Daily Frameworks for 28 November 2024

Istijlál, 07 Qawl (Speech), 181 B.E.

Teaching the Cause

Quotes for Reflection:

O COMPANION OF MY THRONE! Hear no evil, and see no evil, abase not thyself, neither sigh and weep. Speak no evil, that thou mayest not hear it spoken unto thee, and magnify not the faults of others that thine own faults may not appear great; and wish not the abasement of anyone, that thine own abasement be not exposed. Live then the days of thy life, that are less than a fleeting moment, with thy mind stainless, thy heart unsullied, thy thoughts pure, and thy nature sanctified, so that, free and content, thou mayest put away this mortal frame, and repair unto the mystic paradise and abide in the eternal kingdom forevermore. — Bahá’u’lláh ¹

Backbiting, slander and dwelling on the faults of others have been repeatedly condemned by Bahá’u’lláh. In the Hidden Words, He clearly states: “O Son of Being! How couldst thou forget thine own faults and busy thyself with the faults of others? Whoso doeth this is accursed of Me.” ² And again: “O Son of Man! Breathe not the sins of others so long as thou art thyself a sinner. Shouldst thou transgress this command, accursed wouldst thou be, and to this I bear witness.” ³ This strong admonition is further reiterated in His last work, “the Book of My Covenant”: “Verily I say, the tongue is for mentioning what is good, defile it not with unseemly talk. God hath forgiven what is past. Henceforward everyone should utter that which is meet and seemly, and should refrain from slander, abuse and whatever causeth sadness in men.” ⁴ — Bahá’u’lláh ⁵

Question for Consideration

What is backbiting and calumny, and why would Bahá’u’lláh prohibit their practice in His commandments? ⁶

Gemini Response:

Backbiting and Calumny: A Spiritual Poison

Backbiting and calumny (speaking ill of others behind their backs) are harmful practices that Bahá’u’lláh strongly condemns. These actions can have devastating consequences for both the individual and the community.

Here’s a breakdown of why Bahá’u’lláh prohibits these practices:

Spiritual Harm

• Spiritual Stagnation: Backbiting can hinder spiritual growth by diverting attention from God and focusing on others’ faults.
• Poisoning the Soul: Negative speech can poison the soul and lead to spiritual decline.
• Hindering Divine Love: Backbiting can obstruct the flow of divine love and compassion, which are essential for spiritual progress.
  

Social Harm

• Eroding Trust: Backbiting can erode community trust and harmony, leading to division and conflict.
• Damaging Relationships: It can damage relationships through misunderstandings, resentment, and animosity.
• Undermining Unity: Backbiting undermines the principle of the oneness of humanity, which is a central tenet of the Bahá’í Faith.
  

Personal Harm

• Negative Karma: Engaging in harmful speech can have negative consequences for the individual, both in this life and the next.
• Loss of Reputation: Backbiting can damage one’s reputation and credibility.
• Inner Turmoil: It can lead to feelings of guilt, shame, and anxiety.
  

By avoiding backbiting and calumny, individuals can cultivate positive relationships, promote harmony, and accelerate their spiritual growth. Instead of focusing on the faults of others, Bahá’ís are encouraged to focus on their spiritual development and treat others with kindness and compassion.

ChatGPT Response:

Definition of Backbiting and Calumny

• Backbiting refers to speaking about the faults, shortcomings, or misdeeds of others in their absence, often to criticize, diminish, or harm their reputation.
• Calumny involves making false, malicious, or defamatory statements about someone to damage their character or standing.
  

Both involve using speech to harm others, whether by unnecessarily revealing their flaws or spreading falsehoods.

Reasons for Prohibition in Bahá’u’lláh’s Teachings

Bahá’u’lláh strongly prohibits backbiting and calumny because these actions undermine the moral, spiritual, and social well-being of individuals and communities. Below are key reasons for this prohibition:

Spiritual Harm

• Distance from God: Engaging in backbiting and slander corrupts the soul and distances it from God’s grace. Bahá’u’lláh refers to such actions as accursed, warning of the spiritual consequences.
• Focus on Self-Improvement: Dwelling on others’ faults distracts individuals from recognizing and addressing their shortcomings, hindering their spiritual growth.
  

