Courtesy is emphasized by Bahá'u'lláh when dealing with everyone. Often times we have different opinions, sometimes dearly held ones, and, when consulting or just communicating ideas on Reddit, we sometimes cross the line. Even when we are in the right, we should extend courtesy to others. Generally, it is difficult to accept when one is wrong. However, it is much harder when one is treated with a lack of respect.

In many subreddits, people take pride in being rude and offensive. This should not be the case with the Bahá'í subreddit. I am not suggesting to limit discourse, but simply to make it more civil.

I made a Daily Baha’i Trivia game to help Baha’is learn more about the faith in a fun, low-stakes, and consistent way. You can play it at bahaidaily.app

Here’s a brief summary of the game:

Every day the game shows 5 new questions of varying difficulty.

Questions cover different aspects of the faith like history, people, important events, the writings, etc.

Everyone sees the same questions so it makes for a great conversation starter or group activity.

Every question and answer links back to the exact paragraph of the exact text in Baha’i Reference Library so you end up naturally exploring different works.

You can play as many times as you want throughout the day. The questions just stay the same and only change once a day.

You can see your score and how it compares to the scores of all the other play throughs of that day.

You can see how many times the game has been played that day.

You can add your email if you want to get reminded daily at 8am to play. You can unsubscribe any time to remove your email.

Alláh-u-abhá all,

As far as I know there's no teachings on specifically what word or Name we should use to refer to God with; and with our Writings in English many times using simply "God" then I assume this is perfectly acceptable. However, with understanding the power behind the Names of God, I'm curious what were the common Names used by the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh, as well as 'Abdu'l-Bahá and the Guardian. I suspect that the first three used either the Arabic Allāh (swt) or the Farsi Alláh (swt), and that perhaps the Master used "God" among Western audiences, and that the Guardian simply used "God." And if this is the case, I also wonder if the Manifestations followed the Islamic custom of saying/writing "Subhanahu wa ta'ala" after speaking/writing the Name of Allāh/Alláh (swt)?

Many thanks

The theory of relativity is one of the most unintuitive frameworks in modern science. Its primary catalyst was the observation that the speed of light remains constant regardless of the observer's frame of reference. Normally, velocities are additive: if you are in a car traveling at 60 miles per hour and throw a ball forward at 40 miles per hour, a pedestrian observes the ball moving at 100 miles per hour. With light, however, this is not the case. Einstein took this indisputable experimental fact as a non-negotiable premise and built a theory that completely redefined our understanding of space and time.

A similar paradigm shift occurs when considering the revelations of the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh. We often evaluate divine teachings against our current understanding of history and social science. When these teachings conflict with prevailing cultural norms or academic consensus, cognitive dissonance arises. However, we ought to reverse this process: by taking the divine origin and truth of these revelations as our foundational axiom, we can re-evaluate history and social science through that lens. Just as Einstein’s willingness to accept an unintuitive premise revolutionized physics, applying this prospective framework could yield truly revolutionary insights into human behavior and society.

Can anyone explain how to use the index? It only provides paragraph numbers and they are not consecutive.

Alláh-u-Abhá friends,

I am a 2nd year student at a public university studying applied mathematics. Prior to studying at this public university, I was enrolled in a prestigious university and I failed in the first year due to the coursework being too difficult and fast-paced.
A girl who I have been friends with at this public university got accepted last month to transfer to the same prestigious university I failed at.
I do my best to support her and be there for her, but I have an overwhelming jealousy towards her. It can also hurt my self esteem a lot. I have tried to tell myself that my self worth is not defined by my academics or that I should be focusing on myself. That hasn’t fully worked.
So I would like to seek wisdom on how I can conquer jealousy.

Thank you all and may the Lord bless you.

I have been a bahai all my life and I have accepted Bab as part of the bahai faith without quite really understanding His role. I know the basic explanation is to make way for "He whom shall be made manifest" and I have always lived with the assumption that the Babi laws were more or less similar to Bahai laws. Boy, was I wrong.

