Daily Frameworks for 01 February 2025

Jalál, 15 Sulṭán (Sovereignty), 181 B.E.

Walking Together on a Path of Service

Quotes for Reflection

And among the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh is that religious, racial, political, economic and patriotic prejudices destroy the edifice of humanity. As long as these prejudices prevail, the world of humanity will not have rest. For a period of 6,000 years history informs us about the world of humanity. During these 6,000 years the world of humanity has not been free from war, strife, murder and bloodthirstiness. In every period war has been waged in one country or another and that war was due to either religious prejudice, racial prejudice, political prejudice or patriotic prejudice. It has therefore been ascertained and proved that all prejudices are destructive of the human edifice. As long as these prejudices persist, the struggle for existence must remain dominant, and bloodthirstiness and rapacity continue. Therefore, even as was the case in the past, the world of humanity cannot be saved from the darkness of nature and cannot attain illumination except through the abandonment of prejudices and the acquisition of the morals of the Kingdom. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ¹

Fifth, prejudice—whether it be religious, racial, patriotic or political in its origin and aspect—is the destroyer of human foundations and opposed to the commands of God. God has sent forth His Prophets for the sole purpose of creating love and unity in the world of human hearts. All the heavenly Books are the written word of love. If they prove to be the cause of prejudice and human estrangement, they have become fruitless. Therefore, religious prejudice is especially opposed to the will and command of God. Racial and national prejudices which separate mankind into groups and branches, likewise, have a false and unjustifiable foundation, for all men are the children of Adam and essentially of one family. There should be no racial alienation or national division among humankind. Such distinctions as French, German, Persian, Anglo-Saxon are human and artificial; they have neither significance nor recognition in the estimation of God. In His estimate all are one, the children of one family; and God is equally kind to them. The earth has one surface. God has not divided this surface by boundaries and barriers to separate races and peoples. Man has set up and established these imaginary lines, giving to each restricted area a name and the limitation of a native land or nationhood. By this division and separation into groups and branches of mankind, prejudice is engendered which becomes a fruitful source of war and strife. Impelled by this prejudice, races and nations declare war against each other; the blood of the innocent is poured out, and the earth torn by violence. Therefore, it has been decreed by God in this day that these prejudices and differences shall be laid aside. All are commanded to seek the good pleasure of the Lord of unity, to follow His command and obey His will; in this way the world of humanity shall become illumined with the reality of love and reconciliation. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ²

Consider the prejudice of patriotism. This is one globe, one land, one country. God did not divide it into national boundaries. He created all the continents without national divisions. Why should we make such division ourselves? These are but imaginary lines and boundaries. Europe is a continent; it is not naturally divided; man has drawn the lines and established the limits of kingdoms and empires. Man declares a river to be a boundary line between two countries, calling this side French and the other side German, whereas the river was created for both and is a natural artery for all. Is it not imagination and ignorance which impels man to violate the divine intention and make the very bounties of God the cause of war, bloodshed and destruction? Therefore, all prejudices between man and man are falsehoods and violations of the will of God. God desires unity and love; He commands harmony and fellowship. Enmity is human disobedience; God Himself is love. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ³

According to the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh all religious, racial, patriotic and political prejudice must be abandoned, for these are the destroyers of the real foundation of humanity. He has announced that the religion of God is one, for all revelations of it are based upon reality. Abraham summoned the people to reality; Moses proclaimed reality; Christ founded reality. Likewise, all the Prophets were the servants and promulgators of reality. Reality is one and indivisible. Therefore, the prejudices and bigotries which exist today among the religions are not justifiable, inasmuch as they are opposed to reality. All prejudices are against the will and plan of God. Consider, for instance, racial distinction and enmity. All humanity are the children of God; they belong to the same family, to the same original race. There can be no multiplicity of races, since all are the descendants of Adam. This signifies that racial assumption and distinction are nothing but superstition. In the estimate of God there are no English, French, Germans, Turkish or Persians. All these in the presence of God are equal; they are of one race and creation; God did not make these divisions. These distinctions have had their origin in man himself. Therefore, as they are against the plan and purpose of reality, they are false and imaginary. We are of one physical race, even as we are of one physical plan of material body—each endowed with two eyes, two ears, one head, two feet. Among the animals racial prejudice does not exist. Consider the doves; there is no distinction as to whether it is an oriental or an occidental dove. The sheep are all of one race; there is no assumption of distinction between an eastern and a western sheep. When they meet, they associate with perfect fellowship. If a dove from the West should go to the Orient, it will associate with the eastern doves unhesitatingly. There will be no attitude of unwillingness as if saying, “You belong to the East; I am from the West.” Is it reasonable or allowable that a racial prejudice which is not observed by the animal kingdom should be entertained by man? — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ⁴

The teachings of Bahá’u’lláh also proclaim equality between man and woman, for He has declared that all are the servants of God and endowed with capacity for the attainment of virtues and bestowals. All are the manifestations of the mercy of the Lord. In the creation of God no distinction obtains. All are His servants. In the estimation of God there is no gender. The one whose deeds are more worthy, whose sayings are better, whose accomplishments are more useful is nearest and dearest in the estimation of God, be that one male or female. When we look upon creation, we find the male and female principle apparent in all phenomena of existence. In the vegetable kingdom we find the male and female fig tree, the male and female palm, the mulberry tree and so on. All plant life is characterized by this difference in gender, but no distinction or preference is evidenced. Nay, rather, there is perfect equality. Likewise, in the animal kingdom gender obtains; we have male and female, but no distinction or preference. Perfect equality is manifest. The animal, bereft of the degree of human reason and comprehension, is unable to appreciate the questions of suffrage, nor does it assert its prerogative. Man, endowed with his higher reason, accomplished in attainments and comprehending the realities of things, will surely not be willing to allow a great part of humanity to remain defective or deprived. This would be the utmost injustice. The world of humanity is possessed of two wings: the male and the female. So long as these two wings are not equivalent in strength, the bird will not fly. Until womankind reaches the same degree as man, until she enjoys the same arena of activity, extraordinary attainment for humanity will not be realized; humanity cannot wing its way to heights of real attainment. When the two wings or parts become equivalent in strength, enjoying the same prerogatives, the flight of man will be exceedingly lofty and extraordinary. Therefore, woman must receive the same education as man and all inequality be adjusted. Thus, imbued with the same virtues as man, rising through all the degrees of human attainment, women will become the peers of men, and until this equality is established, true progress and attainment for the human race will not be facilitated. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ⁵

