Happy Ridvan, my brother Abdu’l_Baha referred to him as the “Sign of God” in His Will and Testament. Here is some general information (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoghi_Effendi) though you would need to read the Will and Testament(exact quote from the W&T: “O my loving friends! After the passing away of this wronged one, it is incumbent upon the Aghsán (Branches), the Afnán (Twigs) of the Sacred Lote-Tree, the Hands (pillars) of the Cause of God and the loved ones of the Abhá Beauty to turn unto Shoghi Effendi—the youthful branch branched from the two hallowed and sacred Lote-Trees and the fruit grown from the union of the two offshoots of the Tree of Holiness,- as he is the sign of God, the chosen branch, the Guardian of the Cause of God…”

“…from him will appear wondrous things that thou wilt hear of in the future. Thou shalt behold him endowed with the most perfect appearance, supreme capacity, absolute perfection, consummate power and unsurpassed might… ages and centuries will bear traces of him.” Abdul-Baha’s comment on Isaiah 11:6 where it says “a little child shall lead them”.

Carmen

Farhan wrote: “I visited the shrine of Shoghi Effendi on the 23rd of April, and you and other friends on this blog were in my prayers.
happy Ridvan”

Thanks so much Farhan! One of Shoghi Effendi’s many wonderful qualities was his self effacement and utter humility in the path of service to the Cause of God. It is a testimony to his devotion, as the Sign of God on earth, to the Central Figures that his birthday, passing etc. are specifically not commemorated in any way as was his wish.

Happy Ridvan

Carmen

Carmen, Happy Ridvan to you! Can you give me a reference in the Baha’i Scripyure where it says Shoghi Effendi is the “Sign of God” on Earth?

Thank you.

Best regards,

Craig

Thanks so much Farhan! One of Shoghi Effendi’s many wonderful qualities was his self effacement and utter humility in the path of service to the Cause of God. It is a testimony to his devotion, as the Sign of God on earth, to the Central Figures that his birthday, passing etc. are specifically not commemorated in any way as was his wish.

Happy Ridvan

Carmen

“This doesn’t make Him a Sufi any more than His messages to the Kings, Pope and other political and religious leaders of the earth made Him a King, Pope or political leader just because He wrote to them.”

Interesting point here, Carmen; The Seven Valleys and Four Valleys are addressing Sufis, but in fact by examining the context in which each tablet was written, we can understand much better the content of the tablet. For ex, the tablet to a Physician can only be understood by considering concepts and vocabulary used by Persian physicians at that time, and the Gems of Divine Mysteries is more directly adressing the Zoroastrians.

I visited the shrine of Shoghi Effendi on the 23rd of April, and you and other friends on this blog were in my prayers.
happy Ridvan

Farhan

The Seven Valleys of Baha’u'llah is a direct_commentry_on the “language of the birds” by Fariduddin Attar a perfume maker who become Sufi. Similar essays on the steps leading to the spiritual maturation of men date back to Hippocrates. There is a comparative study somewhere between Attar’s work and that of Baha’u'llahs much more optimistic and joyous seven Valleys.
warmest

Farhan

A few years ago I read a Sufi story that was so similar to The Seven Valleys that I compared it word for word. Very much the same. Yesterday I went back to the old book that I thought had this Sufi version — it was ‘Mysticism’ by F.C. Happold — and low and behold — its not in there.

So I’m a little mystified (or mysticismed) I will see if I can find the reference. What I remember is thinking that Baha’ullah had not written The Seven Valleys but had retold an 800 year old fable. But since I can’t find it I wonder if I just imagined it?!

Peace,
Frank