Shoghi Effendi: Let Us Arise
“How vast is the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh! How great the magnitude of His blessings showered upon humanity in this day!”
—Shoghi Effendi
Have you ever faced a responsibility that was so big, you felt like the weight of the world was on your shoulders? As a young man, Shoghi Effendi felt like this when he became the leader of the Bahá’í community.
Shoghi Effendi was born on March 1, 1897, in ‘Akká, Israel. He was raised in the home of his grandfather, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, who led the Bahá’í Faith after Bahá’u’lláh’s passing. Shoghi Effendi’s father was Mírzá Hádí Shírazí, a descendant of the Báb. His mother was Díyá’iyyih Khánum—‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s eldest daughter.
As a boy, Shoghi Effendi was full of energy and curiosity. He had a deep bond with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, who was known as the Master.
March 1, 1897 – Shoghi Effendi is born in ‘Akká, Israel
When he was five, Shoghi Effendi asked ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to write something for him. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá wrote, “Now is not the time for you to read and write, it is the time for jumping about and chanting... memorize the prayers... and chant them that I may hear them...”
From then on, Shoghi Effendi chanted Bahá’u’lláh’s prayers loudly enough to be heard throughout the neighborhood. When family asked him to be quieter, he said, “The Master wrote to me to chant that He may hear me! I am doing my best!”
In his teens, Shoghi Effendi went to the American University of Beirut in Lebanon. When not studying, he enjoyed mountain climbing, swimming, and soccer.
After graduating in 1918, some of Shoghi Effendi’s happiest days were spent working as ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s secretary. For about two years, he was at ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s side day and night, often translating letters and conversations into English for Bahá’ís from the West. He wrote to a friend, “What a dear and blessed spot to be privileged to live in!”
Legacy of Leadership
In 1920, Shoghi Effendi went to Oxford University in England. He was determined to learn all he could and to serve the Faith.
1920-1921 – Shoghi Effendi as a young man, about the time he studied at Oxford University, England
The following year, his life changed dramatically. His beloved grandfather unexpectedly passed away. Devastated, Shoghi Effendi returned to Israel. When the Master’s will was read, Shoghi Effendi was shocked to learn that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had named him the Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith. At about age 24, he was the leader of the global Bahá’í community.
Faced with this immense responsibility, Shoghi Effendi retreated to the mountains of Switzerland to gain “health, strength, self-confidence and spiritual energy.” He climbed and hiked, some days walking 25 miles (40 km). After eight months he returned home, feeling renewed.
Shoghi Effendi jumped into action and encouraged Bahá’ís to share the Faith around the globe was. He wrote, “Let us arise to teach His Cause with righteousness, conviction, understanding and vigor... Let us scatter to the uttermost corners of the earth...”
Bahá’ís often met with Shoghi Effendi and visited the Bahá’í holy places. He inspired them and talked about the growth of the Faith. Under his leadership, countries with Bahá’ís grew from 35 to 254.
March 25, 1937 – Marriage to Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum
One Bahá’í he met was Mary Maxwell, a young woman from Canada. They talked about the power of the Bahá’í teachings. Shoghi Effendi even taught her Persian calligraphy. In 1937, they were married. Shoghi Effendi gave his wife a new name—Amatu'l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum. He called her “my tireless collaborator.”
His Kind Heart
“He was fundamentally a very tender-hearted person” and expressed this kindness “in many ways,” Rúhíyyih Khánum said. He shared loving gifts and messages, and he gave financial help to the poor. In peaceful moments, he had “a delightful sense of humor” and his eyes would “dance with amusement.”
Shoghi Effendi had amazing energy and drive, working from early morning until late each night. He wrote thousands of letters and created plans for teaching the Faith worldwide. He sent messages to Bahá’í junior youth and signed them, “Your true brother, Shoghi.”
1953 – Shrine of the Báb completed on Mount Carmel
Shoghi Effendi envisioned plans for the Bahá’í World Centre, the spiritual and administrative heart of the Faith, in Israel. Its focal point is the Shrine of the Báb. He asked his father-in-law, architect Sutherland Maxwell, to design a magnificent superstructure to surround the original stone shrine. It was completed in 1953.
November 4, 1957 – Shoghi Effendi passes away in London, England
In 1957, Shoghi Effendi became ill during a trip to London. Then suddenly, on November 4, he passed away at age 60.
Bahá’ís gathered to honor the Guardian with prayers in many languages. His gravesite, near London, is a place of prayer and meditation.
In 1963, the national Bahá’í governing bodies of the world elected the first Universal House of Justice. Shoghi Effendi said that this nine-member council will enable the “light” of the Bahá’í Faith to “illumine the whole earth.” It is elected every five years to guide Bahá’ís in establishing global peace and justice.
Photos: © Baha'i International Community
Bahá’í Faith515 Timeline7 Shoghi Effendi39 Guardian7 Bahá’ís in History201 Bahá’í World Centre10 Ruhiyyih Khánum7 Israel54 Haifa18 ’Akká41 Responsibility10 Leadership40 England8 Mary Maxwell6