Passing of Abdu'l-Baha Sources

1971.05.--- - Balyuzi Abdu'l-Bahá Centre of the Covenant

CHAPTER 24

THE PASSING OF 'ABDU'L-BAHA

The night of July 10th 1921 'Abdu'l-Baha was on Mount Carmel by the Shrine of the Bab. There, He revealed a Tablet and a prayer in honour of a 'kinsman of the Bab',[1] who had died recently. 'Abdu'l-Baha beseeched God, in that prayer, for His own release from this world. He spoke of His 'loneliness', of being 'broken-winged', 'submerged in seas of sorrows': 'O Lord! My bones are weakened, and the hoar hairs glisten on My head . . . and I have now reached old age, failing in My powers . . . No strength is there left in Me wherewith to arise and serve Thy loved ones . . . O Lord, My Lord! Hasten My ascension unto Thy sublime Threshold . . . and My arrival at the Door of Thy grace beneath the shadow of Thy most great mercy . . .'

[1 That 'kinsman of the Bab' was the father of the present writer, who had died in Tihran, on May 6th.]

That prayer was answered less than five months later. He passed away in the early hours of November 28th.

The physician, who was summoned to His bedside at that hour, and closed His eyes, was Dr Florian Krug of New York, the same man who once bitterly resented the Faith of Baha'u'llah, and wanted alienists to examine his wife because of her intense devotion to it. He had now come, a pilgrim, with his wife, and 'Abdu'l-Baha had allocated them a room in the compound of His own house.

Mon 28 Nov - News Broadcast

A special announcement, issued in the morning, by the family of 'Abdu'l-Baha and the Baha'is of Haifa, gave the
public the news of His passing and of the funeral arrangements for the following day. However,

Early on Monday morning . . . the news of this sudden calamity had spread over the city, causing an unprecedented stir and tumult, and filling all hearts with unutterable grief. (252)

Statement from Islamic Association

In the afternoon this statement appeared:

We all belong unto God and unto Him do we all return. The Islamic Association announces with much regret the passing of the highly-learned, greatly-erudite, generous benefactor, His Eminence 'Abdu'l-Baha 'Abbas. His bier will be carried from His home, to-morrow, Tuesday, at 9 o'clock in the morning. You are requested to accept this announcement as a special invitation to assemble for His funeral procession. May God immerse Him in His boundless mercy, and grant solace unto His family and His people.

Unified Response

In the land that we know as the Holy Land, in all its turbulent history of the last two thousand years, there had never been an event which could unite all its inhabitants of diverse faiths and origins and purposes, in a single expression of thought and feeling, as did the passing of 'Abdu'l-Baha. Jews and Christians and Muslims and Druzes, of all persuasions and denominations; Arabs and Turks and Kurds and Armenians and other ethnic groups were united in mourning His passing, in being aware of a great loss they had suffered.

Tue 29 Nov - Haifa to Major Tudor-Pole

In a 'Private Memorandum' sent from 61, St James's Street, London, S.W.1, Major Tudor-Pole wrote:

On Tuesday 29th of November, 1921, at 9.30 a.m., a cablegram addressed 'Cyclometry London' reached this

office. It had been despatched from Haifa at 3 p.m. on 28th November, 1921, and contained the following momentous news:

'His Holiness Abdul Baha ascended to the Kingdom of Abha. Please inform friends.' (signed) 'Greatest Holy Leaf'. Friends in London were notified immediately by wire, telephone and letter, and a cablegram was despatched to the Holy Family at Haifa expressing the sorrowing loving sympathy of all the Friends in this country.

Other Cables - Palestine

Cables were sent to the High Commissioner and Sir Wyndham Deedes at Jerusalem, and every step was taken by the British Authorities in Palestine to show respect for the memory of the Beloved Departed, and to render any services required by the Family and the Bahai Community at Haifa and Acre.

Cable to Askarabad

At the suggestion of Ziaoullah Asgarzade, a cable was despatched to the Bahai community at Askarabad [obviously refers to 'Ishqabad] in Central S. Asia (near the Persian Frontier) notifying the Friends of the Master's ascension and conveying the love and sympathy of Friends in every part of the world.

In order to ensure the delivery of this cable, arrangements were made with the American Red Cross Authorities and the British Trade Mission at Moscow, to persuade the Soviet Foreign Minister to allow this important message to be telegraphed on to Askarabad.

British Representation at Funeral

Lord Lamington, when wiring his condolences, advised this office that he had asked the Colonial Office to arrange for British representation at the Master's funeral.

General Sir Arthur Money

General Sir Arthur Money, K.C.B., K.B.E., C.S.I., formerly Chief Administrator of Palestine, writing on 2/12/21, said:

'I am grieved to learn of the death of Abdul Baha. I had a strong regard and admiration for him and always valued his advice. He exercised all his influence in Palestine for good, and was always ready to assist the Administration toward the establishment of law and order.

Haifa to New York

In New York, Roy Wilhelm received this cable from Haifa, on November 28th:

Wilhelmite N.Y. His Holiness Abdul Baha ascended to Abha Kingdom. Inform friends, Greatest Holy Leaf.

US to Haifa

And from the United States this message went out to the Holy Land, on behalf of the Executive Board of the Baha'i Temple Unity:

He doeth whatsoever He willeth. Hearts weep at most great tribulation. American friends send through Unity Board radiant love, boundless sympathy, devotion. Standing steadfast, conscious of his unceasing presence and nearness.

Tihran to Haifa

The Baha'is of Tihran sent the following message through their Spiritual Assembly to the Baha'is of America and Britain:

Light of Covenant transferred from eye to heart. Day of teaching, unity, self-sacrifice.

Germany to Haifa

The valiant Baha'is of Germany sent this cable to the Greatest Holy Leaf:

All believers deeply moved by irrevocable loss of our Master's precious life. We pray for heavenly protection of Holy Cause and promise faithfulness and obedience to Centre of Covenant.

Winston Churchill to Haifa

Winston Churchill, the Secretary of State for the Colonies, cabled the High Commissioner for Palestine

. . . to convey to the Bahai Community, on behalf of His Majesty's Government, their sympathy and condolence on the death of Sir 'Abdu'l-Baha Abbas K.B.E.