Violation of Unity

• Disruption of Harmony: Backbiting breeds mistrust and discord within families, communities, and societies. Unity, a central principle of the Bahá’í Faith, cannot flourish in an environment tainted by gossip and slander.
• Saddening Others: Bahá’u’lláh condemns actions that cause sadness, emphasizing that our words should uplift and unite rather than harm.
  

Ethical and Moral Integrity

• Accountability for Speech: The misuse of speech through slander or gossip contradicts the Bahá’í standard of honesty, kindness, and justice. A pure heart and mind must manifest in a pure tongue.
• Golden Rule: Bahá’u’lláh’s exhortation, “Wish not the abasement of anyone, that thine own abasement be not exposed,” reflects the reciprocal nature of justice and morality.
  

Social Consequences

• Erosion of Trust: Backbiting and slander destroy trust and mutual respect within relationships and communities, leading to alienation and fragmentation.
• Magnification of Faults: These practices amplify flaws rather than foster understanding or healing, perpetuating cycles of negativity and conflict.
  

Personal Development and Happiness

• Inner Purity: A life free from gossip and slander leads to a “stainless mind” and “unsullied heart,” essential for spiritual peace and progress.
• Contentment and Freedom: Avoiding harmful speech liberates individuals from resentment and bitterness, allowing them to live with greater joy and fulfillment.
  

The Call to a Higher Standard

Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings urge individuals to:

• Focus on Their Growth: “Forget thine own faults and busy thyself with the faults of others.”
• Speak Positively: Use speech to encourage, inspire, and bring joy, avoiding “unseemly talk.”
• Uphold Unity: Build connections through kindness and understanding rather than division and harm.
  

Conclusion

Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings prohibit backbiting and calumny because they are antithetical to the principles of love, unity, and spiritual growth. Individuals purify their hearts, foster harmonious relationships, and contribute to building a community characterized by trust, mutual support, and genuine care by refraining from these harmful practices.

Claude Response:

Based on the passages you’ve shared from Bahá’u’lláh, backbiting and calumny can be understood as harmful practices involving speaking negatively about others, particularly in their absence, intending to diminish their reputation or character.

Let me break down the fundamentals of backbiting and calumny as implied in these sacred writings:

Nature of the Act

• Backbiting involves discussing the faults, shortcomings, or negative characteristics of another person when they are not present to defend themselves
• Calumny goes further, involving deliberate false statements or malicious accusations intended to damage someone’s reputation
• Both practices fundamentally stem from a tendency to focus on others’ perceived weaknesses rather than addressing one’s own spiritual and moral development
  

Spiritual Consequences

Bahá’u’lláh presents these acts as spiritually corrosive, suggesting they:

• Distract individuals from personal growth and self-improvement
• Reveal more about the speaker’s character flaws than the subject’s
• Create spiritual pollution that distances one from divine grace
• Demonstrate a lack of compassion and understanding
  

Underlying Motivations

The writings suggest backbiting often emerges from:

• Ego-driven desires to feel superior
• Projection of one’s insecurities
• A misguided attempt to elevate oneself by diminishing others
• Lack of spiritual self-awareness
  

Recommended Alternative

Instead of focusing on others’ faults, Bahá’u’lláh prescribes:

• Maintaining a “mind stainless, heart unsullied, thoughts pure.”
• Speaking only what is “meet and seemly.”
• Cultivating personal spiritual growth
• Practicing compassion and understanding
  

The profound spiritual wisdom here is that by refraining from judging and criticizing others, we create space for personal transformation and maintain our spiritual integrity.

Pi Response:

Backbiting and calumny are harmful behaviors involving speaking ill of others in their absence, often intending to discredit or disparage them. Backbiting refers to talking about someone behind their back, criticizing or maligning their character or actions. Calumny involves spreading false or misleading information about someone to damage their reputation or standing.

Bahá’u’lláh prohibits the practice of backbiting and calumny in His commandments for several reasons:

Harm to Unity

Backbiting and calumny create disunity and conflict, damaging the fabric of society. Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings emphasize unity and love, so engaging in these behaviors contradicts the core principles of the Bahá’í Faith.

