M E M O R A N D U M
From: Research Department
To: The Universal House of Justice
Date: 12 January 1997
The "Humourist"

In his electronic mail message of 21 November 1996 to the Universal House

of Justice, Mr. Dean Martineau enquires about the existence of a Tablet of

Bahá'u'lláh in which God is referred to as the "All-Humorous", and he requests

passages from the Writings regarding humour or laughter. We provide the

following response.
Tablet of Bahá'u'lláh

As to the existence of a Tablet revealed by Bahá'u'lláh in which "He

refers to God as the All-Humorous', and tells a funny story", the following

extract from a letter dated 19 February 1981, written on behalf of the

Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, addresses the question

raised by Mr. Martineau:

Through your letter to the Universal House of Justice of

14 January you requested a copy of a purported Tablet of Bahá'u'lláh

on the subject of humour, and we are instructed to inform you that no

Tablet by the Blessed Beauty on this subject is known. However, in

a Tablet Bahá'u'lláh states that one of the Names of God is the

"Humourist."

The Tablet mentioned above is revealed in the Arabic language. It has

not to date been translated into English. Though it begins with the words,

"In My Name, the Humourist" [provisional translation], the Tablet does not

contain a humorous anecdote. Rather, it is a serious mystical poem, revealed

in the form of a prayer. The text does not illuminate the reference to the

"Humourist". It is, however, interesting to note that, while dealing with an

exalted theme, the language of expression is, unexpectedly, that of the common

people -- light, simple, and even colloquial.

Although the Research Department has not been able to locate any statement

in the Bahá'í teachings which provides an authoritative interpretation of the

term "Humourist" or, indeed, of the Tablet in question, we wish to observe that

the word "Humourist" does not necessarily have the connotation of "joker", of

being a comical person, or engaged in frivolity. There is a range of meanings

associated with this word in the English language, including, for example, the

now little-used definition of "one given to humouring or indulging". So, too,

there are shades of meaning attached to the Arabic word "mazzah", which has

been translated as "Humourist". One possible connotation is "playful".

The "Humourist"
12 January 1997

To obtain a deeper understanding of the concept in the Bahá'í Scriptures,

it might well be helpful to go beyond the literal translation and to examine

some of the connotations associated with the meaning and use of humour in

Qur'anic literature with a view to finding possible parallels to the use of

humour in the Bahá'í Writings. For example, it is interesting to note that

recent scholars have identified geniality and amusement as the essential

ingredients of humour, and playfulness and amusement as the essence of what

is comical. They further assert that, within the Qur'an itself, the form of

humour most prevalent is irony -- the perception of a clash between appearance

and reality, between the ideal and what actually is.

The Research Department regrets that, due to the pressure of other

assignments, it is not possible to undertake a detailed study of the subject

of the use of humour in the Bahá'í Writings. No doubt, at some time in the

future, this task will be undertaken and the results of the research will be

made available.
References to Humour

While there are many statements in the Bahá'í Writings concerning

happiness and joy, there are relatively few direct references to humour and

laughter. For Mr. Martineau's interest, we attach a short compilation of

extracts relating to these subjects.
Attachment
Date: Mon, 20 Jan 97 14:15:23 IST

From: Bahá'í World Centre Selected Extracts Concerning Humour and Laughter

From the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh

Methinks at this moment, I catch the fragrance of His garment[1] blowing

from the Egypt of Baha;[2] verily He seemeth near at hand, though men may think

Him far away.[3] My soul doth smell the perfume shed by the Beloved One; My

sense is filled with the fragrance of My dear Companion.

[1]Literally, the garment of Ha, which is the letter "H" and here represents Baha.

[2]This reference is to the story of Joseph in the Qur'an and the Bible.

[3]This refers to those who did not expect the imminent advent of Him Whom God Shall Manifest.

The duty of long years of love obey
And tell the tale of happy days gone by,
That land and sky may laugh aloud today,
And it may gladden mind and heart and
eye.[4]
[4]The Mathnavi.

(The Four Valleys, in The Seven Valleys and The Four Valleys (Wilmette: Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1995), pp. 59-60) [1]

From the Writings and Utterances of 'Abdu'l-Bahá

Even as the clouds let us shed down tears, and as the lightning flashes

let us laugh at our coursings through east and west. By day, by night, let us

think but of spreading the sweet savours of God. Let us not keep on forever

with our fancies and illusions, with our analysing and interpreting and

circulating of complex dubieties. Let us put aside all thoughts of self; let

us close our eyes to all on earth, let us neither make known our sufferings nor

complain of our wrongs. Rather let us become oblivious of our own selves, and

drinking down the wine of heavenly grace, let us cry out our joy, and lose

ourselves in the beauty of the All-Glorious.

(Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Bahá (Haifa: Bahá'í World Centre, 1982), section 195, p. 236) [2]

The Prison was a garden of roses to him,[5] and his narrow cell a wide and

fragrant place. At the time when we were in the barracks he fell dangerously

ill and was confined to his bed. He suffered many complications, until finally

the doctor gave him up and would visit him no more. Then the sick man breathed

his last. Mirza Aqa Jan ran to Bahá'u'lláh, with word of the death. Not only

had the patient ceased to breathe, but his body was already going limp. His

family were gathered about him, mourning him, shedding bitter tears. The

Blessed Beauty said, "Go; chant the prayer of Ya Shafi -- O Thou, the Healer --

and Mirza Ja'far will come alive. Very rapidly, he will be as well as ever."

