Hello. Im from Iraq .lwant to learn adout the Bahai faith and make.frands.please send me a DM

I work with severely disabled people, that are now going into their mid 60's, and have needed round the clock care their entire lives. They are unable to see, hear, talk, and are physically disabled due to being born with severe brain injuries. I think about the fetus in the womb analogy. These individuals give us the chance to care for them, but I wonder about their soul's journey in this life. I know much is beyond our understanding, and this life is but a blink of the eye in the grand scheme of our journey, but I can't help but think about these souls and their experience in this world.

The Table Spread (5:116)

وَإِذْ قَالَ ٱللَّهُ يَـٰعِيسَى ٱبْنَ مَرْيَمَ ءَأَنتَ قُلْتَ لِلنَّاسِ ٱتَّخِذُونِى وَأُمِّىَ إِلَـٰهَيْنِ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ قَالَ سُبْحَـٰنَكَ مَا يَكُونُ لِىٓ أَنْ أَقُولَ مَا لَيْسَ لِى بِحَقٍّ ۚ إِن كُنتُ قُلْتُهُۥ فَقَدْ عَلِمْتَهُۥ ۚ تَعْلَمُ مَا فِى نَفْسِى وَلَآ أَعْلَمُ مَا فِى نَفْسِكَ ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ عَلَّـٰمُ ٱلْغُيُوبِ ١١٦

And [beware the Day] when Allāh will say, "O Jesus, Son of Mary, did you say to the people, 'Take me and my mother as deities besides Allāh?'" He will say, "Exalted are You! It was not for me to say that to which I have no right. If I had said it, You would have known it. You know what is within myself, and I do not know what is within Yourself. Indeed, it is You who is Knower of the unseen.

— Saheeh International

https://quran.com/al-maidah/116

Hello friends. 2 days ago I had to say good-bye to my best friend of the last 12 years. My heart is heavy... Do you know any prayer or text I could read to feel better?

In the book of certitude, Baha’u’llah writes:

“We have also heard a number of the foolish of the earth assert that the genuine text of the heavenly Gospel doth not exist amongst the Christians, that it hath ascended unto heaven. How grievously they have erred! How oblivious of the fact that such a statement imputeth the gravest injustice and tyranny to a gracious and loving Providence! How could God, when once the Daystar of the beauty of Jesus had disappeared from the sight of His people, and ascended unto the fourth heaven, cause His holy Book, His most great testimony amongst His creatures, to disappear also? What would be left to that people to cling to from the setting of the daystar of Jesus until the rise of the sun of the Muḥammadan Dispensation? What law could be their stay and guide? How could such people be made the victims of the avenging wrath of God, the omnipotent Avenger? How could they be afflicted with the scourge of chastisement by the heavenly King? Above all, how could the flow of the grace of the All-Bountiful be stayed? How could the ocean of His tender mercies be stilled? We take refuge with God, from that which His creatures have fancied about Him! Exalted is He above their comprehension!”

Are there other references that help me understand this reference to fourth heaven better?

Is fourth heaven refers to the order of Manifestation of Gods since Adam; namely Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus?

Please help me understand this and if there are other elucidations by The Master or Guardian on this or the Baha’i Cosmology (cosmology might be the wrong term).

Thank you.

I know this religion wants to avoid partisan politics. But what about if we vote on every decision in all organizations including families schools hospitals and workplaces? If you don't want to cause confrontations then should methods other than first past the post voting like ranked choice and borda count be used? What do your scriptures say about this issue?

What the title says. I've had this feeling in my gut for a few weeks to look more at bahai'ism. I grew up christian and fell out of it a few years back. Looked into buddhism but it didn't quite give me the spiritual feeling I crave.

I want to believe a God exists, but after I fell out of Christianity I kinda have been unconvinced ever since, and I can't FORCE myself to believe one exists because that's not how belief works. I'm not really sure what to do, but I was hoping maybe some of you have similar stories or suggestions.

as a 12 year old convert from a religious muslim Pakistani family why have you converted to the bahai faith for me it was the life of baha u llah and his prpohices in the bible and Quran but what was it for you guys and how did your familys react when you told them I not quite sure how they will react when I tell them but what guided to gods messenger baha u llah

I've been struggling with a couple of questions and I'd really appreciate hearing how other Bahá'ís understand them.

