Lights of Guidance/Alcohol, Drugs And Tobacco

Lights of Guidance edited by Helen Hornby
Alcohol, Drugs And Tobacco

Alcohol

1171. Both Light and Strong Drinks Prohibited Unless Prescribed by a Doctor

"Regarding the use of liquor: According to the text of the Book of Aqdas, both light and strong drinks are prohibited. The reason for this prohibition is that alcohol leadeth the mind astray and causeth the weakening of the body. If alcohol were beneficial, it would have been brought into the world by the divine creation and not by the effort of man. Whatever is beneficial for man existeth in creation. Now it hath been proved and is established medically and scientifically that liquor is harmful.

"As to the meaning of that which is written in the Tablets: 'I have chosen for thee whatsoever is in the heaven and the earth', this signifieth those things which are in accordance with the divine purpose and not the things which are harmful. For instance, one of the existing things is poison. Can we say that poison must be used as it hath been created by God? Nevertheless, intoxicating liquor, if prescribed by a physician for the patient and if its use is absolutely necessary, then it is permissible.

"In brief, I hope that thou mayest become inebriated with the wine of the love of God, find eternal bliss and receive inexhaustible joy and happiness. All wine hath depression as an after effect, except the wine of the Love of God."

(From a Tablet of ‘Abdu'l-Bahá to an individual believer, translated from the Persian: Prohibition of Intoxicating Drinks, A Compilation, April 1979)

1172. In the Kitáb-i-Aqdas it is Forbidden to Take Anything that Deranges the Mind

"With regard to your first question on alcohol and drinking, Bahá’u’lláh, fully aware of the great misery that it brings about, prohibits it as He expressly states that everything that takes away the mind, or in other words makes one drunk, is forbidden."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, February 15, 1926: Ibid.)

1173. Drinking Forbidden, No Excuse to Touch It Even in Plum Pudding

"Under no circumstances should Bahá’ís drink. It is so unambiguously forbidden in the Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh that there is no excuse for them even touching it in the form of a toast, or in a burning plum pudding; in fact, in any way."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, March 3, 1957: Cited in a letter from the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of Ecuador, December 21, 1972)

1174. Cake Flavours and Extracts

"You ask whether it is permissible for the friends to use cake flavours, such as vanilla, lemon and rum flavoured extracts, as such flavours have a certain percentage of alcohol in them, and whether Bahá’ís may work in factories manufacturing such extracts.

"We have found no texts prohibiting the friends from using flavoured extracts in their food. This may be a matter for later legislation by the Universal House of Justice but for the time being the friends should be left free to do as they choose. The same principle applies to those who are employed in factories manufacturing such extracts."

(From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, April 7, 1974)

1175. Strictly Prohibited Foods Flavoured with Alcoholic Liquors

"With reference to your question whether those foods which have been flavoured with alcoholic liquors such as brandy, rum, etc., should be classified under the same category as the intoxicating drinks, and consequently be avoided by believers, the Guardian wishes all the friends to know that such foods, or beverages, are strictly prohibited."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, January 9, 1939)

1176. Alcohol for Home Remedies, no Instruction Allowing Its Use

"Although it is clear from the teachings that the use of alcohol is permitted if it is prescribed by a physician for treatment purposes, we have not been able to find any instructions which permit its use in the preparation of home remedies for common illnesses."

(From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of Ecuador, December 21, 1973)

1177. The Serving of Alcoholic Drinks by Bahá’ís and Bahá’í Institutions

"In response to questions raised on the permissibility of serving alcoholic drinks in a number of different circumstances, the Universal House of Justice has formulated the following guidelines.

"The fact that Bahá’ís themselves must not drink alcohol is abundantly clear and needs no comment here. With regard to the serving of alcohol to non-Bahá’ís:

