Amatu'l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum (1910-2000)
You're greater than the praise that earthlings can bestow.
Your station is most great. At least, of that we know.
You were a treasure of creative power's love.
You sacrificed your all in every earthly hour,
To serve your Lord: Baha'u'llah. (repeat)
You filled God's home with love and laughter.
You mirrored the sweet life here after,
United souls in God's spiritual bliss.
Your life was so rich in selfless service,
As you loved your Lord: Baha'u'llah. (repeat)
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Chorus: Ruhiyyih Khanum, you are a rose of love in full blossom.
Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum, I love you, we love you, I love you, we love you. (repeat chorus)
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Bridge: Who could forget those "African Nights"?
Who could forget those "Indian Nights"?
When you made all your home a party so bright,
You'd invite all the friends to share their cultural light.
O Lord! Please help us to be as great as she, as great as she. (repeat)
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I dreamed you held my hand as if I were a child.
And once, amongst a crowd, you looked at me and smiled.
Your mother May Maxwell well trained you as a child
To be a maidservant of the Cause of boundless love,
A maidservant of Baha'u'llah. (repeat)
You travel-taught and you never stopped, and you always gave such amazing talks.
You warmed our yearning hearts a lot; your wit and humor always charmed us.
A true maidservant of Baha'u'llah. (repeat) (chorus & bridge)
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You were a strong helpmate and bold shield for the Guardian,
Dynamic and forceful, a loyal world citizen.
You loved to roam the wild. The creatures gave you joy.
And some became your pets. You filled the world with zest.
You pleased your Lord with tenderness. You pleased your Lord with steadfastness.
You uplifted the friends, embraced their children, and you made the world fragrant love's garden.
The gifts you gave, the travels you made, envelop us all on real life's true stage.
You well pleased your Lord with resourcefulness. You well pleased your Lord by your regal presence.
(chorus & bridge)
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You were heroic and unique, you helped the Cause to grow
Through all those stormy years, you were so beautiful.
Your spontaneity, your splendid vitality.
Your humble majesty and noble dignity.
You loved your Lord: Baha'u'llah. (repeat)
You met with heads of state and royalty. To spread the Cause of God was your first duty.
You protected God's Cause more than anyone. When the Guardian died suddenly, you didn't run.
You stood steadfast, and assembled the Hands. Between East and West, you bridged the gap.
(chorus & bridge)
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"The Ministry of the Custodians", "The Desire of the World",
"Prescription for Living", and "The Priceless Pearl".
The "Manual for Pioneers", these books that you did write are treasured gems for seeking souls.
They fill our world with light.
You were always there when we despaired. You held our hands, you always cared.
"The Green Light Expedition", "The Pilgrimage", are marvelous films.
They embolden us with true happiness and embrace us all in a wonderful bliss.
You were the mother of us all, you upraised our hearts, you embraced us all. (chorus & bridge)
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References:
The Universal House of Justice
The Bahá'í World Center ...19 January 2000 ... To the Bahá'ís of the World
In the early hours of this morning, the soul of Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum, beloved consort of Shoghi Effendi and the Bahá'í world's last remaining link with the family of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, was released from the limitations of this earthly existence. In the midst of our grief, we are sustained by our confidence that she has been gathered to the glory of the Concourse on High in the presence of the Abha Beauty.
For all whose hearts she touched so deeply, the sorrow that this irreparable loss brings will, in God's good time, be assuaged in awareness of the joy that is hers through her reunion with the Guardian and with the Master, Who had Himself prayed in the Most Holy Shrine that her parents be blessed with a child. Down the centuries to come, the followers of Bahá'u'lláh will contemplate with wonder and gratitude the quality of the services -- ardent, indomitable, resourceful -- that she brought to the protection and promotion of the Cause.
In her youth, Amatu'l-Baha had already distinguished herself through her activities in North America, and later, both with her dear mother and on her own, she had rendered valuable service to the Cause in Europe. Her twenty years of intimate association with Shoghi Effendi evoked from his pen such accolades as "my helpmate," "my shield," "my tireless collaborator in the arduous tasks I shoulder." To these tributes he added in 1952 his decision to elevate her to the rank of Hand of the Cause of God, after the death of her illustrious father.
The devastating shock of the beloved Guardian's passing steeled her resolve to lend her share, with the other Hands of the Cause, to the triumph of the Ten Year Crusade, and subsequently to undertake, with characteristic intrepidity, her historic worldwide travels.
A life so noble in its provenance, so crucial to the preservation of the Faith's integrity, and so rich in its dedicated, uninterrupted and selfless service, moves us to call for befitting commemorations by Bahá'í communities on both national and local levels, as well as for special gatherings in her memory in all Houses of Worship.
With yearning hearts, we supplicate at the Holy Threshold for infinite heavenly bounties to surround her soul, as she assumes her rightful and well-earned position among the exalted company in the Abha Kingdom.
(The Universal House of Justice, 2000 Jan 19, Announcement of the Passing of Amatu'l-Baha)
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"A Tribute to Hand of the Cause of God Amatu'l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum" by Violette Nakhjanvani, Baha'i Canada News, Baha/Azamat/Rahmat issues.