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HABIB TAHERZADEH
(Habib Téhirzédih) 1908—1995
abib Tahetzadeh, born in 1908 in
Yazd, was the sixth child of Liqé Khánum and jinéb—i—Héj Muhammad Téhir-i—Malmiti, who lost five children before Habib was born, three of them as a result of the persecutions of the Bahá’ís of Yazd.
In 1914 Habib, then a child of five, accompanied his parents on pilgrimage and was blessed by receiving the tender favors and aflfection of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. After his primary schooling in Yazd, Habib’s father encouraged him to further his education in Tihran. Habib consulted the beloved Guardian and received an encouraging letter in which Shoghi Effendi hoped that Habib would be assisted by the breath of the Holy Spirit, and he urged him to seek the company of the righteous and those who are endowed with insight among the believers, to strive to obtain knowledge, and to live a life of upright conduct and virtuous character. The Guardian prayed that God might aid him in attaining his heart’s desire and surround him with His blessings throughout his life.
In Iihrén, at the Tarbiyat School, Habib became well known for his intellectual gifts, his diligence, and especially his excellence
in English, French, and Esperanto. When
150 Selertiom from the Writing: of ‘Alm’u’l—Balm’,
5 237-5
[Page 238]
238 THE BAHA’I’ WORLD
Martha Root visited Ṭihrán in 1929, Habib delivered an eloquent talk in Esperanto at a large gathering of the friends, which brought great joy to her heart.
Upon completing his studies he moved to K_huzist:in in the south of Iran. An atdent Esperantist throughout his life, he established Esperanto associations and corresponded with other Esperantists in Europe regularly, elucidating for others the verities of the Cause of Baha’u’llah. He also prepared a glossary of Esperanto words and their equivalents in English, French, and Persian.
Habib was sent to Britain to further his education, especially to perfect his English. Returning to Iran in 1937 he made a second pilgrimage to the Holy Land and had the bounty of meeting the Guardian. This meeting set him aflame with a fire that continued to blaze as long as he lived. He embarked on a career of service to Bahá’í institutions. For several years, as a gifted member of the committee in Tihran for the translation of the Holy Writings, he helped to translate the English works of Shoghi Effendi into Persian and also produced a bimonthly journal in English entitled Balm? New: and Reviews.
Habib married Farrubliqa Mimaqiyyih, daughter oer. and Mrs. Nfiru’iléh Mimaqiyyih, in 1943. Their two children, Riaz and Nura, have been serving the Faith in the United States and Brazil with devotion.
When the Ten Year Crusade and its goals were announced to the Bahá’í world in 1953, Habib and his family responded to the call. Relying upon God they left their homeland and immigrated to Brazil. There, Habib and his family had many unique opportunities to serve the Cause. Habib deepened the believers, taught the Faith to non—Bahá’ís, and helped establish the Bahá’í administration. When the first National Spiritual Assembly of Brazil was established in 1960, Habib was elected to
Haéi/J Yhherzazz'e/J
that body. The benefits of his indefatigable services to the Brazilian community are highly impressive and innumerable.
In 1970 the Universal House ofjustice invited Habib to the World Centre to translate Bahá’í Writings from Arabic and Persian into English. Joyousiy obedient he undertook this weighty task for seven years with sincerity, humility, zeal, and diligence. His efforts were vital to the publication of two major books, Selections fiom #7? Wiring: of the Bdlz and Dbll’l‘f of Bahá’í; 711177 Revealed after Ike Kim'b—i—Aqdas. Returning to Brazil he continued to translate other Sacred Writings.
As a discerning and capable translator he constantly studied the English works of Shoghi Effendi, contemplated the manner in which every Persian or Arabic phrase was translated by the beloved Guardian, and made records of his findings. The results of these ardent eHorts comprise a glossary containing over seven hundred pages. In this valuable unpublished work Habib alphabetically compiled and organized the Persian
[Page 239]
IN MEMORIAM 1992—1997 239
and Arabic words and expressions that the Guardian used in his English translations.
Among his published works are the biographies of Haji Muhammad Téhiri—Malmiri'S‘ and Dr. Yt’mis K_h2in—iAfrufltihffl the English translation of a comprehensive article by ‘Abdu’l—Hamid I_shréq—K_hzivari, introducing the most significant Writings of Bahá’u’lláhN” The Coming aft/Je Lord, published in 1967 (also in Spanish); an article in Portuguese on the destiny of the twentieth century and the principles of universal peace, printed in 1986 by the Association for Bahá’í Studies in Brazil; and a booklet recounting the lives of three early martyrs in Yazd (Portuguese translation published in 1995).
A noticeable feature of Habib’s life was his intense love for the Blessed Beauty. It was this unbounded love that often evoked in him feelings ofecstasy and rapture when he read the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh and contemplated the greatness of His Revelation. He recognized the sublimity of the utterances of Bahá’u’lle’th and approached the task of translation in a spirit ofdevotion to Him.
Usually he would not engage in translation ofa Tablet until he found himselfin love with its contents. He often carried in his pocket a page of the Writings he wished to translate. He would read it repeatedly to himself and often to his friends, would commune in spirit with its Revealer, and when he grasped the significance of the Tablet and became fully exhilarated by the grandeur of the utterances of Baha’u’llah, he would then engage in their translation.
Habib lived modestly and virtuously, surrendering his will to God without hesitation. He was a loving and true friend to
151 “In Memoriam," 7716 Build? Wr‘ld, vol. XII, pp. 692—94.
‘52 Ibid., pp. 679—81.
‘53 777: Balm? World, vol. XIV, pp. 620—32.
everyone. His mind and soul were focused upon teaching the Faith and servitude at the Sacred Threshold. A warm and vivacious being filled with the love of Bahá’u’lláh, he spoke from his heart and wrote eloquently. His talks at the gatherings of the friends created excitement and enthusiasm and had tremendous effects on the spirits of his listeners. The youth in Brazil and other Latin American countries loved him dearly.
Habib Taherzadeh ascended to the Abhá Kingdom on August 18, 1995, in Curitiba, Brazil. With the dignity and reverence truly worthy of his noble soul, the Bahá’ís buried in the public cemetery this beloved friend, admirable educator, meritorious teacher, and detached pioneer who, for forty years, had earnestly served their community and who was called their spiritual father. The Universal House ofjustice sent the following message the day of his passing:
HEARTS FILLED WITH GRIEF OVER LOSS MUCH—LOVED, STAUNCH, HIGHLY ADMIRED PROMOTER FAITH, HABIB TAHERZADEH. HIS INDEFATIGABLE ENDEAVOURS TEACHING AND PIONEERING FIELDS, HIS NOTABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO ENRICHMENT BAHA‘I‘ LITERATURE, HIS EXEMPLARY STEADFASTNESS, SELF-ABNEGATION AND DEDICATION WILL ALWAYS BE TENDERLY REMEMBERED. ASSURE MEMBERS BEREAVED FAMILY LOVING SYMPATHY. ASSURANCE FERVENT PRAYERS HOLY SHRINES PROGRESS HIS NOBLE SOUL ABHA KINGDOM.
ADVISE HOLD MEMORIAL GATHERINGS IN HIS HONOUR THROUGHOUT BRAZIL.
Adib Dherzadeb
