A Tablet of Abdu’l-Baha to Baha’is of Jewish background

Author, Baha’i historian and artist, Ms. Mahmehr Vahdat Golestaneh ماهمهر وحدت گلستانه is an Iranian Baha’i of Jewish descent from both maternal and paternal sides.

In 1901 Abdu’l-Baha wrote a tablet to our paternal ancestor, Haji Yusuf Vahdat upon his release from imprisonment simply because of his newly professed Faith. This tablet is very unique, as Abdu’l-Baha in rhythmic language mentions Progressive Revelation and names almost all of the Israelite prophets and patriarchs in one paragraph.

This tablet has just been provisionally translated by scholar and translator Adib Masumian. - Hoda Hosseini

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By Adib Masumian

What follows is my provisional translation (in other words, not official or authorized; see here for more) of a Tablet of ʻAbduʼl-Bahá. This facsimile of the original text, which is unpublished, was kindly supplied to me by Hoda Hosseini, the great-granddaughter of Ḥájí Yúsuf Vaḥdat (Áqá Mírzá Yúsuf ʻAláqihband), one of the recipients of this Tablet. Ḥájí Yúsuf was the paternal grandfather of the renowned artist, Mahmehr Vahdat Golestaneh, and had the distinction of being the first Baháʼí in their family. He was taught the Baháʼí Faith in Káshán by Ḥakím Faraju’lláh, who himself learned of it through Mírzá Abu’l-Faḍl. The Tablet below was written in 1901 following the imprisonment of Ḥájí Yúsuf for his belief in the Baháʼí Faith.

Ḥájí Yúsuf Vaḥdat (Áqá Mírzá Yúsuf ʻAláqihband), one of the recipients of this Tablet

Delivered via the pilgrim Khájih Rabíʻ, upon him be the Glory of God

To Áqá Shamúʼíl, the son of Áqá Rabíʻ, and Áqá Mírzá Yúsuf ʻAláqihband, upon them both be the Glory of the All-Glorious

He is God

O dear friends of ʻAbdu’l-Bahá! Since on the path of Bahá ye have tasted the poison of oppression and been made the target of the dart of calamity, suffered the greatest blows and endured the direst afflictions, praised be God that in the fire of tests your faces are glowing with joy, and ye have burned the veil of men’s vain imaginings. Convey my utmost respect to the Baháʼís of Jewish extraction, who are the progeny of Abraham, and kiss them on their heads, for they have hearkened to the counsels of the Friend of God[1] with the ear of their souls and carried them out with wholehearted endeavor. They have cheered the hearts of all the prophets of Israel, and endeared the children of Jacob among the Concourse on High.

In this day, Abraham is the Merciful Father, and He rejoiceth with exceeding gladness and delight. From the Most Glorious Kingdom, Isaac giveth glad-tidings unto all the world, and Israel[2] beholdeth his descendants in great glory. Joseph regardeth the lineage of Jacob as having been favored with guidance and bounty, and Moses reckoneth that people as the embodiment of abounding grace. Aaron deemeth Israel to be the symbol of the favors of the Peerless One, and Solomon accounteth his kindred as blessed in both worlds. David seeth the Jews as the emblems of the bestowals of the loving Lord, and Isaiah, Elijah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Ezra voice their praise and congratulations to all of Israel.

These are the bounties which the glorious Lord hath accorded to Israel. Render ye thanks, therefore, and laud the One True God for having granted such a gift as this and freely conferred so immense a bestowal.

Upon you be the Glory of the All-Glorious.

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[1] Khalíl, a title of Abraham.

[2] A title of Jacob.

A typescript of the original Persian text of this Tablet, based on the above facsimile, appears below (all punctuation and vowel marks mine).

به واسطۀ جنابِ زائر خواجه ربیع، علیه بهاءالله

جناب آقا شموئیل وَلَدِ آقا ربیع و جنابِ آقا میرزا یوسف علاقه‌بند، علیهما بهاءالله الابهی

هوالله

ای یارانِ عزیزِ عبدالبهاء، زیرا در سبیلِ بهاء زهرِ جفا چشیدید و هدفِ تیرِ بَلا شُدید، صدماتِ عظمی دیدید و بلیّاتِ کبری تحمّل نمودید، الحمدلله در آتشِ امتحان رخ برافروختید و پردۀ اوهامِ خَلق بسوختید. احبّایِ کلیمی سلالۀ حضرتِ ابراهیم را از قِبَلِ من نهایتِ حرمت و تکریم مجری دارید و روی و موی ببوسید، زیرا وصایایِ حضرتِ خلیل را به گوشِ جان شنیدند و به دل و به ارکان مجری داشتند. قلوبِ جمیعِ انبیایِ اسرائیل را شادمان نمودند و اولادِ یعقوب را در ملأِ اعلی محبوب کردند.