No Bahá’í institution should serve alcohol to non-Bahá’ís under any circumstances.
If an individual Bahá’í is entertaining an individual guest or a small group of guests as an official representative of the Bahá’í community, he should not serve alcohol in his own home, but must use his discretion whether or not to do so if the entertaining is taking place in a restaurant.
No Bahá’í should serve alcohol at any function or reception given by him, such as a wedding reception or a party to which a number of people are invited.
When a Bahá’í is privately entertaining an individual non-Bahá’í or a small group of guests in his own home, he must himself judge whether or not to serve alcohol. This will depend to a great degree on the customs of the country in which he is living, the individuals concerned, and the host's relationship to his guests. Obviously it is better for the Bahá’í not to serve alcohol if possible, but against this he must weigh the probable reaction of the guest in the circumstances which prevail and in the particular situation. In some countries there would be no problem in failing to provide alcohol to a guest; in others it would be regarded as extremely peculiar and anti-social and would immediately raise a barrier to further contact. It is not desirable to make a major issue of the matter.
When such private entertaining of an individual or small group of non-Bahá’ís is taking place in a restaurant the same general principles as in point 4 above apply, except that in such a public place a failure to provide alcoholic drinks would be less easily understood than in a private home, and the Bahá’í must use his discretion accordingly.
Alcohol must not be served in a restaurant or other business which is wholly owned by Bahá’ís.
If a Bahá’í is employed by others in a job which involves the serving of alcohol, he is not obliged to change that employment. This is a matter left to each individual to decide in the light of his own conscience. Obviously such kinds of employment vary widely from bartending to serving in a grocery in which wine is retailed. If the job requires a great deal of involvement with the serving of alcohol it is better for the Bahá’í to obtain other employment if he can."

(Guidelines from the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer 31 January, 1982: The Serving of Alcoholic Drinks by Bahá’ís and Bahá’í Institutions)

1178. A Business Partnership Between a Bahá’í and Non-Bahá’ís

"Since no explicit text or instruction of the beloved Guardian has been found on such a situation, i.e., the sale of alcoholic beverages by a business in which a Bahá’í is a partner with non-Bahá’ís, the House of Justice feels that no hard and fast rules should be drawn at the present time. This is a matter which needs to be decided in each case in the light of the spirit of the teachings and the circumstances of the case and, unless the situation is endangering the good name of the Faith, it should be left to the conscience of the believer concerned who should, of course, make every effort to dissociate himself from such an activity."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of India, October 10, 1983)

1179. Assembly's Role Toward Those Who Continue to Drink

"As to those believers who continue to drink, they should be lovingly exhorted, then firmly warned and eventually deprived of their voting rights. The number of times a person is exhorted and warned is a matter left to the discretion of each Local Spiritual Assembly, in consultation with the National Spiritual Assembly. The policy you adopt should not be one of removing the administrative rights of the believers in a bureaucratic and automatic way, as this would be unwise and unjust. Your Assembly as well as all Local Spiritual Assemblies should courageously and continuously remind the friends of their obligation in this respect, handle firmly all flagrant cases, and use such cases in a way that, by force of example, they exert their influence upon the other believers. It must be made clear to the Local Assemblies that they should be willing to cooperate with the believers affected by such drinking habits, when any such believer promises gradually and systematically to reduce his drinking with the objective in mind of entirely abandoning this habit."

(From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of South and West Africa, November 12, 1965)

1180. Alcoholism and Alcoholics Anonymous

"With regard to the problem of alcoholism, which is indeed a terrible scourge to mankind, it must never become a source of disunity among believers. Bahá’u’lláh's principle, in case of sickness, is to consult the best physician you can, follow his advice, and pray. If, therefore, you have consulted Alcoholics Anonymous, this should be your procedure. If, however, you are not satisfied with them, you are entirely free to consult someone else. But the same principle would apply. Do what the doctor (or expert) says, and pray."

(From a letter of the Universal House of Justice, July 14, 1963)

1181. Bahá’í Advertising Agent Should Use Wisdom in Avoiding the Promotion of Intoxicating Drinks

"The House of Justice… points out that, as far as advertising is concerned, the Bahá’í must use wisdom in deciding what is allowable and what is not. For example, while the issuing of an advertisement specifically for wines would seem to be inadmissible, there would be no objection to a Bahá’í advertising agent's issuing an advertisement listing the prices of goods on sale at a supermarket even if wines and spirits are included on it. It is, thus, a matter of emphasis and wisdom. Primarily the House of Justice wishes the decision in such matters to be left to the judgement of the individual concerned, but where there is any doubt, or where the National Spiritual Assembly feels that the good name of the Faith is being injured, the Assembly should, of course, be consulted and could decide in specific instances.

"In view of the requirements of his conscience in light of Bahá’í law, a Bahá’í advertising agent might be well advised to include a clause in any contract he signs in which difficulties of this nature might arise, protecting his right to demur."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, December 20, 1977: Prohibition of Intoxicating Drinks)

1182. The Right of the Non-Bahá’í Parent—The Serving of Champagne

"The future christening of the child should present no problem, for the Bahá’í parent should have no objection to the baptism of his child if the Catholic mother wishes it. Similarly, the use of champagne upon that occasion is a matter which she is free to undertake, but of course the Bahá’ís would not partake of alcoholic beverages."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to a National Spiritual Assembly, December 7, 1977: Ibid.)

