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February 1: The Ministry of the Custodians was described by the Universal House of Justice as a time when "the entire history of religion shows no comparable record of such strict self-discipline, such absolute loyalty, and such complete self-abnegation by the leaders of a religion, finding themselves suddenly deprived of their divinely inspired guide." On November 7, 1957, the Guardian and Head of the Bahá’í Faith, Shoghi Effendi Rabbani, died unexpectedly in London. The period following the death of Shoghi Effendi and the election of the Universal House of justice was known as the Ministry of the Custodians.
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The Ten Year Crusade (1953-1963) was a plan launched by Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith, to facilitate an organized expansion of the Faith. Among the goals of the plan were to begin the teaching and consolidation of the Faith, develop the institutions at the World Centre, consolidate open territories, and open the remaining "chief virgin territories" around the globe. The title 'Knight of Bahá’u’lláh' was given to those Bahá’ís who arose to open new territories to the Faith during the Ten Year Crusade and in 1963 the plan culminated with the first election of the Universal House of Justice.
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February 3: "Prayer," says ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, "is conversation with God." In order that God may make known His mind and will to human beings, He must speak to us in a language which we can understand, and this He does through the guidance of the Manifestations of God. While the Manifestations are alive They speak face to face with man and convey to them the Message of God, and after Their death Their message continues to reach people's minds through their recorded sayings and writings. But this is not the only way in which God can commune with and inspire those whose hearts are seeking after truth, wherever they are, and whatever their native race or tongue. By this language the Manifestation continues to hold converse with the faithful after His departure from the material world.
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February 4: An Auxiliary language in the Bahá’í Faith focuses on a particular teaching; that the world should adopt an international auxiliary language. The aim of this teaching is that the adoption of an international auxiliary language will improve communication and foster unity among peoples and nations. The Bahá’í writings state that the lack of communication between peoples of different languages undermines efforts towards world peace due to misunderstandings of language, and that adopting an international auxiliary language would help reduce the number of misunderstandings, and would facilitate the transition to a global society. None of the various Bahá’í authorities have ever specified what language should be used as the international auxiliary language, instead leaving such a decision up to the Universal House of Justice.
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February 5: Huqúqu'lláh (Arabic: ﺣﻘﻮﻕ ﺍﻟﻠﻪ, "Right of God"), sometimes called the Law of Huqúq, is a socio-economic and spiritual law of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. In its most basic form, it states that Bahá’ís should pay a 19% voluntary tax on any wealth in excess of what is necessary to live comfortably, after the remittance of any outstanding debt, to the Universal House of Justice. The payment of Huqúqu'lláh is based on the calculation of the value of the individual’s possessions, which includes one’s merchandise, property and income, after all necessary expenses have been paid. If a person has possessions or wealth in excess of what is necessary, equal in value to at least nineteen mithqáls of gold.
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February 6: The Nine Year Plan (1964-1973) was the first of many international plans to be given to the Bahá’í world by the newly-formed Universal House of Justice within the framework of the Divine Plan first elaborated by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. This plan, following on the successful conclusion of the Ten Year Crusade initiated by Shoghi Effendi, was first mentioned by the Universal House of Justice in a letter dated May 7, 1963 to the London National Convention. Some of its goals were the publication of a synopsis and codification of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, and a formulation of the Constitution of the Universal House of Justice (more...)
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February 7: The term study circle has become common terminology in the Bahá’í Faith to describe a specific type of gathering for the study of the Bahá’í teachings, with an emphasis on "promoting the well-being of humanity." Study circles are a form of distance learning designed to systematically bring education about spiritual concepts to the grassroots level. Because they are intended to be sustainable and reproducible on a large scale, study circles shy away from formally taught classes, opting instead for participatory methods. They are usually led by a tutor whose role is not to act as an expert but rather to facilitate the rhythm and pace of the study circle. In this way, attendees of study circles are expected to become active participants in their own learning process.
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February 8: The Nineteen Day Feasts are regular community gatherings, occurring on the first day of each month of the Bahá’í calendar (and so most often nineteen days apart from each other). The Nineteen Day Feast serves to increase the unity of the community, and spiritually uplift the community members by having a devotional program, where readings and prayers from the Bahá’í holy writings are shared, and a social program where community members can socialize. The third part of a Feast is the administrative portion, which is a critical arena for democratic expression within a Bahá’í Community. Therefore, the administrative portion is limited to Bahá’ís. Bahá’ís from other communities may freely attend, though they may not vote on any recommendations that the community may put forward as recommendations to the Local Spiritual Assembly. Attendance at the Nineteen Day Feast is not obligatory, but is considered and a duty and a privilege for Bahá’ís since it is where they can enter into consultation with the rest of the community.
