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SALAH JARRAH
(Saléhi’d-Din Jarrah) 1918—1989
Salahi’d-Din Jarrah, whom all the Bahá’ís who Visited the resting place of Shoghi Effendi from 1983—1988 remember with great affection and respect, was a descendant of one of the very few Arab families in ‘Akká that had recognized the Station of Bahá’u’lláh, and possibly the only family
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that had believed in Him at the time He was a prisoner within the walls of ‘Akká. Salah’ s ancestors had gone to ‘Akká from Egypt in 1832, with the Egyptian army that fought the Turks and occupied ‘Akká under the command of Ibrahim Pasha.
The first member of the family to believe in Bahá’u’lláh was Ahmad Jarréh, an officer in the Turkish army. Ahmad’s brother ghalidmwho was the personal physician of Bahá’u’lláh and of whom it is reported that Baha’u’llah said, ‘With his coming, there is healing’wwas Salah’s grandfather on his father’s side. A third brother, Amin, who was head of the Arab community of the city of ‘Akká, was Salah’s forebear on his mother’s side. It is reported that Baha’u’llah said, ‘The family of Jarrah are the stars of ‘Akká,’ referring to the three brothers.
Salah was born in ‘Akká on 6 March 1918, the eldest child of Mu’ayyad Jarrah and Fátimih J arrah. On that day his grand—uncle, Ahmad J anal}, suggested that the family ask ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to name the child, as was the custom in those days. Salah’s father said, ‘I will go to see ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. But today a peace treaty was signed [probably, the Peace Treaty of Brest-Litovsk signed between Russia and the Central Powers on 3 March 1918] and I want to name him Salah’ (a name derived from the Arabic word for peace). When the two men went to see ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, He said: “A peace treaty has just been signed and therefore let the boy he called ‘Ali Salahi’d—Din.” His father did not utter a word, but was obviously very moved.
Salah became a believer at an early age, following the devotion of his mother, who had declared her faith in Baha’u’llah in 1913. When he was 12 or 13, his father asked him, “Are you a Bahá’í, like your mother?” Saléh replied, “I am a Bahá’í, like your father.” [Qalid J arrah]
Saléh was educated at the regional school in ‘Akká and later at the Govemment College in Jerusalem. He was excellent at mathematics, and was called ‘Mathematics Champion’. In 1935, when he was 17 years old, his
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932 THE BAHA’l WORLD
father died so Salah was obliged to abandon his studies and go to work to support the family. He got a job as a postman, and gave his entire small salary to his mother. Even at this young age, his high sense of duty and his generous nature were evident.
When Saléh’s sister, Hayat, was 14, she finished school in ‘Akká. In those days, the only hope local girls had for continuing their education was to be admitted to the Women’s Training College in Jerusalem. Normally, each year the best students from the first class, one Christian and one Muslim, were selected. But the year Hayat finished, no one was taken. She was very upset because she longed to go back to school. When the summer ended and she saw the boys and girls carrying their books on their way to school she burst into tears. She would have been happy to repeat the same studies she had already completed, but that was not allowed.
When Salah saw Hayat’s sadness he told his mother, ‘1 will do whatever I can so as not to leave her broken—hearted.’ He contacted a nun from Haifa, Sister Elia Saati, the Headmistress of Schmidts Girls College, the best private girls’ school in Jerusalem. She told Salah that there was one vacant place and he could bring his sister. The cost, no doubt, was an added burden to Salah, who still was supporting his mother and a younger sister and brother, but whenever he was praised for his gallantry and self—sacrifice, his only words were, ‘Astag_hfiru’llah’, which literally means ‘I seek refuge in God? but which in common usage is an expression of self—effacement
Salah served the beloved Guardian directly for 15 years, from 1942 to 1957. During the disturbances in 1948, he carried Shoghi Effendi’s mail from Haifa to Beirut by way of small fishing boats, in the face of innumerable dangers and risks. In that same year he and his mother were appointed caretakers at Bahjí, where they sought to protect the Shrine and the Mansion, and to serve the pilgrims. Besides this, he served the Guardian
in the various and sundry tasks undertaken for the beautification of the Holy Places. For example, it was Salah’s joy to nail pictures on the walls of the Mansion, with his beloved Guardian standing behind him to judge the correct position for each frame.
