# Arts and Crafts

*Exported from [Holy-Writings.com](https://www.holy-writings.com/) on 2026-06-19 — 1 clipping.*

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> Source: Bahá'í Library Online (bahai-library.com), curated by Jonah Winters. Used by permission of the curator. Original citation: Bahá'u'lláh, Arts and Crafts, bahai-library.com.
> ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
> 
> Arts and Crafts
> 
> Bahá'u'lláh
> 
> Abdu'l-Bahá
> 
> Shoghi Effendi
> 
> published in
> 
> Compilation of Compilations
> 
> Volume 1,  pp. 1-8
> 
> 1991
> 
> I.
> 
> From the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh
> 
> Blessed are those who have fixed their gaze on the realm of
> glory and have followed the commandments of the Lord of Names. Blessed is he
> who in the days of God will engage in handicrafts. This is a bounty from God,
> for in this Most Great Dispensation it is acceptable in the sight of God for
> man to occupy himself in a trade which relieveth him of depending upon charity.
> The craft of every craftsman is regarded as worship.
> 
> (Bahá'u'lláh from a Tablet - translated from the
> Persian)
> 
> One of the names of God is the Fashioner. He loveth
> craftsmanship. Therefore any of His servants who manifesteth this attribute is
> acceptable in the sight of this Wronged One. Craftsmanship is a book among the
> books of divine sciences, and a treasure among the treasures of His heavenly
> wisdom. This is a knowledge with meaning, for some of the sciences are brought
> forth by words and come to an end with words.
> 
> (Bahá'u'lláh from a Tablet - translated from the
> Persian)
> 
> God grant that thou wilt exert thine utmost to acquire
> perfections, as well as proficiency in a craft.
> 
> (Bahá'u'lláh from a Tablet - translated from the
> Persian)
> 
> The one true God, exalted be He, loveth to witness handiworks
> of high craftsmanship produced by His loved ones. Blessed art thou, for what
> thy skill hath produced hath reached the presence of thy Lord, the Exiled, the
> Wronged. Please God every one of His friends may be enabled to acquire one of
> the crafts, and be confirmed in adhering to what hath been ordained in the Book
> of God, the All- Glorious, the All-Wise.
> 
> (Bahá'u'lláh from a Tablet - translated from the Persian and
> Arabic)
> 
> Teach ye your children so that they may peruse the divine
> verses every morn and eve. God hath prescribed unto every father to educate
> his children, both boys and girls, in the sciences and in morals, and in crafts
> and professions...
> 
> (Bahá'u'lláh from a Tablet - translated from the
> Arabic)
> 
> It is incumbent upon the children to exert themselves to the
> utmost in acquiring the art of reading and writing... Writing skills that will
> provide for urgent needs will be enough for some; and then it is better and
> more fitting that they should spend their time in studying those branches of
> knowledge which are of use.
> 
> As for what the Supreme Pen hath previously set down, the reason is that in
> every art and skill, God loveth the highest perfection.
> 
> (Bahá'u'lláh from a Tablet - translated from the Persian)
> 
> The fifth Taráz concerneth the protection and
> preservation of the stations of God's servants. One should not ignore the
> truth of any matter, rather should one give expression to that which is right
> and true. The people of Bahá should not deny any soul the reward due to
> him, should treat craftsmen with deference, and, unlike the people aforetime,
> should not defile their tongues with abuse.
> 
> In this Day the sun of craftsmanship shineth above the horizon of the occident
> and the river of arts is flowing out of the sea of that region. One must speak
> with fairness and appreciate such bounty...
> 
> ("Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh Revealed After the
> Kitáb-i-Aqdas" [rev, ed.], (Haifa: Bahá'í World Centre,
> 1978)
> pp. 38-39
> )
> 
> The third Tajallí is concerning arts, crafts and
> sciences. Knowledge is as wings to man's life, and a ladder for his ascent.
