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BAHÁ’U’LLÁH HAS THE POWER TO TRANSFORM SOULS RUHI BOOK 3 GRADE 4 LESSON 7 SET 2

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Post date July 8, 2022
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Introducing The Principal Theme

Welcome to Lesson 7 Grade 4

In this class, we will begin to understand Baha’u’llah’s Station by looking at His power to transform souls.

We already know that the Manifestations of God manifest all of God’s names and attributes to humankind. One of the attributes is His infinite love for every human being. Baha’u’llah has told us that God created us out of His love for us. If we were to be deprived of God’s love, even for a moment, we would perish and be no more. God’s love permeates the entire creation. It is because of His all-embracing love that the sun shines, that the plants grow, that animals give birth to their offspring, and that human beings receive blessings with every breath of their lives. Our love for each other, the kindness we give and receive, the tenderness we feel in our heart for so many people, is all but a reflection of God’s love for His creatures. This love is manifested today by Baha’u’llah. And His love has the power to transform us.

The word “transform” means to change from one condition to another. For example, a caterpillar wraps itself in a cocoon and later emerges as a beautiful butterfly. The caterpillar is transformed into a butterfly. After a period of drought, the rains come and transform the barren ground into lush meadows and prairies. Likewise, from Baha’u’llah shine the rays of the Divine love that bring life to the universe. His teachings have the power to transform our souls. Through prayer, the study of His Writings, and constant effort, we can fill our hearts with His love. His Words have the power to enlighten our minds and hearts and create in us the capacity to perform great deeds in service to humankind.

When you think of Baha’u’llah, then, remember always His immense love for you. Regard Him as a most loving Father, Whose teachings and counsels will guide you and make firm your steps. Become dependent on His love. Let His love give you courage so you will not be afraid of change. Let His Words change you and make you grow.

NOTE: In the craft/activity section are 2 video experiments. Watch the videos, or do the experiments here.

What do Manifestations of God manifest to humanity? (to manifest means to reveal what was not known before)
Why did God create us?
What are some of the signs of God’s love?
What would happen to us if God’s love did not reach us?
Where does our love for each other come from?
Who manifests God’s love for humanity today?
What does the word “transform” mean?
Can you give a few examples from the physical world of one thing transforming into something else?
What do Baha’u’llah’s teachings have the power to do?

Prayer 1

Prayer 2

Prayer 3

O God, my God! Aid Thou Thy trusted servants

In this lesson, you are going to memorize a quotation revealed by Bahá’u’lláh in which He confirms what a special time it is in the life of humanity when every eye can see the beauty of His Person and every ear can listen to His words when every heart can find its Beloved.

Let all eyes rejoice, and let every ear be gladdened, for now is the time to gaze on His beauty, now is the time to hearken unto His voice. Proclaim unto every longing lover: ‘Behold, your Well-Beloved hath come among men!’
Bahá’u’lláh

Meaning Of Words

Need to know the meaning of some of the words? Use the pdf to record the meanings.

SEND A POSTCARD

Send To A Friend Or Neighbour: Use Email, Snail Mail, Or Hand-Deliver It!

G4-L-7-QUOTE Download

Paradise – Music Inspired by the Heroes Teaching Conference

Turn Your Faces Sung By Goleta Burriston Master

I’ll Walk the Path

I Have Found Baha’u’llah

Source Of Courage

The Promise

We Are The People Of Baha

Historical Episodes

The period of Bahá’u’lláh’s ten-year stay in Baghdád culminated in the Declaration of His Mission in the Garden of Riḍván, which was followed by His departure for Constantinople. The historical episode in this lesson describes some of the circumstances surrounding that momentous Declaration.

You know that during His stay in Baghdád, Bahá’u’lláh revived the fortunes of the Bábí community through His love and wisdom and through the power of His words. The hearts of those near to Him were afire with the love of God, and His companions felt as if they had entered paradise. Though He had not yet made His station known, He revealed volumes and volumes of Divine verses during this period.

One of the volumes Bahá’u’lláh revealed while in Baghdád is called the Book of Certitude, or Kitáb-i-Íqán, in which He explains the nature of God’s Revelation. In that book, He establishes in clear terms the unity of the world’s great religions. The book was revealed in answer to some questions posed to Bahá’u’lláh by Ḥájí Mírzá Siyyid Muḥammad, one of the Báb’s uncles.

When he attained the presence of Bahá’u’lláh in Baghdád in 1862, Ḥájí Mírzá Siyyid Muḥammad had not yet accepted the Báb as a Manifestation of God, as the Promised Qá’im for Whose advent the people of Persia had long-awaited. Bahá’u’lláh asked him to write down all the questions that perplexed him and which left him in doubt about the Báb’s station. This he promptly did, and in the span of two days and two nights Bahá’u’lláh revealed His lengthy reply. After reading the Book, Ḥájí Mírzá Siyyid Muḥammad recognized the Báb and became a firm and steadfast believer.

