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Cleanliness and purity 109
7 Cleanliness and purity
Purity of character
1. O ye the beloved of the one true God! Pass beyond the narrow retreats of your evil and corrupt desires, and advance into the vast immensity of the realm of God, and abide ye in the meads of sanctity and of detachment, that the fragrance of your deeds may lead the whole of mankind to the ocean of God’s unfading glory.
Baha'u'llah, qtd. in The Advent of Divine Justice 31
2. A race of men, incomparable in character, shall be raised up which, with the feet of detachment, will tread under all who are in heaven and on earth, and will cast the sleeve of holiness over all that hath been created from water and clay.
Baha'u'llah, qtd. in The Advent of Divine Justice 31
3. Would that ye had the power to perceive the things your Lord, the All-Merciful, doth see—things that attest the excellence of your rank, that bear witness to the greatness of your worth, that proclaim the sublimity of your station! God grant that your desires and unmortified passions may not hinder you from that which hath been ordained for you. Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah 317
4. The choice of clothing and the cut of the beard and its
dressing are left to the discretion of men. But beware, O
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people, lest ye make yourselves the playthings of the igno- rant. Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah 23
5. God loveth those who are pure. Naught in the Bayan and in the sight of God is more loved than purity and immaculate cleanliness... .
God desireth not to see, in the Dispensation of the Bayan, any soul deprived of joy and radiance. He indeed desireth that under all conditions, all may be adorned with such purity, both inwardly and outwardly, that no repug- nance may be caused even to themselves, how much less unto others.
The Bab, Selections from the Writings of the Bab 80
6. O Friends of the Pure and Omnipotent God! To be pure and holy in all things is an attribute of the consecrated soul and a necessary characteristic of the unenslaved mind. The best of perfections is immaculacy and the freeing of oneself from every defect. Once the individual is, in every respect, cleansed and purified, then will he be- come a focal center reflecting the Manifest Light.
First in a human being’s way of life must be purity, then freshness, cleanliness, and independence of spirit. First must the stream bed be cleansed, then may the sweet river waters be led unto it. Chaste eyes enjoy the beatific vision of the Lord and know what this encounter meaneth; a pure sense inhaleth the fragrances that blow from the rose gardens of His grace; a burnished heart will mirror forth the comely face of truth....
My meaning is this, that in every aspect of life, purity
and holiness, cleanliness and refinement, exalt the human
condition and further the development of man’s inner
reality. Even in the physical realm, cleanliness will con-
duce to spirituality, as the Holy Writings clearly state. And
although bodily cleanliness is a physical thing, it hath,
nevertheless, a powerful influence on the life of the spirit.
It is even as a voice wondrously sweet, or a melody played:
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Purity of character 11
although sounds are but vibrations in the air which affect the ear’s auditory nerve, and these vibrations are but chance phenomena carried along through the air, even so, see how they move the heart. A wondrous melody is wings for the spirit, and maketh the soul to tremble for joy. The purport is that physical cleanliness doth also exert its effect upon the human soul.' ‘Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha 146—47
7. ... desire is a flame that has reduced to ashes uncount- ed lifetime harvests of the learned, a devouring fire that even the vast sea of their accumulated knowledge could never quench. How often has it happened that an individu- al who was graced with every attribute of humanity and wore the jewel of true understanding, nevertheless fol- lowed after his passions until his excellent qualities passed beyond moderation and he was forced into excess. His pure intentions changed to evil ones, his attributes were no longer put to uses worthy of them, and the power of his desires turned him aside from righteousness and its rewards into ways that were dangerous and dark. A good character is in the sight of God and His chosen ones and the possessors of insight, the most excellent and praise- worthy of all things, but always on condition that its center of emanation should be reason and knowledge and its base should be true moderation. ‘Abdu'l-Baha, The Secret of Divine Civilization 59-60
8. A rectitude of conduct, an abiding sense of undeviating justice, unobscured by the demoralizing influences which a corruption-ridden political life so strikingly manifests; a chaste, pure and holy life, unsullied and unclouded by the
1. Baha'u'llah, in the Kitab-i-Aqdas, exhorts the believers “to be the essence of
cleanliness.” Specifically, one is “to wash one’s feet,” “to perfume one’s self,” “to bathe
in clean water,” “to cut one’s nails,” “io wash soiled things in clean water,” “to be
stainless in one’s dress,” and “to renew the furnishings of one’s house” (A Synopsis
and Codification of the Kitab-i-Aqdas 51).
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indecencies, the vices, the false standards, which an in- herently deficient moral code tolerates, perpetuates, and fosters; a fraternity freed from that cancerous growth of racial prejudice, which is eating into the vitals of an already debilitated society—these are the ideals which the American believers must, from now on, individually and through concerted action, strive to promote, in both their private and public lives, ideals which are the chief propel- ling forces that can most effectively accelerate the march of their institutions, plans, and enterprises, that can guard the honor and integrity of their Faith, and subdue any obstacles that may confront it in the future.
