The Baha'i Faith is a monotheistic religion founded in the mid-19th century by Bahá'u'lláh in Persia (modern-day Iran). It emphasizes the spiritual unity of all humankind. It teaches that there is one God who has revealed his will through a series of prophets or manifestations, including Jesus, Muhammad, and Bahá'u'lláh himself.
Unveiling Belief: The Baha'i Faith and Practices
March 31, 2025
Published by Morris Neilson-Ruiz
The Baha'i Faith is a monotheistic religion founded in the mid-19th century by Bahá'u'lláh in Persia (modern-day Iran). It emphasizes the spiritual unity of all humankind. It teaches that there is one God who has revealed his will through a series of prophets or manifestations, including Jesus, Muhammad, and Bahá'u'lláh himself.
Key principles of the Baha'i Faith include:
Unity of God: Baha'is believe in one, all-powerful God who is the source of all creation.
Unity of Religions: The religion teaches that all major world religions come from the same divine source and share common goals. The teachings of these prophets build upon one another.
Unity of Humanity: Baha'is advocate for global peace, equity, and the eradication of prejudice. They believe in the oneness of humanity, asserting that all people are equal regardless of race, nationality, or religion.
Elimination of Prejudice: A fundamental focus of the Baha'i Faith is the elimination of racial, gender, and religious prejudice. Baha'is strive for social justice and equality.
Independent Investigation of Truth: Followers are encouraged to seek truth independently, rather than relying solely on tradition or authority.
Universal Education: The faith emphasizes the importance of education for all, advocating for universal access to knowledge and learning.
Global Governance: Baha'is support the establishment of a global society where nations cooperate and work towards world peace.
Personal Spiritual Development: The Baha'i Faith encourages individual spiritual growth through prayer, meditation, and service to humanity.
Baha'is do not have clergy or rituals but practice their faith through community activities, service, and study. They celebrate several holy days and observe a 19-day fast each year.
The Baha'i community is diverse, with followers from various cultures and backgrounds around the world, currently numbering in the millions. The Baha'i administrative structure is democratic, and decisions are often made collectively through elected councils. The religion's headquarters, the Bahá'í World Centre, is located in Haifa, Israel.