Scanned and formatted by Rhonda Wittorf and Jonah Winters
1. Guidance to PoetsExtracts from the Baha'i Writings on the Subject of Writers and Writing 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
2. Prayers and Tablets addressed to Poets
From the Writings of Baha'u'llah
From the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha
From letters written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to individual believers
From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice
THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE
Department of the Secretariat
13 March 1988Mr. xxxx
Dear Baha'i Friend,
The Hand of the Cause of God .... referred your letter of 19 January 1988 to the Universal House of Justice. The Research Department was requested to examine the questions you had raised about references in the Baha'i Writings concerning poets, and we are now directed to send you the enclosed memorandum prepared by that Department in response.
The House of Justice hopes that a study of this material will be of assistance and encouragement to you as one who likes to write.
With loving Baha'i greetings,
For Department of the SecretariatEnclosure
cc: The Hand of the Cause ...
M E M 0 R A N D U M
To: The Universal House of
Justice Date: 13 March
1988
From: The Research Department
The questions concerning the guidance contained in the Baha'i Writings about poets, raised in the letter of 19 January 1988 from Mr. xxxx to the Hand of the Cause of God ..., have been studied by the Research Department and we provide the following response.
As to whether Baha'u'llah outlined certain responsibilities, obligations, preference, and limits in relation to poets, Shoghi Effendi indicates that poets are "addressed separately" by Baha'u'llah. They, along with "the wise men of the world, · its men of letters, · its mystics and even · its tradesmen" are exhorted by Baha'u'llah "to be attentive to His voice, to recognize His Day, and to follow His bidding."
There are many passages in the Writings which testify to the high position Baha'u'llah gives to the practice of the arts. For example:
It hath been revealed and is now repeated that the true worth of artists and craftsmen should be appreciated, for they advance the affairs of mankind. Just as the foundations of religion are made firm through the Law of God, the means of livelihood depend upon those who are engaged in arts and crafts. True learning is that which is conducive to the well-being of the world, not to pride and self-conceit, or to tyranny, violence and pillage.
Many verses from Arabic and Persian poetry have been quoted in the Writings of the Central Figures of the Faith. For instance, throughout the work, "The Seven Valleys" (Wilmette: Baha'i Publishing Trust, 1978), Baha'u'llah makes reference to the two great poets of Shiraz, Hafiz, and Sa'di, and many others who were also known as Sufi mystics.
With regard to whether there are specific instructions in the Writings to guide the activity of poets, we enclose for Mr. xxxx a compilation entitled "Extracts from the Baha'i Writings on the Subject of Writers and Writing", from which a number of principles can be drawn. For example:
- the importance of not transgressing the "bounds of tact and wisdom"
- the power of "human utterance" and the need to temper it with "moderation" and "refinement"
- the use of eloquent language, etc.
Personal qualities of the poet are also important. In this regard, 'Abdu'l-Baha, in describing the development of the Baha'is of Persia, in particular (but not exclusively) the women, indicated that:
They are imbued with all the virtues and excellences of humanity. They are
eloquent; they are poets and scholars and embody the quintessence of
humility.
("The Promulgation of Universal Peace:
Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Baha during His Visit to the United States and
Canada in 1912", 2nd ed. (Wilmette: Baha'i Publishing Trust, B.E. 1982), p.
136.)
There are many Tablets addressed to poets by Baha'u'llah and 'Abdu'l-Baha, most of which have not as yet been translated into English. Many of these Tablets have been collected in a book compiled by Ni'matu'llah Bayda'i entitled "Tadhkiriy-i Shu'aray-i-Qarn-i Avval-i-Baha'i", 4 volumes (Tihran: Baha'i Publishing Trust, B.E. 121, 123, 126, 129).
A sample of the material available in English translation includes:
- In "Tablets of Baha'u'llah Revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas" [rev. ed.], (Haifa: Baha'i World Centre, 1982), Baha'u'llah addresses a Tablet to Maqsud in which He comments on Maqsud's poetry in these terms:
Every word of thy poetry is indeed like unto a mirror in which the
evidences of the devotion and love thou cherishest for God and His chosen
ones are reflected. Well is it with thee who hast quaffed the choice wine
of utterance and partaken of the soft flowing stream of true knowledge.
Happy is he who hath drunk his fill and attained unto Him and woe betide
the heedless. Its perusal hath truly proved highly impressive, for it was
indicative of both the light of reunion and the fire of separation.