> Its acquisition is incumbent upon everyone. The knowledge of such sciences,
> however, should be acquired as can profit the peoples of the earth, and not
> those which begin with words and end with words. Great indeed is the claim of
> scientists and craftsmen on the peoples of the world. Unto this beareth
> witness the Mother Book on the day of His return...
> 
> ("Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh Revealed After the
> Kitáb-i-Aqdas",
> pp. 51-52
> )
> 
> At the outset of every endeavour, it is incumbent to look to
> the end of it. Of all the arts and sciences, set the children to studying
> those which will result in advantage to man, will ensure his progress and
> elevate his rank. Thus the noisome odours of lawlessness will be dispelled,
> and thus through the high endeavours of the nation's leaders, all will live
> cradled, secure and in peace.
> 
> The Great Being saith: The learned of the day must direct the people to acquire
> those branches of knowledge which are of use, that both the learned themselves
> and the generality of mankind may derive benefits therefrom...
> 
> ("Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh Revealed After the
> Kitáb-i-Aqdas", pp.
> 16
> &
> 69
> )
> 
> The purpose of learning should be the promotion of the
> welfare of the people, and this can be achieved through crafts. It hath been
> revealed and is now repeated that the true worth of artists and craftsmen
> should be appreciated, for they advance the affairs of mankind. Just as the
> foundations of religion are made firm through the Law of God, the means of
> livelihood depend upon those who are engaged in arts and crafts. True learning
> is that which is conducive to the well-being of the world, not to pride and
> self-conceit, or to tyranny, violence and pillage.
> 
> (Bahá'u'lláh from a Tablet - translated from the
> Persian)
> 
> II.
> 
> From the Writings and Utterances of
> `Abdu'l-Bahá
> 
> Every person must have an occupation, a trade or a craft,
> so that he may carry other people's burdens, and not himself be a burden to
> others.
> 
> ('Abdu'l-Bahá from a Tablet - translated from the Persian)
> 
> Thou hast written regarding thy meeting with ... He hath
> written that he desireth to teach thee one of the crafts and show thee
> affection and consideration. We beseech God that this purpose may be attained,
> and thou wilt learn such a skill, for according to the divine ordinances, every
> person must acquire a craft.
> 
> ('Abdu'l-Bahá from a Tablet - translated from the Persian)
> 
> He must study every day from morning till noon, so that he
> may learn how to read and write. From noon till about sunset he should acquire
> a craft. The children must both learn to read and acquire an art or skill.
> 
> (`Abdu'l-Bahá from a Tablet - translated from the Persian)
> 
> It is necessary for all to learn a craft, through which the
> people may earn their living. This commandment is universal.
> 
> (`Abdu'l-Bahá from a Tablet - translated from the Persian)
> 
> It is the commandment of the Blessed Beauty, may my life be a
> sacrifice at His Threshold, that whosoever engageth in a craft, should
> endeavour to acquire in it utmost proficiency. Should he do so, that craft
> becometh a form of worship.
> 
> (`Abdu'l-Bahá from a Tablet - translated from the Persian)
> 
> Another friend asked, "In the Tablets it is stated that we
> must be severed and detached. In another place it is stated that we must learn
> a trade or profession. Do not these two statements contradict each other?"
> `Abdu'l-Bahá replied, "In the Cause of Bahá'u'lláh, it is
> incumbent upon every soul to acquire a trade and an occupation. For example, I
> know how to weave or make a mat, and you know some other trade. This, in
> itself is an act of worship, provided that it is conducted on the basis of
> utmost honesty and faithfulness.
> 
> And this is the cause of prosperity. Yet, in spite of being so occupied, if
> the heart is not chained and tied to this world, and is not troubled by current
> events, neither hindered by wealth from rendering service to mankind, nor
> grieved because of poverty, - then this is human perfection. Otherwise in a
> state of poverty, to manifest generosity and in a state of weakness to claim
> justice - this can easily be said, but it is not a proof of man's attainments
> and alertness."
