Bahaipedia:Reference desk/Archive 2

Stocks

Is it ok to buy stock market. Ie aapl apple. Is there any reason that says we should Not trade stocks or invest in stocks. I am hoping to buy once the market stops falling. I also buy UVXY as the market is falling.

You can invest in stocks, here are some restrictions on how we can't use our money: https://bahai.works/Lights_of_Guidance/Gambling David (talk) 16:28, 14 March 2020 (PDT)

When did the Bábis become bahai

When did the Bábis become bahai?

Contact with board member

Hello, I would like to contact Ritia Kamauti Bakineti, who I know from my former work in Kiribati but I don't have her e-mail address. Could you please send it to me?

Regards, Wieland Kunzel Rostock, Germany E-mail: wkunzelhotmail.com

Glossary of Arabic and Persian terms

Hello Friends,

It was great to see the Wilmette Institute webinars listed on your calendar, thanks so much for that.

I have a need. For the Wilmette Institute courses, sometimes I'll provide a link to a Glossary. The website I used to have at hand, with pronunciation, no longer works and and I'm sad about that. The old style one from Baha'i books just isn't good enough anymore.

https://bahaipedia.org/Glossary_of_Arabic_and_Persian_terms

The Bahaipedia Glossary of Arabic and Persian terms looks great! Except, it needs some attention. Is there are plan for completing this list, or is it on a to-do list, because I would link it in the Wilmette Institute courses early and often for sure.

Thanks so much, I see quite regularly all your hard work and effort and appreciate it very much.

Candace Hill emailremoved

Question.

I would like to know if Bahaipedia is intended only for Bahà'is or, above all, it is to allow non-Bahá'is to do research on the Bahà'i Faith ?

I read in the article Julio SAVI:

"Julio Savi is a prominent Italian Bahá'í. He has written some books on the Faith and produced some Provisional Translations of the Writings."

I don't understand what "the Faith" means here? What "Faith"? Similarly, you write "Writings", which "Writings" are you referring to ?...

Warm Regards, Rochan MAVADDAT

Hi Rochan, Baha'is will most commonly refer to the religion as the "Baha'i Faith", or just "the faith". I can see why the statement "the faith" without any context would be confusing. "Writings" is the body of work that makes up the religious text for Bahá’ís. This would include the writings of the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. As for Bahaipedia being only intended for Baha'is, I'm not sure I understand. As in only Baha'is may access the site? No. Only Baha'is may contribute? No. For non-Baha'is to do research? Bahaipedia (like wikipedia) is probably only a good research tool to the extent that citations can be followed to primary source work. I'd suggest looking to websites hosting primary source material for research purposes. David (talk) 10:10, 3 June 2020 (PDT)

how do i send a message to the world center/

I am looking for a way to send my message

You may write to secretariat@bwc.org David (talk) 11:08, 12 June 2020 (PDT)

Zakat

Is there a Zakat fund established for Bahá'ís to contribute?

I'm not sure what a Zakat fund is, can you explain? David (talk) 03:04, 7 August 2020

(PD)I found it in the Bahaipedia index referring to the Islamic tradition of giving alms to the poor once a year. Zakat is referenced in the Aqdas in sections: K146, Q107, 157, n161. The last of these says the rules of payment will be established by the UHJ.

I see. Zakat is required of Baha'is, but the specifics have not been defined yet (so far as I know). Until the House defines Zakat further, Shoghi Effendi said the Baha'is should make regular contributions to the Baha'i fund. There is an article which talks about this titled "The concept of “The Right of God” in religious scripture" in Baha'i Canada here. David (talk) 19:15, 7 August 2020 (PDT)

On The Subject Of Socialism In The Bahai Faith

Hello,

I was wondering how the Bahai faith, generally speaking, views socialism/communism in terms of both economic and social views.

Lights of Guidance has a section on economics, there is also a booklet titled Bahá’í Teachings on Economics by John Ferraby. Essentially, the present day systems may have some similarities with the Baha'i ideas, but none can be considered models for a Baha'i economy. That is something which would have to be developed in the future, and would likely look quite different to any system existing today. David (talk) 21:02, 19 October 2020 (PDT)

Wrong ISBN

I have come to notice on this page that the ISBN you have listed is wrong and that both source links provided to find the book come up with nothing, 'Page Not Found'. Could you please edit the page with the correct ISBN as follows?

9780853984016

Thank you :)

Fixed, thanks. David (talk) 20:23, 28 October 2020 (PDT)

Question

How can I join the Baha'i faith

Hi. You would just need to contact your local Baha'i community and let them know you would like to declare. You can find contact pages here: https://www.bahai.org/national-communities/ And for example: https://www.bahai.org/national-communities/kenya David (talk) 01:55, 27 February 2021 (PST)

Headstone inscriptions

Greetings!

I would like to know few best and common use headstone inscriptions?

Thanks.

