Istiqlál, 07 Jamál (Beauty), 181 B.E.
Teaching Children’s Classes, Grade 1
Quote for Reflection:
Charity is pleasing and praiseworthy in the sight of God and is regarded as a prince among goodly deeds. Consider ye and call to mind that which the All-Merciful hath revealed in the Qur’án: “They prefer them before themselves, though poverty be their own lot. And with such as are preserved from their own covetousness shall it be well.” (Qur’án 59:9.) Viewed in this light, the blessed utterance above is, in truth, the daystar of utterances. Blessed is he who preferreth his brother before himself. Verily, such a man is reckoned, by virtue of the Will of God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise, with the people of Bahá who dwell in the Crimson Ark. — Bahá’u’lláh 1
Question for Consideration:
God loves each and every one of us, and He has created the human heart to know Him and to love Him. When our hearts are pure, we are able to see the signs of God reflected in His creation. We see His generosity, His kindness, His mercy. In our love for God, we want to bring joy and happiness to all those we see around us—to our parents, to our brothers and sisters, to our friends and neighbors. Our love is so great that what gladdens us most is to bring joy to others and to put their comfort before our own, So it is that we think of our fellow human beings before we think of ourselves. 2
How would you suggest we apply this counsel in our daily lives?
Google Gemini Response:
The passage and quote beautifully illustrate the importance of putting others before ourselves. Here are some ways you can apply this counsel in your daily life:
Small Acts of Kindness
- Random Acts: Look for opportunities to perform small acts of kindness for strangers. Hold a door open, offer your seat on public transportation, or pay for someone’s coffee.
- Helping Hands: Offer to help friends, family, or neighbors who are struggling. Run errands for older people, offer childcare to busy parents, or lend a listening ear.
- Volunteer Work: Dedicate some time to volunteer for a cause you care about. This could be at a homeless shelter, an animal shelter, or a soup kitchen.
Cultivating Generosity
- Sharing: Share your resources, whether it’s your time, knowledge, or possessions. Donate unwanted items to charity, offer to tutor someone in need, or share a meal with a friend.
- Giving of Yourself: Don’t just give material things; offer your time and talents. Volunteer your skills to a community project, help organize a fundraiser, or be there for someone who needs emotional support.
- Prioritizing Others’ Needs: When making decisions, consider the needs of others alongside your own. This might involve adjusting your schedule to help someone in need or helping with a household chore.
Spreading Positivity
- Empathy and Compassion: Practice empathy and be compassionate towards others. Try to see things from their perspective and offer understanding.
- Positive Words: Be mindful of your words and use them to uplift and encourage others. Offer a compliment, share a funny story, or express appreciation for someone in your life.
- Promoting Unity: Be an advocate for peace and understanding. Promote positive relationships between people of different backgrounds or beliefs.
Remember
- The goal isn’t neglecting your needs but striking a balance.
- Every act of kindness, big or small, has the potential to make a difference in someone’s life.
- By consciously putting others first, you can create a ripple effect of positivity in your community and the world.
Additional Tips
- Start Small: Begin by incorporating small acts of kindness into your daily routine.
- Find Inspiration: Look for quotes, stories, or personal heroes who embody the spirit of selflessness.
- Gratitude Practice: Reflecting on the blessings in your life can foster a more giving spirit.
- Lead by Example: Your actions will inspire others to follow your lead.
You can contribute to a more compassionate and joyful world by embodying the message of putting others first.
ChatGPT 3.5 Response:
Applying the counsel of preferring others before ourselves in our daily lives requires a conscious effort to cultivate qualities such as generosity, compassion, and selflessness. Here are some practical suggestions on how to do so:
- Practice Empathy: Take the time to understand the perspectives and feelings of others. Put yourself in their shoes and consider how your actions might impact them.
- Acts of Kindness: Look for opportunities to perform acts of kindness and generosity towards others, whether through offering a helping hand, sharing resources, or simply offering a listening ear.
- Prioritize Others’ Needs: In your interactions with others, prioritize their needs and well-being over your desires. This could involve sacrificing your time, resources, or comfort for the benefit of others.
