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Flora Teckie
Correspondent

Yesterday (Sunday November 7) was the 204th anniversary of the birth of Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í Faith.

Bahá’ís of Harare joined the Bahá’í communities in over one hundred thousand localities worldwide, to celebrate this event.

Born in 1817 in Persia, Bahá’u’lláh showed extraordinary qualities from an early age, and became renowned for his knowledge and for insight into the difficult passages of Holy Scriptures, although he had not attended any school.

It was not his knowledge alone which attracted the people to him.

His loving nature and modesty won the hearts of all who knew him. As he grew up, he became known as the defender of the oppressed and the refuge of the poor.

Though he was brought up in riches and comfort, he showed no attachment to the material things around him and gave of his wealth freely to the needy.

Bahá’u’lláh — meaning the “Glory of God” — began at age 27 an undertaking that has gradually captured the imagination and loyalty of several million people from virtually every race, nation, class, and culture on earth.

Baha’is recognise Baha’u’llah as the divine educator and the Messenger of God to the age of human maturity.

As in the case of the other Messengers of God, Bahá’u’lláh was the direct recipient of Revelation from God.

Revelation, in the Bahá’í view, is the infallible and direct conveyance of God’s creative Word that is accessible only to the Messengers of God who transmit it to mankind.

This innate, divinely revealed knowledge enables them to establish laws and teachings that correspond to human needs and conditions at a given time in history.

The Writings of Bahá’u’lláh constitute over 100 volumes.

These form the Sacred Scriptures of the Bahá’í Faith. From His words, the worldwide Bahá’í community draws its inspiration, discovers its moral bearing and derives creative energy.

His Writings offer spiritual guidance as well as directives for personal and social conduct.

They are designed to reshape the divisive society of the present world and usher in an era of universal peace.

Bahá’u’lláh confirms that there is only one God.

Although people may pray to God in different languages and call Him by different names, nevertheless they have in mind the same Almighty Creator. Bahá’u’lláh says “… the peoples of the world, of whatever race or religion, derive their inspiration from one heavenly Source, and are the subjects of one God”.

The belief and conviction that we all belong to one human family is at the heart of the Bahá’í Faith.

The principle of the oneness of humankind is “the pivot round which the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh revolve.

According to the Bahá’í Writings, with unity, a unity that welcomes and honours the full diversity of mankind, the problems which face humanity today, can be solved.

In this regard Bahá’u’lláh writes:

“The well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established” and “So powerful is the light of unity,” is His further testimony, “that it can illuminate the whole earth”. He further affirms that the unification of mankind, the last stage in the evolution of humanity towards maturity is inevitable . . . and he regards the ‘love of mankind’ and service to its interests as the worthiest and most laudable objects of human endeavour”.

While reaffirming the core ethical principles common to all religions, Bahá’u’lláh also revealed new laws and teachings to lay the foundation of a global civilisation.

His Writings cover a vast range of subjects from social issues such as the oneness of humanity, racial integration, the equality of men and women, and disarmament — to those questions that affect the innermost life of the human soul.

His teachings also address such themes as the freedom from all types of prejudice, the inherent nobility of the human being, the progressive revelation of religious truth, the crucial need for development of spiritual qualities, the importance of integrating worship and service, the centrality of justice to all human endeavours, and the dynamics of the relationships that are to bind together individuals, communities, and institutions as humanity advances towards its collective maturity.

The worldwide Baha’i community, composed of people from virtually every racial, ethnic and religious background, is working to give practical expression to Bahá’u’lláh’s vision of a peaceful and prosperous world.

They endeavour to improve their own lives in accordance with the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, and contribute to the advancement of civilisation.

Their community is one of learning and action, free from any sense of superiority or claim to exclusive understanding of truth.

It is a community that strives to cultivate hope for the future of humanity, to foster purposeful effort, and to celebrate the endeavours of all those in the world who work to promote unity and alleviate human suffering.

Harare Bahá’í community welcomes everyone to join hands with them in building better communities and creating a peaceful and prosperous world civilization.

For feedback please contact: [email protected] , [email protected]

Website: www.bahai.org