It was also during His stay in Baghdád, while wrapped in meditation, as He walked along the banks of the Tigris, a river which runs through the city, that Bahá’u’lláh revealed the Hidden Words, so cherished by Bahá’ís everywhere today as a guide for their spiritual growth. You already know by heart some of the gems of Divine wisdom contained in this small volume.

Here is the first passage:

“O Son of Spirit! My first counsel is this: Possess a pure, kindly and radiant heart, that thine may be a sovereignty ancient, imperishable and everlasting.”

Can you imagine the joy that filled the hearts of the friends as they listened to these and other verses for the first time?

But the joy of those days was not to last. The enemies of the Cause did not give up their constant scheming. You should know that they had already gone so far as to hire an assassin to kill Bahá’u’lláh. His name was Ridá. Learning where Bahá’u’lláh was going one day, Ridá appeared with a pistol hidden under his cloak, ready to carry out his deadly task. To his surprise, he found that he lacked the courage to proceed when he saw Bahá’u’lláh. So he decided to wait for Him in the street and try once again. But, the minute his eyes fell upon Bahá’u’lláh, he was so overcome with fear that the pistol dropped from his hand. Bahá’u’lláh was with His brother Áqáy-i-Kalím at the time. “Return his gun to him, and show him the way to his home,” said Bahá’u’lláh to Áqáy-i-Kalím. “It seems that he has lost his way.”

Time and again the efforts of His enemies had been thus frustrated. But, some ten years after Bahá’u’lláh’s arrival in Baghdád, they succeeded in arranging another exile. Bahá’u’lláh, of course, knew all this and had already begun to speak of the tests and difficulties that lay ahead. A dream He once related to the friends caused them great distress.

“I saw,” He stated in a Tablet, “the Prophets and the Messengers gather and seat themselves around Me, moaning, weeping and loudly lamenting.”

When Bahá’u’lláh inquired from them as to the cause for such weeping, they responded that they were crying for Him. But, in the dream, the Concourse on high then addressed Bahá’u’lláh saying:

“Erelong shalt Thou behold with Thine own eyes what no Prophet hath beheld. Be patient, be patient.”

The spring of 1863 had just opened when, one day, a messenger brought a communication for Bahá’u’lláh. It was a request that an interview take place between Him and the governor of Baghdád. The governor was supposed to deliver a message from the Prime Minister of the Ottoman Empire to Bahá’u’lláh. But for three months he had, out of his profound respect for Him, put off doing so. The next day Bahá’u’lláh went to meet the governor near his home. Upon arriving at the meeting place, He was presented with a letter from the Prime Minister. It was worded in a courteous manner, inviting Him to travel to the Ottoman capital, Constantinople. You see, the Prime Minister had been convinced by Bahá’u’lláh’s enemies that, because of His growing popularity and influence, He should not remain in Baghdád. A mounted escort was ordered to accompany Him to Constantinople for His protection. Bahá’u’lláh agreed to the request at once but refused to accept the money that the government was offering for His travels. The governor’s representative insisted, saying that the authorities would be offended if He did not accept the money. So Bahá’u’lláh took the sum and immediately distributed it among the poor of the city.

News of Bahá’u’lláh’s exile from Baghdád shook the Bábí community. The friends were overwhelmed with sadness. Gradually, however, they were consoled by Bahá’u’lláh’s kind and comforting words. As a sign of His love, He wrote in His own handwriting a Tablet for each of the friends who lived in the city—every man, woman, and child. Nabíl, the great Bahá’í historian, tells us that in the immediate days before His departure, many of them would gather together in one room, lit only by candles, and would chant aloud the verses and Tablets newly revealed by Bahá’u’lláh. Pondering on His words, they would become completely forgetful of the world, not noticing how time had passed and that night had turned into day.

Close to Baghdád there was a beautiful garden known today as the Garden of Riḍván. At the time it was full of roses. The garden belonged to a prominent man who offered it to Bahá’u’lláh so that He could greet all those wishing to bid Him farewell. On the afternoon of 22 April 1863, Bahá’u’lláh left His house, where crowds had gathered to catch a final glimpse of One Whom they had grown to love and admire. There were people of all ages, from different backgrounds, some notables and officials, others poor and orphaned. All were heartbroken and tearful. Gradually He made His way to the river Tigris, where a boat was waiting to take Him to the other side. It was there that the Garden of Riḍván was located, and He entered the garden in the late afternoon. This was the first stage of the journey that would carry Him to Constantinople. The Bábí community was grief-stricken. What would be the future of this young religion now that Bahá’u’lláh was being exiled once again? The heartbroken Bábís who gathered to bid Bahá’u’lláh farewell did not know what happiness God actually had in store for them.

Bahá’u’lláh stayed in the garden for twelve days. His enemies had tried to strike a fatal blow at the Cause by separating Him from the majority of the believers. God, however, turned the farewell into an occasion of immense gladness. During those memorable days, Bahá’u’lláh proclaimed to the believers present that He was the One promised by the Báb, that He was the Promised of All Ages. The banner of the oneness of humankind was now being raised for everyone to see.

The Declaration of His Mission created new life in the souls of His companions. This was the Day of Days for which the Báb had prepared them. Bahá’u’lláh Himself has said that on that Day “all created things were immersed in the sea of purification”.

