Istijlál, 10 Sharaf (Honor), 182 B.E.
Quotes for Reflection
We have enjoined upon all to become engaged in some trade or profession, and have accounted such occupation to be an act of worship. Before all else, however, thou shouldst receive, as a sign of God’s acceptance, the mantle of trustworthiness from the hands of divine favour; for trustworthiness is the chief means of attracting confirmation and prosperity. We entreat God to make of it a radiant and mercifully showering rain-cloud that shall bring success and blessings to thy affairs. He of a truth is the All-Bountiful, the Gracious. — Bahá’u’lláh 1
Question for Consideration
What is the significance of receiving “the mantle of trustworthiness from the hands of divine favour”?
Perplexity Pro Response 2
Receiving “the mantle of trustworthiness from the hands of divine favour” signifies allowing God to clothe a person’s whole being in the quality of trustworthiness, so that integrity, truthfulness, and reliability become a God‑given spiritual identity rather than just a human habit. [1]
Meaning of “mantle” and “divine favour”
- A mantle in Bahá’í writings often symbolizes a spiritual garment or identity, such as “the mantle of a saintly character” or “the mantle of trustworthiness,” indicating a virtue that covers, protects, and distinguishes the soul. [1]
- To receive this mantle “from the hands of divine favour” implies that trustworthiness, in its highest form, is a divine bestowal and confirmation, not only a self-produced moral quality; it is God’s acceptance, clothing the believer in a virtue He specially esteems. [1]
Trustworthiness as God’s “goodliest vesture”
- Bahá’u’lláh describes trustworthiness as “the goodliest vesture in the sight of God in this day” and “the worlds comeliest garment,” showing that this mantle is the most beautiful and dignifying spiritual clothing the soul can wear. [1]
- Being arrayed in this divine mantle means that a person’s inner and outer life are adorned with honesty, reliability, and purity of motive, such that these qualities become the person’s true honor before God and humanity. [1]
Condition for acceptance and worship
- In the same passage you quoted, work and profession are called acts of worship, but trustworthiness is placed “before all else” as the sign of God’s acceptance; without this mantle, even praiseworthy outward activities lack their full spiritual value. [1]
- Thus, receiving the mantle of trustworthiness marks the point where one’s trade, service, and daily dealings are not only correct outwardly but inwardly offered and accepted as worship through the divine virtue of integrity. [1]
Channel of confirmations and prosperity
- Bahá’u’lláh calls trustworthiness “the chief means of attracting confirmation and prosperity” and “the greatest portal leading unto the tranquillity and security of the people,” indicating that this mantle opens the way for divine assistance and stable success. [1]
- When a soul is truly robed in this God‑given trustworthiness, its affairs are surrounded by “success and blessings,” and it becomes a cause of peace, reliability, and confidence in family, community, commerce, and governance. [1]
Reflection of a divine attribute
- In another vision, Trustworthiness appears as a celestial figure proclaiming, “I am Trustworthiness and the revelation thereof… I am the supreme instrument for the prosperity of the world,” which shows that this mantle is participation in a living divine attribute. [1]
- To receive the mantle of trustworthiness, then, is to mirror a ray of God’s own faithfulness: becoming a “trustee of God amongst His creatures,” so that others can safely rely on one’s word, actions, and motives as reflections of divine reliability. [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/828592742. ↩︎
- Perplexity Pro. “The Mantle of Trustworthiness.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. January 7, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/we-have-enjoined-upon-all-to-b-u1NReXkQTUeClXImhGh7OQ#0 ↩︎
Frameworks for Understanding the World 