Daily Frameworks for 01 December 2024

Jamál, 10 Qawl (Speech), 181 B.E.

Teaching the Cause

Quotes for Reflection:

Be unrestrained as the wind, while carrying the Message of Him Who hath caused the Dawn of Divine Guidance to break. Consider, how the wind, faithful to that which God hath ordained, bloweth upon all the regions of the earth, be they inhabited or desolate. Neither the sight of desolation, nor the evidences of prosperity, can either pain or please it. It bloweth in every direction, as bidden by its Creator. So should be every one that claimeth to be a lover of the one true God. It behooveth him to fix his gaze upon the fundamentals of His Faith, and to labor diligently for its propagation. Wholly for the sake of God he should proclaim His Message, and with that same spirit accept whatever response his words may evoke in his hearer. He who shall accept and believe, shall receive his reward; and he who shall turn away, shall receive none other than his own punishment. — Bahá’u’lláh ¹

Now, in gratitude for these infinite bestowals, it behoveth us to arise to carry out the counsels and admonitions of the Blessed Beauty, and to act in accordance with His teachings and ordinances. We must strive with heart and soul to drink a brimful cup of this heavenly wine, that our words, our deeds, and our conduct may be those of the righteous. We must show forth love and kindliness, and demonstrate, through our faith and sincerity, that we are all servants of His Threshold, and true and steadfast keepers at His door. We must prove ourselves Bahá’ís in reality, and not merely in words. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ²

Consider how the Báb endured difficulties and tribulations; how He gave His life in the Cause of God; how He was attracted to the love of the Blessed Beauty, Bahá’u’lláh; and how He announced the glad tidings of His manifestation. We must follow His heavenly example; we must be self-sacrificing and aglow with the fire of the love of God. We must partake of the bounty and grace of the Lord, for the Báb has admonished us to arise in service to the Cause of God, to be absolutely severed from all else save God during the day of the Blessed Perfection, Bahá’u’lláh, to be completely attracted by the love of Bahá’u’lláh, to love all humanity for His sake, to be lenient and merciful to all for Him and to upbuild the oneness of the world of humanity. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ³

Contrast the dreadful convulsions, the internecine conflicts, the petty disputes, the outworn controversies, the interminable revolutions that agitate the masses, with the calm new light of Peace and of Truth which envelops, guides and sustains those valiant inheritors of the law and love of Bahá’u’lláh. Compare the disintegrating institutions, the discredited statesmanship, the exploded theories, the appalling degradation, the follies and furies, the shifts, shams and compromises that characterize the present age, with the steady consolidation, the holy discipline, the unity and cohesiveness, the assured conviction, the uncompromising loyalty, the heroic self-sacrifice that constitute the hallmark of these faithful stewards and harbingers of the golden age of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh. — Shoghi Effendi ⁴

When teaching among the masses, the friends should be careful not to emphasize the charitable and humanitarian aspects of the Faith as a means to win recruits. Experience has shown that when facilities such as schools, dispensaries, hospitals, or even clothes and food are offered to the people being taught, many complications arise. The prime motive should always be the response of man to God’s message, and the recognition of His Messenger. Those who declare themselves as Bahá’ís should become enchanted with the beauty of the Teachings; and touched by the love of Bahá’u’lláh. The declarants need not know all the proofs, history, laws, and principles of the Faith, but in the process of declaring themselves they must, in addition to catching the spark of faith, become basically informed about the Central Figures of the Faith, as well as the existence of laws they must follow and an administration they must obey. — Universal House of Justice ⁵

Question for Consideration

What prompts someone to become a member of the Bahá’í Faith? ⁶

Combined ChatGPT and Perplexity Response:

The decision to become a member of the Bahá’í Faith results from the personal recognition of Bahá’u’lláh as the Manifestation of God for this age and the willing embrace of His Teachings [1] [3]. This decision involves a combination of inner spiritual transformation, attraction to the Faith’s principles, and a growing desire to live a life dedicated to service and the betterment of humanity.

The process of becoming a Bahá’í is characterized by the following aspects:

Independent investigation of truth

• Bahá’ís believe that each individual has the duty and privilege to independently investigate and verify the truth of the Bahá’í teachings [4].
• The Bahá’í Faith emphasizes that individuals should freely choose to embrace its Teachings. The decision to become a Bahá’í is seen as a response to God’s call through His Manifestation. Membership is not based on material incentives, social pressure, or coercion. This ensures that those who declare themselves as Bahá’ís are motivated by sincere spiritual conviction and a genuine love for Bahá’u’lláh.
  

