‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s answer to the question of what a Bahá’í is can be disconcertingly simple, to love all the world and try to serve it, and disconcertingly hard: a soul must be Bahá’í and not only a tongue, and a person who has carried the name for fifty years without living the life has never been one. Shoghi Effendi writes that true faith in this age is no mere acknowledgement of the unity of God but a life that shows forth the virtues such belief implies, and that Bahá’ís must justify their claim by deeds, not by name. The deeds are specific: care for the stranger as for one’s own, healing salve for the one who stabs you, service to people whatever their faith. James’s question about a brother left without food or clothing by someone wishing him well presses the same test of profession against practice [1]. The way forward runs through good deeds and the gap between words and deeds, through kindness and consorting with all, and along the spiritual path where becoming a Bahá’í never quite ends.
They should justify their claim to be Baha'is by deeds and not by name. He is a true Baha'i who strives by day and by night to progress and advance along the path of human endeavour, whose most cherished desire is so to live and act as to enrich and illuminate the world, whose source of inspiration is the essence of divine virtue, whose aim in life is so to conduct himself as to be the cause of infinite progress. … For in this holy Dispensation, the crowning glory of bygone ages and cycles, true faith is no mere acknowledgement of the unity of God, but rather the living of a life that will manifest all the perfections and virtues implied in such belief.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1905-Apr or <, to Baha'is of Tihran et al -- AB00171)
02
Care for the stranger as for one of your own; show to alien souls the same loving kindness ye bestow upon your faithful friends. Should any come to blows with you, seek to be friends with him; should any stab you to the heart, be ye a healing salve unto his sores; should any taunt and mock at you, meet him with love. Should any heap his blame upon you, praise ye him; should he offer you a deadly poison, give him the choicest honey in exchange; and should he threaten your life, grant him a remedy that will heal him evermore. Should he be pain itself, be ye his medicine; should he be thorns, be ye his roses and sweet herbs.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1906-May-17, to Baha'is of Alabama -- AB00915)
03
Being a Baha'i means following the divine teachings and walking the path of the people of the Kingdom. One's soul must be Baha'i, not just one's tongue. Being a Baha'i is not easy - it is very difficult.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1921-Aug-16, to Joseph Nitshi -- AB06245)
04
In name and letter, in the hidden and manifest, in form and garment, in mystery and appearance, in the concealed and revealed, in deed and word and conduct - in all these become truly Baha'i.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1900 or <, to Muhammad Ali Khan Baha'i -- AB06111)
05
Every receptive soul who hath in this Day inhaled the fragrance of His garment and hath, with a pure heart, set his face towards the all-glorious Horizon is reckoned among the people of Baha in the Crimson Book.
(Bahá’u’lláh, Kitab-i-'Ahd (Book of the Covenant) -- BH00003)
06
Every soul who in this Day manifesteth spiritual qualities is accounted among the people of Baha.
(Bahá’u’lláh, ca. 1289-1290?, to Umm-i-Haram (mother of Gawhar Khanum) -- BH08715)
07
Such souls are worthy of association with the Most Glorious Beauty. A Baha'i means one who possesses all human perfections. Lethargy and attachment to this mortal world deprive one of all bounties and prevent divine inspirations.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1904-Sep or <, to Hakim, Husayn (Muhammadabad) et al -- AB00144)
08
These souls are Baha'i, they are divine, they are luminous, they are of the All-Merciful. They cast no shadow, but are rather light from head to foot.
In the same way a believer cannot prove he is of the faithful simply by announcing himself to be a Baha'i. Only by serving and sacrificing, and by dedication to the needs of others whether they are Baha'is or not, can a Baha'i prove that he is of the people of Baha.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Ali-Kuli Khan spoken in 1900 -- ABU1910)
10
If a man is named a "Bahai" but his deeds do not assert the fact, what is the use of that? The balance, or standard, is action. A Bahai is to be known by his actions, not only by his words and pretensions.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Wilson, Engelhorn, Stewart, Brittingham, spoken around 1909-Oct-23 -- ABU0714)
11
He whose deeds do not accord with his words is not a true Baha'i.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to pilgrims in June 1906 -- ABU2799)
12
Just as light appear through an illumined lamp, likewise these deeds must appear from a person who calls himself a Baha'i; otherwise one does not become a Baha'i by merely acknowledging the station of Baha'u'llah...
