Tag: welfare

Daily Frameworks for 19 August 2026

‘Idál, 19 Kamál (Perfection), 183 B.E.

Quotes for Reflection

In their reflections on how to contribute to the betterment of the world, Bahá’ís will undoubtedly recognize that demonstrations are not the only, or even the most effective, means available to them. Rather, they can learn and grow in capacity over time to help their fellow citizens to frame concerns in a way that rises above fissures, to share views in a manner that transcends divisive approaches, and to create and participate in spaces to work together in the quest to enact solutions to the problems that bedevil their nation. As Bahá’u’lláh stated: “Say: no man can attain his true station except through his justice. No power can exist except through unity. No welfare and no well-being can be attained except through consultation.” [1] In this light, justice is indeed essential to resist the vain imaginings and idle fancies of social and political machinations, to see reality with one’s own eyes, and to identify the requirements for an equitable social order. But then unity is essential—forged through consultative processes, including action and reflection—to achieve the power required for positive social change. — Universal House of Justice [2]

Question for Consideration

In the quote, “Say: no man can attain his true station except through his justice. No power can exist except through unity. No welfare and no well-being can be attained except through consultation,” how does Bahá’u’lláh describe consultation in relation to justice and unity? [3]

Perplexity Computer Response:

Bahá’u’lláh presents consultation as the indispensable means by which justice and unity become socially fruitful. The three statements form a progression: justice enables a person to attain their true human station; unity is the source of collective power; and consultation is the practice through which a community can attain welfare and well-being. [4]

The relationship

  • Justice concerns the moral capacity to recognize reality fairly, respect the rights of others, and act with equity.
  • Unity concerns the social condition in which people can act together rather than as competing fragments.
  • Consultation is the disciplined collective process that translates those moral and relational conditions into wise, effective action—and therefore into well-being. [5]

In this sense, consultation is not merely discussion, debate, or a technique for deciding by vote. Bahá’u’lláh elsewhere calls it “the lamp of guidance” and “the bestower of understanding”: a means of pooling insight, investigating questions, and discovering what serves the whole. [4]

A concise interpretation

The passage implies a causal sequence:

Justice → true human capacity; unity → collective power; consultation → collective welfare.

Consultation therefore depends on justice and unity, while also helping to enact them. It requires people to approach one another with sincerity, detachment from personal opinion, and concern for the common good; this makes unity substantive rather than superficial. The Bahá’í International Community describes it as “the operating expression of justice in human affairs.” [5]

For example, in a community deciding how to allocate scarce resources, justice requires that all affected interests be treated fairly; unity enables the group to regard the problem as a shared one; consultation enables participants to examine facts and perspectives together until they can reach a decision oriented toward the welfare of all, rather than the victory of one faction. [6]

Footnotes

[1] Research Department of the Universal House of Justice. CONSULTATION: A COMPILATION. February 1978, Revised November 1990. Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/r/690813523

[2] Universal House of Justice. “27 April 2017 – [To an individual].” Bahá’í Reference Library. https://www.bahai.org/r/657409828

[3] Perplexity Computer. “How does Bahá’u’lláh describe consultation in relation to justice and unity?” Edited by Steve Bosserman. August 18, 2026. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/adf2ef7a-74fa-43eb-8e98-77c2c8c1ca95

[4] The Bahá’í Faith Staff. “Universal Peace: Quotations.” Bahá’í International Community. https://www.bahai.org/beliefs/universal-peace/quotations

[5] Baha’i­ International Community Office of Public Information. “The Prosperity of Humankind.” Bahá’í International Community, March 3, 1995. https://www.bic.org/statements/prosperity-humankind

[6] Transformative Leadership Education Staff. “Unite, Decide, Thrive: Using Consultation to Improve Decisions” (Free Online Course). Transformative Leadership Education. https://tinyurl.com/courseconsultation

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.

239 Days in America, Day 108: July 27, 1912 | Dublin

The Modern Science of Breeding Better People 1

‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ WALKED WITH Agnes Parsons from Day-Spring up the hill towards Tiny May where he sat on the grass near some trees. They spoke about Agnes’s eldest son, Royall. Earlier, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had met Royall, but the boy had bolted. “He flew away from me,” ‘Abdu’l-Bahá told her, “but I was very pleased with him.” Agnes wondered how he could be pleased with her son when he had acted so badly. Royall was mentally handicapped.