From the destruction of non-babi books, to restricting non-babi people from certain provinces, to property seizures and marriages dissolving if one person didn't accept the Bab, I am wondering why I am only finding out about this now.

I find these laws to be too radical and I am not really shocked that ordinary people would have been against them. I know that many iranians today bring up the assassination attempts made by the babis as a pretext to brand bahais as dangerous to this day.

One thing that studying religion has taught me is that if a manifestation says something is OK, who are we to challenge it? Even when it doesn't sit right with me, I have learned that I don't know everything. But I am also not surprised when religious extremists emerge, because they operate within this same logic.

So, what was the Bab really trying to do, given how short his tenure was and how the movement did not really extend beyond persia as a very localized movement? Is it because it's the only place with shi'is in it?

Hi. I personally am not moved much by prophecy so the argument that Bahaullah fulfills Christian prophecy doesn't land for me. I'm a Christian currently re-investigating the faith and curious what you think is the most compelling argument for it.

Do Baha'is believe in the existence of the four envoys of Imam Mahdi a concept also accepted by Twelver Shia Muslims?

Thanks...

A friend of mine raised this question and I'd like to hear your thoughts. Is it possible to accept the Universal House of Justice as the legitimate authority of the Faith, while personally disagreeing with a particular decision because it clashes with your own values?
For example, the teaching that membership of the House of Justice is for men only, while the Faith also teaches the full equality of women and men. Someone might accept the institution but feel this clashes with their own sense of equality.

I'd love to hear your answers and opinions. Thanks to everyone who takes the time to reply!

On the question of the identity of Dhul Qarnayn in the Qur’an, Bahá’u’lláh very clearly identifies him as Alexander the Great in the Tablet of the River:

“The intensity of the sorrow and grief that have befallen me during these days has left me sorely tried between the Gog of silence and the Magog of speech. I beseech God to send down an Alexander who will erect a protecting wall. Hidden allusions have been concealed in these phrases and sacred letters have been treasured up in these words.”

This is confirmed by Nader Saiedi in an essay on the subject, which you can read here: https://bahai-library.com/saiedi_book_river

But, in a passage from a tablet by Abdul Baha, he unequivocally says that Dhul Qarnayn is definitely not Alexander:

Alexander is not meant by "Dhu'l-Qarnayn";[1] rather, it is an allusion to one possessed of power. Consider how Alexander, with all his might and glory, was deprived of the fountain of life, while Khiḍr,[2] though bereft of worldly means, attained unto it and received his portion and share. Dhu'l-Qarnayn was one of the kings of Yemen and an Arab,[3] for Dhu'l-Kalá‘,[4] Dhu'l-Ḥimár,[5] Dhu'l-Qarnayn, and Dhí Yazan[6] are among the titles of the kings of Yemen. Some have erred, supposing that Alexander the Greek is intended, and this is a grievous mistake, for Dhu'l-Qarnayn was among the near servants of God, while Alexander was a Greek personage.

You can read more about this here: https://bahai-library.com/abdul-baha_various_interpretations_dhul-qarnayn.

Abdul Baha was also very critical of Alexander the Great as a historical figure, in his other writings and talks. As you can see here:

"Consider how throughout history many a king has sat on his throne as a conqueror. Among them were Hulagü Khán and Tamerlane, who took over the vast continent of Asia, and Alexander of Macedon and Napoleon I, who stretched their arrogant fists over three of the earth's five continents. And what was gained by all their mighty victories? Was any country made to flourish, did any happiness result, did any throne stand? Or was it rather that those reigning houses lost their power? Except that Asia went up in the flame of many battles and fell away to ashes, Changíz's's Hulagü, the warlord, gathered no fruit from all his conquests. And Tamerlane, out of all his triumphs, reaped only the peoples blown to the winds, and universal ruin. And Alexander had nothing to show for his vast victories, except that his son toppled from the throne and Philip and Ptolemy took over the dominions he once had ruled. And what did the first Napoleon gain from subjugating the kings of Europe, except the destruction of flourishing countries, the downfall of their inhabitants, the spreading of terror and anguish across Europe and, at the end of his days, his own captivity? So much for the conquerors and the monuments they leave behind them."
('Abdu'l-Bahá, Secret of Divine Civilization, pp. 67-68)