This rectitude of conduct, with its implications of justice, equity, truthfulness, honesty, fair-mindedness, reliability, and trustworthiness, must distinguish every phase of the life of the Baha’i community.
Shoghi Effendi, The Advent of Divine Justice 23
9. Such a rectitude of conduct must manifest itself, with
ever-increasing potency, in every verdict which the elected
representatives of the Baha’i community, in whatever ca-
pacity they may find themselves, may be called upon to
pronounce. It must be constantly reflected in the business
dealings of all its members, in their domestic lives, in all
manner of employment, and in any service they may, in the
future, render their government or people. It must be exem-
plified in the conduct of all Baha’i electors, when exercising
their sacred rights and functions. It must characterize the
attitude of every loyal believer towards nonacceptance of
political posts, nonidentification with political parties, non-
participation in political controversies, and nonmembership
in political organizations and ecclesiastical institutions. It
must reveal itself in the uncompromising adherence of all,
whether young or old, to the clearly enunciated and funda-
mental principles laid down by ‘Abdu’l-Baha in His address-
es, and to the laws and ordinances revealed by Baha’u'llah in
His Most Holy Book. It must be demonstrated in the imparti-
ality of every defender of the Faith against its enemies, in his
fairmindedness in recognizing any merits that enemy may
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possess, and in his honesty in discharging any obligations he may have towards him. It must constitute the brightest ornament of the life, the pursuits, the exertions, and the utterances of every Baha’i teacher, whether laboring at home or abroad, whether in the front ranks of the teaching force, or occupying a less active and responsible position.
Shoghi Effendi, The Advent of Divine Justice 26—27
10. It must be remembered, however, that the mainte- nance of such a high standard of moral conduct is not to be associated or confused with any form of asceticism, or of excessive and bigoted puritanism. The standard inculcat- ed by Baha’ullah, seeks, under no circumstances, to deny anyone the legitimate right and privilege to derive the fullest advantage and benefit from the manifold joys, beauties, and pleasures with which the world has been so plentifully enriched by an All-Loving Creator. “Should a man,” Baha’- u'llah Himself reassures us, “wish to adorn himself with the ornaments of the earth, to wear its apparels, or partake of the benefits it can bestow, no harm can befall him, if he alloweth nothing whatever to intervene between him and God, for God hath ordained every good thing, whether created in the heavens or in the earth, for such of His servants as truly believe in Him. Eat ye, O people, of the good things which God hath allowed you, and deprive not yourselves from His wondrous bounties. Render thanks and praise unto Him, and be of them that are truly thankful.” Shoghi Effendi, The Advent of Divine Justice 33
Smoking tobacco
ll. ...thereare... forbidden things which do not cause
immediate harm, and the injurious effects of which are
only gradually produced: such acts are also repugnant to
the Lord, and blameworthy in His sight, and repellent. The
absolute unlawfulness of these, however, hath not been
expressly set forth in the Text, but their avoidance is
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necessary to purity, cleanliness, the preservation of health, and freedom from addiction.
Among these latter is smoking tobacco, which is dirty, smelly, offensive—an evil habit, and one the harmfulness of which gradually becometh apparent to all. Every quali- fied physician hath ruled—and this hath also been proven by tests—that one of the components of tobacco is a deadly poison, and that the smoker is vulnerable to many and various diseases. This is why smoking hath been plainly set forth as repugnant from the standpoint of hygiene... .
My meaning is that in the sight of God, smoking tobacco is deprecated, abhorrent, filthy in the extreme; and, albeit by degrees, highly injurious to health. It is also a waste of money and time, and maketh the usera prey toa noxious addiction. To those who stand firm in the Cove- nant, this habit is therefore censured both by reason and experience, and renouncing it will bring relief and peace of mind to all men. Furthermore, this will make it possible to have a fresh mouth and unstained fingers, and hair that is free of a foul and repellent smell. On receipt of this missive, the friends will surely, by whatever means and even over a period of time, forsake this pernicious habit. Such is my hope.
‘Abdu'l-Bahd, Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu'l-Baha 147—48
12. ... ‘Abdu'l-Baha advised against the smoking of tobac- co. While the Teachings strongly condemn its use, they do not forbid it. To letters enquiring about this subject, the beloved Guardian replied through his secretary that we had no right to prevent anyone from smoking; that Baha'is were free to smoke but it was preferable for them not to do so; and, that this question should not be made an issue.
