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==Background==
==Background==
===Early life===
===Early life===
`Abdu'l-Bahá was born in [[Tehran]], [[Iran]] on 23 May 1844 (5th of [[Jumada al-awwal|Jamadiyu'l-Avval]], 1260 AH),<ref name="Qazvini">{{cite web |url= http://bahai-library.com/articles/qazvini.html |title= `Abdu'l-Bahá Meeting with Two Prominent Iranians |accessdate=2007-09-05 | author= Muhammad Qazvini |date= 1949 }}</ref> the eldest son of [[Bahá'u'lláh]] and [[Ásíyih Khánum|Navváb]]. He was born on the very same night on which the [[Báb]] declared his mission.<ref name="bne">{{harvnb|Esslemont|1980}}</ref> During his youth, `Abdu'l-Bahá was shaped by his father's station as a prominent member of the [[Bábís]].`Abdu’l-Bahá spent his early years in an environment of privilege, wealth, and love. The family’s Tehran home and country houses were comfortable and beautifully decorated. `Abdu’l-Bahá and his younger siblings— a sister, [[Bahíyyih Khánum|Bahíyyih]], and a brother, [[Mírzá Mihdí|Mihdí]]— had every advantage their station in life could offer.<ref name="Kazemzadeh 2009">{{Harvnb|Kazemzadeh|2009}}</ref> One event that affected `Abdu'l-Bahá greatly during his childhood was the imprisonment of his father when `Abdu'l-Bahá was eight years old; the imprisonment led to his family being reduced to poverty and being attacked in the streets by other children. Esslemont records that "A mob sacked their house, and the family were stripped of their possessions and left in destitution."<ref name="bne" />
`Abdu'l-Bahá was born in [[Tehran]], [[Iran]] on 23 May 1844 (5th of [[Jumada al-awwal|Jamadiyu'l-Avval]], 1260 AH),<ref name="Qazvini">{{cite web |url= http://bahai-library.com/articles/qazvini.html |title= `Abdu'l-Bahá Meeting with Two Prominent Iranians |accessdate=2007-09-05 | author= Muhammad Qazvini |date= 1949 }}</ref> the eldest son of [[Bahá'u'lláh]] and [[Ásíyih Khánum|Navváb]]. He was born on the very same night on which the [[Báb]] declared his mission.<ref name="bne">{{harvnb|Esslemont|1980}}</ref> Born with the given name of '''`Abbás''',<ref>{{harvnb|Smith|2000|pp=14–20}}</ref> he was named after his grandfather [[Mírzá `Abbás Núrí]] a prominent and powerful nobleman.<ref>{{Harvnb|Kazemzadeh|2009|}}</ref> As a child, `Abdu'l-Bahá was shaped by his fathers position as a prominent [[Bábí]]. He recalled how he met the Bábí leader [[Táhirih]] and how she would take "me on to her knee, caress me, and talk to me. I admired her most deeply".<ref>{{Harvnb|Blomfield|1975|p=21}}</ref>


`Abdu’l-Bahá had a happy and carefree childhood. The family’s Tehran home and country houses were comfortable and beautifully decorated. `Abdu'l-Bahá enjoyed playing in the gardens with his younger sister whom he was very close to.<ref>{{Harvnb|Blomfield|1975|p=40}}</ref> Along with his younger siblings— a sister, [[Bahíyyih Khánum|Bahíyyih]], and a brother, [[Mírzá Mihdí|Mihdí]]— the three lived in a enviroment of privledge, happiness and comfort.<ref>{{Harvnb|Kazemzadeh|2009|}}</ref> With his fathers declination of the position as minister of the court; during his young boyhood `Abdu’l-Bahá witnessed his parents various charitable endeavours,<ref>{{Harvnb|Blomfield|1975|p=39}}</ref> which included converting part of the home to a hospital ward for women and children.<ref>{{Harvnb|Blomfield|1975|p=40}}</ref>
===Years in exile with his father===
Bahá'u'lláh was eventually released from prison but ordered into exile, and `Abdu'l-Bahá joined his father on the journey to [[Baghdad]] in the winter of 1853.<ref name="b_p12">{{harvnb|Balyuzi|2001|p=12}}</ref> During the journey `Abdu'l-Bahá suffered from frost-bite. When Bahá'u'lláh secretly secluded himself in the mountains of [[Sulaymaniyah]] in 1854, `Abdu'l-Bahá was no more than ten years old and grieved over his separation from his father.<ref name="b_p14">{{harvnb|Balyuzi|2001|p=14}}</ref> The separation was hard for `Abdu’l-Bahá and he clung for support on his mother and sister.<ref name="bne" /> `Abdu’-Bahá was particularly close to both, and his mother took active participation in his education. During his years in Baghdad, `Abdu'l-Bahá spent much of his time reading the writings of the Báb, wrote commentary on [[Qur'an|Qur'anic verses]] and conversed with the learned of the city.<ref name="b_p14"/> In 1856, when news of a personage in the mountains of Kurdistan arrived, `Abdu'l-Baha along with some family and friends set out to ask Bahá'u'lláh to return to Baghdad.<ref name="b_p15">{{harvnb|Balyuzi|2001|p=15}}</ref> Whilst in Baghdad, `Abdu'l-Bahá composed a commentary on the Muslim tradition of "I was a Hidden Treasure" for a Súfí leader named `Alí Shawkat Páshá.<ref name="bne" /> `Abdu'l-Bahá was seventeen at the time and `Alí Shawkat Páshá regarded it as a remarkable feat for somebody of his age.<ref name="bne" />


One event that affected `Abdu'l-Bahá greatly during his childhood was the imprisonment of his father when `Abdu'l-Bahá was eight years old; the imprisonment led to his family being reduced to poverty and being attacked in the streets by other children.<ref name="bne" /> Little `Abdu'l-Bahá accompanied his mother to visit [[Bahá'u'lláh]] who was then imprisoned in the infamous subterranean dungeon the [[Síyáh-Chál]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Kazemzadeh|2009|}}</ref> He described how "I saw a dark, steep place. We entered a small, narrow doorway, and went down two steps, but beyond those one could see nothing. In the middle of the stairway, all of a sudden we heard His [Bahá’u’lláh's]…voice: 'Do not bring him in here', and so they took me back".<ref name="b_p12">{{harvnb|Balyuzi|2001|p=12}}</ref>
In 1863 Bahá'u'lláh was summoned to [[Constantinople]] ([[Istanbul]]), and thus his whole family including `Abdu'l-Bahá, then nineteen, accompanied him on his 110-day journey.<ref name="b_p17">{{harvnb|Balyuzi|2001|p=17}}</ref> `Abdu'l-Baha followed his father through the further exile to Adrianople ([[Edirne]]), and finally Akká, [[Palestine]] (now [[Acre, Israel]]). During this time he increasingly assumed the role of Bahá'u'lláh's chief steward.<ref name="b_p22">{{harvnb|Balyuzi|2001|pp=22-23}}</ref>