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken at Rue St. Didier 30 in Paris, 1913-Feb-24 -- ABU0956)
The available source contains an omission or incomplete wording; sentence boundaries need review.
13
On being a Baha'i He said: "Up to now, to believe was to acknowledge, to make a confession of faith, but in this greatest of all Causes, believing means to have praiseworthy qualities and to perform praiseworthy acts."
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken ca. 1913, unidentified passage from Mahmud's diary -- ABU3506)
14
If a soul is not severed, if he is not pure and holy, if he is not thoughtful of others, if he is not radiant, if he is not divine, if he is not god-like and celestial, -- no one can say he is a Baha'i. It will be only a name and not the reality.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on board the SS Baron Call at sea, 1913-Dec-03 -- ABU3277)
15
He said, Tell them a Baha'i is a person who is free from all prejudices—racial prejudices, religious prejudices, political prejudices, social prejudices, economic prejudices. A Baha'i is one in whom the human perfections are active.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words recorded by Miss Boylan spoken around 1911-Aug-25 -- ABU3501)
16
The real, true Baha'is are the seeing, the perceptive, the knowing; their most noble task is that they make good use of the grace of understanding and refine the conscience of men everywhere, thus paving the way for the Kingdom of God on earth. For love and peace bring heaven down to earth.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken to Miss St. in Aug 1910 -- ABU3332)
17
Question: "What is the Baha'i Faith?"
Answer: "Trust in God. Be kind to thy fellowmen. Fill the world with the spirit of Love. The Spirit of Faith in a Baha'i is very strong. His trust is on the Grace of the Holy Spirit."
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Interview with five American teachers, Haifa, 1914-Jul-21 -- ABU3416)
18
My belief is the oneness of humanity - that is, all created beings are God's sheep and God is the kind Shepherd of these sheep. All people, of whatever religion or creed, are human beings. We have no objection to or quarrel with religions. We simply call all to the oneness of humanity.
… First is the independent investigation of truth, second is the oneness of humanity, third is that religion must be the cause of love and fellowship - if it is not the cause of love and fellowship it has no purpose, fourth is that religion must accord with science, fifth that religious prejudice, sectarian prejudice, racial prejudice and national prejudice destroy the foundation of humanity - all people are God's sheep and of one race and the earth is one homeland, sixth that one must be free of all imitations and hold fast to the foundation of divine religions, seventh is unity of language - one language must be chosen or newly invented that will be universal so that misunderstandings between religions and races and nations will disappear, and likewise the equality of men and women, and likewise the spread of sciences and knowledge, and likewise the union of women and men among all religions and nations, and likewise justice and equity, and likewise political unity and so forth.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1919-Dec-06, to Wilhelm Heydorn -- AB07457)
19
A.B. This movement is neither a Sect nor a Mohamadan denomination. It is the religion of love and brotherhood toward all humanity.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Interview with reporter from ``Die Leit", Grand Hotel in Vienna, 1913-Apr-22 -- ABU0878)
20
According to our faith whosoever investigates independently the reality, he is a Baha'i, although he may not know this himself.
… A person may claim to be a Baha'i or may be known as a Baha'i for all his life and may not know at all what a Baha'i means. Another person may never have heard the name Baha'i and may at the same time practice all the attributes which are necessary to make one a Baha'i. That is why his holiness Christ says, those who are not against us are with us. You must know the tree by its fruits.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to a vistor, spoken at Grand Hotel on 1913-Apr-20 -- ABU0763)
21
"It makes no difference whether you have ever heard of Baha'u'llah or not," was the answer, "the man who lives the life according to the teachings of Baha'u'llah is already a Baha'i. On the other hand a man may call himself a Baha'i for fifty years and if he does not live the life he is not a Baha'i.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken in Sep. 1911 in London -- ABU3033)
22
Question: Are not all Christians Baha'is? Is there any difference?
