Bahá’í beliefs closely link the material and spiritual worlds together enabling individuals to find spiritual meaning to their material endeavours and emerging issues.Issues of economic justice and development are among the key social teachings of the Bahá’í Faith. Bahá’u’lláh exhorts, that “No light can compare with the light of justice. The establishment of order in the world and the tranquillity of the nations depend upon it.”
Shoghi Effendi stated that until the ‘Oneness of Mankind’ is realised the world cannot be unified economically, and that “by ‘Oneness of Mankind’ is meant an organized unification, not mere brotherhood. It is not a humanitarian principle, it does not imply a theoretical abstract conception, but a promise that the world is going to be unified politically, socially, economically and religiously.” – Compilation of Letters and Extracts of Writings from Shoghi Effendi, Bahá’í News of the United States, December 1924 – November 1934
He also emphasised the significance of the Bahá’í writings on the topic of economics and the need “to study the economic teachings in the light of modern problems more thoroughly”. In one of His letters, Shoghi Effendi wrote that Bahá’u’lláh has “provided for the essentials of a Divine Economy“ and called this Divine Economy as Bahá’u’lláh’s “inestimable gift to mankind“. – Shoghi Effendi, World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, pp. 23-26
Economic issues are at the heart of Bahá’í conceptions of social justice. One of the social principles of the Bahá’í Faith is finding Spiritual Solutions to Economic Problems (Link it to the “Spiritual Solution to Economic Problems” in “Social Principles” Page) signifying that both scientific and moral approaches to such issues are essential for the well-being of humanity.Another fundamental social principle of the Bahá’í Faith, namely The Abolition of Extremes of Poverty and Wealth not only focuses on economic justice, but also necessitates acquiring attributes such as mercy, kindness, and concern for others, pivoting on the Bahá’í teaching of the Oneness of Humanity.
“No religious books of the past prophets speak of the economic question, while this problem has been thoroughly solved in the teachings of Baha’u’llah. Certain regulations are revealed which insure the welfare and well-being of all humanity. Just as the rich man enjoys his rest and his pleasures surrounded by luxuries, the poor man must likewise have a home, be provided with sustenance, and not be in want. Until this is effected happiness is impossible. All are equal in the estimation of God; their rights are one and there is no distinction for any soul; all are protected beneath the justice of God.” – ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Star of the West, Vol.11, Issue 1, p. 5
The Bahá’í Writings emphasise reorganisation of society where betterment of humanity through economic and social justice will be achieved.The Universal House of Justice in its 1 March 2017 Letter Regarding Economic Life stated that: “Although Bahá’u’lláh does not set out in His Revelation a detailed economic system, a constant theme throughout the entire corpus of His teachings is the reorganization of human society. Consideration of this theme inevitably gives rise to questions of economics. Of course, the future order conceived by Bahá’u’lláh is far beyond anything that can be imagined by the present generation.”
The Bahá’í teachings on the economy first consider the impact of agriculture and its primary importance to every person. For example, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá describes an agriculture-based economic model which is controlled at local level to maximise the welfare of the people. This model is implemented by Baha’is who are now busy with organic and smallholder farms. For example, visit smallholderfarmersalliance.org – the Haiti-based organization which has co-founded by the Baha’i activist Hugh Locke.
Read More
The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh by Shoghi Effendi
Bahá’u’lláh’s Divine Economy, A Letter from Shoghi Effendi
Evolving toward a Bahá’í Economic System by Gregory C. Dahl, Journal of Bahá’I Studies, Vol. 4, No. 3 (1992), Association of Bahá’I Studies, 1992.
Regarding Economic Life,The Universal House of Justice, The Letter of 1 March 2017.