Ridvan celebrates Baha’u’llah’s time in 1863 in the garden of Ridvan in Baghdad when He publicly declared His station as a Manifestation of God. The Ridvan Festival is 12 days long and is also the time of year when Baha’is elect their governing bodies.
In His Will, Baha’u’llah instructed all to turn to His eldest Son, Abdu’l-Baha, not only as the authorized interpreter of the Baha’i Writings but also as the perfect exemplar of the Baha’i Faith’s spirit and teachings. Every year Baha’is celebrate Abdu’l-Baha as the Centre of Baha’u’llah Covenant.
Abdu’l-Baha was the eldest son of Baha’u’llah who referred to Him as “the Mystery of God” and “a shelter for all mankind”, however Abdu’l-Baha preferred to be called “Abdu’l-Baha” which means “the Servant of Baha” in reference to His servitude to Baha’u’llah. When Abdu’l-Baha passed away on 28 November 1921, He was eulogized as One who led humanity to the “Way of Truth,” as a “pillar of peace” and the embodiment of “glory and greatness.”
Baha’i Blog’s “Studio Sessions” is an initiative where we invite Baha’is and their friends from around the world to come into a studio and share the Baha’i Writings put to music.
In this Baha’i Blog Studio Session, we’re in London, in the United Kingdom with James Mohajer and Kyan who sing “Apple of Mine Eye” from the Writings of Baha’u’llah.
This song was filmed and recorded in London, United Kingdom, September 2018.
Lyrics & Quotes
O Thou Who art the apple of Mine eye! My glory, the ocean of My loving-kindness, the sun of My bounty, the heaven of My mercy rest upon Thee. We pray God to illumine the world through Thy knowledge and wisdom, to ordain for Thee that which will gladden Thine heart and impart consolation to Thine eyes.
Baha’u’llah
The glory of God rest upon Thee…
Baha’u’llah
We have made Thee a shelter for all mankind, a shield unto all who are in heaven and on earth, a stronghold for whosoever hath believed in God…
Baha’u’llah
Chords
Capo 1
G. D. Em
O Thou who art the apple of Mine eye x2
G. D. Em
My glory, the ocean of My loving-kindness
G. D. Em
The sun, the sun of My Bounty
Am. Em. Bm
We pray to God to illumine the world
Am
Through Thy knowledge
Em
Through Thy wisdom
Am. Em. Bm
We have made Thee a shelter for all mankind
Am. Em. B
A shield unto all who are in heaven and on earth
C. D. Em
[A stronghold for whosoever hath believed in God
C. D. Em.
A stronghold for who hath believed] x 2
G. D. Em
O Thou who art the apple of Mine eye x2
C. D. Em
[A stronghold for whosoever hath believed in God
C. D. Em.
A stronghold for who hath believed] x3
You can also listen to and download the audio version of this song from Baha’i Blog’s Soundcloud page here:
Jordan Raj is a comedian, content producer and third culture kid. Born in Australia and raised in the Czech Republic by parents with ambiguous eastern origins, he is grateful for his unique perspective as his brain grapples to embrace the world. With brief journeys into the spheres of singing, public speaking, high school teaching and magic, he loves all types of performance and loves creating humorous video content to share online. Jordan is known for the “What’s That Word?” Series on Baha’i Blog and a number of explainer videos on Baha’i Holy days which he co-created with his cousin Raj. Currently, Jordan is living in Germany with his wife, where he spends his time doing stand up comedy and producing the Baha’i Blog Studio Sessions series.
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