Istijlál, 04 Sharaf (Honor), 181 B.E.
Walking Together on a Path of Service
Quotes for Reflection
O ye who are nigh unto the threshold of the Lord of grandeur! Render thanks unto God that in this age of the Covenant ye have been drawn together under the sheltering shadow of the Beloved of the worlds and that your faces have been illumined with the light of the most great guidance. I beseech God that ye may tread the path of truthfulness and rectitude, of fellowship and of devotion to God, that ye may gain everlasting life, be adorned with every human virtue, become the heavenly angels of the kingdom of universal peace and the conquering hosts of the realm of the oneness of humanity. Upon you be greetings and praise. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá 1
O Company of God! To each created thing, the Ancient Sovereignty hath portioned out its own perfection, its particular virtue and special excellence, so that each in its degree may become a symbol denoting the sublimity of the true Educator of humankind, and that each, even as a crystalline mirror, may tell of the grace and splendour of the Sun of Truth.
And from amongst all creatures He hath singled out man, to grant him His most wondrous gift, and hath made him to attain the bounties of the Company on High. That most precious of gifts is attainment unto His unfailing guidance, that the inner reality of humankind should become as a niche to hold this lamp; and when the scattering splendours of this light do beat against the bright glass of the heart, the heart’s purity maketh the beams to blaze out even stronger than before, and to shine in glory on the minds and souls of men.
The attainment of the most great guidance is dependent upon knowledge and wisdom, and on being informed as to the mysteries of the Holy Words. Wherefore must the loved ones of God, be they young or old, be they men or women, each one according to his capabilities, strive to acquire the various branches of knowledge, and to increase his understanding of the mysteries of the Holy Books, and his skill in marshalling the divine proofs and evidences.
The eminent Sadru’s-Sudúr, who hath verily attained a most exalted station in the Retreats of Bliss, inaugurated the teaching meeting. He was the first blessed soul to lay the foundation of this momentous institution.
God be praised, during the course of his life he educated persons who today are strong and eloquent advocates of the Lord God, disciples who are indeed pure and spiritual descendants of him who was so close to the Holy Threshold. After his passing, certain blessed individuals took steps to perpetuate his teaching work, and when He learned of it, this Captive’s heart rejoiced.
At this time, likewise, I most urgently request the friends of God to make every effort, as much as lieth within their competence, along these lines. The harder they strive to widen the scope of their knowledge, the better and more gratifying will be the result. Let the loved ones of God, whether young or old, whether male or female, each according to his capabilities, bestir themselves and spare no efforts to acquire the various current branches of knowledge, both spiritual and secular, and of the arts. Whensoever they gather in their meetings let their conversation be confined to learned subjects and to information on the knowledge of the day.
If they do thus, they will flood the world with the Manifest Light, and change this dusty earth into gardens of the Realm of Glory. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá 2
O God, O Thou Who hast cast Thy splendour over the luminous realities of men, shedding upon them the resplendent lights of knowledge and guidance, and hast chosen them out of all created things for this supernal grace, and hast caused them to encompass all things, to understand their inmost essence, and to disclose their mysteries, bringing them forth out of darkness into the visible world! “He verily showeth His special mercy to whomsoever He will.”
O Lord, help Thou Thy loved ones to acquire knowledge and the sciences and arts, and to unravel the secrets that are treasured up in the inmost reality of all created beings. Make them to hear the hidden truths that are written and embedded in the heart of all that is. Make them to be ensigns of guidance amongst all creatures, and piercing rays of the mind shedding forth their light in this, the “first life”. Make them to be leaders unto Thee, guides unto Thy path, runners urging men on to Thy Kingdom.
Thou verily art the Powerful, the Protector, the Potent, the Defender, the Mighty, the Most Generous. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá 3
Question for Consideration
What are the requirements to attain the “most great guidance” spoken of by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and how can one apply it? 4
Perplexity Pro Response 5
The Bahá’í Faith emphasizes the importance of acquiring knowledge, wisdom, and understanding of sacred texts as essential steps towards attaining what ‘Abdu’l-Bahá calls the “most great guidance” [1] [2]. This spiritual journey involves continuous learning, developing one’s capabilities, and applying acquired knowledge in service to humanity.
Acquiring Knowledge and Wisdom
Acquiring knowledge and wisdom forms the foundation for attaining divine guidance in the Bahá’í Faith. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá emphasizes that this guidance is “dependent upon knowledge and wisdom,” [1] encompassing both spiritual and secular learning. Bahá’ís are encouraged to:
- Strive to acquire various branches of knowledge
- Increase understanding of sacred texts
- Develop skills in presenting divine proofs and evidences
- “Make every effort” to “widen the scope of their knowledge” [1]
- Participate in elevated conversations on “learned subjects and information on the knowledge of the day” [1]
This pursuit of knowledge is not limited by age or gender, as ‘Abdu’l-Bahá urges all believers, “be they young or old, be they men or women,” to develop their capabilities to the fullest extent possible [1].