Unfortunately, there is little known of the details of the conversations Bahá’u’lláh held with the many visitors He received in the Garden of Riḍván. The historian Nabíl was present on that occasion, and through his brief account, we are able to get but a glimpse of the glory of those days. Nabíl tells us that, at the hour of dawn every day, the gardeners would pick fresh roses and pile them in the center of the floor of Bahá’u’lláh’s tent. The pile was always so high that, when His companions gathered in the tent to drink morning tea, they were unable to see each other across it. Bahá’u’lláh would then give the roses to those present and request that they be delivered, on His behalf, to His friends in the city. All day long, from morning to evening, He would meet with the stream of visitors who kept flowing in from Baghdád. In the evening, a few of the believers took turns watching over His blessed tent. Nabíl stood watch for three nights in a row. “Every time I passed by the couch whereon He lay,” Nabíl says, “I would find Him wakeful.”

On 3 May 1863 Bahá’u’lláh mounted His horse and set out for Constantinople. Today Bahá’ís around the world celebrate this twelve-day period as the Festival of Riḍván, the anniversary of the Declaration of Bahá’u’lláh of His world-embracing Mission. It is the holiest and most significant of all Bahá’í festivals.

So many spiritual insights can be gleaned from the above historical episode into the greatness of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation and the significance of this Day. One, for example, is the interplay between crisis and victory in the Cause of God—that every crisis leads to an even greater victory.

What are some of the other insights offered by the episode? And what are some of the attributes of God manifested by Bahá’u’lláh that we glimpsed as we read the stories?

For any of the figures we heard about, use the biography page to write down the information you would like to remember.

Download from Teachers Pay Teachers here AND Download my story report HERE

Facts

Bahá’u’lláh was exiled to Constantinople, after staying in Baghdád for ten years.
The Book of Certitude, or Kitáb-i-Íqán, was revealed in Baghdád.
The Book of Certitude was revealed in 1862 in answer to some questions posed to Bahá’u’lláh by the Báb’s uncle.
The Book of Certitude was revealed in two days and two nights.
The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh were revealed in Baghdád.
Before departing for Constantinople, Bahá’u’lláh spent twelve days in the Garden of Riḍván.
The Garden of Riḍván was located outside the city of Baghdád.
In the Garden of Riḍván, Bahá’u’lláh declared His Mission.
The twelve-day period in April is celebrated by Bahá’ís every year as the Festival of Riḍván.
The Festival of Riḍván is the holiest and most significant Bahá’í festival.

G4-L7-FACTS-ABOUT-THE-BAHAULLAH-Download

Blind Drawing

Use your eloquence and your powers of listening and observation!

Blind Drawing is a team-building activity that can be done in pairs. All you need is pen, paper and something to press on such as a clipboard or book (or you can use a whiteboard marker, a mini whiteboard and an eraser).

The two participants sit back to back. Only one person should have the drawing materials. The other is handed a picture (or draws a picture themselves), and must make sure that the other cannot see it. They describe the picture as carefully as possible while the other person attempts to draw it from the description.

Then they swap roles. You can set a time limit (e.g. 3 – 5 minutes) for each turn to keep things moving and get all the pairs to finish at a similar time.

Everyone can be given a few minutes at the beginning of this activity to make their secret drawing to describe to their partner. These can then be folded in half until it is their turn to describe it.

It can be helpful for the teacher to have a picture prepared beforehand to first describe to the whole class. Each child can be given an A5 piece of paper to try to replicate the picture from the description. It pays for this picture to be relatively simple and somewhat quirky, e.g. an alien with three eyes. Alternatively, it could be an element/scene from the story.

THE RIDVAN GARDEN

You live in the times of Bahá’u’lláh and you heard Bahá’u’lláh is leaving. Your family and friends have gathered to talk about this in your home and then will go to visit Bahá’u’lláh in the Ridvan Garden.

Here are some ideas to discuss:

How did you hear about or meet Bahá’u’lláh?
Why is Bahá’u’lláh important to you?
What have you learned from Bahá’u’lláh?

MAKE A TENT CRAFT

TEMPLATE ON WEBSITE TO USE

COLOURING PAGES AND RIDVAN GARDEN CRAFT

WEBSITE HERE

TRANSFORMATION

Let us explore the science of Transformation!

Based on Transforming Souls

We see transformation every day…for example when we bake a cake. This is a chemical reaction where different substances are transformed into a new substance: flour, butter, eggs, etc to cake! We can use this simple science experiment to show the transformation of a substance. Unfortunately, it’s not a cake but very easy to do!

Transformation

Potential energy into movement: Burlington did this car using an empty wooden thread spool, a washer, rubberband and a chopstick.

Brilliant Star and Dayspring Magazine.

The downloadable PDF contain Stories and activities.

