Fidál, 05 Mashíyyat (Will), 182 B.E.
Social Action: Selected Themes Pertaining to Social and Economic Development
Quotes for Reflection:
One of the friends hath sent us a letter regarding the school at ‘Ishqábád, to the effect that, praised be God, the friends there are now working hard to get the school in order, and have appointed teachers well qualified for their task, and that from this time forward the greatest care will be devoted to the supervision and management of the school….
One of the most important of undertakings is the education of children, for success and prosperity depend upon service to and worship of God, the Holy, the All-Glorified.
Among the greatest of all great services is the education of children, and promotion of the various sciences, crafts and arts. Praised be God, ye are now exerting strenuous efforts toward this end. The more ye persevere in this most important task, the more will ye witness the confirmations of God, to such a degree that ye yourselves will be astonished. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá 1
Question for Consideration
What is the relationship between the education of children, as “the greatest of all great services,” and success and prosperity, which “depend upon service to and worship of God, the Holy, the All-Glorified?”
Perplexity Pro Response 2
The education of children is described by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as “the greatest of all great services,” and it is intimately connected to success and prosperity, which “depend upon service to and worship of God, the Holy, the All-Glorified”. This relationship is rooted in the belief that true prosperity and advancement—both individual and societal—are achievable when service and spiritual motivation are aligned, and education is approached as an act of worship and service to humanity and God. [1]
Education as Divine Service
Educating children is not simply a material endeavor, but a sacred trust and spiritual act that draws down the “confirmations of God” and furthers the work of constructing an ever-advancing civilization. The Bahá’í writings assert that the greatest acts of service are those that uplift, train, and illuminate the next generation, believing this to be foundational for both individual excellence and the progress of civilization. Education is seen as a means of refining character, fostering virtues, and preparing individuals to both serve and worship God through the uplift of society. [1]
Worship, Service, and Prosperity
Success and prosperity are described as depending on “service to and worship of God.” In Bahá’í thought, real prosperity is both spiritual and material, and emerges when education and service go hand in hand. Knowledge and sciences are grounded in divine guidance, and their highest fruit is found when they “serve the welfare of humanity and safeguard its interests” in alignment with the love and worship of God. [1]
Coherence of Material and Spiritual
The writings emphasize a harmony between spiritual aims (worship and recognition of God) and practical action (education, sciences, arts). Real progress, both for the individual and society, occurs when these elements are united: education, as the “greatest of all great services,” is simultaneously an act of worship and a foundation for material prosperity and social well-being. [1]
Summary Table
| Principle | Description |
|---|---|
| Education as Service | Educating children is a sacred trust, an act of service to God and humanity [1]. |
| Worship as Foundation | True prosperity is rooted in worship and conscious alignment with God’s will [1]. |
| Prosperity Defined | Success is seen as both spiritual (confirmation, character) and material (well-being) [1]. |
| Coherence | Material progress gains true meaning when united with spiritual principles [1]. |
In summary, the Bahá’í perspective presented by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ties the highest form of service—education—to the ultimate purpose of life: worship of God, asserting that enduring success and prosperity result from this inseparable relationship. [1]
Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity
To foster deeper understanding of the sacred relationship between success and prosperity and the education of children, certain questions can be explored that probe spiritual, practical, and societal aspects of this theme. [1]
Questions About Foundations and Meaning
- What does it mean for education to be considered “the greatest of all great services” in relation to the soul’s progress and humanity’s advancement? [1]
- In what ways do service to and worship of God shape the purpose and conduct of educational endeavors? [1]
- How does the spiritual training of children influence personal prosperity and collective success? [1]
Reflection on Purpose and Outcomes
- How are concepts of material and spiritual prosperity interconnected in the education of children according to divine teachings? [1]
- What specific qualities or virtues should educational programs instill to fulfill their sacred role? [1]
- How can families, communities, and institutions align their educational efforts with a vision of spiritual service and global prosperity? [1]
Exploring Methods and Coherence
- What are the distinguishing features of education viewed as “service to God” compared to conventional models of education? [1]
- How can education become an act of worship and service in everyday practice for teachers, parents, and students? [1]
- In what ways does pursuing education benefit not only the individual but also the progress and unity of society as a whole? [1]
Each of these questions can guide reflection and discussion that moves beyond standard definitions of success, focusing instead on the harmony between spiritual and material advancement as envisioned in sacred teachings. [1]
Citations
- Research Department of the Universal House of Justice. “Social Action.” Bahá’í Reference Library, August 2020 https://www.bahai.org/r/771945446. ↩
- Perplexity Pro. “Education of Children: The Greatest of All Great Services.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. September 29, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/one-of-the-friends-hath-sent-u-zL4zXyTxSl6kJh8Y0KPYiA#0. ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 