"He ['Abdu'l-Bahá] then gave an account of the history of the kings of the world and concluded with remarks about the death of Alexander.
""When in the city of Zor[City and district of ancient Sumer in southern Babylonia] the lamp of his life was extinguished and the last morn had dawned upon him, the wise men assembled by his corpse. One of them said, `Gracious God! The whole world could not contain this ambitious man yesterday but today a small plot of earth is sufficient to hold him.' Another remarked, `With all his greatness, glory and eloquence of speech, Alexander never advised us in such a manner as he is instructing us today with this silence.' Another said, `A few hours ago this man considered himself the sovereign of the whole world but now it has become evident that he was a servant and a subject.'""
(Mahmúd's Diary, p. 329)

How is this reconciled? How can Bahá’u’lláh and Abdul Baha be in contradiction here? Was Abdul Baha not aware of what Bahá’u’lláh had written in the Tablet of the River?

Hi. The question is in the title. Is there anyone here who entertains the idea of all of humanity being wiped out and our evolution just continues in heaven? Or do you pretty universally hold to the idea that there will be another thousand years of history at least then another manifestation and world peace and all of that? What might be the moderate Bahai outlook on this?

I have been thinking about the history of the Baha'i Faith in Germany during the Nazi period, and I would appreciate hearing the perspectives of Baha'is who have studied this history or thought seriously about its implications for our community today.

In May 1937, the Baha'i community in Germany was banned by the Nazi regime. Baha'i activities were prohibited, institutions were dissolved, and believers faced increasing restrictions. This history raises difficult questions about what happens when a government becomes increasingly authoritarian and religious freedom begins to erode.

I understand and respect the Baha'i principle of non-partisanship. I also believe that we have a responsibility to learn from history and to think carefully about the conditions in which we live. These two things do not necessarily have to be in conflict.

My question is not about supporting a political party or taking a partisan position. Rather, I am interested in how Baha'is can distinguish between remaining above partisan politics and remaining alert to developments that could threaten the freedom, safety, and well-being of individuals and communities.

Looking back at Germany in the 1930s, were there warning signs that might have helped believers understand what was coming? What lessons, if any, can we draw from the experiences of German Baha'is during that period?

More broadly, how should Baha'is think about practical preparedness if they find themselves living under a government that increasingly restricts civil liberties, targets minorities, or suppresses religious communities? Is there room for sensible preparation, historical awareness, and discussion of these possibilities without compromising our principles of non-partisanship or our respect for Baha'i institutions?

I would particularly welcome responses from Baha'is who have studied the history of our community during the Nazi period, as well as those who have reflected on the relationship between non-partisanship, moral responsibility, and preparedness in difficult circumstances.

I ask these questions sincerely and with respect for the Faith and its institutions. My intention is to learn, not to provoke. Thank you for any insights you are willing to share.

toldat mobark, Siyyid Ali Muhammad=Bab

Two years ago, I was introduced to the Baha'i Faith, and since then, the figure of its founder, Baha'u'llah, has become a prominent part of my reflections. Having studied and practiced astrology for many years before, it was natural for me to apply this knowledge to an analysis of Baha'u'llah's life and teachings and to see for myself just how great this man truly is. As a result, I published several posts on this forum. Many comments on these posts cite quotes from Baha'u'llah's teachings and quotes from followers of Baha'u'llah, claiming that astrology is not a science, but rather a collection of superstitions. It's perhaps not surprising that adherents of a particular religion eventually begin to deify the personality of its founder and dismiss the possibility that he could have been mistaken in minor matters. But above all, Baha'u'llah was a man of his time in the 19th century, when classical Newtonian mechanics reigned supreme and the laws of quantum physics had yet to be discovered. It's unlikely he spent much of his time practically studying and testing astrological concepts. It's more likely that he adopted the general scientific consensus of the time and began to rely on it.