=== Baghdad ===
On arrival in Akka, due to the unsanitary state of its barracks, many of the Bahá'ís fell sick, and `Abdu'l-Bahá tended the sick. Furthermore, the inhabitants of Akka were told that the new prisoners were enemies of the state, of God and his religion, and that association with them was strictly forbidden, and thus the Bahá'ís were faced with hostile officials, and scornful inhabitants and `Abdu'l-Bahá shielded his father of much of these attacks.<ref name="b_p25">{{harvnb|Balyuzi|2001|p=25}}</ref> Over time, he gradually took over responsibility for the relationships between the small [[Bahá'í Faith|Bahá'i]] exile community and the outside world. It was through his interaction with the people of Akka that, according to the Bahá'ís, they recognized the innocence of the Bahá'ís, and thus the conditions of imprisonment were eased. Eventually, Bahá'u'lláh was allowed to leave the city and visit nearby places.<ref name="b_p33">{{harvnb|Balyuzi|2001|pp=33-43}}</ref>
Bahá'u'lláh was eventually released from prison but ordered into exile, and `Abdu'l-Bahá then eight joined his father on the journey to [[Baghdad]] in the winter (January to April)<ref name="Winter'sChron">[http://bahai-library.com/resources/chronology.bahai.html Chronology of persecutions of Babis and Baha'is] compiled by Jonah Winters</ref> of 1853.<ref name="b_p12">{{harvnb|Balyuzi|2001|p=12}}</ref> During the journey `Abdu'l-Bahá suffered from frost-bite. After a year of difficulties Bahá'u'lláh absented himself rather than continue to face the conflict with [[Mirza Yahya]] and secretly secluded himself in the mountains of [[Sulaymaniyah]] in April 1854 a month before `Abdu'l-Bahá's tenth birthday.<ref name="Winter'sChron"/> Mutual sorrow resulted in him, his [[Ásíyih Khánum|mother]] and [[Bahiyyih Khánum|sister]] becoming constant companions.<ref>{{Harvnb|Blomfield|1975|p=54}}</ref> `Abdu'l-Bahá was particularly close to both, and his mother took active participation in his education and upbringing.<ref name="Blomfield 1975 69">{{Harvnb|Blomfield|1975|p=69}}</ref> During the two year absence of his father `Abdu'l-Bahá took up the duty of managing the affairs of the family,<ref>[http://www.peyman.info/cl/Baha'i/Others/ROB/V2/p388-396Ch18.html The Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh, volume two], page 391</ref> before his [[age of maturity]] (14 in middle-eastern society)<ref>[http://www.unrisd.org/unrisd/website/document.nsf/8b18431d756b708580256b6400399775/2e975aca2a81aa54c12576580028735c/$FILE/WebIran.pdf Can women act as agents of a democratization of theocracy in Iran?] by Homa Hoodfar, Shadi Sadr, page 9</ref> and was known to be occupied with reading and, at a time of hand-copied scriptures being the primary means of publishing,{{fact}} was also engaged in copying the writings of the [[Báb]].<ref name="b_p14"/> `Abdu’l-Bahá also took an interest in the art of horse riding and, as he grew, became a renowned rider.<ref name="lotoae" />

In 1856, news of an aesthetic carrying on discourses with local Súfí leaders that seemed to possibly be Bahá'u'lláh reached the family and friends. Immediately, family members and friends went to search for the illusive dervish – and in March<ref name="Winter'sChron"/> bought Bahá'u'lláh back to Baghdad.<ref name="Smith17">{{Harvnb|Smith|2008|p=17}}</ref> On seeing his father, `Abdu'l-Bahá fell to his knees and wept loudly "Why did you leave us?", and this followed with his mother and sister doing the same.<ref name="lotoae" /><ref name="b_p15">{{harvnb|Balyuzi|2001|p=15}}</ref> `Abdu'l-Bahá soon became his fathers secretary and shield.<ref name="bne" />

During the sojourn in the city `Abdu’l-Bahá grew from a boy into a young man. He was noted as a "remarkably fine looking youth",<ref name="lotoae" /> and remembered for his charity and amiableness.<ref name="bne" /> Having passed the age of maturity `Abdu'l-Bahá was regularly seen in the mosques of Baghdad discussing religious topics and the scripture as a young man. Whilst in Baghdad, `Abdu'l-Bahá composed a commentary at the request of his father on the Muslim tradition of "I was a Hidden Treasure" for a Súfí leader named `Alí Shawkat Páshá.<ref name="bne" /><ref name="iwaht">{{cite web | title = 'Abdu'l-Baha's Commentary on The Islamic Tradition: "I Was a Hidden Treasure ..." | url = http://bahai-library.org/provisionals/hidden.treasure.html | publisher = Baha'i Studies Bulletin 3:4 (Dec. 1985), 4-35| accessdate=2009-12-20}}</ref> `Abdu'l-Bahá was fifteen or sixteen at the time and `Alí Shawkat Páshá regarded the more than 11000 word essay as a remarkable feat for somebody of his age.<ref name="bne" />

In 1863 in what became known as the [[Garden of Ridván, Baghdad|Garden of Ridván]] Bahá'u'lláh announced to a few that he was the [[manifestation of God]] and [[He whom God shall make manifest]] whose coming had been foretold by the [[Báb]]. On day eight of the twelve days, it is believed `Abdu'l-Baha was the first person Baha'u'llah revealed his claim to.<ref>[http://www.paintdrawer.co.uk/david/folders/Spirituality/001=Bahai/Ridvan.pdf Declaration of Baha'u'llah]</ref><ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/bahai/holydays/ridvan.shtml The history and significance of the Bahá'í festival of Ridván] BBC</ref>

=== Constantinople/Adrianople ===
[[File:Brothers1868.jpg|right|thumb|160px|`Abdu'l-Bahá (right) with his brother [[Mírzá Mihdí]]]]
In 1863 Bahá'u'lláh was summoned to [[Constantinople]] ([[Istanbul]]), and thus his whole family including `Abdu'l-Bahá, then nineteen, accompanied him on his 110-day journey.<ref name="b_p17">{{harvnb|Balyuzi|2001|p=17}}</ref> The journey to Constantinople was another wearisome journey,<ref name="lotoae" /> and `Abdu'l-Bahá helped feed the exiles.<ref>{{Harvnb|Kazemzadeh|2009|}}</ref> It was here that his position became more prominent amongst the Bahá’ís.<ref>{{harvnb|Smith|2000|pp=14–20}}</ref> This was further solidified by [[Bahá’u’lláh]]’s [[tablet of the Branch]] in which he constantly exalts his son's virtues and station.<ref name="totb">{{cite web | title = Tablet of the Branch | url = http://bahai-library.org/provisionals/tablet.branch.html | publisher = Wilmette: Baha'i Publishing Trust| accessdate=2008-07-05}}</ref> The family were soon exiled to [[Adrianople]] and `Abdu'l-Bahá went with the family.<ref>{{harvnb|Smith|2000|pp=14–20}}</ref> `Abdu’l-Bahá again suffered from frostbite.<ref name="lotoae">{{Harvnb|Phelps|1912|pp=27-55}}</ref>

