Courage

Mona Mahmudnizhad’s short life was crowned with courage. It’s not the kind of courage that most us of imagine having. We saw the courage of George Townshend who set out his belief in Baha’u’llah knowing it would deprive him of his livelihood. Lidia Zamenhof also courageously faced death to be with friends and family. Baha’u’llah’s own life was a life of courage – facing decades of suffering for his teachings.

not for a moment did I allow Myself to be hidden from the eyes of men, nor did I consent to shield My person from their injury.[1]

Although these stories are in an altogether higher league, it is clear that some level of courage is an unavoidable even in the most ordinary Baha’i life.

Even where the Baha’i Faith isn’t persecuted and we are free to practice our faith – being different often has a price. One has to be prepared to pay it. Of course we all decide what is most important to us – and the price is gladly paid for the sweetness of the reward is beyond compare.

Baha’u’llah writes of courage, It’s not the kind of courage that idolises violent conflict or power over our fellow human beings. Indeed Baha’u’llah condemns every kind of violence. In respect of courage he writes:

The source of courage and power is the promotion of the Word of God, and steadfastness in His Love.[2]

He talks of courage in the context of a life of faith:

This is not a Cause which may be made a plaything for your idle fancies, nor is it a field for the foolish and faint of heart. By God, this is the arena of insight and detachment, of vision and upliftment, where none may spur on their chargers save the valiant horsemen of the Merciful, who have severed all attachment to the world of being.[3]

The symbolism draws on martial metaphors – but the essence is spiritual. As always there is a lot here. The Baha’i Faith is not a ‘plaything’ of the ‘foolish’.

Entering its arena demands ‘insight’, ‘detachment’, ‘vision’, ‘upliftment’ and ‘valiance’. There is unquestionably a process of testing in the ‘field of battle’. Not a battle against other human beings – but battle against self.

Arise, O people, and, by the power of God’s might, resolve to gain the victory over your own selves,…[4]

(This article is the 58th in a series of what I hope will be 200 articles in 200 days for the 200th anniversary of the birth of Bahá’u’lláh. The anniversary is being celebrated around the world on 21 and 22 October 2017, The articles are simply my personal reflections on Bahá’u’lláh’s life and work. Any errors or inadequacies in these articles are solely my responsibility.)