Reflecting on Bahá'u'lláh's message as we celebrate His Birth
This weekend, we celebrate the Twin Holy Birthdays in a joyous two-day festival, a celebration that honours the lives of both the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh, two Divinely inspired Messengers whose teachings have ignited a new era of spiritual and social transformation. In this article, we feature the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, where He calls humanity to recognise its collective purpose and to build a world where peace, love, and understanding form the foundation of our society.
This year, Bahá’ís and their friends throughout Aotearoa will gather to celebrate the Birth of Bahá'u'lláh, from sunset on November 2nd to sunset on November 3rd, after having celebrated the Birth of the Báb over the course of the preceding 24 hours.
Bahá'u'lláh’s declaration of His Mission and love for mankind
Bahá'u'lláh spoke of progressive revelation and His role in bringing forth a new Revelation from God that would unite humanity and uplift the souls of men. Extracts from His Writings are shared below.
“The Revelation which, from time immemorial, hath been acclaimed as the Purpose and Promise of all the Prophets of God, and the most cherished Desire of His Messengers, hath now, by virtue of the pervasive Will of the Almighty and at His irresistible bidding, been revealed unto men. The advent of such a Revelation hath been heralded in all the sacred Scriptures. Behold how, notwithstanding such an announcement, mankind hath strayed from its path and shut out itself from its glory.”
- Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh
“…I am the One Whom the tongue of Isaiah hath extolled, the One with Whose name both the Torah and the Evangel were adorned. Thus hath it been decreed in the Scriptures of thy Lord, the Most Merciful. He, verily, hath borne witness unto Me, as I bear witness unto Him. And God testifieth to the truth of My words.”
- Summons of the Lord of Hosts
“O Son of Man!
Veiled in My immemorial being and in the ancient eternity of My essence, I knew My love for thee; therefore I created thee, have engraved on thee Mine image and revealed to thee My beauty.”- The Hidden Words, from the Arabic
“O Son of Man!
I loved thy creation, hence I created thee. Wherefore, do thou love Me, that I may name thy name and fill thy soul with the spirit of life.”- The Hidden Words, from the Arabic
Bahá'u'lláh’s message of unity for mankind
Central to Bahá'u'lláh’s Teachings is the principle of the oneness of humanity. This message calls for the breaking down of all barriers that separate people.
“The well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established. This unity can never be achieved so long as the counsels which the Pen of the Most High hath revealed are suffered to pass unheeded.”
- Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh
“God’s purpose in sending His Prophets unto men is twofold. The first is to liberate the children of men from the darkness of ignorance, and guide them to the light of true understanding. The second is to ensure the peace and tranquillity of mankind, and provide all the means by which they can be established.”
- Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh
“This is the Day in which God’s most excellent favours have been poured out upon men, the Day in which His most mighty grace hath been infused into all created things. It is incumbent upon all the peoples of the world to reconcile their differences, and, with perfect unity and peace, abide beneath the shadow of the Tree of His care and loving-kindness. It behoveth them to cleave to whatsoever will, in this Day, be conducive to the exaltation of their stations, and to the promotion of their best interests....”
- Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh
“The utterance of God is a lamp, whose light is these words: Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch. Deal ye one with another with the utmost love and harmony, with friendliness and fellowship. He Who is the Daystar of Truth beareth Me witness! So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth. The one true God, He Who knoweth all things, Himself testifieth to the truth of these words.”
- Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh
Featured image: The Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh
““..this Hallowed Spot that God hath made the Centre round which circle the Concourse on High, and which He had decreed to be the Point of Adoration for the denizens of the Cities of Eternity, and the Source of Command unto all that are in heaven and on earth...””
Linked below are previously published articles in Bahá’í Aotearoa, shared for the Birth of Bahá'u'lláh.
Birth of Bahá’u’lláh - meditations from His Writings — Bahá'í Aotearoa