As Agnes and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá sat talking about Royall, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá explained why he had been pleased with her son. “He judged from what was within, not by externals,” Agnes heard him say, “that such people as Royall are pure, clear sighted, inspirational, even prophetic.” He assured Agnes that all are in God’s hands and that “there is a wisdom in this experience.”

Saturday, July 27, 1912 2

In the early morning ‘Abdu’l-Bahá went out onto the balcony. On one side was a view of an extensive field of some 40 miles and on the other a vista of green plains and verdant mountains ranging for some 16 miles. He remarked:

“If there is any justice, then what I have done for the friends will become apparent. I have done all this through the bounty and assistance of the Blessed Beauty. Otherwise, what have we Persians in common with the Americans on top of this mountain and valley in Dublin?”

A likeness of Táhirih which had been published by one of the Germans was presented to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, who said, ‘This picture is not at all authentic.’ He then spoke of the life of Táhirih.

At the invitation of Mrs Parsons, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá went to her home for lunch. In the afternoon, several of Mrs Parsons’s friends came by and were deeply impressed by the Master’s talk. From this day forward, visitors began to come in great numbers. In the afternoon Mr Parsons brought his carriage to take the Master for a ride. They drove to Lake Dublin where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá spoke to the members of the club about spirituality and the progress of this new age. When He returned He instructed that cables be sent to the Assemblies of the East.

In the evening Mr [W. W.] Harmon, a leader of the Theosophists, came from Boston to see the Master, who spoke to him about divine civilization, the influence of the Word of God and about this great Bahá’í Dispensation:

“One of the martyrs of this Cause, at the time of his martyrdom exclaimed, ‘Christ said that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak; but I say that my flesh is as happy as my spirit.’”

He spoke of the spread of civilization from the East to the West, saying:

“What a blessing God bestowed upon the Persians but they could not appreciate it! Had they not been ungrateful, the government of Persia would have ranked first in the world. I wrote to Muhammad ‘Alí Mírzá that if he would compensate for the spilled blood of the Bahá’ís and govern with justice, he would receive confirmation; otherwise, God doeth what He pleaseth. He did not listen to me. Again I wrote to Persia that so long as the nation and the government do not combine like milk and honey, prosperity and happiness are impossible. Persia will become desolate and the end result will be intervention by neighboring powers.”

Talk at Hotel Victoria, Boston, Massachusetts, 23 July 1912 3

The Bahá’í Cause covers all economic and social questions under the heading and ruling of its laws. The essence of the Bahá’í spirit is that, in order to establish a better social order and economic condition, there must be allegiance to the laws and principles of government. Under the laws which are to govern the world, the socialists may justly demand human rights but without resort to force and violence. The governments will enact these laws, establishing just legislation and economics in order that all humanity may enjoy a full measure of welfare and privilege; but this will always be according to legal protection and procedure. Without legislative administration, rights and demands fail, and the welfare of the commonwealth cannot be realized. Today the method of demand is the strike and resort to force, which is manifestly wrong and destructive of human foundations. Rightful privilege and demand must be set forth in laws and regulations.

’Abdu’l-Bahá in America, 1912-2012: Calling America to It’s Spiritual Destiny

Future results of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit

Celebrating the Centenary: The Master in America

Curated by Anne Perry

July 27, 1912

  1. Menon, Morella. “The Modern Science of Breeding Better People.” 239 Days in America, 27 July 2012, https://239days.com/2012/07/27/eugenics/. ↩
  2. ’Abdu’l-Bahá, and Mirza Mahmud-i-Zarqani. Mahmúd’s Diary: The Diary of Mírzá Mahmúd-i-Zarqání Chronicling ’Abdu’l-Bahá’s Journey to America. Edited by Shirley Macias. Translated by Mohi Sobhani. Oxford: George Ronald, 1998. https://bahai-library.com/zarqani_mahmuds_diary&chapter=5#section125 ↩
  3. ʻAbduʼl-Bahá. The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by ʻAbduʼl-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912. Edited by Howard MacNutt. 2nd ed. Wilmette, Ill: Baháʼí Publishing Trust, 1982, 238. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/promulgation-universal-peace/17#691206303 ↩