 | The text below this notice was generated by a computer, it still needs to be checked for errors and corrected. If you would like to help, view the original document by clicking the PDF scans along the right side of the page. Click the edit button at the top of this page (notepad and pencil icon) or press Alt+Shift+E to begin making changes. When you are done press "Save changes" at the bottom of the page. |
912
ADIB RADHI BAGHDADI (Adib Radi Baghdádi) Knight of Baha’u’llah
1905—1988
We are saddened to learn of the passing ‘of Knight of Baha’u’llah Adib Baghdadi whose services in the pioneering field will be lovingly remembered. We will offer our prayers in the Shrine of Baha’u’llah for the pmgress of his soul in the world beyond... Universal House of Justice 4 July 1988
Shortly after his birth in ‘Iráq during the early years of this century, Adib Baghdadi’s parents, as was the custom among some of the eastern Bahá’ís of that day, asked ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to name their son. The name ‘Abdu’l-Bahá chose was “Adib Radi”: the pleasing one. No man was ever more faithful to his name and to a trust placed on him than Adib Baghdadi was to the Master and to His gift. A man of extraordinary patience who avoided giving offense to any person and whose life was marked by devotion and sacrifice, Adib pleased all Who knew him. He could trace his family lineage through three generations of faithful servants to the Cause. His great grandfather, Muhammad al-Shibl, was the first Arab to become a Babi. It is his son, Muhammad Mustafa Baghdadi, who is characterized by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Memorials Ofthe Faithful as having recognized Baha’u’llah’s station before He publicly declared, and as the only Bahá’í in Baghdad during those early years Who stood his ground in the face of opposition. When Bahá’u’lláh sent instructions to the Bahá’í community of ‘Iráq to put aside its weapons, Muhammad Mustafa called the believers together, collected the arsenal of the community in his cloak, and threw it into the Tigris River. Defenseless, the Bahá’ís of Baghdad often turned to him for the protection of his indomitable personality. He became a way station to the Bahá’ís travelling to
THE Bahá’í WORLD
‘Akká and spent almost all that he had to assist the friends to Visit Baha’u’llah. It was this heritage of service rather than material wealth that her left for his children.
The earliest memory that Adib had was of being held by his mother While ‘Abdu’l-Bahá took coins from His pocket to play with the child. The last time he saw ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was as a university student shortly before the Master’s ascension. But Adib never claimed special privileges by his descent; he rather made his family feel ennobled to have had spiritual forefathers of such stature, and by the example of his devotion he showed them how to be faithful to this inheritance.
Adib’s father died when Adib was just a boy, so Adib took an early graduation to teach school to support his family and assist with the education of his brothers and sister. While still young he became the secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of ‘Iráq and for many years corresponded in that capacity with the Guardian, having the opportunity to meet Shoghi Effendi twice. He was transformed by the dynamic Vision of the Guardian, crediting Shoghi Effendi’s influence with having recreated him.
While a teacher in ‘Iráq, he pioneered in the north of that country in Mosul and Sulaymaniyyih. In 1953, he resolved to attend the conference in New Delhi that was to inaugurate the Ten Year Crusade. When he was refused leave, he quit his job of 32 years. While in India, before the conference began, he had a dream in Which the Guardian called for pioneers to Virgin territories. When that historic summons did in fact arrive from Shoghi Effendi urging the assembled Bahá’ís to open the remotest regions of the world to the Cause, Adib chose one of the most inhospitable goals and left directly for Hadramut (now South Yemen).
He could not find work in Hadramut for a year, in a country so desolate that when he was finally able to send for his wife, Vahidih, she used to keep an onion in a glass of water just to see a green growing thing.
IN MEMORIAM
As there were no schools there, they had their three oldest children board at the New Era School in India. Adib was not able to see them for almost four years. He remained at his post for six years, not leaving until he was sure that the Cause of God would remain established in that land. It was for this service that Adib and Vahidih Baghdadi were made Knights of Baha’u’llah and had their names inscribed on the Roll of Honour deposited in the Shrine of Baha’u’llah at Bahjí.
When pioneers were needed in northern ‘Iráq, the family went there. F ive years later they went to Kuwait, and another six years later to Lebanon. Each time when they were called they left to go to another remote and often hostile environment. But the protection and divine help that Adib and his family experienced often reminded them of the promise of Baha’u’llah to those who would arise to test the power of His Cause.
It was during those years that his two younger brothers, Dr. ‘Abbas and Dr. Jamil, who had served the government and people of ‘Iráq loyally and selflessly for many years, were imprisoned for their religious beliefs. Dr. ‘Abbés died in prison; Dr. Jamil spent six years there. Adib and his family were forced to leave Lebanon when the ‘Iraqi government refused to renew the passports of Bahá’ís living abroad. They went as refugees to Canada, leaving behind any hope of pension for their many years of service in those countries, bringing with them only a small savings.
It requires time and care to appreciate the contributions and influence of steady and self—effacing men and women such as Adib Baghdádi who quietly further the goals of civilization. He was fluent in five languages, especially so in the three languages of the Faith. He taught himself Persian by studying the Kitáb—i—lqan in both Arabic and Persian; Shoghi Effendi described his communications and translations in English and Arabic as both accurate and literary.
Adib was always ready to share his profound knowledge and understanding of
913
the Writings and did so with the greatest humility. Having been in the presence of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá several times, he always carried with him the inner conviction and calm of those who knew the Master. In his chosen corner of the edifice of Baha’u’llah’s Administrative Order, Adib laid his bricks humbly and without ostentation.
In many ways he reaffirmed the sacrifices of his grandfather, and in a spirit appropriate to this generation of the Formative Age. Just as Muhammad Mustafa had plunged his weapons—the means and symbols of his strength and independencew—into the Tigris, Adib in both word and deed put off all pretention: he wore no armor to impress. Gracious and generous, no matter how little he had, he was as detached from the treasures of this world as was his grandfather. For those who knew him, he was indeed a “pleasing one”. He kept calm in the eye of the storm, and was an anchor of certitude in the communities in which he served.
Having served selflessly and for most of his adult life on Bahá’í administrative bodies, including National Spiritual Assemblies, and having undertaken the most arduous pioneering challenges, he continued to the end of his life to protect and teach the Cause of God. For the last three years of his life, when he was past 80, at a time when even heroic men become captive to their mortality, he served as an assistant to the Auxiliary Board, travelling in North America and speaking throughout Ontario and New York.
His love for Shoghi Effendi was consuming; he could not speak of the Guardian without experiencing great emotion. Some 35 years before his death Adib had seen Shoghi Effendi in a dream. The Guardian was climbing ahead of him effortlessly up a steep grade. Adib felt himself falling behind, overwhelmed by the enormous slope ahead. Shoghi Effendi turned back, and with the gentlest words encouraged him. The dream ended when he lost sight of the Guardian who had pressed on ahead. This dream of his Beloved returned to him once again just two
914
Adib Radhi Baghdadi
weeks before he died. In this last dream he was climbing the same steep slope, this time further up, but again despairing of reaching the top. On looking up he saw Shoghi Effendi standing only a short distance away at the summit. As he watched, the Guardian reached down, and taking Adib by the hand, gently lifted him up.
As always, he had anticipated the summons of his Lord. On the third day of Mercy in the Year 145 BE, within three days of his 84th birthday, and the day after attending an intemational Bahá’í picnic where he saw many friends for whom he was a spiritual father, Adib Bag_hdadi died suddenly of a heart attack. Faithful and courageous to the end, his last words were, “I am a Bahá’í”.
NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA’I's OF CANADA
THE BAHA’l WORLD