Answer: When Christians act according to the teachings of Christ, they are called Baha'is. For the foundations of Christianity and the religion of Baha'u'llah are one.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Public address given at Parsons home on 1912-Aug-06 -- ABU0086)
23
Certainly one may belong to a church, be a member of a Christian society and continue to call one's self a Baha'i, because the teachings of Baha'u'llah in no way conflict with the teachings of Christ. They are in perfect harmony. One accepts the true teachings of all true disciples of God. It is not necessary even to label one's self. One may call one's self a Baha'i and in no way live the life, on the other hand one may live the life and never be known as a Baha'i.
Mr. Lawson. Would this idea imply an abandonment of the denominational associations?
Abdul Baha. No, no one will give up his affiliation with his own religion, but the point is made they will hold more tenaciously to the fundamental of their own religion.
… Do you adhere to any particular denomination? Are you a Mussulman, or did you inherit any other religion?
… Being a Bahai, my affiliation is with all religions.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Interview with W. A. Lawson of the Sacramento Bee, Hotel Sacramento, 1912-Oct-26 -- ABU0365)
25
A student of the modern methods of the higher criticism asked Abdu'l-Baha if he would do well to continue in the church with which he had been associated all his life, and whose language was full of meaning to him.
Abdu'l-Baha answered: "You must not dissociate yourself from it. Know this; the Kingdom of God is not in any Society; some seekers go through many Societies as a traveller goes through many cities till he reach his destination. If you belong to a Society already do not forsake your brothers. You can be a Baha'i-Christian, a Baha'i-Freemason, a Baha'i-Jew, a Baha'i-Muhammadan. The number nine contains eight, and seven, and all the other numbers, and does not deny any of them. Do not distress or deny anyone by saying 'He is not a Baha'i!' He will be known by his deeds. There are no secrets among Baha'is; a Baha'i does not hide anything."
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken in Sep. 1911 in London -- ABU2303)
26
Every community finds the reality of its principles in this Cause. The Baha'i Cause is like a tree and these various communities, or gatherings or societies, are branches. When you compare the tree with the branches you find every branch in the tree, and this is the Baha'i Cause. … It comprehends all contrarieties. For example: these ministers of Christian denominations are against the Masonic Order, and the Masonic Order is against the Jesuits. The Baha'i is on good terms with all of these -- there are no quarrels and each person finds all in the Baha'i Cause.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Mr. Raymond, spoken on 1912-Oct-07 -- ABU2306)
27
While in Europe, I always proclaimed, 'The Cause of Baha'u'llah embraces all the past Dispensations and manifests all their benefits to human society. It is like a tree that has many strong branches. The Faith of Baha'u'llah contains all the teachings beneficial to the world of humanity and will profit every segment of society.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to some friends, spoken on 1914-Dec-01 -- ABU1991)
28
Today the Baha'i Tree has sprung up from the root of all the former prophetic Trees. To serve this Tree, to irrigate this Tree, is to serve and irrigate all the other Trees.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Saidol Molk, spoken on board the SS Baron Call at sea, 1913-Dec-04 -- ABU1089)
29
The Cause of Baha'u'llah is the same as the Cause of Christ. For example this room is now lighted, but some one comes in and turns off the light through his ignorance, and we are steeped in darkness. Then another person coming in and hearing voices and lamentation turns on the lights and the room is again illumined.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Madame Scaramuchi, spoken at Rue St. Didier 30 on 1913-Feb-20 -- ABU3052)
30
The Baha'i message is a call to religious unity and not an invitation to a new religion, not a new path to immortality, God forbid!
