Jamál, 06 Jamál (Beauty), 183 B.E.
Quotes for Reflection
The purpose of God in creating man hath been, and will ever be, to enable him to know his Creator and to attain His Presence. To this most excellent aim, this supreme objective, all the heavenly Books and the divinely revealed and weighty Scriptures unequivocally bear witness. Whoso hath recognized the Dayspring of Divine guidance and entered His holy court hath drawn nigh unto God and attained His Presence, a Presence which is the real Paradise, and of which the loftiest mansions of heaven are but a symbol. Such a man hath attained the knowledge of the station of Him Who is “at the distance of two bows,” Who standeth beyond the Sadratu’l-Muntahá. Whoso hath failed to recognize Him will have condemned himself to the misery of remoteness, a remoteness which is naught but utter nothingness and the essence of the nethermost fire. Such will be his fate, though to outward seeming he may occupy the earth’s loftiest seats and be established upon its most exalted throne. — Bahá’u’lláh [1]
Question for Consideration
Humans create machines for the purpose of generating value in terms of productivity within economic systems. For what purpose did the Creator create humans? [2]
Gemini/NotebookLM Response
In a Bahá’í context, while humans create machines for material productivity, the Creator brought human beings into existence for a far more profound and essentially spiritual purpose. This purpose is multifaceted, encompassing individual spiritual growth and a collective mission to transform the world.
1. Knowing and Loving God
The primary reason for human existence is to know and love the Creator. Bahá’u’lláh describes this capacity as the “generating impulse and the primary purpose underlying the whole of creation”.
- The Hidden Treasure: Drawing on an ancient tradition, the sources explain that God was a “Hidden Treasure” who wished to be known and therefore called creation into being so that His attributes could be recognized.
- Divine Love: This act of creation was rooted in love. A well-known Bahá’í scripture states: “O Son of Man! I loved thy creation, hence I created thee. Wherefore, do thou love Me, that I may name thy name and fill thy soul with the Spirit of life”.
- Reflecting Divine Attributes: Every individual is created to be a “mirror” of God’s names and attributes, such as justice, mercy, and generosity.
2. A Twofold Moral Purpose
Every human being is entrusted with a twofold moral purpose that defines their life’s work:
- Individual Development: To develop one’s inherent, God-given potentialities and spiritual faculties.
- Collective Contribution: To “carry forward an ever-advancing civilization”. Humans are not just passive observers of history but are meant to be active “protagonists” in building a global society characterized by unity, peace, and justice.
3. Rendering Service to Humanity
The sources explicitly state that “rendering service to the world of humanity” is the fundamental purpose of human existence.
- Betterment of the World: Mortal men have “stepped into the realm of being” specifically to “work for the betterment of the world and live together in concord and harmony”.
- Work as Worship: Because service is so central to human purpose, any useful work or craftsmanship performed in a spirit of service is equated with the worship of God.
4. Preparation for the Next Life
This earthly existence is viewed as a preparatory stage for an eternal life beyond.
- Acquiring “Limbs” for the Spirit: Just as a fetus develops eyes and ears in the womb to function in this material world, humans must acquire spiritual qualities—like faith, assurance, and the knowledge of God—in this life to be prepared for the “world of the Kingdom”.
- Attaining His Presence: The ultimate objective is to enable the soul to “attain His Presence” and “know its Creator” in a state of absolute sanctity and detachment.
5. Adorning the Contingent World
Humankind was created for the “adornment of this contingent world”. Humans are intended to “array the earth with the manifold blessings of heaven,” effectively acting as “divine gardeners” who transform the “jungle” of natural existence into a fruitful and beautiful social order.
In summary, while a machine’s value is measured by its output within an economic system, a human’s “merit lieth in service and virtue”. Humans are created to be the “spirit of the world,” the living force that quickens the body of humanity and reflects the light of God to all creation.
Footnotes
[1] Bahá’u’lláh. GLEANINGS FROM THE WRITINGS OF BAHÁ’U’LLÁH. Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/r/688768056
[2] Gemini/NotebookLM. “The Purpose of Human Existence in the Bahá’í Faith.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. May 2, 2026. https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/65808e18-87f2-4896-92b9-16a7aff29d15
Be the Voice of…
Therefore, all souls should consider it incumbent upon them to investigate reality. Reality is one; and when found, it will unify all mankind. Reality is the love of God. Reality is the knowledge of God. Reality is justice. Reality is the oneness or solidarity of mankind. Reality is international peace. Reality is the knowledge of verities. Reality unifies humanity. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá The Promulgation of Universal Peace | Bahá’í Reference Library.
Frameworks for Understanding the World 