Fidál, 07 Masáʼil (Questions), 181 B.E.
Teaching the Cause
Quotes for Reflection
PRAISE be to Thee, O Lord my God! I implore Thee, by Thy Name which none hath befittingly recognized, and whose import no soul hath fathomed; I beseech Thee, by Him Who is the Fountainhead of Thy Revelation and the Dayspring of Thy signs, to make my heart to be a receptacle of Thy love and of remembrance of Thee. Knit it, then, to Thy most great Ocean, that from it may flow out the living waters of Thy wisdom and the crystal streams of Thy glorification and praise. — Bahá’u’lláh 1
I beg of Thee, O Thou King of existence and Protector of the seen and the unseen, to make whosoever arises to serve Thy Cause as a sea moving by Thy desire, as one ablaze with the fire of Thy Sacred Tree, shining from the horizon of the heaven of Thy will. Verily, Thou art the mighty One, Whom neither the power of all the world nor the strength of nations can weaken. There is no God but Thee, the One, the Incomparable, the Protector, the Self-Subsistent. — Bahá’u’lláh 2
O Lord! I am a broken-winged bird and desire to soar in Thy limitless space. How is it possible for me to do this save through Thy providence and grace, Thy confirmation and assistance. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá 3
O my God, aid Thou Thy servant to raise up the Word, and to refute what is vain and false, to establish the truth, to spread the sacred verses abroad, reveal the splendors, and make the morning’s light to dawn in the hearts of the righteous. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá 4
O my God! O my God! Thou seest me in my lowliness and weakness, occupied with the greatest undertaking, determined to raise Thy word among the masses and to spread Thy teachings among Thy peoples. How can I succeed unless Thou assist me with the breath of the Holy Spirit, help me to triumph by the hosts of Thy glorious kingdom, and shower upon me Thy confirmations, which alone can change a gnat into an eagle, a drop of water into rivers and seas, and an atom into lights and suns? O my Lord! Assist me with Thy triumphant and effective might, so that my tongue may utter Thy praises and attributes among all people and my soul overflow with the wine of Thy love and knowledge. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá 5
O Lord! Make manifest in Thy lands humble and submissive souls, their faces illumined with the rays of guidance, severed from the world, extolling Thy Name, uttering Thy praise, and diffusing the fragrance of Thy holiness amongst mankind. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá 6
O God, my God! Aid Thou Thy trusted servants to have loving and tender hearts. Help them to spread, amongst all the nations of the earth, the light of guidance that cometh from the Company on high. Verily, Thou art the Strong, the Powerful, the Mighty, the All-Subduing, the Ever-Giving. Verily, Thou art the Generous, the Gentle, the Tender, the Most Bountiful. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá 7
Verily, Thy lovers thirst, O my Lord; lead them to the wellspring of bounty and grace. Verily, they hunger; send down unto them Thy heavenly table. Verily, they are naked; robe them in the garments of learning and knowledge. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá 8
O Thou incomparable God! O Thou Lord of the Kingdom! These souls are Thy heavenly army. Assist them and, with the cohorts of the Supreme Concourse, make them victorious, so that each one of them may become like unto a regiment and conquer these countries through the love of God and the illumination of divine teachings. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá 9
Question for Consideration
How does the remembrance of revealed passages during private communion with God invite divine assistance and acceptance of individual and collective efforts when teaching others about the Bahá’í Faith? 10
Perplexity Pro Response 11
The remembrance of revealed passages during private communion with God plays a crucial role in the Bahá’í Faith, serving as a conduit for divine assistance and acceptance of teaching efforts. This practice not only empowers individuals spiritually but also attracts divine confirmations, instills confidence, and purifies motives, all essential elements for effectively sharing the Bahá’í teachings with others.
Spiritual Empowerment and Divine Assistance
Private communion with God through revealed passages serves as a wellspring of spiritual strength and divine assistance for Bahá’í teachers. Bahá’u’lláh emphasizes this, stating: “Remembrance of Me is a healing medicine to the souls and a light to the hearts of men” [1]. This spiritual nourishment prepares individuals for the challenging task of teaching, while also opening channels for divine confirmations. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá assures that when one turns their face toward God and summons people to His Kingdom, “all the ideal forces and lordly confirmations will rush to his support and reinforcement” [2] [5]. This divine assistance empowers teachers to overcome obstacles and persevere in their efforts to share the Bahá’í message.