(pp. 175-76)
- In the "Tablets of Abdul-Baha Abbas", vols. 1-3 (Chicago: Baha'i Publishing Society, 1930, 1940, 1930) on pages 223-24; p. 404; and p. 546, there are three Tablets of the Master to individuals who had submitted poems to Him:
O thou who art attracted to the Kingdom of God! Thy letter was read with the utmost attention. The poetry was beautiful.Praise be to God, thou art severed from all else save the Heavenly Father. Thou hast been of the earth -- thou art now of the Kingdom. Thou hast been of the world -- thou art now of the Realm of Might. Thou art spreading the divine Teachings. Thank thou God,
thou art bearing trials in the path of the Kingdom and art enduring persecutions and sufferings. These afflictions are conducive to the spiritual development and the descent of the Holy Spirit.Also, in "Memorials of the Faithful" (Wilmette: Baha'i Publishing Trust, 1971), 'Abdu'l-Baha describes the life and service of a number of early believers whom He characterizes as poets. See pages 32-38; pp. 81-82; pp. 102-3; and, pp. 145-47.O thou dear maid-servant of God! I supplicate God that He suffer thee to become a herald of the Kingdom in all those places, so that thou mayest proclaim the glad-tidings of the Lord of Hosts.
O thou who art sweet tongued! Thy poem is a wonder to the minds and intellects and thy composition an evidence of the gift of the great Lord. Therefore, thy wine is the pure wine, thy heart the recess of light and thy brow radiant with love.
If the people of the world were fair in judgment, the sweetness of thy poem should be a sufficient proof.
A young boy of the posterity of Israel whose pure mouth still emits the fragrance of milk, uttering such a marvelous anthem!
O thou maid-servant of God! Thy poetry was received. The context was elegant. The words were eloquent and the theme, the Manifest Light. Consequently, it was highly appreciated. Endeavor, so far as it is possible for thee, that day by day thou mayest string the pearls of poesy with sweeter rhythm and more eloquent contents, in order that it may become conducive to the perpetuity of thy name in the spiritual meetings. Upon thee be greeting and praise!
Thou hast written that one of the friends hath composed a treatise. This
was mentioned in the Holy Presence, and this is what was revealed in
response: Great care should be exercised that whatever is written in these
days doth not cause dissension, and invite the objection of the people.
Whatever the friends of the one true God say in these days is listened to
by the people of the world. It hath been revealed in the Lawh-i-Hikmat:
"The unbelievers have inclined their ears towards us in order to hear that
which might enable them to cavil against God, the Help in Peril, the
Self-Subsisting." Whatever is written should not transgress the bounds of
tact and wisdom, and in the words used there should lie hid the property
of milk, so that the children of the world may be nurtured therewith, and
attain maturity. We have said in the past that one word hath the influence
of spring and causeth hearts to become fresh and verdant, while another is
like unto blight which causeth the blossoms and flowers to wither. God
grant that authors among the friends will write in such a way as would be
acceptable to fair-minded souls, and not lead to cavilling by the people.
(From a Tablet of Baha'u'llah to an individual
believer)
Say: O men! This is a matchless Day. Matchless must, likewise, be the
tongue that celebrateth the praise of the Desire of all nations, and
matchless the deed that aspireth to be acceptable in His Sight. The whole
human race hath longed for this Day, that perchance it may fulfil that
which well beseemeth its station, and is worthy of its destiny. Blessed is
the man whom the affairs of the world have failed to deter from
recognizing Him Who is the Lord of all things.
("Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah", rev.
ed. (Wilmette: Baha'i Publishing Trust, 1984), XVI, p. 39)
How great the multitude of truths which the garment of words can never contain! How vast the number of such verities as no expression can adequately describe, whose significance can never be unfolded, and to which not even the remotest allusions can be made! How manifold are the truths which must remain unuttered until the appointed time is come! Even as it hath been said: "Not everything that a man knoweth can be disclosed, nor can everything that he can disclose be regarded as timely, nor can every timely utterance be considered as suited to the capacity of those who hear it."
Of these truths some can be disclosed only to the extent of the capacity of
the repositories of the light of Our knowledge, and the recipients of Our
hidden grace. We beseech God to strengthen thee with His power, and
enable thee to recognize Him Who is the Source of all knowledge, that thou
mayest detach thyself from all human learning, for, what would it profit
any man to strive after learning when he hath already found and
recognized Him Who is the Object of all knowledge?" Cleave to the Root of
Knowledge, and to Him Who is the Fountain thereof, that thou mayest find
thyself independent of all who claim to be well versed in human learning,
and whose claim no clear proof, nor the testimony of any enlightening
book, can support.
("Gleanings from the Writings of
Baha'u'llah", rev. ed. (Wilmette: Baha'i Publishing Trust, 1984), LXXXIX, pp.
176-77)
In this Day the secrets of the earth are laid bare before the eyes of men.
The pages of swiftly-appearing newspapers are indeed the mirror of the
world. They reflect the deeds and the pursuits of divers peoples and
kindreds. They both reflect them and make them known. They are a mirror
endowed with hearing, sight and speech. This is an amazing and potent
phenomenon. However, it behoveth the writers thereof to be purged from
the promptings of evil passions and desires and to be attired with the
raiment of justice and equity. They should enquire into situations as much
as possible and ascertain the facts, then set them down in writing.