Studying Baha'u'llah's horoscope reveals both his strengths and weaknesses, as is common to every person born on Earth. A key component of the horoscope is the planet Mars, which symbolizes a person's activity and professional pursuits. Baha'u'llah's Mars is in Gemini, and this sign represents the world of ideas, working with words, oratory, and the exchange of information, and Baha'u'llah excelled in this area. At the same time, his Mars is in exact opposition to Neptune, lending a distinct flavor to his actual achievements. In this case, Neptune blurs the focus of Mars and shifts a person's activity from worldly affairs and concerns to the realm of higher ideas and reflection. People with such a Mars have difficulty fitting into a regular work routine. It would seem that Bahá'u'lláh, coming from a wealthy and respected family, should have chosen a career in accordance with his family's traditions, but instead he chose a difficult and dangerous path. His Mars, afflicted by Neptune, left him no other option.

Having long studied marital compatibility, I can offer the following example. People with a favorable Venus easily create families and readily express and receive love from others. But if Venus is afflicted by Neptune, such a person will easily be deceived in their expectations, attracted to the wrong partners, and remain a dreamer, dreaming of unearthly love, oblivious to and unmindful of the real people around them. At the same time, he will be deeply compassionate and value the common good.

Bahá'u'lláh's Mars largely predetermined the direction of his activities and diverted him from pursuing a career in the traditional sense toward a broader perception of reality and the introduction of lofty truths into the earthly plane of society. Mars opposite Neptune is good for manifesting oneself in matters aimed at the benefit of all humanity, but in everyday situations it can often make erroneous decisions. I would not overemphasize Baha'u'llah's statements on astrology. The subsequent statements of his followers were likely largely based on his opinions on this subject.

Does anyone have a custody schedule for kids that includes Baha'i Holy Days / Holy Day observances? Bonus points if one parent is Baha'i and the other Christian. I am trying to figure out what others are doing, what might be fair, what is reasonable with regard to Holy Day observances, and which Holy Days are being included. Kids are young. Thanks in advance!

Bahá’ís believe that God’s essence is unknowable and inaccessible, and that the Manifestations of God reveal His attributes to humanity, like a mirror reflecting the sun. They also teach that all the Manifestations are essentially one.

But what exactly is a Manifestation of God, and what is its precise relationship to God?

Is a Manifestation simply a human being who perfectly reflects God’s attributes, or is there a deeper ontological relationship between the two? If God’s essence is unknowable, what does it actually mean to say that a Manifestation reveals God?

I’d appreciate a clear explanation that goes beyond metaphors like the mirror and the sun.

A little confession! 😅

I think most of us know that gossiping isn't a good thing. But let's be honest: sometimes someone hasn't even left the room yet, and we're already talking about them! 😂

As Bahá’ís, we talk a lot about love, unity, avoiding backbiting, and treating others with respect. But when someone upsets us, we disagree with them, or we simply don't like them, are our actions as faithful to these principles as our words?

One thing I appreciate about the Bahá’í teachings is their emphasis on putting spiritual principles into practice, rather than merely talking about them. Maybe the real test of our character is how we talk about someone when they're not around.

Of course, not every criticism is gossip, and sometimes problems need to be discussed. But where's the line between constructive criticism, venting, and backbiting? Honestly, do you think we Bahá’ís live up to these principles in practice? ❤️