How he loved the Guardian! He himself has testified to the sense of joy and happiness he experienced in his presence. His greatest pleasure was to complete each task given him by Shoghi Effendi as quickly and as well as possible so as to be able to ask for more work. Whatever the Guardian asked him, he would answer, ‘Yes, my Guardian’, before even thinking whether it would be possible or not.
Once, Shoghi Effendi mentioned that he needed 70 cypress trees two metres in height delivered to Haifa in a few days. As usual, Salah answered, ‘Yes, my Guardian’. Then he began to think. They had a small nursery at that time in Bahjí, but in it there were only three cypress trees. What could he do? He went to a nearby kibbutz and discovered a great number of cypress trees, many of Which met the height which the Guardian had specified. He sought permission to buy some. The one responsible invited him to take all he wanted, and free of charge. He arranged for workers to dig up the trees and the next day in the afternoon was able to transport them to Haifa. Shoghi Effendi’s words to Salah, ‘Very well done’, were worth more to Salah than all the treasures in the world.
Besides his role in razing the three old, dilapidated houses of the Covenant-breakers which detracted from the beauty of the Mansion of Baha’u’llah and the Shrine at Bahjí, Saléh played an important part, with the beloved Guardian’s permission, in arranging for the two Covenant—breakers who were living at Bahjí to move His success in this difficult task brought Shoghi Effendi immense relief.
Although he gave thought to maniage on several occasions, he put the idea behind him so that he would be able to give his
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IN MEMORIAM
undivided attention to his duties as Custodian of the Holy Places.
After the passing of Shoghi Effendi, Salah assisted the Hands of the Cause in the Holy Land in fulfilling some of the plans for the Holy Places which the Guardian had left. Then in 1958 he pioneered to Djibouti in Africa. He remained there for ten years, until he was involved in an accident. He was hit by a French military vehicle and subsequently taken to France for treatment.
Following the acquisition of the House of ‘Abdu’lláh Pasha in 1975, the Universal House of Justice took steps for its restoration. The advice and assistance of Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum were sought, and she felt that once the House was restored Salah would be the best person to help her buy some of the furniture. Before there was time to ask him to come, a cable was received from Salah saying he was out of the hospital and asking where the House of Justice would like him to go. Thus, in 1976 he went to the Holy Land to serve the Universal House of Justice.
In 1982, upon the advice of the Universal House of Justice, he transferred his residence from the Holy Land to London near the New Southgate Cemetery, the resting place of the Guardian. There he served as custodian, an appointment made by the House of Justice. Here again, he showed his trustworthiness and loyal character. In small ways, such as in arranging the flowers Which the friends brought to the resting place of the Guardian, and in his concern for dignity and respect, he tried to do what would be pleasing to the Guardian and in the best interests of the Faith.
During the winter of 1988—89, Salah was in the Holy Land. On 12 January he was struck by a car and died instantly, leaving in the hearts of a multitude of believers in both the Holy Land and the United Kingdom a sense of deep loss.
The following message was sent by the Universal House of Justice on 13 January 1989:
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Said}; Jarrdh
Deeply grieved passing outstanding faithful servant Cause Salah Jarrah in tragic car accident. His exemplary custodianship resting place beloved Guardian was culmination of lifelong record loving self-sacrificing exertions at World Centre, chiefly as caretaker Shrine Bahá’u’lláh, followed by devoted pioneering services in Africa. Convey members his family deep sympathy. Praying Holy Shrines eternal progress his noble soul Abhá Kingdom. Universal House of Justice
Based on biographical information PROVIDED BY HAYAT JARRAH