Dayspring Magazine: Issue #66 Ridvan

Brilliant Start Lesson 21

Other Websites

All done monkey

PLASP Child Care Services

Bahá’i Blog

Delighted Hearts Ridvan Garden Printable

Multicultural Kid Blogs

Youtube Tissue Flower

We summon you to God, We remind you of His Day, We announce unto you tidings of your reunion with Him, We draw you nigh unto His court, and send down upon you tokens of His wondrous wisdom . . .”
Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh

Download The Memorization Aid

POWERPOINT LESSON 7 HERE

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Baha'i Children class Free journal Kids Can Do Ruhi Book 3

WE MUST WORK TO SPREAD BAHÁ’U’LLÁH’S TEACHINGS IN ORDER FOR JUSTICE TO BE ESTABLISHED ON EARTH RUHI BOOK 3 GRADE 4 LESSON 6 SET 2

Introducing the principal theme

Welcome to Lesson 6 Grade 4

This lesson seeks to help the children understand that Bahá’u’lláh has come to educate souls and bring new life to humanity.

In the quotation you memorized in the last lesson,(Lesson 5. ) Bahá’u’lláh makes clear that as His hardships and tribulations grew, so did His love for God, and that nothing could stop Him from carrying out the Mission with which God had entrusted Him. He bore all the sufferings heaped upon Him with radiance and forbearance. For four months He was imprisoned in the most terrible conditions in the Síyáh-Chál.

Do you remember what happened to Bahá’u’lláh and His family after He was released from His imprisonment?
What did the government and religious leaders hope would happen by exiling Bahá’u’lláh from His native Persia?

We know they feared that, if He remained in Persia, the teachings of the Báb would continue to spread and they would lose their power and control over people. And so they forced Bahá’u’lláh to leave His homeland, thinking that His influence would fade away and His light would be extinguished. Of course, they could never succeed.

You remember that, when Bahá’u’lláh first arrived in Baghdád after He left Persia, He was so saddened by the disunity among the followers of the Báb that He went to the remote mountainous region near the town of Sulaymáníyyih. In this lesson you are going to learn what happened when Bahá’u’lláh finally returned to Baghdád. After two years, He found the Bábí community in a terrible state. But quickly everything changed as Bahá’u’lláh began to educate the believers. Soon the people of Baghdád found in their midst a community that was distinguished by the love of God and by its noble character.

The quotation you will start to memorize today speaks of the quickening power of Bahá’u’lláh’s words and the joy experienced by all those who had the bounty of attaining His presence and listening to His utterances.

Prayer 1 Set 2

Prayer 2 Set 2

Prayer 3 Set 2

All joy to such as have attained His presence, gazed upon His beauty, hearkened unto His melodies, and been quickened by the Word that hath been issued forth from His sacred and exalted, His glorious and resplendent lips!

Bahá’u’lláh

Meaning of Words

If there are any words you do not know or are unsure of, record them in this document!

Send A Postcard

Why not share the quote from today’s class as a postcard with a friend?

A Noble Way

GIVE ME THY GRACE

Ystävällinen Kieli

The purpose of God

CREATE

Historical Episodes

The episode in this lesson centers on Bahá’u’lláh’s stay in Baghdád following His return from Sulaymáníyyih. The story of His Declaration in the Garden of Riḍván, just prior to His departure for Constantinople, will be reserved for the next lesson.

Story 1

During the two years of Bahá’u’lláh’s absence from Baghdád, the fortunes of the Bábís had gone from bad to worse. Mírzá Yaḥyá had shown his total incompetence and had done nothing to stop this rapid decline. Bahá’u’lláh set out to educate the Bábís and to renew in them the spirit of faith they had once possessed. Over the years, through His love and wisdom, and the power of His words, He changed the behavior of the followers of the Báb. Under His guidance, the Bábís became, once again, righteous people who were the well-wishers of humankind. They put aside conflict and became promoters of unity and peace. Many Bábís from different parts of Persia began to make the long journey to Baghdád so that they could enter His presence. One of these was the young man we know today as Nabíl, the great historian of the Bahá’í Faith, whose book “The Dawn-breakers” you will someday read yourselves. He has left for us an account of what it was like for the believers to be close to Bahá’u’lláh in those special days.

We know that the house in which Bahá’u’lláh lived with His family became a place of much activity, and people came to see Him there in great numbers. One room of the house was set aside for the reception of guests and visitors. It was a simple room with a low roof, but, Nabíl tells us, it seemed to “reach to the stars”, so uplifted were the hearts of those who attained the presence of Bahá’u’lláh. For them, to be surrounded by His love and immersed in the sea of His words, was like being in paradise. All the Bábís took great care, Nabíl writes, to make sure that their conduct conformed to the high standard to which He was calling them. Each one entered into a pact with one of his fellow believers, so that, if necessary, they could remind one another of the lofty standard they had pledged to follow. Often they would gather late into the night, reciting prayers and poetry and singing songs in praise of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh. Many nights, ten or more of them would eat no more than a few dates. They all lived modestly but were content. “I, myself with two others,” Nabíl writes, “lived in a room which was devoid of furniture.” Yet they thought little of such things. No one knew to whom the shoes, the cloaks and the robes they wore belonged. Whoever went to the bazaar to buy a few things would put on what he found without noticing whether it was his own or not. So filled were their hearts with the love of God that they even forgot their own names. “O, for the joy of those days,” are Nabíl’s words, “and the gladness and wonder of those hours!”

