Suffering of the innocent

Letters[edit]

https://bahai-library.com/uhj_oppression_children

The mind of man cannot fathom the trials of the innocent[edit]

"the trials of the innocent are indeed heartrending and constitute a mystery that the mind of man cannot fathom."

(Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1963-86, no. 425.2, p. 661)

Recompense in the next world[edit]

Embryos, infants, children, or weak ones afflicted by oppressors will be recompensed[edit]

"As to the subject of babes and infants and weak ones who are afflicted by the hands of oppressors: This contains great wisdom and this subject is of paramount importance. In brief, for those souls there is a recompense in another world and many details are connected with this matter. For those souls that suffering is the greatest mercy of God. Verily that mercy of the Lord is far better and preferable to all the comfort of this world and the growth and development of this place of mortality. If it be the will of God, when thou shalt be present this will be explained in detail by word of mouth."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, pp. 337-338)

Suffering of babes and infants contains great wisdom; these souls have a mighty recompense in the next world[edit]

"As regards the question of young children and of weak, defenseless souls who are afflicted at the hands of the oppressor, in this a great wisdom is concealed. The question is one of cardinal importance, but briefly it may be stated that in the world to come a mighty recompense awaiteth such souls. Much, indeed, might be said upon this theme, and upon how the afflictions that they bear in life become a cause for them of such an outpouring of Divine mercy and bestowal as is preferable to a hundred thousand earthly comforts and to a world of growth and development in this transitory abode; but, if possible, God willing, all this will be explained to thee in detail and by word of mouth when thou arrivest here."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, from a Tablet of 'Abdu'l-Bahá; earlier translation in Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, pp. 337-338)

Children who die before maturity are favoured by God and God's mercy will be turned upon them[edit]

"Question: What happens to children who die before reaching the age of maturity or before the appointed time of birth?

"Answer: These children abide under the shadow of the Divine Providence, and, as they have committed no sin and are unsullied by the defilements of the world of nature, they will become the manifestations of divine bounty and the glances of the eye of divine mercy will be directed towards them."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, Chapter 66)

One's suffering will ultimately end[edit]

"As to the statement of Job, chapter 19, verses 25-27, `I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth,' the meaning here is: I shall not be abased, I have a Sustainer and a Guardian, and my Helper, my Defender will in the end be made manifest. And although now my flesh be weak and clothed with worms, yet shall I be healed, and with these mine own eyes, that is, mine inner sight, I shall behold Him. This did Job say after they had reproached him, and he himself had lamented the harms that his tribulations had wreaked upon him. And even when, from the terrible inroads of the sickness, his body was covered with worms, he sought to tell those about him that still he would be fully healed, and that in his very body, with his very eyes, he would gaze on his Redeemer."

(Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, sec. 145, pp. 171-172)

For our development[edit]

Necessary to go through many processes in evolution[edit]

"Man must walk in many paths and be subjected to various processes in his evolution upward. Physically he is not born in full stature but passes through consecutive stages of fetus, infant, childhood, youth, maturity and old age. Suppose he had the power to remain young throughout his life. He then would not understand the meaning of old age and could not believe it existed. If he could not realize the condition of old age, he would not know that he was young. He would not know the difference between young and old without experiencing the old. Unless you have passed through the state of infancy, how would you know this was an infant beside you? If there were no wrong, how would you recognize the right? If it were not for sin, how would you appreciate virtue? If evil deeds were unknown, how could you commend good actions? If sickness did not exist, how would you understand health? Evil is nonexistent; it is the absence of good. Sickness is the loss of health; poverty, the lack of riches. When wealth disappears, you are poor; you look within the treasure box but find nothing there. Without knowledge there is ignorance; therefore, ignorance is simply the lack of knowledge. Death is the absence of life. Therefore, on the one hand, we have existence; on the other, nonexistence, negation or absence of existence.

