Bahá’í Community Life/Observance of Holy Days
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weaknesses to overcome. Through prayer and meditation on the life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the Perfect Exemplar, one can gradually correct his faults. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá has written: “The most vital duty, in this day, is to purify your characters, to correct your manners, and improve your conduct.”11
Every Bahá’í must give to the Fund. Shoghi Effendi called the Fund the lifeblood of the Cause and said “It is the sacred obligation of every conscientious and faithful servant of Bahá’u’lláh who desires to see His Cause advance, to contribute freely and generously for the increase of that Fund.”12 A body needs a steady flow of blood to grow and develop properly. Otherwise, it will remain weak and tired and may die. Regular contributions to the Fund assure the health and growth of the Cause of God.
Supporting the Fund is a privilege which only those who have recognized Bahá’u’lláh can enjoy; non-Bahá’ís may not contribute. Each Bahá’í should contribute regularly, perhaps every Bahá’í month. The amount given is confidential. It is a matter between the individual and God. A contribution is especially precious when sacrifice is involved. One way of showing one’s love for Bahá’u’lláh is to sacrifice something important in order to give to the Fund.
The Universal House of Justice has said that not all Bahá’ís can give public talks or serve on Spiritual Assemblies. But all can participate in Bahá’í community life by teaching, deepening, fighting their own spiritual battles, praying, and giving to the Fund.
4. Observance of Holy Days[edit]
The Bahá’í Faith, like all other religions, has a number of holy days. Many of them commemorate important events in the early history of the Faith, usually events in the life of the Báb or Bahá’u’lláh.
If at all possible Bahá’ís do not work on the holy days. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá has written, “Nine days in the year have been appointed on which work is forbidden.”13 In this way one
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shows his respect for the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh. Each Bahá’í should explain the holy days to his employer and ask permission not to work on those days. Many employers are very understanding and will allow Bahá’ís to stay away from work on holy days. If, however, an employer does not allow a Bahá’í to take the day off, that person may work as usual. Bahá’ís are not required to refrain from working if it means losing their jobs. Bahá’í children should also seek permission to be excused from school on holy days.
Some of the holy days are joyous occasions. The birth of the Báb on October 20 and the birth of Bahá’u’lláh on November 12 are times for great happiness. May 23 is the day when the Báb first announced His mission to the world in 1844. This was the beginning of the Bahá’í Era. Bahá’u’lláh first declared that He was the Promised One during a twelve-day period in 1863. During that time Bahá’u’lláh and His followers were gathered in a spot which He named Riḍván, or Paradise. Thus these twelve days are called Riḍván. Three of them are celebrated as holy days—April 21, April 29, and May 2.
Another holy day is Naw-Rúz, the Bahá’í new year. It is celebrated on March 21, which is both the first day of spring and the first day of the year according to the calendar brought by the
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Báb. Naw-Rúz is a festive occasion marking the end of the nineteen-day fast and reminding one of the springtime in which God periodically sends a new Manifestation to guide mankind.
Some holy days are very solemn occasions. On July 9 Bahá’ís pause to remember the Martyrdom of the Báb. On that day the Báb was shot and killed on government orders. He had committed no crime. He was simply bringing new Teachings from God and telling people to turn toward justice. Another solemn holy day is May 29, the anniversary of Bahá’u’lláh’s passing.
Holy days can be observed in many ways. It is a duty of the Local Spiritual Assembly to see that some activity is planned for the believers. On the joyous holy days the community may arrange for prayers and a picnic or a public meeting, or for a service project or a children’s party. The community should remember solemn holy days with a quiet observance, including prayers and meditations.
In some ways the Bahá’í holy days are like the holy days in other religions. For example, the Christians celebrate the birth of Christ at Christmas and remember His death at Easter. They usually do not work on those two days. In a similar manner Bahá’ís remember the important events in the lives of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh and mark other special occasions; and they do not work on those days. Parties and gift-giving occur during Intercalary Days, which last from February 26 to March 1. These days are devoted to hospitality, charity, and the giving of presents. Naw-Rúz, too, is a time for festive parties and for some a time of gift-giving.
5. Spiritual Education (Deepening)[edit]
In each great religion of the past there has always been a Holy Book which the followers of that religion studied and used as a guide for their lives. Each Holy Book contained the words of the Prophet who founded the religion. For example, Christianity has the Bible, and Islám has the Qur’án. The Bahá’í Faith also has Holy Scriptures. It has not one Holy Book but many books which contain the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh. In past religions the