الیوم حضرتِ ابراهیم اَبِ رحیمند و در فرح و سُرورِ عظیم. حضرتِ اسحق از ملکوتِ ابهی مژده به آفاق دهد، و حضرتِ اسرائیل سلالۀ خویش را جلیل بیند، و حضرتِ یوسف نژادِ یعقوب را به هدایت و موهبت موصوف داند، و حضرتِ موسایِ کلیم آن قوم را مظهرِ فضلِ عظیم شمرد، و حضرتِ هارون اسرائیل را مظاهر الطافِ حضرتِ بی‌چون داند، و حضرتِ سلیمان قومِ خویش را در دو جهان کامران شمرد، و حضرتِ داود یهود را را مظاهرِ الطاف ربّ وَدود بیند، و حضرت اشیعا و اِیلیا و اِرمیا و حزقیال و عزرا جمیعِ اسرائیل را آفرین گویند و تحسین نمایند.

این الطافِ ربِّ جلیل است که در حقِّ اسرائیل گشته. پس به شکرانه پردازید و خداوندِ یگانه را بستائید که چنین عنایتی مبذول داشت و چنین موهبتی شایگان رایگان نمود. و علیکم البهاء الابهی. ع ع

Prominent Baha'is of Jewish background

 

Hamid Pezeshkian is a Baha'i of Jewish heritage

Hoda Hosseini is a Baha'i of Jewish heritage

https://bahaiteachings.org/assimilation-isolation-cultural-responses-americas-racism/

A Tablet of Abdu’l-Baha to Jinab-i-Ilyahu of Kashan and his sons

By Adib Masumian

What follows is my provisional translation (in other words, not official or authorized; see here for more) of a Tablet of ʻAbduʼl-Bahá. This facsimile of the original text, which is unpublished—along with the photographs below—were kindly supplied to me by Hoda Hosseini, the great-great-granddaughter of Jináb-i-Ilyáhú, the recipient of this Tablet. Jináb-i-Ilyáhú was the maternal great-grandfather of the renowned artist, Mahmehr Vahdat Golestaneh.

During the Persian famine of 1917–1919, Jináb-i-Ilyáhú and his sons, Ḥáj Shaʻbán and Ḥáj Dávúd, would host gatherings (“firesides”) at one of their properties, known as the Ṣáḥib-Díván, which was located in central Ṭihrán in the historic ʻÚdláján neighborhood. A large white flag bearing the Greatest Name (Yá Baháʼu’l-Abhá / یا بهاء الأبهی) was hoisted on the roof of this building. Baháʼís were invited to speak about the Faith and ample quantities of food were given to all who entered.

During a visit to ʻAbdu’l-Bahá, Ḥájí Abu’l-Ḥasan Amín—the famed Trustee of the Ḥuqúq, who had been present at these gatherings—shared his experience with Him, and He wrote the Tablet below as a result.

A historical detail that Hoda feels ought to be preserved: This family, the Iqrárís (Eghraris), like many other Jews, came from humble beginnings. At the turn of the century in Qájár Persia, they were not just second-class citizens, but oppressed minorities forced to live in segregated areas. It was only the early Baháʼís who would visit them to tell them about their Faith—and once they embraced it, their fortunes took a turn for the better. The wealth they accrued after they became Baháʼís enabled them to purchase the Ṣáḥib-Díván, which once belonged to the son-in-law of the sháh; hoist the banner bearing the Greatest Name; and do everything within their means and power to promote the religion. The tradition that started with Jináb-i-Ilyáhú and his sons, and was immortally hailed by ʻAbdu’l-Bahá in the Tablet below, continues to this day, and the family attributes their success, prosperity, and desire to hold firesides to the conversion and endeavors of their distinguished ancestors.

Jináb-i-Ilyáhú (center) and his sons, Ḥáj Shaʻbán (left) and Ḥáj Dávúd (right)

Standing, back row, from right to left: Ḥáj Dávúd Iqrárí; Maryam Khánum Iqrárí, wife of Ḥáj Dávúd; Khánum-Báshí Abríshamí, daughter of Jináb-i-Ilyáhú and sister of Ḥáj Dávúd; Labíbih, her child; Bahíyyih Iqrárí, wife of Ḥáj Shaʻbán Iqrárí; Nayyirih Mustaqím, her child; Ḥáj Shaʻbán.

