# Humor and Laughter

*Exported from [Holy-Writings.com](https://www.holy-writings.com/) on 2026-06-18 — 1 clipping.*

---

> Source: Bahá'í Library Online (bahai-library.com), curated by Jonah Winters. Used by permission of the curator. Original citation: Bahá'u'lláh, Humor and Laughter, bahai-library.com.
> ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
> 
> Humor and Laughter
> 
> Bahá'u'lláh
> 
> Abdu'l-Bahá
> 
> Universal House of Justice
> 
> Universal House of Justice, Research Department
> 
> , compiler
> 
> 1997
> 
> From the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh
> 
> Methinks at this moment, I catch the fragrance of His garment
> 
> 1
> 
> blowing from
> the Egypt of Baha;
> 
> 2
> 
> verily He seemeth near at hand, though men may think Him
> far away.
> 
> 3
> 
> My soul doth smell the perfume shed by the Beloved One; My sense is
> filled with the fragrance of My dear Companion.
> 
> The duty of long years of love obey
> 
> And tell the tale of happy days gone by,
> 
> That land and sky may laugh aloud today,
> 
> And it may gladden mind and heart and
> eye.
> 
> 4
> 
> (The Four Valleys, in The Seven Valleys and The Four Valleys  (Wilmette:
> Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1995), pp.
> 59
> -
> 60
> ) [1]
> 
> From the Writings and Utterances of `Abdu'l-Bahá
> 
> Even as the clouds let us shed down tears, and as the lightning flashes let us
> laugh at our coursings through east and west. By day, by night, let us think
> but of spreading the sweet savours of God. Let us not keep on forever with our
> fancies and illusions, with our analysing and interpreting and circulating of
> complex dubieties. Let us put aside all thoughts of self; let us close our eyes
> to all on earth, let us neither make known our sufferings nor complain of our
> wrongs. Rather let us become oblivious of our own selves, and drinking down the
> wine of heavenly grace, let us cry out our joy, and lose ourselves in the
> beauty of the All-Glorious.  (Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Bahá
> (Haifa: Bahá'í World  Centre, 1982), section
> 195
> , p.
> 236
> )     [2]
> 
> The Prison was a garden of roses to him,
> 
> 5
> 
> and his narrow cell a wide and
> fragrant place. At the time when we were in the barracks he fell dangerously
> ill and was confined to his bed. He suffered many complications, until finally
> the doctor gave him up and would visit him no more. Then the sick man breathed
> his last. Mirza Aqa Jan ran to Bahá'u'lláh, with word of the death. Not only
> had the patient ceased to breathe, but his body was already going limp. His
> family were gathered about him, mourning him, shedding bitter tears. The
> Blessed Beauty said, "Go; chant the prayer of Ya Shafi -- O Thou, the Healer --
> and Mirza Ja`far will come alive. Very rapidly, he will be as well as ever." I
> reached his bedside. His body was cold and all the signs of death were present.
> Slowly, he began to stir; soon he could move his limbs, and before an hour had
> passed he lifted his head, sat up, and proceeded to laugh and tell jokes.
> 
> He lived for a long time after that, occupied as ever with serving the
> friends. This giving service was a point of pride with him: to all, he was a
> servant. He was always modest and humble, calling God to mind, and to the
> highest degree full of hope and faith. Finally, while in the Most Great Prison,
> he abandoned this earthly life and winged his way to the life beyond.
> (Memorials of the Faithful (Wilmette: Bahá'í Publishing Trust,  1971), pp.
> 
> 157
> -
> 58
> )     [3]
> 
> I desire to make manifest among the friends in America a new light that they
> may become a new people, that a new foundation may be established and complete
> harmony be realized; for the foundation of Bahá'u'lláh is love. When you go to
> Green Acre, you must have infinite love for each other, each preferring the
> other before himself. The people must be so attracted to you that they will
> exclaim, "What happiness exists among you!" and will see in your faces the
> lights of the Kingdom; then in wonderment they will turn to you and seek the
> cause of your happiness. You must give the message through action and deed, not
> alone by word. Word must be conjoined with deed. You must love your friend
> better than yourself; yes, be willing to sacrifice yourself. The Cause of
> Bahá'u'lláh has not yet appeared in this country. I desire that you be ready to
> sacrifice everything for each other, even life itself; then I will know that
> the Cause of Bahá'u'lláh has been established. I will pray for you that you may
> become the cause of upraising the lights of God. May everyone point to you and
