Information about the Bahá’í Faith
For full and authoritative facts on the Bahá’í Faith there is no better source than the Bahá'í World Centre website. However, if you would like brief and impartial facts then the website BBC Religion Faith Bahai may be more to your liking.
If you would like to be put in touch with a local Bahá'í then please go to the Contacts page and submit a request using the Site Contact facility. We have, however, included below a brief explanation of the Faith which has been freely adapted from Book 6 of the Ruhi Institute study circle course.
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| All the Manifestations of God came with the same purpose, and they have all sought to lead men into the paths of virtue. Yet we, their servants, still dispute among ourselves! Why is it thus? Why do we not love one another and live in unity? It is because we have shut our eyes to 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. 'Abdu'l-Bahá,
Paris Talks, Page 119 |
| Then it is plain and evident that man needs an educator, and this educator must be unquestionably perfect in all respects and distinguished above all men. 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, Page 8 |
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That which the Lord hath ordained as the sovereign remedy and mightiest instrument for the healing of all the world is the union of all its peoples in one universal Cause, one common Faith. Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, Page 212 |
| O
SON OF MAN! Bahá'u'lláh, Arabic Hidden Words No.4 |
What is the Bahá'í Faith?
The Bahá'í Faith is a world religion whose purpose is to unite all the races and peoples of the world in one universal Cause and one common Faith. Bahá’í's are the followers of Bahá'u'lláh, a name which in Arabic means "Glory of God", who they believe to be the "Promised One of all Ages" and the great spiritual educator of this age.
God is Unknowable
Bahá'u'lláh taught that God is unknowable in His Essence and far beyond our understanding. No matter how intelligent or wise we are, we cannot understand the nature of God and should not make images of Him in our mind, thinking of Him for example, as a man.
God's Eternal Covenant
Bahá'u'lláh taught that, although the nature of God is far beyond our understanding, His love touches our lives and our beings ceaselessly. His love comes to us through His Eternal Covenant. According to this Eternal Covenant, God never leaves us alone without guidance. Whenever mankind moves away from God, forgets His teachings and is in need of His help, He sends us one of His Manifestations, Who makes His Will and Purpose known to us.
Manifestations
The Manifestations of God are those special Beings Who reveal to man the Word and will of God. When we listen to Them we are responding to the call of God. Some of the Manifestations of the past were Krishna, Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad and the Báb. The Manifestation for today is Bahá'u'lláh. All Manifestations may appear in different forms, but they came from the same source.
If this is indeed true, then isn’t it our duty to look at all religions with a new eye? To decide what is true and what we believe God wants of us today, in this modern age when the whole world is a global village? If He has sent subsequent teachings and instructions, then who are we to reject them or even fight against them? Are we failing to submit to the will of God?
We have been given free will, an enquiring mind and the ability to understand and recognise the Manifestations and what they have to teach us.
We have seen how Bahá’ís view God and seen how we believe He makes His will known to us. Would you like to continue and learn about God's Messenger for today?