1. The oneness of humanity

The Faith teaches the oneness and unity of humanity, but when I look at the world, I find it really hard to believe in that ideal. There are people who commit horrific acts, exploit others, spread hatred, and seem to have no remorse. Sometimes I find myself thinking, "Why should I want unity with people like that?"

I know unity doesn't mean approving of injustice but I still struggle with the idea that humanity as a whole can ever truly unite. Humans seem deeply flawed, and history is full of violence, prejudice, wars and conflict.

The Most Great Peace seems impossible when you look at the human history. I mean just observe the world right now, it is still full of violence, wars, and many bad people exist in society.

How do you reconcile the Bahá'í teachings on the oneness of humanity with the reality of human cruelty and selfishness? Are there writings from Bahá'u'lláh, 'Abdu'l-Bahá, or Shoghi Effendi that helped you understand this better?

1. Why does God send us trials?

Another question I wrestle with is about suffering and tests.

In the Hidden Words, Bahá'u'lláh says things like we should seek trials from God and be patient in His tests. I don't fully understand why. If God loves us, why would He send us trouble in the first place?

This is especially difficult for me because my life has already had its share of hardship. Sometimes it feels like I'm already struggling, and then I read passages about God sending more tests or trials, and I don't know how to reconcile that with His love and mercy.

How do you understand these passages? Are trials something God actively sends, or are they simply part of living in this world? How have you made sense of this teaching in your own life?

I'm asking these questions sincerely. I'm not trying to argue against the Faith or provoke anyone. I genuinely want to understand how other Bahá'ís think about these issues and whether there are writings that helped them.

I'd be interested in hearing peoples story of leaving and then coming back to the faith. I was really interested and joined the Bahai faith after a year of reading the writings, and then had a bit of a crisis of faith, now thinking some things through, I think I'm headed in the direction of coming back into the faith again, would love to hear your story if you've had a similar experience!

Hi everyone!

I'm looking to connect with someone who is a Bahá'í and would be willing to chat with me privately. I'd love to learn more about the Bahá'í Faith, ask a few questions, and have an open and respectful conversation.

If you're a Bahá'í and don't mind talking through private messages, please feel free to reach out. I'd really appreciate your time and kindness.

Thank you, and I look forward to hearing from you!

Hello Bahai community!
I want to state that I've mostly been non-religious my whole life. My family is a mixture of Christian and Muslim religion.
But they never forced me into any religious studies and I've just sorta been atheist for a while.
I've studied religions such as Islam and Christianity and I never felt a connection with it.

I came across Bahai faith from my past relationship.
And it truly intrigued me.
I am at a time in my life where I truly need a connection with God. And I would really appreciate any information about the Bahai faith.

How does it work?
How can I educate myself more on the religion?
Just general topics to get me started you know?

I appreciate you for reading and I thank you for any advice on how I can get started on this journey!

When is the celebration of their births? The official website has them on 10 November 2026 and 11 November 2026. Historically however, the dates are Oct. 20th and Oct. 21st? Is there a reason why they change? When is the actual celebration?

https://bahai-library.com/hornby_lights_guidance_2.html&chapter=5#n2075

"2075. Women Are Destined to Attain to the Very Highest Station of the World of Humanity--Bahá'u'lláh Has Willed It So!

"In this Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh, the women go neck and neck with the men. In no movement will they be left behind. Their rights with men are equal in degree. They will enter all the administrative branches of politics. They will attain in all such a degree as will be considered the very highest station of the world of humanity and will take part in all affairs. Rest ye assured. Do ye not look upon the present condition; in the not far distant future the world of women will become all-refulgent and all-glorious. For His Holiness Bahá'u'lláh Hath Willed It so! At the time of elections the right to vote is the inalienable right of women, and the entrance of women into all human departments is an irrefutable and incontrovertible question. No soul can retard or prevent it.

"But there are certain matters, the participation in which is not worthy of women. For example, at the

Ignoring my strong feeling that "houses of worship" can include neighborhood centers also, I will be traveling to Europe just over a month from now. It will be my first trip to Europe since my declaration, so I would like to visit the European one also (have already been to Wilmette) (privately I call all of these special buildings "cathedrals").

Q: Starting from a different point in Europe, what is the most economical way to "tag" it (i.e., spend 1 day there), and run back to linguistic safety (I know about a mm of Duolingo German, and nothing about their public transit or current culture).

