Any Persian, whether Bahai, or belonging to the ancient religions of Persia, —in short, any Persian—without carrying in his hand a letter either in my handwriting, or signed with my signature, the believers must not associate with him or speak to him, even if he is Shoghi Effendi or Rouhi Effendi (the two grandsons of ‘Abdu’l-Baha). The friends must demand of him before anything else, his credential letter, written in my handwriting, or signed with my signature.
(Signed) ‘Abdu’l-Baha Abbas
(Message from Abdu’l-Baha in His own handwriting, to the
American Bahais, translated on September 18, 1913; Star of the West, vol. 6,
no.12, October 16, 1915)
