This year the month of November for Bahá’ís is full of joy and sadness. We have the joy of the Births of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh and then the sadness of the loss of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the son of Bahá’u’lláh and Shoghi Effendi, the grandson of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
The Bab was born on the first day of the lunar month named Muharram, and Baha’u’llah was born on the second day, while the Báb’s birth took place in 1819 and Bahá’u’lláh was born two years earlier in 1817. Bahá’ís observe the two holy birthdays as one continuous 48-hour “day,” as Bahá’u’lláh proclaimed: “… two great festivals have been joined into one, auguring a brilliant future.”
These two luminaries appeared in history as the next step in the evolution of the religion of God. The essence of their Teachings – ‘God is One. Humanity is One’. For the next one hundred plus years they, as well as their designated successors – ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and Shoghi Effendi, shepherded the burgeoning world-wide Bahá’í Community into an example of the meaning of the unity of humanity.
The Báb wrote: “Become as true brethren in the one and indivisible religion of God, free from distinction, for verily God desireth that your hearts should become mirrors unto your brethren in the Faith, so that ye find yourselves reflected in them, and they in you. This is the true Path of God, the Almighty, and He is indeed watchful over your actions.”
November 4th and November 27th mark the commemorations of the passing of Shoghi Effendi and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá who had been so pivotal in the growth of the community. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, born in 1844 experienced the depravation, exile and imprisonment of His family for 40 years and so loved His Father He became known as the ‘Exemplar’ of the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh. He gained the respect of his jailers, the governing officials and the people of the land and was knighted by Queen Victoria. Ten thousand people came out to witness the burial of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in 1921.
Shoghi Effendi was appointed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ‘to carry forward the plans set in motion by Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and he worked tirelessly, even disregarding his own health in his efforts to ensure that the structure of the Community and its Administration was secure and able to progress successfully. Shoghi Effendi passed suddenly November 4th, 1957.
Finally, in November, the Bahá’í Community commemorates the reading of the Document written by Baha’u’lláh that appointed ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as the Centre of His Covenant, the one who all Bahá’ís were to look towards to ensure the unity of the Faith. The line of succession, referred to as the Covenant, went from Bahá’u’lláh to His Son ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and then from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to His grandson, Shoghi Effendi, and the Universal House of Justice, as ordained by Bahá’u’lláh.
O Son of Spirit!
The spirit of holiness beareth unto thee the joyful tidings of reunion; wherefore dost thou grieve? The spirit of power confirmeth thee in His cause; why dost thou veil thyself? The light of His countenance doth lead thee; how canst thou go astray? Bahá’u’lláh