Ya Baha'u'l-Abha!

[Susan Gammage]

Does anyone know the origin of my favorite quote in all of the Writings?
I've been sharing it for several years hoping someone would recognize it,
but no one has so far. Sure hope you can help me out.

Thanks,

Susan Gammage

Ya Baha'u'l-Abha!

In this cry, all the cries of the universe are sounded, and the chord of
Divine Reality is struck. The shout "Ya Baha'u'l-Abha!" in this, the Day of
its birth, is of more profit to you than all the knowledge of science and
all the wealth of the earth. It is the rhythm of progress, the chord of
creation, the melody of eternity, and the password to the kingdom of God.
Therefore, use it to establish thyself in the Realm of divine Trust.

Speak it in thy solitude, cry it in thy joy, murmur it in thy grief and
chant it in thy weakest moments and it will give thee strength. It is the
cry that will bring the Supreme Concourse to the door of thy life, and which
stations the loving trust of Abha about thy soul. It opens the heavenly
mysteries, manifests the colours and solves the riddles of life. It absorbs
all, encircles all, includes all.

To cry that phrase "O Thou Glory of the Most Glorious" is to sing in harmony
with the Supreme Concourse, and to harmonize thyself with the holy "I AM" in
His Court of divine omnipotent truth. It holds all there is of form, of
spirit and of the world of creative thought. This, the most Great Name,
carries the highest vibrations, which make manifest the wisdom of the
spiritual worlds. This utterance produces a spiritual result beyond all idle
fancies and vain imaginations.

Ya Baha'u'l-Abha!

[D. Povey]

I don't know where it comes from, but I remember reading a communication
from the World Centre mentioning it [or something very similar] and saying
that it [among other things] could not be traced to any authenticated
sources. It certainly is a very inspiring quote, though.
Dan Povey
--
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Release yourselves, O nightingales of God, from the thorns and brambles
of wretchedness and misery, and wing your flight to the rose-garden of
unfading splendor. O My friends that dwell upon the dust! Haste forth unto
your celestial habitation. Announce unto yourselves the joyful tidings:
"He Who is the Best-Beloved is come! He hath crowned Himself with the glory
of God's Revelation, and hath unlocked to the face of men the doors of His
ancient Paradise." - Baha'u'llah
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[RE...@aol.com]

I have been told that this quote is not authenticated. While I too find it
beautiful, I'm not sure that it constitutes part of the holy writings. I
believe that the original author may have been George Townshend. Is there
anyone who has any information on this matter?

Nabil

[ali afnan]

The American Baha'i
Volume 23, No. 14
Mashiyyat B.E. 149 / September 27, 1992

Research Department of House of Justice comments on
authenticity of some well-known prayers and 'Tablets':

>From time to time the National Spiritual Assembly receives
letters from Baha'is or local Spiritual Assemblies about the
authenticity of certain prayers or "tablets" that are circulated
in typed form.

The Research Department of the Universal House of Justice is
asked to check these writings for authenticity. The following
works that commonly circulate in the Baha'i community are not
authentic:

"Fourth Dimensional Consciousness" and other instructions to
Marie Watson. This so-called tablet from 'Abdu'l-Baha is
erroneous; Shoghi Effendi has stated that it is not a work by
'Abdu'l-Baha.

"O God! Give me knowledge, faith and love...": This prayer was
written by Ibrahim Kheiralla, a Covenant-breaker; he attributed
it, however, to Baha'u'llah.

"Hold Thou my right arm, O God! and dwell continually with me.
Guide me to the fountain of Thy knowledge and encircle me with
Thy glory..." Another prayer written by Ibrahim Kheiralla and
attributed by him to Baha'u'llah.

The Significance of the Greatest Name, beginning "Ya
Baha'u'l-Abha! The cry that renovates the soul...on that cry are
all the cries of the Universe sounded." The Research Department
has not been able to find, either in English or Persian, such
statements attributed to 'Abdu'l-Baha.

The Marriage Tablet, beginning "The bond that unites hearts most
perfectly is loyalty..." This is not a tablet at all, but is an
unauthenticated record by Ahmad Sohrab of a talk by 'Abdu'l-Baha.
The friends may use it, but it should be made clear that this is
not Baha'i scripture.

"There is a power in this Cause, a mysterious power, far, far
beyond the ken of men and angels..." This passage is from Ahmad
Sohrab's diary and should be considered as interesting material,
but not as scripture.

"O Lord! Open Thou the door, provide the means..." This is a
free translation of part of a prayer revealed by 'Abdu'l-Baha to
the friends in Tehran, incomplete and, unfortunately, even
erroneous.

"O God! Make me a teacher in Thy Cause..." This prayer cannot be
confirmed as authentic as no original has been found.

"O our God! We beg of Thee...that Thou wilt guide us
always...and that we may ever be strong and fully prepared to
render instant, exact and complete obedience." This prayer
cannot be confirmed as authentic as no original has been found.

"O God! For the sake of Thy love I will leave everything and
wander in the deserts and over the mountains..." This prayer
cannot be confirmed as authentic as no original has been found.

"My strength is the assistance of the Blessed Perfection..." From
the pilgrim's notes of Julia Grundy, _Ten Days in the Light of
'Akka_, p.63.

"Fill Thou, O God, our home with harmony and happiness, with
laughter and delight..." Attributed to 'Abdu'l-Baha, but in fact
it is three short supplications that appear on pages 147 and 148
of "The Mission of Baha'u'llah" by the Hand of the Cause of God
George Townshend.

There are other statements that are informally copied by the
friends that may not be authentic. If you have any questions,
please contact the Research Office at the Baha'i National Center.

- - - - - [End of article. Addenda follow.]
The "Hollow Reed" prayer often attributed to 'Abdu'l-Baha is an
excerpt from a longer prayer actually written by George
Townshend.

"While they are at your side, love these little ones to the
utmost. Forget yourself; serve them; care for them; lavish all
your tenderness . . ."
This is a poem by the Hand of the Cause of God George Townshend,
and is found in his wonderful book "The Mission of Baha'u'llah."
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