In Adrianople `Abdu’l-Bahá was regarded as the sole comforter of his family – in particular to his [[Ásíyih Khánum|mother]].<ref name="lotoae" /> At this point `Abdu'l-Bahá was known by the Bahá'ís as "the Master", and by non-Bahá'ís as `Abbás Effendi ("Effendi" signifies "Sir"). It was in Adrianople that Bahá’u’lláh referred to his son as "the Mystery of God".<ref name="lotoae" /> The title of "Mystery of God" symbolises, according to Bahá'ís, that `Abdu'l-Bahá is not a [[manifestation of God]] but how a "person of `Abdu'l-Bahá the incompatible characteristics of a human nature and superhuman knowledge and perfection have been blended and are completely harmonized".<ref name="tcob">{{cite web | title = The Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh | url = http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/se/WOB/wob-39.html.utf8?query=completely|harmonized&action=highlight#gr8 | publisher = US Bahá’í Publishing Trust | accessdate=2008-07-05}}</ref><ref name="bwo">{{cite web | title = The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh | url = http://bahai-library.org/provisionals/hidden.treasure.html | publisher = Baha'i Studies Bulletin 3:4 (Dec. 1985), 4-35| accessdate=2009-12-20}}</ref> `Abdu'l-Bahá was at this point noted for having black hair which flowed to his shoulders, large blue eyes, alabaster coloured skin and a slight Roman nose.<ref>{{Harvnb|Gail|1987|p=281}}</ref>

Bahá'u'lláh gave his son many other titles such as "the Most Mighty Branch" the "Branch of Holiness", "the Center of the Covenant" and the apple of his eye.<ref>{{harvnb|Smith|2000|pp=14–20}}</ref> `Abdu'l-Bahá ("the Master") was devestated when hearing the news that him and his family were to be exiled seperatley from [[Bahá'u'lláh]]. It was, according to Bahá'ís, through his intercession that the idea was reverted and the family were allowed to be exiled together.<ref name="lotoae" />

=== Acre ===
[[File:AkkaPrison.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Prison in Acre]]
At the age of twenty-four, `Abdu'l-Bahá was clearly chief-steward to his father and an outstanding member of the Bahá’í community.<ref name="b_p17">{{harvnb|Balyuzi|2001|p=17}}</ref> Bahá’u’lláh and his family were – in 1868 – exiled to the penal colony of [[Acre, Palestine]] where it was expected that the family would perish.<ref>{{harvnb|Foltz|2004|pp=151}}</ref> Arrival in Acre was distressing for the family and exiles.<ref>{{harvnb|Smith|2000|pp=14–20}}</ref> They were greeted in a hostile manner by the surrounding population and his sister and father fell dangerously ill.<ref name="bne" /> When told that the women were to sit on the shoulders of the men to reach the shore, `Abdu'l-Bahá took a chair and carried the women to the bay of Acre.<ref name="lotoae" /> `Abdu'l-Bahá was able to procure some anaesthetic and nursed the sick.<ref name="lotoae" />

The Bahá’ís were imprisoned under horrendous conditions in a cluster of cells covered in excrement and dirt.<ref name="bne" /> `Abdu'l-Bahá himself fell dangerously ill with [[dysentry]],<ref name="bne" /> however a sympathetic soldier premitted a physician to help cure him.<ref name="lotoae" /> The population shunned them, the soldiers treated them the same, and the behaviour of Siyyid Muhammad-i-Isfahani (an [[Azali]]) did not help matters.<ref name="b_p17">{{harvnb|Balyuzi|2001|p=22}}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Kazemzadeh|2009|}}</ref> Morale was further destroyed with the death of `Abdu'l-Bahá’s youngest brother [[Mírzá Mihdí]] at the age of 22.<ref name="lotoae" /> His death devastated the family – particularly his [[Ásíyih Khánum|mother]] and father – and the grieving `Abdu'l-Bahá kept a night-long vigil beside his brother’s body.<ref name="lotoae" /><ref>{{Harvnb|Kazemzadeh|2009|}}</ref>

Over time, he gradually took over responsibility for the relationships between the small [[Bahá'í Faith|Bahá'i]] exile community and the outside world. It was through his interaction with the people of Acre that, according to the Bahá'ís, they recognized the innocence of the Bahá'ís, and thus the conditions of imprisonment were eased.<ref name="b_p33">{{harvnb|Balyuzi|2001|pp=33-43}}</ref> Four months after the death of Mihdí the family moved from the prison to the [[House of `Abbúd]].<ref name="b_p33" /> The people of Acre started to respect the Bahá'ís and in particular, `Abdu'l-Bahá. `Abdu'l-Bahá was able to arrange for [[House_of_%60Abbúd#Akk.C3.A1_area|houses to be rented]] for the family, the family later moved to the [[Mansion of Bahjí]] around 1879 when an epidemic caused the inhabitants to flee. `Abdu'l-Bahá soon became very popular in the penal colony and Myron Phelps a wealthy New York lawyer described how "a crowd of human biengs...Syrians, Arabs, Ethopians, and many others",<ref>{{harvnb|Phelps|1912|pp=3}}</ref> all waited to talk and recieve `Abdu'l-Bahá.<ref>{{harvnb|Smith|2000|pp=4}}</ref> He undertook a history of the Bábí religion through publication of [[A Traveller's Narrative]] (Makála-i-Shakhsí Sayyáh) in 1886,<ref>[http://www.h-net.org/~bahai/diglib/books/A-E/B/browne/tn/tnfrnt.htm A Traveller's Narrative,(Makála-i-Shakhsí Sayyáh)</ref> later translated and published in translation in 1891 through Cambridge University by the agency of [[Edward Granville Browne]] who described `Abdu'l-Bahá as: {{quote|Seldom have I seen one whose appearance impressed me more. A tall strongly-built man holding himself straight as an arrow, with white turban and raiment, long black locks reaching almost to the shoulder, broad powerful forehead indicating a strong intellect combined with an unswerving will, eyes keen as a hawk's, and strongly-marked but pleasing features - such was my first impression of 'Abbás Efendí, "the master".<ref>{{cite book |last = `Abdu'l-Bahá |authorlink = `Abdu'l-Bahá |editor = Browne, E.G. (Tr.) |year = 1891 |title = A Traveller's Narrative: Written to illustrate the episode of the Bab |publisher = Cambridge University Press |location = Cambridge, UK |pages = (See Browne's "Introduction" and "Notes", esp. "Note W".) |url = http://www.h-net.org/~bahai/diglib/books/A-E/B/browne/tn/hometn.htm}}</ref>}}


