Kamál, 09 ʼIzzat (Might), 182 B.E.
Social Action: Methods and Approaches
Quotes for Reflection:
Wealth is praiseworthy in the highest degree, if it is acquired by an individual’s own efforts and the grace of God, in commerce, agriculture, art and industry, and if it be expended for philanthropic purposes. Above all, if a judicious and resourceful individual should initiate measures which would universally enrich the masses of the people, there could be no undertaking greater than this, and it would rank in the sight of God as the supreme achievement, for such a benefactor would supply the needs and insure the comfort and well-being of a great multitude. Wealth is most commendable, provided the entire population is wealthy. If, however, a few have inordinate riches while the rest are impoverished, and no fruit or benefit accrues from that wealth, then it is only a liability to its possessor. If, on the other hand, it is expended for the promotion of knowledge, the founding of elementary and other schools, the encouragement of art and industry, the training of orphans and the poor—in brief, if it is dedicated to the welfare of society—its possessor will stand out before God and man as the most excellent of all who live on earth and will be accounted as one of the people of paradise. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá 1 2
Question for Consideration
What are the conditions whereby “wealth is praiseworthy in the highest degree” and “its possessor will stand out before God and man as the most excellent of all who live on earth and will be accounted as one of the people of paradise?”
Perplexity Pro Response 3
Wealth is “praiseworthy in the highest degree” when it is both earned righteously and dedicated to the upliftment of all, especially through philanthropy and measures that enrich the masses. Its possessor “will stand out before God and man… and will be accounted as one of the people of paradise” if wealth is consciously used for the welfare of society and not hoarded or spent selfishly.
Conditions for Praiseworthy Wealth
Rightful Acquisition
Wealth should be gained “by an individual’s own efforts and the grace of God, in commerce, agriculture, art and industry” and not through exploitation or unjust means. [1]
Philanthropic Purpose
The wealth must be used “for philanthropic purposes”—this includes aiding the needy, establishing schools, encouraging arts and industry, and supporting initiatives that benefit society broadly, not just a privileged few. [1]
Universal Benefit
“If a judicious and resourceful individual should initiate measures which would universally enrich the masses of the people, there could be no undertaking greater than this”. [1]
Moderation and Justice
Wealth is commendable “provided the entire population is wealthy” and extremes of wealth and poverty are avoided. When wealth merely enriches a few while the rest are impoverished, it becomes “a liability to its possessor”. [1]
Dedication to Knowledge and Welfare
Wealth “expended for the promotion of knowledge, the founding of schools, encouragement of art and industry, [and] the training of orphans and the poor” marks its owner as “the most excellent of all who live on earth”. [1]
Further Principles from Bahá’í Texts
No Exploitation
The legitimacy of wealth depends on both acquisition and expenditure. Means that involve “the exploitation of others, monopolization and manipulation of markets, and the production of goods that promote violence and immorality are unworthy and unacceptable”. [1]
Voluntary Sharing
Bahá’í teachings advocate for “voluntary sharing, [which] is a greater thing than the equalization of wealth.” Giving should come willingly, not by force. [1]
Economic Moderation
It is preferable “to seek moderation …for the wealthy to recognize the advantages of moderation in the acquisition of profits and to show regard for the welfare of the poor and needy”. [1]
Welfare of All
The prosperity of all is interconnected; the advantage of the part is best served by the advantage of the whole. Systems must prevent “the unwarranted concentration of wealth in the hands of the few and satisfy the essential needs of the many”. [1]
The Standard for Spiritual Excellence
A wealthy person “who …initiates measures which would universally enrich the masses,” or spends wealth on “the welfare of society,” stands “out before God and man” and is “accounted as one of the people of paradise”. [1]
Such a person “supplies the needs and insures the comfort and well-being of a great multitude,” thereby achieving the “supreme achievement” in the sight of God. [1]
In summary, wealth is only praiseworthy when it arises from honest labor and is dedicated wholly and systematically to the upliftment and well-being of all—and never when it breeds inequality or neglect of the needy. [1]
Citations
Follow-Up Approaches Proposed by Perplexity
- Explore examples of philanthropic uses of wealth in commerce and industry.
- How does the integration of wealth and social welfare promote universal peace?
- What role does individual effort and grace of God play in acquiring commendable wealth?
- Identify measures that can universally enrich masses through economic initiatives.
- List ways to expend wealth for promoting knowledge and training the poor.
- Research Department of the Universal House of Justice. “Social Action.” Bahá’í Reference Library, August 2020. https://www.bahai.org/r/300964819. ↩
- Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. “Bahá’í Sacred Writings.” Bahá’í Reference Library, July 2025. https://www.bahai.org/r/394014178. ↩
- Perplexity Pro. “Praiseworthy Wealth.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. September 14, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/wealth-is-praiseworthy-in-the-8BHVtqpPTY2OC1g3qLcPEQ. ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 