I'm not necessarily a Bahai, but I have been heavily involved in the community in my own subregion for around 3 years and have gone to programs like Summer of Service or Youth conferences and I am currently a Animator of my own Junior Youth Group as well. The beliefs and goals for the faith align with mine and through the years it has definitely pushed me to become a better human being, making me want to continue on my path of service. However, through the past few months I have had a lot of questions that I did want to bring up to the actual Bahais in my community but for some reason I'm somewhat hesitant on doing so. It's well known of the terrifying acts that the Israeli government is conducting towards innocent Palestinians families right now. I personally have a very strong sense of moral justice due to my upbringing as a immigrant child, and every time I read articles of the terrible acts over the world, especially regarding Palestinians I feel a very heavy weight in my heart. I have gone through many of the Ruhi Institute books and I also know that Baháʼu'lláh established the holy land way before the state of Israel was created. I do believe that because of the land being so sacred to the religion it makes sense that Bahais see the land with much love and respect, especially due to the efforts of both manifestations to spread God's messages, but I can't find it in my self to overlook the actions committed by the government, even if Bahais might be more expected to keep a neutral stance on the topic. There are also some similarities I noticed with the treatment towards both Palestinians through the Israeli government and how Bahais were and are still being treated in Iran due to their faith. I am still involved but whenever I get the chance to talk about the faith or there's a chance of a friend of mines joining, it seems like I basically hold my breath and hope Israel isn't mentioned because I don't want them to be turned off and be driven away or perceive me in a different manner. I come with this matter humbly and open to any other opinions because everything regarding the faith genuinely aligns with me and I've had multiple conversations of feeling more Bahai, it is mostly regarding the actions of the Israeli government. If there is anyone that has had similar thoughts or could offer any insights it would be much appreciated.

Animation of the design https://youtu.be/F4OrEEVNTWs

Hi all. With the help of a few friends to whom I am most grateful, I wrote this paper in my free time. There statistically must be errors; I apologize for them. I may post a revised edition in time, but that may take a while. I fully welcome your thoughts. Thank you.

I rarely make posts on this app, but I have been wondering this for awhile. There's constant bad things happening like sickness, children dying, world hunger, things like that. If God loves us then why do bad things happen to people that don't deserve it?

He never associated himself with hinduism or islam. Spoke verses from both their religious scriptures.

Said to have performed miracles like healing and multiplying Food.

I've been getting contradictory answers on this when looking it up on Google, so i was hoping i could maybe get a more definitive answer here.

On one hand, I get the answer that when the next prophet recognized by Baha'i comes and establishes their religion, which will be entirely compatible with Baha'i's spiritual principles and will recognize all previous prophets including Baha'u'llah, Baha'i will effectively abolish itself and push its followers to now become followers and members of the new religion and prophet.

On the other hand I get the answer that Baha'i is meant to continuously exist forever or for however long its supposed to idk. So when future recognized prophets come and establish their own religions, Baha'i will continue existing like how Judaism exists alongside Christianity and Judaism + Christianity alongside Islam. But unlike those religions, Baha'i will continuously evolve and accept most or all the teachings of these new Prophets / Religions, even if the new religions themselves don't recognize or explicitly recognize previous prophets like Baha'u'llah, Muhammad, Jesus, Buddha, Moses, etc. This being because previous prophets sometimes weren't aware of prophets before them like Buddha not knowing about Moses, and having some spiritual foundations that aren't compatible with Baha'i.

Basically I guess what im asking is will Baha'i be the religion that gets absorbed into the next religion, which will be absorbed into the next religion, and over and over again like that. Or is Baha'i essentially the religion that stays and continuously evolves with every subsequent new prophet and most of their teachings, even if that prophet wasn't originally Baha'i, and creates their own religion that doesn't nessisarily recognize all of the previous prophets?

I've been thinking about this lately as a Bahá’í. 😊

One thing I appreciate about the Bahá’í teachings is the emphasis on putting spiritual principles into action, rather than just talking about them. Kindness, honesty, patience, forgiveness, and service to others are all wonderful ideals. ❤️

But here's the thing: it's easy to talk about being kind when everyone's nice to you. It's a little harder when someone cuts you off in traffic, your coworker drives you crazy, or a family member knows exactly which button to push. 😂

So here's my question for people of all faiths, and those with no religion at all:

How do you know if your beliefs are actually making you a better person? Is there a particular habit or experience that has helped you grow morally or spiritually?

And honestly, do you think it's possible to become so focused on following a religion that you forget the very values it was supposed to teach you? 👀

I'd love to hear your experiences and perspectives!