Concerning translation of the phrase “Alláh-u-Abhá” into another language for purposes of its recitation 95 times

19 May 2015

Dear Bahá’í Friend,

Your email letter of 10 March 2015, asking on behalf of a fellow believer whether it is appropriate to translate the phrase “Alláh-u-Abhá” into another language for purposes of its recitation 95 times a day, has been received at the Bahá’í World Centre and forwarded to our Office for reply. The following has been provided in response to a similar query posed to the Universal House of Justice on a previous occasion:

The Universal House of Justice has received your email letter of 29 December 2008, asking why such terms as “Alláh-u-Abhá” and “Yá Bahá’u’l-Abhá” are used by Bahá’ís rather than being translated into their native tongues, and has asked us to respond as follows.

The House of Justice on another occasion has clarified that the Greatest Name is to be used in its original language for the recitation of “Alláh-u-Abhá” 95 times a day, as well as for its use in the Long Obligatory Prayer and the Prayer for the Dead. It has also clarified that to translate words such as “Alláh-u-Abhá”, “Yá Bahá’u’l-Abhá”, “Mashriqu’l-Adhkár” and “Ḥazíratu’l-Quds” into one’s native language is not acceptable. One exception to this is the alternative use of the words “Right of God” or their equivalent into other languages while the term “Huqúqu’lláh” gradually becomes a part of Bahá’í vocabulary.

In general, one should bear in mind that all translations are, to some degree, inadequate. For instance, the beloved Guardian has pointed out in ... God Passes By that the word “Bahá” signifies at once the “Glory”, the “Splendour” and the “Light” of God; there is no single word in English which can express all these. It is, of course, desirable that there be no loss of meaning through translation; thus, it is preferable that certain terms directly related to the Manifestation of God remain in their original form. (From a letter dated 22 February 2009 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer)

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

Office of Correspondence

(Baha’i Library Online)

Request for a believer to be designated as a martyr to the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh

23 March 2015

Dear Bahá’í Friend,

Further to the email letter dated 1 December 2014 from the Office of Correspondence, regarding your request that Alonzo Twine be designated as a martyr to the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh, the Universal House of Justice has considered the matter and has asked us to convey the following.

The House of Justice is well aware that, not only in Iran, but across the world in far flung settings, especially in those periods when the light of the Faith was penetrating new areas, individuals newly enkindled by the fire of love for Bahá’u’lláh faced situations of fanaticism and cruelty, sometimes resulting in laying down their lives for the Cause of God and earning the station of martyrdom. Others have arisen with such detachment and power as to be reckoned among the Faith's heroes and saints. God is aware of all things, and the station of each soul is recognized and safeguarded by Him. This is true also for that noble and illumined soul, Alonzo Twine.

At the present time, however, there is no mechanism for systematically reviewing such cases and no criteria established for gathering adequate information and making a final judgement. The designation of a person as a martyr has historically been done by the head of the Faith at the time of a person's passing and not retrospectively. Without a system that would provide a means for fully and fairly addressing obscure cases in remote regions over nearly a century of the systematic spread of the Cause, the House of Justice is reluctant to make a determination in the few specific instances brought to its attention, all with varying degrees of documentation and evidence.

Your care in bringing this tragic but soul-stirring story to the attention of the House of Justice is warmly appreciated. It will offer heartfelt supplications in the Holy Shrines for the progress of Mr. Twine's soul throughout the worlds of God.

With loving Bahá'í greetings,

Department of the Secretariat

(Baha’i Library Online)

Interlinear Editions of the Bahá'í Writings and the Computer Translation Aid (CTA) software

8 March 2015

Dear Bahá’í Friend,

Your email letter of 21 January 2015, regarding interlinear editions of Bahá’í Writings and the availability of the Computer Translation Aid (CTA) software, has been received by the Universal House of Justice, which has asked us to respond as follows.

The custom of publishing interlinear editions of the Qur’án arose out of particular conditions and assumptions within Islám that do not exist in the Bahá’í Faith. Although such editions served the need for non-Arabic speakers to understand what they were reading, interlinear editions of the Bahá’í Writings are unnecessary for Bahá’ís, as believers who do not know the original languages are free to read the Writings in translation. Those who wish to compare the translation with the Arabic or Persian text can do so easily enough by referring to the relevant editions, while printing both in juxtaposition would tend to distract all other readers from their primary focus ― the reading and study of the Text.

