high station of teachers of the Cause
Editorial introduction
Somewhere in most believing lives there is a person who caused us to hear, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá tells a new believer to be deeply thankful to her: the one through whom she attained eternal grace. Gratitude of that kind is the doorway into the station of teachers of the Cause, which the Writings describe in images that keep multiplying: physicians of the world’s sick body, stars of the heaven of understanding, living waters, lamps of guidance, Israfils who blow the breath of life into the dead. It was remembered of Bahá’u’lláh that whenever He wished to show someone special favour, He urged them to go out and teach. Yet the honour is tied to service and never to a name, and the same tablets that exalt the teacher insist on practical things: a monthly allowance, respect, conduct toward one’s neighbour that makes the words believable. Paul’s picture of one person planting, another watering, and God alone giving the growth sets the teacher inside a process larger than any worker [1]. The road continues toward the call to teach, the confirmations promised to those who answer it, and the high station of the true believer.
Be thou deeply thankful to thy teacher and show unto her heartfelt and spiritual gratitude, because it was she who caused thee to hear the divine call and it was through her that thou didst attain to eternal grace.
These are the blessed souls. These are favored in the Kingdom of Abha!
When we associate with such real educators who confer general instruction upon the world of humanity and guide them in the path of Reality, day unto day, our eyes are more illumined, our ears more hearing and our hearts more perfumed with the Fragrances of God.
Wherever thou goest, announce the wonderful Baha'i greeting to the teachers of the Cause, and tell them on my behalf:
"The responsibility of the steady progress of the Cause depends upon you! You are the physicians of the sick body of the world of humanity!
Not it is evident that that one single person was a greater man than a million of the present day Ulemas. For he worked for God and not for fame or name or wealth.
You must definitely provide them fifteen tumans monthly, and if they request somewhat more than this, provide that as well, for the teachers of the Cause must be shown the utmost respect. These souls are the devoted servants of the Blessed Beauty.
Therefore, each of you must serve with heart and soul anyone who was the cause of guidance, and take pride and glory in wearing the collar of servitude to them.
O friends! Know ye your worth and station. Waste not your endeavors on the idle fancies of this one and that. Ye are the stars of the heaven of understanding and the breezes of the morn. Ye are the living waters upon which dependeth the life of all, and ye are the letters of the Book.
Such teachers will constitute illumined lamps of guidance, the stars of the heaven of mercy, trees of the orchard of Abha, flowers of the garden of mystery and torches of the path of salvation.
Whosoever teacheth, verily the Spirit will aid him at all times. Thus hast thou been commanded from the presence of One knowing, wise.
No righteous deed is greater in the sight of the Forgiving Lord than the diffusion of divine fragrances throughout all regions and territories, for these souls are embodied Israfils who breathe the breath of life into souls. They bring the dead to life and make faces radiant. They make the deprived ones confidants of mysteries and grant the destitute a portion and share of the greatest gift.
Thou, verily, gird up thy loins to guide God's servants who are illumined by the shining lights from the horizon of Divine Guidance and who gain abundantly from the outpouring clouds of God's grace. By the righteousness of God! Shouldst thou be graciously aided to achieve this, it would be greater than every station that could be imagined in all creation.
How many philosophers and professors there are and yet God hath set the crown of faith upon thine head, that thou mayest cry out and proclaim the Abha Kingdom in that city and become the cause of guiding the people.
Your station is great. Your names will go down through all the ages. Kings and Queens have never been talked of and remembered as you will be. You are workers in the Kingdom of ABHA and I am very happy and love you very much."
We beseech God to assist all to mention and praise Him, that ye may all arise to serve this most great Cause and most exalted and most glorious station - which is the station of teaching the Cause of the Lord of all beings - or that ye may hold fast to those means which comprise this station.
O thou Lion hearted Bashir! The Egyptian Bashir [cf. Q12:96] brought back with him the garment of the Canaanite Joseph but thou art the bearer of the garment of the King of the City of Love. Behold the difference of thy station!
Whenever during his lifetime, the Blessed Perfection desired to signalize anyone with His special Favor, He encouraged him to go forth and teach the Cause of God.
… He used to say that the Teachers are the Israfels of God, who with the sound of their trumpets blow the Spirit of Life into the dead bodies of mankind.
Further quotations · supplied wording and references
"Say: O servants! The triumph of this Cause hath depended, and will continue to depend, upon the appearance of holy souls, upon the showing forth of goodly deeds, and the revelation of words of consummate wisdom." … "Let your principal concern be to rescue the fallen from the slough of impending extinction, and to help him embrace the ancient Faith of God. Your behavior towards your neighbor should be such as to manifest clearly the signs of the one true God, for ye are the first among men to be re-created by His Spirit, the first to adore and bow the knee before Him, the first to circle round His throne of glory."
For thought and discussion