April 23. On this date in 1941, Shoghi Effendi wrote a letter to Jináb-i-Áqá Mírzá Bádí'u'lláh Khán of Abadih answering four questions: (1) re "Crimson Scroll"; (2) re the "Sacred Night"; (3) re the "Tablet of the Bell"; and (4) using the Kitab-i-Aqdas for bibliomancy.
The paragraph regarding using the Kitab-i-Aqdas for bibliomancy has also been translated as follows...
In your last question, concerning cases when those needed for consultation are not available and a person is uncertain on the course to be followed in an important matter, you ask whether it is permissible for him to resort to the practice of "istikhárih" (iv) using the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. The Guardian has stated that in such cases what is necessary and essential is for the person to turn his heart wholly to God and to beseech aid from the Source of Grace and inspiration and nothing else. If it is possible to postpone the decision it would be preferable and more proper to do so, until the means for consultation are made available.
(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 23 April 1941 to an individual believer — translated from the Persian)
(iv) This is a process of divination, such as is done through bibliomancy, when a Holy Book is opened at random and guidance is sought for one's problem by reading passages of the Book on the opened page.
Letter to Jináb-i-Áqá Mírzá Bádí'u'lláh Khán of Abadih
by Shoghi Effendi
translated by Juan Cole.1997-05
The letter put forward by that spiritual and dear friend dated 9 Bahman 1319 has come to the attention of the Guardian of the Cause of God, may our spirits be his sacrifice. The four questions concerning which you asked the favor of a reply from the most holy court were accepted and honored with a response.
With regard to the crimson scroll mentioned in the unapproachable Tablets,[2] he said, "Write that ’Abdu’l-Bahá’ said that the original intent of the `Crimson Scroll' is the Tablet of the Covenant, that is, the Book of the Covenant."[3]
As for the Sacred Night, the recitation of blessed prayers and Tablets revealed for that night every year, and the inclusion of that night in the Bahá’í calendar, he said: "Write that it is permitted, but including it on the Bahá’í calendar is not required at the present time."
As concerns the blessed Tablet of the Bell, and the story of how it was revealed, he said: "Write that this Tablet was revealed in Istanbul at the request of Áqá Muhammad `Alí Isfahání as conveyed by ’Abdu’l-Bahá’. This Tablet was written out by the Blessed Beauty[4] in His Own hand on the night of 5 Jumada al-Ulá, the night the Báb received His mission. Reciting this Tablet on that very blessed night is beloved and acceptable."
With regard to the last question, about a situation in which the means of consultation is absent and one has trouble making up one's mind about an important matter, you asked, "How should one consult the Most Holy Book for the purpose of soothsaying?"
He said, "In such a situation it is necessary and requisite that one turn with complete attention, in the spirit of seeking help, to the source of grace and inspiration, and to no one else. If it is possible to delay a bit in making one's decision until such time as consultation can be undertaken, this is better and more appropriate."
Written at his blessed behest.
Notes
[1] Ma’idih-yi-Asmaní, 3:1 (JC’s note).
[2] i.e. The ’Crimson Book‘. See Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 32; Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh Revealed After the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, p. 89, 90, 242 (MF’s note).
[3] See Directives from the Guardian, #46 (MF’s note).
[4] Bahá’u’lláh (JC’s note).
With regard to the crimson scroll mentioned in the unapproachable Tablets,[2] he said, "Write that ’Abdu’l-Bahá’ said that the original intent of the `Crimson Scroll' is the Tablet of the Covenant, that is, the Book of the Covenant."[3]
As for the Sacred Night, the recitation of blessed prayers and Tablets revealed for that night every year, and the inclusion of that night in the Bahá’í calendar, he said: "Write that it is permitted, but including it on the Bahá’í calendar is not required at the present time."
As concerns the blessed Tablet of the Bell, and the story of how it was revealed, he said: "Write that this Tablet was revealed in Istanbul at the request of Áqá Muhammad `Alí Isfahání as conveyed by ’Abdu’l-Bahá’. This Tablet was written out by the Blessed Beauty[4] in His Own hand on the night of 5 Jumada al-Ulá, the night the Báb received His mission. Reciting this Tablet on that very blessed night is beloved and acceptable."
With regard to the last question, about a situation in which the means of consultation is absent and one has trouble making up one's mind about an important matter, you asked, "How should one consult the Most Holy Book for the purpose of soothsaying?"
He said, "In such a situation it is necessary and requisite that one turn with complete attention, in the spirit of seeking help, to the source of grace and inspiration, and to no one else. If it is possible to delay a bit in making one's decision until such time as consultation can be undertaken, this is better and more appropriate."
Written at his blessed behest.
- 15 Jalál 98
23 April 1941
Núru’d-Dín Zayn
Seen: Shoghi Effendi
Notes
[1] Ma’idih-yi-Asmaní, 3:1 (JC’s note).
[2] i.e. The ’Crimson Book‘. See Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 32; Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh Revealed After the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, p. 89, 90, 242 (MF’s note).
[3] See Directives from the Guardian, #46 (MF’s note).
[4] Bahá’u’lláh (JC’s note).
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