Now the East must benefit from the material civilization of the West and the West must benefit from the divine civilization of the East.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1913-Jan-12 in London -- ABU3322)
Critiquing Eastern societies: dignity, renewal, and mutual learning
critique of Eastern values; culture
Editorial introduction
Iran was once a supreme paradise whose scholars taught the world, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá writes to a newspaper editor, and then describes without flinching how that light turned to darkness and the land fell from glory into abasement. Love for a society and severe judgment of it can live in the same sentence. He hopes the East will take from the West its material civilisation while giving back a divine one, and in the same breath urges Eastern peoples to guard their honour and frontiers from Western encroachment. His criticisms are pointed: statesmen who sell their country’s resources to fill their pockets, parties striking an axe at the root of an ancient edifice, religious conflict that poisons social life, and above all the imprisonment of women behind a veil never meant to bar them from learning. Much of this comes from reported conversations and carries the heat of its moment; it describes a situation, not the permanent nature of a people. The Qur’an ties human diversity to coming to know one another and measures honour by conduct rather than lineage [1], a fair test for any cultural criticism. The subject opens onto the meeting of East and West, the critique of Western values, the station of women, and the future of Iran, whose fresh saplings are expected to bear fruit.
Selected passages
Wherefore it behoveth the peoples of the East to reflect upon discovering an effectual means whereby they may safeguard their honour, their dignity, their independence and their frontiers from the marauding hands of the West.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1910-Nov or <, to Gabriel Sacy -- AB00192)
The people of Iran were at the forefront of knowledge and wisdom, and Iran's scholars were the educators and teachers of humankind. Its glory was enduring and the fame of its greatness was world-embracing. Its morals were the virtues of the human world and its ways were divine perfections.
But alas, that light turned to darkness, and the people of Iran fell into conflict with each other until they mixed with other peoples. … No trace of former virtues remained, and it fell from the heights of glory to the depths of abasement.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1914-Jul ca., to Director of the Newspaper "The Lamp" -- AB00803)
O dear friend, what you wrote was noted. Indeed it is as you said - Iran was once the light of the world and the center of the bestowals of the All-Merciful in the East, and the source of human advancement. But gone are the days when you had fragrant locks. In these recent times it has declined so much as to cause the regret of the wise and the sorrow of well-wishers, especially in this period when there is endless conflict between the government and the people.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1906 ca., to Mirza Abbas Shushtari -- AB00607)
We hope through the grace and favor of the Divine Unity that this journey will result in the health and well-being of His Imperial Majesty, and likewise that the attendants of the court will discover beneficial matters of European civilization, observing with their own eyes and noting how civilization has been achieved in that clime through various means, so that they may adopt those same means and methods and implement them in Iran.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1905 ca., to Mirza Aqa Bashir Ilahi (Bashirus-Sultan) -- AB12244)
Alas! Alas! These old, rotted trees will yield no more fruit. Rather, these peerless, fresh saplings of Iran will soon grow and develop by the stream of truth, will blossom and flower, will bring forth leaves and fruits, and will perfume the world with their divine fragrance and make fragrant the nostrils of the people of the West.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1913-Nov-21, to Sarhang, Husayn-Quli et al -- AB00137)
In these days Iran is in turmoil, the fire of oppression is ablaze, truthfulness, sincerity and justice are concealed, while tyranny, corruption and oppression prevail. Glory be to God! Most of the people of Iran are observed to be deprived of human virtues.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1309-02-14 [1891-Sep-19], to Aqa Siyyid Farajullah al-Husayni al-Kashani -- BH01114)
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1921-Jun-16, to Asadi Irani, Mirza Muhsin et al -- AB02523)
The Persians have tested every system for the salvation of their country. In Government they tried absolutism for many ages, and finally they realized it did not work; then they tried constitutionalism; this also did not yield any result; then they organized various political parties, Democratic, Liberal, Conservative, Union and Progress Republican, etc., these parties also worked against each other and instead of bringing order out of confusion, they made confusion worse confounded, and hastened the ruination of Persia.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1914-Jun-15 in Tiberias -- ABU2136)
The thoughts of the statesmen of the East are atrophied. Their hearts are devoid of the love of the progress of the nation. Their ideas are petty and not sublime; selfish and not disinterested, local and not general. They think more of the advancement of their own interests than that of the country. They are not far-seeing patriots but inexperienced tyros. They sell the resources of their own country, if they realize they can fill their own pockets.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1913-Aug-25 in Ramleh -- ABU1240)
He deplored the short sightedness and ignorance of the leaders of that country and illustrated it by a story at the court of Sultan Abdul Aziz.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá -- ABU2641)
Asia is pressed from all sides and no matter toward what horizon she looks anxiously for a ray of hope so that she may be delivered from this death, she cannot see but threatening clouds.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to the Turkish Consul General, spoken on 1913-Apr-14 -- ABU1571)
The Ottomans still don't know what to do, even though they can now easily keep their opponents busy fighting each other and thereby secure their own protection and preservation.
