- Home
- Traditions
- Bahá'í Faith
Tradition
Bahá'í Faith
One God, one human family, and religion revealed progressively through history.
Introduction
The Bahá'í Faith was founded by Bahá'u'lláh (1817–1892) in Persia and is now practised worldwide. Its core teachings are the oneness of God, the oneness of religion — understood as progressive revelation through successive Manifestations of God including Abraham, Moses, Buddha, Zoroaster, Jesus, Muhammad, the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh — and the oneness of humanity.
Bahá'í scripture consists of the writings of Bahá'u'lláh, above all the Kitáb-i-Aqdas (Most Holy Book, cited by paragraph), the Kitáb-i-Íqán (Book of Certitude), the Hidden Words (short Arabic and Persian passages, cited by number) and the collection Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh (cited by section). The writings of his son 'Abdu'l-Bahá, such as Paris Talks and Some Answered Questions, are also authoritative.
The Guide cites these texts by paragraph, number or section and links to the Bahá'í Reference Library.
Primary scriptures
The Most Holy Book — Bahá'u'lláh's book of laws and principles, cited by paragraph.
Brief Arabic and Persian meditations on the spiritual life.
Selected passages on God, revelation, the soul and society, cited by Roman-numeral section.
The Book of Certitude, on progressive revelation and the interpretation of scripture.
Major concepts
Progressive revelation
God educates humanity through successive Manifestations; religions are chapters of one story.
Oneness of humanity
'The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens' — Bahá'u'lláh.
Independent investigation of truth
Each person is responsible for seeking truth rather than inheriting belief.
Harmony of science and religion
Both are seen as complementary ways of knowing.
The soul's journey
Death as a 'messenger of joy'; the soul continues to progress after separation from the body.
Relevant passages
Passages the Guide cites for the questions in the library, each linked to a public reference edition.
Forgiveness
'Breathe not the sins of others so long as thou art thyself a sinner.'
'Consort with all religions with amity and concord.'
Death & the afterlife
'I have made death a messenger of joy to thee. Wherefore dost thou grieve?'
The soul after separation from the body continues to progress until it attains the presence of God.
Suffering
'My calamity is My providence... inwardly it is light and mercy.'
Adversity in God's path as a means of growth.
Purpose of life
'Created me to know Thee and to worship Thee.'
'All men have been created to carry forward an ever-advancing civilization.'
'I loved thy creation, hence I created thee.'
Meaning of life
'Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value.'
'I loved thy creation, hence I created thee.'
Created to carry forward an ever-advancing civilization.
God & ultimate reality
'God, the unknowable Essence... is immensely exalted beyond every human attribute.'
The Manifestations as mirrors of God's attributes.
Progressive revelation and the unity of the Prophets.
Enemies & conflict
'Consort with all religions with amity and concord.'
Against disputing idly and seeking to advance oneself over one's brother.
'Be fair to yourselves and to others, that the evidences of justice may be revealed.'
Love
'I knew My love for thee; therefore I created thee.'
'Love Me, that I may love thee.'
Right & wrong
Justice is 'the best beloved of all things'; see with your own eyes.
First duty: recognise God's Messenger and observe every ordinance.
'Observe My commandments, for the love of My beauty.'
Peace & stillness
'There is no peace for thee save by renouncing thyself and turning unto Me.'
No rest 'save in submission to Our command and humbleness before Our Face'.
'Remembrance of Me cleanseth all things from defilement.'
Grief & loss
'I have made death a messenger of joy to thee. Wherefore dost thou grieve?'
'My dominion perisheth not; wherefore fearest thou thy perishing?'
The soul after separation from the body continues to progress toward God.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Bahá'í Faith a branch of Islam?
No. It arose in a Shi'a Islamic context in Persia but is an independent religion with its own founder, scripture, laws and institutions.
Do Bahá'ís accept other religions' scriptures?
Yes. Bahá'ís regard the founders of the major religions as Manifestations of God and their scriptures as divinely inspired for their age.
How are Bahá'í texts cited?
The Kitáb-i-Aqdas by paragraph (¶), the Hidden Words by language and number (Arabic 27), Gleanings by section (CIX).
Ask the Guide about Bahá'í Faith
Answers are AI-assisted, drawn from nine traditions and linked to original sources. No account needed.
The Scripture Guide uses artificial intelligence to help organize and explain religious texts and traditions. AI-generated responses may contain errors or omissions. When accuracy is important, consult the original scripture and authoritative sources.