Daily Frameworks for 29 April 2025

Fidál, 03 Jamál (Beauty), 182 B.E.

Social Action: Underlying Concepts and Principles

Quotes for Reflection:

Of the principles enshrined in these Tablets the most vital of them all is the principle of the oneness and wholeness of the human race, which may well be regarded as the hallmark of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation and the pivot of His teachings…. “We, verily,” He declares, “have come to unite and weld together all that dwell on earth.” “So potent is the light of unity,” He further states, “that it can illuminate the whole earth.” … Unity, He states, is the goal that “excelleth every goal” and an aspiration which is “the monarch of all aspirations.” “The world,” He proclaims, “is but one country, and mankind its citizens.” He further affirms that the unification of mankind, the last stage in the evolution of humanity towards maturity is inevitable, that “soon will the present day order be rolled up, and a new one spread out in its stead,” that “the whole earth is now in a state of pregnancy,” that “the day is approaching when it will have yielded its noblest fruits, when from it will have sprung forth the loftiest trees, the most enchanting blossoms, the most heavenly blessings.” He deplores the defectiveness of the prevailing order, exposes the inadequacy of patriotism as a directing and controlling force in human society, and regards the “love of mankind” and service to its interests as the worthiest and most laudable objects of human endeavor. — Shoghi Effendi ^{1 2}

Question for Consideration

What principle is the “hallmark of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation” and how does it influence human behavior?

Perplexity Pro Response ³

The Hallmark Principle of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation

The principle described as the “hallmark of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation” is the oneness and wholeness of the human race. Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith, identifies this as “the most vital of them all” among Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings, calling it “the pivot of His teachings” and the “hall-mark of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation” [1]. Bahá’u’lláh Himself proclaims: “We, verily, have come to unite and weld together all that dwell on earth.” He further states, “So potent is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth.” The vision is encapsulated in the declaration: “The world is but one country, and mankind its citizens” [1].

How Honoring the Principle of Oneness Influences Behavior

Transformation of Attitudes and Relationships

• Recognizing the oneness of humanity requires individuals to transcend all forms of prejudice-racial, national, religious, economic, or otherwise-and to see every person as a member of a single human family [1].
• It leads to a reorientation of identity, moving from narrow loyalties (such as nationalism or tribalism) to a broader allegiance to humanity as a whole [1].
  

Service and Altruism

• Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá emphasize that true human honor and distinction lie in serving the entire human race, not just one’s own group or nation [1].
• Service to others, motivated by love for all humanity, becomes the “worthiest and most laudable” object of human endeavor [1].
  

Social and Economic Implications

• The oneness of humanity implies the need for justice in economic and social relations, the elimination of extremes of wealth and poverty, and the creation of structures that ensure the well-being of all [1].
• It calls for the development of institutions and systems that reflect the organic unity of the human race, ensuring that the prosperity of each is sought in the context of the well-being of all [1].
  

Consultation and Cooperation

• Bahá’í teachings stress that cooperation, consultation, and collective decision-making are essential for advancing society, reflecting the interconnectedness of humanity [1].
• The principle of oneness guides individuals to resolve conflicts through dialogue and to work collaboratively for the common good [1].
  

Personal Conduct and Ethics

• Honoring the oneness of humanity requires individuals to cultivate virtues such as justice, compassion, humility, and detachment from self-interest [1].
• It inspires a commitment to truthfulness, trustworthiness, and the pursuit of knowledge for the benefit of all [1].
  

Vision for the Future

• The ultimate expression of this principle is the unification of humankind-a process Bahá’í writings describe as inevitable and as the final stage in humanity’s collective evolution toward maturity [1].
• Bahá’ís are called to actively participate in building a new world order based on unity, justice, and peace, seeing themselves as protagonists in the transformation of both individual character and the structure of society [1].
  

“Let there be no mistake. The principle of the Oneness of Mankind-the pivot round which all the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh revolve-is no mere outburst of ignorant emotionalism or an expression of vague and pious hope…. It implies an organic change in the structure of present-day society, a change such as the world has not yet experienced.”
– Shoghi Effendi [1]

Summary Table: Effects of Honoring the Principle of Oneness

Aspect	Influence on Behavior
Identity	Sees all humans as one family; transcends prejudice and narrow loyalties
Service	Prioritizes service to all humanity over self-interest
Social Action	Works for justice, equality, and the elimination of poverty
Consultation	Engages in cooperative, consultative decision-making
Ethics	Cultivates virtues for the collective good
Vision	Strives for world unity and peace

In essence, to honor the oneness and wholeness of humanity is to transform both personal and collective life-remaking attitudes, relationships, and systems-so that unity, justice, and the well-being of all become the guiding principles of action [1].

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 does the principle of unity influence individual behavior in daily life?
• What are some practical ways to promote unity in a diverse community?
• How does Bahá’u’lláh’s concept of unity differ from traditional notions of patriotism?
• What role does unity play in achieving global peace and prosperity?
• How can education and social action contribute to the principle of unity?

1. 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#124139860. ↩
2. Effendi, Shoghi. God Passes By. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed April 28, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/shoghi-effendi/god-passes-by/14#953046339. ↩
3. Perplexity Pro. “ The Hallmark Principle of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. April 28, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/of-the-principles-enshrined-in-2S..cymlTVSLy08hX8vk9A. ↩