Istijlál, 08 Masá’il (Questions), 182 B.E.
Quotes for Reflection
Were a man in this day to adorn himself with the raiment of trustworthiness it were better for him in the sight of God than that he should journey on foot towards the holy court and be blessed with meeting the Adored One and standing before His Seat of Glory. Trustworthiness is as a stronghold to the city of humanity, and as eyes to the human temple. Whosoever remaineth deprived thereof shall, before His Throne, be reckoned as one bereft of vision. — Bahá’u’lláh 1
Question for Consideration
What does Bahá’u’lláh’s statement, “Trustworthiness is as a stronghold to the city of humanity, and as eyes to the human temple,” suggest about the significance of trustworthiness as a virtue?
Perplexity Pro Response 2
Bahá’u’lláh’s statement presents trustworthiness not as one virtue among many, but as a protecting and perceiving power without which moral and spiritual life collapses. It suggests that truly virtuous behavior is impossible, or at least fatally impaired, when trustworthiness is missing. [1]
A protective “stronghold”
Calling trustworthiness “a stronghold to the city of humanity” implies that it safeguards both individuals and society the way walls protect a city. Without such a stronghold, social, economic, and even religious life are left exposed to injustice, exploitation, and hypocrisy, no matter how many other good works people may outwardly perform. [1]
The “eyes” of the moral self
Describing trustworthiness as “eyes to the human temple” means it functions like moral and spiritual vision. One who lacks trustworthiness is “reckoned as one bereft of vision,” suggesting that a person may appear religious or virtuous, yet be inwardly blind if promises, obligations, and trusts are not faithfully upheld. [1]
Central to all other virtues
In the Bahá’í writings, trustworthiness is called “the most precious of all things” and “the bedrock of His Faith and the foundation of all virtues and perfections.” This framing shows that other virtues—piety, worship, service, even pilgrimage and mystical experiences—do not attain their true worth unless grounded in a reliable, trustworthy character. [1]
Measure of authentic devotion
By saying that adorning oneself with trustworthiness is better than physically attaining the presence of the “Adored One,” Bahá’u’lláh makes trustworthiness the real test of devotion. The statement therefore suggests that the highest form of virtuous behavior is not dramatic spiritual acts, but the steady, truthful, dependable fulfillment of one’s responsibilities before God and others. [1]
Citations
- Trustworthiness: A Cardinal Bahá’í Virtue. Compiled by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice, Revised August 1990 – Bahá’í Reference Library
Footnotes
- Research Department of the Universal House of Justice. “Trustworthiness: A Cardinal Bahá’í Virtue.” Bahá’í Reference Library, Revised August 1990. https://www.bahai.org/r/805787743. ↩︎
- Perplexity Pro. “Trustworthiness: a Stronghold to the City of Humanity.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. December 17, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/were-a-man-in-this-day-to-ador-.dIa1dPbTGyro1eXRS5eUA#0 ↩︎
Frameworks for Understanding the World 