acting according to the exigencies of the day; pragmatism
Editorial introduction
Light a candle in a gathering, not in an empty desert. With that image Bahá’u’lláh explains that observing the exigencies of the day is not a counsel of silence but of placement: purpose must find the time, the place and the listeners that can receive it. Each era has its own requirements, and time itself cannot be resisted; so the Báb spoke in terms His hearers could grasp, laws once fitting become futile when conditions change, and a once-favoured activity may later endanger the weak. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá adds that we must speak of what is practicable, and that political affairs are left to institutions judging according to time and place. Aristotle’s account of practical wisdom, deliberating well about a good life while attending to particulars, offers a philosophical companion to this counsel [1]. Yet the Universal House of Justice warns that pragmatism alone cannot secure peace; enduring solutions arise from spiritual principle. The road ahead leads into wisdom in its deeper sense, into growth that unfolds gradually according to capacity, and toward the Manifestation of God as a physician prescribing for the needs of the age.
In the Holy Tablets there is mention of observing wisdom and consideration of the exigencies of place and time. By this is not meant silence, whether spiritually or earthly, but the divine purpose has been that the candle should be lit in the gathering, not in the useless desert. That the water of divine mercy may rain down on the pure land, not on the barren soil.
Know that each day has its own requirements, each era its own characteristics, each season its own foundation, and each time its own necessities and customs. Today, the most special of deeds and most excellent of actions is steadfastness and firmness in the Cause of the All-Glorious.
At all times the world of existence is subject to the consummate wisdom of God, and every age has its decisive and conclusive decree. All things can be resisted save the exigencies of the time, for resistance to these is impossible. Time cannot be resisted, nor can its requirements be overcome.
What I have spoken is according to the capacity of the people and the exigency of the time.
According to the exigencies of the time, means, and consummate wisdom, the outpourings of the All-Merciful from the heaven of mercy shall be bestowed, both outwardly and inwardly.
We hope that matters will be set right, and if at times there is delay, this is due to the requirements of God's consummate wisdom.
Once this word was heard from the tongue of the Ancient of Days: The Bab - may the spirit of all else be sacrificed for Him - expressed agreement with the people of the Furqan (Muslims) in most matters, that He might attract those heedless souls to the direction of awareness. And this agreement was manifested to such an extent that in some instances mention of the four well-known gates flowed from that blessed Pen. However, this Most Great Revelation rent asunder the veils with the finger of power, despite those who denied God and His sovereignty and turned away from the Day which was illumined by the lights of His countenance.
Of course, the second or social laws suited to the Mosaic dispensation and useful for the Jewish people at that time are now purposeless and ineffective and seem futile, but they were pertinent and useful at the time.
For example, it is written in the Torah that if one breaks the teeth of another, his teeth must also be broken; and if one blinds the eyes of another, his eyes must also be blinded. For the sake of one dollar the thief's hand was to be cut off. Now, can such laws be permitted and enforced in this age! Surely, no one can say it is permissible.
The truth is that it is not befitting for man to be carnivorous. However, man has accustomed himself to such a life and now it has become routine and acceptable. That is why its prohibition is not advisable at present.
The burial of others without permission is not allowed, unless it would cause corruption. In such case, one must act according to the requirements of wisdom.
From the land of Kha, his honor Ismu'llah-i-Javad, upon him be 9 66 [Baha], who resided in Karbila, inquired that today the non-shaving of the head causeth commotion among the people and asked about the trials of the companions and their obligations. It was decreed that the performance of certain actions is for the time of the ascendancy of the Cause, and before its ascendancy all must act with wisdom, for if any soul becometh known by this name in certain lands, the people avoid them and the teaching of the Cause is delayed.
In the early years, it was necessary to exalt the Word of God and manifest the Cause among His servants, even as the diffusion of the fragrances of the sublime Tablets and the sweet perfumes of the divine utterances were spread outwardly through messengers and inwardly through the angels brought nigh. … However, at present, the coming and going of designated souls is not viewed favorably, as it might cause perturbation in the hearts of the weak and the destruction of certain servants. Thus, from one perspective it is favored, and from another, it is not.