I reached his bedside. His body was cold and all the signs of death were

present. Slowly, he began to stir; soon he could move his limbs, and before an

hour had passed he lifted his head, sat up, and proceeded to laugh and tell

jokes.
[5]Mirza Jafar-i-Yazdi.

He lived for a long time after that, occupied as ever with serving the

friends. This giving service was a point of pride with him: to all, he was a

servant. He was always modest and humble, calling God to mind, and to the

highest degree full of hope and faith. Finally, while in the Most Great

Prison, he abandoned this earthly life and winged his way to the life beyond.

(Memorials of the Faithful (Wilmette: Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1971), pp. 157-58) [3]

I desire to make manifest among the friends in America a new light that they

may become a new people, that a new foundation may be established and complete

harmony be realized; for the foundation of Bahá'u'lláh is love. When you go

to Green Acre, you must have infinite love for each other, each preferring the

other before himself. The people must be so attracted to you that they will

exclaim, "What happiness exists among you!" and will see in your faces the

lights of the Kingdom; then in wonderment they will turn to you and seek the

cause of your happiness. You must give the message through action and deed,

not alone by word. Word must be conjoined with deed. You must love your

friend better than yourself; yes, be willing to sacrifice yourself. The Cause

of Bahá'u'lláh has not yet appeared in this country. I desire that you be

ready to sacrifice everything for each other, even life itself; then I will

know that the Cause of Bahá'u'lláh has been established. I will pray for you

that you may become the cause of upraising the lights of God. May everyone

point to you and ask, "Why are these people so happy?" I want you to be happy

in Green Acre, to laugh, smile and rejoice in order that others may be made

happy by you. I will pray for you.

(The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by Abdu'l-

Baha during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912

rev. ed. (Wilmette: Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1982), p. 218) [4]

My home is the home of peace. My home is the home of joy and delight. My home

is the home of laughter and exultation. Whosoever enters through the portals

of this home, must go out with gladsome heart. This is the home of light;

whosover enters here must become illumined....[6]

[6]"...not an authentic text, but is to be regarded as a pilgrim's note."

Letter on behalf of the Universal House of Justice, 21 May 1978.

(From a reported utterance, published in Star of the West, vol. 9,

no. 3, 28 April 1918), p. 40) [6]

From Letters Written on Behalf of the Universal House of Justice

The Universal House of Justice has requested us to acknowledge your letter

of November 6, 1977 and to say that while laughter should not be suppressed or

frowned upon, it should not be indulged in at the expense of the feelings of

others. What one says or does in a humorous vein should not give rise to

prejudice of any kind. You may recall Abdu'l-Bahá'í caution "Beware lest ye

offend the feelings of anyone, or sadden the heart of any person..." (From

Tablets of Abdu'l-Bahá, vol. I, p. 45)

(1 December 1977 to an individual believer) [6]

On page 25 of The Advent of Divine Justice the beloved Guardian is

describing the requirements not only of chastity, but of "a chaste and holy

life" -- both the adjectives are important. One of the signs of a decadent

society, a sign which is very evident in the world today, is an almost frenetic

devotion to pleasure and diversion, an insatiable thirst for amusement,

a fanatical devotion to games and sport, a reluctance to treat any matter

seriously, and a scornful, derisory attitude towards virtue and solid worth.

Abandonment of "a frivolous conduct" does not imply that a Bahá'í must be

sour-faced or perpetually solemn. Humour, happiness, joy are characteristics

of a true Bahá'í life. Frivolity palls and eventually leads to boredom and

emptiness, but true happiness and joy and humour that are parts of a balanced

life that includes serious thought, compassion and humble servitude to God are

characteristics that enrich life and add to its radiance.

Shoghi Effendi's choice of words was always significant, and each one is

important in understanding his guidance. In this particular passage, he does

not forbid "trivial" pleasures, but he does warn against "excessive attachment"

to them and indicates that they can often be "misdirected". One is reminded of

'Abdu'l-Bahá'í caution that we should not let a pastime become a waste of time.

(8 May 1979 to an individual believer, cited in the compilation,

A Chaste and Holy Life) [7]

Humour too, as you say, is an essential element in preserving a proper balance

in this life and in our comprehension of reality.

(23 July 1985 to an individual believer) [8]

The House of Justice suggests that you may wish to review the use of

humour in your news reports to ensure that the appearance of insensitivity may

not be conveyed inadvertently in a report. It was concerned by the account of

an auction held at a barn dance hosted by the Local Spiritual Assembly of ....

While the intention of the author was clearly to jokingly convey the exuberance

and enthusiasm which were manifested on that occasion, care should be exercised

to avoid giving offence to those who are sensitive to the historical record of

the oppression of women and the denial of their human rights.

The House of Justice trusts that you will find a way of conveying these

observations to the editors of your newsletter in such a manner that their

enthusiasm is not dampened. Indeed, they merit commendation for the overall

quality of their work.

(1 July 1988 to a National Spiritual Assembly) [9]