Istiqlál, 15 Mulk (Dominion), 182 B.E.
Quotes for Reflection
May I, in closing, also express his satisfaction at the improvement in Mr. …’s business conditions. He will continue to pray that the high standard of integrity he has so well maintained in his business transactions may not only serve to draw upon him the confirmations and blessings of God, but in addition prove an effective means for the attraction of many souls to the Faith. — written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi 1
Question for Consideration
How can maintaining a high standard of integrity in business transactions draw the blessings of God, and may attract many souls to the Faith?
Perplexity Pro Response 2
Maintaining a high standard of integrity in business becomes a channel for God’s confirmations because it aligns a person’s daily conduct with the very virtues God has called “the goodliest vesture” and “the worlds comeliest garment,” such as trustworthiness, truthfulness, justice, and godliness. When these qualities are consistently expressed in something as concrete as business dealings, they turn ordinary work into an act of worship, making it a magnet for divine blessings and a powerful form of silent teaching that naturally draws receptive hearts to the Faith. [1]
How integrity draws God’s blessings
In the Bahá’í writings, trustworthiness and integrity are described as the “sun” and “light” of commerce, and as “the chief means of attracting confirmation and prosperity.” A person who conducts business with scrupulous honesty, avoids exploitation, and honours every right is promised “all bounty and honour” and “success and blessings” in his affairs, because his way of working reflects the attributes God loves. In this sense, integrity in business is not just good ethics; it is obedience to divine command, and obedience is the condition for receiving God’s confirmations in both spiritual and material life. [1]
Moreover, the writings state that occupations such as commerce, agriculture, and industry are “most potent instruments” for manifesting piety and trustworthiness. When a believer uses his work consciously in this spirit, his shop, office, or practice becomes a locus of remembrance of God, and the blessings associated with worship are drawn down into his economic life. [1]
How integrity attracts souls to the Faith
Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá repeatedly say that people are “weary” of words and are attracted by deeds, “saintly virtues,” and a “noble character.” When someone is known in the community as absolutely reliable, fair in prices, transparent in agreements, prompt in paying debts, and incapable of bribery or deceit, others “cry out and say: ‘This man is unquestionably a Bahá’í, for his manners and conduct reflect the attributes of the Bahá’ís.’” This moral distinction arouses curiosity, trust, and admiration, and becomes “a cause of guidance to others,” often long before any formal teaching conversation occurs. [1]
The writings explain that trustworthiness and rectitude in work and public service are “among the most potent means for attracting the grace of God and securing both the prosperity of the country and the welfare of the people.” When people experience, over time, that Bahá’ís are safe to deal with, do not take advantage of weakness, and consistently prefer justice over personal gain, they begin to see the Faith not as a set of claims but as a living power that produces a new kind of human being. In this way, high integrity in business transactions becomes both a proof of the Faith’s truth and a quiet invitation to investigate its source—thus drawing “many souls to the Faith.” [1]
Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity
- Why do Bahá’í businesses guided by trustworthiness outperform conventional ones in long-term loyalty and prosperity?
- How does one apply trustworthiness in modern business dealings?
- What are real-life examples of Baha’i businesses succeeding through trustworthiness?
- How does Baha’i trustworthiness compare to corporate social responsibility?
- What are practical steps for building trust in professional relationships per Baha’i teachings?
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/409508469 ↩︎
- Perplexity Pro. “Maintaining a High Standard of Integrity in Business Transactions.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. February 19, 2026. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/may-i-in-closing-also-express-yOssQXZTR8GyMkGW15oQKQ#0 ↩︎
Frameworks for Understanding the World 