Baha'i Faith/Symbolism/Rain

A casual review of the Baha'i documents on the symbolism of rain can leave someone confused. It's hard to tell weather rain is positive or negative. Rains can be harsh. But, they are the only way to clear the clouds away. Remember, if we don't clear the clouds away, we won't be able to see the Sun. But, the Sun is the symbol of truth. So, rain becomes crucial. Baha'u'llah advises us the spend our lives dedicated to truth. Thus, when disruptive truths come pouring down like a harsh rain, we will be prepared for them. That's because our previous strategy was already based on truth. So, how disruptive could these new truths possibly be?^[1]

Relation to Other Symbols

There are two main symbols which are directly related to the rain. The first and most obvious is the symbol of the clouds. The second related symbol is that of the Sun. If the Sun is the symbol of truth, then clouds must be the symbol of falsehood. That's because clouds obstruct the Sun. But, their is one way to remove the clouds from in front of the Sun. That brings us to the symbolism of rain. It waters the garden while making the Sun visible.^[2]

The Bab

Just because the rain always clears away the clouds doesn't mean that it's always pleasant. A keyword search of all of the Bab's work on the Baha'i online library only revealed one occurrence of the word "rain". That's where the Bab described Máh-Kú as a place "where Thou didst rain down upon Me that which beseemeth the glory of Thy heavenly blessings and befitteth the sublimity of Thy gracious gifts and favors". But, Máh-Kú was a prison. The letter was written when The Bab was one year into his two year imprisonment at Chihríq. He described Máh-Kú as the first mountain and Chihríq as a grievous mountain.^[3]

Baha'u'llah

Baha'u'llah seems to be using the rain to demonstrate the potentially destructive power of truth. He encourages his followers to build "such houses as the rain and floods can never destroy, which shall protect you from the changes and chances of this life." He was demonstrating the relationship between the material and spiritual world. By clinging to spiritual truths and acquiring spiritual bounties, followers of the Baha'i faith can overcome material obstacles.^[4]

Abdu'l-Baha

On November 20, 1912, Abdu'l-Baha published a document called "On Calumny". In it he prescribed a solution to the problem of defamation against the Baha'i faith. Tell the truth. He pointed out that "even these falsehoods will result in the spread of the truth. When these slanders appear inquiries are made, and those who inquire are led into a knowledge of the Faith." Such is the steadfast nature of the truth. Or, equivalently, "nothing can prevent the fall of the rain from Heaven." This is how Baha'u'llah related rain to calumny.^[5]

External Links

References

↑ Charles Black, "The Symbolism of Rain", Multi Fest
↑ Abdu'l-Baha, "Talk at Home of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Morten", The Promulgation of Universal Peace
↑ The Bab, "Prayers and Meditations", Selections from the Writings of the Báb
↑ Bahá’u’lláh, "CXXIII", Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh
↑ Abdu'l-Baha, "On Calumny", The New York Times

[1] Charles Black, "The Symbolism of Rain", Multi Fest

[2] Abdu'l-Baha, "Talk at Home of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Morten", The Promulgation of Universal Peace

[3] The Bab, "Prayers and Meditations", Selections from the Writings of the Báb

[4] Bahá’u’lláh, "CXXIII", Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh

[5] Abdu'l-Baha, "On Calumny", The New York Times

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