Bahá'í Faith

One human family, one unfolding truth.

All 108 concepts

  • The Oneness of God — God is one, unknowable in essence, yet manifest through divine attributes and progressive revelation through the Manifestations.
  • Progressive Revelation — God has sent Manifestations throughout history — Abraham, Moses, Krishna, Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad, and Bahá'u'lláh — each revealing divine truth appropriate to humanity's evolving capacity.
  • The Unknowable Essence — God's essential nature is beyond human comprehension; we know God only through divine attributes and the teachings of the Manifestations.
  • Divine Attributes — Though God's essence is unknowable, we encounter the divine through manifest attributes: love, justice, mercy, wisdom, and power.
  • The Covenant of God — God's covenant with humanity ensures that divine guidance never ceases; whenever humanity needs guidance, a new Manifestation appears.
  • The Independent Investigation of Truth — Every individual has the duty and capacity to independently investigate truth, rather than following tradition, family religion, or authority blindly.
  • Agreement of Science and Religion — True religion and true science can never be in conflict; any apparent contradiction indicates misunderstanding of one or both.
  • The Reality of the Soul — Every human being has an immortal soul that is the repository of divine capacities and continues its journey beyond physical death.
  • Prayer and Meditation — Daily obligatory prayer and meditation are essential practices that connect the individual soul to God and strengthen spiritual capacity.
  • Divine Tests — Difficulties and trials are divine gifts that purify the soul, develop character, and draw the sincere seeker closer to God.
  • Detachment from the Material World — True happiness and freedom come from detachment from material things while fulfilling one's duties in the world.
  • The Day of God — The Bahá'í era is the age of fulfillment — the Day of God prophesied by all religions when humanity enters its collective maturity.
  • Trust in God — Complete reliance on God's wisdom and goodness — even in adversity — is the foundation of a tranquil and empowered spiritual life.
  • The Manifestations of God — The Manifestations of God are divine educators who combine the station of perfect humanity and the reflection of divine perfections.
  • Oneness of Humanity — All human beings belong to one family, created by one God; the entire earth is one home and all its peoples one people.
  • Elimination of Prejudice — All forms of racial, national, religious, and class prejudice must be eliminated as prerequisites for world peace and human flourishing.
  • Equality of Women and Men — Women and men are equal in the sight of God; the full participation of women in all spheres of human life is essential to peace.
  • Universal Education — Every child deserves education; if a family can only educate one child, the daughter should be given priority as future educator of the next generation.
  • Harmony of Races — Racial diversity is a source of beauty and strength; racism is a spiritual disease that impoverishes all of humanity.
  • Service to Humanity — Work performed in the spirit of service to humanity is equivalent to worship; contributing to social betterment is a spiritual obligation.
  • Protection of Cultural Diversity — The richness of human cultural diversity should be celebrated and protected while humanity achieves unity in its essential spiritual and social reality.
  • Spiritual Nature of Humanity — Human beings are essentially spiritual rather than material; fulfillment comes through developing spiritual qualities rather than material acquisition.
  • The Abolition of Extremes of Wealth and Poverty — A just society eliminates extreme poverty and extreme wealth; economic systems should enable all to live with dignity.
  • A Universal Auxiliary Language — For the unity of humanity, a universal auxiliary language should be adopted by all nations to facilitate communication while preserving native languages.
  • Justice as the Foundation of Society — Justice — giving to each person their due, based on truth rather than self-interest — is the foundation of all social progress.
  • Consultation as Decision-Making — Collective decisions should be reached through a process of consultation — frank, truthful, respectful, and detached from personal preference.
  • Bahá'í Community Building — Building communities of genuine fellowship, worship, learning, and service is an essential expression of the Bahá'í vision.
  • Kindness to Animals — Compassion should extend to all living beings; cruelty to animals is spiritually harmful and reflects a deficiency of character.
  • World Peace as Achievable — World peace is not a utopian dream but an achievable goal that follows inevitably from the establishment of just global institutions.
  • World Federal Government — A world federal government, collective security system, and international court of justice are necessary for lasting peace.
  • Collective Security — Nations should agree that an attack on any nation is an attack on all; collective security prevents war through guaranteed consequence.
  • Disarmament — Nations should reduce armaments to the minimum necessary for domestic order; the vast resources spent on weapons should serve human welfare.
  • International Justice — An international court empowered to adjudicate disputes between nations is essential for lasting peace without war.
  • Abolition of Nationalism as a Barrier — Loyalty to one's nation is legitimate, but nationalism that divides humanity and generates hatred of others is a destructive ideology.
  • Stewardship of the Earth — Humanity is the steward of the natural world; environmental destruction contradicts the divine command to be trustees of creation.
  • The Role of Religion in Society — Religion should be a cause of unity and love; if it becomes a source of division and hatred, better no religion at all.
  • The Abolition of Clergy — The Bahá'í Faith has no clergy; each believer is directly responsible for their own spiritual development and community service.