Story 2

As the Bábí community was spiritually revived, love and admiration for Bahá’u’lláh also grew among the inhabitants of Baghdád, including some of its dignitaries and officials. Even the governor of Baghdád eventually came to visit Him as a sign of courtesy and respect. No one who entered His presence could fail to recognize His greatness and glory. Nabíl records a story of how one night about a hundred people surrounded Bahá’u’lláh’s house, at the instigation of His enemies, ready to stir up mischief. They had swords by their sides. But Bahá’u’lláh approached the situation with His usual calm and dignity. He invited them into the house and requested His attendants to open the door for them. “They are our guests”, He said. He had refreshments served to them and discussed with them profound spiritual matters. By the time they arose to leave, their hearts had been transformed by the majesty and the kindliness of Bahá’u’lláh.

How fortunate are human beings when they can immerse themselves in the ocean of God’s mercy and partake of the knowledge and wisdom of His Manifestation! Yet, although those close to Bahá’u’lláh enjoyed the bounties of His presence and the people of Baghdád were attracted to His nobility and wisdom, some of the leaders refused to acknowledge His greatness because of their own ambition and pride. They saw Bahá’u’lláh’s growing influence as a threat to their own power. And so it will not surprise you to learn that, during this time, opposition to the Cause also grew steadily.

In one instance, a group of religious leaders decided to send a learned man to Bahá’u’lláh and to submit to Him a number of questions in order to test Him. When Bahá’u’lláh replied to all the questions satisfactorily, the learned man accepted the vastness of His knowledge. Even so, he presented the group’s request that Bahá’u’lláh perform a miracle to convince them of His extraordinary powers.

“Although you have no right to ask this,” Bahá’u’lláh replied, “for God should test His creatures, and they should not test God, still I allow and accept this request.” He told the man that first the group should choose one miracle and in writing declare that, after it had been performed, they would no longer have any doubts about Him and would all recognize Him and accept the truth of the Cause. They should seal the document and bring it to Him. The man was profoundly struck by this clear and challenging reply. He instantly arose, kissed the knee of Bahá’u’lláh, and departed. He delivered Bahá’u’lláh’s message to the group. For a few days these power-hungry men discussed how they should respond, but they could not come to any decision. Finally they had no other choice but to drop the matter. So it was that, out of His infinite love for humanity, Bahá’u’lláh invited friend and foe alike to drink deep from the cup of His wisdom and guidance. Alas! Though in dire need of the truth, some refused to partake of the life-giving waters of His Message. Driven by ambition and fear, they turned away from the Source of all knowledge and lost their way. Yet, in the end, nothing they did could prevent a growing number of people from drawing close to Him and being revived by His teachings.

Reflect

Now that we have read these 2 accounts, do you recognize that God’s promise to Bahá’u’lláh in the Síyáh-Chál—that He would be made victorious by His Person and by His Pen—was being fulfilled? Though outwardly an exile, with no earthly power or riches, He conquered hearts and became loved and respected by people of all backgrounds. Such is the influence exerted on souls by God’s Manifestation. What other spiritual truths do you glean from the events narrated today?

For any of the figures we heard about, use the biography page to write down the information you would like to remember. OR Download my story report HERE

Facts

Bahá’u’lláh returned to Baghdád from the region of Kurdistán in April 1856.
During the two years of Bahá’u’lláh’s absence from Baghdád, the fortunes of the Bábís had gone from bad to worse.
During Bahá’u’lláh’s stay in Baghdád, the Bábí community was revived through His love and wisdom and the power of His words

Download The Fact Cards Here

GAMES

Act Out The following:

You are new pilgrims who have come to see Bahá’u’lláh and you are entering the room for guests. Remember we do not portray Bahá’u’lláh.

We know the following from Nabíl:

The room “reach to the stars”,
It was like being in paradise.
All the Bábís took great care, to make sure that their conduct conformed to the high standard to which He (Baha’u’llah was calling them).
Each one entered into a pact with one of his fellow believers, so that, if necessary, they could remind one another of the lofty standard they had pledged to follow.
Often they would gather late into the night, reciting prayers and poetry and singing songs in praise of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh.
Many nights, ten or more of them would eat no more than a few dates.
They all lived modestly but were content. sometimes in a room that was devoid of furniture.
No one knew to whom the shoes, the cloaks and the robes they wore belonged.
Whoever went to the bazaar to buy a few things would put on what he found without noticing whether it was his own or not.
So filled were their hearts with the love of God that they even forgot their own names.

Another Scene to act out.

Act out the Scene where the clergy and holy men of the city had to come up with a miracle for Bahá’u’lláh to perform.

Activity Blind drawing

The two participants sit back to back. Only one person should have the drawing materials. The other is handed a picture (or draws a picture themselves) and must make sure that the other cannot see it. They describe the picture as carefully as possible while the other person attempts to draw it from the description.

