(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)
Exalting the Word: roots in the heart, fruit in the life
exalting the Word of God in teaching the Cause
Editorial introduction
The Word of God, Bahá’u’lláh says, is a sapling whose roots have been planted in human hearts, and the task of the believer is to water it with wisdom and holy words until its branches reach the heavens. To exalt the Word, then, is less a matter of volume than of cultivation. It asks for study and meditation, for verses learned by heart so that the right one is ready when the occasion calls, for courage, whose very source is the promotion of the Word, and for endurance when the ills of the world press in. Above all it asks for a life that bears the words out: goodly deeds and a praiseworthy character are the hosts that attract hearts and unlock the gates of cities, and conduct can raise the banner of the Cause or lower it. Faithfulness to the text and freedom of expression belong together, since the truth is what the divine Lights have said while each person may find fresh ways to approach it. Isaiah pictures the word as rain and snow that do not return to heaven until the earth has brought forth seed and bread [1]. The path leads on to the methods of teaching the Cause and to the influence and centrality of the Word itself.
Selected passages
(Bahá’u’lláh, Lawh-i-Siyyid Mihdiy-i-Dahaji, 1290 ? [1873-1874], to Siyyid Mihdi Dahaji -- BH00587)
(Bahá’u’lláh, Kalimat-i-Firdawsiyyih (Words of Paradise), 1306-11-26 [1889-Jul-24], to Haji Mirza Haydar Ali Isfahani -- BH00111)
This Blessed Cause has such great power that shall ere long vanquish all oppositions. We must live and act in such a manner as not to lower the station of the Cause but rather try by day and by night as to raise its banner loftier and its standard higher. The Blessed Perfection has given us such wares that are eagerly sought on the market of the world.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1913-Aug-20 in Ramleh -- ABU3453)
Today one must engage in exalting the Word of God by whatever means, so that the veiled may awaken, the disturbed may find peace and stability, the dispirited may become enkindled, and the lifeless may be stirred to motion.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Afnan, Haji Mirza Muhammad son of Muhammad Taqi Afnan -- AB12429)
You had no desire except for the illumination of the human world and no point of focus except the exaltation of the Word of God and the spread of the heavenly teachings.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1919-Jul-26, to Oscar S Hinckley -- AB05647)
(Bahá’u’lláh, Asl-i-Kullu'l-Khayr (Words of Wisdom) -- BH02183)
The attainment of this station dependeth upon steadfastness and constancy and the exaltation of the Word of God.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1894 ca., to Abbas Jarrah -- AB09519)
(Bahá’u’lláh, to Mirza Aqa Shin -- BH05571)
That soul must at all times exert their utmost endeavor, according to their capacity, in the exaltation of the Word of God.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1294 [1876-1877], to Mulla Muhammad Husayn -- BH06914)
A world of striving is needed, and a world of attention, that the standard of the Most Great Word may be raised aloft upon the flags.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1296 ? [1878-1879], to Rajab Ali Khayyat -- BH06035)
Therefore, O ye beloved of God, strive with heart and soul that the Word of God be exalted and made known and the clear proofs of the Greatest Name be published wide.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Mulla Muhammad Rida Zavarihi -- AB06633)
O spiritual friends! Today is the day of exalting the Word of God.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1894 ca., to Aqa Muhammad Mihdi -- AB04096)
From all directions they hasten beneath the shadow of the banner of divine favors and strive to exalt the Word of God.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1903 ca., to Mulla Muhammad Rida Zavarihi -- AB05737)
O spiritual friend! The thought of 'Abdu'l-Baha is ever this, and His consideration is this: that souls may advance into the arena of sacrifice and become the cause of the exaltation of the Word of God.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Mirza Baba Nayrizi -- AB11205)
Everything that is conducive to the honor of the religion of God is good. Every action that becomes the means of the elevation of the Word of God is accepted.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1914-Feb-24 -- AB11442)
We send greetings to the friends of God and counsel all to fear God and to that which conduceth to the exaltation of His Word.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1305-07-01 [1888-Mar-14], to Mirza Asadu'llah -- BH09327)
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1306 ca. [1888-1889], to words to Nabil-i-A'zam -- BHU0040)
O thou who hast turned thy face toward My countenance and gazed toward My horizon! The Suriy-i-Hikmat which was specially revealed for thee from the divine Kingdom of utterance is in truth like unto a treasure, and precious pearls lie concealed within each word thereof. Should anyone recite it, with each reading he will behold a door opened.
(Bahá’u’lláh, to Nabil-i-A'zam (Nabil-i-Akbar?) -- BH01960)
In these days, in one of the Tablets, this exalted word hath flowed from the Most Exalted Pen -- glorified be His utterance: "At all times, hold fast to that which will cause the exaltation of the Word of God. Goodly deeds and a praiseworthy character are the hosts of God in this supreme Revelation, and likewise are blessed and goodly words. These hosts attract hearts and unlock the gates of cities. This weapon is sharper than the weapons of the world."
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1301-02-01 [1883-Dec-2], to Abu'l-Hasan-i-Ardikani (Haji Amin) -- BH01089)
(Bahá’u’lláh, Lawh-i-Jud, 1299-01-08 [1881-Nov-30], to Muhammad Javad Qazvini -- BH01707)
(Bahá’u’lláh, Kitab-i-Aqdas (The Most Holy Book), 1290-05-15 [1873-Jul-11] -- BH00001)
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Mirza Aqa Bashir Ilahi (Bashirus-Sultan) -- AB05805)
Further quotations · supplied wording and references
Surely the ideal way of teaching is to prove our points by constant reference to the actual words of Baha'u'llah and the Master. This will save the Cause from being misinterpreted by individuals. It is what these divine Lights say that is truth and therefore they should be the authorities of our statements. This, however, does not mean that our freedom of expression is limited. We can always find new ways of approach to that truth or explain how they influence our life and condition.
COC#461, Ruhi6.1.26 (16 Feb. 1932 on behalf of Shoghi Effendi)
Divine Truth is relative and that is why we are enjoined to constantly refer the seeker to the Word itself -- and why any explanations we make to ease the journey of the soul of any individual must be based on the Word -- and the Word alone.
COC#2008 (4 Jun. 1957 on behalf of Shoghi Effendi)
What the Guardian feels it of vital importance for the friends to do is to teach the Cause directly and by means of imparting the Holy Words....
COC#1944 (6 May 1936 on behalf of Shoghi Effendi)
Praise be to God that the highest wish entertained by heedful souls is the exaltation of the Word of God and the propagation of divine fragrances.
SWAB#189 p223
Continue exploring
For thought and discussion
Questions to carry forward
- What changes when teaching is imagined as watering a sapling rather than simply transmitting information?
- How do good deeds and character give credibility to the words a person shares?
- What is the relationship between faithful reference to a sacred text and the freedom to find a fresh way of explaining its meaning?
- How does Isaiah’s image of rain enrich the compilation’s account of the Word’s influence?
- What might help a person discern when to speak, when to listen, and when to leave space for another’s reflection?