(Bahá’u’lláh, Suriy-i-Vafa (=Lawh-i-Vafa), to Shaykh Mulla Muhammad Husayn Vafa -- BH00354)
A universe abundant with life: wonder and the limits of knowledge
plenitude; the pervasiveness of life in the cosmos
Editorial introduction
Our globe is very small, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá observes, and yet it teems with living things; can the vast bodies hanging in limitless space be empty? Bahá’u’lláh had already said that the creation of God embraces worlds besides this world and creatures apart from these creatures, each fixed star with its planets and each planet a world among the worlds of the Lord, with messages sent to every one of them. What those creatures are like, and how far they have developed, is left unspecified; the elemental worlds of composition and decomposition are distinguished from the world of the Kingdom; the number of planets, Bahá’u’lláh writes, has not yet been fully discovered, and the science is a fathomless ocean. Where a pilgrim imagines railways to other planets, a later letter cautions against turning possibility into prediction. Psalm 104, with its sea full of creeping things and its creatures waiting on God for their food, keeps the same wonder close to the ground [1]. To ask what a text affirms, what its imagery suggests and what remains open to inquiry is a discipline that continues into the celestial spheres, the planets and astronomy, and the purpose that gives all this motion its end.
Selected passages
Although this globe of ours is very small, yet it has all these living beings--can it be imagined that these tremendous bodies hanging in the limitless atmosphere are without inhabitants? The creation of God is infinite. The worlds of God are numberless.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Mrs Rosenberg, Cropper, and Heron, spoken 97 Cadogan Gardens on 1913-Jan-20 -- ABU1707)
As to thy question regarding the planets, when thou asketh whether the planets that orbit their central suns through the power of attraction possess creatures like those of earth: Know that in the clear text of the Qur'an, God hath given a complete and sufficient explanation that delighteth the ears, saying that in the creation of the heavens and the earth and whatever creatures He hath spread forth in both of them. He explicitly states that in both heaven and earth there exist beings that move by will. Without doubt or uncertainty, every being that moves by will must either possess animal life or human reality.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1908-Apr-15, to Mulla Abdu'llah Fadil Zarqani (Rafi) -- AB00501)
The world, i.e. the universe, is eternal. The earth is but one planet where natural life is millions and millions of years old.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken ca. 1909-1910 -- ABU0170)
This universe is not created through the fortuitous concurrences of atoms; it is created by a great law which decrees that the tree bring forth certain definite fruit. Verily, this universe contains many worlds of which we know nothing.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá -- ABU2415)
The earth has its inhabitants, the water and the air contain many living beings and all the elements have their nature spirits, then how is it possible to conceive that these stupendous stellar bodies are not inhabited? Verily, they are peopled, but let it be known that the dwellers accord with the elements of their respective spheres. These living beings do not have states of consciousness like unto those who live on the surface of this globe: the power of adaptation and environment moulds their bodies and states of consciousness, just as our bodies and minds are suited to our planet.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá -- ABU0654)
(Bahá’u’lláh, Ishraqat (Splendours), 1302-11-09 [1885-Aug-20], to Mirza Jalil Khu'i -- BH00053)
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1290 [1873] or earlier, to Siyyid Muhammad Al-Husayni (son of Siyyid Jafar Yazdi) -- BH01828)
When the Blessed Beauty stated that if someone does not slaughter animals and is content with vegetables it is certainly better, He did not prohibit it because it is impossible for humans not to consume animals, since in every water, plant and fruit there exist animals which humans cannot avoid consuming - the only difference is in degree of strength and weakness.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to a visitor, spoken at Baltimore Hotel on 1913-May-17 -- ABU3023)
However the grandeur and majesty of God is shown through His spiritual works and realities and not so much [by] the signs of life on this planet.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Shaykh Yousef and others, spoken on 1915-Feb-21 -- ABU0441)
It would now be fitting to prepare the means of travel to other planets!
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1913-Feb-19 in Paris -- ABU3758)
How large is the Creation of God! How stupendous is His machinery! How infinite is His dominion! How majestic is His divine system! How imperial is His Holy Court!