High Commissioner for Egypt to Haifa

Viscount Allenby, the High Commissioner for Egypt, wired the following message, on November 29th, also through the intermediary of Sir Herbert Samuel, the High Commissioner for Palestine:

Please convey to the relatives of the late Sir 'Abdu'l-Baha 'Abbas Effendi and to the Bahai community my sincere sympathy in the loss of their revered leader.

Commander-in-Chief of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force to Haifa

Another message which came through the office of the High Commissioner for Palestine was from the Commander-in-Chief of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force:

General Congreve begs that you will convey his deepest sympathy to the family of the late Sir 'Abbas al-Bahai.

Council of Ministers in Baghdad to Haifa

The Council of Ministers in Baghdad forwarded this message, dated December 8th:

His Highness Sayed Abdurrahman, the Prime Minister, desires to extend his sympathy to the family of His Holiness 'Abdu'l-Baha in their bereavement.

Theosophical Society to Haifa

'For the Holy Family Theosophical Society send affectionate thoughts' was another message which came from London.

Nazareth to Haifa

A leading figure of the town of Nazareth wired:

With the profoundest sorrow and regret we condole with you on the occasion of the setting of the Day-Star of the East. We are of God, and to Him we shall return.

Many more were the messages of condolence that reached the family of 'Abdu'l-Baha.

Foreknowledge

Shoghi Effendi and Lady Blomfield wrote, in The Passing of 'Abdu'l-Baha:

[same as with omissions:] We have now come to realize that the Master knew the day and hour... His long martyrdom was ended!(253)

When Dr Florian Krug was summoned quickly and arrived hastily, 'Abdu'l-Baha 'had gone from the gaze of his loved ones'.

Westerners Present

Grace and Florian Krug, Louise and John Bosch from California, Ethel Rosenberg from London, and Fraulein
Johanna Hauff from Stuttgart were the Western pilgrims present in Haifa at that poignant hour, as well as Curtis Kelsey from the United States, who was in Haifa to attend to electrical installations in the Shrine of the Bab.

Gazing on the Remains

Soon after 'Abdu'l-Baha had passed out of this world, Western pilgrims were allowed into the room where His body lay. Louise Bosch wrote on December 5th to Ella Cooper:

At first we were as dumb and speechless, bewildered. We stood or kneeled before the bed. We gazed upon his face and could not trust our eyes. At last the bewilderment subsided and the trust asserted itself. Was it true that his eyes would open no more? Would he not open his eyes to look upon us again? Would he not open his lips to say that he was not dead? We asked the doctors [by then other physicians had been sent for] if he was dead. They said yes, the heart had ceased to beat; they said it was useless to try to revive him -- it could not be done. Then, after awhile, the mosquito netting over the bed was let down, and this covered from our eyes the earthly remains of our Lord. We got up and went into the adjacent room, and the door of the room out of which we came was closed.

But before this, the blood of the wounds of this blow had begun to flow, and the hurt and the pain and the moans increased with every minute. We five European pilgrims* were in the room together with the holy family and the holy mother+ held my husband's hand and the Greatest Holy Leaf held mine. After a time we went back to the Pilgrim House, leaving the holy family alone. It was still night -- no moon at all. Not long afterward the dawn broke, and at last the sun rose with great effulgence over the scene of this memorable night . . .(254) [1 Mr and Mrs Bosch were Swiss, though living in California.] [2 Munirih Khanum, the wife of 'Abdu'l-Baha.]

In the words of Shoghi Effendi and Lady Blomfield:

The eyes that had always looked out with loving-kindness upon humanity, whether friends or foes, were now closed. The hands that had ever been stretched forth to give alms to the poor and the needy, the halt and the maimed, the blind, the orphan and the widow, had now finished their labour. The feet that, with untiring zeal, had gone upon the ceaseless errands of the Lord of Compassion were now at rest. The lips that had so eloquently championed the cause of the suffering sons of men, were now hushed in silence. The heart that had so powerfully throbbed with wondrous love for the children of God was now stilled. His glorious spirit had passed from the life of earth, from the persecutions of the enemies of righteousness, from the storm and stress of well nigh eighty years of indefatigable toil for the good of others.(255)

Arrangements

Sorrow and anguish were most intense. But decisions had to be taken, preparations had to be made. First of all, where was to be the resting-place of the earthly remains of 'Abdu'l-Baha? It was remembered that there was another vault next to the vault where the remains of the Bab lay. The Greatest Holy Leaf decided that 'Abdu'l-Baha's tomb should be there. A coffin was expeditiously obtained and John Bosch assisted the sons-in-law of 'Abdu'l-Baha to place His body in the coffin. But so hurriedly had the coffin been made that its lid could not be properly secured. The night following the interment, Lutfu'llah Hakim sat in the vault and kept watch until the deficiency could be righted.

People at the Funeral

The funeral of 'Abdu'l-Baha was indeed a funeral the like of which the Holy Land had never witnessed:

The High Commissioner of Palestine, Sir Herbert Samuel, the Governor of Jerusalem, the Governor of Phoenicia, the Chief Officials of the Government, the Consuls of

the various countries, resident in Haifa, the heads of the various religious communities, the notables of Palestine, Jews, Christians, Moslems, Druses, Egyptians, Greeks, Turks, Kurds, and a host of his American, European and native friends, men, women and children, both of high and low degree, all, about ten thousand in number, mourning the loss of their Beloved One.

This impressive, triumphal procession was headed by a guard of honour, consisting of the City Constabulary Force, followed by the Boy Scouts of the Moslem and Christian communities holding aloft their banners, a company of Moslem choristers chanting their verses from the Quran, the chiefs of the Moslem community headed by the Mufti, a number of Christian priests, Latin, Greek and Anglican, all preceding the sacred coffin, upraised on the shoulders of his loved ones. Immediately behind it came the members of his family, next to them walked the British High Commissioner, the Governor[1] of Jerusalem and the Governor of Phoenicia. After them came the Consuls and the notables of the land, followed by the vast multitude of those who reverenced and loved him. [1 Sir Ronald Storrs.]

Weather and Atmosphere

On this day there was no cloud in the sky, nor any sound in all the town and surrounding country through which they went, save only the soft, slow, rhythmic chanting of Islam in the Call to Prayer, or the convulsed sobbing moan of those helpless ones, bewailing the loss of their one friend, who had protected them in all their difficulties and sorrows, whose generous bounty had saved them and their little ones from starvation through the terrible years of the 'Great Woe'.

