Istiqlál, 01 ʻAẓamat (Grandeur), 182 B.E.
Social Action: Underlying Concepts and Principles
Quotes for Reflection:
Knowledge is one of the wondrous gifts of God. It is incumbent upon everyone to acquire it. Such arts and material means as are now manifest have been achieved by virtue of His knowledge and wisdom which have been revealed in Epistles and Tablets through His Most Exalted Pen—a Pen out of whose treasury pearls of wisdom and utterance and the arts and crafts of the world are brought to light. — Bahá’u’lláh 1 2
Question for Consideration
What are the consequences of God’s “knowledge and wisdom which have been revealed in Epistles and Tablets through His Most Exalted Pen?”
Perplexity Pro Response 3
The Bahá’í writings, particularly those of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, describe profound and far-reaching consequences resulting from the knowledge and wisdom revealed by God in His Epistles and Tablets. These consequences manifest at both the individual and societal levels and are intended to transform humanity’s inner life and external conditions.
Transformation of Humanity and Civilization
The primary purpose of divine revelation is to effect a transformation in the whole character of mankind, both outwardly and inwardly. This transformation is meant to influence not just individual hearts and minds but also the social structures and collective life of humanity [1].
The knowledge revealed by God is described as “conducive to the glory, the advancement and education of all the peoples and kindreds of the earth,” and is regarded as “the sovereign remedy for every disease, could they but comprehend and perceive it” [1].
The progress of the world, development of nations, tranquility of peoples, and peace for all who dwell on earth are among the direct results of adhering to the principles and ordinances revealed by God [1].
Advancement of Sciences, Arts, and Material Civilization
The arts, sciences, and material means now manifest in the world are seen as fruits of the knowledge and wisdom revealed by God. Bahá’u’lláh states that “pearls of wisdom and utterance and the arts and crafts of the world are brought to light” from the treasury of the Most Exalted Pen [1].
This knowledge has “unlocked the doors of sciences, of arts, of knowledge, of well-being, of prosperity and wealth,” contributing to the flourishing of human civilization [1].
The Bahá’í teachings emphasize the importance of acquiring knowledge that is useful and beneficial to humanity, and that the choicest fruit of knowledge is that which serves the welfare and interests of humankind [1].
Education and Universal Learning
Universal education is a central consequence of God’s revealed knowledge. Ignorance and lack of education are identified as primary causes of oppression, injustice, and disorder, while education is the foundation for unity and the advancement of civilization [1].
Bahá’u’lláh prescribes that “the greatest means is education of the child,” and that every child, regardless of background, must receive training and instruction. This is seen as essential for the unity of humanity and the realization of its full potential [1].
Social and Economic Development
The revealed teachings provide guidance for the development of agriculture, industry, commerce, and other material means, viewing these pursuits as acts of worship when carried out in a spirit of service to humanity [1].
The Bahá’í Faith calls for the establishment of companies and institutions based on trustworthiness, piety, and truthfulness, aiming to safeguard the rights of all and to promote the well-being of society [1].
Social action, the alleviation of poverty, and the promotion of justice are seen as direct outcomes of applying divine knowledge to the affairs of society [1].
Justice, Unity, and the Oneness of Humanity
Justice is described as the “light of men” and the foundation for the establishment of order and tranquility in the world. The revealed knowledge calls for the appearance of unity among all people and the recognition of humanity as one family [1].
The oneness of mankind is the “pivot round which all the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh revolve,” and the realization of this principle is expected to lead to an organic change in the structure of society, culminating in the unification of the human race [1].
A New World Order and the Maturity of Humanity
The Bahá’í writings foresee the emergence of a new world order, characterized by the integration of spiritual and material progress, the elimination of prejudice, and the establishment of universal peace [1].
Humanity is described as having reached the threshold of maturity, and the application of divine knowledge is seen as the means by which the latent capacities of the human race will be fully realized [1].
Summary Table: Key Consequences of God’s Revealed Knowledge
| Area | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Individual Transformation | Spiritual and moral development; service to humanity; pursuit of useful knowledge |
| Societal Transformation | Advancement of civilization; social and economic development; justice and unity |
| Education | Universal education; eradication of ignorance; empowerment of all people |
| Sciences and Arts | Progress in arts, crafts, and sciences; material means for well-being |
| Social Order | Promotion of justice, consultation, and cooperation; new institutions for global unity |
| World Unity | Realization of the oneness of humanity; emergence of a new world order |
In essence, the knowledge and wisdom revealed through God’s Most Exalted Pen are intended to be the driving force behind the spiritual, intellectual, and material advancement of humanity, ultimately leading to the creation of an ever-advancing civilization characterized by unity, justice, prosperity, and peace [1].
Citations
Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity
- How does the revelation of knowledge and wisdom impact individual lives?
- What role does the “Most Exalted Pen” play in the dissemination of knowledge?
- How are the arts and crafts of the world connected to God’s wisdom?
- What are some examples of the “pearls of wisdom” revealed through the Pen?
- How does the acquisition of knowledge contribute to the advancement of civilization?
- 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#123273605. ↩
- Bahá’u’lláh. Tablets of Baháʾ’u’ʾlláh, Revealed after the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. Translated by Habib Taherzadeh. 1st ed. Haifa: Bahá’í World Centre, 1978, 39. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/tablets-bahaullah/2#583694921. ↩
- Perplexity Pro. “Consequences of God’s “Knowledge and Wisdom” Revealed Through His Most Exalted Pen.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. May 15, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/knowledge-is-one-of-the-wondro-ZP.dxGfiSYeXk95JTCwYKA. ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 