Bahá'í Faith

The Bahá'í Faith (Arabic: بهائية, Baha'iyyah), pronounced /bəˈhaɪ/, is a monotheistic religion emphasizing the spiritual unity of all humankind. Three core principles establish a basis for Bahá'í teachings and doctrine: the unity of God, that there is only one God who is the source of all creation; the unity of religion, that all major religions have the same spiritual source and come from the same God; and the unity of humanity, that all humans have been created equal, and that diversity of race and culture are seen as worthy of appreciation and acceptance.

Quotes

Báb (1819–1850)

The most acceptable prayer is the one offered with the utmost spirituality and radiance; its prolongation hath not been and is not beloved by God. The more detached and the purer the prayer, the more acceptable is it in the presence of God.
- Persian Bayan, VII, 19

It is better to guide one soul than to possess all that is on earth, for as long as that guided soul is under the shadow of the Tree of Divine Unity, he and the one who hath guided him will both be recipients of God's tender mercy, whereas possession of earthly things will cease at the time of death. The path to guidance is one of love and compassion, not of force and coercion. This hath been God's method in the past, and shall continue to be in the future!
- Selections from the Writings of the Báb, pp. 74–77

There is no paradise more wondrous for any soul than to be exposed to God's Manifestation in His Day, to hear His verses and believe in them, to attain His presence, which is naught but the presence of God, to sail upon the sea of the heavenly kingdom of His good-pleasure, and to partake of the choice fruits of the paradise of His divine Oneness.
- Selections from the Writings of the Báb, pp. 74–77

How vast the number of people who are well versed in every science, yet it is their adherence to the holy Word of God which will determine their faith, inasmuch as the fruit of every science is none other than the knowledge of divine precepts and submission unto His good-pleasure.
- Selections from the Writings of the Báb, p. 88

He hath everlastingly existed and will everlastingly continue to exist. He hath been and will ever remain inscrutable unto all men, inasmuch as all else besides Him have been and shall ever be created through the potency of His command. He is exalted above every mention or praise and is sanctified beyond every word of commendation or every comparison. No created thing comprehendeth Him, while He in truth comprehendeth all things.
- Selections from the Writings of the Báb, pp. 112–113

Bahá'u'lláh (1817–1892)

Consort with all religions with amity and concord, that they may inhale from you the sweet fragrance of God. Beware lest amidst men the flame of foolish ignorance overpower you. All things proceed from God and unto Him they return. He is the source of all things and in Him all things are ended.
- The Kitáb-i-Aqdas, p. 254
- This passage echoes the Quranic saying Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un ("surely, we belong to Allah and to Him do we all return"), which is found in Q 2:156.

Be generous in prosperity, and thankful in adversity.
- Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 93

O people of Baha! The source of crafts, sciences and arts is the power of reflection.
- Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 72

Blessed and happy is he that ariseth to promote the best interests of the peoples and kindred's of the earth.
- Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 167

Man's merit lieth in service and virtue and not in the pageantry of wealth and riches.
- Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 138

The essence of faith is fewness of words and abundance of deeds.
- Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 156

O ye people of the world! The religion of God is for the sake of love and union; make it not the cause of enmity and conflict.
- Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh

Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch.
- Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, CXII

Dedicate the precious days of your lives to the betterment of the world.
- Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 183

Be anxiously concerned with the needs of the age ye live in, and center your deliberations on its exigencies and requirements.
- Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 213

The fundamental purpose animating the Faith of God and His Religion is to safeguard the interests and promote the unity of the human race, and to foster the spirit of love and fellowship amongst men
- Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 215

All men have been created to carry forward an ever-advancing civilization.
- Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 215

So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth.
- Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, pp. 287–289

It is not for him to pride himself who loveth his own country, but rather for him who loveth the whole world. The earth is but one country and mankind its citizens.
- Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, pp. 249–250

We desire but the good of the world and happiness of the nations....That all nations should become one in faith and all men as brothers; that the bonds of affection and unity between the sons of men should be strengthened; that diversity of religion should cease, and differences of race be annulled.
- Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era, pp. 238–240

Although a person of good deeds is acceptable at the Threshold of the Almighty, yet it is first "to know," and then "to do." Although a blind man produceth a most wonderful and exquisite art, yet he is deprived of seeing it. Consider how most animals labor for man, draw loads and facilitate travel; yet, as they are ignorant, they receive no reward for this toil and labor. The cloud raineth, roses and hyacinths grow; the plain and meadow, the garden and trees become green and blossom; yet they do not realize the results and outcome of all these. The lamp is lighted, but as it hath not a conscious knowledge of itself, no one hath become glad because of it. Moreover, a soul of excellent deeds and good manners will undoubtedly advance from whatever horizon he beholdeth the lights radiating. Herein lies the difference: By faith is meant, first, conscious knowledge, and second, the practice of good deeds.
- Baha'i World Faith, pp. 382–383

'Abdu'l-Bahá (1844–1921)

The Divine Reality may be likened to the sun and the Holy Spirit to the rays of the sun. As the rays of the sun bring the light and warmth of the sun to the earth, giving life to all created beings, so do the "Manifestations" bring the power of the Holy Spirit from the Divine Sun of Reality to give light and life to the souls of men.
- Paris Talks, p. 18. Abdu'l Baha, "The Holy Spirit, the Intermediary Power between God and Man", Paris Talks, 1912.

Let your ambition be the achievement on earth of a heavenly civilization!
- Paris Talks, pp. 96–99

Their minds are so circumscribed by exterior manners and traditional interests that they are blind to any other realm of existence.
- Paris Talks, pp. 96–99

The divine purpose is that men should live in unity, concord and agreement and should love one another.
- The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 32

The art of music is divine and effective. It is the food of the soul and spirit. Through the power and charm of music the spirit of man is uplifted.
- The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 52

Religion is not intended to arouse enmity and hatred nor to become the source of tyranny and injustice. Should it prove to be the cause of hostility, discord and the alienation of mankind, assuredly the absence of religion would be preferable.
- The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 394

Religious teachings are like a course of treatment having for its purpose the cure and healing of mankind. If the only outcome of a course of treatment should be mere diagnosis and fruitless discussion of symptoms, it would be better to abandon and abolish it.
- The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 394

Act in such a way that your heart may be free from hatred. Let not your heart be offended with anyone. If someone commits an error and wrong toward you, you must instantly forgive him. Do not complain of others. Refrain from reprimanding them, and if you wish to give admonition or advice, let it be offered in such a way that it will not burden the bearer. Turn all your thoughts toward bringing joy to hearts. Beware! Beware! Lest ye offend any heart.
- The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 453

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