November 30
O King! Wert thou to incline thine ears unto the shrill
voice of the Pen of Glory and the cooing of the Dove of Eternity, which on the
branches of the Lote-Tree beyond which there is no passing, uttereth praises to
God, the Maker of all Names and the Creator of earth and heaven, thou wouldst
attain unto a station from which thou wouldst behold in the world of being
naught save the effulgence of the Adored One, and wouldst regard thy
sovereignty as the most contemptible of thy possessions, abandoning it to
whosoever might desire it, and setting thy face toward the Horizon aglow with
the light of His countenance. Neither wouldst thou ever be willing to bear the
burden of dominion save for the purpose of helping thy
Lord, the Exalted, the Most High. Then would the Concourse on high bless thee.
O how excellent is this most sublime station, couldst thou ascend thereunto
through the power of a sovereignty recognized as derived from the Name of God!
(Baha’u’llah, from a Tablet addressed to Nasiri’d-Din Shah, the King of Persia,
quoted in ‘The Epistle to the Son of the Wolf’)
November 29
Be fair to yourselves and to others that the evidences of
justice may be revealed through your deeds among Our faithful servants. (Baha’u’llah,
quoted by Shoghi Effendi in ‘The Advent of Divine Justice’)
November 28
In this mountain I have remained alone, and have come to such a pass that none of those gone before Me have suffered what I have suffered, nor any transgressor endured what I have endured! I render praise unto God and yet again praise Him. I find Myself free from sorrow, inasmuch as I abide within the good-pleasure of My Lord and Master. Methinks I am in the all-highest Paradise, rejoicing at My communion with God, the Most Great. Verily this is a bounty which God hath conferred upon Me; and He is the Lord of unbounded blessings.
I swear by the truth of God! Wert thou to know that which I know, thou wouldst forgo the sovereignty of this world and of the next, that thou mightest attain My good-pleasure, through thine obedience unto the True One... Wert thou to refuse, the Lord of the world would raise up one who would exalt His Cause, and the Command of God would, verily, be carried into effect. (The Báb, Extracts from an Epistle to Muhammad Shah, ‘Selections from the Writings of the Báb)
I swear by the truth of God! Wert thou to know that which I know, thou wouldst forgo the sovereignty of this world and of the next, that thou mightest attain My good-pleasure, through thine obedience unto the True One... Wert thou to refuse, the Lord of the world would raise up one who would exalt His Cause, and the Command of God would, verily, be carried into effect. (The Báb, Extracts from an Epistle to Muhammad Shah, ‘Selections from the Writings of the Báb)
November 27
While engulfed in tribulations I heard a most wondrous, a
most sweet voice, calling above My head. Turning My face, I beheld a Maiden—the embodiment of the remembrance of
the name of My Lord—suspended in the air before Me. So rejoiced was she in her very soul that her
countenance shone with the ornament of the good pleasure of God, and her cheeks
glowed with the brightness of the All-Merciful. Betwixt earth and heaven she was raising a call which captivated the
hearts and minds of men. She was
imparting to both My inward and outer being tidings which rejoiced My soul, and
the souls of God’s honoured servants.
Pointing with her finger unto My head, she addressed all who are in heaven and all who are on earth, saying: By God! This is the Best-Beloved of the worlds, and yet ye comprehend not. his is the Beauty of God amongst you, and the power of His sovereignty within you, could ye but understand. This is the Mystery of God and His Treasure, the Cause of God and His glory unto all who are in the kingdoms of Revelation and of creation, if ye be of them that perceive. This is He Whose Presence is the ardent desire of the denizens of the Realm of eternity, and of them that dwell within the Tabernacle of glory, and yet from His Beauty do ye turn aside. (Baha’u’llah, Súriy-i-Haykal, ‘The Summons of the Lord of Hosts’)
Pointing with her finger unto My head, she addressed all who are in heaven and all who are on earth, saying: By God! This is the Best-Beloved of the worlds, and yet ye comprehend not. his is the Beauty of God amongst you, and the power of His sovereignty within you, could ye but understand. This is the Mystery of God and His Treasure, the Cause of God and His glory unto all who are in the kingdoms of Revelation and of creation, if ye be of them that perceive. This is He Whose Presence is the ardent desire of the denizens of the Realm of eternity, and of them that dwell within the Tabernacle of glory, and yet from His Beauty do ye turn aside. (Baha’u’llah, Súriy-i-Haykal, ‘The Summons of the Lord of Hosts’)
November 26
November 25
..."Say: O people of God! Beware lest the powers of the
earth alarm you, or the might of the nations weaken you, or the tumult of the
people of discord deter you, or the exponents of earthly glory sadden you. Be
ye as a mountain in the Cause of your Lord, the Almighty, the All-Glorious, the
Unconstrained." "Say: Beware, O people of Baha, lest the strong ones
of the earth rob you of your strength, or they who rule the world fill you with
fear. Put your trust in God, and commit your affairs to His keeping. He,
verily, will, through the power of truth, render you victorious, and He,
verily, is powerful to do what He willeth, and in His grasp are the reins of
omnipotent might." (Baha’u’llah, cited in Shoghi Effendi ‘The Advent of
Divine Justice’ The Compilation of Compilations vol. I, Crisis and Victory)
November 24
O SON OF MAN! Bestow My wealth upon My poor, that in heaven
thou mayest draw from stores of unfading splendor and treasures of imperishable
glory. But by My life! To offer up thy soul is a more glorious thing couldst
thou but see with Mine eye. (Baha’u’llah, ‘The Hidden Words, no. 57 Arabic) (Please
see ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s explanation at 'Daily Spiritual Food for Thought’)
November 23
Thus it is that Jesus, Himself, declared: “I go away and
come again unto you.” Consider the sun. Were it to say now, “I am the sun of
yesterday,” it would speak the truth. And should it, bearing the sequence of
time in mind, claim to be other than that sun, it still would speak the truth.