> 
> (`Abdu'l-Bahá from an article written by Dr. Z. Baghdadi entitled
> "`Abdu'l-Bahá in America", published in "Star of the West", Vol. 19,
> No. 7, p. 219)
> 
> And further, according to the Divine commandments, every
> child must learn reading and writing, and acquire such branches of knowledge as
> are useful and necessary, as well as learning an art or skill. The utmost care
> must be devoted to these matters; any neglect of them, any failure to act on
> them, is not permissible.
> 
> (`Abdu'l-Bahá from a Tablet - translated from the Persian)
> 
> Among the greatest of all great services is the education of
> children, and promotion of the various sciences, crafts and arts. Praised be
> God, ye are now exerting strenuous efforts toward this end. The more ye
> persevere in this most important task, the more will ye witness the
> confirmations of God, to such a degree that ye yourselves will be
> astonished.
> 
> (`Abdu'l-Bahá from a Tablet - translated from the Persian)
> 
> O ye recipients of the favours of God! In this new and
> wondrous Age, the unshakable foundation is the teaching of sciences and arts.
> According to explicit Holy Texts, every child must be taught crafts and arts,
> to the degree that is needful. Wherefore, in every city and village, schools
> must be established and every child in that city or village is to engage in
> study to the necessary degree.
> 
> It followeth that whatever soul shall offer his aid to bring this about will
> assuredly be accepted at the Heavenly Threshold, and extolled by the Company on
> High.
> 
> ("Selections from the Writings of `Abdu'l-Bahá" [rev. ed., (Haifa:
> Bahá'í World Centre, 1982),
> Sec. 109
> ,
> pp. 134-35
> .)
> 
> Thy letter was received. Praise be to God it imparted the
> good news of thy health and safety and indicated that thou art ready to enter
> an agricultural school. This is highly suitable. Strive as much as possible
> to become proficient in the science of agriculture, for in accordance with the
> divine teachings the acquisition of sciences and the perfection of arts are
> considered acts of worship. If a man engageth with all his power in the
> acquisition of a science or in the perfection of an art, it is as if he has
> been worshipping God in churches and temples. Thus as thou enterest a school
> of agriculture and strivest in the acquisition of that science thou art day and
> night engaged in acts of worship - acts that are accepted at the threshold of
> the Almighty. What bounty greater than this that science should be considered
> as an act of worship and art as service to the Kingdom of God.
> 
> ("Selections from the Writings of `Abdu'l-Bahá",
> 126
> , pp.
> 
> 144-145
> )
> 
> O thou servant of the One true God! In this universal
> dispensation man's wondrous craftsmanship is reckoned as worship of the
> Resplendent Beauty.
> 
> Consider what a bounty and blessing it is that craftsmanship is regarded as
> worship. In former times, it was believed that such skills were tantamount to
> ignorance, if not a misfortune, hindering man from drawing nigh unto God. Now
> consider how His infinite bestowals and abundant favours have changed hell-fire
> into blissful paradise, and a heap of dark dust into a luminous garden.
> 
> It behoveth the craftsmen of the world at each moment to offer a thousand
> tokens of gratitude at the Sacred Threshold, and to exert their highest
> endeavour and diligently pursue their professions so that their efforts may
> produce that which will manifest the greatest beauty and perfection before the
> eyes of all men.
> 
> ("Selections from the Writings of `Abdu'l-Bahá"
> 127
> ,
> p. 145
> )
> 
> Make every effort to acquire the advanced knowledge of the
> day, and strain every nerve to carry forward the divine civilization.
> Establish schools that are well organized, and promote the fundamentals of
> instruction in the various branches of knowledge through teachers who are pure
> and sanctified, distinguished for their high standards of conduct and general
> excellence, and strong in faith; scholars and educators with a thorough
> knowledge of sciences and arts.
> 
> Included must be promotion of the arts, the discovery of new wonders, the
> expansion of trade, and the development of industry. The methods of
> civilization and the beautification of the country must also be
> encouraged...
