Daily Frameworks for 02 July 2025

’Idál, 10 Raḥmat (Mercy), 182 B.E.

Social Action: The Nature of Bahá’í Social and Economic Development

Quotes for Reflection:

The second fundamental principle ¹ which enables us to understand the pattern towards which Bahá’u’lláh wishes human society to evolve is the principle of organic growth which requires that detailed developments, and the understanding of detailed developments, become available only with the passage of time and with the help of the guidance given by that Central Authority in the Cause to whom all must turn. In this regard one can use the simile of a tree. If a farmer plants a tree, he cannot state at that moment what its exact height will be, the number of its branches or the exact time of its blossoming. He can, however, give a general impression of its size and pattern of growth and can state with confidence which fruit it will bear. The same is true of the evolution of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh. — Universal House of Justice ^{2 3}

Question for Consideration

How does the principle of organic growth relate to the “evolution of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh” and “the understanding of detailed developments?”

Perplexity Pro Response ⁴

The principle of organic growth is central to understanding both the evolution of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh and how the understanding of detailed developments within that Order unfolds over time.

Organic Growth and the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh

• The principle asserts that the Bahá’í Faith, and specifically its World Order, develops gradually and in stages, much like a living organism or a tree. At the moment of planting, the full details—such as the tree’s height, the number of its branches, or the exact timing of its blossoming—cannot be predicted. However, the general nature and the fruit it will bear are known with confidence [1] [2].
• Similarly, the Bahá’í Administrative Order is described as being in an embryonic form. It serves as the nucleus and pattern of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, which will undergo major evolutionary developments as humanity progresses and as the community grows in size, capacity, and experience [1] [3].
• The evolution of the World Order is thus not a static or instantaneous event, but a dynamic and unfolding process. Its structures, functions, and scope expand and differentiate over time, responding to the changing needs and capacities of the global Bahá’í community and the wider world [2] [1].
  

Understanding of Detailed Developments

• According to this principle, detailed developments—meaning the specific forms, structures, and practices that the World Order will eventually assume—become clear only with the passage of time and through the guidance of the Central Authority (the Universal House of Justice) to whom all must turn [1] [2].
• This means that while the ultimate goal (such as the unity of humanity and the establishment of justice) is clear, the exact pathways, organizational forms, and practical details are not all revealed at once. Instead, they emerge progressively as the community matures and as new challenges and opportunities arise [1] [2].
• The process is guided and adaptive: the Universal House of Justice provides ongoing interpretation and direction, ensuring that the evolution of the Order remains faithful to Bahá’u’lláh’s principles while being responsive to the realities of each age [1].
  

Key Implications

Patience and Flexibility

Followers are encouraged to exercise patience and avoid rigid expectations about the precise form or timing of developments. The community is to remain flexible, open to learning, and responsive to guidance as new stages unfold.

Learning and Consultation

The principle fosters a culture of systematic learning, consultation, and reflection, enabling the community to adapt and grow in both understanding and practice [2].

Unity and Guidance

The community’s unity is maintained by turning to the Central Authority for guidance, ensuring that organic growth does not lead to fragmentation or deviation from core principles [1].

In summary, the principle of organic growth means that the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh will evolve gradually, with its full details and structures becoming apparent only over time and under the guidance of its central institutions. This approach ensures that the Order remains both faithful to its spiritual foundations and adaptable to the changing needs and capacities of humanity as it moves toward collective maturity [1] [2] [3].

Citations

[1] Issues Relating to the Development of the Bahá’í Administrative Order – The Bahá’í Covenant

[1] Social Action-A Compilation Prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice August 2020 – Bahá’í Reference Library

[3] The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh (PDF) – Online Journal of Bahá’í Studies

[4] The Constitution of the Universal House of Justice – The Bahá’í Faith

[5] New world order (Baháʼí) – Wikipedia

[6] Development of the Bahá’í Community Since 1963 – The Bahá’í Faith

[7] Illustrated Reflections on Organic Growth – Bahá’í Blog

[8] 3 Principles for Creating a New World Order – BahaiTeachings.org

[9] A Baha’i understanding of Reality – The Bahá’í Faith – Official Website of the Bahá’í community of Malta

[10] Promoting Entry by Troops – Bahá’í Library Online

[11] Bahá’u’lláh and His Covenant – The Bahá’í Faith

Follow-Up Approaches Proposed by Perplexity

• Explore examples of organic growth in other social systems.
• Explain the role of the Central Authority in guiding development.
• Describe how gradual understanding affects community building.
• Identify stages in the evolution of Bahá’u’lláh’s World Order.
• Analyze challenges to organic growth in global social progress.

1. The first principle referred to in this letter is “the principle that the writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the Guardian are thoroughly imbued with the spirit of the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh and intimately linked with the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh Himself.” See Messages from the Universal House of Justice, 1986–2001, the Fourth Epoch of the Formative Age (Wilmette: Bahá’í Publishing, 2009), pars. 201.9–201.11. ↩
2. Research Department of the Universal House of Justice. “Social Action.” Bahá’í Reference Library, August 2020. https://www.bahai.org/r/892717663. ↩
3. Universal House of Justice. “27 April 1995 – [To an individual].” Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed June 29, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/r/931877599. ↩
4. Perplexity Pro. “The Principle of Organic Growth.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. July 1, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/the-second-fundamental-princip-xQO7vVwSSV29OGgX5k1qxQ. ↩