Lesson 4: Principles Of The Faith
Baha'u'llah's Message was heard throughout the world. His principles are being put into action by Bahais, through administration and through action. Here, we will discuss in more detail what some of these principles are and how they are taking effect with Bahais today.
For more information, please read the section in The Bahai Faith: The Emerging Global Religion on "community".
Spiritual Principles of the Bahai Faith
The Covenant between God and man is everlasting and has never changed. It appears time and again in another form, or another religion, but God has always existed and will always remind us so. Bahais do not believe that the spiritual principles have changed between religions, rather they have merely been renewed.
Because of this idea, the first spiritual concept is that of God being one. From the beginning of time He has not changed, and He will last eternally. He is the same in all religions. He is omnipotent, omniscient, all merciful, and all wise.
"How wondrous is the unity of the Living, the Ever-Abiding God--a unity which is exalted above all limitations, that transcendeth the comprehension of all created things.... How lofty hath been His incorruptible Essence, how completely independent of the knowledge of all created things, and how immensely exalted will it remain above the praise of all the inhabitants of the heavens and the earth!" (Bah'a'u'llah)The second spiritual concept held by Bahais is the belief in Prophets or Manifestations being influenced by God's word and becoming messengers to humankind. This includes believing in Zoraster, Khrishna, Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad, Baha'u'llah, etc.
"It is clear and evident ... that all the Prophets are the Temples of the Cause of God, Who have appeared clothed in divers attire. If thou wilt observe with discriminating eyes, thou wilt behold Them all abiding in the same tabernacle, soaring in the same heaven, seated upon the same throne, uttering the same speech, and proclaiming the same Faith.... Wherefore, should one of these Manifestations of Holiness proclaim saying: 'I am the return of all the Prophets,' He, verily, speaketh the truth. In like manner, in every subsequent Revelation, the return of the former Revelation is a fact, the truth of which is firmly established...."(Baha'u'llah).Because of believing in God's Covenant as eternal, the spiritual concepts stay the same. These include things such as not stealing, killing, or committing adultery. Baha'u'llah states that we are noble beings, and can only become so if we follow moral principles given to us by the messengers. Baha'u'llah has given us specific moral guidelines in the Kitab-i-Aqdas, or Book of Laws.
"In creation there is no evil, all is good. Certain qualities and natures innate in some men and apparently blameworthy are not so in reality. For example, from the beginning of his life you can see in a nursing child the signs of greed, of anger, and of temper. Then, it may be said, good and evil are innate in the reality of man, and this is contrary to the pure goodness of nature and creation. The answer to this is that greed, which is to ask for something more, is a praiseworthy quality provided that it is used suitably." (Abd'u'lBaha)The fourth spiritual concept is that of life after death. Bahais believe that after one dies, their soul goes to a different world or realm. It is neither heaven nor hell but it is the soul's journey to become nearer to God. They continue on this journey eternally. If their soul has been well developed during this life time, they will be closer to God when they die, or in heaven. If it has not, they will be very far from God, which is hell. However, we cannot tell what these worlds will be like.
"The world beyond is as different from this world as this world is different from that of the child while still in the womb of its mother." (Baha'u'llah)The fifth spiritual concept is that of prayer and fasting. Bahais fast for nineteen days out of the year, not eating or drinking after sunrise or before sunset. This is a small material sacrifice for God. Bahais are also asked to pray and meditate every morning and evening. The only prayer that is required to recite every day is the obligatory prayer. There are three different obligatory prayers to choose from: short, medium, and long. They are all to be said at different times of the day after performing ablutions.
"The core of religious faith is that mystic feeling that unites man with God. This state of spiritual communion can be brought about and maintained by means of meditation and prayer. And this is the reason why Bahá'u'lláh has so much stressed the importance of worship. It is not sufficient for a believer to merely accept and observe the teachings. He should, in addition, cultivate the sense of spirituality, which he can acquire chiefly by the means of prayer." (Shoghi Effendi)The spiritual concepts of the Bahai Faith are what likens it to the other religions of the world. It is the guidance needed for all from God.