(From Tarazat, published in "Tablets of Baha'u'llah
Revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas" [rev. ed.], (Haifa: Baha'i World Centre,
1982), pp. 39-40)
It ill beseemeth thee to turn thy gaze unto former or more recent times. Make thou mention of this Day and magnify that which hath appeared therein. It will in truth suffice all mankind. Indeed expositions and discourses in explanation of such things cause the spirits to be chilled. It behoveth thee to speak forth in such wise as to set the hearts of true believers ablaze and cause their bodies to soar....
Teach thou the Cause of God with an utterance which will cause the
bushes to be enkindled, and the call "Verily, there is no God but Me, the
Almighty, the Unconstrained" to be raised therefrom. Say: Human utterance
is an essence which aspireth to exert its influence and needeth
moderation. As to its influence, this is conditional upon refinement which
in turn is dependent upon hearts which are detached and pure. As to its
moderation, this hath to be combined with tact and wisdom as prescribed
in the Holy Scriptures and Tablets. Meditate upon that which hath
streamed forth from the heaven of the Will of thy Lord, He Who i6 the
Source of all grace, that thou mayest grasp the intended meaning which is
enshrined in the sacred depths of the Holy Writings.
(from Lawh-i-Hikmat, published in "Tablets of
Baha'u'llah Revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas" [rev. ed.], (Haifa: Baha'i
World Centre, 1982), pp. 142-43)
Every word of thy poetry is indeed like unto a mirror in which the
evidences of the devotion and love thou cherishest for God and His chosen
ones are reflected. Well is it with thee who hast quaffed the choice wine
of utterance and partaken of the soft flowing stream of true knowledge.
Happy is he who hath drunk his fill and attained unto Him and woe betide
the heedless. Its perusal hath truly proved highly impressive, for it was
indicative of both the light of reunion and the fire of separation.
(From Lawh.-i-Maqsud, published in "Tablets of
Baha'u'llah Revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas" [rev. ed.], (Haifa: Baha'i
World Centre, 1982), pp. 175-76)
It is my hope that thou mayest succeed in writing thy book. However, the
language should be moderate, tempered, and infinitely courteous . Look not
at the language used by that hostile writer, for he was prejudiced and
unrefined. Any person, with the slightest degree of fairness, will
understand that his writing is totally biased and inspired by enmity. This
is enough proof that what he hath written is spurious.
(From a Tablet to an individual believer -
translated from the Persian)
Pure souls, such as Mirza Abu'l-Fadl, upon him be the Glory of God, spend
their nights and days in demonstrating the truth of the Revelation, by
adducing conclusive and brilliant proofs and expanding the verities of the
Faith, by lifting the veils, promoting the religion of God and spreading His
fragrances.
(From a Tablet to an individual
believer translated from the Persian)
Great care should be exercised in preparing this translation. Mr.... should
make a supreme effort so that the language will be most exquisite,
eloquent and lucid, even if the translated text is to be submitted to, and
made dependent upon the opinions of, experts in language.
(From a Tablet to an individual believer -
translated from the Persian)
The subjects to be taught in children's school are many, and for lack of time We can touch on only a few: First and most important is training in behaviour and good character; the rectification of qualities; arousing the desire to become accomplished and acquire perfections, and to cleave unto the religion of God and stand firm in His Laws, to accord total obedience to every just government, to show forth loyalty and trustworthiness to the ruler of the time, to be well wishers of mankind, to be kind to all.
And further, as well as in the ideals of character, instruction in such arts and sciences as are of benefit, and in foreign tongues. Also, the repeating of prayers for the well-being of ruler and ruled; and the avoidance of materialistic works that are current among those who see only natural causation, and tales of love, and books that arouse the passions.
To sum up, let all the lessons be entirely devoted to the acquisition of human perfections.
Here, then, in brief are directions for the curriculum of these schools.
Greetings be unto you, and praise.
(From a Tablet
to an individual believer, published in "The Baha'i World", vol. 16, p.
37)
I am overjoyed at such a splendid production. I strongly urge you to secure
the assistance of one of the best and most respected publishers in England
and to ensure that it will receive the fullest attention regarding its
outward form and style of printing. The book is correct in its presentation
of the essentials of the Faith, eminently readable, exquisitely arranged,
and has a distinctive charm unsurpassed by any book of its kind whether
written by Eastern or Western believers. I heartily recommend it to every
earnest and devout teacher of the Cause.