===Family life===
===Family life===
[[File:Abbaseffendi1868.jpg|right|thumb|190px|`Abdu'l-Bahá as a young man]]
As a young man speculation was rife amongst the Bahá’ís to whom `Abdu’l-Bahá would marry.<ref name="bne" /> Several young girls were seen as marriage prospects but `Abdu’l-Bahá seemed disinclined to marriage.<ref name="bne" /> On March 8, 1873, at the urging of his father,<ref name="Kazemzadeh 2009"/> the twenty-eight-year-old `Abdu’l-Bahá married [[Munírih Khánum|Fátimih Nahrí of Isfahán]] (1847–1938) a twenty-five-year-old noblewoman.<ref name=Smith2000-p255>{{Harvnb|Smith|2000|p=255}}</ref> Her father was Mírzá Muḥammad `Alí Nahrí of [[Isfahan]] an eminent Bahá’í of the city and prominent aristocrat.<ref name="bne" /> Fátimih was bought from [[Persia]] to [[Acre, Israel]] after both [[Bahá’u’lláh]] and his wife [[Navváb]] expressed an interest in her to marry `Abdu’l-Bahá.<ref name="bne" /><ref name=Smith2000-p255/><ref name="ltoae">{{Harvnb|Phelps|1912|pp=85-94}}</ref> After a wearisome journey from Isfahán to Akka she finally arrived accompanied by her brother in 1872.<ref name="bne" /><ref name="ltoae"/> The marriage resulted in nine children: two boys: Ḥusayn Effendi (d. 1305/1887, aged five) and Mihdí (died aged two-and-a-half) and seven daughters: Ṭúbá (died sometime in Akka), Fu'ádíyyih (died in infancy), and Ruḥangíz (died in 1893, she was the favorite grandchild of Bahá'u'lláh).<ref>{{Harvnb|Blomfield|1975|p=203}}</ref> Four children survived to adulthood all daughters; Ḍiyá'iyyih <u>Kh</u>ánum (mother of [[Shoghi Effendi]]) (d. 1951) Túbá <u>Kh</u>ánum (1880–1959) Rúḥá <u>Kh</u>ánum and Munavvar <u>Kh</u>ánum (d. 1971).<ref name="bne" />
As a young man speculation was rife amongst the Bahá’ís to whom `Abdu'l-Bahá would marry.<ref name="bne" /> Several young girls were seen as marriage prospects but `Abdu’l-Bahá seemed disinclined to marriage.<ref name="bne" /> On March 8 1873, at the urging of his father,<ref>{{Harvnb|Kazemzadeh|2009|}}</ref> the twenty-eight-year-old `Abdu’l-Bahá married [[Munírih Khánum|Fátimih Nahrí of Isfahán]] (1847-1938) a twenty-five-year-old noblewoman.<ref name=Smith2000-p255>{{Harvnb|Smith|2000|p=255}}</ref> Her father was Mírzá Muḥammad `Alí Nahrí of [[Isfahan]] an eminent Bahá’í of the city and prominent aristocrat.<ref name="bne" /> Fátimih was bought from [[Persia]] to [[Acre, Israel]] after both [[Bahá’u’lláh]] and his wife [[Navváb]] expressed an interest in her to marry `Abdu’l-Bahá.<ref name="bne" /><ref name=Smith2000-p255/><ref name="ltoae">{{Harvnb|Phelps|1912|pp=85-94}}</ref>

After a wearisome journey from Isfahán to Akka she finally arrived accompanied by her brother in 1872.<ref name="bne" /><ref name="ltoae">{{Harvnb|Phelps|1912|pp=85-94}}</ref> The young couple were betrothed for about five months before the marriage itself commenced. In the mean time, Fátimih lived in the home of `Abdu'l-Bahá’s uncle [[Mírzá Músá]]. According to her later memoirs, Fátimih fell in love with `Abdu'l-Bahá on seeing him. `Abdu'l-Bahá himself had showed little inkling to marriage until meeting Fátimih;<ref name="ltoae">{{Harvnb|Phelps|1912|pp=85-94}}</ref> who was entitled Munírih by [[Bahá’u’lláh]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Kazemzadeh|2009|}}</ref> Munírih is a title meaning "Luminous".<ref name="aittbf">{{harvnb|Smith|2008|p=35}}</ref>

The marriage resulted in nine children: two boys: Ḥusayn Effendi (d. 1305/1887, aged five) and Mihdí (died aged two-and-a-half) and seven daughters: Ṭúbá (died sometime in Akka), Fu'ádíyyih (died in infancy), and Ruḥangíz (died in 1893, she was the favorite grandchild of Bahá'u'lláh).<ref>{{Harvnb|Blomfield|1975|p=203}}</ref> Four children survived to adulthood all daughters; Ḍiyá'iyyih <u>Kh</u>ánum (mother of [[Shoghi Effendi]]) (d. 1951) Túbá <u>Kh</u>ánum (1880-1959) Rúḥá <u>Kh</u>ánum and Munavvar <u>Kh</u>ánum (d. 1971).<ref name="bne" />


Bahá'u'lláh wished that the Bahá'ís follow the example of `Abdu'l-Bahá and gradually move away from polygamy.<ref name="ltoae"/><ref name="aittbf">{{harvnb|Smith|2008|p=35}}</ref> The marriage of `Abdu’l-Bahá to one woman and his choice to remain monogamous<ref name="ltoae"/>, from advice of his father and his own wish,<ref name="ltoae"/><ref name="aittbf"/> legitimised the practice of monogamy<ref name="aittbf"/> to a people whom hitherto had regarded polygamy as a righteous way of life.<ref name="ltoae"/><ref name="aittbf"/>
Bahá'u'lláh wished that the Bahá'ís follow the example of `Abdu'l-Bahá and gradually move away from polygamy.<ref name="ltoae">{{Harvnb|Phelps|1912|pp=85-94}}</ref><ref name="aittbf">{{harvnb|Smith|2008|p=35}}</ref> The marriage of `Abdu’l-Bahá to one woman and his choice to remain monogamous<ref name="ltoae">{{Harvnb|Phelps|1912|pp=85-94}}</ref>, from advice of his father and his own wish,<ref name="ltoae">{{Harvnb|Phelps|1912|pp=85-94}}</ref><ref name="aittbf">{{harvnb|Smith|2008|p=35}}</ref> legitimised the practice of monogamy<ref name="aittbf">{{harvnb|Smith|2008|p=35}}</ref> to a people whom hitherto had regarded polygamy as a righteous way of life.<ref name="ltoae">{{Harvnb|Phelps|1912|pp=85-94}}</ref><ref name="aittbf">{{harvnb|Smith|2008|p=35}}</ref>


==Early years of his ministry==
==Early years of his ministry==

Revision as of 15:09, 27 December 2009

File:Abdul Baha Abbas.jpg
`Abdu'l-Bahá

‘Abdu’l-Bahá (عبد البهاء‎) (23 May 1844 - 28 November 1921), born `Abbás Effendí, was the eldest son of Bahá'u'lláh,[1] the founder of the Bahá'í Faith. In 1892, `Abdu'l-Bahá was appointed in his father's will to be his successor and head of the Bahá'í Faith.[2][3]

His journeys to the West, and his Tablets of the Divine Plan spread the Bahá'í message beyond its middle-eastern roots, and his Will and Testament laid the foundation for the current Bahá'í administrative order.

