Istiqlál, 16 Masá’il (Questions), 182 B.E.
Quotes for Reflection
We have counselled all people, in the most clear and eloquent language, to adorn their characters with trustworthiness and godliness, and with such qualities as are conducive to the elevation of man’s station in the world of being. This Wronged One testifieth that the purpose for which mortal men have, from utter nothingness, stepped into the realm of being, is that they may work for the betterment of the world and live together in concord and harmony. Dissension and strife have always been, and shall remain, rejected by God. The Books, the Scriptures and Holy Writings of previous ages have all proclaimed the joyful tidings that the purpose underlying this most mighty Revelation is none other than the rehabilitation of the world and its nations; that perchance the power of utterance may prevail over the power of arms, and the world’s affairs be administered through the potency of love. We ask God, the True One, to invest all with the mantle of trustworthiness, for that is the world’s comeliest garment. — Bahá’u’lláh 1 2
Question for Consideration
For what purpose should people “adorn their characters with trustworthiness and godliness, and with such qualities as are conducive to the elevation of man’s station in the world of being”?
Perplexity Pro Response 3
People should adorn their characters with trustworthiness and godliness so that they can fulfill the very purpose of their creation: to work for the betterment of the world and to live together in concord and harmony. [1]
Purpose of such qualities
- The passage explains that humans have come “from utter nothingness” into existence so “that they may work for the betterment of the world and live together in concord and harmony.” [1]
- The call to cultivate “trustworthiness and godliness” and other elevating qualities is therefore so that these God‑pleasing aims—improving the world and fostering unity—can actually be achieved in human life and society. [1]
Wider goal of this Revelation
- The same paragraph states that “the purpose underlying this most mighty Revelation is none other than the rehabilitation of the world and its nations.” [1]
- These virtues are thus presented as the means by which the power of loving words and noble character will prevail over violence, and “the world’s affairs be administered through the potency of love.” [1]
Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity
Questions that probe links between qualities and purpose of existence could include:
About the purpose of life
- How does the purpose “to work for the betterment of the world and live together in concord and harmony” shape what counts as a meaningful life? [2] [3]
- In what ways does acquiring virtues become a necessary condition for fulfilling this purpose? [4] [5]
About specific qualities
- How do trustworthiness and godliness actually create peace, security, and tranquillity in relationships and communities? [1] [6]
- What concrete effects do sincerity, goodwill, cooperation, and mutual assistance have on a community’s capacity to advance? [2] [4]
About personal transformation
- What inner changes are required for qualities like truthfulness, forbearance, and justice to become stable aspects of character rather than occasional behaviors? [1] [5]
- How does striving for moral and spiritual excellence reshape one’s priorities, choices, and definitions of success? [3] [5]
About social impact
- In what ways can “pure and goodly deeds” and “commendable and seemly conduct” actually contribute to the “betterment of the world” beyond the personal level? [5] [7]
- How do virtues such as honesty, integrity, and fairness influence the functioning of institutions like governments, businesses, and schools? [1] [8]
About practice and growth
- What daily practices help individuals and communities consistently cultivate these qualities over a lifetime? [9] [10]
- How can communities learn, through experience and reflection, which qualities most enable them to build unity and effective collective action? [2] [11]
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
- 30 December 2021 – To the Conference of the Continental Boards of Counsellors – Bahá’í Reference Library
- Bahá’u’lláh: His Teachings – Uplifting Words
- Virtues – Bahá’í Quotes
- Morality and Spiritual Growth – Uplifting Words
- Trustworthiness – Baha’i Feast Devotional Program – Uplifting Words
- How Baha’is Build a Better World – BahaiTeachings.org
- Baha’i Quotations on Environment and Sustainable Development – International Environment Forum
- Transforming our Inner and Outer Lives – BahaiTeachings.org
- Our Twofold Moral Purpose (PDF) – Bahá’ís of Benton and Linn Counties, Oregon
- For The Betterment Of The World (PDF) – The Bahá’í Faith
- 3 Qualities That Can Improve the World – Bahá’í Blog
- “The betterment of the world can be accomplished…” – Friends of The Bahá’í Faith (Facebook)
- Selections from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh – Bahá’í Sacred Writings
- The Purpose of Life Is to Acquire Virtues – The Largest Bahá’í Facebook Group Ever
- A Global Process of Learning: Cultivating a Culture of Peace for the Betterment of the World – Ohio Bahá’í
- Practitioners of Peace – UK Bahá’í Office of Public Affairs
- “…the purpose for which mortal men have…” – ONENESS Of HUMANITY (Facebook)
- “The purpose of religion as revealed from the heaven of God’s holy Will…” – The Largest Bahá’í Facebook Group Ever
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/363538019 ↩︎
- Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. “Bahá’í Sacred Writings.” Bahá’í Reference Library, July 2025. https://www.bahai.org/r/486355758. ↩︎
- Perplexity Pro. “To Fulfill One’s Purpose.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. December 25, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/we-have-counselled-all-people-g895EyilTh6jDTZJwgx10g#0 ↩︎
Frameworks for Understanding the World 