Laments

'O God, my God!' the people wailed with one accord, 'Our father has left us, our father has left us!'

O the wonder of that great throng! Peoples of every religion and race and colour, united in heart through the Manifestation of Servitude in the life-long work of 'Abdu'l-Baha!

Procession and Summit

As they slowly wended their way up Mount Carmel,
the Vineyard of God, the casket appeared in the distance to be borne aloft by invisible hands, so high above the heads of the people was it carried. After two hours walking, they reached the garden of the Tomb of the Bab. Tenderly was the sacred coffin placed upon a plain table covered with a fair white linen cloth. As the vast concourse pressed round the Tabernacle of his body, waiting to be laid in its resting place, within the vault, next to that of the Bab, representatives of the various denominations, Moslems, Christians and Jews, all hearts being ablaze with fervent love of 'Abdu'l-Baha, some on the impulse of the moment, others prepared, raised their voices in eulogy and regret, paying their last homage of farewell to their loved one. So united were they in their acclamation of him, as the wise educator and reconciler of the human race in this perplexed and sorrowful age, that there seemed to be nothing left for the Bahais to say.

Speeches

The following are extracts from some of the speeches delivered on that memorable occasion.(256)

Yusuf al-Khatib (Muslim)

The first speaker was Yusuf al-Khatib, a well-known Muslim orator. He said:

O concourse of Arabians and Persians! Whom are ye bewailing? Is it he who but yesterday was great in his life and is today in his death greater still? Shed no tears for the one that hath departed to the world of Eternity, but weep over the passing of Virtue and Wisdom, of Knowledge and Generosity. Lament for yourselves, for yours is the loss, whilst he, your lost one, is but a revered Wayfarer, stepping from your mortal world into the everlasting Home. Weep one hour for the sake of him who, for well nigh eighty years, hath wept for you! Look to your right, look to your left, look East and look West and behold, what glory and greatness have vanished! What a pillar of peace hath crumbled! What eloquent lips are hushed! Alas! In this tribulation there is no heart

but aches with anguish, no eye but is filled with tears. Woe unto the poor, for lo! goodness hath departed from them, woe unto the orphans, for their loving father is no more with them! Could the life of Sir 'Abdu'l-Baha Abbas have been redeemed by the sacrifices of many a precious soul, they of a certainty would gladly have offered up their lives for his life. But Fate hath otherwise ordained. Every destiny is predetermined and none can change the Divine Decree. What am I to set forth the achievements of this leader of mankind? They are too glorious to be praised, too many to recount. Suffice it to say, that he has left in every heart the most profound impression, on every tongue most wondrous praise. And he that leaveth a memory so lovely, so imperishable, he, indeed, is not dead. Be solaced then, O ye people of Baha! Endure and be patient; for no man, be he of the East or of the West, can ever comfort you, nay he himself is even in greater need of consolation.(257)

Indeed, the poor lamenting their plight were saying, one to the other: What will happen to us now? Who will look after us now? We are orphaned. What can we do now but go away and die.'

Ibrahim Nassar (Christian)

The next speaker was Ibrahim Nassar, a celebrated Christian writer, and he said:

I weep for the world, in that my Lord hath died; others there are who, like unto me, weep the death of their Lord. . . O bitter is the anguish caused by this heartrending calamity! It is not only our country's loss but a world affliction . . . He hath lived for well-nigh eighty years the life of the Messengers and Apostles of God. He hath educated the souls of men, hath been benevolent unto them, hath led them to the Way of Truth. Thus he raised his people to the pinnacle of glory, and great shall be his reward from God, the reward of the righteous I Hear me O people! 'Abbas is not dead, neither hath the light of

Baha been extinguished! Nay, nay! this light shall shine with everlasting splendour. The Lamp of Baha, 'Abbas, hath lived a goodly life, hath manifested in himself the true life of the Spirit. And now he is gathered to glory, a pure angel, richly robed in benevolent deeds, noble in his precious virtues. Fellow Christians! Truly ye are bearing the mortal remains of this ever lamented one to his last resting place, yet know of a certainty that your 'Abbas will live forever in spirit amongst you, through his deeds, his words, his virtues and all the essence of his life. We say farewell to the material body of our 'Abbas, and his material body vanisheth from our gaze, but his reality, our spiritual 'Abbas, will never leave our minds, our thoughts, our hearts, our tongues.

O great revered Sleeper! Thou hast been good to us, thou hast guided us, thou hast taught us, thou hast lived amongst us greatly, with the full meaning of greatness, thou hast made us proud of thy deeds and of thy words. Thou hast raised the Orient to the summit of glory, hast shown loving kindness to the people, trained them in righteousness, and hast striven to the end, till thou hast won the crown of glory. Rest thou happily under the shadow of the mercy of the Lord thy God, and He verily, shall well reward thee.(258)

Mufti of Haifa

The Christian writer was followed by the Mufti of Haifa, Muhammad Murad, who said:

I do not wish to exaggerate in my eulogy of this great one, for his ready and helping hand in the service of mankind and the beautiful and wondrous story of his life, spent in doing that which is right and good, none can deny, save him whose heart is blinded . . .

O thou revered voyager! Thou hast lived greatly and hast died greatly! This great funeral procession is but a glorious proof of thy greatness in thy life and in thy death. But O, thou whom we have lost! Thou leader of men, generous and benevolent! To whom shall the poor
now look? Who shall care for the hungry? and the desolate, the widow and the orphan?