Know thou that every soul is fashioned after the nature of God, each being pure and holy at his birth. Afterwards, however, the individuals will vary according to what they acquire of virtues or vices in this world. Although all existent beings are in their very nature created in ranks or degrees, for capacities are various, nevertheless every individual is born holy and pure, and only thereafter may he become defiled. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ⁶

The truth is that all mankind are the creatures and servants of one God, and in His estimate all are human. Man is a generic term applying to all humanity. The biblical statement “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness” does not mean that woman was not created. The image and likeness of God apply to her as well. In Persian and Arabic there are two distinct words translated into English as man: one meaning man and woman collectively, the other distinguishing man as male from woman the female. The first word and its pronoun are generic, collective; the other is restricted to the male. This is the same in Hebrew. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ⁷

Question for Consideration

Section 9 of the second unit, “Uplifting Conversations,” in Book 2 Arising to Serve concerns prejudice in all its forms—religious, racial, gender, ethnic, economic—based, in part, on the writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá quoted above. ⁸ How can one draw on His explanations to better understand the significance and implications of Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings and feel encouraged to initiate and sustain meaningful and uplifting conversations with others about challenges that call for the elimination of prejudice? ⁹

Perplexity Pro Response ¹⁰

‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s teachings emphasize the destructive nature of prejudice and the fundamental oneness of humanity, calling for the abandonment of religious, racial, political, economic, and patriotic prejudices to achieve global unity and peace.

Forms of Prejudice

‘Abdu’l-Bahá identifies several forms of prejudice that erode the foundations of human society:

• Religious prejudice
• Racial prejudice
• Political prejudice
• Economic prejudice
• Patriotic prejudice
  

These prejudices have been the root cause of wars, strife, and bloodshed throughout 6,000 years of human history. As long as these biases persist, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá warns that “the struggle for existence must remain dominant, and bloodthirstiness and rapacity continue”.

Oneness of Humanity

At the core of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s teachings lies the principle of human oneness, emphasizing that all people are “the children of Adam and essentially of one family.” He asserts that racial and national divisions are artificial constructs with no significance in God’s eyes, as the earth itself has one undivided surface. This fundamental unity is exemplified in nature, where animals like doves and sheep do not discriminate based on their origins, leading ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to question why humans should entertain prejudices that even animals do not observe [3].

Overcoming Prejudice and Religion

To overcome prejudice, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá advocates for the “acquisition of the morals of the Kingdom” and following God’s command of love and unity. He emphasizes that true religion should be a source of unity, not division, stating that God has sent His Prophets “for the sole purpose of creating love and unity in the world of human hearts”. The heavenly books are described as “the written word of love”, and if religion becomes “the cause of prejudice and human estrangement”, it has become “fruitless”. This perspective underscores the importance of interpreting and practicing religion in a way that promotes harmony and understanding among all people.

Gender Equality Teachings

In addition to addressing various forms of prejudice, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s teachings emphasize gender equality as a fundamental principle. He asserts that there is no distinction between men and women “in the estimation of God,” and both are equally capable of attaining virtues and bestowals. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá uses the metaphor of two wings to illustrate the importance of gender equality, stating that the world of humanity has male and female wings, both of which must be strong for humanity to advance and achieve its full potential.

Citations:

[1] Book 2: Arising to Serve (PDF) – Ruhi Institute

[2] Book 7: Walking Together on a Path of Service (PDF) – Ruhi Institute

[3] Book 1: Reflections on the Life of the Spirit (PDF) – Ruhi Institute

Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity

• How can we apply the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh to modern societal issues?
• What are the main obstacles to achieving gender equality according to Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings?
• How do Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings address the balance between individual rights and collective harmony?
• What specific actions can individuals take to promote gender equality in their communities?
• How do Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings on prejudice relate to gender equality?

1. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Selections from the Writings of ʻAbduʼl-Bahá. Translated by Marzieh Gail. Reprint. Wilmette, Illinois: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1996, 299. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/selections-writings-abdul-baha/10#046321283. ↩
2. ’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, 316. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/promulgation-universal-peace/22#910852942. ↩
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, 299-300. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/promulgation-universal-peace/21#921720047. ↩
4. ’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, 299. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/promulgation-universal-peace/21#287346453. ↩
5. ’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, 374-375. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/promulgation-universal-peace/27#365983525. ↩
6. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Selections from the Writings of ʻAbduʼl-Bahá. Translated by Marzieh Gail. Reprint. Wilmette, Illinois: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1996, 190. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/selections-writings-abdul-baha/7#098744709. ↩
7. ’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, 76. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/promulgation-universal-peace/4#913269800. ↩
8. Ruhi Institute. Arising to Serve. 2.1.1.PE September 2020. Vol. Book 2. 6 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Foundation, 2020, v, 27-28. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#AS. ↩
9. 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, 70-72. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#WLK. ↩
10. Perplexity Pro. “Overcoming the Destructive Nature of Prejudice.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. January 30, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/paste-txt-d5XowmvMTNSBbimym1._qQ. ↩