It is the ancient path cleared of the debris of imaginations and superstitions of men, of the debris of strife and misunderstanding and is again made a clear path to the sincere seeker, that he may enter therein in assurance, and find that the Word of God is one Word, though the Speakers were many.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, From an article by Dr. Edward Getsinger published in Jam-i-Jamshid, March 1914 -- ABU2950)
31
Convey affectionate greetings to all the divine friends in Hamadan, both Jewish and Muslim, and say that the terms "Jewish" and "Muslim" are incomplete expressions. I hope these titles will be completely forgotten and the term "Baha'i" will become everyone's designation, so difference and distinction may be entirely eliminated. All these figurative communities should melt like iron in the furnace of reality from the fire of God's love and be cast in a single mold. If this is done and "Baha'i" is said, these multiple designations are unnecessary - the single designation that testifies to reality, which is the word "Baha'i", suffices.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1919-Dec-08, to Doctor Habibullah Muayyid son of Khudabakhsh -- AB00827)
32
The Blessed Beauty has provided the means for the unification of the world of humanity and has removed religious and social conflicts. No longer is a person to be defined by such labels as Jewish or Christian. All are embraced by the effulgence of the Faith, and all dwell beneath the tabernacle of unity.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to the friends spoken in Dec. 1907 -- ABU3293)
33
If the people ask thee whether thou art English or French, tell them I am a Baha'i.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Mona DeBons, spoken on 1913-Oct-16 -- ABU2718)
34
Even if one is not a believer, one acknowledges that this law is truly like the spirit in the human world. It promotes itself without people becoming believers. For example, previous religious laws were abrogated without people becoming believers. These laws superseded religious law, itself was superseded, and civil law came in place of religious law.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1915-Jul-19 in Haifa -- ABU1163)
35
Now it behooves Persians to engage in one more experiment, that is, to act according to the Teachings of the Blessed Beauty. They need not become Baha'is if they do not wish to; they simply need to act according to the Teachings of Baha'u'llah. Were they to do so, they would see what results are obtained in a very short time.
I consider him [Tolstoy] a Baha'i, a real Baha'i, because he lived and acted in accord with the good-pleasure of Baha'u'llah, because he divided all his estate between himself and his farmers.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1913-Oct-02 in Ramleh -- ABU2934)
37
Thou hast asked whether to enlist in the Socialist party. The Baha'is must be in the Baha'i Cause which comprehends all the degrees and is perfect from every standpoint.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1912-Aug-26, to Mary Shuster -- AB11555)
38
In answer to my question regarding what should be done for people who have become interested in the Cause and then have lost their interest the Master said:
"It is because you do not finish with them. They have their old superstitions and their hearts are attached to them; after a while they become cool again. They must have a new birth as His Holiness Christ said. They must become Bahais. That only their idea that Bahais are good is not enough. People are ignorant, they must become wise; they are blind, they must have sight; they are deaf, they must find hearing; they are sick, they must be treated; their children must arrive at maturity; they are earthly, they must become heavenly,-then they will become Bahais."
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Hannen, Latimer et al, spoken on 1912-Jul-31 -- ABU2657)
39
The believers must not expect anything from one another; they must expect only from Baha'u'llah. If they are sad they must not express it. When they see each other, they must feel the vibration of the heat. That is the condition of being a Bahai.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken ca. 1912-Oct-20 in Los Angeles -- ABU1475)
40
The Baha'i Movement bestows upon man a new spirit, a new light and a new motion. It enlarges the sphere of thought. It illumines the horizon of the intellect. It expands the arena of comprehension. This is the ultimate goal of human life. This is the fruit of existence. This is the brilliant pearl of cosmic consciousness. This is the shining star of spiritual destiny...
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to a group of American students, spoken at Rue Lauriston 97 on 1913-Mar-25 -- ABU1777)
The available source contains an omission or incomplete wording; sentence boundaries need review.
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41
For the Cause is not a system of philosophy; it is essentially a way of life, a religious faith that seeks to unite all people on a common basis of mutual understanding and love, and in a common devotion to God.
(14 Nov. 1935 on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, in Lights of the Spirit p.100)
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42
Religion is more than a belief, it is a way of life that needs daily renewing and a constant rededication, as well as deep study.
(30 Sep. 1949 on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, quoted in "Our Spiritual Growth at the World Centre", 25 Nov. 1982)
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43
If the Prophets of God only came to this world in order to answer people's questions, and elucidate all the 'nonsense', for the most part, that people have gotten together and formed into cults and philosophies, they would have no time to instruct man by their example and through their teachings in a new way of life.
