A Bahai Wedding. [edit]
QUITE an oriental note was struck toward the end of Abdul Baha’s London visit, by the marriage of a young Persian couple who had sought his presence for the ceremony, the bride journeying from Baghdad accompanied by her uncle in order to meet her fiancé here and be married before Abdul Baha’s departure. The bride’s father and grandfather had been followers of Baha’u’llah during the time of his banishment.
We hesitate to alter the bridegroom’s description of the service and therefore print it in his own simple and beautiful language. It will serve to show a side not touched on elsewhere, and without which no idea of his visit is complete. We refer to the attitude of reverence with which people from the East who came to see Abdul Baha regard their great teacher. They invariably rise and stand with bowed heads whenever he enters the room.
Mirza Dawud writes:—
“On Sunday morning, the 1st of October,
[Page 75]
1911, A.D., equal to the 9th Tishi 5972
(Hebrew Era), Regina Nur Mahal Khanum,
and Mirza Yuhanna Dawud were admitted
into the holy presence of Abdul Baha: may
my life be a sacrifice to Him!”
After receiving us, Abdul Baha said, “You are very welcome and it makes me happy to see you here in London.”
Looking at me he said, “Never have I united anyone in marriage before, except my own daughters, but as I love you much, and you have rendered a great service to the kingdom of Abha, both in this country and in other lands, I will perform your marriage ceremony to-day. It is my hope that you may both continue in the blessed path of service.”
Then, first, Abdul Baha took Nur Mahal Khanum into the next room and said to her, “Do you love Mirza Yuhanna Dawud with all your heart and soul? She answered “Yes I do.”
Then Abdul Baha called me to him and
put a similar question, that is to say, “Do
you love Nur Mahal Khanum with all your
heart and soul?” I answered “Yes I do.”
We re-entered the room together and Abdul-Baha
took the right hand of the bride and
[Page 76]
gave it into that of the bridegroom and asked
us to say after him “We do all to please
God.”
We all sat down and Abdul Baha continued; “Marriage is a holy institution and much encouraged in this blessed cause. Now you two are no longer two, but one. Baha’u’llah’s wish is that all men be of one mind and consider themselves of one great household, that the mind of mankind be not divided against itself.
“It is my wish and hope that you may be blessed in your life. May God help you to render great service to the kingdom of Abha and may you become a means of its advancement.
“May joy be increased to you as the years go by, and may you become thriving trees bearing delicious and fragrant fruits which are the blessings in the path of service.”
When we came out, all the assembled friends both of Persia and London congratulated us on the great honor that had been bestowed upon us, and we were invited to dine by the kind hostess.
After a little while we gathered around the
table with Him. During the meal one of the
friends asked Abdul Baha how he enjoyed his
[Page 77]
stay in London, and what he thought of the
English people. I acted as interpreter.
Abdul Baha replied: “I have enjoyed London
very much and the bright faces of the friends
have delighted my heart. I was drawn here
by their unity and love. In the world of
existence there is no more powerful magnet
than the magnet of love. These few days
will pass away, but their import shall be
remembered by God’s friends in all ages
and in all lands.
“There are living nations and dead nations. Syria lost its civilization through lethargy of spirit. The English nation is a living one, and when in this spiritual springtime the divine truth comes forth with renewed vitality, the English will be like fruitful trees, and the holy spirit will enable them to flourish in abundance. Then will they gain not only materially, but in that which is far more important, spiritual progress, which will enable them to render a greater service to the world of humanity.”
Another asked why the teachings of all religions are expressed largely by parables and metaphors and not in the plain language of the people.
“The object of God’s teaching to man is
[Page 78]
that man may know himself in order to
comprehend the greatness of God. The
word of God is for agreement and concord.
If you go to Persia where the friends of
Abha are many, you will at once realize
the unifying force of God’s word. They
are doing their utmost to strengthen this
bond of amity. There, people of different
nationalities gather in one meeting and chant
the divine tablets with one accord. It might
be supposed that they were all brethren. We
do not consider anyone a stranger, for it
is said by Baha’u’llah ‘Ye are all the
rays of one sun; the fruits of one tree;
and the leaves of one branch.’ We desire
the true brotherhood of humanity. This
shall be so, and it has already begun.
Praise be to God, the Helper, the Pardoner!”
Abdul Baha replied:—“Divine things are too deep to be expressed by common words. The heavenly teachings are expressed in parable in order to be understood and preserved for ages to come. When the spiritually minded dive deeply into the ocean of their meaning they bring to the surface the pearls of their inner significance. There is no greater pleasure than to study God’s word with a spiritual mind.
