adminFlora Teckie
Correspondent
On May 23rd, the Bahá’ís of Harare join the Bahá’í communities worldwide to celebrate the 177th anniversary of the founding of their Faith.
The Bahá’í Faith traces its origin to 1844 and the announcement by the Báb that He had been sent by God to prepare humanity for the appearance another Divine Messenger even greater then Himself.
The Báb said the one whose coming He foretold would be the universal Messenger of God sent to inaugurate an age of justice, peace and enlightenment.
Bahá’ís consider the Báb to be both an independent Messenger of God and the forerunner of Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í Faith. In 1863 Bahá’u’lláh announced that He was the universal Divine Messenger foretold by the Báb.
Bahá’ís believe that, Bahá’u’lláh is the latest in the line of Messengers of God and that He delivered a new Revelation from God to humanity.
Bahá’u’lláh revealed a series of books, tablets and letters that today form the core of the Holy Writings of the Bahá’í Faith.
Bahá’u’lláh outlined a framework for the development of a global civilization which takes into account both the spiritual and material dimensions of human life.
In His Writings, Bahá’u’lláh’s offers spiritual guidance as well as directives for personal and social conduct.
The Writings of Bahá’u’lláh are designed to reshape the divisive society of the present world and usher in an era of universal peace.
“His vision of humanity as one people and of the earth as a common homeland . . . has today become the focus of human hope”. From His words, the worldwide Bahá’í community draws its inspiration, discovers its moral bearing and derives creative energy.
In His Writings, Bahá’u’lláh confirm that there is only one God, the Creator of the universe and its absolute Ruler.
Although people may pray to God in different languages and call Him by different names, nevertheless they have in mind the same Almighty Creator.
The reality of God, in the Bahá’í view, is beyond our understanding, although we may find expressions of His attributes in every created thing. “It is . . . the underlying principle of all religions, that God is one, that He is the Father of us all, that we are all immersed in the ocean of His mercy and sheltered and protected by His loving care”, state the Bahá’í Writings.
It is a central theme in Bahá’u’lláh’s message that humanity is one, that the diversity of ethnic backgrounds adds to the beauty and perfection of the whole, and that the day has come for the unification of humanity into one global society.
Bahá’ís believe that with unity, a unity that welcomes and honours the full diversity of mankind, the problems which humanity is facing today, can be solved.
Bahá’u’lláh says: “The well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established”.
The Bahá’í beliefs also address such themes as the oneness of all major world religions, freedom from prejudice, the inherent nobility of human beings, the progressive revelation of religious truth, the development of spiritual qualities, the integration of worship and service, the fundamental equality of the men and women, the harmony between religion and science, the centrality of justice to all human endeavours, the importance of education, and the dynamics of the relationships that are to bind together individuals, communities, and institutions as humanity advances towards its collective maturity.
Through inspiration from the teachings Bahá’u’lláh brought to humanity, Bahá’ís worldwide, work to improve their own lives and contribute to the advancement of civilisation.
An important concept in His teachings is that refinement of our inner character and service to humanity must go hand in hand.
For example, Bahá’ís are not only expected to pray and reflect daily in their personal lives, but also to make effort to bring a devotional spirit to their surroundings.
Bahá’ís regard the ‘love of mankind’ and service to its interests as the worthiest and most laudable objects of human endeavour”.
Bahá’ís are urged to have a high sense of moral rectitude in their activities, purity, chastity and integrity in their individual lives, and complete freedom from prejudice in their dealings with people of every race, nationality, class or religion.
Daily prayer and communion with God is considered, as the foundation for a life devoted to spiritual growth and advancement.
The Bahá’í community is one of learning and action, free from any sense of superiority or claim to exclusive understanding of truth. It is a community that strives to cultivate hope for the future of humanity, to foster purposeful effort, and to celebrate the endeavours of all those in the world who work to promote unity and alleviate human suffering.
Bahá’ís live in tens of thousands of localities in every continent of the globe. Viewed together they can be said to represent the diversity of the entire human family.
The Bahá’í Faith does not have a priesthood or professional clergy. Bahá’í communities are administered and guided by elected institutions which operate at local, national and international levels.
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