Jalál, 11 Masáʼil (Questions), 181 B.E.
Walking Together on a Path of Service
Quotes for Reflection
O SON OF DUST! Verily I say unto thee: Of all men the most negligent is he that disputeth idly and seeketh to advance himself over his brother. Say: O brethren! Let deeds, not words, be your adorning. — Bahá’u’lláh 1
…the purpose of religion is the acquisition of praiseworthy virtues, the betterment of morals, the spiritual development of mankind, the real life and divine bestowals. All the Prophets have been the promoters of these principles; none of Them has been the promoter of corruption, vice or evil. They have summoned mankind to all good. They have united people in the love of God, invited them to the religions of the unity of mankind and exhorted them to amity and agreement. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá 2
Make every effort to acquire the advanced knowledge of the day, and strain every nerve to carry forward the divine civilization. Establish schools that are well organized, and promote the fundamentals of instruction in the various branches of knowledge through teachers who are pure and sanctified, distinguished for their high standards of conduct and general excellence, and strong in faith—scholars and educators with a thorough knowledge of sciences and arts. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá 3
The chosen ones of God…should not look at the depraved condition of the society in which they live, nor at the evidences of moral degradation and frivolous conduct which the people around them display. They should not content themselves merely with relative distinction and excellence. Rather they should fix their gaze upon nobler heights by setting the counsels and exhortations of the Pen of Glory as their supreme goal. Then it will be readily realized how numerous are the stages that still remain to be traversed and how far off the desired goal lies—a goal which is none other than exemplifying heavenly morals and virtues. Therefore, as the treaders of the path of salvation, we should strive with all our might and in every moment of our life to vindicate by deeds and words the reviving power enshrined in Bahá’u’lláh’s Teachings. In our association and conversation with others, in our transactions, performance of duties, our aims, and in major and minor undertakings we should so appear as to proclaim and prove to all that other than the unifying power of Bahá’u’lláh’s Spirit nothing can transform the hearts of people and make of them a new race of men. This is the only means for the salvation and victory of the Cause of God. — Shoghi Effendi 4
In the current climate of social and moral decline, at a time when, in the world at large, moral decay, hypocrisy and compromise are endemic, and words, unsupported by actions, have lost their value, the believers are challenged to become “Bahá’ís in character as well as in belief,” to strive determinedly to exemplify the Bahá’í standard, to become distinguished for their moral excellence, and, by the quality of their individual lives and the nature of their Bahá’í community life, to demonstrate the vitalizing power of the Cause not only to bring peace, security and true spiritual happiness to the individual heart, but to transform society as well. Shoghi Effendi repeatedly emphasized the importance of the force of example. A letter written on his behalf states:
“His constant hope is that the believers will conduct themselves, individually and in their Bahá’í Community life, in such a manner as to attract the attention of others to the Cause. The world is not only starving for lofty principles and ideals, it is, above all, starving for a shining example which the Bahá’ís can and must provide.” — Universal House of Justice 5
Question for Consideration
From a Bahá’í perspective, how can one rise above the depraved conditions and moral degradation of society to develop heavenly morals and virtues in the pursuit of divine standards of excellence? 6
Perplexity Pro Response 7
The Bahá’í Faith offers a comprehensive approach to personal and societal transformation in the face of moral degradation, emphasizing spiritual development, cultivation of virtues, and service to humanity as pathways to achieving divine standards of excellence.
Spiritual Growth and Learning
Continuous spiritual growth and learning form the bedrock of developing heavenly morals and virtues in the Bahá’í Faith. This process involves daily prayer and meditation, coupled with the study of sacred writings to purify one’s heart and mind. Bahá’ís are encouraged to engage in a systematic process of study, action, and reflection, participating in educational programs that develop both spiritual and intellectual capacities [4]. The teachings emphasize the importance of surrounding oneself with like-minded individuals who are also striving for spiritual excellence, fostering an environment of mutual support and encouragement [9]. This collective approach to learning and growth helps individuals to constantly align their lives with divine teachings, gradually transforming themselves and contributing to the spiritual upliftment of society as a whole.
