Fidál, 02 Raḥmat (Mercy), 182 B.E.
Social Action: The Nature of Bahá’í Social and Economic Development
Quotes for Reflection:
Likewise, at the beginning of his formation in the matrix of the world, man was like an embryo. He then gradually progressed by degrees, and grew and developed until he reached the stage of maturity, when the mind and the spirit manifested themselves in the utmost perfection. From the beginning of his formation, the mind and the spirit existed, but they were hidden and appeared only later. In the world of the womb, too, the mind and the spirit exist in the embryo but are concealed and appear only afterwards. It is even as the seed: The tree exists within it but is hidden and concealed; when the seed grows and develops, the tree appears in its fullness. In like manner, the growth and development of all beings proceeds by gradual degrees. This is the universal and divinely ordained law and the natural order. The seed does not suddenly become the tree; the embryo does not at once become the man; the mineral substance does not in a moment become the stone: No, all these grow and develop gradually until they attain the limit of perfection. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá 1 2
Question for Consideration
How would the “growth and development of all beings proceeds by gradual degrees” as a “universal and divinely ordained law and the natural order” apply to humanity and civilization?
Perplexity Pro Response 3
The principle that “the growth and development of all beings proceeds by gradual degrees” as a “universal and divinely ordained law and the natural order” has profound implications for humanity and civilization. This analogy, drawn by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, emphasizes that just as a seed gradually becomes a tree, so too do individuals, societies, and civilizations advance through stages, each building upon the last until reaching their full potential [1].
Application to Humanity
Gradual Maturation of the Human Race
Humanity, like the individual, passes through stages of infancy, childhood, adolescence, and maturity. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá explains that “there are periods and stages in the life of the aggregate world of humanity, which at one time was passing through its degree of childhood, at another its time of youth, but now has entered its long presaged period of maturity, the evidences of which are everywhere visible and apparent” [1]. This means that the collective consciousness, capacities, and social structures of humanity evolve over time, and what was suitable in one era may become obsolete in another.
Organic, Systematic Growth
The development of human capacities—intellectual, moral, and spiritual—cannot be rushed or imposed all at once. Just as “the seed does not suddenly become the tree,” the transformation of individuals and societies requires sustained effort, education, and the gradual acquisition of virtues and knowledge [1]. This organic growth is mirrored in the way communities build capacity, learn from experience, and adapt over time through processes of action, reflection, consultation, and study.
Application to Civilization
Ever-Advancing Civilization
Bahá’u’lláh states, “All men have been created to carry forward an ever-advancing civilization” [1]. This civilization advances not by sudden leaps, but by incremental progress in both material and spiritual domains. The Bahá’í teachings stress that material and spiritual civilization are like two wings of a bird—both are necessary for true progress [1]. Material achievements must be combined with spiritual values such as justice, unity, and compassion to yield lasting happiness and prosperity.
Stages of Social Development
The analogy of gradual growth applies to the evolution of social and political institutions. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá likens the development of the political world to the growth of a human being: “the political world in the same way cannot instantaneously evolve from the nadir of defectiveness to the zenith of rightness and perfection. Rather, qualified individuals must strive by day and by night, using all those means which will conduce to progress, until the government and the people develop along every line from day to day and even from moment to moment” [1].
Collective Learning and Capacity Building
The Bahá’í approach to social action and community development is rooted in this law of gradualism. Initiatives are nurtured at the grassroots, growing in complexity and scale as the community’s capacity increases. Systematic learning—through cycles of action, reflection, and consultation—enables communities to adapt and progress organically, avoiding the pitfalls of imposed or artificial change [1].
Implications for Social Transformation
Patience and Realism
Recognizing that growth is gradual fosters patience and realism in efforts to transform society. There are “no shortcuts, no formulas”—progress depends on persistent effort, drawing on accumulated knowledge and adapting to new circumstances as humanity matures[1].
Unity and Participation
The process is inherently collective. Every individual and community has a role to play, and progress is achieved through unity, consultation, and the informed participation of all. This approach stands in contrast to models of change driven by coercion or domination, emphasizing instead accompaniment, empowerment, and the nurturing of capacity at every level [1].
Integration of Material and Spiritual Progress
True civilization is achieved when material and spiritual progress advance together. Material civilization alone, without spiritual values, can lead to imbalance and even destruction; spiritual civilization alone, without material means, remains ineffective. The union of both is necessary for the flourishing of humanity [1].
Conclusion
The law of gradual growth and development is not only a description of natural processes but a guiding principle for the advancement of humanity and civilization. It calls for patient, systematic, and organic progress—rooted in education, unity, and the integration of material and spiritual values—leading ultimately to the maturity and unity of the human race and the realization of an ever-advancing civilization [1].
Citations
Follow-Up Approaches Proposed by Perplexity
- Explore how gradual social reforms shape civilization’s progress.
- Identify key stages in humanity’s spiritual and material growth.
- Examine the role of education in advancing collective maturity.
- Analyze how justice and unity contribute to societal development.
- Investigate examples of organic growth in historical civilizations
- Research Department of the Universal House of Justice. “Social Action.” Bahá’í Reference Library, August 2020. https://www.bahai.org/r/916370217. ↩
- ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Some Answered Questions. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed June 23, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/r/771160088. ↩
- Perplexity Pro. “Growth and Development by Gradual Degrees — Divinely Ordained Law.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. June 23, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/it-is-even-as-the-seed-the-tre-Rj8vBzopSVqwPWGYdgkKhQ. ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 