Baháʼí

There are no sects or denominations of the Bahá’í Faith; it has remained one united religion since its founding. Therefore all Bahá’ís believe and worship in the same way, guided by institutions that are elected from the body of its members at the local, national and international levels. There is no clergy in the Faith.

Bahá’ís follow a number of daily, personal spiritual practices. These do not require the intervention of another Bahá’í:

• Reading a passage from the Bahá’í scriptures, each morning and evening
• Reciting the phrase “Alláh-u-Abhá” (Arabic: God is the Most Glorious) 95 times preceded by ablutions (which may be shared with those performed for obligatory prayer)
• Daily obligatory prayer: there are three from which the individual chooses one:
  • a short prayer to be said between solar noon and sunset,
  • a prayer of medium length which should be said three times a day
  • a long prayer to be recited once in 24 hours.

These prayers can be recited silently. The medium and long obligatory prayer require physical movements while the short one may be recited while standing, all of which may be difficult for a bedridden patient. However, Bahá’ís believe that God accepts the sincere prayers of all, whatever their physical situation. Those who are ill are exempt from obligatory prayer and it is up to the conscience of the individual believer, whether they consider themselves “in ill health”.

Before reciting any of the obligatory prayers, the Bahá’í should perform ablutions, i.e. wash their hands and face, which can be done in an ordinary wash basin or bowl. The person saying the obligatory prayer should face the ‘point of adoration’, the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh, which is situated in Acre in Israel and is in an approximately south easterly direction from the UK. It is helpful if staff can point out the correct direction.

None of these three obligatory prayers require any special place to be carried out. However, if at all possible, the prayers should be said in private.

Personal Prayer (in addition to the obligatory prayer) may be offered by a Bahá’í at any time and does not require any special setting.

The Bahá’í may be grateful to be provided with a Bahá’í prayer book if he/she did not bring one.

To fulfil their obligation to pray and to read from the Bahá’í scriptures daily, a Bahá’í will need access to a copy of a prayer book and a book containing some of the Writings of the Faith.

The Bahá’í Faith has ethical and social teachings, which include the equality of all human beings regardless of gender, race, nationality, colour, or social class, the harmony of science and religion, education for all, and the elimination of extremes of wealth and poverty.

Bahá’í patients will be supported by friends, family and those appointed as spiritual caregivers by their Local Spiritual Assembly or the National Spiritual Assembly, who will visit, give comfort to, and pray with and for the patient. Because the Bahá’í Faith has no sacraments these spiritual caregivers do not have a sacramental or priestly/ministerial role, nor do they have any authority over the patient. Their role, in a Bahá’í context, is that of loving supporters.

Bahá’ís believe in seeking the assistance of competent health professionals when unwell, while at the same time recognising the important role of diet, lifestyle, and the spiritual dimension in promoting healing. Bahá’ís have no objections to blood transfusions.

There are no dress or headwear requirements.

There are no particular stipulations on individual personal hygiene in the Bahá’í Faith beyond the requirement for ablutions before prayer.

The Bahá’í day starts at sunset. The dates given below indicate the Gregorian dates following the sunset at which the Bahá’í date begins.

Bahá’ís usually refrain from work on all but the last two of their Holy Days, but these days are considered good days for charitable work and offering hospitality.

The Bahá’í year begins at Naw-Rúz, which is determined according to the spring equinox, and can thus take place either on 20^th or 21^st March.

The first date given in the list below is for years starting on 20^th March, while the second date is for years where Naw-Rúz falls on 21^st March.

The Twin Birthdays are determined differently and can shift over a period of about a month. For the exact dates in a given year, please consult a website such as badi-calendar.com or enquire from a Local Spiritual Assembly.

• Naw-Rúz (Bahá’í New Year): 20^th / 21^st March
• First Day of Riḍván: 20^th / 21^st April
• Ninth Day of Riḍván: 28^th / 29^th April
• Twelfth Day of Riḍván: 1^st / 2^nd May
• Declaration of the Báb: 23^rd / 24^th May
• Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh: 28^th / 29^th May
• Martyrdom of the Báb: 9^th / 10^th July
• Twin Birthdays: fall on two consecutive days between mid-October and mid-November
• Day of the Covenant: 25^th / 26^th November
• Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá: 27^th / 28^th November

The four to five days immediately before the 19-day Fast at the end of the year are known as Ayyám-i-Há (sometimes also referred to as the Intercalary Days). These are not Holy Days, but they are special days for hospitality in Bahá’í communities and families.

