1828. Reverence and Respect Toward The Holy Places
"You have asked about visiting holy places and the observance of marked reverence toward these resplendent spots. Holy places are undoubtedly centres of the outpouring of Divine grace, because on entering the illumined sites associated with martyrs and holy souls, and by observing reverence, both physical and spiritual, one's heart is moved with great tenderness…."
- (‘Abdu’l-Bahá: Synopsis and Codification of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, p. 61)
1829. The Record of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's Voice Should be Listened to with the Utmost Reverence
"…the friends to exercise restraint and caution in the use and distribution of the record of the Master's voice. In my view, it should be used only on special occasions and be listened to with the utmost reverence. The dignity of the Cause, I am sure, would suffer from too wide and indiscriminate use of one of the most precious relics of our departed Master."
- (From a letter of Shoghi Effendi, November 26, 1923)
1830. Viewing the Film of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
"Regarding the use of the Master's film, the greatest care must be exercised lest we cheapen its value by too frequent and indiscriminate exhibition either amongst the believers or the non-Bahá’ís. Only on special occasions, such as important anniversaries, should the film be shown and its solemn sacred character should be duly emphasized."
- (From a letter of Shoghi Effendi, February 28, 1928)
1831. Portrayal of Any of the Manifestations of God Forbidden
"Your understanding that the portrayal of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh in works of art is forbidden, is correct. The Guardian made it clear that this prohibition refers to all the Manifestations of God; photographs, or reproductions of portraits, of the Master may be used in books, but no attempt should be made to portray Him in dramatic or other works where He would be one of the 'dramatic personae'. However, there can be no objection to symbolic representation of such Holy Figures, provided it does not become a ritual and that the symbol used is not irreverent."
- (From a letter of the Universal House of Justice, December 3, 1972)
1832. Showing Reverence Differs from Culture to Culture
"Problems arise when there are disagreements among the friends as to what is dignified and reverent. The Universal House of Justice is reluctant to specify such matters in detail and urges the believers not to make an issue of them. If a believer is seriously worried about a particular case, he may refer it to his National Spiritual Assembly and should abide by the Assembly's decision."
- (From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice, March 12, 1980)
1833. Photograph of Bahá’u’lláh
"There is no objection that the believers look at the picture of Bahá’u’lláh, but they should do so with the utmost reverence, and should also not allow that it be exposed openly to the public, even in their private homes."
- (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, December 6, 1939)