In like manner, if it be said that all the days are but one and the same, it is
correct and true. And if it be said, with respect to their particular names and
designations, that they differ, that again is true. For though they are the
same, yet one doth recognize in each a separate designation, a specific
attribute, a particular character. Conceive accordingly the distinction,
variation, and unity characteristic of the various Manifestations of holiness,
that thou mayest comprehend the allusions made by the creator of all names and
attributes to the mysteries of distinction and unity, and discover the answer
to thy question as to why that everlasting Beauty should
have, at sundry times, called Himself by different names and titles. (Baha’u’llah,
‘The Kitab-i-Iqan’)
November 22
It is permitted that the peoples and kindreds of the world
associate with one another with joy and radiance. O people! Consort with the
followers of all religions in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship. Thus
hath the day-star of His sanction and authority shone forth above the horizon
of the decree of God, the Lord of the worlds. (Baha’u’llah, ‘Tablets of Baha’u’llah
revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas’)
November 21
Glorified is He Who sendeth down His verses to those who
comprehend. Glorified is He Who speaketh
forth from the Kingdom of His Revelation, and Who remaineth unknown to all save
His honoured servants. Glorified is He
Who quickeneth whomsoever He willeth by virtue of His word “Be”, and it
is! Glorified is He Who causeth
whomsoever He willeth to ascend unto the heaven of grace, and sendeth down
therefrom whatsoever He desireth according to a prescribed measure. (Baha’u’llah,
Súrih of the Temple, ‘The Summons of
the Lord of Hosts’)
November 20
By Him Who shineth above the Dayspring of sanctity! If the
whole earth were to be converted into silver and gold, no man who can be said
to have truly ascended into the heaven of faith and certitude would deign to
regard it, much less to seize and keep it.... (Baha’u’llah, quoted by Shoghi
Effendi in ‘The Advent of Divine Justice’)
November 19
And likewise, He saith: "Say to them that are of a
fearful heart: be strong, fear not, behold your God."[Isaiah 35:4] This
blessed verse is a proof of the greatness of the Revelation, and of the
greatness of the Cause, inasmuch as the blast of the trumpet must needs spread
confusion throughout the world, and fear and trembling amongst all men. Well is
it with him who hath been illumined with the light of trust and detachment. The
tribulations of that Day will not hinder or alarm him. Thus hath the Tongue of
Utterance spoken, as bidden by Him Who is the All-Merciful. He, verily, is the
Strong, the All-Powerful, the All-Subduing, the Almighty.... (Baha’u’llah,
‘Epistle to the Son of the Wolf’; The Compilation of Compilations vol. I,
Crisis and Victory)
November 18
Even though outwardly the Fast is difficult and toilsome,
yet inwardly it is bounty and tranquillity. Purification and training are
conditioned and dependent only on such rigorous exercises as are in accord with
the Book of God and sanctioned by Divine law, not those which the deluded have
inflicted upon the people. Whatsoever God hath revealed is beloved of the soul.