May the Lord inspire all thy household and thy kindred with patience in this grievous calamity, and immerse thee in the ocean of His grace and mercy I He verily is the prayer-hearing, prayer-answering God.(259)

'Abdu'llah Mukhlis

Another distinguished Muslim, 'Abdu'llah Mukhlis, followed the Mufti of Haifa:

. . . the sun of knowledge has set; the moon of virtues has disappeared; the throne of glory has crumbled, and the mountain of kindness is levelled by the departure of this benevolent one from the mortal world to the immortal realm. I do not need to explain the sublimity of the great one whom we have lost or to enumerate his great qualities, for all of you who are just are witnesses and can testify to what has been given him of personal beauty beauty of his character, greatness of his heart, vastness of the sea of his knowledge and generosity . . . I beg your pardon if I fail in doing my duty as far as faithfulness is concerned or if I am unable to pay the generous one who has departed what he deserves of the best and highest praise, because what my tongue utters has emanated from a tender memory and broken heart. Indeed, they are wounds and not words; they are tears and not phrases . . . 'This calamity has made all previous calamities to be forgotten. But this calamity will never be forgotten.'(260)

Shaykh Yunus al-Khatib (Muslim Poet)

Next, Shaykh Yunus al-Khatib, a Muslim poet of note recited a poem he had composed;

Bishop Bassilious

and he was followed by Bishop Bassilious, the head of the Greek Catholic Church of Haifa, who dwelt particularly on 'Abdu'l-Baha's humanitarian deeds, His generosity to the poor, His charm and majesty of mien. Then came the turn of the youth to pay
homage and tribute.

Wadi' Bustani (Poem)

Wadi' Bustani, a young Christian, had a poem to offer. Here are some lines from it:

In the souls and in the minds thou art immortal. One like thee, who has all perfections, virtues and honors, is eternal . . . O Abdul-Baha, O son of Baha'ullah! May my life be a sacrifice to one like thee. Thou art the all-wise, and all else beside thee are only learned. What can the poets say in thy day? O Abdul-Baha, O son of Baha'ullah! Thou wert just as God wanted thee to be and not as others wished. Thou hast departed in the Holy Land wherein Christ and the Virgin Mary lived. The land that received Mohammed; the land the dust of which is blessing and wealth . . . We shall be sustained by this Tomb and the One it contains. The covenant of love and devotion will remain forever between us.(261)

Salomon Bouzaglo (Jew)

The eighth speaker was Salomon Bouzaglo, one of the leading figures of the Jewish population of Haifa, who spoke most eloquently in French:

'Dans un siecle de positivisme exagere et de materialisme effrene, il est etonnant et rare de trouver un philosophe de grande envergure tel que le regrette 'Abdu'l-Baha 'Abbas parler a notre coeur, a nos sentiments et surtout chercher a eduquer notre ame en nous inculquant les principes les plus beaux, reconnus comme etant la base de toute religion et de toute morale pure. Par ses ecrits, par sa parole, par ses entretiens farniliers comme par ses colloques celebres avec les plus cultives et les fervents adeptes des theories sectaires, il a su persuader, il a pu toujours convaincre. Les exemples vivants sont d'un autre pouvoir. Sa vie privee et publique etait un exemple de devouement et d'oubli de soi pour le bonheur des autres . . .

'Sa philosophie est simple, direz vous, mais elle est grande par cette meme simplicite, etant conforme au
caractere humain qui perd de sa beaute lorsqu'il se trouve fausse par les prejuges et les superstitions . . . 'Abbas est mort a Haiffa, en Palestine, la Terre Sacree qui a produit les prophetes. Devenue sterile et abandonnee depuis tant de siecles elle ressucite de nouveau et commence a reprendre son rang, et sa renommee primitive. Nous ne sommes pas les seuls a pleurer ce prophete, nous ne sommes pas les seuls a le glorifier. En Europe, en Amerique, que dis-je, dans tout pays habite par des hommes conscients de leur mission dans ce bas monde assoiffe de justice sociale, de fraternite, on le pleurera aussi. Il est mort apres avoir souffert du despotisme, du fanatisme et de l'intolerance. Acre, la Bastille turque, lui a servi de prison pendant des dizaines d'annees. Bagdad la capitale Abbasside a ete aussi sa prison et celle de son pere. La I erse, ancien berceau de la Philosophie douce et divine, a chasse ses enfants qui ont concu leurs idees chez elle Ne voit-on pas la une volonte divine et une preference marquee pour la Terre Promise qui etait et sera le berceau de toutes les idees genereuses et nobIes? Celui qui laisse apres lui un passe aussi glorieux n'est pas mort. Celui qui a ecrit d aussi beaux principes a agrandi sa famille parmi tous ses lecteurs et a passe a la posterite couronne par l'immortalite.'(262)

Here is a resume of this speech:

It is indeed strange that in an age of gross materialism and lack of faith a great philosopher such as He whom we mourn -- 'Abdu'l-Baha 'Abbas -- should appear. He speaks to our hearts, our consciences. He satisfies our thirsty souls with teachings and principles that are the basis of all religion and morality. In His writings and public talks, and in His intimate conversations He could always convince the most learned and the most orthodox. His life was the living example of self-sacrifice, of preferring the good of others to one's own.

The philosophy of 'Abdu'l-Baha is simple and plain,

yet sublime. It accords with human character. Its virtues overcome prejudice and superstition . . . 'Abbas has passed away in Haifa, in Palestine, in the Holy Land wherein prophets have always appeared. The ancient glory of this land is restored. We are not the only ones who weep for Him, in Whom we take pride. In Europe, in America, in every country, people athirst for social justice and brotherhood also weep for Him. He suffered from despotism, fanaticism and intolerance. For decades, 'Akka-the Bastille of the Ottomans -- held Him a prisoner. Baghdad -- the 'Abbasid capital -- also served as a prison for Him and for His Father. Persia -- the ancient cradle of divine philosophy -- threw out her children, whose ideas were conceived in her land. Cannot we witness the manifestation of Divine Will to exalt the Holy Land that it become, once again, the cradle of noble and generous ideals? He, Who has left such a glorious heritage, is not dead. He, Who has promulgated such great principles, is immortal in the memory of posterity.

