Baha’i Faith and business!Legha MomtazianJune-July 2013Irfan Colloquium, Acuto, Italy

Solution to economic problems!

“The sixth principle of Baha’u’llah is: Equal opportunity of the means of Existence

Every human being has the right to live; they have a right to rest, and to a certain amount of well-being. As a rich man is able to live in his palace surrounded by luxury and the greatest comfort, so should a poor man be able to have the necessaries of life. Nobody should die of hunger; everybody should have sufficient clothing; one man should not live in excess while another has no possible means of existence.”(Abdu’l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 132)

Establishment of a world commonwealth

“The unity of the human race, as envisaged by Baha’u’llah, implies the establishment of a world commonwealth in which all nations, races, creeds and classes are closely and permanently united, and in which the autonomy of its state members and the personal freedom and initiative of the individuals that compose them are definitely and completely safeguarded. This commonwealth must, as far as we can visualize it, consist of a world legislature, whose members will, as the trustees of the whole of mankind, ultimately control the entire resources of all the component nations, and will enact such laws as shall be required to regulate the life, satisfy the needs and adjust the relationships of all races and peoples.”(Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Baha’u’llah, p. 203)

How to apply this principle?

“All economic problems may be solved by the application of the science of the Love of God.” (Ives quotes from Abdu’l-Baha, Portals to Freedom,1983, p. 156)

In business it can be described with some measurable terms such as responsibility and accountability and consciousness. (Robinson, Spirituality Spirituality and responsibility: Consciousness and care 2007)

A Baha’i economic system?!

"Cause is not an economic system, nor can its Founders be considered as having been technical economists. The contribution of the Faith to this subject is essentially indirect, as it consists of the application of spiritual principles to our present day economic system. Baha'u'llah has given us a few basic principles which should guide future Baha'i economists in establishing such institutions as will adjust the economic relations of the world."

(Shoghi Effendi 1974, pp. 27-28)

Principles in common (in Judaism, Christianity, Islam and the Baha’i

faith)

• Noble and sacred Human Beings (in Baha’i principles, man regarded as a mine “rich in gems of inestimable value” (Baha’u’llah, 1988) )

• Notion of doing the right thing and Legitimate Earning (the noble man, has been specialized with supreme bestowals to “to make him the manifestation of divine virtues, a radiant light in the world of creation, a source of life and the agency of constructiveness in the infinite fields of existence.” (Abdu’l-Baha, 1982a) )

• Application of the Science of Love of God(in Baha’i principles mentioned “Observe My commandments, for the love of My beauty” (Baha’u’llah 1988, p.332) )

Justice and Fairness (equality and brotherhood are the elements that can contribute to preservation of he rights of mankind)

Honesty and Trustworthiness

Sharing (“ready willingness to share” in Baha’i principles)

Stewardship and Concern for Poor (Poor as “the trust of God among riches”)

Golden Rule (prefer others to oneself and sacrifice ones life and property for others)

Care for Animals and the Environment

Principles in common (in Judaism, Christianity, Islam and the Baha’i

faith)

April 12, 2023

Industriousness

Rational economic behavior

Motivation to work

Formation of enterprise

Capitalism

Weberian(Protestant) perspective

Work as a means of grace from God (a “calling”)

Work in Baha’i literature

“Work done in the spirit of service is the highest form of worship.” (Abdu’l-Baha, 1918)

This condition can make a difference in the structure and outcome of the work.

How can it make a difference?!

Manifestation of the spirit of Service

Defining organizational objectives and structures

Organizational environment and culture

Employee management Responsibility toward stockholders

How to treat customers, suppliers, financial institutions

How to enact law

Care and concern for the environment

Care and concern for the society

Employee involvement in decision-making

Decide: Group members play their role as the sources of information but the leader makes the decision without explaining his/her rationale to the group.

Consult (individual): The leader asks each group member’s opinion separately and decides based on individually obtained information.

Consult (group): Leader comes to a decision in consultation with the entire group at once.

Facilitate: The leader collaborates with a group towards a unified and consensual decision, without imposing any solution to the group. Thus the group makes the final decision.

Delegate: The leader passes the problem to the group and supports them while the group itself comes to a decision.

(Vroom ,2003)

Consultation

“The shining spark of truth comes forth after the clash of differing opinions” (Abdu’l-Baha 1982a, p.87)

How can consultation be applied to business?

The purpose of consultation

To bring forth:

The light of awareness and certitude (Baha’u’llah, 1991)

The shining spark of truth (Abdu’l-Baha 1982a, p.87)

Unity (Abdu’l-Baha, 1991)

Well being (Baha’u’llah, 1991), tranquillity and felicity (Abdu’l-Baha, 1991)

Assurance and solutions to the problems (Abdu’l-Baha, 1991)

The significance of unity

“If they agree upon a subject, even though it be wrong, it is better than to disagree and be in the right, for this difference will produce the demolition of the divine foundation. Though one of the parties may be in the right and they disagree that will be the cause of a thousand wrongs”. (Abdu’l-Baha, 1976)

“If they agree and both parties are in the wrong, as it is in unity, the truth will be revealed and the wrong made right.” (Abdu’l-Baha, 1976)

And unity “will offset any deficiency, and will eventually lead to the righting of the wrong.” (Abdu’l-Baha, 1991)

The prime requisites to consultation

Purity of motive, Radiance of spirit, Detachment, Attraction, Humility, Patience, Servitude (Shoghi Effendi quoted from Abdu’l-Baha, 1974)

Utmost love, Harmony and Sincerity (Abdu’l-Baha, 1991)

Calmness and Composure (Abdu’l-Baha, 1982b)

Utmost devotion, Courtesy, Dignity, Care and Moderation to express their views (Shoghi Effendi quoted from Abdu’l-Baha, 1974).

Seeing the first glimpse of dawn on a mountaintop…

How to apply the spirit of service to one’s organization objectives and practice?

How to develop the fertile environment for application of consultation as addressed in Baha’i principles?

References Abdu’l-Baha. (1991). Compilation of Compilations. Mona Vale: Baha'i

Publications Australia. Volume 1

Abdu’l-Baha. (1982a). Selections from the Writings of Abdu’l-Baha. Baha’i World Centre.

Abdu’l-Baha. (1982b). The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by Abdu’l-Baha during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912, 2nd ed. Wilmette: Baha’i Publishing Trust.

Abdu’l-Baha. (1976). Baha'i World Faith - Abdu’l-Baha Section. Wilmette, Illinois: Baha’i Publishing Trust

Abdu’l-Baha, (1918). Divine Philosophy. Boston, MA: Tudor Press

Abdu’l-Baha. (1991). Compilation of Compilations. Mona Vale: Baha'i Publications Australia. Volume 1

Baha’u’llah. (1988). Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah. Translated by Shoghi Effendi from the original Persian and Arabic. Wilmette: Bahá'í Publishing Trust

Shoghi Effendi. (1974). Principles of Baha’i Administration. US Baha’i Publishing Trust.

Vroom, V. H. (2003). Educating managers in decision-making and leadership. Management Decision, 41(10). 968–978