Like the Iranians, whose affairs have become so disordered that their women have resorted to seeking protection from some German lady.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1913-Mar-16 in Paris -- ABU2743)
Still the Iranians do not awaken, they are afflicted with a rabbit's sleep, and these mindless leaders have so dominated them like a nightmare that they have not had a moment's relief from their stupor. Especially since "another tune was added to the tambour" - namely the interference of that shameless party in all affairs. The Iranians still have not understood that these calamities were brought upon Iran by this losing party.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1912-Feb-23, to Mirza Siyyid Muhammad Nazimul-Hukama -- AB00221)
Although in Western lands, through the achievement of justice, hatred and enmity between religions and nations had diminished, in Eastern lands conflict, strife, enmity and hatred between religions and faiths had reached such a degree that they would drink each other's blood like sweet water. If they had the opportunity, they would set fire to each other's homes and burn each other's books.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1911 ca., to The Friends Assembly in Lancashire and Cheshire -- AB00763)
The apparent lethargy in the Islamic world is not because the religion of the Arabian prophet was or is false but it is because the Mohamadans have forgotten the pure, democratic principles of the first age of Islam and have taken hold of spurious ceremonies, false premises and are spending their times in the study of dead theology and worthless metaphysics.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1913-Nov-12 in Port Said -- ABU1230)
During a conversation Abdu'l-Baha had with the English Consul, the Consul had said that all inventions and improvements in civilization came from the West, whereas the Eastern Nations cared for none of these things.
Abdu'l-Baha agreed that this was true, and said the reason for this was that the Easterners depended entirely upon their spiritual leaders for their inspiration and advancement. During the days of these leaders, they made great advancement but this gradually died out.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Conversation with the English Consul, ca. Feb. 1901 -- ABU1287)
They say such and such an ullema has gone to heaven, and while there he stole a part of the throne of heaven and brought it down. In the Talmud it tells about the cocks who sang. Also how they beheaded the cocks and for six months they were eating them. They have written books on those things, and these books have retarded them very much.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Mr. Reed, at dinner, spoken at home of Mrs. Marriott on 1912-Oct-08 -- ABU0208)
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1911-Nov-06 in Paris -- ABU0555)
But alas, we have come to the realm of the Copts, for they are frozen and lifeless, cold and unworthy of praise. The blazing fire will not impart warmth to these people.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1912-Feb-04, to Abu'l-Hasan-i-Ardikani (Haji Amin) -- AB10374)
The Arabs we met today were deprived of civilization, and yet they think they are not in need of civilization or knowledge. They never prefer others to themselves, while in reality they are in absolute need of civilization and education. When the people of Europe look at the Arabs, they say - and they are right - that the Arabs are entirely deprived of every kind of knowledge, but they themselves think they are independent.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Mr and Mrs Hannen, spoken on 1909-Feb-25 -- ABU1517)
The nomads are utterly destitute of the knowledge of God. They live an animalistic life and all their thoughts are centered upon their cows, goats and crops. When they come together they speak of nothing else save these things. They know nothing else. Nominally they are Moslems, but they are unaware of the ideals of Mohammed...