Were it possible to build a heavenly railway; were it possible to invent an aeroplane to establish communication between the various planets many marvelous discoveries would have been achieved. Then the inhabitants of the earth could associate with the denizens of other spheres.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken at Rue St. Didier 30 in Paris, 1913-Feb-16 -- ABU2615)
The philosophers who have interpreted the age of the world to be many thousands of years have not in this period enumerated the planets. … And for every fixed star there are planets, and for every planet there are creations whose number the enumerators are powerless to count.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1299-07-12 [1882-May-30], to Mulla Muhammad Ali -- BH00328)
Concerning what thou didst ask about the earth and what the wise have said about it: in truth these matters have not yet been fully discovered. This is the truth, and beyond it is naught but error. However, the philosophers of this age, having received a portion of the light of this Manifestation, are more knowledgeable than those who came before. They have not yet fully discovered the number of planets; soon it shall be revealed and added to the previous count. This science is a fathomless ocean. Each fixed star has its planets, and each planet is a world among the worlds of thy Lord. Who can count the hosts of thy Lord therein, or the creations of His servants therein?
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1301 ? [1883-1884], to Ali Akbar -- BH00722)
Each of these stars is like unto the sphere of earth and is inhabited by living beings with the utmost grandeur. Although this earthly sphere is small, it containeth many different species - consider then how much more those great celestial bodies must contain! Living beings exist in each according to its composition, and assuredly none are void.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1908-Nov-02, to Helen S Goodall -- AB09727)
Rather, they are worlds, as this world of ours. But they differ in their bodies, by the difference of elements, from this earthly body. They differ in their formation. The beings existent upon these bodies are according to their formation.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1902-Aug-15, to Isabella D Brittingham -- AB10282)
Each of the celestial stars has its own particular nature. This earth, which is infinitely small in comparison, is not empty and purposeless - how much more so these great luminous celestial bodies! The Qur'an clearly states: "And among His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the living creatures He has scattered through them both." It says "in them both" not "in it" - clearly indicating that living creatures exist in both, since "creature" refers to a living, moving being.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1921-Mar-17, to Avaz Muhammad Sanai Sangsari -- AB03635)
But these endless planets are all from the world of matter and their being is bound by composition and decomposition, whereas the world of the Kingdom is sanctified from composition and decomposition. However, it is clear that every vessel has it contents, every dwelling its dweller, every rose-garden a flower and every orchard a tree and a nightingale. Certainly these vast worlds are not empty and void, and their creation has not been vain and futile.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1912-Mar-14, to Nur Muhammad Khan (Kirman) -- AB01847)
It is also true in the vegetable- even cotton has a feeling. It has been proved that is has a certain motion- it has been proved practically.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken at Haifa Pilgrim House, 1920-Oct-23 -- ABU0475)
Further quotations · supplied wording and references
...the creatures which Baha'u'llah states to be found in every planet cannot be considered to be necessarily similar or different from human beings on this earth. Baha'u'llah does not specifically state whether such creatures are like or unlike us. He simply refers to the fact that there are creatures in every planet. It remains for science to discover one day the exact nature of these creatures.
LG#1581 (9 Feb. 1937 on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, commenting on Gleanings#82)
As you rightly state, Baha'u'llah affirms that every fixed star has its planets, and every planet its own creatures. The House of Justice states however, that it has not discovered anything in the Baha'i Writings which would indicate the degree of progress such creatures may have attained.
(From a letter on behalf of the Universal House of Justice, 11 Jan. 1982, cited in a Research Dept. memorandum of 20 Oct. 1987, quoted here)
These numberless globes, however, all belong to the world of elements, whose beings are subject to composition and decomposition. The world of the Kingdom is free from composition and decomposition. Nonetheless, it is clear that every container hath its contents, every place its dimensions, every bouquet its flowers, and every garden its songbirds. These great existents are certainly not void and empty of life, nor is His creation vain and futile.
AvK1.144, AvK1.281; PC00515
...'Abdu'l-Baha stated there are other worlds than ours which are inhabited by beings capable of knowing God.
(31 Mar. 1949 on behalf of Shoghi Effendi)
As to you question whether the power of Baha'u'llah extends over our solar system and to higher worlds: while the Revelation of Baha'u'llah, it should be noted, is primarily for this planet, yet the spirit animating it is all-embracing, and the scope therefore cannot be restricted or defined.
LG#1594 (14 Jul. 1938 on behalf of Shoghi Effendi)
There is no record in history, or in the teachings, of a Prophet similar in station to Baha'u'llah, having lived 500,000 years ago. There will, however, be one similar to Him in greatness after the lapse of 500,000 years, but we cannot say definitely that His Revelation will be inter-planetary in scope. We can only say that such a thing may be possible. What Baha'u'llah means by His appearance in 'other worlds' He has not defined, as we could not visualize them in our present state, hence He was indefinite, and we cannot say whether He meant other planets or not...