The Universal House of Justice, letter dated 4/8/65 to individual believer, in Lights of Guidance 271—72
Alcohol
13. It is forbidden for an intelligent person to drink that
which depriveth him of his intelligence; it behooveth him
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to engage in that which is worthy of man, not in the act of every heedless doubter. Baha'u'llah, Kitab-i-Aqdas, in “Prohibition of Intoxicating Drinks” 1
14. O Son of Dust! Turn not away thine eyes from the matchless wine of the immortal Beloved, and open them not to foul and mortal dregs. Take from the hands of the divine Cup-bearer the chalice of immortal life, that all wisdom may be thine, and that thou mayest hearken unto the mystic voice calling from the realm of the invisible. Cry aloud, ye that are of low aim! Wherefore have ye turned away from My holy and immortal wine unto evanescent water? Baha'u'llah, The Hidden Words of Baha'u'llah 43-44
15. Fear ye God, O people of the earth, and think not that
the wine We have mentioned in Our Tablets is the wine
which men drink, and which causeth their intelligence to
pass away, their human nature to be perverted, their light
to be changed, and their purity to be soiled. Our intention
is indeed that wine which intensifieth man’s love for God,
for His Chosen Ones and for His loved ones, and igniteth in
the hearts the fire of God and love for Him, and glorifica-
tion and praise of Him. So potent is this wine that a drop
thereof will attract him who drinketh it to the Court of His
sanctity and nearness, and will enable him to attain the
presence of God, the King, the Glorious, the Most Beaute-
ous. It is a wine that blotteth out from the hearts of the
true lovers all suggestions of limitation, establisheth the
truth of the signs of His oneness and divine unity, and
leadeth them to the Tabernacle of the Well-Beloved, in the
presence of God, the Sovereign Lord, the Self-Subsisting,
the All-Forgiving, the All-Generous. We meant by this
Wine, the River of God, and His favor, the fountain of His
living waters, and the Mystic Wine and its divine grace.
Even as it was revealed in the Qur’an, if ye are of those who
understand. He said, and how true is His utterance: “A wine
delectable to those who drink it.” And He had no purpose in
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this but the wine we have mentioned to you, O people of certitude!
Beware lest ye exchange the Wine of God for your own wine, for it will stupefy your minds, and turn your faces away from the Countenance of God, the All-Glorious, the Peerless, the Inaccessible. Approach it not, for it hath been forbidden unto you by the behest of God, the Exalted, the Almighty.
Baha'u'llah, in “Prohibition of Intoxicating Drinks” 1
16. Intellect and the faculty of comprehension are God's gifts whereby man is distinguished from other animals. Will a wise man want to lose this Light in the darkness of intoxication? No, by God! This will not satisfy him! He will, rather, do that which will develop his powers of intelli- gence and understanding, and not increase his negli- gence, heedlessness and decline. This is an explicit text in the Perspicuous Book, wherein God hath set forth every goodly virtue, and exposed every reprehensible act.
‘Abdu'l-Baha, tablet to individual believer, in “Prohibition of Intoxicating Drinks” 2
17. The drinking of wine is, according to the text of the
Most Holy Book, forbidden; for it is the cause of chronic
diseases, weakeneth the nerves, and consumeth the mind. Abdu'l-Baha, qtd. in The Advent of Divine Justice 33
18. With regard to your first question on alcohol and drinking, Baha'u'llah, fully aware of the great misery that it brings about, prohibits it as He expressly states that every- thing that takes away the mind, or in other words makes one drunk, is forbidden.
On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, letter dated 2/15/26 to individual believer, in “Prohibition of Intoxicating Drinks” 2
19. Under no circumstances should Baha'is drink. It is so unambiguously forbidden in the Tablets of Baha’u'llah, that there is no excuse for them even touching it in the form ofa toast, or in a burning plum pudding; in fact, in any way.
On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, letter dated 3/3/57 to individual believer, qtd.
in letter dated 12/21/72 from the Universal House of Justice to National
Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Ecuador, in Lights of Guidance 259
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20. Baha’is should not serve alcoholic drinks at parties which they sponsor. The Universal House of Justice, in Lights of Guidance 258
21. ...0n all occasions officially sponsored by Baha'i Institutions or where the host is acting as a representative of the Cause alcohol should not be served. In private homes or in the course of business or professional activity it is left to the conscience of Baha’is themselves whether they serve alcoholic drinks to non-Baha’is but the obligation is very strong to observe the prohibition enjoined by Baha'u'llah.
The Universal House of Justice, letter dated 2/8/68 to National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the British Isles, in Lights of Guidance 259
22. With regard to the question you have raised in connec- tion with the sale of alcoholic liquors by the friends; he wishes me to inform you that dealings with such liquors, in any form, is highly discouraged in the Cause. The believers should, therefore, consider it their spiritual obli- gation to refrain from undertaking any business enter- prise that would involve them in the traffic of alcoholic drinks.
On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, letter dated 11/6/35 to a National Spiritual Assembly, in “Prohibition of Intoxicating Drinks” 3
23. With reference to your question whether those foods which have been flavored 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 wished all the friends to know that such foods or beverages are strictly prohibited.