Understanding the Mysteries of the Holy Words
Delving into the “mysteries of the Holy Words” [1] is a crucial aspect of attaining spiritual guidance, according to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s teachings. This involves deep study and reflection on sacred texts to uncover their inner meanings and spiritual truths. Bahá’í are encouraged to increase their “understanding of the mysteries of the Holy Books” [1] and develop their “skill in marshalling the divine proofs and evidences” [1]. This process of spiritual exploration goes beyond surface-level reading, requiring one to “hear the hidden truths that are written and embedded in the heart of all that is” [3]. By engaging in this profound study, individuals can become “strong and eloquent advocates of the Lord God,” [1] capable of illuminating others with their insights and understanding.
Cultivating Virtues and Being of Service
Cultivating virtues and engaging in service are integral aspects of attaining spiritual guidance in the Bahá’í Faith. Believers are encouraged to “tread the path of truthfulness and rectitude, of fellowship and of devotion to God” [2] and to “be adorned with every human virtue” [2]. This process of spiritual development involves becoming “crystalline mirrors” [1] reflecting divine attributes and striving to embody qualities such as purity of heart. Service to humanity is seen as a practical application of spiritual knowledge, with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá urging followers to become “ensigns of guidance amongst all creatures” and “leaders unto Thee, guides unto Thy path” [3]. By combining personal spiritual growth with selfless service, individuals can work towards becoming “heavenly angels of the kingdom of universal peace and the conquering hosts of the realm of the oneness of humanity” [2].
Taking Practical Steps
To apply the teachings and attain the “most great guidance,” individuals can take several practical steps:
- Establish a regular study routine for daily engagement with Bahá’í writings and other knowledge branches
- Join or initiate study circles to deepen understanding collectively
- Practice explaining Bahá’í concepts to others to develop teaching skills
- Pursue ongoing education in various spiritual and secular fields
- Engage in regular reflection and meditation to uncover deeper meanings and personal insights
- Apply acquired knowledge to serve others and contribute to societal betterment
These actions help one become a channel for divine knowledge and a source of illumination for others, fulfilling ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s vision of believers who “flood the world with the Manifest Light, and change this dusty earth into gardens of the Realm of Glory” [1].
Citations
[1] Bahá’í Education – Bahá’í Library Online
[2] Additional Tablets, Extracts and Talks – Bahá’í Reference Library
[3] Bahá’í Education – Bahá’í Library Online
[4] Consultation – The Bahá’í Faith
[5] Presenting the Message – The Individual and Teaching
[6] How Habits Can Help You Become the Baha’i You’ve Always Wanted to Be – Baha’i Blog
[7] THE TRAINING INSTITUTE – The Bahá’í Faith
[8] Spirituality – Lights of Guidance
[9] Learning from Abdu’l-Baha’s Commitment to Service – BahaiTEACHINGS.ORG
[10] Approaching Daily Life with Spiritually-Seeing Eyes – Baha’i Blog
[11] Processes of Development: The Bahá’í Approach – Uplifting Words
[12] New Believers – Lights of Guidance
Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity
- How can I incorporate consultation into my daily life?
- What are some practical ways to acquire knowledge and wisdom?
- How can I become a better advocate for the teachings of the Bahá’í Faith?
- What role does humility play in attaining guidance?
- How can I use divine verses effectively in my teaching?
- How can consultation and compassion illuminate my daily decisions?
- What role does humility play in effective teaching?
- How can daily reflection enhance my spiritual growth?
- What are some examples of Abdu’l-Bahá’s service to others?
- How can I cultivate a spiritually-seeing perspective in my daily life?
- ’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/662535667/1#111005251. ↩
- Bahá’u’lláh, ’Abdu’l-Bahá, and Shoghi Effendi. Bahá’í Education. Bahá’í Library Online, 1991. https://bahai-library.com/compilationbahaieducation/. ↩
- Bahá’u’lláh, ’Abdu’l-Bahá, and Shoghi Effendi. Bahá’í Education. Bahá’í Library Online, 1991. https://bahai-library.com/compilationbahaieducation/. ↩
- 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, 40-41. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#WLK. ↩
- Perplexity Pro. “What are the requirements to attain the “most great guidance” spoken of by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and how can one apply it?” Edited by Steve Bosserman. December 31, 2024. ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 