charitable associations; humanitarian activities
Editorial introduction
Knowledge that a neighbour is hungry feeds no one. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá presses the point: a friend who learns that another has no food for the evening should neither rest nor sleep until food is found. Charitable associations are what happens when that urgency refuses to depend on chance. Funds for orphans with members of every faith, relief societies in a famine, travel money redirected to the poor, a village’s organized provision for need, endowments and scholarships: each turns sympathy into an arrangement that can be trusted. Around the House of Worship, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá envisions hospitals, schools and shelters, so that worship and welfare grow from one root, and he laughs at the question whether charity is advisable: give to the poor, for words leave their pockets no fuller. In Acts, neglected widows prompt a community to appoint people responsible for daily distribution, a reminder that someone is always being overlooked [1]. The journey leads on into generosity as a quality of soul, into service to others, and into the institution that gathers prayer and practical care under one roof.
To know that to reach a state of perfection is possible is good, to march forward on the path is better. We know that to help the poor and to be merciful is good and pleases God, but knowledge alone does not feed the starving man, nor can the poor be warmed by knowledge or words, in the bitter winter.
The aim is this, that the friends of God must assist each other, and in assistance be greater than all the other communities of the world. If ones of the friends find out that another has no food for this evening, for instance, he should not rest, he should not sleep till he finds food for him.
O servant of God! Regarding the charitable funds from the endowments of your late grandfather about which you wrote - distribute these among the poor, weak, disabled and orphans, whether friend or stranger.
O thou who art attracted to the Kingdom of God! Your letter written on Easter has arrived and its contents brought the utmost joy, for praise be to God, such an association has been formed for the education of orphaned children and the livelihood of orphans, with members from every nation and religion.
Its charities will be dispensed irrespective of colour and race.
Praise be to God that during the time of famine, scarcity, hardship and tribulation, the Society for the Aid of the Poor showed forth effort and rendered assistance, and the poor among the friends remained patient, thankful and dignified.
The poor of this world suffer: we should care for them.
I was very pleased with the friends for showing such resolve, and I accepted, but since travel provisions are ready and nothing is needed, therefore I desire that the divine friends spend these amounts on charitable works for the general benefit of humanity on my behalf. This matter is very important.
Your donating the expenses of the Italy trip to the poor was very timely and caused my joy.
As for the charitable company, I hope that through the aid and favor of the Blessed Beauty it will progress day by day, and that its members will arise to serve with lofty resolve and noble aims, that the work of teaching will be strengthened and the divine fragrances will be diffused.
Regarding the Charitable Society about which thou didst write - you must certainly support this society and encourage it. Do not let it cease or weaken. Rather, the loved ones of God must strive with heart and soul so that day by day this society may gain strength and engage in service to the Cause - educating children, nurturing orphans, helping the poor, spreading knowledge, and becoming a means of guiding people.
Likewise the charitable association meeting - this is very beneficial and brings comfort to souls of every kind.
In the gathering of fellowship, the discussions must be confined to beneficial matters, namely: the exaltation of the Word of God, promotion of the teachings of God, education of souls, instruction of children, protection and nurturing of orphans, assistance to the weak and poor, support of the disabled, promotion of charitable works and benevolent causes.
It is essential to establish resources for the livelihood of the weak and poor, and for the education of children and orphans. What your honor has written is, for now, the easiest approach.
However, in every country a special center is needed where each soul can contribute according to their means, and when a significant sum accumulates, the returns from that amount can be spent on charitable causes.
You have taken up a good occupation which deserves praise, for helping the poor and orphans is service to the Kingdom of God and no righteous deed has been or is greater than this. However, if you could assist the poor of Syria it would be more acceptable, and this should be done through a trustworthy person among the friends like Kalim, because when committees in those regions send aid through committees in these regions, most of the funds sent are kept by the committees here and very little reaches the poor. But if you send it through the friends, all of it reaches the poor.
Blessed is the Spiritual Assembly for having prepared some food for distribution among the poor and weak. Let those who act, act likewise.
Regarding what thou hadst written about the selection of the assembly for charitable affairs and benevolent works, refer to his honor Afnan of the Divine Lote-Tree.
Regarding the charitable company you wrote about, this charitable company must be protected and preserved, and complete order must be strived for.
Regarding the charitable society, importance must certainly be given to it. The disciples of the Spirit (Christ) - may my soul be a sacrifice unto Him - were eleven in number, and they established a charitable fund. Thus, the organization of such a fund was of such importance.
Whenever a believer dies and leaves behind debt, the friends of God must exert themselves to pay it off. If he has left some property or real estate they may dispose of it in the best possible manner and meet the indebtedness of the deceased; if not, each person may contribute something toward a general fund and thus silence the creditors. This is the imperative duty of the believers.
Concerning the income of the printing and publishing society, as ye write, it must be expended for charitable purposes.
Sell the honey and offspring of the bees that were pledged and give the proceeds to the poor.
And if it would not be outside of wisdom in another instance, spend its proceeds by order of the Center of the Covenant on orphans and the poor and weak.
O divine friends! The Charitable Society is among the institutions of the Lord of creation, for it cares for orphans and ensures comfort for the poor, weak and needy among mankind, and is a means for teaching children and promoting the Cause of the All-Merciful.
The Western friends have rendered a worthy service to the Tarbiat School through the instrumentality of the Orient-Occident Unity in Washington.
It is hoped that this channel of philanthropy will be continually widened, its various interests solidified, its annual scholarships kept up and increased in number, and its wholesome, disinterested influence expanded.
In America, a company has been established under the name of the Iran-America Educational Society, and papers concerning this have been sent by Mirza Ahmad and are being forwarded to Aqa Mirza Ali-Akbar.