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February 9: Progressive revelation is a core teaching in the Bahá’í Faith that suggests religious truth is revealed by God progressively and cyclically over time through a series of divine Messengers, and that the teachings are tailored to suit the needs of the time and place of their appearance. Thus, the Bahá’í teachings recognize the divine origin of several world religions, asserting that God is one and His religion is one, while believing that the revelation of Bahá’u’lláh is the most recent (though not the last), and therefore the most relevant to modern society. This teaching is an interaction of simpler teachings and their implications. The basic concept relates closely to Bahá’í views on God's essential unity, and the nature of prophets, termed Manifestations of God. It also ties into Bahá’í views of the purpose and nature of religion, laws, belief, culture and history. Hence revelation is seen as progressive and continuous and never ceases.
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February 10: The Regional Bahá’í Council is an element of Bahá’í administration between the local and national levels, established at the discretion of the Universal House of Justice in countries where the condition and size of the Bahá’í community warrant. A means of decentralizing the work of the National Spiritual Assembly, a Regional Council may be formed either by election or by appointment, depending on local requirements and the condition of the Bahá’í community. It provides for a level of autonomous decision making on both teaching and administrative matters. In some countries, State Bahá’í Councils perform these tasks within specified civic jurisdictions.
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February 11: Progressive revelation is a core teaching in the Bahá’í Faith that suggests religious truth is revealed by God progressively and cyclically over time through a series of divine Messengers, and that the teachings are tailored to suit the needs of the time and place of their appearance. Thus, the Bahá’í teachings recognize the divine origin of several world religions, asserting that God is one and His religion is one, while believing that the revelation of Bahá’u’lláh is the most recent (though not the last), and therefore the most relevant to modern society. This teaching is an interaction of simpler teachings and their implications. The basic concept relates closely to Bahá’í views on God's essential unity, and the nature of prophets, termed Manifestations of God. It also ties into Bahá’í views of the purpose and nature of religion, laws, belief, culture and history. Hence revelation is seen as progressive and continuous and never ceases.
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The Hands of the Cause of God were a select group of Bahá’ís, appointed for life, whose main function was to propagate and protect the Bahá’í Faith on the international level. In all there were fifty Hands of the Cause, four named by Bahá’u’lláh, four by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and forty-two by Shoghi Effendi (including ten posthumously). The title is no longer given out, and there are no longer any living Hands of the Cause, the last surviving Hand being Dr. 'Alí-Muhammad Varqá. The work of the Hands of the Cause is now carried out by the Continental Board of Counsellors and the Auxiliary Boards. The most complete list of the Hands available is from "The Bahá’í World: Vol XIV". The Universal House of Justice has confirmed that this list may not be complete, and that a study of the letters and archives may reveal others named to this station.
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February 13: The Bahá’í Faith emphasizes the unity of humanity transcending all divisions of race, nation, gender, caste, and social class, while celebrating its diversity. Bahá’u’lláh wrote: "The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens." ‘Abdu’l-Bahá adds that the "unification of mankind" has now become "the paramount issue and question in the religious and political conditions of the world." For Bahá’ís, the unity of humanity is not a distant prospect, but a present reality. Globalization represents not only the progressively greater manifestation of this principle, but also humankind's progressively greater perception of the bonds which already unite it. The Bahá’í writings affirm the biological, political, and spiritual unity of humankind, while noting that they are not necessarily expected to arise simultaneously.
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February 14: The Nineteen Day Feasts are regular community gatherings, occurring on the first day of each month of the Bahá’í calendar (and so most often nineteen days apart from each other). The Nineteen Day Feast serves to increase the unity of the community, and spiritually uplift the community members by having a devotional program, where readings and prayers from the Bahá’í holy writings are shared, and a social program where community members can socialize. The third part of a Feast is the administrative portion, which is a critical arena for democratic expression within a Bahá’í Community. Therefore, the administrative portion is limited to Bahá’ís. Bahá’ís from other communities may freely attend, though they may not vote on any recommendations that the community may put forward as recommendations to the Local Spiritual Assembly. Attendance at the Nineteen Day Feast is not obligatory, but is considered and a duty and a privilege for Bahá’ís since it is where they can enter into consultation with the rest of the community.
