A new version of the Bahá’í Reference Library is now available. This ‘old version’ of the Bahá’í Reference Library will be replaced at a later date.
The new version of the Bahá’i Reference Library can be accessed here »
A new version of the Bahá’í Reference Library is now available. This ‘old version’ of the Bahá’í Reference Library will be replaced at a later date.
The new version of the Bahá’i Reference Library can be accessed here »
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Cleanliness |
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Be the essence of cleanliness among mankind … under
all circumstances conform yourselves to refined manners …
let no trace of uncleanliness appear on your
clothes. … Immerse yourselves in pure water; a water
which hath been used is not allowable. … Verily We
have desired to see in you the manifestations of Paradise
on earth, so that there may be diffused from you that
whereat the hearts of the favored ones shall
rejoice.—Kitáb-i-Aqdas.
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Mírzá Abu’l-Faḍl, in his book, Bahá’í Proofs (p. 89),
points out the extreme importance of these commands, more
especially in some parts of the East, where water of the foulest
description is often used for household purposes, for bathing
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and even for drinking, and horribly insanitary conditions
abound, causing a vast amount of preventable disease and misery.
These conditions, often supposed to be sanctioned by the
prevailing religion, can be changed, among Orientals, only by
the commandment of one who is believed to have Divine authority.
In many parts of the Western Hemisphere, too, a wonderful
transformation would result were cleanliness accepted
not only as next to godliness, but as an essential part of
godliness.
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