`Abdu'l-Bahá's given name was `Abbás, but he preferred the title of `Abdu'l-Bahá (servant of the glory of God). He is commonly referred to in Bahá'í texts as "The Master", and received the title of KBE after his personal storage of grain was used to relieve famine in Palestine following World War I, but never used the title.

Background

Early life

`Abdu'l-Bahá was born in Tehran, Iran on 23 May 1844 (5th of Jamadiyu'l-Avval, 1260 AH),[4] the eldest son of Bahá'u'lláh and Navváb. He was born on the very same night on which the Báb declared his mission.[5] Born with the given name of `Abbás,[6] he was named after his grandfather Mírzá `Abbás Núrí a prominent and powerful nobleman.[7] As a child, `Abdu'l-Bahá was shaped by his fathers position as a prominent Bábí. He recalled how he met the Bábí leader Táhirih and how she would take "me on to her knee, caress me, and talk to me. I admired her most deeply".[8]

`Abdu’l-Bahá had a happy and carefree childhood. The family’s Tehran home and country houses were comfortable and beautifully decorated. `Abdu'l-Bahá enjoyed playing in the gardens with his younger sister whom he was very close to.[9] Along with his younger siblings— a sister, Bahíyyih, and a brother, Mihdí— the three lived in a enviroment of privledge, happiness and comfort.[10] With his fathers declination of the position as minister of the court; during his young boyhood `Abdu’l-Bahá witnessed his parents various charitable endeavours,[11] which included converting part of the home to a hospital ward for women and children.[12]

One event that affected `Abdu'l-Bahá greatly during his childhood was the imprisonment of his father when `Abdu'l-Bahá was eight years old; the imprisonment led to his family being reduced to poverty and being attacked in the streets by other children.[5] Little `Abdu'l-Bahá accompanied his mother to visit Bahá'u'lláh who was then imprisoned in the infamous subterranean dungeon the Síyáh-Chál.[13] He described how "I saw a dark, steep place. We entered a small, narrow doorway, and went down two steps, but beyond those one could see nothing. In the middle of the stairway, all of a sudden we heard His [Bahá’u’lláh's]…voice: 'Do not bring him in here', and so they took me back".[14]

Baghdad

Bahá'u'lláh was eventually released from prison but ordered into exile, and `Abdu'l-Bahá then eight joined his father on the journey to Baghdad in the winter (January to April)[15] of 1853.[14] During the journey `Abdu'l-Bahá suffered from frost-bite. After a year of difficulties Bahá'u'lláh absented himself rather than continue to face the conflict with Mirza Yahya and secretly secluded himself in the mountains of Sulaymaniyah in April 1854 a month before `Abdu'l-Bahá's tenth birthday.[15] Mutual sorrow resulted in him, his mother and sister becoming constant companions.[16] `Abdu'l-Bahá was particularly close to both, and his mother took active participation in his education and upbringing.[17] During the two year absence of his father `Abdu'l-Bahá took up the duty of managing the affairs of the family,[18] before his age of maturity (14 in middle-eastern society)[19] and was known to be occupied with reading and, at a time of hand-copied scriptures being the primary means of publishing,[citation needed] was also engaged in copying the writings of the Báb.[20] `Abdu’l-Bahá also took an interest in the art of horse riding and, as he grew, became a renowned rider.[21]

In 1856, news of an aesthetic carrying on discourses with local Súfí leaders that seemed to possibly be Bahá'u'lláh reached the family and friends. Immediately, family members and friends went to search for the illusive dervish – and in March[15] bought Bahá'u'lláh back to Baghdad.[22] On seeing his father, `Abdu'l-Bahá fell to his knees and wept loudly "Why did you leave us?", and this followed with his mother and sister doing the same.[21][23] `Abdu'l-Bahá soon became his fathers secretary and shield.[5]

During the sojourn in the city `Abdu’l-Bahá grew from a boy into a young man. He was noted as a "remarkably fine looking youth",[21] and remembered for his charity and amiableness.[5] Having passed the age of maturity `Abdu'l-Bahá was regularly seen in the mosques of Baghdad discussing religious topics and the scripture as a young man. Whilst in Baghdad, `Abdu'l-Bahá composed a commentary at the request of his father on the Muslim tradition of "I was a Hidden Treasure" for a Súfí leader named `Alí Shawkat Páshá.[5][24] `Abdu'l-Bahá was fifteen or sixteen at the time and `Alí Shawkat Páshá regarded the more than 11000 word essay as a remarkable feat for somebody of his age.[5]

In 1863 in what became known as the Garden of Ridván Bahá'u'lláh announced to a few that he was the manifestation of God and He whom God shall make manifest whose coming had been foretold by the Báb. On day eight of the twelve days, it is believed `Abdu'l-Baha was the first person Baha'u'llah revealed his claim to.[25][26]

Constantinople/Adrianople

`Abdu'l-Bahá (right) with his brother Mírzá Mihdí

In 1863 Bahá'u'lláh was summoned to Constantinople (Istanbul), and thus his whole family including `Abdu'l-Bahá, then nineteen, accompanied him on his 110-day journey.[27] The journey to Constantinople was another wearisome journey,[21] and `Abdu'l-Bahá helped feed the exiles.[28] It was here that his position became more prominent amongst the Bahá’ís.[29] This was further solidified by Bahá’u’lláh’s tablet of the Branch in which he constantly exalts his son's virtues and station.[30] The family were soon exiled to Adrianople and `Abdu'l-Bahá went with the family.[31] `Abdu’l-Bahá again suffered from frostbite.[21]

In Adrianople `Abdu’l-Bahá was regarded as the sole comforter of his family – in particular to his mother.[21] At this point `Abdu'l-Bahá was known by the Bahá'ís as "the Master", and by non-Bahá'ís as `Abbás Effendi ("Effendi" signifies "Sir"). It was in Adrianople that Bahá’u’lláh referred to his son as "the Mystery of God".[21] The title of "Mystery of God" symbolises, according to Bahá'ís, that `Abdu'l-Bahá is not a manifestation of God but how a "person of `Abdu'l-Bahá the incompatible characteristics of a human nature and superhuman knowledge and perfection have been blended and are completely harmonized".[32][33] `Abdu'l-Bahá was at this point noted for having black hair which flowed to his shoulders, large blue eyes, alabaster coloured skin and a slight Roman nose.[34]

Bahá'u'lláh gave his son many other titles such as "the Most Mighty Branch" the "Branch of Holiness", "the Center of the Covenant" and the apple of his eye.[35] `Abdu'l-Bahá ("the Master") was devestated when hearing the news that him and his family were to be exiled seperatley from Bahá'u'lláh. It was, according to Bahá'ís, through his intercession that the idea was reverted and the family were allowed to be exiled together.[21]