Shaykh As'ad Shuqayr (Muslim)

Shaykh As'ad Shuqayr, a prominent Muslim citizen of 'Akka, admired for his scholarship and eloquence, was the next speaker,

Muhammad Safadi (Muslim Poet)

after whom Muhammad Safadi, a well-known Muslim poet, read his threnody. Shaykh As'ad spoke of 'Abdu'l-Baha as

. . . one of the inhabitants of Acca because these inhabitants lived with him for more than forty years. His meetings were meetings of learning wherein he explained all the heavenly books and traditions . . . His philanthropies to the widows and orphans were never interrupted . . . He had so great a station; yet he never failed to help the distressed! In the winter season he met with the learned and notables of Acca at the home of Sheikh Ali Meeri, and in the summer the meetings were held in a court in the Faklloreh[1] . . . In both of those meetings

the attendants found him a book of history, a commentary on all the heavenly Scriptures, a philosophy of the pages of contemporary events that pertain to scientific or artistic topics. Then he moved to Haifa, and then went to Europe and America where he gave comprehensive and eloquent addresses and exhortations. His intention was to bring about unity among religions and sects and to remove the severe strife from their hearts and from their tongues, to urge them to take hold of the essence and let go the non-essential. He did that by presenting his message in a scientific manner. A group of Persians and others criticized him and found fault with his ideals in pamphlets they published and spread. Nevertheless, without paying any attention to their criticism and opposition, nor being hurt by their hatred and enmity, he went forward and proclaimed his teachings. It is the law of God among His creatures -- a law which will not be changed -- that the originator and declarer of principles must inevitably have those who agree and praise and those who disagree and reject.(263) [1 The district in which the house of 'Abbud is situated.]

And here are a few lines from Muhammad Safadi's poem:

On Sunday night heaven was opened and the spirit of Abdul-Baha flew with its glory.

It was received and entertained by the prophets . . .

O Mount Carmel, thou art now more proud than the heaven, for thou hast become the holiest mountain . . .

I shall weep with tears for thee as long as I am living; how often thou didst wipe them with thy hands . . .(264)

Burial

Funeral orations delivered, the High Commissioner stepped forth to perform his act of homage and other officials followed him.

. . . then came the moment when the casket which held the pearl of loving servitude passed slowly and triumphantly into its simple, hallowed resting place.

O the infinite pathos! that the beloved feet should no longer tread this earth! That the presence which inspired such devotion and reverence should be withdrawn!(265)

Journals

Shoghi Effendi and Lady Blomfield tell us:

[quoted extracts from:] Of the many and diverse journals... religion is a vital force that can never be disregarded.'(266)

Major Tudor-Pole's memorandum, Times

To return to Major Tudor-Pole's memorandum:[1] [1 Cited p. 453. ]

The London Times printed an obituary notice on 30/11/21 in the course of which it said: 'Abdul Baha was a man of great spiritual power and commanding presence and his name was held in reverence throughout the Middle East and elsewhere.'. . .

Light

Light, dated 3/12/21, appreciatively refers to Abdul Baha as 'the head of the great Bahai Movement which numbers several millions of followers throughout the world all working for Peace and Human Brotherhood.'

Daily Mirror

The Daily Mirror published a good photograph of the Master on 2/12/21, with a short notice, and the Daily Mail writing on 1/12/21, says: 'The journeying forth of one of the very few missionaries of an Asiatic faith is recalled by news of the death of Sir Abdul Baha Abbas al Bahai. The Bahai claimed that his faith expressed the essential truth of all the Religions of the world.'

Daily Mail Letter

In the same article reference was made to the Master's visit to London in 1911 and this called forth the following reply, dated 5/12/21:

'Editor of Daily Mail. Dear Sir, In your appreciative notice concerning Sir Abdul Baha Abbas al Bahai, you refer to his visit to London in 1911 in a manner which suggests that this venerable Eastern seer preached rather than practised the simple life.

'It was the privilege of Abdul Baha's London friends to ensure his comfort while he was in our midst, but it would be untrue to say that he did not live the simple life himself.

'The present writer was the guest of Abdul Baha on

several occasions in the East and was an eye-witness of the Spartan simplicity in which he lived. The Bahai leader never possessed more than one coat, he lived on frugal diet and was ever ready to share what little he possessed with the poor. During the war many hundreds of people in Palestine would have died of starvation had it not been for the noble way in which Abdul Baha cared for them. The memory of a life so completely dedicated to the service of humanity will remain an inspiration with many millions of people throughout the world. Yours truly, W. Tudor-Pole.'

---

Shoghi Reaches London

Shogi Rabbani, the Master's grandson, reached London from Oxford, midday on 20/11/21, and has been lovingly cared for at the home of Miss Grand[1] by Lady Blomfield, Miss Grand and Dr. J. E. Esslemont. He and his sister, together with Lady Blomfield, sailed for Haifa on December 16th., 1921. [1 Miss Grand was from Toronto, Canada. She lived for some years in London, and her generosity helped to maintain a Baha'i Centre in Upper Regent Street.]

British High Commissioner for Palestine

It is perhaps not out of place to record that the British High Commissioner for Palestine, Sir Herbert Samuel, greatly revered Abdul Baha, and often consulted him concerning Palestine affairs. The news of the Master's death caused him much sorrow.

New York World

The London Editor of the New York World called on the present writer on 1/12/21 and sent a special cable to his paper in New York on the same evening.

January Theosophist Memoir

A short Memoir of the Master's life is being prepared for the January Theosophist at the special request of the
General Secretary of the Theosophical Society in London. ---

Memories of Abdu'l-Bahá in London

As I write certain memories come back to me with a strange insistence. I remember standing beside the Master in the pulpit of the City Temple, London, watching over five thousand (5000) people breathlessly absorbed in listening to Abdul-Baha's living spiritual words, and in watching his every smile and movement.

Memories of Abdu'l-Bahá in Clifton

I remember walking with him through the woods at Clifton, 1911, when he spoke of the coming of a spiritual renaissance within the Christian churches; or wandering along the Banks of the Seine at sunset, 1913, when the Master spoke of the Great War that was to come, and the Most Great Peace that would ultimately follow it.

Memories of Abdu'l-Bahá in Ramleh

I have sat beside him at Ramleh, Alexandria, beneath the palms, and while he spoke of the essential unity of all mankind. There were Christians, Jews, Moslems, Parsis, Hindoos and Freethinkers sitting around him on that occasion, one and all united with the same faith and aspiration.

Memories of Abdu'l-Bahá in Mount Carmel

I remember walking alone with the Master on Mount Carmel's slopes, sharing his frugal meals in his Haifa house, listening to his melodious chanting within the Garden Tomb, living as one of the family within Bahaullah's house at Acre.

Contemplations

The Friends who read these words will bring to memory many similar scenes within their own experience and will remain ever thankful for such memories.

There is no Death. The Master lives in our midst, and the great spiritual work of human redemption goes forward unceasingly.

