God
The Unknowable Essence, the Divine Being
Supreme Deity
Place of Origin: Persia (modern-day Iran)
Origin Date: Founded in the mid-19th century (1863)
Domain: Creator of all existence
Symbols: The Greatest Name (calligraphic rendering of the Arabic text: يا بهاء الأبهى)
Attributes: Omniscient, Omnipresent, Almighty, Eternal
Epithets: All-Glorious (Bahá), O Thou Glory of Glories (Yá Bahá’u’l-Abhá).
Equivalents: There are no direct equivalents in other religions, as the Bahá'í concept of God is unique.
Religion: Bahá'í Faith
Sacred Texts: The Kitáb-i-Aqdas, The Hidden Words, The Seven Valleys, The Book of Certitude (Kitáb-i-Íqán)
Iconography: God is not depicted in visual art, as the faith emphasizes the transcendence and unknowability of God
Relations: Manifestations of God (e.g., Bahá'u'lláh, the Báb)
Description
The Bahá'í Faith teaches that God is an unknowable essence who is the source of all creation. God is described as eternal, omniscient, omnipresent, and almighty. The faith follows the tradition of monotheism and believes that God periodically provides divine messengers, known as Manifestations of God, to guide humanity. These Manifestations include figures like Abraham, Krishna, Zoroaster, Moses, Buddha, Jesus Christ, Muhammad, the Báb, and Bahá'u'lláh.
Narratives
The central narrative of the Bahá'í Faith revolves around the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh, who is considered the most recent Manifestation of God. Bahá'u'lláh's writings emphasize the oneness of humanity, the importance of spiritual and moral development, and the unity of all religions.
The Compassion of Bahá’u’lláh
Among the crowd that hurled abuse at Bahá’u’lláh and pelted Him with stones, an old woman stepped forward with a stone in her hand to strike at Him. Although frenzied with rage, her steps were too weak for the pace of the procession. Bahá’u’lláh turned to the guards and said, "Suffer not this woman to be disappointed. Deny her not what she regards as a meritorious act in the sight of God." This act of compassion highlights Bahá’u’lláh's immense empathy and understanding.
The Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh
Bahá’u’lláh's life and ministry are marked by His revealing holy verses and the fierce opposition that led to His banishments from Iran to Baghdad, to Constantinople, to Adrianople, and finally to the prison city of 'Akká. These stories illustrate His steadfastness and the transformative power of His teachings.
The Healing of Mr. Matteson
During a gathering, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the son of Bahá’u’lláh, touched a young man named Mr. Robinson on the shoulder, blessing him. Another man, Mr. Matteson, who was searching for spiritual truth, thought to himself that if ‘Abdu’l-Bahá did the same to him, he would believe. Later, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá returned and placed His hands on Mr. Matteson's shoulders, leading him to become one of the most faithful followers of Bahá’u’lláh.
The Humility of Mirza Abu'l-Fadl
Mirza Abu'l-Fadl, an outstanding scholar, initially read the Kitáb-i-Íqán with intellectual superiority and was unimpressed. However, when asked to write a simple letter for a woman, he found himself unable to compose even the first sentence. This humbling experience led him to recognize the profound wisdom in Bahá’u’lláh's writings and become a devoted follower.
Worship Beliefs and Practices of God in the Bahá'í Faith
God in the Bahá'í Faith is the ultimate, unknowable, and transcendent being, the creator of the universe, and the source of all existence. The Bahá'í Faith emphasizes the oneness of God and the unity of all religions.
Core Beliefs
Oneness of God: Bahá'ís believe in the oneness of God, who is limitless, all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-merciful. God is one and the same, regardless of the different names and attributes ascribed to Him by various religions.
Manifestations of God: Bahá'ís believe that God communicates with humanity through a series of divine messengers or manifestations, including Abraham, Moses, Krishna, Buddha, Jesus Christ, Muhammad, the Báb, and Bahá'u'lláh. These manifestations are seen as educators who reveal God's will and guide humanity.
Unity of Religion: Bahá'ís hold that all major world religions come from the same divine source and teach an identical truth. The differences in religious practices and teachings are seen as adaptations to the needs of the time and place in which they were revealed.
Oneness of Humanity: The Bahá'í Faith emphasizes the unity of humanity and the abolition of all forms of prejudice. Bahá'ís believe that all people are equal and should work together to build a just and peaceful world.
Attributes and Significance
Transcendence and Unknowability: God is beyond human understanding and cannot be fully comprehended. However, God's attributes can be reflected in the world and in human qualities such as love, justice, and mercy.
Divine Educators: The manifestations of God are seen as divine educators who reveal God's will and guide humanity towards spiritual and moral development.
Central Role in Worship: God is the central focus of Bahá'í worship and devotion. The teachings and writings of the manifestations of God are studied and revered as expressions of God's will.
Practices of Worship
Daily Prayers: Bahá'ís are encouraged to pray daily. There are three obligatory prayers to choose from, and each Bahá'í is required to recite one of them each day. These prayers are a means of drawing closer to God and seeking His guidance.
Reading Sacred Texts: Bahá'ís regularly read and study the writings of Bahá'u'lláh, the Báb, and other central figures of the Bahá'í Faith. These texts are considered divine revelations and provide spiritual guidance.
Meditation and Reflection: Bahá'ís are encouraged to meditate and reflect on their actions and the teachings of their faith. This practice helps them align their lives with the principles of the Bahá'í Faith.
Festivals and Traditions
Nineteen Day Feast: The Nineteen Day Feast is a regular gathering held every nineteen days, where Bahá'ís come together for worship, consultation, and socializing. It is an essential aspect of community life and spiritual development.
Holy Days: Bahá'ís observe several holy days throughout the year, including the Birth of Bahá'u'lláh, the Birth of the Báb, Naw-Rúz (Bahá'í New Year), and Ridván (the festival commemorating Bahá'u'lláh's declaration of his mission). These days are marked by special prayers, gatherings, and celebrations.
Fasting: During the month of `Alá' (March 1-19), Bahá'ís observe a period of fasting from sunrise to sunset. This fast is a time of spiritual reflection, prayer, and self-discipline.
The worship beliefs and practices of the Bahá'í Faith emphasize the oneness of God, the unity of humanity, and the importance of spiritual and moral development. Through daily prayers, reading sacred texts, and participating in community gatherings, Bahá'ís seek to draw closer to God and contribute to the betterment of the world.