(In the handwriting of Shoghi Effendi, appended to a letter dated 11 November 1927 written on his behalf)
Your literary ability makes you specially qualified to teach the Cause. For
in the world of to-day much can be achieved through the power of pen. All
you need is to try to deepen your knowledge of the history and the
teachings of the Faith, and thus well-equipped you will assuredly win a
glorious success. Baha'u'llah has given us the assurance that He will be
always on our side and will give us all the help we may need. You should,
therefore, arise steadfastly to serve our beloved Cause and dedicate the
rest of your life to the noble ideal which it seeks to realize.
(30 July 1932)
What Baha'u'llah meant primarily with "sciences that begin and end in words" are those theological treatises and commentaries that encumber the human mind rather than help it to attain the truth. The students would devote their life to their study but still attain no where.
Baha'u'llah surely never meant to include story writing under such a category; and shorthand and typewriting are both most useful talents very necessary in our present social and economic life.
What you could do, and should do, is to use your stories to become a source
of inspiration and guidance for those who read them. With such a means at
your disposal you can spread the spirit and teachings of the Cause; you can
show the evils that exist in society, as well as the way they can be
remedied. If you possess a real talent in writing you should consider it as
given by God and exert your efforts to use it for the betterment of
society.1
(30 November 1932)
He has received and read with deepest interest the manuscripts you had enclosed in your letter, one entitled ..., and the other consisting of a long poem in which you had made an attempt to present the Message indirectly.
__________________
1. This advice was given to a believer who asked whether such skills as shorthand and typing, and the writing of stories dealing with human experience, would be classified among those sciences that "begin and end in words", as mentioned by Baha'u'llah.
As to this last one, he approves of your suggestion to write a sequel to it,
and to refer more directly to the Cause. He would, however, advise you to
couch the whole subject in such a form as to make it interesting and
appealing to the non-Baha'i reader. The direct presentation of the
Teachings is surely highly important and even indispensable nowadays. But
it should be done with utmost care and tact, and in a manner that would
appeal to the non-believers.
(31 December
1935)
There is a great need for teaching the Cause at present; every Baha'i should teach, and each one has his own capacities and can expect to reach certain souls who respond to his efforts. Your gift of writing should by all means be utilized in serving the Cause. Every one is perforce only an instrument in giving the Message which is more or less coloured by his own capacities and approach to life. There is no harm in this. You should write freely what you feel, what you wish to convey to the mind of the reader; afterwards you yourself, and those who pass upon Baha'i manuscripts and publications, can make sure that all your points conform to the teachings. The way you give them out and present them is an individual matter and there is no objection to this at all.
He would not recommend fiction as a means of teaching; the condition of
the world is too acute to permit of delay in giving them the direct
teachings, associated with the name of Baha'u'llah. But any suitable
approach to the Faith, which appeals to this or that group, is certainly
worthy of effort, as we wish to bring the Cause to all men, in all walks of
life, of all mentalities.2
(23 March 1945)
Regarding your question about what courses would be most useful for you
to study: He feels that both radio and journalistic work are fields in which
the Baha'is could well learn to express themselves for the sake of helping
their teaching work, and advises you, if you have the time, to study these
subjects.
(15 August 1945)
__________________
2. This advice was given to a believer who sought the counsel of the Guardian on ways one might use writing skills to teach the Faith. The believer proposed writing a novel in which the Baha'i teachings and their source would be presented indirectly and in such a way as to stimulate curiosity and search by the reader.
Your suggestion regarding a book for the general public is a good one. The question is not only have we Baha'is competent to present this subject in a way which would catch the attention of the public, but also even if such a book existed would it achieve its end? We have, unfortunately, not very many capable Baha'i writers, and the condition of confusion in the World is such that it seems doubtful if such a work would arrest the attention of distracted mankind.
However, we need more and better Baha'i books, and he suggests you
present your idea to the German, British and American N.S.A.'s.
(26 October 1950)
There is no objection to your being a journalist as long as you try to keep
off political issues; especially the big East-West issue. You have a talent
for writing, and it might be of help to you financially and in making
contacts for the Faith.
(30 November 1950)
Regarding the advice you asked him for, he feels that to devote all one's studies with the object of becoming a Baha'i author, is rather risky. We need Baha'i authors badly, but you have to be assured that you have the talent to earn your living in that field, and also serve the Faith in it.
He feels that the best thing for you to do is to devote your studies to
acquiring a sound education, if you like along literary lines, and then see
what develops.
(14 May 1957)
The Universal House of Justice has considered your letter of 6 December 1979 concerning the novel you are writing involving a romantic relationship and asking whether you should continue this project in light of the advice of 'Abdu'l-Baha that curricula of schools should avoid tales of love.
We have been asked to say that what should be avoided are stories that
arouse the passions. From what you say, the purpose of your story is to
appeal to higher motivations in life and, in fact, to spread the spirit and
teachings of the Cause.
(23 December 1979 to an
individual believer)
|