Horticulture is one of the most fascinating arts. I love it and watch the growth of the trees and flowers as one watches the growth of the babes.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to some friends, spoken on 1915-Apr-22 -- ABU2791)
Cultivating the land and a common life
agriculture
Editorial introduction
‘Abdu’l-Bahá watched trees and flowers grow the way one watches a child, and He wanted a piece of land near ‘Akká to plough with His own hands. That affection gives farming a tender beginning, but the Writings quickly widen the view. Agriculture is called a noble science that can bring comfort to untold numbers; Bahá’u’lláh ranks it ahead of every other concern of a nation, lamenting its neglect in Persia; the counsel to a community is to master the machinery before buying the land, and to send a promising youth to agricultural school. Sowing also teaches patience, since the true farmer thinks of planting in planting season and leaves the harvest to its time. The Qur’an’s grain that yields seven ears with a hundred grains each is an image of giving in God’s way [1], and it lets a harvest picture generosity among people. Care for the soil becomes care for those who live by it, and the path runs on into the promotion of commerce and industry and the continual ascent of material civilization.
Selected passages
When I go to Haifa and Acca I will get a piece of land and plow it and cultivate it with my own hand.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1913-Nov-08 in Ramleh -- ABU3210)
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1909-Jul-25, to Mathilde Forster -- AB12015)
For instance, go back to the foundation work, agriculture.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1912-Jul-09 in New York -- ABU0124)
(Bahá’u’lláh, Lawh-i-Dunya (Tablet of the World), 1308 ? [1890-1891], to Mirza Siyyid Muhammad Afnan (known as Aqa Mirza Aqa Nurud-Din) -- BH00238)
And after the machinery is properly operating and ultimate proficiency in its use has been gained through experience, and you are certain there will be no delays or interruptions in the equipment, at that time purchase the designated land. We have placed one of the well-trained youth of the friends who has completed primary schooling into agricultural school to study this field.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Usku'i, Haydar Ali (Son of Karbala'i Hasan of Matanih) -- AB00808)
This tea was grown and cultivated on your farm. Indeed it is very pleasant and acceptable. Firstly, that it comes from the produce of a friend's farm is merit enough, and secondly, its fragrance and taste are also pleasing. My hope is that through your efforts the cultivation of tea in those regions will expand and spread to other provinces, so that Iran will be content with tea that comes from Iran itself.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1919-Oct-13, to Ibtihajul-Mulk et al -- AB04749)
O friends! Two Americans who own a newspaper in America are intending to travel to Iran solely to learn about conditions in Iran and to investigate the state of political parties, government, civilization, industry, commerce and agriculture, so that they may correspond with their newspaper from there and write about whatever they see and hear.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1910 ca., to Baha'is of Tihran et al -- AB06412)
Riches earned by personal effort with divine assistance, in various trades, agriculture and the arts, and rightly administered, are justly deserving of praise, forasmuch as if a wise and discerning man acquires them, they become a ready means of benefit to the state.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá -- ABU3427)
Every true farmer occupies himself solely with planting, while the heedless think of harvest during planting season. Harvesting is indeed one of the pillars of agriculture, but not during planting time. The threshing floor is the outcome of farming, but not during the time of irrigation.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1913-Oct-26, to Siyyid Abdu'llah Miyaniji -- AB04977)
O ye followers of the All Merciful! When we turn our gaze on the world of being we see that during the season when the clouds pour down their rain and the sun sheds its warm rays every farmer who sows his seeds will reap a reward and gather an abundant and overflowing harvest.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1905 ca., to Aqa Hashim et al -- AB05368)
On days when work is forbidden, farmers should postpone irrigation until the following day.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1919-Jul-09, to Haji Ali son of Muhammad Rida Husaynabadi -- AB11162)
O divine husbandman! If thou art able, sow a seed in this divine field, that thou mayest be confirmed by the blessed verse which declareth: "As a grain of corn that groweth seven ears, and in each ear a hundred grains, for God giveth manifold increase unto whomsoever He willeth."
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Aqa Ali Zari -- AB09347)
They will instruct you in many lessons of agriculture. They will teach you farming along modern lives.
… Have you not read in the Koran wherein it is revealed by the Lord:- 'Those farmers who believe in God, practice virtue, and are striving in their avocation, He will open before their faces the doors of heavenly blessings."
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Arab villagers from Adasiyyah, spoken on 1914-May-07 -- ABU1467)
Regarding agriculture, He has given a general ruling in these matters, which is that it is obligatory for every soul to engage in a profession, agriculture, or craft, and that very work itself is worship in the sight of God, even if one tarries but a day in any land. Thus, in the days of departure from Iraq, although preparations were being made for migration, nevertheless they were engaged in farming, and at the time of departure it was commanded that the harvest be distributed among the friends.
(Bahá’u’lláh, to Muhammad Husayn -- BH11762)
Continue exploring
For thought and discussion
Questions to carry forward
- How do affection, physical labor, and scientific knowledge complement one another in these passages?
- What does the counsel to investigate methods and equipment add to the encouragement to act?
- What can farming teach about patient service, and where should we distinguish metaphor from practical agricultural judgment?
- How might a concern for agriculture reshape our thinking about prosperity, food, and justice?