CRAFTS

Shaker card

Here is a blog post with ideas. Used the sentence “Bahá’u’lláh invited friend and foe alike to drink deep from the cup of His wisdom and guidance” on the finished product.

Here is my free with the quote template!

Journal the “history” in your community one day at a time

Based on story 2: Nabil was a great historian and wrote what he observed and what he considered important. Can you be a historian and capture the important Baha’i events in your community? It can be in any form you like, a piece of writing, a drawing, a poem, a comic strip, a new article, or a journal entry.

Journal to record events like Nabil to use if needed can be downloaded here.

Some other templates:

comic book template

drawing template

storyboard

Diorama

Based on Story 1, construct a diorama using a box (a shoebox works well). Construct the room the pilgrims stayed in as you imagine it to be. Below is a video of just stars to get your imagination going.

Craft based on “uplifted hearts“

Create a paper circuit to light up and “uplift” the heart

Audio/ video Recording the group discussing the following

How did you hear about or meet Bahá’u’lláh?

Why is Bahá’u’lláh important to you?

What have you learned from Bahá’u’lláh?

REVIEW QUOTE

G4-L6-Review-G2-quote-a good character is

RESOURCE: BRILLIANT STAR MAGAZINE

LETTERS OF LIGHT

LETTERS TO WORLD LEADER

‘ABDU’L-BAHA’S GREAT VOYAGE

SHINING LAMP BADÍ

SHINING LAMP MARTHA ROOT

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Baha'i Children class Free Kids Can Do Ruhi Book 3

BAHÁ’U’LLÁH SUFFERED FOR THE SAKE OF HUMANITY G4 L5

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Post date July 8, 2022
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Grade 4 Lesson 5 Ruhi Book 3

Introducing The Principal Theme

Welcome to Lesson 5 Grade 4.

The purpose of this lesson is to help us realize that Baha’u’llah suffered for us and to give us a glimpse of the ordeals and hardship that He endured for the sake of humanity.

All the Manifestations of God have suffered in the hands of leaders concerned only with their own wealth and power. These self-seeking leaders used their influence over the ignorant people who blindly followed them to convince them to arise against God’s Manifestations.

In the last class, we learned what happened after the pitiful attempt made by a small group of foolish Bábís on the life of the king. Even Bahá’u’lláh, Who was so loved and respected by everyone, did not escape the horrible persecution that followed. He was imprisoned in a dungeon called the Síyáh- Chál, and all His worldly possessions were taken away from Him and His family. But we also saw that in this terrible dark place, God chose to reveal to Bahá’u’lláh His Mission and that from the darkness of the Black Pit rose the Sun of Truth. You also memorized a quotation in which Bahá’u’lláh Himself tells us how He heard words all around Him assuring Him that He would be victorious.

Today we are going to learn about Bahá’u’lláh’s release from the Síyáh-Chál and what happened next. As you listen to the stories in this lesson, you should remember that Bahá’u’lláh had not yet openly declared His Mission, but the power of His Revelation was already being felt, and the government of Persia and the religious leaders had become fearful of Him. They decided to send Him into exile. They thought that they could silence Him in this way and keep others back from the radiance of His glory. So, Bahá’u’lláh and His family were forced to head for Baghdád in the middle of an, especially cold winter. Unfortunately, upon His arrival there, He found so much disunity among the followers of the Báb that soon He decided to leave Baghdád and withdraw to a remote region to commune with God.

You will see that, even in the remote mountainous region to which Bahá’u’lláh withdrew, the people came to recognize His greatness and majesty. Nothing could conceal the wisdom and power that emanated from Him. Today, you will begin to memorize a passage in which Bahá’u’lláh explains that as His hardships grew, and as more and more difficulties were heaped upon Him, His love for God increased. No earthly power could prevent Him from achieving His purpose.

Baha’u’llah lived a life of suffering and affliction. He was imprisoned and exiled. Lies were told about Him, His teachings ignored and rejected, and His loyal followers mercilessly persecuted. He accepted these afflictions because He was chosen by God and did only that which God commanded. He loved humanity and knew that the knowledge He brought from God would finally conquer ignorance. He showed loving-kindness to every human being, even to the worst of His enemies. He accepted His sufferings patiently. Not for an instant did He stop shedding God’s light upon the whole world. For forty years, under the most difficult conditions, He gave guidance to humanity.

Remembering the ordeals and hardships suffered by Baha’u’llah makes us firm in His love. Our hearts will not waver in moments of difficulty. We will learn to be as immovable as the mountain when ignorant people oppose the Faith. We have to act the same way during our own tests. Love is stronger than hate.

Who inflicts sufferings upon the Manifestations of God?
Why did Baha’u’llah patiently accept His sufferings?
For how long did Baha’u’llah give guidance to humanity and under what conditions?
What effect does remembering Baha’u’llah’s sufferings have on us?

