| A ceremony described in a letter written by ‘Abdu'l-Bahá to an individual and published in Tablets of ‘Abdu'l- Bahá, but which is not obligatory. ‘Abdu'l-Bahá wrote: ‘Thou hast asked regarding the naming of children: When thou wishest to name a babe, prepare a meeting therefor; chant the verses and communes, and supplicate and implore the Threshold of Oneness and beg the attainment of guidance for the babe and wish confirmated firmness and constancy; then give the name and enjoy beverage and sweetmeat. This is spiritual baptism.'1 |
| Shoghi Effendi further clarified this in 1938: ‘Regarding your question whether there is any special ceremony which the believers should perform when they wish to "name" a baby: the Teachings do not provide for any ceremony whatever on such occasions. We have no "baptismal service" in the Cause . . . There could be no objection, however, for the friends to come together on such happy occasions, provided they do not hold an official public ceremony, and provided also they strictly avoid any uniformity and rigidity in all such practices. ‘2 |
| [BD 36] |
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