Recognition of Bahá’u’lláh’s Station

• The central and most vital step in becoming a Bahá’í is recognizing Bahá’u’lláh as the Messenger of God for this day in a progression of Messengers like Abraham, Moses, Buddha, Krishna, Zoroaster, Jesus, and Muhammad [3]. As the Promised One of all religions, Bahá’u’lláh brings the teachings humanity needs for its current stage of development.
• This recognition often involves a feeling of divine confirmation, a deep conviction that Bahá’u’lláh’s message resonates with the soul.
  

Attraction to the Teachings

• Many are deeply touched by the love of Bahá’u’lláh and drawn to the beauty and universality of Bahá’í teachings and principles, such as: the oneness of God, the oneness of humanity, and unity of all religions, the equality of women and men, the elimination of prejudice, the harmony of science and religion, and the establishment of world peace [3] [5].
• These principles form the foundation of the Bahá’í worldview. The focus on unity and building a global society resonates deeply with those seeking answers to the divisions and challenges of the modern world.
  

Commitment to spiritual growth

• Those who become Bahá’ís often feel a profound yearning for meaning and purpose beyond material existence.
• Bahá’í teachings emphasize developing virtues such as love, justice, truthfulness, humility, and compassion, which align with the individual’s desire for spiritual growth.
• Bahá’ís strive to develop spiritual qualities and contribute to the advancement of civilization through prayer, meditation, and service [3] [4].
  

Education and Understanding

Before declaring their faith, individuals are introduced to the central elements of the Bahá’í Faith:

• The lives and stations of its Central Figures (the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá).
• The laws and principles they are expected to follow, such as daily prayer, abstention from backbiting, and living a life of service.
• The structure of the Bahá’í Administrative Order, including the importance of consultation, unity, and obedience to elected institutions.

Once an individual understands the basic teachings and desires to be a member, they can declare their faith by signing a membership card [1]. This process is simple and does not involve formal rituals or ceremonies.

Personal and Social Transformation

• New believers are inspired by the potential of the Bahá’í Faith to transform both individual lives and society as a whole.
• They are motivated to join a global community dedicated to principles of unity, justice, and service.
• New Bahá’ís are encouraged to participate in community activities, study the writings, and contribute to the spiritual and social development of their communities [3] [4].
• Bahá’ís aim to apply the teachings in their daily lives, working towards personal transformation and contributing to the betterment of society [4].
  

People are prompted to become Bahá’ís through a combination of spiritual recognition, attraction to the Faith’s transformative teachings, and a desire to contribute to the betterment of humanity. This decision marks the beginning of a journey toward personal growth, a life of service, and active participation in building a unified and just global society [4]. It is a personal decision based on spiritual conviction rather than material or social incentives [5].

Citations

[1] Becoming a Bahá’í

[2] Culture and Religion – Bahá’í Faith [PDF]

[3] Bahá’í Teachings and Community Life

[4] On Becoming a Bahá’í

[5] WHAT BAHÁ’ÍS BELIEVE

[6] What Is the Baha’i Faith?

[7] BECOME A BAHÁ’Í

[8] THE BAHÁ’Í FAITH at a Glance

1. Bahá’u’lláh. Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. Bahá’í Reference Library, 1935. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/gleanings-writings-bahaullah/8#467394885. ↩
2. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Light of the World: Selected Tablets of ’Abdu’l-Bahá. 1st ed. Haifa: Bahá’í World Center, 2021. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/light-of-the-world/4#387995498. ↩
3. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by ʻAbduʼl-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912. Edited by Howard MacNutt. 2nd ed. Wilmette, Ill: Baháʼí Publishing Trust, 1982, 139. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/promulgation-universal-peace/10#261330299. ↩
4. Effendi, Shoghi. The World Order of Baháʾuʾlláh: Selected Letters. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed November 29, 2024. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/shoghi-effendi/world-order-bahaullah/6#990338810. ↩
5. Universal House of Justice. “13 July 1964 – To all National Spiritual Assemblies.” Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed November 29, 2024. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/19640713_001/1#718792135. ↩
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, 101-102. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#TCH.