Fidál, 12 Qawl (Speech), 181 B.E.
Teaching the Cause
Quotes for Reflection:
CREATE in me a pure heart, O my God, and renew a tranquil conscience within me, O my Hope! Through the spirit of power confirm Thou me in Thy Cause, O my Best-Beloved, and by the light of Thy glory reveal unto me Thy path, O Thou the Goal of my desire! Through the power of Thy transcendent might lift me up unto the heaven of Thy holiness, O Source of my being, and by the breezes of Thine eternity gladden me, O Thou Who art my God! Let Thine everlasting melodies breathe tranquility on me, O my Companion, and let the riches of Thine ancient countenance deliver me from all except Thee, O my Master, and let the tidings of the revelation of Thine incorruptible Essence bring me joy, O Thou Who art the most manifest of the manifest and the most hidden of the hidden! — Bahá’u’lláh 1
God’s standards are different from those of men. According to men’s standards, the acceptance of any cause by people of distinction, of recognized fame and status, determines the value and greatness of that cause. But, in the words of Bahá’u’lláh: “The summons and the message which We gave were never intended to reach or to benefit one land or one people only. Mankind in its entirety must firmly adhere to whatsoever hath been revealed and vouchsafed unto it.” 2 Or again, “He hath endowed every soul with the capacity to recognize the signs of God. How could He, otherwise, have fulfilled His testimony unto men, if ye be of them that ponder His Cause in their hearts.” 3 In countries where teaching the masses has succeeded, the Bahá’ís have poured out their time and effort in village areas to the same extent as they had formerly done in cities and towns. The results indicate how unwise it is to solely concentrate on one section of the population. Each National Assembly therefore should so balance its resources and harmonize its efforts that the Faith of God is taught not only to those who are readily accessible but to all sections of society, however remote they may be.
The unsophisticated people of the world—and they form the large majority of its population—have the same right to know of the Cause of God as others. When the friends are teaching the Word of God they should be careful to give the Message in the same simplicity as it is enunciated in our Teachings. In their contacts they must show genuine and divine love. The heart of an unlettered soul is extremely sensitive; any trace of prejudice on the part of the pioneer or teacher is immediately sensed.
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.
After declaration, the new believers must not be left to their own devices. Through correspondence and dispatch of visitors, through conferences and training courses, these friends must be patiently strengthened and lovingly helped to develop into full Bahá’í maturity. The beloved Guardian referring to the duties of Bahá’í Assemblies in assisting the newly declared believer has written: “… the members of each and every Assembly should endeavor, by their patience, their love, their tact and wisdom, to nurse, subsequent to his admission, the newcomer into Bahá’í maturity, and win him over gradually to the unreserved acceptance of whatever has been ordained in the teachings.” 4
Expansion and consolidation are twin processes that must go hand in hand. The friends must not stop expansion in the name of consolidation. Deepening the newly enrolled believers generates tremendous stimulus which results in further expansion. The enrollment of new believers, on the other hand, creates a new spirit in the community and provides additional potential manpower that will reinforce the consolidation work. — Universal House of Justice 5
Question for Consideration
Based on the quotes above, how can one explain the essential features of the Bahá’í Faith to someone who knows little about it but who is interested in learning more? 6
Perplexity Pro Response 7
The Bahá’í Faith is centered on spiritual renewal, universal teachings, and a balanced approach to sharing its message, emphasizing personal transformation and global unity while nurturing new believers with patience and love.
Spiritual Guidance
Spiritual guidance in the Bahá’í Faith is rooted in the transformative power of prayer and meditation. A poignant example is Bahá’u’lláh’s supplication, which calls for the creation of a pure heart, renewal of conscience, and elevation to spiritual heights through divine assistance. This prayer encapsulates key aspects of Bahá’í spirituality:
- Seeking inner purification and tranquility
- Requesting confirmation in one’s spiritual path
- Aspiring for unity with the divine through celestial melodies
- Desiring freedom from worldly attachments
These elements reflect the Faith’s emphasis on personal spiritual growth and the individual’s direct connection with the divine, fostering a sense of purpose and spiritual enlightenment in adherents’ lives.
