Daily Frameworks for 08 January 2024

Kamál, 09 Sharaf (Honor), 180 B.E.

Arising to Serve

Quote for Reflection:

The religion of God consists of two parts: One is the very foundation and belongs to the spiritual realm; that is, it pertains to spiritual virtues and divine qualities. This part suffers neither change nor alteration: It is the Holy of Holies, which constitutes the essence of the religion of Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Christ, Muḥammad, the Báb, and Bahá’u’lláh, and which will endure throughout all the prophetic Dispensations. It will never be abrogated, for it consists in spiritual rather than material truth. It is faith, knowledge, certitude, justice, piety, high-mindedness, trustworthiness, love of God, and charity. It is mercy to the poor, assistance to the oppressed, generosity to the needy, and upliftment of the fallen. It is purity, detachment, humility, forbearance, patience, and constancy. These are divine qualities. These commandments will never be abrogated, but will remain in force and effect for all eternity. These human virtues are renewed in every Dispensation; for at the close of each Dispensation the spiritual law of God, which consists in the human virtues, vanishes in substance and persists only in form. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ¹

The second part of the religion of God, which pertains to the material world and which concerns such things as fasting; prayer; worship; marriage; divorce; manumission; legal rulings; transactions; and penalties and punishments for murder, assault, theft, and injury, is changed and altered in every prophetic Dispensation and may be abrogated—for policies, transactions, punishments, and other laws are bound to change according to the exigencies of the time. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ²

Questions for Consideration:

What are the two parts of the religion of God?
What characteristics pertain to the essence of all religions? ³

Google Bard Response:

According to the quote by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the religion of God has two distinct parts:

1. The Spiritual Foundation (Unchanging):

• Essence: This core part pertains to spiritual virtues and divine qualities, forming the “Holy of Holies” of all religions.
• Examples: Faith, knowledge, certitude, justice, piety, high-mindedness, trustworthiness, love of God, charity, mercy, assistance to the oppressed, generosity, upliftment of the fallen, purity, detachment, humility, forbearance, patience, and constancy.
• Unchanging: These core qualities remain constant throughout all prophetic Dispensations (stages in religious history). They represent universal truths and aspirations beyond any specific period or cultural context.
  

2. The Material and Practical Laws (Changing):

• Focus: This part deals with the practical aspects of religious life, including rituals, regulations, and legal rulings related to daily life and social interaction.
• Examples: Fasting, prayer, worship, marriage, divorce, manumission, legal rulings, transactions, punishments for various crimes.
• Change and Adaptation: These laws can change and be abrogated over time based on the evolving needs and circumstances of each Dispensation. This flexibility allows religion to adapt to changing societal contexts and remain relevant to current realities.
  

Characteristics of the Unchanging Essence:

• Universal and Timeless: These qualities are seen as essential and enduring, transcending specific religious traditions and cultural contexts.
• Focus on inner transformation: They emphasize the individual’s spiritual development, moral compass, and connection with God.
• Emphasis on love and compassion: These values promote kindness, service to others, and social harmony.
• Basis of unity and understanding: While outer practices may differ, this shared essence can bridge differences among faiths and inspire dialogue and understanding among their adherents.
  

Understanding the two parts of the religion of God helps us appreciate the balance between:

• Eternal spiritual truths and evolving practical applications.
• Individual spiritual development and social responsibility.
• Uniqueness of religious traditions and the underlying unity of their core principles.
  

Remember, this is a complex concept within the Bahá’í faith. There are different interpretations and perspectives. Further exploration of Bahá’í writings and teachings can provide deeper insights into this framework and its implications for understanding and practicing religion in the modern world.

1. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Some Answered Questions. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed January 7, 2024. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/some-answered-questions/5#562157525 ↩
2. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Some Answered Questions. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed January 7, 2024. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/some-answered-questions/5#337609919 ↩
3. Ruhi Institute. Arising to Serve. 2.1.1.PE September 2020. Vol. Book 2. 6 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Foundation, 2020, 21. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#AS. ↩