- Show Appreciation: Express gratitude and appreciation for the people in your life. Acknowledge their efforts and contributions, and let them know how much they are valued and loved.
- Forgiveness and Understanding: Practice forgiveness and understanding towards those who may have wronged you or caused you harm. Let go of resentments and grievances, and strive to foster reconciliation and harmony in your relationships.
- Lead by Example: Be a role model for others by exemplifying selflessness and compassion in your actions and behavior. Inspire others to follow your example and cultivate a culture of kindness and consideration in your community.
- Reflect on Spiritual Teachings: Regularly reflect on the spiritual teachings and principles emphasizing the importance of loving and serving others. Let these teachings guide your thoughts, words, and actions daily.
- Continuous Improvement: Strive for continuous improvement in putting others before yourself. Be open to feedback and self-reflection, and consciously deepen your understanding and application of this counsel over time.
By incorporating these practices into your daily life, you can gradually align your actions with the noble ideal of preferring others before yourself, fostering a spirit of unity, love, and service in your interactions with those around you.
Claude 3 Sonnet Response:
The Bahá’í writings provide profound insights into how to apply the virtues of charity and selfless service in our daily lives:
- Develop a mindset of preferring others before yourself. As the Qur’án states, “They prefer them before themselves, though poverty be their lot.” We should strive to think of others’ needs and comfort before our own, even if we are lacking.
- See charitable deeds as a “prince among goodly deeds” pleasing in the sight of God. Charity should not be viewed as an obligation but as an opportunity to serve others and draw nearer to God.
- Practice selflessness in small daily acts. It could be as simple as holding the door open for someone, offering a kind word, listening patiently, or doing chores for a family member without being asked.
- Identify those in your community facing poverty, illness, or hardship, and try to discreetly assist them according to your means, whether financially or through acts of service.
- Approach charity with a humble spirit focused on the happiness of others, not your own gratification. The joy should be in bringing joy to others.
- See all humanity as one family, and nurture a heart that loves all people. This expands our radius of charitable concern beyond our immediate circle.
- Be grateful for opportunities to serve others, which purify our hearts and draw us nearer to God’s generosity and kindness.
- Encourage a spirit of charitable service in your family, communities, and circles, leading by example.
The essence is to make charity and selfless service an integral part of our daily thoughts and actions, preferring others over ourselves for the sake of God.
Pi Response:
Applying Bahá’u’lláh’s counsel on charity and preferring others before oneself involves cultivating a spirit of selflessness and generosity. Here are some ways to put this into practice:
- Give Without Expectation of Return: Share your resources, time, and love with others without expecting anything in return. True generosity is motivated by a desire to help, not by a desire for recognition or reward.
- Prioritize the Needs of Others: Look for opportunities to put the comfort and well-being of others before your own. This could be as simple as offering your seat on a bus or helping a friend with a difficult task.
- Cultivate Empathy: Develop your ability to understand and share the feelings of others. This will help you identify their needs and find ways to support them.
- Contribute to Charitable Causes: Donate to charities or participate in fundraising events that support causes you care about. This can help make a difference in the lives of those in need.
- Be Attentive to the Needs of Your Loved Ones: Show your love and concern for family and friends by paying attention to their needs and finding ways to assist them.
- Share Your Blessings: Recognize the blessings in your life and find ways to share them with others. This could involve sharing your knowledge, skills, or material resources.
- Lead by Example: Teach children the value of preferring others before themselves by setting an example in your actions and words. Encourage them to share, be kind, and help others.
By implementing these suggestions in your daily life, you can cultivate a spirit of selflessness and demonstrate the transformative power of charity and genuine love for others. In doing so, you will contribute to the well-being of those around you and bring joy to God’s heart.
- Bahá’u’lláh. Tablets of Baháʾuʾlláh, Revealed after the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. Translated by Habib Taherzadeh. 1st ed. Haifa: Bahá’í World Centre, 1978, 71. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/tablets-bahaullah/3#485442181. ↩
- Ruhi Institute. Teaching Children’s Classes, Grade 1. 2.1.1.PE September 2021. Vol. Book 3. 6 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Foundation, 2021, 84. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#CC1. ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 