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February 15: The Egyptian identification card controversy resulted from a ruling of the Supreme Administrative Council of Egypt on December 16, 2006 against the Bahá’ís stating that the government may not recognize the Bahá’í Faith in official identification cards. The ruling leaves Bahá’ís unable to obtain the necessary government documents to have rights in their country. Bahá’ís cannot obtain identification cards, birth certificates, death certificates, marriage or divorce certificates, or passports. Without these documents, they cannot be employed, educated, treated in hospitals, or vote, among other things.
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The Hands of the Cause of God were a select group of Bahá’ís, appointed for life, whose main function was to propagate and protect the Bahá’í Faith on the international level. In all there were fifty Hands of the Cause, four named by Bahá’u’lláh, four by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and forty-two by Shoghi Effendi (including ten posthumously). The title is no longer given out, and there are no longer any living Hands of the Cause, the last surviving Hand being Dr. 'Alí-Muhammad Varqá. The work of the Hands of the Cause is now carried out by the Continental Board of Counsellors and the Auxiliary Boards. The most complete list of the Hands available is from "The Bahá’í World: Vol XIV". The Universal House of Justice has confirmed that this list may not be complete, and that a study of the letters and archives may reveal others named to this station.
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February 17: A fundamental principle of the Bahá’í Faith is the harmony of religion and science. The Bahá’í Faith teaches that properly appreciated, science and religion will never conflict, as each are complementary ways of explaining truth, which on any issue must necessarily be singular. The teachings state that whenever conflict arises between religion and science it is due to human error; either through misinterpretation of religious scriptures or the lack of a more complete understanding of science. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá explained that religious teachings which are at variance with science should not be accepted; he explained that religion has to be reasonable since God endowed humankind with reason so that they can discover truth.
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February 18: One of the main teachings of the Bahá’í Faith is gender equality; that men and women are equal. The equality of the sexes is seen by Bahá’ís as a spiritual and moral standard that is essential for the unification of the planet and the unfoldment of world order, and in the importance of implementing the principle in individual, family, and community life. Although men and women are equal in the Bahá’í Faith, this equality does not imply sameness. Men and women are seen as having different strengths and abilities that enable them to better fill different roles. "Divine Justice demands that the rights of both sexes should be equally respected since neither is superior to the other in the eyes of Heaven. Dignity before God depends, not on sex, but on purity and luminosity of heart. Human virtues belong equally to all!" -‘Abdu’l-Bahá
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February 19: Unity in diversity is a socio-ecological philosophy that describes a sense of oneness despite physical or psychological barriers. Bahá’ís affirm the desirability of the principle of unity in diversity, stating that while recognizing the unity of humankind, cultural diversity should be celebrated. Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith, states that the purpose of Bahá’u’lláh's teachings is not to stifle national autonomy or to suppress diversity, but to create a wider loyalty to that of humankind. "The diversity in the human family should be the cause of love and harmony, as it is in music where many different notes blend together in the making of a perfect chord." -‘Abdu’l-Bahá
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February 20: The Bahá’í teachings state that there is but one religion which is progressively revealed by God, through prophets/messengers to mankind. As humanity matures and its capacity to understand also grows, and the Bahá’í writings state all Manifestations come from the same God and expound His teachings, Therefore they can be seen in the same light, but at the same times they are separate individuals known by a different name, who fulfills a definite mission, and is entrusted with a particular revelation. Humanity is likened to a child that grows and needs training at various stages. Religion, therefore, is likened to a school, where the pupil (humanity) goes through various courses and various grades. Similarly, religion is the ongoing education of humanity.
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February 21: Progressive revelation is a core teaching in the Bahá’í Faith that suggests religious truth is revealed by God progressively and cyclically over time through a series of divine Messengers, and that the teachings are tailored to suit the needs of the time and place of their appearance. Thus, the Bahá’í teachings recognize the divine origin of several world religions, asserting that God is one and His religion is one, while believing that the revelation of Bahá’u’lláh is the most recent (though not the last), and therefore the most relevant to modern society. This teaching is an interaction of simpler teachings and their implications. The basic concept relates closely to Bahá’í views on God's essential unity, and the nature of prophets, termed Manifestations of God. It also ties into Bahá’í views of the purpose and nature of religion, laws, belief, culture and history. Hence revelation is seen as progressive and continuous and never ceases.
