What Bahá’ís Believe
The teachings of the Bahá’í Faith inspire individuals and communities as they work to improve their own lives and contribute to the advancement of civilization
Bahá’u’lláh the Divine Educator
“As to the most great characteristic of the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh — a specific teaching not given by any of the Prophets of the past — it is the ordination and appointment of the Center of the Covenant. By this appointment and provision He has safeguarded and protected the religion of God against differences and schisms, making it impossible for anyone to create a new sect or faction of belief.”
~ Abdu’l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 455-456
Unique among the worldʻs religions, Bahá’u’lláh provided instructions for the establishment of an ongoing authoritative source of guidance for the people of the world.
The Life of the Spirit
“Wert thou to attain to but a dewdrop of the crystal waters of divine knowledge, thou wouldst readily realize that true life is not the life of the flesh but the life of the spirit…”
Baha’u’llah’s Revelation affirms that the purpose of our lives is to know God and to attain His presence. Our true identity is our rational soul, whose free will and powers of understanding enable us to continually better ourselves and society.
God and His Creation
“Every created thing in the whole universe is but a door leading into His knowledge…”
~ Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, pp. 160
The Bahá’í Writings explain that the reality of God is beyond the understanding of any mortal mind, though we may find expressions of His attributes in every created thing.
Essential Relationships
“The fundamental purpose animating the Faith of God and His Religion is to safeguard the interests and promote the unity of the human race, and to foster the spirit of love and fellowship amongst men.”
Realization of the principle of the oneness of humanity is at once the goal and operating principle of Bahá’u’lláh’s revelation.
Universal Peace
“The well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established.”
~ Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, pp. 286-287
The Bahá’í Writings are replete with references to universal peace — “the supreme goal of all mankind” — as well as explanations of the social principles with which this peace is associated.