Acre

Prison in Acre

At the age of twenty-four, `Abdu'l-Bahá was clearly chief-steward to his father and an outstanding member of the Bahá’í community.[27] Bahá’u’lláh and his family were – in 1868 – exiled to the penal colony of Acre, Palestine where it was expected that the family would perish.[36] Arrival in Acre was distressing for the family and exiles.[37] They were greeted in a hostile manner by the surrounding population and his sister and father fell dangerously ill.[5] When told that the women were to sit on the shoulders of the men to reach the shore, `Abdu'l-Bahá took a chair and carried the women to the bay of Acre.[21] `Abdu'l-Bahá was able to procure some anaesthetic and nursed the sick.[21]

The Bahá’ís were imprisoned under horrendous conditions in a cluster of cells covered in excrement and dirt.[5] `Abdu'l-Bahá himself fell dangerously ill with dysentry,[5] however a sympathetic soldier premitted a physician to help cure him.[21] The population shunned them, the soldiers treated them the same, and the behaviour of Siyyid Muhammad-i-Isfahani (an Azali) did not help matters.[27][38] Morale was further destroyed with the death of `Abdu'l-Bahá’s youngest brother Mírzá Mihdí at the age of 22.[21] His death devastated the family – particularly his mother and father – and the grieving `Abdu'l-Bahá kept a night-long vigil beside his brother’s body.[21][39]

Over time, he gradually took over responsibility for the relationships between the small Bahá'i exile community and the outside world. It was through his interaction with the people of Acre that, according to the Bahá'ís, they recognized the innocence of the Bahá'ís, and thus the conditions of imprisonment were eased.[40] Four months after the death of Mihdí the family moved from the prison to the House of `Abbúd.[40] The people of Acre started to respect the Bahá'ís and in particular, `Abdu'l-Bahá. `Abdu'l-Bahá was able to arrange for houses to be rented for the family, the family later moved to the Mansion of Bahjí around 1879 when an epidemic caused the inhabitants to flee. `Abdu'l-Bahá soon became very popular in the penal colony and Myron Phelps a wealthy New York lawyer described how "a crowd of human biengs...Syrians, Arabs, Ethopians, and many others",[41] all waited to talk and recieve `Abdu'l-Bahá.[42] He undertook a history of the Bábí religion through publication of A Traveller's Narrative (Makála-i-Shakhsí Sayyáh) in 1886,[43] later translated and published in translation in 1891 through Cambridge University by the agency of Edward Granville Browne who described `Abdu'l-Bahá as:

Seldom have I seen one whose appearance impressed me more. A tall strongly-built man holding himself straight as an arrow, with white turban and raiment, long black locks reaching almost to the shoulder, broad powerful forehead indicating a strong intellect combined with an unswerving will, eyes keen as a hawk's, and strongly-marked but pleasing features - such was my first impression of 'Abbás Efendí, "the master".[44]

Family life

`Abdu'l-Bahá as a young man

As a young man speculation was rife amongst the Bahá’ís to whom `Abdu'l-Bahá would marry.[5] Several young girls were seen as marriage prospects but `Abdu’l-Bahá seemed disinclined to marriage.[5] On March 8 1873, at the urging of his father,[45] the twenty-eight-year-old `Abdu’l-Bahá married Fátimih Nahrí of Isfahán (1847-1938) a twenty-five-year-old noblewoman.[46] Her father was Mírzá Muḥammad `Alí Nahrí of Isfahan an eminent Bahá’í of the city and prominent aristocrat.[5] Fátimih was bought from Persia to Acre, Israel after both Bahá’u’lláh and his wife Navváb expressed an interest in her to marry `Abdu’l-Bahá.[5][46][47]

After a wearisome journey from Isfahán to Akka she finally arrived accompanied by her brother in 1872.[5][47] The young couple were betrothed for about five months before the marriage itself commenced. In the mean time, Fátimih lived in the home of `Abdu'l-Bahá’s uncle Mírzá Músá. According to her later memoirs, Fátimih fell in love with `Abdu'l-Bahá on seeing him. `Abdu'l-Bahá himself had showed little inkling to marriage until meeting Fátimih;[47] who was entitled Munírih by Bahá’u’lláh.[48] Munírih is a title meaning "Luminous".[49]

The marriage resulted in nine children: two boys: Ḥusayn Effendi (d. 1305/1887, aged five) and Mihdí (died aged two-and-a-half) and seven daughters: Ṭúbá (died sometime in Akka), Fu'ádíyyih (died in infancy), and Ruḥangíz (died in 1893, she was the favorite grandchild of Bahá'u'lláh).[50] Four children survived to adulthood all daughters; Ḍiyá'iyyih Khánum (mother of Shoghi Effendi) (d. 1951) Túbá Khánum (1880-1959) Rúḥá Khánum and Munavvar Khánum (d. 1971).[5]

Bahá'u'lláh wished that the Bahá'ís follow the example of `Abdu'l-Bahá and gradually move away from polygamy.[47][49] The marriage of `Abdu’l-Bahá to one woman and his choice to remain monogamous[47], from advice of his father and his own wish,[47][49] legitimised the practice of monogamy[49] to a people whom hitherto had regarded polygamy as a righteous way of life.[47][49]

Early years of his ministry

`Abdu'l-Bahá

After Bahá'u'lláh died on 29 May 1892, the Will and Testament of Bahá'u'lláh named `Abdu'l-Bahá as Centre of the Covenant, successor and interpreter of Bahá'u'lláh's writings.[2] In the Will and Testament `Abdu'l-Bahá's half-brother, Muhammad `Alí, was mentioned by name as being subordinate to `Abdu'l-Bahá. Muhammad `Alí became jealous of his half-brother and set out to establish authority for himself as an alternative leader with the support of his brothers Badi'u'llah and Diya'u'llah.[4] He began correspondence with Bahá'ís in Iran, initially in secret, casting doubts in others' minds about `Abdu'l-Bahá.[51] While most Bahá'ís followed `Abdu'l-Bahá, a handful followed Muhammad `Alí including such leaders as Mirza Javad and Ibrahim Khayru'llah, the famous Bahá'í missionary to America.[52]

Muhammad `Alí and Mirza Javad began to openly accuse `Abdu'l-Bahá of taking on too much authority, suggesting that he believed himself to be a Manifestation of God, equal in status to Bahá'u'lláh.[53] It was at this time that `Abdu'l-Bahá, in order to provide proof of the falsity of the accusations levelled against him, in tablets to the West, stated that he was to be known as "`Abdu'l-Bahá" an Arabic phrase meaning the Servant of Bahá to make it clear that he was not a Manifestation of God, and that his station was only servitude.[54]

It was as a result of this breakdown in relations between the half-brothers that when `Abdu'l-Bahá died, instead of appointing Muhammad `Alí, he left a Will and Testament that set up the framework of an administration. The two highest institutions were the Universal House of Justice, and the Guardianship, for which he appointed Shoghi Effendi as the Guardian.[2]

