Istijlál, 14 ʻAẓamat (Grandeur), 182 B.E.
Social Action: Underlying Concepts and Principles
Quotes for Reflection:
All the heavenly Books, divine Prophets, sages and philosophers agree that warfare is destructive to human development, and peace constructive. They agree that war and strife strike at the foundations of humanity. Therefore, a power is needed to prevent war and to proclaim and establish the oneness of humanity.
But knowledge of the need of this power is not sufficient. Realizing that wealth is desirable is not becoming wealthy. The admission that scientific attainment is praiseworthy does not confer scientific knowledge. Acknowledgment of the excellence of honor does not make a man honorable. Knowledge of human conditions and the needed remedy for them is not the cause of their betterment. To admit that health is good does not constitute health. A skilled physician is needed to remedy existing human conditions. As a physician is required to have complete knowledge of pathology, diagnosis, therapeutics and treatment, so this World Physician must be wise, skillful and capable before health will result. His mere knowledge is not health; it must be applied and the remedy carried out.
The attainment of any object is conditioned upon knowledge, volition and action. Unless these three conditions are forthcoming, there is no execution or accomplishment. In the erection of a house it is first necessary to know the ground, and design the house suitable for it; second, to obtain the means or funds necessary for the construction; third, actually to build it. Therefore, a power is needed to carry out and execute what is known and admitted to be the remedy for human conditions—namely, the unification of mankind. Furthermore, it is evident that this cannot be realized through material process and means. The accomplishment of this unification cannot be through racial power, for races are different and diverse in tendencies. It cannot be through patriotic power, for nationalities are unlike. Nor can it be effected through political power since the policies of governments and nations are various. That is to say, any effort toward unification through these material means would benefit one and injure another because of unequal and individual interests. Some may believe this great remedy can be found in dogmatic insistence upon imitations and interpretations. This would likewise be without foundation and result. Therefore, it is evident that no means but an ideal means, a spiritual power, divine bestowals and the breaths of the Holy Spirit will heal this world sickness of war, dissension and discord. Nothing else is possible; nothing can be conceived of. But through spiritual means and the divine power it is possible and practicable. — Abdu’l-Bahá 1 2
Question for Consideration
From a Bahá’í perspective, how can one draw upon spiritual means and divine power necessary to apply knowledge, volition, and action and carry out the remedy for human conditions?
Perplexity Pro Response 3
From a Bahá’í perspective, drawing upon spiritual means and divine power to apply knowledge, volition, and action requires understanding that spiritual and material civilization must advance together as complementary forces. As ‘Abdu’l-Bahá explains, “Material civilization is like unto the lamp, while spiritual civilization is the light in that lamp. If the material and spiritual civilization become united, then we will have the light and the lamp together, and the outcome will be perfect.” [1]
Foundational Principles for Accessing Spiritual Power
The Bahá’í writings establish that true progress depends on recognizing the oneness of humanity as the operating principle for all endeavors [1]. This principle “implies an organic change in the structure of present-day society” and requires “the reconstruction and the demilitarization of the whole civilized world.” [1] Without this spiritual foundation, material efforts alone cannot achieve lasting transformation.
The harmony between science and religion provides another essential framework. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá states that “For man two wings are necessary. One wing is physical power and material civilization; the other is spiritual power and divine civilization. With one wing only, flight is impossible.” [1] This means that scientific knowledge must be coupled with spiritual wisdom and moral commitment to ensure appropriate application [1].
Practical Means for Drawing Upon Spiritual Power
Education and Character Development
The writings emphasize that spiritual power is accessed through education that develops both knowledge and character. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá explains that “Good behaviour and high moral character must come first, for unless the character be trained, acquiring knowledge will only prove injurious.” [1] This education should aim to make individuals “become a source of social good” and find that “by the confirming grace of God he has become the cause of peace and well-being, of happiness and advantage to his fellow men.” [1]
Service to Humanity
Bahá’u’lláh declares that “That one indeed is a man who, today, dedicateth himself to the service of the entire human race.” [1] Service becomes a means of accessing divine confirmation and spiritual power. The writings specify that believers must “occupy themselves under all circumstances with that which is conducive to the edification of human souls, the advancement of the world of being, and the exaltation of the Word of God.” [1]
Consultation and Collaboration
Spiritual power manifests through consultative processes that transcend individual limitations. The Universal House of Justice explains that Bahá’ís “strive to unite people in the search for underlying moral and spiritual principles and for practical measures that can lead to the just resolution of the problems afflicting society.” [1]
Individual and Collective Transformation
The process requires both personal spiritual development and participation in collective efforts. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá explains that “We cannot segregate the human heart from the environment outside us and say that once one of these is reformed everything will be improved. Man is organic with the world. His inner life moulds the environment and is itself also deeply affected by it.” [1]
Capacity Building Through Organic Growth
The Bahá’í approach emphasizes gradual development through systematic learning and action. Like “the seed” that “does not suddenly become the tree,” spiritual and social transformation occurs through progressive stages where “qualified individuals must strive by day and by night, using all those means which will conduce to progress.” [1]
Universal Participation
The Universal House of Justice teaches that “the participation of every believer is of the utmost importance, and is a source of power and vitality” because when believers “love each other, constantly encourage each other, work together, be as one soul in one body,” they “become a true, organic, healthy body animated and illumined by the spirit.” [1]
Application in Contemporary Context
Drawing upon spiritual means requires recognizing that “humanity is now experiencing the commotions invariably associated with the most turbulent stage of its evolution, the stage of adolescence,” but is approaching “the stage of manhood” where it will “acquire all the powers and capacities upon which its ultimate development must depend.” [1]
This understanding enables believers to align themselves with “forces associated with the process of integration” while contributing to the emergence of a new civilization. The spiritual power accessed through these means enables individuals and communities to become instruments for establishing justice, promoting unity, and creating conditions for lasting peace—the very remedy that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá identifies as necessary for healing humanity’s spiritual sickness.
Citations:
Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity
- How can I invoke divine guidance to unify human efforts for peace?
- What spiritual practices can help me apply knowledge and action effectively?
- How do I personally cultivate the divine power needed for world healing?
- In what ways can prayer or meditation strengthen my resolve for human betterment?
- How can I align my volition with divine will to promote global harmony?
- Research Department of the Universal House of Justice. “Social Action.” Bahá’í Reference Library, August 2020. https://www.bahai.org/r/118463071. ↩
- ’Abdu’l-Bahá. The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by ʻAbduʼl-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912. Edited by Howard MacNutt. 2nd ed. Wilmette, Ill: Baháʼí Publishing Trust, 1982, 157-158. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/promulgation-universal-peace/12#256320603. ↩
- Perplexity Pro. “Drawing Upon Spiritual Means and Divine Power: A Bahá’í Perspectivev.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. May 28, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/all-the-heavenly-books-divine-6leOX221RIWmFqsoY5Uq1A. ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 