> ask, "Why are these people so happy?" I want you to be happy in Green Acre, to
> laugh, smile and rejoice in order that others may be made happy by you. I will
> pray for you.  (The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by Abdu'l-
> Baha during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912  rev. ed.
> (Wilmette: Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1982), p.
> 218
> )  [4]
> 
> My home is the home of peace. My home is the home of joy and delight. My home
> is the home of laughter and exultation. Whosoever enters through the portals of
> this home, must go out with gladsome heart. This is the home of light; whosover
> enters here must become illumined....
> 
> 6
> 
> (From a reported utterance, published in
> Star of the West, vol. 9,  no. 3, 28 April 1918), p. 40)    [5]
> 
> From Letters Written on Behalf of the Universal House of Justice
> 
> The Universal House of Justice has requested us to acknowledge your letter of
> November 6, 1977 and to say that while laughter should not be suppressed or
> frowned upon, it should not be indulged in at the expense of the feelings of
> others. What one says or does in a humorous vein should not give rise to
> prejudice of any kind. You may recall Abdu'l-Bahá's caution "Beware lest ye
> offend the feelings of anyone, or sadden the heart of any person..." (From
> "Tablets of Abdu'l-Bahá", vol. I, p.
> 45
> )  (1 December 1977 to an individual
> believer)   [6]
> 
> On page 25 [Ed. - p.
> 29
> ] of The Advent of Divine Justice the beloved Guardian is describing
> the requirements not only of chastity, but of "a chaste and holy life" -- both
> the adjectives are important. One of the signs of a decadent society, a sign
> which is very evident in the world today, is an almost frenetic
> devotion to pleasure and diversion, an insatiable thirst for amusement, a
> fanatical devotion to games and sport, a reluctance to treat any matter
> seriously, and a scornful, derisory attitude towards virtue and solid worth.
> Abandonment of "a frivolous conduct" does not imply that a Bahá'í must be
> sour-faced or perpetually solemn. Humour, happiness, joy are characteristics of
> a true Bahá'í life. Frivolity palls and eventually leads to boredom and
> emptiness, but true happiness and joy and humour that are parts of a balanced
> life that includes serious thought, compassion and humble servitude to God are
> characteristics that enrich life and add to its radiance.
> 
> Shoghi Effendi's choice of words was always significant, and each one is
> important in understanding his guidance. In this particular passage, he does
> not forbid "trivial" pleasures, but he does warn against "excessive attachment"
> to them and indicates that they can often be "misdirected". One is reminded of
> `Abdu'l-Bahá's caution that we should not let a pastime become a waste of time.
> (
> 8 May 1979
> to an individual believer, cited in the compilation,  A Chaste and
> Holy Life)     [7]
> 
> Humour too, as you say, is an essential element in preserving a proper balance
> in this life and in our comprehension of reality.  (23 July 1985 to an
> individual believer)   [8]
> 
> The House of Justice suggests that you may wish to review the use of humour in
> your news reports to ensure that the appearance of insensitivity may not be
> conveyed inadvertently in a report. It was concerned by the account of an
> auction held at a barn dance hosted by the Local Spiritual Assembly of ...
> While the intention of the author was clearly to jokingly convey the exuberance
> and enthusiasm which were manifested on that occasion, care should be exercised
> to avoid giving offence to those who are sensitive to the historical record of
> the oppression of women and the denial of their human rights.
> 
> The House of Justice trusts that you will find a way of conveying these
> observations to the editors of your newsletter in such a manner that their
> enthusiasm is not dampened. Indeed, they merit commendation for the overall
> quality of their work.  (1 July 1988 to a National Spiritual Assembly)    [9]
> 
> Notes:
> 
> 1.  Literally, the garment of Ha, which is the letter "H" and here represents Baha.
> 
> 2.  This reference is to the story of Joseph in the Qur'an and the Bible.
> 
> 3.  This refers to those who did not expect the imminent advent of Him Whom God Shall Manifest.
> 
> 4.  The Mathnavi.
> 
> 5.  Mirza Jafar-i-Yazdi.
> 
> 6.  "...not an authentic text, but is to be regarded as a pilgrim's note."  Letter on behalf of the Universal House of Justice, 21 May 1978.
> 
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> — *Humor and Laughter (Used by permission of the curator)*