LG#1555 (24 Dec. 1941 on behalf of Shoghi Effendi)
This is the 'Coming of Age' of this planet. Just as America was discovered, so other planets may be discovered and in conjunction with them, we will become a member of a greater entity.
(Pilgrim notes of Agnes Alexander, April 22 - May 12, 1937, p.4)
Abraham Lincoln's vision for the United States is comparable to Baha'u'llah's vision for the whole world. Now it is possible for a man to conceive of a greater destiny for the United States, a destiny incorporating her in the Federation of World States, encompassing the whole world. This is comparable to that Prophet who may appear after 500,000 years, and who would do the same thing for the planets.
(Maxwell pilgrim notes, Jan-Mar 1937, p. 14)
After five hundred thousand years, it may sound preposterous but what he would describe as interplanetary unity may be possible - it is even probable that in three or four thousand years there may begin interplanetary communications with beings, not human beings.
(Maxwell pilgrim notes, Jan.-Mar. 1937, pp. 41-42)
He was asked if interplanetary unity would be the goal of future Dispensations or if it might be achieved in the Dispensation of Baha'u'llah. He answered it would be a goal of the future but science is developing so fast that it was difficult to know how soon it would come, but it might at least soon be possible to observe life on other systems that are in various stages of development - some lower and some higher than ours.
(Pilgrim notes of John and Valera Allen, 1954, p. 12)
The Guardian spoke about America's primacy-- but that more suffering was needed. We are struggling to attain a world civilization and world unity. I asked: And will all this lead to interplanetary unity? "Of course," he said emphatically, "After that, interplanetary unity." I said: But we have an awful lot to do here so as to reach a unity!" "Of course - I was just about to say this!", said the Guardian. The human race will become fused into one, one color, etc.
(Pilgrim notes of Virginia Orbison, 1956)
After chanting the divine verses that morning, and also rendering praise and thanksgiving to Baha'u'llah, the Master began to speak of the grandeur of this momentous age and perspicuous dispensation, as well as the manifold wonders of this unprecedented time. In the course of this discussion, He remarked, "It would now be fitting to prepare the means of travel to other planets!"
(Badayi'u'l-Athar, vol. 2, p. 146)
Existence is life, and all things are alive and living.
(Abdu'l-Baha, provisional translation, AvK1.203; KHT2.100)
There is not anything in the Cosmos, nor has been through all time from the first foundation of the universe; neither in the whole nor among the several things contained in it, that is not alive.
(Corpus Hermeticum, Lib. xii:15b, p. 233, W. Scott trans.)
...all things are filled full of life, and, we may say, boiling with life. They all flow, in a way, from a single spring...
Plotinus, Enn.VI.7.12
He was good, and in him that is good no envy ariseth ever concerning anything; and being devoid of envy He desired that all should be, as far as possible, like unto Himself. ["...being free from jealousy, desired that all things should be as like himself as they could be." -- Jowett trans.]
(Plato, Timaeus 29E and Pelikan, "What Hath Athens to Do with Jerusalem?" pp.41 and 71)
...all imitate the First Principle as far as they are able by tending to everlastingness and generosity. How then could the most perfect, the first Good, remain in itself as if it grudged to give of itself or was impotent, when it is the productive power of all things?
Plotinus, Enn.V.4.1
And if the term 'Differentiation' be also applied to the bounteous act of Emanation whereby the Divine Unity, brimming Itself with goodness in the excess of its Undifferenced Unity thus enters into Multiplicity...
(Pseudo-Dionysius, in Rolt, p.71)
But if you have the power to see with the eyes of the mind, then, my son, He will manifest himself to you. For the Lord manifests himself ungrudgingly through all the universe; and you can behold God's image with your eyes, and lay hold on it with your hands.
(Corpus Hermeticum, Lib. v:2, p. 159, W. Scott trans.)
Continue exploring
- celestial spheres [aflak]; planets; astronomy
- teleology; goal-directed motion
Consider the relation between cosmic order and worlds beyond present knowledge.
For thought and discussion
Questions to carry forward
- How do these passages expand the scale of our imagination while also marking limits to what is known?
- What distinctions should we keep among material worlds, spiritual worlds, and possible future contact?
- How does Psalm 104’s attention to earthly and marine life enrich a discussion that reaches toward other worlds?
- What difference does it make to read a Tablet, an explanatory letter, a pilgrim note, and a philosophical speculation according to its own source status?
- How might wonder about life beyond our world deepen our care for the forms of life and the unfinished work of unity before us?