… Now if the American friends wish, of their own accord and with willing hearts, to make a contribution to the Tarbiyat School, this will increase the connection.
Regarding the charitable educational association you had written about - praise be to God they are engaged in service and generous with life and wealth.
I am hopeful by divine bounty and grace that the beloved ones of God may be confirmed in the building of the Mashrak-el-azkar and all its accessories, for the Mashrak-el-azkar has important accessories which are accounted of the basic foundations. These are: school for orphan children, hospital and dispensary for the poor, place for the incapable (i.e., home for the cripple), college for the higher scientific education.
Among them are the following:
A school for orphans, a college for higher scientific education (or higher knowledge), a hospital, a home for cripples, a hospice.
On one side, the largest and most important scientific school will be raised." Then He added, "On the other side, there will be an asylum for invalids and on the opposite side an orphanage."
The Mashriqu'l-Adhkar is circular in shape. It has nine paths, rune gardens, nine pools with fountains and nine gates. Each path will lead to a center such as an orphanage, a hospital, a school, a university and other buildings that are dependencies of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar. In the building there will be an organ, balconies and a rostrum especially for prayers and devotional programs but addresses may be given there as well.
On another part of it there will be a home for the incurables. In still another part there will be a home for the poor. In still another part there will be a home for orphans. All these will be administered with love.
I hope that this charitable group will be assisted by the confirmation of the Abha Kingdom, and that this society will become the origin and foundation for other societies throughout successive centuries and ages.
...they must consider charitable contributions as highly important and strive with the utmost effort in this blessed endeavor. These charitable contributions are among the essential requirements, so that the needy and distressed may be assisted, and particularly the young children - especially orphans and the poor who are God's trust - may be supported and the means for their education provided. This matter of mutual aid and assistance is a firm foundation in this luminous Cycle. The utmost effort must be exerted in establishing and promoting charitable contributions so that affairs may be well-ordered and the foundation of progress in all degrees may be firmly laid....
For example, in the record you can find that there were certain endowments for the orphans; there were certain endowments for the cripples; there were certain endowments to take care of the very poor; and there were certain endowments for the burial of the dead; and they had certain endowments amongst the old Syrians for the strangers. They had even endowments for the servant class.
This town is very sacred in the estimation of the Jews; yet they seldom think of its improvement and cleanliness. The Jews who live in Europe and America are extremely rich and if they could devise some means to cause the growth and refinement of this town it would be a great boon to the world of humanity.
Already various Jewish Societies, benevolent and otherwise have founded thriving, progressive colonies in various parts of Palestine and Syria but they have done nothing for Tiberias.
When famine and scarcity enveloped Iran, the illustrious Sultanu'sh-Shuhada and the Mahbubu'sh-Shuhada in Isfahan would generously give of their estate, would ensure the well-being of all the Baha'is, and would help non-believers as well.
Does Abdu'l-Baha wish the believers to take part in charitable or political affairs, or should they interest themselves in spiritual things only? Answer: Any movement that is for the benefit of mankind should be joined by the Baha'is. If they are not asked to help, they should offer their services, especially in all kinds of charitable work. They must not be exclusive but general and serve believers and unbelievers alike.
Their disgrace was changed into glory and they were everywhere esteemed and revered. They organized many Societies, laid the foundation of many philanthropic institutions and became famous for their charitable deeds.
Someone asked if the Humanitarian Society was good. - Yes all societies, all organizations, working for the betterment of the human race are good, very good. All who work for their brothers and sisters have Baha'u'llah's blessing. They will surely succeed.
He will be forced, for his own happiness, to expend his wealth to procure better conditions for the community in which he lives.
Therefore it became evident that the end of the people of wealth is disappointment after disappointment; except those rich persons who expend their money in charitable affairs and dispense their wealth on philanthropic channels. Such blessed souls like unto the brilliant stars will shine from the horizon of Everlasting Glory.
Later, when the table was cleared and we were sitting with the Master in another room, talking of the scene at the Mission, someone asked Him if "charity were advisable."
He laughed and, still laughing, said: "Assuredly, give to the poor. If you give them only words, when they put their hands into their pockets after you have gone, they will find themselves none the richer for you!"
As to general protection, the believers are enjoined to look after one another.
… Another is the getting ready of hospitals, dispensaries, home for cripples, schools for educating orphans, etc.
Charity to the poor and needy is the best of all deeds. Similarly, providing welfare to the elderly, the disabled and orphans is the greatest service in the world of humanity. Its effect is like giving water to the thirsty soil, or bestowing life and spirit on the dead or granting the perfect healing medicine to the ill.
And concerning what you had written about the success of some of the loved ones who occasionally give charity to wayfarers and the poor of the city, it was presented in the Most Holy Court. He said this matter has been and will be most beloved. Blessed is he whom God hath assisted to spend in His path.
And if you possess means, extend your hands in giving to its people, for whosoever spends one mithqal of silver in those lands, it is as though he had spent two thousand and one mithqals in lands other than those lands. [You must] reach out to the most helpless of people, and you shall watch over in those lands one who is not known and whom no one knows, for these are the friends of God.
I beg of God that these philanthropic aims of yours may play a great effect in this world. … I hope that through the power of the love of Baha’u’llah thou mayest put into execution the philanthropic aims and promote the Teachings of Baha’u’llah.
Regarding what thou hadst written about swift healing - charitable deeds, benevolent acts and gladdening the hearts of the poor have a mighty effect.
Regarding the society of healing of which thou art a member; when it comes under the protection of this Cause, its power will be a hundred fold.
When man engages in benevolent and charitable deeds, the springs of bounty and abundance gush forth, and plenitude unfolds from heaven and earth.
For thought and discussion