Jamál, 01 ʼIzzat (Might), 182 B.E.
Social Action: Methods and Approaches
Quotes for Reflection:
The Ancient Beauty, exalted be His Most Great Name, states: “The canopy of world order is upraised upon the two pillars of consultation and compassion,” and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in one of His Tablets asserts: “The purpose of consultation is to show that the views of several individuals are assuredly preferable to one man, even as the power of a number of men is of course greater than the power of one man. Thus consultation is acceptable in the presence of the Almighty, and hath been enjoined upon the believers, so that they may confer upon ordinary and personal matters, as well as on affairs which are general in nature and universal. For instance, when a man hath a project to accomplish, should he consult with some of his brethren, that which is agreeable will of course be investigated and unveiled to his eyes, and the truth will be disclosed. Likewise on a higher level, should the people of a village consult one another about their affairs, the right solution will certainly be revealed. In like manner, the members of each profession, such as in industry, should consult, and those in commerce should similarly consult on business affairs. In short, consultation is desirable and acceptable in all things and on all issues.” — Shoghi Effendi 1
Question for Consideration
What are the advantages of consultation and under what conditions can it be applied?
Perplexity Pro Response 2
Consultation offers substantial advantages: it enables groups and individuals to attain better decisions by pooling diverse perspectives, fosters unity, ensures shared understanding, and leads to the discovery of truth; it is applicable in personal, communal, professional, and universal matters when conducted in a spirit of love, respect, and detachment from personal interests. [1]
Advantages of Consultation
Collective Wisdom
The views of several individuals are preferable to that of one, as the power of a group far surpasses that of a single person; this collective consultation ensures greater insight and awareness, unveiling truths that may not be apparent to an individual. [1]
Unity and Harmony
Consultation builds accord and cooperation among participants, reducing discord and fostering an environment of mutual respect and love, essential for attaining constructive and lasting results. [1]
Better Solutions and Learning
Through respectful discourse, varied opinions lead to informed decision-making, experimentation, and learning; when all participants act in unity, conclusions can be tested and refined, leading to ongoing improvement. [1]
Spiritual Approval
Consultation has been enjoined by the Bahá’í teachings, being acceptable in the presence of God and considered a pillar of world order, upraising civilization and promoting peace, prosperity, and well-being. [1]
Conditions for Effective Consultation
Applicability to All Matters
Consultation is desirable and acceptable for both ordinary, personal issues and those of general or universal concern, including village affairs, commerce, industry, or social development. [1]
Spirit of Love and Respect
The process requires utmost harmony, sincerity, detachment from personal interests, and an attitude of humility; it must be conducted without rancor or estrangement. [1]
Commitment to Justice
Justice is essential for seeing reality clearly, and unity—achieved through consultative processes—is required for collective power and progress. [1]
Ongoing Reflection and Action
Effective consultation is part of a cycle of action, reflection, consultation, and study, where learned experience informs ongoing decisions, and solutions can be revised as needs evolve. [1]
Applications of Consultation
Individual Projects
When one has a task or project, consulting with others helps unveil agreeable paths and discover truth. [1]
Community Decisions
Villages, professions, or assemblies should consult to reveal right conclusions for group affairs. [1]
Professional Fields
Professionals in industry, commerce, health, education, and other areas benefit by consulting to address business or organizational challenges. [1]
Matters of Governance and Social Affairs
Consultation is fundamental for administrative bodies and organizations to safeguard collective interests and foster progress. [1]
In summary, the advantages of consultation lie in its promotion of collective wisdom, unity, ongoing learning, and alignment with spiritual principles, while its application is broad, embracing all aspects of individual and collective life, provided participants approach it with detachment, justice, and respect. [1]
Citations
Follow-Up Approaches Proposed by Perplexity
- Explain how consultation fosters collective decision-making.
- Describe conditions that maximize effective consultation.
- Identify benefits of consultation in community development.
- Discuss consultation’s role in resolving conflicts peacefully.
- Outline ways to encourage compassionate consultation practices.
- Research Department of the Universal House of Justice. “Social Action.” Bahá’í Reference Library, August 2020. https://www.bahai.org/r/259331548. ↩
- Perplexity Pro. “Consultation: Advantages, Conditions, and Applications.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. September 6, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/the-ancient-beauty-exalted-be-bfY6pGI8S8ex8rUUTTKzng. ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 