Drugs

1183. Hallucinogens, a Form of Intoxication

"Concerning the so-called 'spiritual' virtues of the hallucinogens… spiritual stimulation should come from turning one's heart to Bahá’u’lláh, and not through physical means such as drugs and agents.

"From the description given in your letter it appears that hallucinogenic agents are a form of intoxicant. As the friends, including the youth, are required strictly to abstain from all forms of intoxicants, and are further expected conscientiously to obey the civil law of their country, it is obvious that they should refrain from using these drugs.

"A very great responsibility for the future peace and well-being of the world is borne by the youth of today. Let the Bahá’í youth by the power of the Cause they espouse be the shining example for their companions."

(From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, April 15, 1965: National Bahá’í Review, No. 3, March 1968)

1184. The Use of Marijuana, LSD and Other Psychedelic Products

"In reply to your request of October 24, 1967 that we issue a statement concerning 'the use of marijuana, LSD and other psychedelic products', we have already informed the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States that Bahá’ís should not use hallucinogenic agents, including LSD, peyote and similar substances, except when prescribed for medical treatment. Neither should they become involved in experiments with such substances.

"Although we have found no direct reference to marijuana in the Bahá’í writings, since this substance is derived from what is considered to be a milder form of cannabis, the species used to produce hashísh, we can share with you a translation from the Persian of a Tablet of ‘Abdu'l-Bahá on hashísh:

'Regarding hashísh, you had pointed out that some Persians have become habituated to its use. Gracious God! This is the worst of all intoxicants, and its prohibition is explicitly revealed. Its use causeth the disintegration of thought and the complete torpor of the soul. How could anyone seek this fruit of the infernal tree, and by partaking of it, be led to exemplify the qualities of a monster? How could one use this forbidden drug, and thus deprive himself of the blessings of the All-Merciful?…

'Alcohol consumeth the mind and causeth man to commit acts of absurdity, but … this wicked hashísh extinguisheth the mind, freezeth the spirit, petrifieth the soul, wasteth the body and leaveth man frustrated and lost.'"

(From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Hawaiian Islands, November 11, 1967)

1185. Peyote

"Anyone involved in the use of peyote should be told that in the Bahá’í Faith spiritual stimulation comes from turning one's heart to Bahá’u’lláh and not through any physical means. They should therefore be encouraged to give up the use of peyote."

(From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, November 9, 1963: Alaska Bahá’í News, May 1972, p. 4)

1186. Opium Destroys the Conscience, the Mind and the Perceptions

"As to opium, it is foul and accursed. God protect us from the punishment He inflicteth on the user. According to the explicit Text of the Most Holy Book, it is forbidden, and its use is utterly condemned. Reason showeth that smoking opium is a kind of insanity, and experience attesteth that the user is completely cut off from the human kingdom. May God protect all against the perpetration of an act so hideous as this, an act which layeth in ruins the very foundation of what it is to be human, and which causeth the user to be dispossessed for ever and ever. For opium fasteneth on the soul, so that the user's conscience dieth, his mind is blotted away, his perceptions are eroded. It turneth the living into the dead. It quencheth the natural heat. No greater harm can be conceived than that which opium inflicteth. Fortunate are they who never even speak the name of it; then think how wretched is the user."

(‘Abdu'l-Bahá: Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu'l-Bahá, Wilmette, 1982, pp. 148-149)

1187. Dealing in Heroin and Other Narcotics Forbidden

"Dealing in heroin or other similar drugs which are forbidden in the Faith should certainly not be undertaken by Bahá’ís except in the context of the legitimate handling of such drugs that doctors and similar professionals may be called upon to undertake in the course of their duties. Furthermore, dealing in narcotics is in many countries a crime and on this basis also would be forbidden to Bahá’ís."

(From a letter of the Universal House of Justice cited in a compilation on alcohol and drugs sent to an individual believer by the International Teaching Centre, October 17, 1978)

1188. The Renouncing of Tobacco, Alcohol and Opium—Purity and Sanctity Should Distinguish the People of Bahá

"O ye, God's loved ones! Experience hath shown how greatly the renouncing of smoking, of intoxicating drink, and of opium, conduceth to health and vigour, to the expansion and keenness of the mind and to bodily strength. There is today a people* who strictly avoid tobacco, intoxicating liquor and opium. This people is far and away superior to the others, for strength and physical courage, for health, beauty and comeliness. A single one of their men can stand up to ten men of another tribe. This hath proved true of the entire people: that is, member for member, each individual of this community is in every respect superior to the individuals of other communities.

