EVANSTON, ILLINOIS
Bahá’í Publishing 1233 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201
Copyright © 2026 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States
All rights reserved. Published 2026
Printed in the United States of America ∞ 29 28 27 26 1 2 3 4
ISBN 978-1-61851-283-3
Cover design by Carlos Esparza
Book design by Patrick Falso
Introduction
The Bahá’í Faith is an independent world religion. One of the central teachings of the Faith is the belief in the oneness of God and religion. Throughout history, God has sent Divine Educators to guide humanity and promote the advancement of civilization. Called by different names throughout the ages, God is limitless, all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-loving. Bahá’u’lláh, the Prophet-Founder of the Bahá’í Faith and the latest of these Messengers, taught that all religions are one and that they have been revealed progressively throughout history. Humanity’s spiritual, intellectual, and moral capacities have been cultivated through the successive teachings of these Founders of the world’s
religions. While each Messenger or Manifestation of God has a distinct individuality and mission, They all share a divinely ordained purpose—to educate all people, refine their character, and spiritually revitalize humanity. With the coming of each Manifestation, spiritual forces are released which, over time, increasingly permeate human affairs, providing the impulse for further development of consciousness and society.
Bahá’í principles champion the elimination of all forms of prejudice; promote the equality of women and men; the establishment of justice, unity, and peace; the elimination of the extremes of wealth and poverty; and the unfoldment of universal education. The conviction that every individual belongs to one human family is at the heart of the Bahá’í Faith. The Bahá’í writings assert that we share a common purpose—to carry forward an everadvancing material and spiritual civilization. Beyond all differences of race, culture, class, or ethnicity, regardless of differences in customs, opinions, or temperaments, every individual is a member of one gloriously diverse human family. The building up of a more unified and peaceful world requires both action and reflection. An important
Thy name is my healing, O my God, and remembrance of Thee is my remedy. Nearness to Thee is my hope, and love for Thee is my companion. Thy mercy to me is my healing and my succor in both this world and the world to come. Thou, verily, art the All-Bountiful, the AllKnowing, the All-Wise.
—Bahá’u’lláh
Create in me a pure heart, O my God, and renew a tranquil conscience within me, O my Hope! Through the spirit of power confirm Thou me in Thy Cause, O my Best-Beloved, and by the light of Thy glory reveal unto me Thy path, O Thou the Goal of my desire! Through the power of Thy transcendent might lift me up unto the heaven of Thy holiness, O Source of my being, and by the breezes of Thine eternity gladden me, O Thou Who art my God! Let Thine everlasting melodies breathe tranquility on me, O my Companion, and let the riches of Thine ancient countenance deliver me from all except Thee, O my Master, and let the tidings of the revelation of Thine incorruptible Essence bring me joy, O Thou Who art the most manifest of the manifest and the most hidden of the hidden! —Bahá’u’lláh
Illumine and hallow your hearts; let them not be profaned by the thorns of hate or the thistles of malice. Ye dwell in one world, and have been created through the operation of one Will. Blessed is he who mingleth with all men in a spirit of utmost kindliness and love.
—Bahá’u’lláh
The2purpose of religion as revealed from the heaven of God’s holy Will is to establish unity and concord amongst the peoples of the world; make it not the cause of dissension and strife. The religion of God and His divine law are the most potent instruments and the surest of all means for the dawning of the light of unity amongst men. The progress of the world, the development of nations, the tranquility of peoples, and the peace of all who dwell on earth are among the principles and ordinances of God. —Bahá’u’lláh
My hope is that through the zeal and ardour of the pure of heart, the darkness of hatred and difference will be entirely abolished, and the light of love and unity shall shine; this world shall become a new world; things material shall become the mirror of the divine; human hearts shall meet and embrace each other; the whole world become as a man’s native country and the different races be counted as one race.
—‘Abdu’l-Bahá
Thewhole earth is one home, and all peoples, did they but know it, are bathed in the oneness of God’s mercy. God created all. He gives sustenance to all. He guides and trains all under the shadow of His bounty. We must follow the example God Himself gives us, and do away with all disputations and quarrels.
—‘Abdu’l-Bahá
Everyone must show forth deeds that are pure and holy, for words are the property of all alike, whereas such deeds as these belong only to Our loved ones. Strive then with heart and soul to distinguish yourselves by your deeds.
—Bahá’u’lláh