There is no objection to a staff member (male or female), regardless of the gender of the patient to attend to the needs and to care for the patient.

There are no particular requirements in the Bahá’í Faith around maternity or birth. There is no baptism in the Faith.

Bahá’ís can, if they wish, accept palliative treatment for incurable illnesses. Whenever possible it is up to the patient to decide, in cooperation with his or her doctors, what course of action to take. If unable to take decisions on his or her own behalf, the family of or those nominated by the patient should consult with the medical professionals as appropriate.

Bahá’ís see death as a transition to another realm akin to the transition a baby undergoes when being born. While Bahá’ís believe that in general it is God’s decision alone to determine when a life should end, it is recognised that steps to ease suffering may, as a side effect, shorten life, and this is accepted. Decisions regarding these matters are up to the believer’s (or their family/representative’s) own conscience, though they will almost certainly wish to discuss this with the relevant medical professionals.

An important part of the role of the spiritual caregiver in the last days of the patient’s earthly life will be to lovingly remind the Bahá’í patient of Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings concerning the soul’s transition into the next world, and the following joyful approach towards God. It might help both the believer and their family to read and reflect on some of the quotes and prayers concerning this transition into the unknown. It is hoped that when a Bahá’í is dying, they will be surrounded by their family and loved ones, to comfort them, pray and support them at that time.

During the time leading up to death, the patient may well wish to pray. Relatives and friends may also wish to pray with the patient at his or her bedside or in quiet surroundings close to the patient in the time leading up to, including, and after death.

The British Bahá’í community is culturally and ethnically diverse, and the reaction of patients, as well as of their relatives and friends, to death and bereavement will, to a degree, reflect these differences. For instance, when wishing to pray, while some may quietly recite prayers, others may wish to chant. In all cases, Bahá’ís will be aware of the need for dignity, moderation, and as far as possible, avoiding embarrassment to others.

An important part of the role of the spiritual caregiver in the last days of the patient’s earthly life will be to lovingly remind the Bahá’í patient of Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings concerning the soul’s transition into the next world, and the following joyful approach towards God. The body of the deceased is treated with respect and should be buried, not cremated, within an hour’s journey of the place of death. No embalming treatment should be used.

A Bahá’í may wish to donate any of their organs or tissues, or give their body to medical research provided that the above conditions are met following any such procedure.

There is no ritual or sacrament associated with death and the Bahá’í Faith has no clergy, as such Bahá’í friends may therefore visit to offer their support to the individual and comfort to the bereaved family at this time.

There is no objection to a post-mortem examination being carried out when necessary. As the body should be laid to rest within one hour’s journey of the place of death, it is preferable that the post-mortem take place at the hospital where death occurred, or at the nearest available facility.

Bahá’ís do not use alcohol (unless directed by a doctor) or recreational drugs. There are no religiously required food restrictions, although some Bahá’ís are vegetarian as a matter of personal preference.

Family life is an important element of Bahá’í life. Those without family will see the Bahá’í Faith and community as their family. There is no particular day of worship in the week. Bahá’ís in hospital will almost certainly miss the benefits of attendance at important community gatherings, such as the Nineteen Day Feast, which are central to the community’s spiritual, administrative and social life. On the first day of each Bahá’í month there is a three-part community gathering known as the Nineteen Day Feast. The Feast opens with worship, continues with consultation, and concludes with a period of food and socialising. Bahá’ís in hospital cannot hold a Nineteen Day Feast, they may wish however to mark the first day of the Bahá’í month with private prayer and readings.

Bahá’ís believe in the relationship between the body and the soul during life, that the body is ‘the temple of the spirit’. A person’s soul continues after death and is unaffected by any physical ailments or disability.

In the UK the national governing body is:
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United Kingdom,
27 Rutland Gate,
London,
SW7 1PD.

Phone: 0207 584 2566
Email: nsa@bahai.org.uk