By the end of 1898, Western pilgrims started coming to Akka on pilgrimage to visit `Abdu'l-Bahá; this group of pilgrims, including Phoebe Hearst, was the first time that Bahá'ís raised up in the West had met `Abdu'l-Bahá.[55] During the next decade `Abdu'l-Bahá would be in constant communication with Bahá'ís around the world, helping them to teach the religion; the group included May Ellis Bolles in Paris, Englishman Thomas Breakwell, American Herbert Hopper, French Hippolyte Dreyfus, Susan Moody, Lua Getsinger, and American Laura Clifford Barney.[56] It was Laura Clifford Barney who, by asking questions of `Abdu'l-Bahá over many years and many visits to Haifa, compiled what later became the book Some Answered Questions.[57]

During the final years of the 19th century, while `Abdu'l-Bahá was still officially a prisoner and confined to `Akka, he organized the transfer of the remains of the Báb from Iran to Palestine. He then organized the purchase of land on Mount Carmel that Bahá'u'lláh had instructed should be used to lay the remains of the Báb, and organized for the construction of the Shrine of the Báb. This process took another 10 years.[58]

With the increase of pilgrims visiting `Abdu'l-Bahá, Muhammad `Alí worked with the Ottoman authorities to re-introduce stricter terms on `Abdu'l-Bahá's imprisonment in August 1901.[2][59] By 1902, however, due to the Governor of `Akka being supportive of `Abdu'l-Bahá, the situation was greatly eased; while pilgrims were able to once again visit `Abdu'l-Bahá, he was confined to the city.[59] In February 1903, two followers of Muhammad `Alí, including Badi'u'llah and Siyyid `Aliy-i-Afnan, broke with Muhammad `Ali and wrote books and letters giving details of Muhammad `Ali's plots and noting that what was circulating about `Abdu'l-Bahá was fabrication.[60][61]

From 1902-1904, in addition to the building of the Shrine of the Báb that `Abdu'l-Bahá was directing, he started to put into execution two different projects; the restoration of the House of the Báb in Shiraz, Iran and the construction of the first Bahá'í House of Worship in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.[62] `Abdu'l-Bahá asked Aqa Mirza Aqa to coordinate the work so that the house of the Báb would be restored to the state that it was at the time of the Báb's declaration to Mulla Husayn in 1844;[62] he also entrusted the work on the House of Worship to Vakil-u'd-Dawlih.[63]

Also in 1904, Muhammad `Ali continued his accusations against `Abdu'l-Bahá which caused an Ottoman commission summoning `Abdu'l-Bahá to answer the accusations levelled against him. During the inquiry the charges against him were dropped and the inquiry collapsed.[64][65] The next few years in `Akka were relatively free of pressures and pilgrims were able to come and visit `Abdu'l-Bahá. By 1909 the mausoleum of the Shrine of the Báb was completed.[63]

Journeys to the West

`Abdu'l-Bahá, during his trip to the United States

The 1908 Young Turks revolution freed all political prisoners in the Ottoman Empire, and `Abdu'l-Bahá was freed from imprisonment. His first action after his freedom was to visit the Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh in Bahji.[66] While `Abdu'l-Bahá continued to live in `Akka immediately following the revolution, he soon moved to live in Haifa near the Shrine of the Báb.[66] In 1910, with the freedom to leave the country, he embarked on a three year journey to Egypt, Europe, and North America, spreading the Bahá'í message.[2]

From August to December 1911, `Abdu'l-Bahá visited cities in Europe, including London, Bristol, and Paris. The purpose of these trips was to support the Bahá'í communities in the west and to further spread his father's teachings.[67]

In the following year, he undertook a much more extensive journey to the United States and Canada to once again spread his father's teachings. He arrived in New York City on 11 April 1912, after declining an offer of passage on the RMS Titanic, telling the Bahá'í believers, instead, to "Donate this to charity." He instead travelled on a slower craft, the S.S. Cedric, and cited preference of a longer sea journey as the reason.[68] Upon arriving in New York, he arranged a private meeting with the survivors of the ill-fated Titanic, who asked him if he knew the Titanic's ultimate destruction would occur, to which, 'Abdu'l-Baha replied, "God gives man feelings of intuition". While he spent most of his time in New York, he visited Chicago, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C., Boston and Philadelphia. In August of the same year he started a more extensive journey to places including New Hampshire, the Green Acre school in Maine, and Montreal (his only visit to Canada). He then travelled west to Minneapolis, San Francisco, Stanford, and Los Angeles before starting to return east at the end of October. On 5 December 1912 he set sail back to Europe.[67]

During his visit to North America he visited many missions, churches, and groups, as well as having scores of meetings in Bahá'ís' homes, and offering innumerable personal meetings with hundreds of people.[69] During his talks he proclaimed Bahá'í principles such as the unity of God, unity of the religions, oneness of humanity, equality of women and men, world peace and economic justice.[69] He also insisted that all his meetings be open to all races.[69]

His visit and talks were the subject of hundreds of newspaper articles.[69] In Boston newspaper reporters asked `Abdu'l-Bahá why he had come to America, and he stated that he had come to participate in conferences on peace and that just giving warning messages is not enough.[70] `Abdu'l-Bahá's visit to Montreal provided notable newspaper coverage; on the night of his arrival the editor of the Montreal Daily Star met with him and that newspaper along with The Montreal Gazette, Montreal Standard, Le Devoir and La Presse among others reported on `Abdu'l-Bahá's activities.[71][72] The headlines in those papers included "Persian Teacher to Preach Peace", "Racialism Wrong, Says Eastern Sage, Strife and War Caused by Religious and National Prejudices", and "Apostle of Peace Meets Socialists, Abdul Baha's Novel Scheme for Distribution of Surplus Wealth."[72] The Montreal Standard, which was distributed across Canada, took so much interest that it republished the articles a week later; the Gazette published six articles and Montreal's largest French language newspaper published two articles about him.[71] His 1912 visit to Montreal also inspired humourist Stephen Leacock to parody him in his bestselling 1914 book Arcadian Adventures with the Idle Rich.[73] In Chicago one newspaper headline included "His Holiness Visits Us, Not Pius X but A. Baha,"[72] and `Abdu'l-Bahá's visit to California was reported in the Palo Altan.[74]

Back in Europe, he visited London, Paris (where he stayed for two months), Stuttgart, Budapest, and Vienna. Finally on 12 June 1913 he returned to Egypt, where he stayed for six months before returning to Haifa.[67]

Final years

`Abdu'l-Bahá on Mount Carmel with pilgrims in 1919

During World War I `Abdu'l-Bahá stayed in Palestine, under the continued threat of Allied bombardment and threats from the Turkish commander. As the war ended, the British Mandate over Palestine brought relative security to `Abdu'l-Bahá. During his final year, a growing number of visitors and pilgrims came to see him in Haifa.[75]

On 27 April 1920, he was awarded a knighthood (KBE) by the British Mandate of Palestine for his humanitarian efforts during the war.[2] `Abdu'l-Bahá died on 28 November 1921 (27th of Rabi'u'l-Avval, 1340 AH.)[4] On his funeral, Esslemont notes:

"... a funeral the like of which Haifa, nay Palestine itself, had surely never seen... so deep was the feeling that brought so many thousands of mourners together, representative of so many religions, races and tongues."[76]

He is buried in the front room of the Shrine of the Báb on Mount Carmel. Plans are in place to one day build a Shrine of `Abdu'l-Bahá. In his Will and Testament he appointed his grandson Shoghi Effendi Rabbani as the Guardian of the Bahá'í Faith.[2]

Works

The total estimated number of tablets that `Abdu'l-Bahá wrote are over 27,000, of which only a fraction have been translated into English.[77] His works fall into two groups including first his direct writings and second his lectures and speeches as noted by others.[2] The first group includes the Secret of Divine Civilization written before 1875, A Traveller's Narrative written around 1886, the Resāla-ye sīāsīya or Sermon on the Art of Governance written in 1893, the Memorials of the Faithful, and a large number of tablets written to various people;[2] including various Western intellectuals such as August Forel which has been translated and published as the Tablet to Auguste-Henri Forel. The Secret of Divine Civilization and the Sermon on the Art of Governance were widely circulated anonymously.

