Jalál, 07 Jamál (Beauty), 182 B.E.
Social Action: Underlying Concepts and Principles
Quotes for Reflection:
It is Our hope that thou wilt hear with attentive ears the things We have mentioned unto thee, that perchance thou mayest turn men away from the things they possess to the things that God possesseth. We entreat God to deliver the light of equity and the sun of justice from the thick clouds of waywardness, and cause them to shine forth upon men. No light can compare with the light of justice. The establishment of order in the world and the tranquillity of the nations depend upon it. — Bahá’u’lláh 1 2
Question for Consideration
How does justice contribute to “the establishment of order in the world and the tranquillity of the nations?”
Perplexity Pro Response 3
Justice, according to the Bahá’í writings, is not merely a legal or social principle but the very foundation for the establishment of order in the world and the tranquillity of the nations. Bahá’u’lláh’s statement — “No light can compare with the light of justice. The establishment of order in the world and the tranquillity of the nations depend upon it” — reflects a central teaching of the Bahá’í Faith that justice is indispensable for both the organization of society and the well-being of humanity [5].
How Justice Contributes to Order and Tranquillity
Justice Ensures Equity and Protects Rights
Justice is described as a universal quality that must be applied to all classes, ensuring that the rights of every individual are respected and protected [5]. When justice prevails, laws are administered impartially, and all people are treated with equity, which prevents oppression and exploitation [3]. This equitable treatment is essential for social stability and trust in institutions.
Justice as the Prerequisite for Unity
The Bahá’í writings emphasize that justice is a necessary prerequisite for true brotherhood and unity among peoples [3]. Without justice, divisions, resentment, and conflict arise. Justice enables individuals and groups to work together harmoniously, recognizing their interdependence and shared destiny. This unity is critical for the peaceful coexistence of nations and communities [1] [5].
Justice as a Guardian of Social Order
Justice is called the “guardian and protection for men” [3]. It acts as a safeguard against chaos and disorder by holding individuals and institutions accountable for their actions. The Bahá’í writings suggest that the decline of justice leads to waywardness and, ultimately, to chaos and confusion in society [1].
Justice and the Oneness of Humanity
Bahá’u’lláh teaches that the “earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens” [4]. Justice, in this context, requires the recognition of the oneness of humanity and the elimination of prejudice, inequality, and exploitation. Only through justice can the organic unity of humanity be realized, leading to a stable and peaceful world order [1] [4].
Justice as the Basis for Social and Economic Development
Justice underpins the fair distribution of resources, opportunities, and responsibilities. The Bahá’í teachings advocate for the adjustment of means of livelihood and the moderation of wealth to prevent extremes of poverty and riches, which are sources of social unrest [1]. A just economic system is essential for the stability, prosperity, and happiness of society.
Justice as a Spiritual and Moral Force
Justice is not only a social principle but also a spiritual attribute. It is described as “the conqueror of the citadels of the hearts and souls of men, and the standard-bearer of love and bounty” [5]. When justice is internalized as a personal virtue, it transforms individual conduct and, by extension, the collective life of society.
Justice and New Social Structures
The Bahá’í vision for global order includes new social structures based on justice, participation, and consultation. These mechanisms are designed to eliminate conflicts of interest, ensure genuine representation, and foster cooperation at all levels of society [4]. Such structures are seen as necessary for the maintenance of peace and the prevention of war, as well as for the flourishing of human civilization.
Summary Table: Effects of Justice on Society
| Aspect | Effect of Justice |
|---|---|
| Equity | Ensures fair treatment and protection of rights for all |
| Unity | Fosters brotherhood and eliminates sources of conflict |
| Social Order | Maintains stability and prevents chaos |
| Oneness of Humanity | Promotes recognition of human unity and global cooperation |
| Economic Development | Enables fair distribution of resources and opportunities |
| Moral Transformation | Inspires virtuous conduct and altruism |
Conclusion
Justice, in the Bahá’í conception, is the essential light by which the world is ordered and nations find tranquillity. It is the precondition for unity, the protector of rights, the basis for social and economic development, and the force that enables both individual and collective transformation. Without justice, neither lasting order nor true peace is possible [1] [3] [5].
Citations
[2] The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh – Bahá’í Reference Library
[4] New world order (Baháʼí) – Wikipedia
[5] Justice: The Best Beloved of All Things – Bahá’í Library Online
[7] The Promise of World Peace – The Bahá’í Faith
[9] Fighting for Justice – Bahá’í Library Forum, WaybackMachine
[10] The Destiny of America and The Promise of World Peace – Bahá’ís of the United States
[11] The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh – Ocean of Lights
[12] Peace – Bahá’í Reference Library
[13] Bahá’u’lláh’s Approach to Peace – Uplifting Words
[14] The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh | Steve Cooney (PDF) – Online Journal of Bahá‟í Studies
[15] Truthfulness, Trustworthiness and Justice – The Bahá’í Faith
[16] Selected Baha’i Writings on Justice – Ohio Bahá’í
[17] What Is the Universal House of Justice? – BahaiTeachings.org
[18] The Promise of Disarmament and Peace – Bahá’í International Community
[19] Lights of Guidance – Bahai.works
Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity
- How does justice promote the tranquillity of nations?
- What role does justice play in establishing order in the world?
- Can you provide examples of how justice contributes to global peace?
- How does the concept of justice relate to social and economic development?
- What are the underlying principles of justice in Bahá’í teachings?
- 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#596242620. ↩
- Bahá’u’lláh. Epistle to the Son of the Wolf. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. Rev. ed. 1953. Reprint, Wilmette, Ill: Baháʼí Publishing Trust, 1976, 28-29. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/epistle-son-wolf/2#463236506. ↩
- Perplexity Pro. “Justice as the Foundation of Order and Tranquillity.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. May 2, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/it-is-our-hope-that-thou-wilt-dgDBXBMRSb22J6unobIAYw. ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 