Your suggestion regarding the benefits of an open availability of the CTA software has been noted.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

Department of the Secretariat

(Baha’i Library Online)

Responses to “conflicts, injustices, and suffering… symptoms of the disintegration of the old world order”

13 January 2015

Dear Bahá’í Friend,

The Universal House of Justice has received your email letter of 7 August 2014, in which you seek guidance regarding the response of Bahá’ís to conflicts, such as that in the Middle East, and the humanitarian concerns they cause, and has asked that we convey the following.

The heart of a Bahá’í cannot but be distressed when contemplating the desperate state of global affairs. The friends must remember, however, that the conflicts, injustices, and suffering they observe are symptoms of the disintegration of the old world order. Ultimately, political affairs must be reordered and the lesser peace established, for humanity is a single entity and the best interests of any part are inextricably bound up with the best interests of the whole. Yet, so long as particular nations, peoples, and political factions pursue their own interests, whether by political, economic, or military means and often at the expense of others, the great challenges facing humanity will remain insoluble. While each side portrays its position in terms of what is just and right, using whatever means available to gain public favor — especially the media and global forums — Bahá’ís must be careful not to be drawn into such arguments, for they are the well-wishers of all peoples and nations. “Let them refrain from associating themselves, whether by word or by deed, with the political pursuits of their respective nations, with the policies of their governments and the schemes and programs of parties and factions”, Shoghi Effendi stated. “In such controversies they should assign no blame, take no side, further no design, and identify themselves with no system prejudicial to the best interests of that world-wide Fellowship which it is their aim to guard and foster.”

Posting the Bahá’í Writings on Personal Websites and Blogs

6 November 2014

Dear Bahá’í Friend,

Your email letter of 9 November 2009, requesting electronic files of Bahá’í texts for use in sharing the writings online, was received by the Office of Public Information at the Bahá’í World Centre. At the time your letter was received, work had begun to introduce a significantly revised presentation of the Bahá’í Reference Library website, and consequently a reply was held in abeyance. The work has reached a point where the new site is available for viewing, and it is now timely to draw the site to your attention and to convey to you the following comments.

The Universal House of Justice has been pleased to note the steady strengthening of the Bahá’í presence on the World Wide Web in recent years, and it looks forward to the continued unfoldment of this process. Whether through personal websites, blogs, public sites, or social networks, an increasing number of believers have found ways to present the Faith and its teachings and to share with others their understanding of its perspectives on a wide variety of issues, thereby enhancing the Faith’s online presence.

The Bahá’í Reference Library is the authoritative online source for the Bahá’í writings, and the friends may use the texts it contains in ways they feel are appropriate, bearing in mind the terms of use set forth on the site. With respect to individuals making the writings available on the Internet, this can, in itself, be a worthy endeavor, but certain cautions must be observed. First, making available a comprehensive presentation of the writings is generally the responsibility of Bahá’í institutions on official websites; whilst individuals may present some of these writings on their own sites, it would be preferable if for a complete presentation users are directed to official Bahá’í websites, including the site of the Bahá’í Reference Library….

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

Department of the Secretariat

(Messages from the Universal House of Justice 2001-2022)

In Vitro Fertilization

28 October 2014

Dear Bahá’í Friend,

The Universal House of Justice has received your email letter of 17 September 2014 in which you and your husband, …, seek guidance regarding the disposition of embryos and has asked that we reply as follows.

The Bahá’í view of matters pertaining to infertility is balanced. While it appreciates the value of medical techniques that enable previously childless couples to enjoy the blessings of a family, the teachings define such limits as are necessary to preserve the dignity of the individual and the sanctity of marriage.

The House of Justice does not wish to legislate at this time on the disposition of any embryos following the in vitro fertilization process. Hence, for the time being, it is left to the Bahá’í couple to decide what to do with the unused embryos.

In your letter you mention the possibility of donating the embryos to another couple seeking fertility treatment. Statements made by the beloved Guardian establish the principle that, for Bahá’ís, the process of reproduction pertains to a husband and wife. Furthermore, the option you have suggested, which involves the adoption by one couple of an embryo derived from the sperm and ovum of another couple and implanted in the womb of the adoptive mother, is very closely related to the concept of surrogacy and raises additional complex issues. As you know, the House of Justice has determined that the spiritual and social implications involved in surrogacy are too far-reaching for such procedures to be permissible for Bahá’ís. In light of this, the option of your donating the remaining embryos to another couple would not be acceptable.