. Those days we had many American pilgrims there. That Mr. and Mrs. Hoagg, Boschs were there. I heard the cry, deafening noise. So immediately I went up this gate, there's many collected and mourning, the Eastern believers very demonstrative, you know. I said "What is it?" "It's 'Abdu'l-Bahá has passed." So immediately I come back to Pilgrim House, informed them. And some of them come out, come now. That day. It's one o'clock, and all the family are all together there. Can't help. Doctor just left, Dr. Habib, that Christian Arab, that's their family doctor. Then from that room we had after few days, the day in Mount Carmel. I went there myself, making a place. ( ) called, ah, Ramatullah, he's very strong man, he carried casket way down. Ramatullah lived a long time ago, he was caretaker, gardener, very nice man. He had a big family, but years ago.

All the notables from Haifa and Jerusalem, all were collected here, ah, for funeral. Even Herbert Samuel, walked right up, passing Master.

(Interview of Sachiro Fujita by Sylvia Ioas, 1975)

Read More

India will become a beautiful garden of believers.

Abdul-Baha has said that Bombay will surely advance and that India will become a beautiful garden of believers.

(Star of the West - Oct. 16, 1910)

Read More

Baha'u'llah was not a descendant from the Prophet Zoroaster

Baha'u'llah was not a descendant from the Prophet Zoroaster.

-Abdul Baha

(Star of the West, Oct. 16, 1910)

https://bahai.works/index.php?title=File:SW_Vol1_No12.pdf&page=3

Read More

Abdul Baha would attend Muhammad 'Abduh's study sessions

He [Rashid Ridá] says that when 'Abduh [one of the key figures of Islamic Modernism and the Salafi movement, also an opponent of the Ottoman ulama] was living in Beirut (presumably in the late 1880s) 'Abdu'l-Bahá more than once came to Beirut from Haifa and would make a point of attending some of Muḥammad 'Abduh's study sessions. Bahá'í sources, however, speak of only one encounter between 'Abdu'l-Bahá and 'Abduh, and the matter of how intimate the two men were bears more investigation. After 'Abduh returned to Cairo, he continued to correspond with 'Abdu'l-Bahá, and Ridá said that he had in his possession some of the latter's letters to 'Abduh.

Juan R.I. Cole. "Muhammad `Abduh and Rashid Rida: A Dialogue on the Baha'i Faith." World Order Vol. 15, nos. 3-4 (Spring/Summer 1981):7-16.

https://www.h-net.org/~bahai/diglib/articles/A-E/cole/abduh/abduh.htm

Read More

"it is impossible to treat multiple wives equally."

"Prior to the Revelation of the Prophet Muhammad, the Apostle of God (may the blessings of God rest upon Him), the practice of polygamy was so prevalent among the Arabs that it would not have been possible to enjoin monogamy on them all of a sudden. This notwithstanding, the Prophet Muhammad declared that if a man was incapable of treating all four of his wives equally, he would need to choose just one of them to be his wife." It is clear from this verse that, in reality, it is the practice of monogamy which is allowable and acceptable in the sight of God, since it is impossible to treat multiple wives equally."

(Mirza Mahmud Zarqani, Mahmud's Diary, volume two, Abdu'l-Baha in Europe, 1912-1913, translated by Adib Masumian, George Ronald, Oxford, 2024, footnote, p. 246)

Read More

if a king violates to the extent of one atom he shall be cut off immediately.

The confirmation of the Kingdom of Abhá' shall descend uninterruptedly upon those souls who are firm in the Covenant. Thou hast well observed that every firm one is assisted and aided and every violator is degraded, humiliated and lost... This Covenant is the Covenant of His Holiness Baha'u'llah. Now its importance is not known befittingly, but in the future it shall attain to such a degree of importance that if a king violates to the extent of one atom he shall be cut off immediately.

(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Tablet, Star of West, Vol. IV, p. 240)

Read More

Abdul Baha "revealing" Tablets!

“Once ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was freed from His many daily engagements, He would call Aqa Mirza Nuru’d-Diin and begin dictating divine verses. At the same time, previously revealed Tablets were presented to ‘Abdu’l-Baha for His review, correction and signature. Here, He wrote in His own hand while simultaneously dictating verses, for He was the essential reality of the phrase ‘One task does not distract Him from another’; mental confusion had no meaning at that threshold.

However, it was also necessary at this hour for the many pilgrims – who were scattered all over ‘Akká, some at the pilgrim house, some in the reception room downstairs and yet others in the streets and bazaars, all longingly waiting – to be given the opportunity of attaining the presence of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. In this way, while relishing the joys of reunion they could also benefit from the wisdom of His words revealed in response to various complex questions.

Having been summoned to His presence, they would arrive and take their seats. After bestowing on each His expressions of love and greeting, He would again begin to reveal divine verses, at times uttering the words simply and distinctly in a powerful and commanding voice, at other times chanting the verses in that same melodious and heavenly tone which He used to chant Baha’u’llah’s Tablet of Visitation.

“ . . . this warm and tender gathering, this retreat of love, was often disrupted by the arrival of non-Baha’is, for the door of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s house was open to all: no doorkeeper or watchman blocked the way to any guest.

Suddenly two or more guests would enter. If they were not enemies of the Cause, they would be received warmly by the Master with the words, ‘Welcome, welcome. How are you?’ After imparting His expressions of love and greeting to each, the revelation of verses would begin again and that spiritual state would return. However, if they were not worthy, or if the number of people exceeded the capacity of the room, then with the words, ‘Go in the care of God,’ ‘Abdu’l-Baha would give permission for the friends to leave and would then return to His work. This is how Tablets were revealed when dictated to a secretary.

https://bahai-library.com/afroukhteh_velasco_portrait_abdul-baha

Read More

Abdul Baha's prayer for the Baha'is - shield them from the doubts of the violators and the evil suggestions of the waverers

O my Lord! O my Lord! Intoxicate them with the wine of knowledge; sweeten their tastes with the delicacies of prayer in the early morn and eve; gather them together in one congregation; confer upon them a shelter; protect them in the cave of thy Covenant and thy Testament; shield them from the doubts of the violators and the evil suggestions of the waverers; make them mines of knowledge, wisdom and assurance; cause their feet to be firm and steadfast in the straight pathway and grant unto them prosperity in whatever country they call the people to thy Name! Verily, thou art the Lord of the Cause, and thou are powerful to do whatsoever thou desirest!

(Words of Abdul-Baha: From Diary of Mirza Sohrab, July 18, 1913.)

https://bahai.works/Star_of_the_West/Volume_8/Issue_16/Text

Read More

Undoubtedly the unworthy souls must be shunned

“O thou who are firm in the Covenant:

“Your letter was received. You have Written that some of the waverers had written to me and that I had written answers to them; [and] that some have taken this as a proof that association with the waverers is permissible. This is the essence of error! For ‘Abdu’l-Bahá corresponds with all the people, even with the enemies. This emanates from his mercy and not from their merit.

“One of the Women of Chicago has written me a letter . . . an answer has been written and enclosed. . . . Read this to the Spiritual Assembly . . . then give it to her and know this is the standard. Undoubtedly the unworthy souls must be shunned, otherwise the morals will be entirely corrupted.”

- Star of the West, vol. XII, pp. 232, 234.

https://bahai.works/World_Order/Volume_8/Issue_8/Text

Read More