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR THIS LESSON (for teachers to review)

Read this I N F O R M A T I O N here

Prayer 1

Prayer 2

Prayer 3

Download the memorization aid for all 3 prayers in set 2 from Here

As My tribulations multiplied, so did My love for God and for His Cause increase, in such wise that all that befell Me from the hosts of the wayward was powerless to deter Me from My purpose.
Bahá’u’lláh The Summons of the Lord of Hosts

Meaning Of Some Of The Words In The Quote

Download Pdf Here

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G4-L5-QUOTE Download

The prince of peace

O Baha’u’llah

I Have Found Bahá’u’lláh

Bahá’u’lláh The Glory Of God

This is the first of four historical episodes (lessons 5 to 8) leading to Bahá’u’lláh’s final exile to the prison city of ‘Akká. As we read these accounts we must keep in mind that Bahá’u’lláh willingly endured great suffering out of His limitless love for humanity and that the Cause of God can not be stopped by anyone.

You remember from our last class that Bahá’u’lláh was imprisoned in the Síyáh-Chál for four months and that, in the icy cold depths of so horrible a place, as He lay chained to His companions, God made known to Him the greatness of His station. Yet Bahá’u’lláh told no one of what had occurred. He would wait until the exact moment appointed by God to proclaim His Mission.

During that period, the enemies of the Faith persecuted the Bábís mercilessly, committing acts of cruelty that are too horrible to describe. However, one story must be told, the story of the martyrdom of the valiant Ṭáhirih, the courageous champion of the equality of women and men. At the time she was being held captive in the home of a notable in Ṭihrán. One night, knowing that the order to end her life had been issued, she put on the most beautiful dress and anointed herself with perfume. She then sent for the wife of the notable and conveyed her last wishes to her. Afterward, she closed herself in her room and awaited, in prayer and meditation, the hour of her death.

Ṭáhirih was pacing the floor of her room, chanting words of both grief and triumph, when the guards arrived. They brought her to a garden that was outside the gates of the city. This was to be the site of her martyrdom. The headsmen were awaiting her, but when the time came for them to act, they wavered. They refused to end the life of one such as her. Instead, they managed to find a man so drunk that he did not know what he was doing. He was given a silk scarf that Ṭáhirih herself had brought, and with this scarf, he strangled that outstanding heroine of the Faith. Her lifeless body was then lowered into a well, which was filled with earth and stones, as she had desired.

Meanwhile, the enemies of the Faith were busy trying to obtain Bahá’u’lláh’s death sentence from the king, Náṣiri’d-Dín Shah. But it did not prove to be so easy for them to do so. Bahá’u’lláh came from a noble family and was loved by so many, high and low alike. Eventually, to achieve their purpose, they arranged for poison to be put into some of the food brought to Him. Of course, their plot failed. The poison was so strong that its effects were quickly noticed, and Bahá’u’lláh stopped eating the meal. In the end, the authorities had no other choice but to release Him from prison. The king, however, ordered that Bahá’u’lláh leave Persia and go into exile. He was given one month to depart.

Bahá’u’lláh was ill and exhausted from the terrible conditions of the Síyáh-Chál. The chain that had been placed around His neck during His imprisonment was so heavy that it had made deep wounds, and the poison had left Him in a weakened state. Still, in the middle of winter, on 12 January 1853, He and His family set out from their native land, never to return. You remember that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was about eight or nine, and His sister, Bahíyyih Khánum, was two years younger. They both gladly shared in their Father’s exile. Their youngest brother, however, was too small a child to undertake such a rigorous journey. He had to be left behind with some relatives until he was old enough to travel. Also with them on the journey was Áqáy-i-Kalím and another one of Bahá’u’lláh’s brothers. Together they headed for Baghdád, a city in the Ottoman Empire, escorted by two officials.

To reach the city, they had to cross the huge, snow-covered mountains that separated the Ottoman Empire from Persia. It was a perilous journey, and the supplies they had for the trip were far from adequate. You can imagine how cold it was for the small band of travelers, who did not have sufficient clothing to protect them from the snow. With the help of only some mules, they slowly made their way along the high peaks of the mountains. Often they had no option but to camp for the night in the total wilderness. But God protected them, and through His unfailing assistance, they arrived safely in Baghdád three months later.

What Bahá’u’lláh saw in Baghdád saddened His heart. After the Báb and so many of the Bábís were martyred, His remaining followers had become confused and lost. They did not know where to turn or which direction to take. And unfortunately, some of them began to forget the high standards to which the Báb had called them. They quarreled and became very disunited people. The greatest cause of the difficulty was Bahá’u’lláh’s own half-brother Mírzá Yaḥyá, an ambitious and cowardly man. He had followed Bahá’u’lláh to Baghdád and soon became jealous of the influence Bahá’u’lláh had on everyone who came into contact with Him. Working with a partner more shameless than himself, Mírzá Yaḥyá tried to turn the believers against Bahá’u’lláh. The situation grew worse daily.

A year after their arrival in Baghdád, Bahá’u’lláh’s family woke one morning to find that He was gone. He had left the city without telling anyone where He was going or why. Seeing that Mírzá Yaḥyá was creating so much disunity, Bahá’u’lláh had chosen to retire to a region of Kurdistán, some distance to the north of Baghdád. His purpose in doing so, He Himself would later state, was to avoid becoming “the subject of discord” among the Báb’s followers or “the cause of sorrow to any heart”.

