Daily Frameworks for 29 October 2025

’Idál, 15 ‘Ilm (Knowledge), 182 B.E.

Social Action: Selected Themes Pertaining to Social and Economic Development

Quotes for Reflection:

What could be better before God than thinking of the poor? For the poor are beloved by our heavenly Father. When Christ came upon the earth, those who believed in Him and followed Him were the poor and lowly, showing that the poor were near to God. When a rich man believes and follows the Manifestation of God, it is a proof that his wealth is not an obstacle and does not prevent him from attaining the pathway of salvation. After he has been tested and tried, it will be seen whether his possessions are a hindrance in his religious life. But the poor are especially beloved of God. Their lives are full of difficulties, their trials continual, their hopes are in God alone. Therefore, you must assist the poor as much as possible, even by sacrifice of yourself. No deed of man is greater before God than helping the poor. Spiritual conditions are not dependent upon the possession of worldly treasures or the absence of them. When one is physically destitute, spiritual thoughts are more likely. Poverty is a stimulus toward God. Each one of you must have great consideration for the poor and render them assistance. Organize in an effort to help them and prevent increase of poverty. The greatest means for prevention is that whereby the laws of the community will be so framed and enacted that it will not be possible for a few to be millionaires and many destitute. One of Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings is the adjustment of means of livelihood in human society. Under this adjustment there can be no extremes in human conditions as regards wealth and sustenance. For the community needs financier, farmer, merchant and laborer just as an army must be composed of commander, officers and privates. All cannot be commanders; all cannot be officers or privates. Each in his station in the social fabric must be competent—each in his function according to ability but with justness of opportunity for all. ¹
Difference of capacity in human individuals is fundamental. It is impossible for all to be alike, all to be equal, all to be wise. Bahá’u’lláh has revealed principles and laws which will accomplish the adjustment of varying human capacities. He has said that whatsoever is possible of accomplishment in human government will be effected through these principles. When the laws He has instituted are carried out, there will be no millionaires possible in the community and likewise no extremely poor. This will be effected and regulated by adjusting the different degrees of human capacity. The fundamental basis of the community is agriculture, tillage of the soil. All must be producers. Each person in the community whose need is equal to his individual producing capacity shall be exempt from taxation. But if his income is greater than his needs, he must pay a tax until an adjustment is effected. That is to say, a man’s capacity for production and his needs will be equalized and reconciled through taxation. If his production exceeds, he will pay a tax; if his necessities exceed his production, he shall receive an amount sufficient to equalize or adjust. Therefore, taxation will be proportionate to capacity and production, and there will be no poor in the community. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ^{2 3}

Question for Consideration

What principles and laws has Bahá’u’lláh revealed that “will accomplish the adjustment of varying human capacities?”

Perplexity Pro Response ⁴

Bahá’u’lláh revealed principles and laws that will accomplish the adjustment of varying human capacities by ensuring that no extremes of wealth or poverty exist in human society. This is achieved through an economic and social framework in which:

• The community is structured so that all individuals contribute productively, such as through agriculture or other means. Each person’s livelihood is adjusted according to their capacity to produce and their actual needs.
• Taxation and redistribution are mechanisms to equalize differences — if a person’s production exceeds their needs, they pay taxes; if their needs exceed their production, they receive support to balance the difference.
• There is justness of opportunity where each individual occupies a role suitable to their ability, much like an army has commanders, officers, and privates — not all are equal in function but all have their place and contribute.
• The laws and principles instituted aim to eliminate the existence of millionaires and the extremely poor by regulating wealth and sustenance distribution.
• The social system rests on cooperation, mutual aid, and justice as spiritual and material foundations.
• The teachings encourage helping the poor by sacrifice and fostering a society where wealth is not an obstacle to spiritual and communal progress.
  

The general aim is the integration of diverse human capacities into a just, equitable social fabric where wealth disparity is moderated, productivity and needs are reconciled, and poverty eradicated through a divinely guided economic system rooted in fairness, cooperation, and the oneness of humanity. These principles have divine authority and are expected to be progressively implemented to ensure social and economic justice based on both material and spiritual considerations. [1]

Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity

To further one’s understanding about Bahá’u’lláh’s revealed principles and laws on the adjustment of varying human capacities, consider the following thought-provoking questions:

Principles of Economic Justice

• How does Bahá’u’lláh’s vision of economic justice differ from prevailing models of capitalism and socialism, and what are the key principles that moderate extremes in wealth and poverty? [1]
• In Bahá’í teachings, what is the relationship between individual capacity, equitable opportunity, and community prosperity? [1]
• What is the Bahá’í approach to voluntary sharing as opposed to enforced equalization of wealth, and how does it promote harmony and peace within society? [1]
  

Role of Spiritual and Material Civilization

• How are the material and spiritual dimensions of civilization integrated according to Bahá’í teachings, and why is this integration essential for human happiness and progress? [1]
• In what ways do spiritual principles shape economic policies and decision-making in Bahá’í-inspired communities? [1]
  

Mechanisms and Structures

• What specific mechanisms, such as taxation, voluntary sharing, or community storehouses, are outlined in the Bahá’í writings for achieving economic balance? [1]
• How do Bahá’í principles inform the structure and function of local and national economic institutions? [1]
  

Diversity and Capacity

• How does Bahá’u’lláh’s teaching address the inherent diversity of human capacity, and what social structures support individuals in fulfilling their unique roles? [1]
• Why is absolute equality considered untenable in Bahá’í teachings, and what is the ideal balance between individual differences and community welfare? [1]
  

Practical Application and Evolution

• How are Bahá’í social and economic development projects intended to start small and grow organically, and why is local initiative emphasized? [1]
• What challenges and opportunities exist when applying these principles in contemporary society, especially regarding the moral dimension of wealth and service to humanity? [1]
  

Exploring these questions will deepen your understanding of Bahá’u’lláh’s vision for the adjustment of human capacities and the creation of a just, unified society.

Citations

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

1. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by ʻAbduʼl-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912. Edited by Howard MacNutt. 2nd ed. Wilmette, Ill: Baháʼí Publishing Trust, 1982, 216. https://www.bahai.org/r/305820706. ↩
2. Research Department of the Universal House of Justice. “Social Action.” Bahá’í Reference Library, August 2020. https://www.bahai.org/r/163186040. ↩
3. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by ʻAbduʼl-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912. Edited by Howard MacNutt. 2nd ed. Wilmette, Ill: Baháʼí Publishing Trust, 1982, 217. https://www.bahai.org/r/828752876. ↩
4. Perplexity Pro. “Adjustment of Human Capacities.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. October 27, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/what-could-be-better-before-go-aKtwWnJwQoO.skWDIgJLNQ#0. ↩