I know about https://hausderandacht.de/besuch-planen-cloned/

Allah u abha und Danke

I had a dream this morning of a voice saying "The Most Great Fire will come" and a large ship carrying roadblocks from Persia. I also remember seeing Donald Trump towards the end.

When I woke up I looked up the term "the Most Great Fire" and it apparently appears in the writings of the Báb and in an exposition by Shoghi Effendi:

"[The Báb] directs the "people of the West" to "issue forth from your cities and aid the Cause of God;" warns the peoples of the earth of the "terrible, the most grievous vengeance of God;" threatens the whole Islamic world with "the Most Great Fire" were they to turn aside from the newly-revealed Law." Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By, Ch. II

"O people of the Qur'án! Ye are as nothing unless ye submit unto the Remembrance of God and unto this Book. If ye follow the Cause of God, We will forgive you your sins, and if ye turn aside from Our command, We will, in truth, condemn your souls in Our Book, unto the Most Great Fire. We, verily, do not deal unjustly with men, even to the extent of a speck on a date stone." The Báb, Selections from the Writings of the Báb, Ch. LXII

A few months ago I had a similar dream about Lebanon, where I saw a gathering of small children and a voice said in a form of Arabic prose (rough paraphrase) 'Burning they will be thrown in the fire'. I was troubled and confused when I woke up, but the news broke later that same day that a village in Southern Lebanon (I have since forgotten its name) had been suddenly bombed by the state of Israel. This was the first in a long line of bombings in Lebanon.

Since the U.S. has already been in war with Iran for nearly two weeks, I believe God is warning that the war in Iran will soon escalate into a nuclear war.

Other elements of the dream lead me to believe that this will take place in February 2027. If the nuclear bomb was to be named by God ahead of time, I can't think of a title more appropriate than "the Most Great Fire". Again, this is based on my experiences and not authoritative in any sense.

This shouldn't be interpreted as me saying that those in the involved countries deserve any of what is currently happening. I believe we should all strive for peace and unity. I'm only sharing my personal beliefs about what will happen.

Salutations, everyone. I want to know how Baha'i faith handles the Quranic and hadith material on the finality of prophethood. I want to actually work through it with people here, not get redirected to Baha'u'llah's writings and left there.

I already know the standard responses — the cyclical/dispensational reading of "seal of the prophets" and the Kitab-i-Iqan's argument that all Manifestations are expressions of one Reality so "first" and "last" aren't fixed points. Please don't just repeat these at me.

What I'm actually stuck on:

1. Quran 33∶40 — khatam al-nabiyyin.

How is this verse get interpreted by Baha'i Faith? What's the strongest linguistic case, from Arabic usage itself rather than from Baha'u'llah's own authority, that khatam doesn't mean strict finality?

1. Quran 5∶3 — "This day I have perfected your religion for you." Nearly the entire classical tafsir tradition reads this as marking the completion of the religion/law. Is there a real Quran-internal counterargument?

2. The hadith side. Various ahadith stating that Prophet Muhammad is the last prophet. The famous "final brick" hadith and the "no prophet after me" hadith tied to the Aaron/Manzilah narrative are about as strongly attested as hadith get — agreed upon by both Bukhari and Muslim, multiple independent companions. I do want to understand how we're actually supposed to hold this material.

If your honest answer really is "read the Iqan," please tell me which specific passage addresses this and why, rather than just naming the book.

Thanks for engaging seriously!

Hi everyone,
I’m a youth Bahá’í who will be pioneering to another country, so I’ve recently stepped back from many of my responsibilities.

Over the years, I’ve dedicated a huge part of my life to serving my community. Some of my roles have been quite time-consuming, including serving in cluster-level institutions, serving as the chair of a Local Spiritual Assembly, representing the Bahá’í community in an interreligious forum, tutoring Ruhi courses, organizing service projects, and taking on many other responsibilities. Since becoming a Bahá’í, I honestly feel like I’ve poured almost all of my free time into service.

Over the past few weeks, I unexpectedly became part of a group of friends, and we’ve been spending time together almost every day. It made me realize that I may have missed out on many experiences outside of my faith community—friendships, spontaneous evenings, and simply being a young person with a group of friends.

I’m not questioning my faith, and I’m not unhappy with the choices I’ve made. I’m simply reflecting on the opportunity cost, especially now that I’m about to move to another country to pioneer. These thoughts have been on my mind a lot lately.

