Kamál, 12 Masá’il (Questions), 182 B.E.
Quotes for Reflection
He is the true servant of God who, in this day, were he to pass through cities of silver and gold, would not deign to look upon them, and whose heart would remain pure and undefiled from whatever things can be seen in this world, be they its goods or its treasures. I swear by the Sun of Truth! The breath of such a man is endowed with potency, and his words with attraction…. — Bahá’u’lláh 1 2
Question for Consideration
What endowments does one “whose heart would remain pure and undefiled from whatever things can be seen in this world” offer to humanity?
Perplexity Pro Response 3
One whose heart is pure and undefiled by the world becomes a channel through which spiritual forces, healing, and guidance flow into human life. Such a soul’s unseen influence often outweighs visible achievements, because character itself becomes a creative power. [1]
Inner qualities
A heart detached from “goods or treasures” develops trustworthiness, truthfulness, purity of motive, forbearance, contentment, and reliance on God, which are described as “among the highest and most laudable of all acts.” These qualities are called “the mantle of a saintly character” and “the ornament of holy and goodly deeds,” indicating that such a person embodies divine attributes in daily life. [1]
Spiritual potency
Bahá’u’lláh states that “the breath of such a man is endowed with potency, and his words with attraction,” suggesting that mere presence and speech can awaken hearts and inspire transformation. Other passages explain that God has decreed that “the citadels of men’s hearts should be subdued through the hosts of a noble character and praiseworthy deeds,” not by force or argument. [1]
Service to society
Because that heart is free of greed and self-interest, its owner can serve as a trustworthy trustee, worker, or leader, helping establish “peace, security and tranquillity” in human affairs. Trustworthiness, sincerity, and justice are described as “the supreme instrument for the prosperity of the world” and “the greatest portal leading unto the tranquillity and security of the people.” [1]
Example and attraction
Such a soul’s life becomes a standard by which others recognize authentic faith, since “true servants of God” are known by their rectitude of conduct, purity, and integrity. It is said that when believers mirror these virtues so perfectly that even “cities heaped with gold” do not attract them, others will “perceive from you the sweet savours of the one true God.” [1]
Contribution to humanity’s destiny
Bahá’u’lláh affirms that the purpose of human creation is to “work for the betterment of the world and live together in concord and harmony,” and that this is realized through such godly qualities and deeds. In this light, one whose heart is pure and undefiled offers to humanity a living proof that a different kind of civilization is possible—one founded on trustworthiness, detachment, justice, and love, rather than on possession and ego. [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/782453346. ↩︎
- Effendi, Shoghi. The Advent of Divine Justice. Bahá’í Reference Library, 1938. https://www.bahai.org/r/716325250. ↩︎
- Perplexity Pro. “A Heart Pure and Undefiled by the World.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. December 21, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/he-is-the-true-servant-of-god-dj14_iJ8TyG5O7QuJ2HdjQ#0 ↩︎
Frameworks for Understanding the World 