"Briefly, the journey of the soul is necessary. The pathway of life is the road which leads to divine knowledge and attainment..."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 295-296)

Disasters may be lessons to teach us to rely on God[edit]

"...these events [as the Titanic disaster] have deeper reasons. Their object and purpose is to teach man certain lessons. We are living in a day of reliance upon material conditions. Men imagine that the great size and strength of a ship, the perfection of machinery or the skill of a navigator will ensure safety, but these disasters sometimes take place that men may know that God is the real Protector."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 48)

Disability (of blindness) to teach others gratitude =[edit]

""Jesus states that this defect [blindness from birth] exists in order to prove and show that the gift of sight is from God alone and is one of his bounties. Because were all created with sight the people would consider it a mere natural fact that they must be so made, and not give God thanks for His great gift."

(Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Note 1 on p. 643)

Sufferings and trials are sent to test and perfect God's creatures[edit]

"Sufferings and trials, sent by God to test and perfect His creatures, are an integral part of life."

(On behalf of the Universal House of Justice, at https://bahai-library.com/uhj_oppression_children )

Some suffering is inevitable, but can be used for happiness as a reminder and guide to self-improvement; but may only discover wisdom after it has passed and should not push too far to discover wisdom[edit]

As to your question concerning the meaning of physical suffering and its relation to mental and spiritual healing. Physical pain is a necessary accompaniment of all human existence, and as such is unavoidable. As long as there will be life on earth, there will be also suffering, in various forms and degrees. But suffering, although an inescapable reality, can nevertheless be utilised as a means for the attainment of happiness. This is the interpretation given to it by all the prophets and saints who, in the midst of severe tests and trials, felt happy and joyous and experienced what is best and holiest in life. Suffering is both a reminder and a guide. It stimulates us better to adapt ourselves to our environmental conditions, and thus leads the way to self-improvement. In every suffering one can find a meaning and a wisdom. But it is not always easy to find the secret of that wisdom. It is sometimes only when all our suffering has passed that we become aware of its usefulness. What man considers to be evil turns often to be a cause of infinite blessings. And this is due to his desire to know more than he can. God's wisdom is, indeed, inscrutable to us all, and it is no use pushing too far trying to discover that which shall always remain a mystery to our mind.

(Shoghi Effendi, Unfolding Destiny, p. 434)

Importance of accepting fact of God's dominion regardless of our limited understanding[edit]

We should recognize that all are in God's hands, even those who die, and can be compensated; remember that God can bear to see them suffer so and not for us to question His wisdom[edit]

"But what we do know is that all we can do as Bahá'ís is to teach and to exemplify the Faith. We cannot bear the burden of suffering of others, and we should not try to. All men are in God's hands, and even if they do get killed we know there is another life beyond this than can hold great hope and happiness for the soul.

"No matter what happens, nothing is as important as our feeling of trust in God, our inner peacefulness and faith that all, in the end, in spite of the severity of the ordeals we may pass through, will come out as Bahá'u'lláh has promised.

"He urges you to put these dark thoughts from your mind, and remember that if God, the Creator of all men, can bear to see them suffer so, it is not for us to question His wisdom. He can compensate the innocent, in His own way, for the afflictions they bear."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, September 30, 1950; Lights of Guidance, no. 791)

Have no choice in God's will, so better to obey and trust[edit]

"He doeth as He doeth, and what recourse have we? He carrieth out His Will, He ordaineth what He pleaseth. Then better for thee to bow down thy head in submission, and put thy trust in the All-Merciful Lord."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, sec. 22, p. 51)

Refocusing thoughts about suffering of others[edit]

(Role of service to the Cause in moving beyond too much preoccupation with suffering)[edit]

"As to your own torment and suffering arising from your perception of the fate of children and their oppressors, the way to peace and security for you and for humanity as a whole, is through service to the Cause, to which you have so earnestly committed yourself."

(On behalf of the Universal House of Justice, at https://bahai-library.com/uhj_oppression_children )

Defects as blindness exist in order to demonstrate their absence is God's bounty and presence should prompt thanks[edit]

"As he passed by he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him."

(Bible, John 9:1-3)

"Abdul-Baha elucidated Jesus' teaching against the theory of "blindness from birth" and the defects being caused by the sin of the individual in a former state (see St. John 9:1–3), thus:

""Jesus states that this defect exists in order to prove and show that the gift of sight is from God alone and is one of his bounties. Because were all created with sight the people would consider it a mere natural fact that they must be so made, and not give God thanks for His great gift."

"—Translator"