Universal Message of Baháú’lláh
Bahá’u’lláh’s message transcends geographical and cultural boundaries, emphasizing the universality of divine revelation. He proclaimed that His teachings were intended for all of humanity, not limited to a specific land or people. This universal approach is reflected in the Faith’s principle of independent investigation of truth, which encourages individuals to recognize the signs of God without intermediaries. The Bahá’í Faith teaches that every soul has been endowed with the capacity to recognize divine truth, fostering a direct spiritual connection between the individual and the divine.
Teaching the Faith
Teaching methods in the Bahá’í Faith emphasize inclusivity and adaptability, reaching out to all segments of society. Bahá’ís are encouraged to balance their efforts between urban and rural areas, recognizing that even remote populations have the right to learn about the Faith. When teaching, adherents are advised to:
- Present the message with simplicity and genuine love
- Avoid emphasizing charitable aspects as recruitment tools
- Focus on the spiritual response to God’s message rather than material incentives
- Ensure new declarants understand basic principles and the Faith’s administrative structure
The process of teaching is seen as a twin endeavor with consolidation, where expansion and deepening of knowledge go hand in hand, creating a cycle of growth and reinforcement within the community.
Nurturing New Believers
After declaration, new believers are not left to their own devices but are nurtured through a process of patient strengthening and loving guidance. This involves correspondence, visitor dispatches, conferences, and training courses aimed at developing full Bahá’í maturity. Bahá’í Assemblies play a crucial role in this process, with members encouraged to use patience, love, tact, and wisdom to gradually win over newcomers to the unreserved acceptance of the Faith’s teachings. This approach ensures that expansion and consolidation go hand in hand, with the enrollment of new believers creating a fresh spirit in the community and providing additional potential to reinforce consolidation work.
Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity
- How can Bahá’ís balance expansion and consolidation efforts effectively?
- What are the best practices for nurturing new believers in rural areas?
- How can Bahá’ís create a welcoming environment for new believers?
- What are the challenges faced when teaching the Bahá’í Faith to unsophisticated populations?
- How can Bahá’ís measure the success of their teaching efforts?
- Bahá’u’lláh. Prayers and Meditations by Baháʼuʼlláh. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. 1938. Reprint, Wilmette, IL: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1974, 248. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/prayers-meditations/6#395759508. ↩
- “All praise be to the one true God—exalted be His glory—inasmuch as He hath, through the Pen of the Most High, unlocked the doors of men’s hearts. Every verse which this Pen hath revealed is a bright and shining portal that discloseth the glories of a saintly and pious life, of pure and stainless deeds. The summons and the message which We gave were never intended to reach or to benefit one land or one people only. Mankind in its entirety must firmly adhere to whatsoever hath been revealed and vouchsafed unto it. Then and only then will it attain unto true liberty. The whole earth is illuminated with the resplendent glory of God’s Revelation.”
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/3#046187471. ↩ - “Say: The first and foremost testimony establishing His truth is His own Self. Next to this testimony is His Revelation. For whoso faileth to recognize either the one or the other He hath established the words He hath revealed as proof of His reality and truth. This is, verily, an evidence of His tender mercy unto men. He hath endowed every soul with the capacity to recognize the signs of God. How could He, otherwise, have fulfilled His testimony unto men, if ye be of them that ponder His Cause in their hearts. He will never deal unjustly with anyone, neither will He task a soul beyond its power. He, verily, is the Compassionate, the All-Merciful.”
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/3#043258227. ↩ - “While conscientiously adhering to the fundamental qualifications already laid down, the members of each and every Assembly should endeavor, by their patience, their love, their tact and wisdom, to nurse, subsequent to his admission, the newcomer into Bahá’í maturity, and win him over gradually to the unreserved acceptance of whatever has been ordained in the teachings.”
Effendi, Shoghi. This Decisive Hour: Messages from Shoghi Effendi to the North American Baháʾís, 1932-1946. Bahá’í Reference Library, 2002. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/shoghi-effendi/decisive-hour/2#593374332. ↩ - Universal House of Justice. “13 July 1964 – To all National Spiritual Assemblies.” Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed December 1, 2024. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/19640713_001/1#718792135. ↩
- 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, 106-107. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#TCH. ↩
- Perplexity Pro. “How should one explain the essential features of the Bahá’í Faith to someone who knows little about it but who is interested in learning more? Edited by Steve Bosserman. December 1, 2024. https://www.perplexity.ai/page/how-can-one-explain-the-essent-H6Pw1HdCTJORbY2BjRdCIQ. ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 