Regards, Moe

Hello Moe, I'm not sure how common this is, but it is acceptable and some have used an inscription of the nine pointed star, see this page: https://bahai9.com/wiki/Tombstone

It says also you can use a quotation from the Baha'i writings, I seem to recall seeing a photograph of a headstone with a short quote on it before. I hope this helps. For more opinions you can ask on facebook or reddit too. David (talk) 14:25, 27 March 2021 (PDT)

Question on Bahai' calender

If you calculate 2021-1844 of the gregorian calender, it's equal to 177,why now are we talking about 178?any explanations please.

The calendar began in March of 1844. March 1844 to March 1845 was year one. Therefore April 1845 was in year 2. But 1845 - 1844 = 1. David (talk) 17:27, 10 April 2021 (PDT)

Language of meetings

I remember having read somewhere that the Baha'is worldwide are encouraged to conduct their Baha'i meetings in the local languages and all are encouraged to partake in those meetings.

I am unable to find any references to this guidance... Can you please refer me to the correct location?

Thank you in advance.

Payman Bidardel

Germany

Hello Payman. With respect to "encouraged to partake" here is a compilation on meetings by the Research Department. And here is a compilation on the Nineteen day feast that includes: "The Nineteen Day Feasts and other official gatherings of the friends should be conducted in whatever is the conventional local language. This does not mean, of course..." David (talk) 06:16, 28 April 2021 (PDT)

Ridvan

What were the names of Baha'u'llah's horses?

I wasn't able to find this information. You might try asking here or here.

Shrine of rthe Geatest Holy Leaf

WAnt to know, what doeas the shrine of the Greatest Holy Leaf represent?

Are you asking if the shape/style of the monument marking her gravesite has any special meaning? I don't believe it does, you'll notice a common style and ornamentation to other monuments and buildings on the Arc. David (talk) 13:59, 3 May 2021 (PDT)

Family tree

Is there a family tree showing Baha-u-llah's parents, siblings, and descendents?

This is what I could find: https://bahai-library.com/pdf/b/buzurg_nuri_genealogy.pdf David (talk) 07:59, 9 May 2021 (PDT)

Architecture of Universal House of Justice - Columns

Greetings I’m interested in ascertaining the total number of columns around the building and if the number of columns have a symbolic significance in the Bahá’í Faith. I’ve read the articles, some of which state 60 columns with an additional 6 on the portico. The same article, however, states that there are 18 columns on the long sides and 10 on the shorter ones. So I’m confused.

Hi, our article says it 60, but I'm curious too so I counted using these three images, 1, 2, 3, you can see around the entire building. I counted 58 columns total, 6 of which sit extended in the front of the building. Not counting the corner columns, there are 8 on the side and 16 on the back, (8+8+16+16), plus corners (+4), plus the 6 additional on the front (+6) = 58. Is that what you see too? David (talk) 14:11, 21 May 2021 (PDT)

This website says 58. This website says there are 3 rows of columns (I can only see 2 rows in the pictures so are there an extra two back by the doors? I can't remember off the top of my head). David (talk) 15:21, 21 May 2021 (PDT)

Visiting Baha'i Holy Places produced by the World Centre says 60, with a note. If you check the note on page 44 it states: "It was later decided that the stone would come from Greece and be carved in Italy; the sixty columns of the original plan were reduced to fifty-eight." . I've updated our article, thanks for asking this question. David (talk) 15:32, 21 May 2021 (PDT)

A potential initiative for 2022 in the geographical center of the contiguous 48 states, Hutchinson, KS. - If I'm even in the correct "domain?"

In the spirit of my understanding of Ruhi Book 10.2, I wish to reach out to the Counselors for initial exploration and consultation on a potential initiative for 2022 for their honored feedback and valued input.

Hi. This site is an individual initiative and the people you are hoping to reach are not going to see this page most likely. Do you have access to the page https://www.bahai.us/community/ ? You can use it to find contact information. David (talk) 14:04, 7 June 2021 (PDT)

William Sears

Currently, it is stated that William Sears wrote two autobiographies: God Loves Laughter AND Thief in the Night. Doesn't this suggest that Sears was a thief in the night?

I've updated the language, while Thief in the Night is sort of autobiographical because it's written in the first person and is Mr. Sears describing his own research and thinking process, the book is better known as a work presenting evidence in support of Bahá’u’lláh's claim to be the Promised One of all religions so perhaps it's better to introduce it like that. If you can think of a better way to describe it please feel free to update that page. David (talk) 22:17, 24 July 2021 (PDT)

– The questioner concurs with the revision.

Translations of Baha'u'llah's Letters to the Kings

Greetings,

The question was asked at a study circle last night of who translated each of Baha'u'llah's letters to the kings. According to William Sears' book "The Prisoner and the Kings," His letter to Napoleon III was translated by the French Agent in Akka. Can you tell me who translated the others into the kings' languages or how it was done?

Many thanks!

jean sevin

Hi Jean, I'm sorry I don't know the answer to this. I asked around but didn't receive a reply yet. I'd recommend one of the Baha'i Facebook groups or Reddit: https://old.reddit.com/r/bahai David (talk) 08:53, 3 August 2021 (PDT)