Despite the apparent world tribulations of the present hour, the Dawn of a new Day approaches, and it is the privilege of every man and woman alive to-day to work
serenely and faithfully for the Coming of the World Peace and true human brotherhood.

May the blessing of the Bab, Baha'u'llah and Abdul-Baha, and all the Supreme Concourse rest upon us now and always.[1] [1 This Memorandum was never published, so far as the present writer knows.]

The narrative of Shoghi Effendi and Lady Blomfield continues:

[Quoted:] On the seventh day after the passing of the Master, corn was distributed... fortitude, his steadfastness to the end.'(267)

Will and Appointment

The Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Baha, entrusted to the care of the Greatest Holy Leaf, was in a sealed envelope, addressed to Shoghi Effendi. Its contents could not be made known until Shoghi Effendi reached Haifa. And it was the Greatest Holy Leaf who sent out a cable on January 16th 1922, informing the Baha'is of the world:

In Will Shoghi Effendi appointed Guardian of Cause and Head of House of Justice.

Tablet of Visitation

Some years before His passing, a prayer was written by 'Abdu'l-Baha, which carried this preface:

Whoso reciteth this prayer with lowliness and fervour will bring gladness and joy to the heart of this servant; it will be even as meeting him face to face.

That prayer is recited at His Shrine, and it is fitting that this chapter should close with it, even as did The Passing of 'Abdu'l-Baha by Shoghi Effendi and Lady Blomfield:

[Quoted]

CHAPTER 25 THE WILL AND TESTAMENT

Summary

'Abdu'l-Baha wrote His Will and Testament, which is in three parts, at different times during the seven-year period (1901-1908) of His incarceration within the city walls of 'Akka. Characterized by the Guardian of the Faith as 'this supreme, this infallible Organ for the accomplishment of a Divine Purpose,' and as 'an Instrument which may be viewed as the Charter of the New World Order which is at once the glory and the promise of this most great Dispensation,' the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Baha is manifestly a document of momentous and incalculable significance.

It is not proposed here to scrutinize it closely. Much has been, much will be written in an effort to elucidate its far-reaching implications, for it is the founding Charter of the Administrative Order of Baha'u'llah -- the 'nucleus' and 'very pattern' of the Order 'destined to embrace in the fullness of time the whole of mankind'. In this document 'Abdu'l-Baha 'unveiled' the character of the Administrative Order of the Faith, 'reaffirmed its basis, supplemented its principles, asserted its indispensability, and enumerated its chief institutions'.(268)

But there are three provisions of the Will which must be mentioned here, for through them 'Abdu'l-Baha created infallible protection for the Cause of Baha'u'llah after His passing. Briefly, He appointed His successor, defended him from any possible challenge, and defined the means by which the Universal House of Justice, the supreme body instituted by Baha'u'llah, should come into being.

The Will opens with this majestic passage:

All praise to Him Who, by the Shield of His Covenant, hath guarded the Temple of His Cause from the darts of doubtfulness, Who by the Hosts of His Testament hath preserved the Sanctuary of His Most Beneficent Law and protected His Straight and Luminous Path, staying thereby the onslaught of the company of Covenant-breakers, that have threatened to subvert His Divine Edifice; Who hath watched over His Mighty Stronghold and All-glorious Faith, through the aid of men whom the slander of the slanderer affect not, whom no earthly calling, glory, and power can turn aside from the Covenant of God and His Testament, established firmly by His clear and manifest words, writ and revealed by His All-Glorious Pen and recorded in the Preserved Tablet.

Salutation and praise, blessing and glory rest upon that primal branch of the Divine and Sacred Lote-Tree, grown out, blest, tender, verdant, and flourishing from the Twin Holy Trees; the most wondrous, unique, and priceless pearl that doth gleam from out the Twin surging seas; upon the offshoots of the Tree of Holiness, the twigs of the Celestial Tree, they that in the Day of the Great Dividing have stood fast and firm in the Covenant; upon the Hands (pillars) of the Cause of God that have diffused widely the Divine Fragrances, declared His Proofs proclaimed His Faith, published abroad His Law, detached themselves from all things but Him, stood for righteousness in this world, and kindled the Fire of the Love of God in the very hearts and souls of His servants; upon them that have believed, rested assured, stood steadfast in His Covenant, and followed the Light that after my passing shineth from the Dayspring of Divine Guidance -- for behold! he is the blest and sacred bough that hath branched out from the Twin Holy Trees.[1] Well

is it with him that seeketh the shelter of his shade that shadoweth all mankind. [1 A reference to Baha'u'llah and the Bab, from both of Whom Shoghi Effendi was descended.]

Thus, at the very outset a succession was established and Baha'is knew to whom they had to turn. Later, in the first section of the Will and Testament, the successor was specifically named and his authority was elevated above that of all others:

O my loving friends! After the passing away of this wronged one, it is incumbent upon the Aghsan (Branches),* the Afnan (Twigs)+ of the Sacred Lote-Tree, the Hands (pillars) of the Cause of God, and the loved ones of the Abha Beauty to turn unto Shoghi Effendi -- the youthful branch branched from the Two hallowed and sacred Lote-Trees and the fruit grown from the union of the Two offshoots of the Tree of Holiness -- as he is the sign of God, the chosen branch, the guardian of the Cause of God, he unto whom all the Aghsan, the Afnan, the Hands of the Cause of God, and His loved ones must turn . . . [1 Relatives of Baha'u'llah.] [2 Relatives of the Bab.]

The sacred and youthful branch, the guardian of the Cause of God as well as the Universal House of Justice, to be universally elected and established, are both under the care and protection of the Abha Beauty, under the shelter and unerring guidance of His Holiness, the Exalted One (may my life be offered up for them both).++ Whatsoever they decide is of God. Whoso obeyeth him not, neither obeyeth them, hath not obeyed God . . . It is incumbent upon the House of Justice, upon all the members of the Aghsan, the Afnan, the Hands of the Cause of God to show their obedience, submissiveness, and subordination unto the guardian of the Cause of God, to turn unto him and be lowly before him . . . [1 These terms refer to Baha'u'llah and the Bab, respectively.]

It should be pondered that if the despotic ruler of the Ottoman Empire or any other adversary had terminated the life of 'Abdu'l-Baha during the period in which the Will was written, the Head of the Faith would have been a child of about ten years of age. Shoghi Effendi was born in 1896.