We beseech Him that He may graciously assist us to do that which is pleasing
and acceptable unto Him. (Baha’u’llah, compilation ‘The Importance of
Obligatory Prayer and Fasting’, prepared by the Research Department of the
Universal House of Justice)
November 17
Even as He hath said: "Man is My mystery, and I am his
mystery." Manifold are the verses that have been repeatedly revealed in
all the Heavenly Books and the Holy Scriptures, expressive of this most subtle
and lofty theme. Even as He hath revealed: "We will surely show them Our
signs in the world and within themselves." Again He saith: "And also
in your own selves: will ye not, then, behold the signs of God?" And yet
again He revealeth: And be ye not like those who forget God, and whom He hath
therefore caused to forget their own selves." In this connection, He Who
is the eternal King -- may the souls of all that dwell within the mystic
Tabernacle be a sacrifice unto Him -- hath spoken: "He hath known God who hath
known himself." (Baha’u’llah, ‘Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh’;
compilation’ Psychology and Knowledge of Self’, prepared by the Research
Department of the Universal House of Justice)
November 16
The beginning of all things is the knowledge of God, and the
end of all things is strict observance of whatsoever hath been sent down from
the empyrean of the Divine Will that pervadeth all that is in the heavens and
all that is on the earth. (Baha’u’llah, ‘Gleanings from the Writings of
Baha’u’llah)
November 15
Glorified is He Who hath revealed His verses to those who understand. Glorified is He Who sendeth down His verses to those who perceive. Glorified is He Who guideth whomsoever He pleaseth unto His path. Say: I, verily, am the Path of God unto all who are in the heavens and all who are on the earth; well is it with them that hasten thereunto! (Baha’u’llah, ‘Súriy-i-Haykal’, Summons of the Lord of Hosts)
November 14
To them that are endowed with understanding, it is clear and
manifest that when the fire of the love of Jesus consumed the veils of Jewish
limitations, and His authority was made apparent and partially enforced, He the
Revealer of the unseen Beauty, addressing one day His disciples, referred unto
His passing, and, kindling in their hearts the fire of bereavement, said unto
them: “I go away and come again unto you.” And in another place He said: “I go
and another will come Who will tell you all that I have not told you, and will
fulfil all that I have said.” Both these sayings have but one meaning, were you
to ponder upon the Manifestations of the Unity of God with divine insight.
(Baha’u’llah, ‘The Kitab-i-Iqan’)
November 13
.... We desire but the good of the world and happiness of
the nations; yet they deem us a stirrer up of strife and sedition worthy of
bondage and banishment.... That all nations should become one in faith and all
men as brothers; that the bonds of affection and unity between the sons of men
should be strengthened; that diversity of religion should cease, and
differences of race be annulled -- what harm is there in this?... Yet so it
shall be; these fruitless strifes, these ruinous wars shall pass away, and the
"Most Great Peace" shall come.... (Words of Baha’u’llah, spoken to E.
G. Browne, from his pen portrait of Bahá'u'lláh, J. E. Esslemont, ‘Bahá'u'lláh
and the New Era’; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Peace)
November 12
It is not permissible to ask questions from Him Whom God
will make manifest, except that which well beseemeth Him. For His station is
that of the Essence of divine Revelation... Whatever evidence of bounty is
witnessed in the world, is but an image of His bounty; and every thing owes its
existence to His Being... The Bayán is, from beginning to end, the repository
of all of His attributes, and the treasury of both His fire and His light.
Should anyone desire to ask questions, he is allowed to do so only in writing,
that he may derive ample understanding from His written reply and that it may
serve as a sign from his Beloved. However, let no one ask aught that may prove
unworthy of His lofty station. For instance, were a person to inquire the price
of straw from a merchant of rubies, how ignorant would he be and how
unacceptable. Similarly unacceptable would be the questions of the
highest-ranking people of the world in His presence, except such words as He
Himself would utter about Himself in the Day of His manifestation. (The Báb, ‘Selections
from the Writings of the Báb)
November 11
The voice and the lamentation of the true Faith have been
raised. It calleth aloud and saith: “O people! By the righteousness of God! I
have attained unto Him Who hath manifested me and sent me down. This is the Day
whereon Sinai hath smiled at Him Who conversed upon it, and Carmel at its
Revealer, and the Sadrah at Him Who taught it. Fear ye God, and be not of them
that have denied Him. Withhold not yourselves from that which hath been
revealed through His grace. Seize ye the living waters of immortality in the
name of your Lord, the Lord of all names, and drink ye in the remembrance of
Him, Who is the Mighty, the Peerless.” (Baha’u’llah, ‘Epistle to the Son of the
Wolf’)
November 10
O friend! When the Primal Word appeared amongst men in these
latter days, a number of heavenly souls recognized the voice of the Beloved and
bore allegiance unto it, whilst others, finding the deeds of some to be at
variance with their words, remained far removed from the spreading rays of the
Sun of divine knowledge. (Baha’u’llah, ‘The Tabernacle of Unity, Bahá’u’lláh’s
Responses to Mánikchí Sáhib and Other Writings’)
November 9