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1914-May-17 in Tiberias -- ABU2111)
Consider the gatherings of the Arabs. Rank upon rank of them come to visit the ill, sit, tell tales, smoke pipes and other tobacco, to the point that the atmosphere of the room becomes foul.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Abdu'l-Ghaffar, spoken on 1915-Apr-08 -- ABU0823)
But when Persians become wealthy, they keep one hundred horses in their stables, give themselves up to pomp and show, engage themselves in satiating their selfish desires.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to the Master's entourage, spoken at a museum on 1912-Sep-19 -- ABU2216)
They pay fabulous prices for these works of art and ancient paintings which are not at all appreciated by the Eastern people.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to some Druze friends, spoken on 1914-Nov-02 -- ABU2494)
This wonderful age has rent asunder the veils of superstition and has condemned the prejudices of the people of the East. Among some of the nations of the Orient music and harmony was not approved, but the Manifested Light (Baha'u'llah) in this glorious age has revealed in Holy Tablets that singing and music are the spiritual food of the hearts and souls.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá -- ABU2304)
O ye maidservants of God! Women in the East were often times so weak that the term 'the weak one' was always applied to woman. This was because they were despised and scorned.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1914-Apr-19, to Spiritual Assembly of Mandalay -- AB05762)
Consider what a bounty this is, for the group of women had fallen to such a degree in the East that when mention was made of women in the Arabic language, one would say "Far be it from thee" just as one would say "Far be it from thee to be a donkey."
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1911-Apr-22, to Azra et al -- AB03153)
In the Islamic Dispensation, the veil had become such that women could not walk in the streets and bazaars - they were like purchased slaves.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá -- ABU1837)
The veil of women prevents education and learning.
… Chastity is necessary and self-control is very important, but not to the degree that it prevents education and learning, for the Law of God establishes virtues - they should not be prevented from acquiring virtues.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá -- ABU1604)
Baha'u'llah has made the Oriental women free from the fetters of bondage and captivity.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Mon. Richard, spoken at Baltimore Hotel on 1913-May-10 -- ABU0870)
When Baha'u'llah was imprisoned in the barrack of Acca, he could see the disintegration of Ottoman Empire under the despotic and fanatical rule of the Sultans; for he said: the only thing that will stop the tide of misfortune is the proclamation of complete equality and the enjoyment of the freedom of rights by all the Ottoman subjects, Mohamadans, and Christians, Jews and Armenians etc.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to the Master's entourage, spoken at Hotel Marquardt on 1913-Apr-26 -- ABU3193)
In truth, there was not a single capable, knowledgeable person in Iran, and no aware soul could be found. Now they hope that some people from the East will study in Europe and return to Iran to become a cause of development.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1913-Feb-17 in Paris -- ABU2058)
The Americans are a satiated people who hunger -- this in contrast to the Persians, who in their state of hunger and privation believe themselves to be satiated and without need.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1913-Mar-16 in Paris -- ABU3671)
The object of my undertaking such a long journey with all its inconveniences has been to bring about spiritual illumination in the Occident, for the Occident has great capacity and its people are less fettered by vain imaginings and imitations. Lofty ideals find a quick acceptance among them and today the loftiest ideal of all is devotion to the unity of mankind and universal peace.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to visitors, spoken at Plaza Hotel on 1912-May-02 -- ABU3150)
The Americans on a whole [are] very magnanimous and hospitable and their prosperity and success in material affairs proverbial. In the domain of spirituality and ethics there is also great awakening. One can speak more intelligently and reason more easily a plain American citizen than hundred supposed learned men of Acca. The ground of Palestine is holy but its inhabitants are mercenary. Avaunt with the people here! They have no life, no vivacity nor animation; but in America it is all so different; the people are brisk, frolicsome, sprightly, full of liveliness and jocund.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to some friends, spoken on 1914-Dec-10 -- ABU0488)
The wisdom of my sojourn here in Paris, as well as the results it will yield, consist in the admonitions I have imparted to the people of the East, and the awareness I have instilled in the Persians -- and this to a degree greater than has been achieved with the inhabitants of Paris themselves!
