Daily Frameworks for 17 April 2025

Istijlál, 10 Jalál (Glory), 182 B.E.

Social Action: Underlying Concepts and Principles

Quotes for Reflection:

The matter of Teaching, its direction, its ways and means, its extension, its consolidation, essential as they are to the interests of the Cause, constitute by no means the only issue which should receive the full attention of these Assemblies. A careful study of Bahá’u’lláh’s and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Tablets will reveal that other duties, no less vital to the interests of the Cause, devolve upon the elected representatives of the friends in every locality….
They must do their utmost to extend at all times the helping hand to the poor, the sick, the disabled, the orphan, the widow, irrespective of color, caste and creed.
They must promote by every means in their power the material as well as the spiritual enlightenment of youth, the means for the education of children, institute, whenever possible, Bahá’í educational institutions, organize and supervise their work and provide the best means for their progress and development….
They must undertake the arrangement of the regular meetings of the friends, the feasts and the anniversaries, as well as the special gatherings designed to serve and promote the social, intellectual and spiritual interests of their fellow-men. — Shoghi Effendi ^{1 2}

Question for Consideration

In addition to teaching, what duties vital to the interests of the Cause devolve upon the elected representatives of the Bahá’ís in every locality?

Perplexity Pro Response ³

In addition to teaching, the elected representatives of the Bahá’ís in every locality, as outlined by Shoghi Effendi, have several vital duties essential to the interests of the Cause. These include:

Social Welfare and Assistance

• Extending help to the poor, sick, disabled, orphans, and widows without discrimination based on color, caste, or creed [1].
  

Education and Youth Development

• Promoting both material and spiritual enlightenment for youth.
• Facilitating education for children and establishing Bahá’í educational institutions where possible.
• Organizing and supervising these institutions to ensure progress and development [1].
  

Community Building and Fellowship

• Arranging regular meetings for the Bahá’í community, including feasts, anniversaries, and special gatherings.
• These gatherings aim to promote social, intellectual, and spiritual interests among community members [1].
  

These responsibilities emphasize a holistic approach to community life, integrating spiritual growth with practical service to humanity.

Citations

[1] Social Action-A Compilation Prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice August 2020 (PDF)

Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity

• How can elected representatives best support the poor and the sick in their locality?
• What are some effective ways to promote the spiritual enlightenment of youth?
• How can Bahá’í educational institutions be established and maintained?
• What are the key elements in organizing and supervising Bahá’í educational institutions?
• How can regular meetings of the friends, feasts, and anniversaries be arranged effectively?

1. Effendi, Shoghi. Baháʾí Administration: Selected Messages, 1922-1932. 7. Ed. 1928. Reprint, Wilmette, Ill: Baháʾí Pub. Trust, 1974, 37-38. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/shoghi-effendi/bahai-administration/4#630469746. ↩
2. Research Department of the Universal House of Justice. “Social Action.” Bahá’í Reference Library, August 2020. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/compilations/social-action/2#958614193. ↩
3. Perplexity Pro. “Duties Vital to the Interests of the Cause.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. April 16, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/the-matter-of-teaching-its-dir-FkYdbSaxRoKawvP7ylZ31Q. ↩