Fidál, 15 Jalál (Glory), 182 B.E.
Social Action: Underlying Concepts and Principles
Quotes for Reflection:
In brief, what is right and true in this day and acceptable before His Throne is that which was mentioned at the outset. All men have been called into being for the betterment of the world. It behoveth every soul to arise and serve his brethren for the sake of God. 1 Should a brother of his embrace the truth, he should rejoice that the latter hath attained unto everlasting favour. Otherwise he should implore God to guide him without manifesting the least trace of animosity or ill-feeling towards him. The reins of command are in the grasp of God. He doeth what He willeth and ordaineth as He pleaseth. He, verily, is the Almighty, the All-Praised. — Bahá’u’lláh 2
Question for Consideration
For “every soul to arise and serve his brethren for the sake of God,” how would one behave?
Perplexity Pro Response 3
To arise and serve one’s brethren for the sake of God, as described by Bahá’u’lláh, means to dedicate oneself—both inwardly and outwardly—to the betterment of humanity, guided by spiritual principles and motivated by love for God and for all people. This service is not limited to acts of charity or kindness, but encompasses every aspect of life and society. The following outlines how such behavior would manifest
Attitude and Motivation
- Act with selflessness, seeking the welfare of others above personal gain.
- Serve for the sake of God, not for recognition or reward, but out of love for humanity and obedience to divine guidance.
- Rejoice in the progress and happiness of others, and respond to differences in belief or understanding with compassion, never animosity [1].
Daily Conduct
- Exhibit virtues such as justice, humility, sincerity, trustworthiness, and kindness in all interactions.
- Avoid any trace of animosity or ill-feeling towards others, even those who disagree or do not share one’s beliefs [1].
- Foster unity and harmony, striving to remove prejudices and promote peace and understanding among all people [1].
Service in Action
- Engage in philanthropic deeds and acts of service, such as helping the poor, the sick, the disabled, orphans, and widows, irrespective of background or creed [1].
- Contribute to both the material and spiritual progress of society—supporting education, health, agriculture, the arts, and scientific progress [1].
- Participate in the promotion of knowledge, encouraging learning and the development of useful skills for the benefit of all [1].
Social Engagement and Collaboration
- Work collaboratively, consulting with others to find solutions to community and societal challenges [1].
- Engage in social action and community-building efforts, always seeking to uplift and empower others, and to create environments of mutual support and learning [1].
- Avoid partisanship and conflict; instead, promote constructive social change through unity and cooperation [1].
Spiritual Orientation
- Pray for the guidance and well-being of others, especially those who have not yet embraced the truth as one sees it, without any sense of superiority [1].
- Recognize that the ultimate outcome of all efforts is in the hands of God, acting with trust and detachment from personal results [1].
Vision for Society
- Strive for the betterment of the world and the advancement of an ever-advancing civilization, where the prosperity of each is linked to the well-being of all [1].
- Uphold the principle of the oneness of humanity, seeing all people as members of one human family and working for the common good [1].
Summary Table: Key Behaviors in Serving One’s Brethren
| Aspect | How One Would Behave |
|---|---|
| Attitude | Selfless, humble, motivated by love for God and humanity |
| Daily Conduct | Just, kind, trustworthy, fostering unity, no animosity |
| Service in Action | Help the needy, promote education, health, and the arts, support material/spiritual progress |
| Social Engagement | Consultative, collaborative, non-partisan, focused on unity and constructive change |
| Spiritual Orientation | Pray for others, trust in God, act with detachment from outcomes |
| Vision for Society | Work for the betterment of all, uphold oneness of humanity, seek collective prosperity |
In essence, to arise and serve one’s brethren for the sake of God is to dedicate one’s life to the upliftment of others, guided by spiritual principles, and to work tirelessly for the unity, justice, and advancement of all people—seeing every act of service as an offering before the Divine Throne [1].
Citations
Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity
- How can I apply the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh in my daily life?
- What are some practical ways to serve my brethren for the sake of God?
- How can I promote the well-being and tranquility of my community?
- What role does education play in the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh?
- How can I contribute to the advancement of the world according to Bahá’u’lláh?
- 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#261115972. ↩
- Bahá’u’lláh. The Tabernacle of Unity. Haifa: Bahá’í World Centre, 2006. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/tabernacle-unity/4#011233891. ↩
- Perplexity Pro. “Serving One’s Brethren for the Sake of God: How One Would Behave.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. April 21, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/in-brief-what-is-right-and-tru-MLmyF4NSTNmck2NdoL9ViA. ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 