Walking Through The Garden of Ridvan: Hospitality

Baha’i Mom Blogs continue with introducing you to the Ridvan Festival . Today is the 6th Day of the Ridvan Festival and I am here to talk to you about Hospitality.

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“… Baha’u’llah exhorts His followers to consort, with amity and concord and without discrimination, with the adherents of all religions; warns them to guard against fanaticism, sedition, pride, dispute and contention; inculcates upon them immaculate cleanliness, strict truthfulness, spotless chastity, trustworthiness; hospitality, fidelity, courtesy, forbearance, justice and fairness…” 

                                                                                                                                                                    Shoghi Effendi ( God Passes By, Pages: 214-215)

Hospitality is one of the virtues Baha’is are asked to practice all the time. Even the original name for the Baha’i Nineteen Days Feast translates from Arabic as Hospitality. During Baha’i Festivals, Holy Days, Commemoration Days and Nineteen Days Feasts, Baha’is usually gather together for prayers, social and/or administrative events and enjoy some tea or a meal together. Abdu’l-Baha encouraged Baha’is to show hospitality to everyone and He was known to always serve food and drinks to friends made by His own hands.

In many cultures the main way to show hospitality is to serve the guest with snacks or a meal. In Russia, we try our best to “feed the guest” and the host himself usually wouldn’t let the guest go without at least having a cup of tea. In China hospitality is shown by inviting friends out to dinner or to the house to have a meal together.

A friend of mine, an Iranian Baha’i, shared with me that during Baha’i gatherings there would be few samovars brewing tea and huge trays with numerous tea cups would be served to everyone present, along with nuts, seeds, cookies and other snacks. She told me that sometimes over 100 people would attend and there would be quite a few volunteers serving others and making sure everyone had their share and was happy.

During the Days of Ridvan you will probably have friends visiting or you will go visit your friends. Here are some simple ideas on what you can serve your guests as a token of hospitality:

1. Persian tea:

1 portion of Darjeeling tea

2 portions of Earl Grey tea,

some orange peel

Boil water, put some of the tea into the teapot, pour the boiled water over. Cover and brew for a few minutes. Serve hot with rock sugar

2. Sugar cookies:

You can find the recipe here.

3.  Try these easy Irish Oatmeal Cookies

You can find the recipe here.

4. If you are looking for a quick meal idea, try this omelette and this banana milkshake!

You can find the recipes here.

Of course, if you are planning a big celebration, your choice of beverages and dishes will vary according to where you come from and what people enjoy eating. However, no matter what you put on your table – whether it is just a glass of water to relieve the guests from thirst, or a large meal – as long as you offer it to your guest with love, sincerity and heartfelt kindness, you show your utmost hospitality to anyone who enters your house.

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How do you celebrate Ridvan? Share your stories or links in comments!

Follow Baha’i Parenting Board on Pinterest and Baha’i Special Days Board for more ideas.

Check out the landing page for the Walking Through the Garden of Ridvan project at All Done Monkey to follow Baha’i Mom Blogs posting about every day of Ridvan!