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February 22: The Covenant is the spiritual contract binding God and humanity. The Faith recognizes two covenants: first, the greater covenant, between God, represented by the Manifestation of God, on the one hand, and humanity on the other, in which God promises to continue to send guidance to humankind, while humanity, on its part, promises to obey and follow these teachings when they come. Part of this greater covenant is the obligation which each Manifestation of God places upon his followers to accept the next Manifestation. Second, the lesser covenant, which obliges individual Bahá’ís to accept the leadership of Bahá’u’lláh's appointed successors and the administrative institutions of the Faith.
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February 23: The theme of education in the Bahá’í Faith is given emphasis. The Bahá’í teachings focus on promoting a moral and spiritual education, in addition to the arts, trades, sciences and professions. The emphasis on education is a means for social and national improvement. Since all Bahá’ís have the duty to do work that is useful to humanity, Bahá’í education is meant to prepare Bahá’ís to perform such work. Bahá’u’lláh wrote: "Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit therefrom."
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The Hands of the Cause of God were a select group of Bahá’ís, appointed for life, whose main function was to propagate and protect the Bahá’í Faith on the international level. In all there were fifty Hands of the Cause, four named by Bahá’u’lláh, four by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and forty-two by Shoghi Effendi (including ten posthumously). The title is no longer given out, and there are no longer any living Hands of the Cause, the last surviving Hand being Dr. 'Alí-Muhammad Varqá. The work of the Hands of the Cause is now carried out by the Continental Board of Counsellors and the Auxiliary Boards. The most complete list of the Hands available is from "The Bahá’í World: Vol XIV". The Universal House of Justice has confirmed that this list may not be complete, and that a study of the letters and archives may reveal others named to this station.
(view edit talk links history)
February 25: Progressive revelation is a core teaching in the Bahá’í Faith that suggests religious truth is revealed by God progressively and cyclically over time through a series of divine Messengers, and that the teachings are tailored to suit the needs of the time and place of their appearance. Thus, the Bahá’í teachings recognize the divine origin of several world religions, asserting that God is one and His religion is one, while believing that the revelation of Bahá’u’lláh is the most recent (though not the last), and therefore the most relevant to modern society. This teaching is an interaction of simpler teachings and their implications. The basic concept relates closely to Bahá’í views on God's essential unity, and the nature of prophets, termed Manifestations of God. It also ties into Bahá’í views of the purpose and nature of religion, laws, belief, culture and history. Hence revelation is seen as progressive and continuous and never ceases.
(view edit talk links history)
The Ten Year Crusade (1953-1963) was a plan launched by Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith, to facilitate an organized expansion of the Faith. Among the goals of the plan were to begin the teaching and consolidation of the Faith, develop the institutions at the World Centre, consolidate open territories, and open the remaining "chief virgin territories" around the globe. The title 'Knight of Bahá’u’lláh' was given to those Bahá’ís who arose to open new territories to the Faith during the Ten Year Crusade and in 1963 the plan culminated with the first election of the Universal House of Justice.
(view edit talk links history)
February 27: "Prayer," says ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, "is conversation with God." In order that God may make known His mind and will to human beings, He must speak to us in a language which we can understand, and this He does through the guidance of the Manifestations of God. While the Manifestations are alive They speak face to face with man and convey to them the Message of God, and after Their death Their message continues to reach people's minds through their recorded sayings and writings. But this is not the only way in which God can commune with and inspire those whose hearts are seeking after truth, wherever they are, and whatever their native race or tongue. By this language the Manifestation continues to hold converse with the faithful after His departure from the material world.
(view edit talk links history)
February 28: Progressive revelation is a core teaching in the Bahá’í Faith that suggests religious truth is revealed by God progressively and cyclically over time through a series of divine Messengers, and that the teachings are tailored to suit the needs of the time and place of their appearance. Thus, the Bahá’í teachings recognize the divine origin of several world religions, asserting that God is one and His religion is one, while believing that the revelation of Bahá’u’lláh is the most recent (though not the last), and therefore the most relevant to modern society. This teaching is an interaction of simpler teachings and their implications. The basic concept relates closely to Bahá’í views on God's essential unity, and the nature of prophets, termed Manifestations of God. It also ties into Bahá’í views of the purpose and nature of religion, laws, belief, culture and history. Hence revelation is seen as progressive and continuous and never ceases.
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February 29: Bahaipedia:Today's featured article/February 29
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Today's featured article archive
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Today is Tuesday, September 16, 2025; it is now 11:51 UTC