The second group includes Some Answered Questions, which is an English translation of a series of table talks with Laura Barney, and Paris Talks, `Abdu'l-Baha in London and Promulgation of Universal Peace which are respectively addresses given by `Abdu'l-Bahá in Paris, London and the United States.[2]

The following is a list of some of `Abdu'l-Bahá's many books, tablets, and talks:

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Chambers Biographical Dictionary, ISBN 0-550-18022-2, page 2
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Bausani, Alessandro (1989). "'Abd-al-Bahā' : Life and work". Encyclopædia Iranica.
  3. ^ Smith 2000, pp. 14–20
  4. ^ a b c Muhammad Qazvini (1949). "`Abdu'l-Bahá Meeting with Two Prominent Iranians". Retrieved 2007-09-05.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Esslemont 1980
  6. ^ Smith 2000, pp. 14–20
  7. ^ Kazemzadeh 2009
  8. ^ Blomfield 1975, p. 21
  9. ^ Blomfield 1975, p. 40
  10. ^ Kazemzadeh 2009
  11. ^ Blomfield 1975, p. 39
  12. ^ Blomfield 1975, p. 40
  13. ^ Kazemzadeh 2009
  14. ^ a b Balyuzi 2001, p. 12
  15. ^ a b c Chronology of persecutions of Babis and Baha'is compiled by Jonah Winters
  16. ^ Blomfield 1975, p. 54
  17. ^ Blomfield 1975, p. 69
  18. ^ The Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh, volume two, page 391
  19. ^ Can women act as agents of a democratization of theocracy in Iran? by Homa Hoodfar, Shadi Sadr, page 9
  20. ^ Cite error: The named reference b_p14 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Phelps 1912, pp. 27–55
  22. ^ Smith 2008, p. 17
  23. ^ Balyuzi 2001, p. 15
  24. ^ "'Abdu'l-Baha's Commentary on The Islamic Tradition: "I Was a Hidden Treasure ..."". Baha'i Studies Bulletin 3:4 (Dec. 1985), 4-35. Retrieved 2009-12-20.
  25. ^ Declaration of Baha'u'llah
  26. ^ The history and significance of the Bahá'í festival of Ridván BBC
  27. ^ a b c Balyuzi 2001, p. 17 Cite error: The named reference "b_p17" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  28. ^ Kazemzadeh 2009
  29. ^ Smith 2000, pp. 14–20
  30. ^ "Tablet of the Branch". Wilmette: Baha'i Publishing Trust. Retrieved 2008-07-05.
  31. ^ Smith 2000, pp. 14–20
  32. ^ "The Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh". US Bahá’í Publishing Trust. Retrieved 2008-07-05. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |harmonized&action= ignored (help)
  33. ^ "The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh". Baha'i Studies Bulletin 3:4 (Dec. 1985), 4-35. Retrieved 2009-12-20.
  34. ^ Gail 1987, p. 281
  35. ^ Smith 2000, pp. 14–20
  36. ^ Foltz 2004, pp. 151
  37. ^ Smith 2000, pp. 14–20
  38. ^ Kazemzadeh 2009
  39. ^ Kazemzadeh 2009
  40. ^ a b Balyuzi 2001, pp. 33–43
  41. ^ Phelps 1912, pp. 3
  42. ^ Smith 2000, pp. 4
  43. ^ [http://www.h-net.org/~bahai/diglib/books/A-E/B/browne/tn/tnfrnt.htm A Traveller's Narrative,(Makála-i-Shakhsí Sayyáh)
  44. ^ `Abdu'l-Bahá (1891). Browne, E.G. (Tr.) (ed.). A Traveller's Narrative: Written to illustrate the episode of the Bab. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. pp. (See Browne's "Introduction" and "Notes", esp. "Note W".).
  45. ^ Kazemzadeh 2009
  46. ^ a b Smith 2000, p. 255
  47. ^ a b c d e f g Phelps 1912, pp. 85–94
  48. ^ Kazemzadeh 2009
  49. ^ a b c d e Smith 2008, p. 35
  50. ^ Blomfield 1975, p. 203
  51. ^ Balyuzi 2001, p. 53
  52. ^ Browne 1918, p. 145
  53. ^ Browne 1918, p. 77
  54. ^ Balyuzi 2001, p. 60
  55. ^ Balyuzi 2001, p. 69
  56. ^ Balyuzi 2001, pp. 72–96
  57. ^ Balyuzi 2001, p. 82
  58. ^ Balyuzi 2001, pp. 90–93
  59. ^ a b Balyuzi 2001, p. 94-95
  60. ^ Balyuzi 2001, p. 102
  61. ^ Afroukhteh 2003, p. 166
  62. ^ a b Balyuzi 2001, p. 107
  63. ^ a b Balyuzi 2001, p. 109
  64. ^ Balyuzi 2001, pp. 111–113
  65. ^ Momen 1981, p. 320–323
  66. ^ a b Balyuzi 2001, p. 131
  67. ^ a b c Balyuzi 2001, pp. 159–397
  68. ^ Balyuzi 2001, p. 171
  69. ^ a b c d Gallagher & Ashcraft 2006, p. 196
  70. ^ Balyuzi 2001, p. 232
  71. ^ a b Van den Hoonaard 1996, pp. 56–58
  72. ^ a b c Balyuzi 2001, p. 256
  73. ^ Wagner, Ralph D. Yahi-Bahi Society of Mrs. Resselyer-Brown, The. Accessed on: 19-05-2008
  74. ^ Balyuzi 2001, p. 313
  75. ^ Balyuzi 2001, pp. 400–431
  76. ^ Esslemont 1980, p. 77, quoting 'The Passing of `Abdu'l-Bahá", by Lady Blomfield and Shoghi Effendi, pp 11, 12.
  77. ^ Universal House of Justice (2002-09). "Numbers and Classifications of Sacred Writings texts". Retrieved 2007-03-20. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  78. ^ http://www.h-net.org/~bahai/trans/vol7/govern.htm

References

External links