Seated, middle, from right to left: Ukhuvvat Iqrárí, wife of Jináb-i-Ilyáhú; Javáhir Khánum Qáṭán, daughter of Jináb-i-Ilyáhú; Rúḥíyyih Iqrárí, daughter of Ḥáj Dávúd and grandmother of Mahmehr Golestaneh; Rawḥáníyyih Iqrárí, mother of Shídrukh Baqáʼ, the first Baháʼí woman of Jewish background to be martyred for her Faith (in 1982); Ṭáhirih Iqrárí, mother of Parívash Birjís and daughter of Ḥáj Shaʻbán; Jináb-i-Ilyáhú.

Seated, front row, from right to left: Munírih Sháyání Iqrárí, daughter of Ḥáj Shaʻbán; Báhirih Iqrárí Rayḥání, daughter of Ḥáj Shaʻbán.

Standing on either side are two apprentices who were employed at the tijárat-khániy-i-Iqrárí, a group of shops owned by the Iqrárí family. Both eventually became Baháʼís. One of them (it is not known which one) was named Taʼíd, and he later became the father of a certain martyr. The identity of the other apprentice is unknown.

According to Mahmehr Golestaneh, this picture was probably taken in 1921.

Delivered via Jináb-i-Amín[1]

To Jináb-i-Ilyáhú of Káf[2] and his respected sons[3]

He is God

O thou who art firm in the Covenant! The banquet-spread which thou didst lay out, and the wholesome feast of plenty thou didst prepare, was truly a celestial festivity and a heavenly repast. Although ʻAbdu’l-Bahá was distant in body, yet in heart and soul he was present at that gathering. Such occasions as these proceed from the loftiness of one’s nature and the exaltedness of one’s being; they enkindle and lend warmth to the hearts. Through them, friends become helpers, and companions take one another in their embrace like unto a cluster of stars; they give rise to conscientious sentiments, and cause love, fellowship, and unity to appear.

Upon you be the Glory of the All-Glorious.

—ʻAbdu’l-Bahá ʻAbbás

19 May 1919

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[1] Ḥájí Amín.

[2] Káshán.

[3] Ḥáj Shaʻbán and Ḥáj Dávúd.

A typescript of the original Persian text of this Tablet, based on the above facsimile, appears below (all punctuation and vowel marks mine).

به واسطۀ جنابِ امین

جنابِ الیاهو از اهلِ کاف و پسرانِ محترم

هوالله

ای ثابتْ بر عهد، سفرۀ ضیافتی که گستردی و خوانِ نعمتِ مُهنّائی که مهیّا نمودی فی الحقیقه ضیافتی ربّانی بود و میهمانی آسمانی. عبدالبهاء هرچند به تن دور بود، ولی به دل و جان حاضر و محشور. این قِسْم میهمانی‌ها از عُلْویّتِ فطرت و سُمُوِّ طینت صدور یابد، و سببِ شعله و حرارتِ قلوب گردد. یارانْ یاوران گردند و دوستانْ مانند نجومِ پروین دست در آغوشِ یکدیگر شوند. احساساتِ وجدانی منبعث گردد و مَحبّت و الفت و یگانگی جلوه نماید. و علیکم البهاء الابهی.

عبدالبهاء عبّاس

۱۸ شعبان ۱۳۳۷

'Abdu'l Baha's tablet to a Jewish Baha'i in his own handwriting

 

For more details, please check: www.adibmasumian.com/translations/tablet-abdul-baha-jinab-i-ilyahu-and-sons/

Iranian Entrepreneur and Industrialist Habib Sabet Pasal was a Baha'i of Jewish heritage

Habib with his wife Bahareh

SABET, HABIB (b. Tehran, 1903; d., Los Angeles, 1 Esfand, 1368/20 February 1990), Baha'i entrepreneur and industrialist, who rose from humble beginnings to become one of the wealthiest and most influential men in Iran in the late Pahlavi period. He owned, wholly or in partnership, some forty of the largest companies in Iran, in which more than ten thousand people were employed (for the companies founded by him, see Sabet, pp. 284-85). He also played a major role in introducing the accouterments of modernity to Iran. 

Both his maternal and paternal families were of Jewish heritage who were converted to the Baha'i faith. They were of the city of Kashan but had lived in Tehran for several generations, where Ḥabib’s father, ʿAbd-Allāh Sabet, was born. He was an uneducated but astute and hard-working cloth-merchant. His mother, Kešvar Arjomand, was from a family of prominent physicians. Although the family had modest means, his father scraped enough together to send Ḥabib and his sister to the Baha'i Tarbiat School. From the age of 13, Ḥabib attended the St Louis School (see FRANCE xv) in Tehran, tutoring his fellow-pupil, Ḡolām-Ḥosayn, the son of Moḥammad Moṣaddeq (the future prime minister), to help pay for his own education (Sabet, pp. 1, 28-31). 

Read more about him at encyclopedia Iranica

https://iranicaonline.org/articles/sabet-habib