Istiqlál, 04 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 181 B.E.
Teaching the Cause
Quotes for Reflection:
This is the day in which to speak. It is incumbent upon the people of Bahá to strive, with the utmost patience and forbearance, to guide the peoples of the world to the Most Great Horizon. Every body calleth aloud for a soul. Heavenly souls must needs quicken, with the breath of the Word of God, the dead bodies with a fresh spirit. Within every word a new spirit is hidden. Happy is the man that attaineth thereunto, and hath arisen to teach the Cause of Him Who is the King of Eternity.
Say: O servants! The triumph of this Cause hath depended, and will continue to depend, upon the appearance of holy souls, upon the showing forth of goodly deeds, and the revelation of words of consummate wisdom.
Erelong will God adorn the beginning of the Book of Existence with the mention of His loved ones who have suffered tribulation in His path, and journeyed through the countries in His name and for His praise. Whoso hath attained their presence will glory in their meeting, and all that dwell in every land will be illumined by their memory.
Vie ye with each other in the service of God and of His Cause. This is indeed what profiteth you in this world, and in that which is to come. Your Lord, the God of Mercy, is the All-Informed, the All-Knowing. Grieve not at the things ye witness in this day. The day shall come whereon the tongues of the nations will proclaim: ‘The earth is God’s, the Almighty, the Single, the Incomparable, the All-Knowing!
Blessed is the spot, and the house, and the place, and the city, and the heart, and the mountain, and the refuge, and the cave, and the valley, and the land, and the sea, and the island, and the meadow where mention of God hath been made, and His praise glorified. — Bahá’u’lláh 1
Question for Consideration
Based on the quotes above, what actions should one undertake to serve God and His Cause? 2
Gemini Response:
The provided quotes outline several actions that individuals can take to serve God and His Cause:
Spiritual Growth and Development
- Purification of the Heart: Strive to purify the heart and remove obstacles to spiritual growth.
- Study of the Teachings: Deepen understanding of the Bahá’í teachings and their application in daily life.
- Prayer and Meditation: Pray and meditate regularly to connect with the divine.
Service to Humanity
- Helping Others: Actively seek opportunities to help others and contribute to the betterment of society.
- Community Building: Participate in community building activities and promote unity and harmony.
- Social Justice: Work towards social justice and creating a more equitable world.
Teaching the Cause
- Sharing the Message: Share the Bahá’í message with others and invite them to join the community.
- Inspiring Others: Strive to inspire others through your words and actions.
- Building Community: Help to build Bahá’í communities and strengthen the bonds of unity.
Living a Virtuous Life
- Moral and Ethical Conduct: Strive to live a moral and ethical life, reflecting the principles of the Bahá’í Faith.
- Positive Example: Set a positive example for others and inspire them to follow in your footsteps.
- Unity and Harmony: Promote unity and harmony among people of different backgrounds.
Perseverance and Patience
- Overcoming Challenges: Persevere in the face of challenges and obstacles.
- Patience and Forbearance: Show patience and forbearance when dealing with others.
- Long-Term Vision: Maintain a long-term vision and focus on the ultimate goals of the Cause.
By undertaking these actions, individuals can serve God and His Cause, contribute to bettering themselves and the world around them, and become beacons of light for others to follow.
ChatGPT Response:
The quotes from Bahá’u’lláh highlight several core actions and qualities for those who wish to serve God and His Cause. Here’s a breakdown of the essential actions one should undertake based on these words:
Strive to Guide Others with Patience and Forbearance
- It is a responsibility to guide humanity to the truth, exercising patience and forbearance in this process.
- One must speak purposefully, seeking to bring spiritual and moral understanding to others despite the challenges faced.
Quicken Souls with the Word of God
- People need a spiritual awakening, which can be achieved through sharing divine teachings and guidance.
- It is essential to uplift others with the Word of God, bringing a “fresh spirit” to those who are spiritually stagnant.
Reveal Goodly Deeds and Words of Wisdom
- Service to God is demonstrated through words complemented by actions—good deeds done for the betterment of humanity.
- Speak with wisdom, offering guidance that reflects divine knowledge and understanding.
Bear Tribulations for God’s Cause
- Those who suffer hardships and remain steadfast on God’s path will be remembered with honor.
- Endurance and sacrifice in the path of service are necessary, and one should not be deterred by the difficulties encountered.
Compete in Serving God
- Vie with others in doing good and serving God’s Cause, motivated by love and dedication.
- This competition in service is what will profit both in this life and the next.
