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Asked whether the Baha'i prohibition of gambling applies to game of every description, 'Abdu'l-Baha replied: - (69:5) No, some games are innocent, and if pursued for pastime there is no harm. But there is danger that pastime may degenerate into waste of time. Waste of time is not acceptable in the Cause of God. But recreation which may improve the bodily powers, as exercise, is desirable. - A Heavenly Vista (69:6) Cleanliness Be ye the very essence of cleanliness amongst mankind... Hold ye fast unto refinement under all conditions .. allow no trace of dirt to be seen upon your garments... Immerse yourselves in clean water; it is not permissible to bathe in water that hath already been used... Truly, We desire to behold you as manifestations of paradise on earth, that there may be diffused from you such fragrance as shall rejoice the hearts of the favored of God. - Kitab-i-Aqdas (69:8) Mirza Abu'l- Fadl, in his book, Baha'i Proofs,1 points out the extreme importance of these commands, more especially in some parts of the East, where water of the foulest description is often used for household purposes, for bathing and even for drinking, and horribly insanitary conditions abound, causing a vast amount of preventable disease and misery. These conditions, often supposed to be sanctioned by the prevailing religion, can be changed, among Orientals, only by the commandment of one who is believed to have Divine authority. In many parts of the Western Hemisphere, too, a wonderful transformation would result were cleanliness accepted not only as next to godliness, but as an essential part of godliness
(69:9)
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