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Baha’i News – Wars have long been a stain on humanity’s forehead, leaving behind indescribable destruction, profound suffering, and social and economic ruin. Amidst this dark chapter of human history, Baháʼu’lláh, the Founder of the Baháʼí Faith, issued stark and repeated warnings against wars, calling for global peace and human unity. His warnings were not mere words, but a deep vision for humanity’s future, driven by His firm belief in the possibility of achieving lasting peace through the principles of unity, justice, and equality.
Baháʼu’lláh’s message was clear: wars are not a solution to any problem; rather, they are the cause of all problems. He saw armed conflicts as a manifestation of humanity’s ignorance and the absence of spirituality, emphasizing that peace can only be achieved through a radical change in hearts and minds. In one of His Tablets, Baháʼu’lláh states: “The earth, after the manifestation of the divine realities, has remained a place of wars and strife, and the fire of enmity and hatred rages in the hearts of the people of the world. How many souls have perished, how many families have been scattered, and how many countries have been destroyed.” These words carry a deep sorrow for the state of the world and a stark warning against the continuation of these tragedies.
Visions of Abdu’l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi, and Baháʼí Texts
Baháʼu’lláh’s vision for world peace continued and deepened through His successors, Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi, who provided practical interpretations and guidance for applying Baháʼí principles of peace.
Abdu’l-Bahá, the Center of the Covenant of the Baháʼí Faith and son of Baháʼu’lláh, repeatedly emphasized that unity is the true key to peace. Abdu’l-Bahá lived through World War I and witnessed firsthand the devastation it left behind. In His writings and talks, He stressed that prejudice in all its forms, whether religious, racial, or political, is the fuel for wars. Abdu’l-Bahá called for abandoning these prejudices and recognizing that humanity is one family. He states: “The foundation upon which all wars are built is misunderstanding and ignorance, and religious prejudice, and national prejudice, and racial prejudice. These are the primary causes of conflicts.” He called for the necessity of spreading knowledge and education to eliminate these prejudices.
As for Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the Baháʼí Faith, he provided an in-depth analysis of the root causes of modern wars, explaining that current global arrangements are incapable of achieving lasting peace. He affirmed that true peace requires more than just a ceasefire; it requires a radical reform of the global system based on the rule of law, a unified currency, the establishment of a supreme world court, and the organization of military forces into an international peacekeeping force. In his writings, Shoghi Effendi stressed that “lasting peace cannot be realized save through the establishment of a new world order based on divine justice and spiritual principles.”
Baháʼí texts constantly emphasize the importance of renouncing all forms of violence and conflict. In Baháʼí writings, individuals and communities are called to cultivate spirituality and unity, to work for the common good, and to resolve conflicts through peaceful means. Peace is viewed not merely as the absence of war, but as a positive state of cooperation, harmony, and mutual respect among all peoples of the world. Baháʼu’lláh asserts in one of His Tablets: “Let all associate with one another in a spirit of utmost love and fellowship. Be ye as one soul in many bodies, for ye are the rays of one Sun and the fruits of one Tree.”
Definition of the Baháʼí Faith
The Baháʼí Faith is an independent global religion founded in the mid-19th century in Persia (now Iran) by Baháʼu’lláh. The Baháʼí Faith is characterized by its emphasis on the Oneness of God, the Oneness of Religion, and the Oneness of Humanity. Baháʼís believe that all divine religions originate from one divine source, and that Messengers and Prophets are successive Manifestations of the same divine truth, each coming to guide humanity a step further in its spiritual and social evolution.
The fundamental principles of the Baháʼí Faith include:
- Unity of Humankind: The Baháʼí Faith asserts that all humanity is one family, regardless of race, color, or nationality.
- Independent Investigation of Truth: The Baháʼí Faith encourages individuals to search for truth for themselves, rather than blind imitation.
- Essential Oneness of Religions: Baháʼís believe that all divine religions have one common origin.
- Equality of Men and Women: The Baháʼí Faith believes in the full equality of both sexes.
- Harmony of Science and Religion: There is no contradiction between science and religion in Baháʼí belief.
- Compulsory Education: The Baháʼí Faith calls for the provision of education for all, men and women.
- Elimination of All Forms of Prejudice: The Baháʼí Faith calls for the eradication of religious, racial, and political prejudices.
- Establishment of World Peace: World peace is considered a primary goal of the Baháʼí Faith.
- Establishment of a Supreme World Tribunal: The Baháʼí Faith calls for the creation of an international body to resolve disputes.
- Work as Worship: If work is performed in a spirit of service, it is considered worship in the Baháʼí Faith.
The Baháʼí Faith aims to build a flourishing global civilization characterized by justice and peace, and calls upon its followers to actively work towards achieving these goals in their local and global communities.
Article Author:
Lina Ramy
Journalist and Translator
ABN Baháʼí News
Contact: lina.rame@abnnews.net
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