Jamál, 03 Mulk (Dominion), 182 B.E.
Quotes for Reflection
The employment that the Bahá’ís accept, the tasks and duties that they perform, should be of a kind whose benefits accrue to the nation as a whole and not such as are a means of profit to a small circle of high officials and a few select individuals. Further, the beloved friends and members of the Assemblies should, in the manifold circumstances of their lives and in all their multifarious dealings and pursuits, by their deeds, their bearing and demeanour, seek to demonstrate to their fellow-countrymen the excellence of this sacred Cause, to vindicate its truth, and give living testimony to its potency and the sublimity of its spirit. It is thus that the friends should proceed, not confining themselves to the delivery of the message, to explanations, expositions and elucidations. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the Chief Interpreter of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, has written:
Wherefore it is incumbent upon all Bahá’is to ponder this very delicate and vital matter in their hearts, that, unlike other religions, they may not content themselves with the noise, the clamour, the hollowness of religious doctrine. Nay, rather, they should exemplify in every aspect of their lives those attributes and virtues that are born of God and should arise to distinguish themselves by their goodly behaviour. They should justify their claim to be Bahá’ís by deeds and not by name. He is a true Bahá’í who strives by day and by night to progress and advance along the path of human endeavour, whose most cherished desire is so to live and act as to enrich and illuminate the world, whose source of inspiration is the essence of divine virtue, whose aim in life is so to conduct himself as to be the cause of infinite progress. Only when he attains unto such perfect gifts can it be said of him that he is a true Bahá’í. For in this holy Dispensation, the crowning glory of bygone ages and cycles, true faith is no mere acknowledgement of the unity of God, but rather the living of a life that will manifest all the perfections and virtues implied in such belief. (Translated by Shoghi Effendi and published in “The Bahá’í World”, vol. 2, “1926–1928” (New York: Bahá’í Publishing Committee, 1928), p. xvi)
See how firm and strongly-worded is this statement of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s, and how demanding its requirements! Notwithstanding, it is only when the Bahá’is are able fully and befittingly to distinguish their characters by the adornment of these divine virtues that they will appear before the eyes of the world in a worthy and appropriate manner and that the name of Bahá’u’lláh will set the universe ablaze. — Shoghi Effendi 1
Question for Consideration
What behaviors does ‘Abdu’l-Bahá state that exemplify the character of a “true Bahá’í?”
Perplexity Pro Response 2
‘Abdu’l‑Bahá describes a “true Bahá’í” in terms of specific, active qualities of life and character, not merely belief. [1]
From the passage you quoted, the behaviors and inner qualities that exemplify a true Bahá’í include: [1]
- Striving “by day and by night” to make progress in all forms of human endeavor, showing constant effort and diligence. [1]
- Making it one’s “most cherished desire” to live and act in such a way as to “enrich and illuminate the world,” i.e., living for service and upliftment rather than self‑interest. [1]
- Taking “the essence of divine virtue” as one’s source of inspiration, letting spiritual virtues guide motives, decisions, and actions. [1]
- Aiming in life “so to conduct himself as to be the cause of infinite progress,” helping others and society to advance materially and spiritually. [1]
- Refusing to be content with “the noise, the clamour, the hollowness of religious doctrine,” but instead “exemplify[ing] in every aspect of their lives those attributes and virtues that are born of God.” [1]
- “Distinguish[ing] themselves by their goodly behaviour” so clearly that their deeds, demeanor, and way of life validate their claim to be Bahá’ís. [1]
- “Justify[ing] their claim to be Bahá’ís by deeds and not by name,” making conduct, not labels or words, the proof of faith. [1]
‘Abdu’l‑Bahá then concludes that only when someone has attained “such perfect gifts” of character and action can it truly be said of him that he is a Bahá’í, because in this Dispensation “true faith is no mere acknowledgement of the unity of God, but rather the living of a life” manifesting all the perfections and virtues implied in that belief. [1]
Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity
What questions would further one’s understanding about this topic?
Questions that help are usually self‑reflective, practical, and specific to daily life. Here are some you could ponder, journal about, or use in consultation with others.
About motives and purpose
- In my work and studies, am I primarily seeking personal gain, or to “enrich and illuminate the world”?
- In what concrete ways do my daily choices show that service to humanity is my aim in life?
- When I plan my time, how much of it is intentionally devoted to the progress and well‑being of others?
About effort and striving
- What does “striving by day and by night” look like for me this week, in realistic but stretching terms?
- Where have I become complacent in my spiritual or practical efforts, and what one step could I take to advance?
- Are there talents or capacities I’m not using in the path of human endeavour?
About deeds versus words
- If someone only observed my behavior (not my words), would they recognize anything of the Bahá’í teachings?
- Where do my words and actions most clearly differ, and why?
- What is one area in which I can quietly replace speaking about ideals with consistently living them?
About virtues and character
- Which one or two divine virtues (for example, truthfulness, justice, kindness, trustworthiness) most need strengthening in my character right now?
- How does my way of interacting at home, at work, and online “distinguish” me by goodly behavior?
- When under pressure or provocation, which virtues tend to disappear first, and how can I prepare better?
About impact on others and society
- Who or what is being uplifted, healed, or supported by the way I live? Can I name specific people or situations?
- How does my employment or chosen field benefit the wider community, not just a “small circle” of people?
- In what ways can my participation in society better reflect rectitude of conduct, fairness, and freedom from prejudice?
About spiritual foundations
- How often do I consciously draw on prayer and the Writings as a “source of inspiration” before acting?
- Do my good deeds flow from love of God and love for His creatures, or mostly from habit, social approval, or fear of blame?
- What helps me remember that true faith is “the living of a life,” not only inner belief?
Any of these can be turned into a regular practice by choosing one question a day, writing a brief answer, and then identifying a single, practical action flowing from it.
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/828299887 ↩︎
- Perplexity Pro. “Protection from Defilement.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. February 7, 2026. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/the-employment-that-the-bahais-iQ1gdjlpTLuCxWFAfCbCdQ#0 ↩︎
Frameworks for Understanding the World 