Confidence and Purification of Motives
Confidence in teaching efforts stems from reliance on God’s words and promises. As emphasized in a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Bahá’ís are urged to “disregard our own handicaps and lay our whole reliance upon God,” [6] assuring that divine help will come to those who actively channel God’s grace. This attitude fosters detachment from personal limitations and a focus on the power of the divine message.
Private communion with God also serves to purify the teacher’s motives and intentions. The Báb advises against mere lip service, stressing the importance of aligning one’s heart with “the exalted Summit of Glory, and the Focal Point of communion” [8]. This purification process ensures that teaching efforts are sincere, free from ego, and truly reflective of the Bahá’í teachings, thereby increasing their effectiveness and spiritual impact.
Attraction of Divine Confirmations
The act of remembering God through His revealed words serves as a powerful magnet for divine blessings and confirmations. This spiritual practice is particularly potent in the context of teaching the Bahá’í Faith, as emphasized in the statement: “Today, as never before, the magnet which attracts the blessings from on high is teaching the Faith of God. The Hosts of Heaven are poised between heaven and earth, just waiting, and patiently, for the Bahá’í to step forth, with pure devotion and consecration, to teach the Cause of God, so they may rush to his aid and assistance” [7].
In conclusion, the remembrance of revealed passages during private communion with God serves as a powerful means of inviting divine assistance and acceptance of teaching efforts. It empowers the individual spiritually, attracts divine confirmations, instills confidence and detachment, and purifies motives, all of which are essential for effective and sincere teaching of the Bahá’í Faith.
Citations
[2] Bahá’í World Faith – Chapter Nine: The Divine Plan, 424
[3] Individual Initiative – Bahá’í Quotes
[5] The Power of Divine Assistance – 25
[6] The Power of Divine Assistance – 66
[7] The Power of Divine Assistance – 82
[8] Lights of Guidance – Prayer and Meditation, 1480
[9] Prayers and Meditations by Bahá’u’lláh – Study Guide (PDF)
Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity
- How can personal communion with God enhance one’s ability to teach the Bahá’í Faith?
- What role does divine assistance play in the success of Bahá’í teachings?
- How do revealed passages influence the confidence of Bahá’í teachers?
- In what ways can individual efforts be strengthened through remembrance of divine teachings?
- How does collective prayer contribute to the spread of the Bahá’í Faith?
- Bahá’u’lláh, Báb, and ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Bahá’í Prayers : A Selection of Prayers. Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/prayers/bahai-prayers/3#374050073. ↩
- Bahá’u’lláh, Báb, and ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Bahá’í Prayers : A Selection of Prayers. Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/prayers/bahai-prayers/3#271739057. ↩
- Bahá’u’lláh, Báb, and ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Bahá’í Prayers : A Selection of Prayers. Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/prayers/bahai-prayers/3#869985039. ↩
- Bahá’u’lláh, Báb, and ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Bahá’í Prayers : A Selection of Prayers. Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/prayers/bahai-prayers/3#095445121. ↩
- Bahá’u’lláh, Báb, and ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Bahá’í Prayers : A Selection of Prayers. Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/prayers/bahai-prayers/3#783753738. ↩
- Bahá’u’lláh, Báb, and ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Bahá’í Prayers : A Selection of Prayers. Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/prayers/bahai-prayers/3#266958116. ↩
- Bahá’u’lláh, Báb, and ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Bahá’í Prayers : A Selection of Prayers. Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/prayers/bahai-prayers/3#876633233. ↩
- Bahá’u’lláh, Báb, and ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Bahá’í Prayers : A Selection of Prayers. Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/prayers/bahai-prayers/3#155422685. ↩
- Bahá’u’lláh, Báb, and ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Bahá’í Prayers : A Selection of Prayers. Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/prayers/bahai-prayers/3#379011399. ↩
- Ruhi Institute. Teaching the Cause. 2.1.1.PE April 2023. Vol. Book 6. 6 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Foundation, 2023, 131-132. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#TCH. ↩
- Perplexity Pro. “How does the remembrance of revealed passages during private communion with God invite divine assistance and acceptance of individual and collective efforts when teaching others about the Bahá’í Faith?” Edited by Steve Bosserman. December 14, 2024. ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 