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Today's date: April 20, 2024 • 13 Jalál, 181 BE
Bahá’u’lláh was the founder of the Bahá’í Faith, which advocates for universal peace, equality among all peoples, harmony between science and religion, and the essential oneness of God and His messengers through an ever unfolding process of divine revelation.
Bahá’u’lláh is the most recent Manifestation of God, and His teachings represent a continuation of the long process of spiritual education that God has been directing for thousands of years. Bahá’ís recognize Muhammad, Jesus, Buddha, Moses, Zoroaster, Krishna and Abraham among the many divine teachers sent to mankind in the past. Bahá’u’lláh taught that each of these Messengers spoke with the unchanging voice and authority of God, and that each brought a message tailored to the people and culture of their day. Because the capacity and the needs of mankind change over time so too have religious laws and customs varied; but each Messenger of God spoke for the same purpose, our spiritual education and attainment to a relationship with God. Bahá’u’lláh authored a significant number of tablets, prayers and books during His 40-year ministry covering a wide range of topics. His primary works are the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, the Most Holy Book, the Kitáb-i-Íqán, His primary theological work, The Seven Valleys, His "greatest mystical composition" and The Hidden Words which is a collection of short utterances that encompass the spiritual truths revealed to all the Prophets of old. Throughout His ministry Bahá’u’lláh was repeatedly imprisoned and exiled. Born in present-day Iran He was exiled first to Baghdad, then Constantinople, followed by Adrianople, and ultimately to the prison city of ‘Akká, (present-day Israel), where He spent the final 24 years of His life. His burial place is a destination of pilgrimage for Bahá’ís, and the World Centre sits nearby in Haifa. |
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Science and religion: God endowed men and women with reason so that they could discover truth. Bahá’u’lláh taught that science and religion are complimentary branches of knowledge that do not contradict one another when properly understood, and that religious teachings which are at variance with science should not be accepted. An explicit teaching of Bahá’u’lláh requires Bahá’ís to seek and follow the advice of competent doctors in matters of health. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá has stated: "acquisition of sciences and the perfection of arts are considered as acts of worship. If a man engages with all his power in the acquisition of a science or in the perfection of an art, it is as if he has been worshipping God in the churches and temples". Equality of men and women: In the sight of God there is no distinction between men and women, they are spiritually equal. Any differences in capacity or skills that exist today are not inherent, but due to differences in opportunity or education. It is a great injustice when women or any group are systemically disadvantaged compared to another. When women are not treated equally to men and are not granted equal opportunities, mankind as a whole suffers as a result. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá states that when women reach a degree and status equal to men that this will bring about a permanent end to war. Universal education: Bahá’u’lláh taught each person must be educated, He said: "Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit therefrom." And by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá: "When all mankind shall receive the same opportunity of education and the equality of men and women be realized, the foundations of war will be utterly destroyed. Without equality this will be impossible because all differences and distinction are conducive to discord and strife." Elimination of all forms of prejudice: Prejudice is described as being the cause of every ruinous war, a disease capable of destroying mankind if not arrested. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá talking on this subject said: "All prejudices, whether of religion, race, politics or nation, must be renounced, for these prejudices have caused the world’s sickness." Every Bahá’í is called upon "to endeavour with a fierce determination to eliminate this defect from his thoughts and acts." Elimination of the extremes of wealth and poverty: Bahá’u’lláh taught that men and women were created by God for a purpose, and that extreme poverty arrests the opportunities of education, work and contribution to society that is meant to help each individual realize this purpose. On the other hand the dangers of riches are spoken of in past religions, the degree to which we find comfort in or hold love for riches in our hearts is the degree we cannot hold love a for God or our fellow man. Bahá’ís seek to establish the unity of mankind not through conquest but by promoting and bringing hearts together around a common set of ideals, to achieve the common purpose of the betterment of all mankind. What unites us as a human family is greater than anyone or anything that seeks to divide us. These are just a few of Bahá’u’lláh's teachings for today. Explore more... |
April 20 in Bahá’í history: [edit]
13 Jalál in Bahá’í history: [edit]
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bahai.org |
Official website of the worldwide Bahá’í community. |
news.bahai.org |
Official news source of the worldwide Bahá’í community. |
bahai.org/library |
The authoritative online source for the Bahá’í writings. |