In that mountainous region, not far from a town called Sulaymáníyyih, Bahá’u’lláh lived alone. He was content with little food. At times He received some milk from the shepherds in the surrounding area and, occasionally, visited the town to obtain the minimum necessities of life. The conditions were extremely harsh, but He was happy to be in communion with God.

As you can well imagine, Bahá’u’lláh’s greatness could not be kept hidden from people’s eyes for long. One day, for example, He saw a young student sitting by the road crying. He asked the reason for this sadness and was told that the other boys at the school had each received from the teacher a sample of penmanship to practice their handwriting but that he did not have a copy. Bahá’u’lláh offered with tenderness and kindness to write a sample for him. When the young boy showed the sample to his teacher at school, everyone was astonished at the beauty and excellence of Bahá’u’lláh’s penmanship. They realized that someone special now lived among them. And the news of this spread throughout Sulaymáníyyih.

Gradually, more and more of the inhabitants of Sulaymáníyyih came to know of Bahá’u’lláh and to respect Him. Some of the wise leaders of the town sought His presence and requested that He explain to them difficult spiritual matters. Bahá’u’lláh’s words had on these people their usual effect. Many a heart was transformed by His love and many a mind was illumined by His knowledge. His fame began to spread to the neighboring areas. News of a man of extraordinary wisdom and eloquence living in Kurdistán finally reached Baghdád.

So it was that one day ‘ Abdu’l-Bahá, now twelve years old, and His dear uncle, Áqáy-i- Kalím, overheard two people speaking of this most extraordinary Man. They described Him as “The Nameless One,” Who had magnetized the countryside with His love. ‘Abdu’l- Bahá and His uncle realized immediately that this Personage could be none other than Bahá’u’lláh. Without delay, they sent a trusted believer to beg Him to return, and Bahá’u’lláh accepted their request. Two years had passed since He had left Baghdád to commune with God. And, as we will see in the next class, just as He had galvanized the inhabitants of Sulaymáníyyih, He would transform and uplift the followers of the Báb in Baghdád and beyond through the power of His love and wisdom. His full glory would be made manifest, and all of the desperate attempts of His enemies to prevent the progress of the Cause of God would prove utterly futile.

For any of the figures we heard about, use the biography page to write down the information you would like to remember

For any of the figures we heard about, use the biography page to write down the information you would like to remember.

Download:

Teachers Pay Teachers Free Biography Page

DOWNLOAD MY STORY REPORT HERE

PowerPoint here

Facts

Bahá’u’lláh was imprisoned in the Síyáh-Chál for four months.
Bahá’u’lláh was exiled from Persia in 1853.
Bahá’u’lláh’s very difficult journey from Persia to Baghdád began on 12 January 1853 and took about three months.
Bahá’u’lláh left Baghdád for Kurdistán in April 1854.
Bahá’u’lláh spent a total of two years in Sulaymáníyyih.

Download here

Act Out The Following

A year after their arrival in Baghdád, Bahá’u’lláh’s family woke one morning to find that He was gone. He had left the city without telling anyone where He was going.

Act Out The Following

Remember that Manifestations of God are not portrayed

Stop Motion Animation

We finally got to do the stop-motion animation. We used paper to make the mountains. The App Stop motion Studio to take photos and a tripod holds the phone steadily with help from mums in the back. Horses were used to show the journey and no one in the Holy Family was depicted.

To make a stop-motion animation, as mentioned, using an app for that purpose really helps. It did not take more than 10 min planning, and 15 mins taking photos to get ours done. There are many resources to help you through the process and I will link the simplest video below.

The props can be made from any material including clay, paper, lego, etc.

Draw

Draw the family of Bahá’u’lláh traveling across the mountains in the winter on their way to Baghdád. Remember not to include any representation that could be mistaken for Bahá’u’lláh.

Calligraphy

Baha’ullah’s handwriting was beautiful! Many Persian calligraphy is done in the form of shapes. (G4L5 outline for calligraphy)

Choose a prayer or a quote to fill in one of the images of your choice, or choose an image to fill with writing/words.

CHAIN

Based on the paragraph above we are going to make a chain to symbolize Bahá’u’lláh love for us that he consented to be in chains. This is an easy craft. you will need strips of paper. Write inspiring quotes or just words like “love, service, prayer” etc. loop them together and hang in your room to remember that at all times and under all conditions, Bahá’u’lláh was victorious.

See an example of paper chains here

Footsteps

Make a rolling footstep craft.

Footstep to cut out
Straw
Q Tips
Strong Tape
empty tape roll
gule

Here is an easy image of a footprint to print and cut. You can use any that you find on places like Pixabay

The Holy Family

Download the activity to make the family tree for The Holy Family from delighted Hearts Here

“These Prophets and chosen Ones of God are the recipients and revealers of all the unchangeable attributes and names of God. They are the mirrors that truly and faithfully reflect the light of God.”
Bahá’u’lláh The Kitáb-i-Íqán