LG#1822 (22 Apr. 1954 on behalf of Shoghi Effendi)
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44
When asked on one occasion: "What is a Baha'i?" 'Abdu'l-Baha replied: "To be a Baha'i simply means to love all the world; to love humanity and try to serve it; to work for universal peace and universal brotherhood." On another occasion He defined a Baha'i as "one endowed with all the perfections of man in activity." In one of His London talks He said that a man may be a Baha'i even if He has never heard the name of Baha'u'llah. He added: The man who lives the life according to the teachings of Baha'u'llah is already a Baha'i. On the other hand, a man may call himself a Baha'i for fifty years, and if he does not live the life he is not a Baha'i.
Those who declare themselves as Baha'is should become enchanted with the beauty of the teachings, and touched by the love of Baha'u'llah. The declarants need not know all the proofs, history, laws, and principles of the Faith, but in the process of declaring themselves they must, in addition to catching the spark of faith, become basically informed about the Central Figures of the Faith, as well as the existence of laws they must follow and an administration they must obey.
M63-86 18.4, LG#257, Ruhi6.3.27, Ruhi6.3.5 (13 Jul. 1964 from the Universal House of Justice)
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46
If we make the requirements too rigorous, we will cool off the initial enthusiasm, rebuff the hearts and cease to expand rapidly. The essential thing is that the candidate for enrolment should believe in his heart in the truth of Baha'u'llah. Whether he is literate or illiterate, informed of all the Teachings or not, is beside the point entirely. When the spark of faith exists the essential Message is there, and gradually everything else can be added unto it.
(9 July 1957 on behalf of Shoghi Effendi)
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47
I would only venture to state very briefly and as adequately as present circumstances permit the principal factors that must be taken into consideration before deciding whether a person may be regarded a true believer or not. Full recognition of the station of the Forerunner, the Author, and the True Exemplar of the Baha'i Cause, as set forth in 'Abdu'l-Baha's Testament; unreserved acceptance of, and submission to, whatsoever has been revealed by their Pen; loyal and steadfast adherence to every clause of our Beloved's sacred Will; and close association with the spirit as well as the form of the present day Baha'i administration throughout the world.
BA.090
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48
The Baha'i Community shall consist of all persons recognized by the Universal House of Justice as possessing the qualifications of Baha'i faith and practice.
CUHJ.08
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49
One's beliefs are an internal and personal matter; no person or institution has the right to exert compulsion in matters of belief. Since there is a wide range of meanings in the Sacred Scriptures, there are bound to be different ways in which individuals understand many of the Baha'i teachings. Nevertheless, it is necessary for the viability of the Baha'i community that its members share a common understanding of essentials. This implies a commitment by each member to function within the framework established by such an understanding.
(26 Apr. 2001 on behalf of the Universal House of Justice, quoted here)
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50
One of the main reasons why the Faith does not advance more rapidly is because the friends have not learned to live with, and work within the framework of the Administrative Order. Either they crystallize it into too set a form, or they rebel against what they feel to be a System, and do not give it sufficient support.
LDG1.275 (30 May 1952 on behalf of Shoghi Effendi)
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51
All are welcome to enter the community's warm embrace and receive sustenance from Baha'u'llah's life-giving message. No greater joy is there, to be sure, than for a soul, yearning for the Truth, to find shelter in the stronghold of the Cause and draw strength from the unifying power of the Covenant. Yet every human being and every group of individuals, irrespective of whether they are counted among His followers, can take inspiration from His teachings, benefiting from whatever gems of wisdom and knowledge will aid them in addressing the challenges they face. Indeed, the civilization that beckons humanity will not be attained through the efforts of the Baha'i community alone.
Ridvan.2010
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52
Baha'is will come increasingly to appreciate that the Cause they serve represents the arrowhead of an awakening taking place everywhere, regardless of religious background and indeed among many with no religious leaning. (One Common Faith, p.iii)
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53
As the believers invite growing numbers of individuals to participate in a united effort to apply Baha'u'llah's Teachings to the construction of a divine civilization, it becomes clear that the process of becoming a Baha'i is best viewed as a continuum--based on independent investigation, engagement in service, and increasing understanding--rather than as dichotomous states of membership and non-membership.
(28 Sept. 2014 on behalf of the Universal House of Justice)
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