Stories from the Childhood of Shoghi Effendi

As the neighborhood was keeping the Muslim Fast of Ramadan, one household near the prison of 'Akká was celebrating a happy event. Ḍíyá’íyyih Khánum, the eldest daughter of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, and Mírzá Hádí Shírází had a new son. The date was March 1, 1897.

The proud Grandfather, 'Abdu'l-Bahá, gave the name of Shoghi Effendi to the little boy. He said that everyone should use the title "Effendi", which means "mister" or "sir", as a term of respect for the new child, even his father. The name Shoghi means "the one who longs". In one tablet written for Shoghi Effendi, 'Abdu'l-Bahá asks that he may yearn for the Kingdom of God and soar into the realms of the unseen!

One morning, Shoghi Effendi woke up to the crowing of roosters. The sun was just dawning over the tops of the sun-baked roofs of the town. He and the other children of the household rushed to 'Abdu'l-Bahá's room for prayers. The children sat on the floor, their legs folded under them and their arms folded across their breasts in great respect. When asked, they would chant for 'Abdu'l-Bahá. "O my God! O my God! Unite the hearts of Thy servants, and reveal to them Thy great purpose ..." they sang. There was no shouting or unseemly conduct.

Then the family had breakfast. The ladies served the hot, sweet tea in little glasses. On the low table was pure wheat bread and gleaming white goat's milk cheese. "May I please have some more tea?" asked one of the little cousins of Shoghi Effendi. "Thank you," she said when served.

After breakfast, the children roamed around the big house and yard. Whenever Shoghi Effendi visited his great aunt's room, he always felt that he should be quiet and respectful. The other members of the household felt this way, too. Later it was learned that the remains of His Holiness the Báb were hidden in that very house, their presence a carefully guarded secret. Later they were transferred to the Shrine of the Báb on Mount Carmel by 'Abdu'l-Bahá. Many years later, the beautiful outside structure of the Shrine would be completed under the guidance of Shoghi Effendi, when he was Guardian of our Faith.

One day, when Shoghi Effendi was only five years old, he was pestering the Master to write something for him. So, in His own hand, 'Abdu'l-Bahá penned these words:

“He is God!

O My Shoghi, I have no time to talk, leave me alone! You said "write" - I have written. What else should be done? Now is not the time for you to read and write, it is the time for jumping about and chanting "O My God!", therefore memorize the prayers of the Blessed Beauty and chant them that I may hear them, because there is no time for anything else.”

Shoghi Effendi did just as he was told. When his chanting became so loud as to bother the rest of the family, they complained to 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Who told them to leave Shoghi Effendi alone.

Once a Western friend asked 'Abdu'l-Bahá to reveal a prayer for children. He did so and the first to memorize it and chant it was Shoghi Effendi, who would also chant it in the meetings of the friends.

Soon enough it was time for Shoghi Effendi to go to school. During his first years in school, he asked his Grandfather to give him another name so that he could be distinguished from his cousins who all had the name of Afnán (being descendants of the family of the Báb). The Master gave him the name "Rabbani" as a last name. This name, which means "divine", was also used by the brothers and sisters of Shoghi Effendi. At school, Shoghi Effendi started learning English and French so that he would be able to help 'Abdu'l-Bahá in His letters to the Bahá'ís all over the world.

The tender relationship between that Grandfather and His grandson Shoghi Effendi helped prepare Shoghi Effendi for the big job he was later to have as Guardian of the Bahá'í Faith.

Source: Elyce Nasseri, Brilliant Star magazine, March–April 1988, drawn from Rúhíyyih Rabbani, The Priceless Pearl, ch. 1 (Dr. Zia Baghdadi's recollections, the Tablet "O My Shoghi", the surname Rabbani), via Baha'i Stories for Children (https://bahaistoriesforchildren.blogspot.com/2021/07/stories-from-childhood-of-shoghi-effendi.html).

Various. *Baha'i Stories for Children*. https://bahaistoriesforchildren.blogspot.com/2021/07/stories-from-childhood-of-shoghi-effendi.html