Daily Frameworks for 18 July 2025

Istiqlál, 07 Kalimát (Words), 182 B.E.

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

Quotes for Reflection:

Now is not the time for the friends to seek to establish a Bahá’í village; they have definite tasks confronting them of the utmost importance and urgency, and on these they should concentrate their attention. Nor does the Guardian feel it is necessary for the friends to buy land at this time. In the future, when they have accomplished the goals set out for them by the beloved Master Himself, they will be able to develop more community projects, but now such enterprises would merely dissipate their strength, which should all be directed into the teaching work. — Shoghi Effendi ¹

Question for Consideration

What are examples of definite tasks confronting the friends that are of the utmost importance and urgency on which they should concentrate their attention?

Perplexity Pro Response ²

At times when instructions were given not to create a Bahá’í village or invest in land, the real call was for the Bahá’í community to channel its energies into the critical work necessary for the advancement of the Faith and society. Writings from Shoghi Effendi, the Universal House of Justice, and other central figures point to several key tasks that were — and remain — of the highest priority and urgency.

Teaching the Faith

The Guardian explicitly emphasized that all available strength should be directed into teaching work, which involves:

• Spreading the Bahá’í teachings to receptive souls.
• Expanding the Bahá’í community through outreach and invitation to the Faith.
• Consolidating and supporting new believers to deepen their understanding.
  

All these developments relate directly to the teaching work inasmuch as the Bahá’í communities must reach a certain size before they can begin to implement many [other projects]. [1]

Developing and Strengthening Bahá’í Institutions

The friends are urged to:

• Establish, support, and strengthen Local Spiritual Assemblies.
• Organize regular Feasts, Holy Day observances, and reflection meetings.
• Consolidate administrative institutions that build spiritual community life [1].
  

Building Community through Core Activities

The Bahá’í community is encouraged to engage in and expand core activities such as:

• Children’s classes: Providing spiritual and moral education for children.
• Junior youth programs: Empowering young people to navigate challenges and serve their communities.
• Study circles: Engaging adults and youth in collective study of Bahá’í teachings.
• Devotional gatherings: Fostering communal worship and spiritual bonds.
  

These activities lay the groundwork for vibrant community life and “collective expression of the virtues” within society [1].

Addressing Prejudice and Promoting Unity

Priority is placed on:

• Actively fostering unity and love among all people, regardless of background.
• Addressing issues of prejudice within and beyond the Bahá’í community.
• Exemplifying and advocating for the oneness of humanity and social justice [1].
  

Capacity Building and Engagement in Social Action

While more complex social and economic projects are reserved for future development, the present mandate includes:

• Building individual and collective capacity for service.
• Organically developing simple, grassroots initiatives that emerge from the needs and capacity of local communities.
• Avoiding premature, ambitious development projects that would dissipate energy from more urgent tasks [1].
  

Developing Personal and Collective Virtues

The friends are called to pursue excellence in character and manifest qualities such as:

• Sincerity, justice, philanthropy, faithfulness, and service to humanity.
• These virtues are both goals and means for spiritual and social transformation.
  

Supporting the Advancement of Society

Even while large-scale projects are deferred, Bahá’ís are encouraged to:

• Participate in worthy and non-partisan social efforts aligned with Bahá’í principles.
• Contribute to the well-being and development of their broader society [1].
  

In summary, the “definite tasks” before the Bahá’ís involve building a spiritually vibrant and outward-looking community, focused on teaching, institution-building, core activities, unity, capacity building, and personal transformation. These pave the way for more extensive social and economic development projects in the future, once the necessary foundation has been solidly established [1].

Citations

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

Follow-Up Approaches Proposed by Perplexity

• Identify key teaching activities prioritized by the Guardian.
• Explore community-building efforts aligned with Bahá’í goals.
• Investigate methods to strengthen individual and collective faith.
• Examine strategies for effective social and economic development.
• Review guidance on capacity building and participation in projects.

1. Research Department of the Universal House of Justice. “Social Action.” Bahá’í Reference Library, August 2020. https://www.bahai.org/r/226621650. ↩
2. Perplexity Pro. “Definite Tasks of Utmost Importance and Urgency for the Bahá’í Friends.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. July 17, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/now-is-not-the-time-for-the-fr-NXdQoqn.TA.pIYKC.hCmPQ. ↩