On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, letter dated 1/9/39 to individual believer, in Lights of Guidance 259
Drugs: hashish, LSD, marijuana, opium, peyote 24. 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,
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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 perpetra- tion 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 quench- eth 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.
O ye lovers of God! In this, the cycle of Almighty God, violence and force, constraint and oppression, are one and all condemned. It is, however, mandatory that the use of opium be prevented by any means whatsoever, that per- chance the human race may be delivered from this most powerful of plagues. And otherwise, woe and misery to whoso falleth short of his duty to his Lord.
‘Abdu'l-Bahd, Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu'l-Baha 148—49
25. ... Baha'is should not use hallucinogenic agents, in- cluding LSD, peyote and similar substances, except when prescribed for medical treatment. Neither should they be- come involved in experiments with such substances.
Although we have found no direct reference to marijuana in the Baha’i writings, since this substance is derived from what is considered to be a milder form of cannabis, the species used to produce hashish, we can share with you a translation from the Persian of a Tablet of ‘Abdu'l-Baha on hashish:
Regarding hashish 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
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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 hashish extinguisheth the mind, freezeth the spirit, petrifieth the soul, wasteth the body and leaveth man frustrated and lost.
The Universal House of Justice, letter dated 11/11/67 to National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahd'ts of the Hawaiian Islands, in Lights of Guidance 271
26. Concerning the so-called “spiritual” virtues of the hallucinogens. . . . spiritual stimulation should come from turning one’s heart to Baha’ullah, and not through physical means such as drugs and agents. From the descrip- tion 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 Baha'i youth by the power of the Cause they espouse be the shining example for their companions.
The Universal House of Justice, letter dated 4/15/65 to National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahd'ts of the United States, in Lights of Guidance 270
27. Anyone involved in the use of peyote should be told that in the Baha'i Faith spiritual stimulation comes from turning one’s heart to Baha’u'llah and not through any physical means. They should therefore be encouraged to give up the use of peyote.
The Universal House of Justice, letter dated 11/9/63 to National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahda'ts of the United States, in Lights of Guidance 271
Gambling and lotteries
28. The trials of man are of two kinds. (a) The consequen-
ces of his own actions. If a man eats too much, he ruins his
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digestion; if he takes poison he becomes ill or dies. If a person gambles he will lose his money; if he drinks too much he will lose his equilibrium. All these sufferings are caused by the man himself, it is quite clear therefore that certain sorrows are the result of our own deeds... .
‘Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks 49-50
29. Although we have not found any text which forbids the owning of race horses, horse racing as a means of winning the prize money and betting at race courses, we quote the translation of a Tablet of ‘Abdu’l-Baha on horse racing:
Horse races and bettings are a pernicious disease. It has been seen in Europe how these things have caused distress. Thousands have become afflicted and bewildered. The friends of God must engage in a work which is lawful and conducive to blessing, so that God’s aid and bounty may always surround them....
The Universal House of Justice, letter dated 6/20/72 to National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of India, in “Extracts from Letters of the Universal House of Justice [on Lotteries and Gambling]” 1
30. Although we may have written to you previously com- menting on the question as to whether lotteries and bet- ting, such as betting on football games, bingo, etc. are included under the prohibition of gambling, we repeat that this is a matter that is to be considered in detail by the Universal House of Justice. In the meantime, your Nation- al Assembly should not make an issue of these matters and should leave it to the consciences of the individual friends who ask to decide for themselves in each case.
The Universal House of Justice, letter dated 9/27/72 to National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahd'ts of the United States, in “Extracts from Letters of the Universal House of Justice [on Lotteries and Gambling]” 1
Being distinguished for purity and sanctity
31. Make ye then a mighty effort, that the purity and
sanctity which, above all else, are cherished by ‘Abdu’l-
Baha, shall distinguish the people of Baha; that in every
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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-Bahd, Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu'l-Baha 150
32. O Divine Providence! Bestow Thou in all things purity and cleanliness upon the people of Baha. Grant that they be freed from all defilement, and released from all addictions. Save them from committing any repugnant act, unbind them from the chains of every evil habit, that they may live pure and free, wholesome and cleanly, worthy to serve at Thy Sacred Threshold and fit to be related to their Lord. Deliver them from intoxicating drinks and tobacco, save them, rescue them, from this opium that bringeth on madness, suffer them to enjoy the sweet savors of holiness, that they may drink deep of the mystic cup of heavenly love and know the rapture of being drawn ever closer unto the Realm of the All-Glorious. For it is even as Thou hast said: “All that thou hast in thy cellar will not appease the thirst of my love —bring me, O cup-bearer, of the wine of the spirit a cup full as the sea!” ‘Abdu 'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu'l-Baha 149-50