> 
> (`Abdu'l-Bahá from a Tablet- translated from the Persian)
> 
> While the children are yet in their infancy feed them from
> the breast of heavenly grace, foster them in the cradle of all excellence, rear
> them in the embrace of bounty. Give them the advantage of every useful kind of
> knowledge. Let them share in every new and rare and wondrous craft and art.
> Bring them up to work and strive, and accustom them to hardship. Teach them to
> dedicate their lives to matters of great import, and inspire them to undertake
> studies that will benefit mankind.
> 
> ("Selections from the Writings of `Abdu'l-Bahá",
> 102
> ,
> p. 129
> )
> 
> III.
> 
> From letters written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi
> 
> to
> individual believers unless otherwise cited
> 
> In connection with your dear husband, Shoghi Effendi would
> consider it in full and happy accord with the expressed desire of the Master
> that every man should have some permanent work. Much as he desires to see you
> both devote your entire energies to a well thought out, progressive and
> attractive presentation of the Cause - a thing he feels we lack lamentably - he
> would be very pleased to see your husband follow what the Master often repeated
> even to His own immediate family, namely the necessity of a profession. Of
> course you know that He always said His had been mat-making.
> 
> (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi - 20 September
> 1929)
> 
> He sincerely hopes that as the Cause grows and talented
> persons come under its banner, they will begin to produce in art the divine
> spirit that animates their soul. Every religion has brought with it some form
> of art - let us see what wonders this Cause is going to bring along. Such a
> glorious spirit should also give vent to a glorious art. The Temple with all
> its beauty is only the first ray of an early dawn; even more wondrous things
> are to be achieved in the future.
> 
> (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi - 11 December
> 1931)
> 
> Shoghi Effendi was very much interested to learn of the
> success of the "Pageant of the Nations" you produced. He sincerely hopes that
> all those who attended it were inspired by the same spirit that animated you
> while arranging it.
> 
> It is through such presentations that we can arouse the interest of the
> greatest number of people in the spirit of the Cause. The day will come when
> the Cause will spread like wildfire when its spirit and teachings will be
> presented on the stage or in art and literature as a whole. Art can better
> awaken such noble sentiments than cold rationalizing, especially among the mass
> of the people.
> 
> We have to wait only a few years to see how the spirit breathed by
> Bahá'u'lláh will find expression in the work of the artists.
> What you and some other Bahá'ís are attempting are only faint
> rays that precede the effulgent light of a glorious morn. We cannot yet value
> the part the Cause is destined to play in the life of society. We have to give
> it time. The material this spirit has to mould is too crude and unworthy, but
> it will at last give way and the Cause of Bahá'u'lláh will reveal
> itself in its full splendour.
> 
> (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi - 10 October 1932, cited
> in "Bahá'í News", 73(May 1933) p. 7)
> 
> Although now is only the very beginning of
> Bahá'í art, yet the friends who feel they are gifted in such
> matters should endeavour to develop and cultivate their gifts and through their
> works to reflect, however inadequately, the Divine Spirit which
> Bahá'u'lláh has breathed into the world.
> 
> (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi - 4 November
> 1937)
> 
> As regards producing a book of Bahá'í songs,
> your understanding that there is no cultural expression which could be called
> Bahá'í at this time (distinctive music, literature, art,
> architecture, etc., being the flower of the civilization and not coming at the
> beginning of a new Revelation), is correct. However, that does not mean that
> we haven't Bahá'í songs, in other words, songs written by
> Bahá'ís on Bahá'í subjects. There is no objection
> to getting out a compilation of these, but he does not think money should be
> spent in printing it, in view of the state of the National Fund, and the much
> more important work in the teaching field which needs to be undertaken this
> year. If you can get out such a book in a mimeographed form, he feels this
> would be sufficient to meet the needs at this time.
> 
> (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi - 21 September 1957 to
> the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States)
> 
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> — *Arts and Crafts (Used by permission of the curator)*