Cultivation of Virtues in Action
Actively cultivating praiseworthy virtues in daily life is a cornerstone of the Bahá’í approach to personal transformation. This process involves developing qualities such as truthfulness, love, kindness, justice, respect, and humility through conscious effort and practice [5]. Bahá’ís are encouraged to focus on spiritual distinction rather than material or social status, striving to embody these virtues in their interactions with others and in their personal conduct [4]. The emphasis is on translating beliefs into action, as Bahá’u’lláh states, “Let deeds, not words, be your adorning” [1]. By consistently applying these virtues in various life situations, individuals can gradually elevate their character and contribute to the moral upliftment of society, serving as beacons of positive change amidst challenging social conditions.
Service and Community Building
A key aspect of developing heavenly morals is through selfless service to Service to humanity and community building are integral aspects of the Bahá’í approach to personal and societal transformation. Believers are encouraged to engage in activities that promote unity, eliminate prejudices, and contribute to the betterment of society through social and economic development initiatives [8]. This service-oriented approach extends beyond individual actions to include participation in community-building activities that foster collective spiritual and material progress. By working towards the establishment of a just, peaceful, and unified world civilization, Bahá’ís strive to create environments that nurture spiritual growth and exemplify divine standards of excellence [6].
Exemplary Conduct in Society
Living as a shining example of one’s beliefs is paramount in the Bahá’í approach to rising above societal moral degradation. Believers are called upon to demonstrate high moral standards in all aspects of life, exhibiting qualities such as chastity, politeness, friendliness, and joyous optimism [3]. This exemplary conduct serves as a powerful force for positive change, as Shoghi Effendi emphasized: “The world is not only starving for lofty principles and ideals, it is, above all, starving for a shining example which the Bahá’ís can and must provide” [7]. By consistently embodying these virtues, individuals become sources of inspiration and guidance for others, particularly youth, and contribute to the gradual transformation of society towards higher spiritual and moral standards. [9]
By focusing on these areas, individuals can gradually transform themselves and contribute to the spiritual and moral upliftment of society. The Bahá’í writings emphasize that this process of personal and societal transformation is essential for the establishment of a just, peaceful, and unified world civilization [6].
Citations
[1] Hidden Words – Bahá’í Reference Library
[2] Baháʼí teachings – Wikipedia
[3] Excellence in All Things – Bahá’í Reference Library
[4] Culture and Religion – Bahá’í Faith (PDF)
[5] Promulgation of Universal Peace – Bahá’í Reference Library
[6] A Baha’i understanding of Reality – Malta Bahá’í Community
[7] 30 September 1988 – To all National Spiritual Assemblies – Bahá’í Reference Library
[8] A Spiritual Path to Unity and Social Justice – Bahá’ís of the United States
[9] Our Expectant Eyes are Fixed on Bahá’í Youth! – Bahai.works
Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity
- How can one cultivate a sense of social mutual concern in daily life?
- What are some practical steps to eliminate extremes of wealth and poverty?
- How can one become distinguished in morals according to Bahá’í teachings?
- What role does spiritual perfection play in achieving divine standards of excellence?
- How can one develop a love for humanity and unity in a diverse society?
- What are some examples of exemplary conduct in different cultures?
- How can individuals inspire others through their moral excellence?
- What role does education play in promoting exemplary conduct?
- How can communities encourage and recognize exemplary behavior?
- What are the benefits of striving for moral excellence in personal and societal development?
- Bahá’u’lláh. The Hidden Words. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed December 19, 2024. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/hidden-words/3#646280975. ↩
- ’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, 151-153. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/promulgation-universal-peace/11#270449351. ↩
- ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Additional Tablets, Extracts and Talks. Haifa: Bahá’í World Centre, 2018. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/additional-tablets-extracts-talks/619489382/1#444819363. ↩
- Universal House of Justice. “Bahá 154 B.E. – To the Lovers of the Most Great Beauty, beloved and faithful Friends.” Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed December 19, 2024. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/19970301_001/1#500384874. ↩
- Universal House of Justice. “30 September 1988 – To all National Spiritual Assemblies.” Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed December 19, 2024. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/19880930_001/1#951982457. ↩
- Ruhi Institute. Walking Together on a Path of Service. 2.1.1.PE February 2024. Vol. Book 7. 14 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Foundation, 2024, 7-8. Download PDF. ↩
- Perplexity Pro. “From a Bahá’í perspective, how can one rise above the depraved conditions and moral degradation of society to develop heavenly morals and virtues in the pursuit of divine standards of excellence?” Edited by Steve Bosserman. December 19, 2024. https://www.perplexity.ai/page/from-a-bahai-perspective-how-c-r1g.NhFOThewKQx_7X3XYg. ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 