Trust in the Ultimate Victory of God’s Cause
- Have faith that despite the trials and hardships witnessed, the triumph of God’s Cause is inevitable.
- It is important to stay hopeful and not be grieved by the world’s challenges, for God’s promise is clear.
Bring God’s Praise to Every Place
- Every place, heart, and gathering where God’s name is glorified becomes blessed.
- Make it a point to bring the remembrance and praise of God into your daily life in every setting and inspire others to do the same.
In summary, one should undertake patience, forbearance, and wisdom in guiding others, perform good deeds, endure tribulations for the Cause, and consistently seek to uplift others spiritually through divine words. Additionally, one must trust in God’s ultimate victory, serve selflessly, and continually glorify God’s name in all settings.
Claude Response:
Based on these passages from Bahá’u’lláh, several fundamental actions emerge for serving God and His Cause:
Guide others with patience and forbearance
- The text emphasizes guiding “the peoples of the world to the Most Great Horizon.”
- This should be done with “utmost patience and forbearance.”
Quicken and revitalize through spiritual words
- Like “heavenly souls” breathing new life into “dead bodies”
- Recognize that “within every word a new spirit is hidden.”
- Share “words of consummate wisdom”
Demonstrate goodly deeds
- The triumph of the Cause depends on “the showing forth of goodly deeds.”
- Actions should reflect spiritual qualities
- One’s behavior should exemplify divine teachings
Develop spiritual qualities
- Strive to become one of the “holy souls” mentioned
- Work on personal spiritual transformation
- Maintain steadfastness despite tribulations
Remember and honor those who have suffered in God’s path
- Learn from and be illumined by those who have faced trials
- Appreciate the sacrifice of those who have traveled to spread the teachings
- Draw inspiration from their examples
Remain hopeful and steadfast during difficulties
- “Grieve not at the things ye witness in this day.”
- Maintain faith in the ultimate triumph of God’s Cause
- Trust in the future spiritual transformation of humanity
Make mention of God and praise Him everywhere
- The passage blesses every place where God is remembered and praised
- This suggests making remembrance of God part of daily life
- Recognize all places as potential spots for divine remembrance
Compete in service
- “Vie ye with each other in the service of God and of His Cause.”
- Channel energy into constructive service
- Make service a priority in both this world and preparation for the next
The emphasis appears to be on combining spiritual development with practical action, maintaining hope and patience while actively working to serve others and spread divine teachings through both words and deeds.
Pi Response:
The quotes emphasize the importance of individual and collective efforts to serve God and advance the Bahá’í Faith. Drawing from the passages, several actions are suggested for individuals striving to serve God and His Cause:
- Speak up: The first passage encourages the people of Bahá to speak up and share the teachings of the Faith. This involves engaging in meaningful conversations and finding creative ways to spread the Word of God.
- Patience and forbearance: When guiding others to the Faith, one should exercise patience and forbearance. This means being understanding, compassionate, and respectful towards others, even when faced with resistance or adversity.
- Awaken souls: Individuals should strive to awaken others to the message of Bahá’u’lláh through the power of the Word of God. This can be achieved by sharing prayers and sacred texts and engaging in inspiring conversations addressing spiritual realities.
- Goodly deeds and wisdom: The second passage highlights the importance of performing good deeds and sharing words of wisdom by actively engaging in acts of service to humanity and striving to live according to teachings of the Faith.
- Embrace tribulation: The third passage mentions those who have suffered tribulation for the sake of God. This implies that one should be prepared to face challenges and difficulties while serving the Cause and remain steadfast in their commitment.
- Promote unity: The passages emphasize unity and the importance of working together to serve God. This involves fostering harmony within the Bahá’í community and extending it to the broader society.
- Trust in God’s plan: The final passage reminds believers to have faith in God and not to grieve over current challenges. This involves maintaining a positive outlook and trusting in God’s divine plan.
In essence, serving God and His Cause in the Bahá’í Faith involves a combination of personal spiritual development, active engagement in community life, sharing the Faith with others, and working for the betterment of society. It is a lifelong commitment that requires patience, resilience, and trust in God’s guidance.
- Effendi, Shoghi. The Advent of Divine Justice. Bahá’í Reference Library, 1938. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/shoghi-effendi/advent-divine-justice/5#082213511. ↩
- Ruhi Institute. Teaching the Cause. 2.1.1.PE April 2023. Vol. Book 6. 6 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Foundation, 2023, 24. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#TCH.
Frameworks for Understanding the World 