Negative Emotional Impact

Such actions can cause emotional harm to the targeted individuals and those who participate in or witness them. They can lead to feelings of mistrust, betrayal, and insecurity within a community.

Detrimental to Spiritual Growth

Engaging in backbiting and calumny fosters negative qualities such as envy, malice, and arrogance, which hinder an individual’s spiritual growth and development.

Undermining Trust

Spreading rumors and falsehoods undermines trust and integrity within a community, creating an atmosphere of suspicion and skepticism.

Unproductive Use of Time and Energy

Focusing on the faults of others diverts energy and attention away from personal growth, service to others, and contributing to the betterment of society.

Instead of backbiting and calumny, Bahá’u’lláh encourages individuals to practice kindness, compassion, and forgiveness, fostering an environment of love, unity, and support within their communities.

Perplexity Response:

Backbiting and calumny are strongly prohibited in the Bahá’í Faith due to their detrimental effects on individuals and society. Backbiting is defined as speaking ill of someone who is not present, often with malicious intent, and is considered akin to gossip or spreading rumors [2]. Calumny involves making false and defamatory statements about someone. Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í Faith, emphasized the importance of abstaining from these practices, as they are seen as major social ailments that disrupt unity and harmony among people [1] [3].

Reasons for Prohibition include the following:

Spiritual and Moral Integrity

Bahá’u’lláh taught that backbiting quenches the light of the heart and extinguishes the life of the soul [2] [4]. It is considered a grievous error that leads to spiritual degradation.

Social Harmony

Backbiting and calumny are divisive, leading to discord and weakening social bonds. They cause sadness, dampen enthusiasm, and create indifference among people[4]. Bahá’u’lláh aimed to foster a society based on love, unity, and mutual respect by prohibiting these actions.

Personal Development

The prohibition encourages individuals to focus on their faults rather than those of others, promoting personal growth and humility[1]. It also aligns with the broader Bahá’í principle of using speech for positive purposes, such as praising others and building up the community[4].

Comparison with Grave Sins

In the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Bahá’u’lláh equates backbiting with serious offenses like murder and adultery, highlighting its severe impact on both personal and communal levels[3]. This comparison underscores the destructive nature of backbiting in undermining trust and integrity within a community.

Overall, the prohibition of backbiting and calumny in the Bahá’í Faith serves as a means to protect individuals from spiritual harm and to promote a cohesive, supportive community environment.

Citations

[1] What Does the Baha’i Faith Prohibit?

[2] Backbiting-free Conversation

[3] A Personal Reflection on the Harmful Effects of Backbiting

[4] Sacred Writings on backbiting

[5] Bahá’í Laws and Principles

[6] The Kitáb-i-Aqdas

[7] Stuck between Backbiting and Calumny

[8] Backbiting

1. Bahá’u’lláh. The Hidden Words. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed November 26, 2024. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/hidden-words/3#697759113. ↩
2. “O SON OF BEING! How couldst thou forget thine own faults and busy thyself with the faults of others? Whoso doeth this is accursed of Me.
   Bahá’u’lláh. The Hidden Words. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed November 26, 2024. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/hidden-words/2#568477331. ↩
3. “O SON OF MAN! Breathe not the sins of others so long as thou art thyself a sinner. Shouldst thou transgress this command, accursed wouldst thou be, and to this I bear witness.
   Bahá’u’lláh. The Hidden Words. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed November 26, 2024. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/hidden-words/2#605082403. ↩
4. “Verily I say, the tongue is for mentioning what is good, defile it not with unseemly talk. God hath forgiven what is past. Henceforward everyone should utter that which is meet and seemly, and should refrain from slander, abuse and whatever causeth sadness in men.”
   Bahá’u’lláh. Tablets of Baháʾ’u’ʾlláh, Revealed after the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. Translated by Habib Taherzadeh. 1st ed. Haifa: Bahá’í World Centre, 1978, 219-220. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/tablets-bahaullah/6#975681273. ↩
5. Bahá’u’lláh. The Kitáb-i-Aqdas. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed November 26, 2024. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/kitab-i-aqdas/12#656711693. ↩
6. 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, 99-100. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#TCH.