Before specifically naming Shoghi Effendi the Guardian of the Cause of God, 'Abdu'l-Baha related the story of Mirza Yahya's rebellion against Baha'u'llah,[1] and then showed how and why His own half-brother Mirza Muhammad-'Ali, designated by Baha'u'llah in His Book of Testament as the Greater Branch, had forfeited his station and could not be the Head of the Faith: [1 See H. M. Balyuzi, Edward Granville Browne and The Baha'i Faith, for a full account.]

O ye that stand fast and firm in the Covenant! The Centre of Sedition, the Prime Mover of mischief, Mirza Muhammad-'Ali, hath passed out from under the shadow of the Cause, hath broken the Covenant, hath falsified the Holy Text, hath inflicted a grievous loss upon the true Faith of God, hath scattered His people, hath with bitter rancour endeavoured to hurt 'Abdu'l-Baha, and hath assailed with the utmost enmity this servant of the Sacred Threshold. Every dart he seized and hurled to pierce the breast of this wronged servant, no wound did he neglect to grievously inflict upon me, no venom did he spare but he poisoned therewith the life of this hapless one. I swear by the most holy Abha Beauty and by the Light shining from His Holiness, the Exalted One (may my soul be a sacrifice for their lowly servants), that because of this iniquity the dwellers in the Pavilion of the Abha Kingdom have bewailed, the Celestial Concourse is lamenting. . . So grievous the deeds of this iniquitous person became that he struck with his axe at the root of

the Blessed Tree, dealt a heavy blow at the Temple of the Cause of God, deluged with tears of blood the eyes of the loved ones of the Blessed Beauty, cheered and encouraged the enemies of the One True God, by his repudiation of the Covenant turned many a seeker after Truth aside from the Cause of God, revived the blighted hopes of Yahya's following, made himself detested, caused the enemies of the Greatest Name to become audacious and arrogant, put aside the firm and conclusive verses, and sowed the seeds of doubt. Had not the promised aid of the Ancient Beauty been graciously vouchsafed at every moment to this one, unworthy though he be, he surely would have destroyed, nay exterminated, the Cause of God and utterly subverted the Divine Edifice. But, praised be the Lord, the triumphant assistance of the Abha Kingdom was received, the hosts of the Realm above hastened to bestow victory . . . Now, that the true Faith of God may be shielded and protected, His Law guarded and preserved, and His Cause remain safe and secure, it is incumbent upon everyone to hold fast unto the Text of the clear and firmly established blessed verse, revealed about him . . . He (Baha'u'llah) sayeth, glorious and holy is His Word: 'My foolish loved ones have regarded him even as my partner, have kindled sedition in the land and they verily are of the mischiefmakers.' Consider, how foolish are the people! They that have been in His (Baha'u'llah's) Presence and beheld His Countenance, have nevertheless noised abroad such idle talk, until, exalted be His explicit words, He said:

'Should he for a moment pass out from under the shadow of the Cause, he surely shall be brought to naught.' Reflect! What stress He layeth upon one moment's deviation: that is, were he to incline a hair's breadth to the right or to the left, his deviation would be clearly established and his utter nothingness made manifest . . .

What deviation can be greater than breaking the Covenant of God! What deviation can be greater than interpolating and falsifying the words and verses of the
Sacred Text, even as testified and declared by Mirza Badi'u'llah! What deviation can be greater than calumniating the Centre of the Covenant himself! What deviation can be more glaring than spreading broadcast false and foolish reports touching the Temple of God's Testament! What deviation can be more grievous than decreeing the death of the Centre of the Covenant . . .

'Abdu'l-Baha mentioned next the details of the intrigues of Mirza Muhammad-'Ali and his associates, intrigues which had led to the dispatch of a Commission of Enquiry from Istanbul (see pp. 112 and 118), and concluded:

The Committee of Investigation hath approved and confirmed these calumnies of my brother and ill-wishers and submitted them to the presence of His Majesty the Sovereign. Now at this moment a fierce storm is raging around this prisoner who awaiteth, be it favourable or unfavourable, the gracious will of His Majesty, may the Lord aid him by His grace to be just. In whatsoever condition he may be, with absolute calm and quietness 'Abdu'l-Baha is ready for self sacrifice and is wholly resigned and submitted to His Will. What transgression can be more abominable, more odious, more wicked than this!

In like manner, the focal Centre of hate, hath purposed to put 'Abdu'l-Baha to death and this is supported by the testimony written by Mirza Shu'au'llah himself and is here enclosed . . .

In short, O ye beloved of the Lord! The Centre of Sedition, Mirza Muhammad-'Ali, in accordance with the decisive words of God and by reason of his boundless transgression, hath grievously fallen and been cut off from the Holy Tree. Verily, we wronged them not, but they have wronged themselves!

Despite a thorough exposition of the evil deeds of the violators of the Covenant, in the second part of the Will and

Testament, 'Abdu'l-Baha offered a prayer for them. 'The breakers of the Covenant are consigned to the wrath of God, but for these same people, the contemptible enemies of 'Abdu'l-Baha, there is only this':(269)

I call upon Thee, O Lord my God! with my tongue and with all my heart, not to requite them for their cruelty and their wrong-doings, their craft and their mischief, for they are foolish and ignoble and know not what they do. They discern not good from evil, neither do they distinguish right from wrong, nor justice from injustice. They follow their own desires and walk in the footsteps of the most imperfect and foolish amongst them. O my Lord! Have mercy upon them, shield them from all afflictions in these troubled times and grant that all trials and hardships may be the lot of this Thy servant that hath fallen into this darksome pit. Single me out for every woe and make me a sacrifice for all Thy loved ones. O Lord, Most High! May my soul, my life, my being, my spirit, my all be offered up for them. O God, my God! Lowly, suppliant, and fallen upon my face, I beseech Thee with all the ardour of my invocation to pardon whosoever hath hurt me, forgive him that hath conspired against me and offended me, and wash away the misdeeds of them that have wrought injustice upon me. Vouchsafe unto them Thy goodly gifts, give them joy, relieve them from sorrow, grant them peace and prosperity, give them Thy bliss and pour upon them Thy bounty.

Thou art the Powerful, the Gracious, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting!