  • Democratic Governance — The Bahá'í administrative institutions are democratically elected, serving the whole community rather than individual leaders' interests.
  • The Role of Arts and Sciences — Arts and sciences are sacred expressions of the human spirit; their development advances civilization and honors God.
  • The Maturity of Humanity — Humanity is entering collective maturity; the spiritual and social institutions of this age must reflect this new developmental stage.
  • Leadership and Service — Those who lead must lead in the spirit of service, consulting those they serve and being accountable to them.
  • The Lesser and Greater Peace — The Lesser Peace — political order among nations — will be followed by the Most Great Peace, characterized by spiritual unity.
  • The Purpose of Life — The purpose of life is to know and worship God, and to contribute to an ever-advancing civilization.
  • Spiritual Transformation — The Bahá'í path requires genuine inner transformation — not merely intellectual assent but the development of spiritual virtues.
  • The Seven Valleys — Bahá'u'lláh's mystical work describes seven valleys of spiritual development from search through true poverty and absolute nothingness.
  • The Hidden Words — Bahá'u'lláh distilled the essential wisdom of past revelations into brief, penetrating spiritual aphorisms in the Hidden Words.
  • Truthfulness and Honesty — Truthfulness is the foundation of all human virtues; without it, no other virtue can be securely built.
  • Patience and Endurance — Patience in adversity is a divine quality; endurance through difficulty purifies and strengthens the spiritual character.
  • Joy and Radiance — The Bahá'í life should be characterized by joy, not somber religiosity; radiance and happiness are spiritual virtues.
  • Overcoming the Lower Self — The greatest struggle is the overcoming of the lower self — the ego, desires, and impulses that distract from spiritual growth.
  • Reading the Sacred Writings — Daily reading of the sacred writings is prescribed as essential spiritual nourishment, feeding the soul as food feeds the body.
  • Pilgrimage and Sacred Places — Pilgrimage to the Bahá'í holy places in Haifa and Akka is a spiritually transformative experience for those who can undertake it.
  • The Fast — The Bahá'í fast — nineteen days of abstaining from food and drink from sunrise to sunset — is a time of spiritual regeneration.
  • Progressive Development of the Soul — The soul's development continues in all spiritual worlds beyond physical death; there is no final state except continued growth toward God.
  • Spiritual Love — Love is the most powerful force in creation; the development of genuine love for God, for humanity, and for all existence is the highest spiritual achievement.
  • The Balance of Spiritual and Material — Material prosperity, properly pursued and shared, is a legitimate goal that can support spiritual development and service to humanity.
  • Backbiting and Gossip Forbidden — Speaking ill of others behind their backs is one of the most destructive spiritual habits, poisoning both speaker and community.
  • Moderation in All Things — Moderation in diet, work, leisure, and all activities of life reflects wisdom and supports sustained service and spiritual development.
  • Excellence in Work — Whatever one does, it should be done with the highest standard of excellence as an expression of spiritual integrity.
  • Chastity and Moral Purity — Chastity — purity of thought and action in personal and sexual life — is a spiritual virtue that supports integrity and genuine relationships.
  • Forbidding the Carrying of Arms — Bahá'ís should not carry arms unless required by law; a culture of peace begins with individual commitment to non-violence.
  • The Badí Calendar — The Bahá'í calendar structures time around spiritual principles — nineteen months of nineteen days each — unifying the Bahá'í world.
  • The Feast and Community Gathering — Monthly gatherings for worship, consultation, and fellowship build the bonds of community and sustain spiritual vitality.
  • Sacred Institutions — The Bahá'í administrative institutions — Local, National, and Universal Houses of Justice — are divinely ordained instruments of unity.
  • Prohibition of Drugs and Alcohol — Intoxicants cloud the rational mind and undermine spiritual perception; their use is prohibited except for medicinal purposes.
  • Forgiveness and Compassion — Forgiveness is a divine quality; showing mercy and compassion to those who wrong us transforms both parties.
  • Obedience to Government — Bahá'ís are called to be exemplary citizens, obeying legitimate government laws while working for their improvement through legitimate means.
  • Music and the Arts — Music and the arts are spiritual gifts; performed with pure motive, they uplift the soul and serve as forms of praise and worship.
  • Care for the Sick and Elderly — Caring for the sick, elderly, and vulnerable is a spiritual obligation that honors the divine in all human beings.
  • Teaching and Sharing the Faith — Sharing the teachings of the Bahá'í Faith is a spiritual obligation; it must be done with wisdom, patience, and respect for others' freedom.
  • The Principle of Trustworthiness — Trustworthiness is the foundation of all human virtue and the foundation upon which all social and commercial life depends.
  • Profit-Sharing — Workers should share in the profits of enterprises they help create; economic justice requires that labor be treated as a partner, not merely a cost.
  • Voluntary Giving and the Huququ'llah — After meeting necessary expenses, Bahá'ís are called to pay Huququ'llah — the Right of God — a tithe that funds the work of the Cause.
  • Prohibition of Slavery — Slavery in all its forms violates the fundamental principle of the oneness of humanity and must be abolished.
