Image of a letter written in Baha'u'llah's own hand to his daughter.One of my favorite passages in the Baha'i Writings, especially during the Ridvan Festival is a long list of magnificent Names used to refer to Baha'u'llah, the Founder of the Baha'i Faith.
"He Who in such dramatic circumstances was made to sustain the overpowering weight of so glorious a Mission was none other than the One Whom posterity will acclaim, and Whom innumerable followers already recognize, as the Judge, the Lawgiver and Redeemer of all mankind, as the Organizer of the entire planet, as the Unifier of the children of men, as the Inaugurator of the long-awaited millennium, as the Originator of a new "Universal Cycle," as the Establisher of the Most Great Peace, as the Fountain of the Most Great Justice, as the Proclaimer of the coming of age of the entire human race, as the Creator of a new World Order, and as the Inspirer and Founder of a world civilization. To Israel He was neither more nor less than the incarnation of the "Everlasting Father," the "Lord of Hosts" come down "with ten thousands of saints"; to Christendom Christ returned "in the glory of the Father," to Shí'ah Islam the return of the Imam Husayn; to Sunni Islam the descent of the "Spirit of God" (Jesus Christ); to the Zoroastrians the promised Shah-Bahram; to the Hindus the reincarnation of Krishna; to the Buddhists the fifth Buddha."
(Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By, p. 93)
As I contemplate welcoming my first child into the world in October, it is the Fatherhood of Baha'u'llah that is uppermost in my mind. Not just in the spiritual sense but in the practical sense, for like all the Manifestations of God, Baha'u'llah had a dual nature, both divine and human. Baha'u'llah was not only the "Everlasting Father" but during his earthly life he was also a "dad". Baha'u'llah had several children of which the most well-known and well loved included 'Abdu'l-Baha, Bahiyyih Khanum, and Mirza Mihdi. During His life, Baha'u'llah shared in the joys and sorrows of fatherhood under the extraordinary circumstances of imprisonment, torture, and a decades long exile from His native land. He even had a bury a son who died in His arms. I think of other fathers in the world, fathering against the odds, from Boston to Bombay. I wonder what kind of father I will be, privileged and comfortable as I am sitting here typing away. What tests will I face on the path of fatherhood. Will I pass those tests? I'll close with these Words of Baha'u'llah:
"Unto every father hath been enjoined the instruction of his son and daughter in the art of reading and writing and in all that hath been laid down in the Holy Tablet...God hath prescribed unto every father to educate his children, both boys and girls, in the sciences and in morals, and in crafts and professions. . . ."
(Compilations, NSA USA - Developing Distinctive Baha'i Communities)
4 comments:
Happy Ridvan, Phillipe and all readers of this blog.
Phillipe, I am so happy for you that you are pondering these things now, before the rush of parenting an infant takes over.
I rejoice in your recognition of your privileged postition, and the responsibility before God such privelege entails.
It gives me joy to see you feel and articulate that without always keeping in mind and heart, and working to help, those who have not been the recipient of such circumstances/privileges, you yourself, cannot enjoy to the utmost what you and your wife will be able to offer your own child or children.
To be perhaps too frank, I know and have known all too many people who are focused on the material aspects of their children's education to the exclusion of the moral side, especially when it comes to compassion and genuine love. It's my belief that while such an upbringing, even an upbringing within this glorious Cause, may bring forth a person with all the acoutriments (sp?)of power and success, it does not in the long run foster true happiness and development for that child, nor bring forth one who will be enabled to embody the attribute of real love for humanity, so necessary for individual and collective transformation.
Finally--it's the parents who don't worry a little about the tests of this most sacred responsibility that I have concern for, not the ones who do.
I know that Baha'u'llah will assist you in your sacred task, that you will experience dilerious joy as well as difficulty, and grow so much yourself in dedicating yourself to fatherhood.
I once heard Hand of the Cause Mr. Furitan say that every child, no matter the circumstances in which he or she enter this world, is a gift from God to those parents. Recognition of this at all times should govern our relationship with and responsibilities toward that soul.
Warmest greetings,
Judith W
Allah-u-abha and Happy Ridvan Phillippe!
I can't see you doing anything be passing those tests. You seem to understand the spiritual gift and responsibility of fatherhood.
I would warn you against comparing yourself as a father with Baha'u'llah. You will always fail. His children and Him went through circumstances that few families have had to overcome. I am not talking worldly circumstances, but their relationships to each other. They had intense loyalty, and some of them had intense bitterness.
Ask for Him to guide you, and keep His biographies close at hand. Muslims have the concept of Sunnah, always looking to Muhammad's example. Do this as a father, examine how He dealt with His family, and success is guaranteed.
My prayers for you and your coming child and guaranteed this Ridvan.
God Bless,
Gerald
Judith, thanks for your predictable candor, keep it up lady.
Gerald, gracious God, this pile of dust would never compare himself to the Everlasting Father! Learning from His life experiences with fathering especially given the drama regarding his own family will give me much to think about.
Happy Ridvan, Phillipe!
I think about this sometimes too and so does my husband. At the age my eldest is now (seven) my husband's father was already gone from his life and only one of his friends growing up had a father present. So when he's trying to figure out what being a father to an older boy looks like, he's increasing turning to the stories of when Abdu'l-Baha was a child. I totally wonder how did Baha'u'llah deal with the day to day, with his kids being, well, kids? Sibling rivalry, growing pains, puberty -- all of that.
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