And that prayer is immediately followed by these words:

O dearly beloved friends! I am now in very great danger and the hope of even an hour's life is lost to me. I am thus constrained to write these lines for the protection of the Cause of God, the preservation of His Law, the safeguarding of His Word and the safety of His Teachings.

By the Ancient Beauty! This wronged one hath in no wise borne nor doth he bear a grudge against any one; towards none doth he entertain any ill-feeling and uttereth no word save for the good of the world. My supreme obligation, however, of necessity, prompteth me to guard and preserve the Cause of God . . .

And this is the conclusion of the second part of 'Abdu'l-Baha's Will, written, as the above words testify, at the height of crisis both for Himself and for the Cause of God:

O God, my God! I call Thee, Thy Prophets and Thy Messengers, Thy Saints and Thy Holy Ones, to witness that I have declared conclusively Thy Proofs unto Thy loved ones and set forth clearly all things unto them that they may watch over Thy Faith, guard Thy Straight Path, and protect Thy Resplendent Law. Thou art, verily, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise!

It should be noted that the authority of the Universal House of Justice is not derived from the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Baha. That authority was conferred by Baha'u'llah. But the Will of 'Abdu'l-Baha clarified its station and instituted the electorate which would choose its members.

And now, concerning the House of Justice which God hath ordained as the source of all good and freed from all error, it must be elected by universal suffrage, that is, by the believers. Its members must be manifestations of the fear of God and day-springs of knowledge and understanding, must be steadfast in God's faith and the well-wishers of all mankind. By this House is meant the Universal House of Justice, that is, in all countries, a secondary House of Justice must be instituted, and these secondary Houses of Justice must elect the members of the Universal one. Unto this body all things must be referred. It enacteth all ordinances and regulations

that are not to be found in the explicit Holy Text. By this body all the difficult problems are to be resolved . . .

Just as provisions concerning the Guardian of the Faith are included in the three sections of the Will, so, too, the authority of the Universal House of Justice is, in each part, asserted and underlined. The extract just quoted comes from the first part; here are extracts from parts two and three:

. . . Unto the Most Holy Book every one must turn and all that is not expressly recorded therein must be referred to the Universal House of Justice. That which this body, whether unanimously or by a majority doth carry, that is verily the Truth and the Purpose of God himself . . .

. . . All must seek guidance and turn unto the Centre of the Cause and the House of Justice. And he that turneth unto whatsoever else is indeed in grievous error.

The Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Baha constitutes the 'indissoluble link' between the Revelation of Baha'u'llah and the universal Order which it is the purpose of that Revelation to promote. It is the very Charter of that Order and compels the most persistent and earnest study of all who seek to understand the destiny of mankind in this age. In the words of the Guardian of the Faith, the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Baha is 'His greatest legacy to posterity' and 'the brightest emanation of His mind'.[1] [1 The Will and Testament is published in full in The Covenant of Baha'u'llah (see bibliography), together with extracts from the Guardian's words concerning it.]

The counsel contained in these lines, from the first part of 'Abdu'l-Baha's Testament, illumines the way through centuries unborn:

O ye beloved of the Lord! In this sacred Dispensation, conflict and contention are in no wise permitted. Every
aggressor deprives himself of God's grace. It is incumbent upon everyone to show the utmost love, rectitude of conduct, straightforwardness, and sincere kindliness unto all the peoples and kindreds of the world, be they friends or strangers. So intense must be the spirit of love and loving kindness, that the stranger may find himself a friend, the enemy a true brother, no difference whatsoever existing between them. For universality is of God and all limitations earthly. Thus man must strive that his reality may manifest virtues and perfections, the light whereof may shine upon everyone. The light of the sun shineth upon all the world and the merciful showers of Divine Providence fall upon all peoples. The vivifying breeze reviveth every living creature and all beings endued with life obtain their share and portion at His heavenly board. In like manner, the affections and loving kindness of the servants of the One True God must be bountifully and universally extended to all mankind. Regarding this, restrictions and limitations are in no wise permitted

Wherefore, O my loving friends! Consort with ail the peoples, kindreds, and religions of the world with the utmost truthfulness, uprightness, faithfulness, kindliness, goodwill, and friendliness; that all the world of being may be filled with the holy ecstasy of the grace of Baha, that ignorance, enmity, hate, and rancour may vanish from the world and the darkness of estrangement amidst the peoples and kindreds of the world may give way to the Light of Unity. Should other peoples and nations be unfaithful to you show your fidelity unto them, should they be unjust toward you show justice towards them, should they keep aloof from you attract them to yourself, should they show their enmity be friendly towards them, should they poison your lives sweeten their souls, should they inflict a wound upon you be a salve to their sores. Such are the attributes of the sincere! Such are the attributes of the truthful!

A WORD IN CONCLUSION

This book has attempted to tell the story of 'Abdu'l-Baha. But now we must go back to what was said in the opening chapter:

No description can measure up to the theme of a life which transcended every barrier to its total fulfilment. It lies beyond the range of assessment because every event in the life of the Son of Baha'u'llah carries a major accent.

And we must read once again these words of Shoghi Effendi with which the book commenced:

He is, and should for all time be regarded, first and foremost, as the Centre and Pivot of Baha'u'llah's peerless and all-enfolding Covenant, His most exalted handiwork, the stainless Mirror of His light, the perfect Exemplar of His teachings, the unerring Interpreter of His Word, the embodiment of every Baha'i ideal, the incarnation of every Baha'i virtue, the Most Mighty Branch sprung from the Ancient Root, the Limb of the Law of God, the Being 'round Whom all names revolve, the Mainspring of the Oneness of Humanity, the Ensign of the Most Great Peace, the Moon of the Central Orb of this most holy Dispensation -- styles and titles that are implicit and find their truest, their highest and fairest expression in the magic name 'Abdu'l-Baha.

To those words Shoghi Effendi added:

He is, above and beyond these appellations, the 'Mystery of God' -- an expression by which Baha'u'llah Himself has chosen to designate Him, and which, while it does not by

any means justify us to assign to Him the station of Prophethood, indicates how in the person of 'Abdu'l-Baha the incompatible characteristics of a human nature and superhuman knowledge and perfection have been blended and are completely harmonized.

'Abdu'l-Baha was the Mystery of God. Who, then, can portray Him?