of CELEBRATING THE LIFE
JOHN (JAHAN) ARIAN
Our beloved son, brother, cousin, nephew and friend
JANUARY 1987 - MARCH 2024
Memorial Service
Persian poem “Jayeh to Khali” - Recording
One: Excerpt from The Universal House of Justice
Two: Writings of Shoghi Effendi
Three: Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
Four: Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
Five: Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
Persian prayer for the departed - Recording
Six: Prayer by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
Seven: Prayer by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
Eight: Prayer by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
Writings of ‘Bahá’u’lláh - Recording
Persian Prayer Chanted - Recording
Eulogy - Family
Eulogy - Friends
Video of John’s life
Letter from The Universal House of Justice Burial Service
Such a senseless cutting short of the lives of capable young people who have so much promise before them is a loss to mankind and an agonizing trial for those to whom they were near and dear...
...good works performed in the names of those who have passed on assist their progress in the next life. Therefore, if you will consecrate to their memory your services to your fellow human beings... you may be sure that this will rejoice them in the worlds beyond.
Excerpt from a letter to a Bahá’í on behalf of The Universal House of Justice
It is very hard to be subject to any illness, particularly a mental one. However, we must always remember these illnesses have nothing to do with our spirit or our inner relation to God.
You must always remember, no matter how much you or others may be afflicted with mental troubles… that your spirit is healthy, near to our Beloved, and will in the next world enjoy a happy and normal state of soul. But in this world such illness is truly a heavy burden to bear!
He urges you to persevere and add up your accomplishments, rather than to dwell on the dark side of things. Everyone's life has both a dark and bright side. The Master said: turn your back to the darkness and your face to Me.
Shoghi Effendi
To consider that after the death of the body the spirit perishes is like imagining that a bird in a cage will be destroyed if the cage is broken, though the bird has nothing to fear from the destruction of the cage.
Our body is like the cage, and the spirit is like the bird. We see that without the cage this bird flies in the world of sleep; therefore, if the cage becomes broken, the bird will continue and exist.
Its feelings will be even more powerful, its perceptions greater, and its happiness increased.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá
The death of that beloved youth and his separation from you have caused the utmost sorrow and grief; for he winged his flight in the flower of his age and the bloom of his youth to the heavenly nest.
But he hath been freed from this sorrow-stricken shelter and hath turned his face toward the everlasting nest of the Kingdom, and, being delivered from a dark and narrow world, hath hastened to the sanctified realm of light; therein lieth the consolation of our hearts…
Do not feel grieved or disconsolate, therefore, at the ascension of that bird of faithfulness; nay, under all circumstances pray for that youth, supplicating for him forgiveness and the elevation of his station…I hope that ye will attain the utmost patience, composure and resignation.
`Abdu'l-Bahá
In the next world, man will find himself freed from many of the disabilities under which he now suffers. Those who have passed on through death, have a sphere of their own.
It is not removed from ours… but it is sanctified from what we call `time and place.' Time with us is measured by the sun. When there is no more sunrise, and no more sunset, that kind of time does not exist for man.
Those who have ascended have different attributes from those who are still on earth, yet there is no real separation. "In prayer there is a mingling of station, a mingling of condition.
Pray for them as they pray for you! When you do not know it, and are in a receptive attitude, they are able to make suggestions to you, if you are in difficulty.
`Abdu'l-Bahá
O Thou Provider, O Thou Forgiver! A noble soul hath ascended unto the Kingdom of reality, and hastened from the mortal world of dust to the realm of everlasting glory.
Exalt the station of this recently arrived guest, and attire this long-standing servant with a new and wondrous robe.
O Thou Peerless Lord! Grant Thy forgiveness and tender care so that this soul may be admitted into the retreats of Thy mysteries and may become an intimate companion in the assemblage of splendours.
Thou art the Giver, the Bestower, the Ever-Loving. Thou art the Pardoner, the Tender, the Most Powerful.
`Abdu'l-Bahá
O my God! O Thou forgiver of sins, bestower of gifts, dispeller of afflictions! Verily, I beseech Thee to forgive the sins of such as have abandoned the physical garment and have ascended to the spiritual world.
O my Lord! Purify them from trespasses, dispel their sorrows, and change their darkness into light. Cause them to enter the garden of happiness, cleanse them with the most pure water, and grant them to behold Thy splendors on the loftiest mount.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá
O God! Refresh and gladden my spirit. Purify my heart. Illumine my powers. I lay all my affairs in Thy hand. Thou art my Guide and my Refuge. I will no longer be sorrowful and grieved; I will be a happy and joyful being.
O God! I will no longer be full of anxiety, nor will I let trouble harass me. I will not dwell on the unpleasant things of life. O God! Thou art more friend to me than I am to myself.
`Abdu'l-Bahá
O SON OF SPIRIT!
The spirit of holiness beareth unto thee the joyful tidings of reunion; wherefore dost thou grieve?
The spirit of power confirmeth thee in His cause; why dost thou veil thyself?
The light of His countenance doth lead thee; how canst thou go astray?
Bahá’u’lláh
The Universal House of Justice was sorry to learn from an email of 25 March 2024, sent on your behalf, of the tragic passing of John (Jahan) Arian and extends to you its heartfelt condolences for the loss you have suffered.
Rest assured of the supplications of the House of Justice in the Holy Shrines for the progress of his soul in the heavenly kingdom. Prayers will also be offered that, through the unfailing grace of Bahá’u’lláh, you and his other loved ones may find solace and consolation at this difficult time.
Department of the Secretariat
The Universal House of Justice (the international governing council of the Bahá’í Faith)
Burial Service
Musical Prayer
Bahá’í Prayer for the Dead
Committal
Arabic Recording: Ya Allau’l-Mustagath
English Translation: He Who is invoked for help
O my God!
This is Thy servant and the son of Thy servant who hath believed in Thee and in Thy signs, and set his face towards Thee, wholly detached from all except Thee. Thou art, verily, of those who show mercy the most merciful.
Deal with him, O Thou Who forgivest the sins of men and concealest their faults, as beseemeth the heaven of Thy bounty and the ocean of Thy grace.
Grant him admission within the precincts of Thy transcendent mercy that was before the foundation of earth and heaven. There is no God but Thee, the Ever-Forgiving, the Most Generous.
There is no God but Thee, the Ever-Forgiving, the Most Generous.
“Alláh-u-Abhá,”
We all, verily, worship God.
“Alláh-u-Abhá,”
We all, verily, bow down before God.
“Alláh-u-Abhá,”
We all, verily, are devoted unto God.
“Alláh-u-Abhá,”
We all, verily, give praise unto God.
“Alláh-u-Abhá,”
We all, verily, yield thanks unto God.
“Alláh-u-Abhá,”
We all, verily, are patient in God.
Bahá’u’lláh