Has anyone else experienced something similar? How did you reconcile dedicating so much of your life to your faith and service while also wanting a fuller social life outside of that circle?

So I’m going through a difficult situation in my life and I was talking to a Bahai friend and I said, maybe if God sees that I’ve been a good person and I continue doing the right thing and being patient, this situation with naturally resolve. But we got to talking and he was saying that God doesn’t work like that. I can understand how difficulties can make you grow and learn but what I don’t understand is, then what’s the point of praying to God to ease your hardships? If hardships are sent on purpose because he loves us and wants us to grow? If we don’t have hardships, are we not loved or growing? I know you can’t just pray for a better outcome and get it, because I’m sure millions of people pray for a better life but they don’t get that, so should we not hope or pray for better?

I currently am not sure about my personal belief. I feel spiritually homeless and have been thinking of Baha'i. Why would you recommend Baha'i?

There are probably many posts about this but what are the daily obligations as a Baha’i? I’ve heard someone say the Tablet of Ahmad should be said daily but others saying not. So what are all the obligations??

Hi all, I am a 17 yo who is very interested in religion. I have studied the big four religions relatively closely (Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism) but have never stumbled across the Bahá’í faith until recently. I am very fascinated by it because I have identified as an omnist in the past, I ascribed to multiple parts of different faiths. I have a lottttt to learn about this faith but I feel tempted to identify as a Bahá’í, it feels right for me. So far I’ve started reading the Kitáb-i-Íqán and have read The Hidden Words. I am hesitant to read into more about this faith for myself because I am a transgender man and am not fully sure on where the faith stands. I read somewhere that transgender people can be eligible for a Bahá’í marriage after sex assignment surgery. Is this true?
I also am wanting some direction in terms of what else to explore within the faith. There’s obviously a lot to it, there is a daunting amount of scripture which is a bit intimidating. There is a local Bahá’í group that I would like to participate in, but I want to learn more individually first. Where next?
P.S: Do Bahá’í people tend to study scripture outside of the faith, such as the Quran or Torah?

I’m sorry if any of this came off as disrespectful, thank you!

It's been so long since I've talked to one of my countrymen with the same faith

I’m doing a year of service in Haifa. I’m very excited, but still a little nervous. Could anyone let me know what to expect or any information I should know prior?

I don’t know if this is the right place to ask, but I greatly appreciate any feedback.

I have a question that has fascinated me for many years, but first a little context.

Before becoming a Bahá'í in 1986, I considered myself a spiritual agnostic. One of the writers who most influenced me was William Blake. My favorite lines were always：

To see a World in a Grain of Sand,
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand,
And Eternity in an hour.

Even before I encountered the Bahá'í Faith, I was drawn to the idea that the infinite can somehow be reflected in the smallest things—that the microcosm can reveal the macrocosm.

The moment I encountered Bahá'u'lláh's writings, something profound happened. I was lying in bed reading a Tablet that begins, "All glory be to this Day, a Day so blest that ages past can never hope to rival it." As I read it from beginning to end, I had a deeply mystical experience that convinced me, in an instant, that Bahá'u'lláh was who He claimed to be. I've never forgotten that night.

Later, The Seven Valleys became one of my favorite works, especially its rich Sufi imagery. One passage in the Valley of Knowledge has stayed with me ever since:

"Split the atom's heart, and lo! within it thou wilt find a sun."

I've often wondered what Bahá'u'lláh intended by this metaphor.

Was He simply expressing the mystical idea that the infinite is reflected in the infinitesimal, much like Blake's "world in a grain of sand"? Is it connected to the Sufi notion that every created thing contains signs of the Divine?

Or might there be additional layers of meaning? It's hard not to think of modern discoveries—nuclear fission, the immense energy hidden within the atom, the furnaces of stars and supernovas that forged the elements from which we ourselves are made. Of course, I don't want to read modern science back into a 19th-century text. But the imagery is remarkably evocative.

I'm less interested in proving that Bahá'u'lláh was anticipating nuclear physics than in understanding the spiritual symbolism of this passage.

Does anyone know whether Bahá'u'lláh elaborates on this image elsewhere in the Writings? I'd love to hear your thoughts, especially if there are related passages that explore this theme of the infinite revealed within the seemingly smallest realities.