We pray God—exalted be His glory—and cherish the hope that
He may graciously assist the manifestations of affluence and power and the
daysprings of sovereignty and glory, the kings of the earth—may God aid them
through His strengthening grace—to establish the Lesser Peace. This, indeed, is
the greatest means for insuring the tranquillity of the nations. It is
incumbent upon the Sovereigns of the world—may God assist them—unitedly to hold
fast unto this Peace, which is the chief instrument for the protection of all
mankind. It is Our hope that they will arise to achieve what will be conducive
to the well-being of man. It is their duty to convene an all-inclusive
assembly, which either they themselves or their ministers
will attend, and to enforce whatever measures are required to establish unity
and concord amongst men. They must put away the weapons of war, and turn to the
instruments of universal reconstruction. (Baha’u’llah, ‘Epistle to the Son of
the Wolf’)
November 8
And when the days of Moses were ended, and the
light of Jesus, shining forth from the dayspring of the Spirit, encompassed the
world, all the people of Israel arose in protest against Him. They clamoured
that He Whose advent the Bible had foretold must needs promulgate and fulfil
the laws of Moses, whereas this youthful Nazarene, who laid claim to the
station of the divine Messiah, had annulled the law of divorce and of the
sabbath day—the most weighty of all the laws of Moses. (Baha’u’llah, ‘The
Kitab-i-Iqan’)
November 7
Though beset with countless afflictions, We summon the
people unto God, the Lord of names. Say, strive ye to attain
that which ye have been promised in the Books of God, and walk not in the way
of the ignorant. My body hath endured imprisonment that ye may be released from
the bondage of self. Set your faces then towards His countenance and follow not
the footsteps of every hostile oppressor. (Baha’u’llah, Lawh-i-Aqdas (The Most
Holy Tablet), ‘Tablets of Baha’u’llah revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas)
November 6
Revile ye not one another. We, verily, have come to unite and weld together all that dwell on earth. Unto this beareth witness what the ocean of Mine utterance hath revealed amongst men, and yet most of the people have gone astray. If anyone revile you, or trouble touch you, in the path of God, be patient, and put your trust in Him Who heareth, Who seeth. He, in truth, witnesseth, and perceiveth, and doeth what He pleaseth, through the power of His sovereignty. He, verily, is the Lord of strength, and of might. In the Book of God, the Mighty, the Great, ye have been forbidden to engage in contention and conflict. Lay fast hold on whatever will profit you, and profit the peoples of the world. Thus commandeth you the King of Eternity, Who is manifest in His Most Great Name. He, verily, is the Ordainer, the All-Wise. (Baha’u’llah, ‘Epistle to the Son of the Wolf’)
November 5
Exalted, immeasurably exalted, art Thou above the strivings of mortal man to unravel Thy mystery, to describe Thy glory, or even to hint at the nature of Thine Essence. For whatever such strivings may accomplish, they never can hope to transcend the limitations imposed upon Thy creatures, inasmuch as these efforts are actuated by Thy decree, and are begotten of Thine invention. The loftiest sentiments which the holiest of saints can express in praise of Thee, and the deepest wisdom which the most learned of men can utter in their attempts to comprehend Thy nature, all revolve around that Center Which is wholly subjected to Thy sovereignty, Which adoreth Thy Beauty, and is propelled through the movement of Thy Pen. (Baha’u’llah, ‘Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah’)
November 4
Justice and equity are twin Guardians that watch over men. From them are revealed such blessed and perspicuous words as are the cause of the well-being of the world and the protection of the nations. (Baha’u’llah, ‘Epistle to the Son of the Wolf’)
November 3
It is obvious and manifest that the true meaning of the utterances of the Birds of Eternity is revealed to none except those that manifest the Eternal Being, and the melodies of the Nightingale of Holiness can reach no ear save that of the denizens of the everlasting realm. The Copt of tyranny can never partake of the cup touched by the lips of the Sept of justice, and the Pharaoh of unbelief can never hope to recognize the hand of the Moses of truth. Even as He saith: “None knoweth the meaning thereof except God and them that are well-grounded in knowledge. [Qur’án 3:7] And yet, they have sought the interpretation of the Book from those that are wrapt in veils, and have refused to seek enlightenment from the fountain-head of knowledge. (Baha’u’llah, ‘The Kitab-i-Iqan’)
November 2
Let each morn be better than its eve, each morrow richer than its yesterday. Man’s merit lies in service and virtue and not in the pageantry of wealth and riches. (Baha’u’llah, Lawh-i-Hikmat, The Baha’i Year Book 1924-1925; Tablets of Baha’u’llah revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas)
November 1
...Glorified art Thou, O God, Thou art the Creator of the heavens and the earth and that which lieth between them. Thou art the sovereign Lord, the Most Holy, the Almighty, the All-Wise. Magnified be Thy Name, O God, send down upon them who have believed in God and in His signs a mighty succour from Thy presence such as to enable them to prevail over the generality of mankind. (The Báb, ‘Selections from the Writings of the Báb’; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, The Power of Divine Assistance)
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