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1913-Feb-24 in Paris -- ABU3752)
The East is regarded in the eyes of the West as consisting of savage peoples, considered an inferior race, abased and detested. Now the power of the Most Great Name has so penetrated the very arteries and sinews of the Western world that in all regions of the earth, multitudes worship the Persians. Despite the manifestation of this mighty power, still the Persians remain heedless and absorbed in negligence.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1919-Apr-04, to Hand of the Cause Ali Muhammad Ibn Asdaq -- AB00130)
The utmost they can do is this: the Persians are laying the axe and adze unto the root of their own tree. For the Baha'is have so illumined Persia in the eyes of mankind that today a vast multitude from the seven climes reveres that land, inasmuch as the Sun of Truth hath risen from that horizon and it is the sacred homeland of His Holiness Baha'u'llah.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1921-Oct-27, to Spiritual Assembly of Tihran -- AB00132)
Throughout Europe and America, we strived to elevate Iran's reputation and made people love Iran, presenting Iranians favorably in the public eye. But the thoughtlessness of Iranians destroys whatever we build. … Yet Iranians rise up to shed each other's blood within Iran itself.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words transcribed on 1915-Dec-19 -- ABU3761)
Once Badri Pasha said in an address, 'Gentlemen, Westerners have taken everything from us: the sciences, the arts and the laws they took from the East. Now we fear that they may wrest from us the Cause of Baha'u'llah, as well.'
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to the Baha'is, spoken at Goodale home on 1912-Sep-15 -- ABU2711)
How foolish are the people of the East to have incarcerated for wellnigh fifty years the like of this glorious Personage!
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá -- AB02805)
Praise be to God, notwithstanding this great gift (of the Cause) the Persians are captives of the neglectful sleep, and in relationship to this Cause they are ashamed and disgraced.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1913-Jul-15, to Lotfullah S Hakim -- AB02228)
Yet the children of the East gather under the banner of discord, entirely heedless and veiled.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1911-Jul-07, to Mirza Ali Muhammad Khan Muvafiq -- AB03298)
The people of Iran are captive to the sleep of heedlessness. They are unaware that the wise ones of the West have become enamored with the Moon-faced Beloved of the East and enchanted by that musk-scented tress.
Iran is the dawning-place of lights and the dayspring of the Sun of Truth. Despite this, the Iranians are in eclipse while the wise ones in distant climes are illumined and manifest.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1920-Apr-01, to Miftahul Muluk Yazdani -- AB04021)
O my friend! The birds of the meadow have struck up such a melody that they have raised an uproar throughout all regions and created a commotion in the world of existence. Despite this song, the obstinate people are still in slumber. Wonder upon wonder and regret upon regret that the West has become alert while some in the East are still unaware of this melody and song.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1903 ca., to Bahram Vajdi -- AB10909)
Continue exploring
For thought and discussion
Questions to carry forward
- How does opening with mutual learning change your reading of the severe criticisms that follow?
- What concerns about oppression, education, public service, and dignity recur across the different settings?
- How can we distinguish a historically situated criticism from an unjust generalization about a people?
- What does Qur’an 49:13 contribute to an inquiry about cultural identity and the measure of human worth?
- How do the passages on women and education connect renewal with the release of neglected capacities?
- How would reading the connected critique of Western culture deepen or challenge your understanding of these selections?