Passing of Abdu'l-Baha Sources

1922.04.--- - Letters from Shoghi Effendi and Bahiyyih Khanum

Src : Star of West Vol 13 No 4 p120, 17 May 1922 - PDF13-79

Important Letters from Shoghi Effendi and Bahaeyeh Khanum, the Greatest Holy Leaf

Photograph of the original letter written by Shoghi Effendi and translation of same, sent to the STAR OF THE WEST by his honor Mirza Hadi Shirazi, the noble father of Shoghi Effendi, through Dr. Zia M. Bagdadi. This photograph and the following original letter (from the Greatest Holy Leaf) reached this country after the same recently sent out by the National Spiritual Assembly to the Assemblies throughout America:

He Is God!

This servant, after that grievous event and great calamity - the ascension of His Holiness Abdul-Baha to the Abha Kingdom - has been so stricken with grief and pain and so entangled in the troubles (created) by the enemies of the Cause of God, that I consider my presence here, at such a time and in such an atmosphere, is not in accordance with the fulfillment of my important and sacred duties.

For this reason, unable to do otherwise, I have left for a time the affairs of the Cause, both at home and abroad, under the supervision of the Holy Family and the headship of the Greatest Holy Leaf - may my soul be a sacrifice to her -

until, by the Grace of God, having gained health, strength, self-confidence and spiritual energy, and having taken into my hands, in accordance with my aim and desire, entirely and regularly the work of service, I shall attain to my utmost spiritual hope and aspiration. The servant of His Threshold,

(April, 1922.) (Signed) SHOGHI.

1922.04.--- - Bahiyyih Khanum

Src : Star of West Vol 13 No 4 p82, 17 May 1922 - PDF13-80

Letter from the Greatest Holy Leaf, Bahaeyeh Khanum, sent to the Editors of the STAR OF THE WEST:

He Is God!

To the servants of the Blessed Beauty and the dear friends of His Holiness Abdul-Baha!

Although the hearts of the people of Baha are intensely burning on account of the great calamity (of the ascension of Abdul-Baha), and the sobbing and sighing of the friends have reached the ears of the Supreme Concourse and the Hosts of Holiness in the Abha (Most Glorious) Paradise, yet, because this day is the day of service and this hour is the hour of diffusing the fragrances, the friends of God must, like a bright flame, arise in service to the Cause of God and surpass one another (in service). They should be like penetrating meteors, expelling every disloyal covenant-breaker, in order that in the Preserved Tablet of God, they may be recorded with the group who has fulfilled the Covenant and Testament of God.

His Holiness, the Guardian of the Cause of God, the Primal Branch, the joy of the people of Baha - Shoghi Effendi - because of this great calamity, most painful event, infinite sorrow and the severity of the effect upon himself - has desired to travel for several days, that he may regain his health and have rest. Then he will return to the holy Threshold, arise in service to the Cause of God and perform his duties.

According to a letter written by his own hand, which is enclosed, he has appointed this prisoner to supervise and manage the affairs of the Cause, through consultation with the Holy Family, during his absence. Therefore, this perishable one, temporarily, has organized
an assembly to act according to the advice of the souls who were appointed and nominated by him - His Holiness Shoghi Effendi.

I am hopeful, that during the period of his absence, the friends of God and the maid-servants of the Merciful may show forth great efforts in the progress of the Cause of God, and the Cause of God may spread rapidly.

Verily, He is Compassionate and Merciful to his Servants.

(Signature and seal) BAHAEYEH.

(Month of Shaban, 1340 - April 1922. Translated by Dr. Zia M. Bagdadi, Chicago, May, 1922.)

1922.03.05 - Shoghi to Assemblies

Src : Star of West Vol 13 No 4 p83, 17 May 1922 - PDF13-81

[Checked by reading in comparison to current version.]

Letter from Shoghi Effendi to Bahais of America and sent to all the Assemblies a few days before the recent convention:

Haifa, Palestine, March 5th, 1922.

It is with words of regret and disappointment that I desire to open this letter because of my inability, in view of my manifold and pressing duties, to respond individually and in writing to the many messages of love and sympathy and of hope that you have so affectionately sent me since our Beloved's passing from this world. I am sure I am voicing the sentiments of the bereaved ladies of the household when I say that however desirous we may be to correspond separately with every one of you, the grave responsibilities and manifold duties now devolved upon us make it regrettably impossible to express in written messages to every friend what we constantly feel in our hearts, and pray for when visiting his sacred Shrine.

At this grave and momentous period through which the Cause of God, in conformity with the Divine Wisdom, is passing, it is the sacred duty of every one of us to endeavor to realize the full significance of this hour of transition, and then to make a supreme resolve to arise steadfastly for the fulfillment of our sacred obligations.

Great as is the love and paternal care which our beloved Master is extending to us from on High, and unique as is the Spirit that animates today his servants in the world, yet a great deal will depend upon the character and efforts of his loved ones on whom now rests the responsibility of carrying on his work gloriously after him. How great is the need at this moment when the promised outpourings of His grace are ready to be extended to every soul, for us all to form a broad vision of the mission of the Cause to mankind, and to do all in our power to spread it throughout the world! The eyes of the world, now that sublime personality of the Master has been removed from this visible plane, are turned with eager anticipation to us who are named after his name, and on whom rests primarily the responsibility to keep burning the torch that he has lit in this world. How keenly I feel at this challenging hour in the history of the Cause the need for a firm and definite determination to subordinate all our personal likings, our local interests, to the interests and requirements of the Cause of God! Now is the time to set aside, nay, to forget altogether, minor considerations regarding our internal relationships, and to present a solid united front to the world, animated by no other desire but to serve and propagate his Cause.

It is my firm conviction which I now express with all sincerity and candour, that the dignity and unity of the Cause urgently demands - particularly through -

...