This document discusses principles of the Baha'i faith as they relate to economics and business. It outlines the Baha'i principle of equal opportunity and right to livelihood. It also discusses establishing a world commonwealth and applying spiritual principles like consultation to economic systems and business practices. While the Baha'i faith does not prescribe an economic system, it provides guidance on applying principles of unity, justice, trust and service.

1. Baha’i Faith and business!
Legha Momtazian
June-July 2013
Irfan Colloquium, Acuto, Italy

2. 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)

3. 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)

4. 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)

5. 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)

6. 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) )

7.  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)

8. Industriousness
Rational economic
behavior
Motivation
to work
Formation of
enterprise
Capitalism
Weberian(Protestant) perspective
Work as a means
of grace from God
(a “calling”)
5 October 2013

9. 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?!

10. 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

11. 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)

12. 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?

13. 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)

14. 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)

15. The prime requisites to
consultation
 Purity of motive, Radiance of
spirit, Detachment, Attraction, Humility, Patience, S
ervitude (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).

16. 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?

17. 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.