  • Living Below One's Means — Voluntary simplicity — living below one's means and directing surplus resources to those in greater need — is a Bahá'í virtue.
  • Health and Healing — Physical health is a divine gift to be cared for; the Bahá'í Faith supports both spiritual healing and modern medicine.
  • Agricultural Development — Agriculture — the cultivation of the earth to sustain human life — is honored as a sacred vocation worthy of respect and support.
  • The Importance of Commerce — Honest commerce and trade, conducted with integrity, is a sacred service that sustains civilization and brings peoples together.
  • Workers' Rights — Workers deserve fair wages, safe conditions, and dignity in their work; exploiting workers violates the principle of human oneness.
  • Philanthropy and Charitable Giving — Voluntary charitable giving — beyond the required tithe — is a virtue that strengthens both the giver and the recipient.
  • The Rights of Children — Children have rights to education, love, proper spiritual upbringing, and protection from abuse; parents bear sacred obligations to them.
  • The Bahá'í Vision of Marriage — Marriage is a sacred covenant — a partnership of two souls committed to each other's spiritual development and service to humanity.
  • The Future World Civilization — The Bahá'í vision is of an emerging world civilization characterized by unity, justice, peace, spiritual vitality, and universal flourishing.
  • The Interconnection of All People — Every person's wellbeing is connected to every other's; poverty, injustice, and conflict anywhere affect everyone everywhere.
  • The Long Obligatory Prayer — The long obligatory prayer — one of three prescribed by Bahá'u'lláh — is a profound act of worship encompassing the full range of human spiritual aspiration.
  • The Ocean of His Words — Bahá'u'lláh's writings are an inexhaustible ocean of spiritual knowledge; diving into them rewards every level of seeker.
  • Turning to God — Turning the heart toward God — regardless of circumstances — is the fundamental spiritual act, available in every moment.
  • The Spiritual Station of Martyrdom — Those who give their lives rather than deny their faith witness to the transcendent value of spiritual truth over physical existence.
  • The Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh — Bahá'u'lláh's specific appointment of Abdu'l-Bahá as his successor prevented schism and maintained the unity of the Bahá'í community.
  • The Master — Abdu'l-Bahá — Abdu'l-Bahá, son of Bahá'u'lláh, is the perfect exemplar of Bahá'í teachings — his life is the standard against which all Bahá'í conduct is measured.
  • The Inner Reality of Religion — The inner spirit of religion — love, justice, truth, and service — transcends the outward forms that differ among traditions.
  • Nearness to God — The ultimate aspiration of the soul is nearness to God — a state of spiritual proximity achieved through virtue, love, and service.
  • Love as the Foundation of Reality — Love is not merely a human emotion but the fundamental force of creation — the bond that holds all things together.
  • The Tablet of Ahmad — The Tablet of Ahmad is among the most powerful of Bahá'u'lláh's devotional tablets, promising special confirmations to those who recite it.
  • The Fire Tablet — The Fire Tablet — revealed in Bahá'u'lláh's darkest hour — is a profound dialogue between the divine and the human soul in extremity.
  • The Significance of the Báb — The Báb — Forerunner of Bahá'u'lláh — represents a complete divine Manifestation who inaugurated a new spiritual era.
  • Signs of the True Seeker — Bahá'u'lláh describes the qualities of the true spiritual seeker: purity of heart, detachment, and relentless search for truth.
  • The World of Visions — Dreams, visions, and spiritual experiences are real dimensions of the soul's life, providing guidance and confirmation.
  • The Center of the Covenant — After Bahá'u'lláh's passing, Abdu'l-Bahá became the Center of the Covenant, the sole authorized interpreter of the teachings.
  • Shoghi Effendi - Guardian of the Cause — Shoghi Effendi, appointed Guardian by Abdu'l-Bahá, systematized Bahá'í administration and translated the writings into English.
  • The Universal House of Justice — The Universal House of Justice is the supreme governing institution of the Bahá'í Faith, whose decisions are guided by the Holy Spirit.
  • The Local Spiritual Assembly — Local Spiritual Assemblies are the grassroots governing institutions of Bahá'í communities, elected annually by adult members.
  • The Institute Process — A systematic sequence of courses builds individual capacity for service and community building in the Bahá'í community.
  • Children's Education — Systematic moral and spiritual education for children is a responsibility of the entire community, not only parents.
  • Junior Youth Empowerment — Adolescents need specific support to navigate the transition to adulthood and develop their spiritual identity and service orientation.
  • Devotional Meetings — Regular gatherings for prayer and devotion open to all members of the community build spiritual bonds and make worship communal.
  • Social Action and Development — Engaging in activities that improve the material conditions of communities is an expression of Bahá'í spiritual principles in action.
  • The Long Suffering and Perseverance of the Bahá'ís in Iran — Bahá'ís in Iran, persecuted since the Faith's founding, have demonstrated through their steadfastness the power of spiritual conviction over oppression.

Essays on Bahá'í Faith