Concerning thy question about wisdom: those ordinances which today cause the clamor of the heedless and the outcry of the ignorant must be carried out with the utmost discretion. There are many deeds that, when performed by an individual, none would be aware of them, while there are others that, when manifested, cause the opposition and objection of the heedless parties. Therefore, the Lord of Glory, exalted be His might, hath exempted His servants until such time as the Cause is made manifest through His all-prevailing sovereignty over all who are in the heavens and on earth.
Today all must arise with complete dedication to promote God's Cause, but only when wisdom requireth it. In all cases, observe its requirements. For instance, silence is preferable to speech when wisdom so dictates, and likewise the reverse. In these days silence is nearer to piety, as its opposite causeth mischief.
It is necessary to move with wisdom according to the requirements of the time. Today in these regions, calm, silence and steadiness are needed so the enemies may think there is nothing happening - "And they plot and God plots, and God is the best of plotters."
Although teaching was commanded in the Tablet, this is not intended or desired in these days. They must act according to people's capacity. The more matters remain concealed in these days, the better.
Well known is it that this Wronged One loveth His friends and their presence is beloved. However, they must observe what is wise for the Cause and what the exigencies of the time require.
The hearts must needs be filled with the utmost joy and gladness; yet outwardly regard for wisdom must be observed, and the same extreme caution as heretofore must be exercised. For the people are ignorant, indolent, unknowing, and heedless, and may imagine, God forbid, that the friends have grown remiss or deficient in their love for the Prince of the Righteous.
One hundred years ago - one ruling was necessary, today, another; tomorrow, perhaps, another. Therefore the cause of God is not rigidly circumscribed. It is in accordance with the exigencies of time and place. … Baha'u'llah says: 'Political affairs are referred to the House of Justice.' Whatever they think wise according to the requirements of time and place ought to be carried out.
But be not grieved, for the effulgences of the Sun of Truth shall absorb the excessive moisture of nature and shall gather together the scattered letters. … After the passing of the duration mentioned in the Book, suddenly shall the Cause of God be raised up and all souls shall turn toward it.
Day by day chaos and disorder in the world are increasing. Finally it will reach such a degree that human nature cannot bear it. At that time awakening will occur and souls will become aware that religion is an impregnable fortress and faith is a manifest light and divine laws, counsels and teachings are the quickener of the earth.
Further quotations · supplied wording and references
Once Varqa asked Baha'u'llah, 'How will the Cause of God be universally adopted by mankind?' Baha'u'llah said that first, the nations of the world would arm themselves with infernal engines of war, and when fully armed would attack each other like bloodthirsty beasts. As a result, there would be enormous bloodshed throughout the world. Then the wise from all nations would gather together to investigate the cause of such bloodshed. They would come to the conclusion that prejudices were the cause, a major form being religious prejudice. They would therefore try to eliminate religion so as to eliminate prejudice. Later they would realize that man cannot live without religion. Then they would study the teachings of all religions to see which of the religions conformed to the prevailing conditions of the time. It is then that the Cause of God would become universal.
Not even, I venture to assert, would the very act of devising the machinery required for the political and economic unification of the world -- a principle that has been increasingly advocated in recent times -- provide in itself the antidote against the poison that is steadily undermining the vigor of organized peoples and nations.
...the primary challenge in dealing with issues of peace is to raise the context to the level of principle, as distinct from pure pragmatism. For, in essence, peace stems from an inner state supported by a spiritual or moral attitude, and it is chiefly in evoking this attitude that the possibility of enduring solutions can be found. … The essential merit of spiritual principle is that it not only presents a perspective which harmonizes with that which is immanent in human nature, it also induces an attitude, a dynamic, a will, an aspiration, which facilitate the discovery and implementation of practical measures.
For thought and discussion