"Make ye then a mighty effort, that the purity and sanctity which, above all else, are cherished by ‘Abdu'l-Bahá, shall distinguish the people of Bahá; that in every kind of excellence the people of God shall surpass all other human beings; that both outwardly and inwardly they shall prove superior to the rest; that for purity, immaculacy, refinement, and the preservation of health, they shall be leaders in the vanguard of those who know. And that by their freedom from enslavement, their knowledge, their self-control, they shall be first among the pure, the free and the wise."

(‘Abdu'l-Bahá: Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu'l-Bahá, p. 150)
*(Possibly ‘Abdu'l-Bahá was referring to the Sikhs)

Tobacco

1189. Smoking is Discouraged, but not Forbidden

"Regarding your questions: Concerning smoking: It is not forbidden in the Bahá’í teachings and no one can enforce its prohibition. It is strongly discouraged as a habit which is not very clean or very healthy. But it is a matter left entirely to the conscience of the individual and not of major importance, whereas the use of alcohol is definitely forbidden and thus not left optional to the conscience of the believer."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, April 19, 1941)

1190. Smoking Has Nothing to do with Firmness in the Covenant

"Smoking has nothing to do with firmness in the Covenant. Bahá’ís are advised not to smoke for reasons of health and hygiene, not because of any spiritual reasons. We naturally cherish every hint and advice from ‘Abdu'l-Bahá regarding our conduct, but as He has not forbidden this, we must leave each person free to decide for himself."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, August 9, 1944)

1191. To New Bahá’ís, We Should not Stress Giving Up Smoking

"He feels that we should not lay stress to new Bahá’ís on the necessity of giving up smoking, especially as this is purely optional, and many of the Bahá’ís still do smoke. There are many things in the Teachings that require a stiff effort on the part of a new believer, and we should not add to the hurdles at the very beginning, so to speak."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, December 4, 1954)

1192. Smoking by Degrees Injurious

"…I wish to say that, in the sight of God, the smoking of tobacco is a thing which is blamed and condemned, very unclean, and of which the result is by degrees injurious. Besides it is a cause of expense and of loss of time and it is a harmful habit…."

(‘Abdu'l-Bahá: Bahá’í World Faith, p. 335)

1193. Guidelines for Individuals and Assemblies About Tobacco Smoking

"Many believers feeling the same concern expressed by Dr. … wrote to the beloved Guardian about it. In answer to such letters the Guardian's secretary replied on his behalf that Bahá’ís had no right to prevent anyone from smoking; that Bahá’ís were free to smoke but it was preferable for them not to do so; and that an issue should not be made of this matter. The use of tobacco, in common with other personal practices, should be subject to considerations of courtesy. The Bahá’í in his daily life, whether smoker or non-smoker, should always be conscious of the rights of those about him and avoid doing anything which would give offense.

"Believers have also raised the question about smoking during Bahá’í meetings. It is entirely within the authority of Local and National Spiritual Assemblies to prohibit smoking in meetings held under their auspices. An Assembly may well feel that it does not wish to raise an additional barrier to seekers by prohibiting smoking at public meetings in a society where it is the accepted practice to smoke. On the other hand, it might be wise for the Assembly to caution the Bahá’ís to restrain their smoking at teaching meetings and firesides in case it is offensive to some seekers. In the case of Nineteen Day Feasts or meetings of Assemblies or committees, it is not right that friends who find smoking offensive should be made to endure it in Bahá’í meetings which they are required or expected to attend. If certain individuals feel that they must smoke, then arrangements, such as a break in the meeting, could be made for their convenience. It would, of course, be entirely inappropriate to smoke during the devotional part of a Feast, or at any other devotional gathering.

"It is to be hoped that the widespread publicity being given to the evil effects of smoking, both on smokers and on those who have to breathe smoke-laden air, will help to convince everyone of the wisdom of ‘Abdu'l-Bahá in strongly discouraging Bahá’ís from smoking. However, Bahá’ís must be careful not to go beyond the Teachings in this matter and try to enforce as a law a matter in which Bahá’u’lláh has deemed it wise to allow freedom of decision."

(From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, March 4, 1974)