Non-believers

Need for love and kindness toward

"Let all your striving be for this, to become the source of life and immortality, and peace and comfort and joy, to every human soul, whether one known to you or a stranger, one opposed to you or on your side. Look ye not upon the purity or impurity of his nature: look ye upon the all-embracing mercy of the Lord, the light of Whose grace hath embosomed the whole earth and all who dwell thereon, and in the plenitude of Whose bounty are immersed both the wise and the ignorant. Stranger and friend alike are seated at the table of His favour. Even as the believer, the denier who turneth away from God doth at the same time cup his hands and drink from the sea of His bestowals.

"It behoveth the loved ones of the Lord to be the signs and tokens of His universal mercy and the embodiments of His own excelling grace. Like the sun, let them cast their rays upon garden and rubbish heap alike, and even as clouds in spring, let them shed down their rain upon flower and thorn. Let them seek but love and faithfulness, let them not follow the ways of unkindness, let their talk be confined to the secrets of friendship and of peace. Such are the attributes of the righteous, such is the distinguishing mark of those who serve His Threshold.

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, pp. 256-57)

God nurtures each person, no matter to what religion he belongs, and including atheists or materialists

"How ignorant therefore the thought that God who created man, educated and nurtured him, surrounded him with all blessings, made the sun and all phenomenal existence for his benefit, bestowed upon him tenderness and kindness, and then did not love him. This is palpable ignorance, for no matter to what religion a man belongs even though he be an atheist or materialist nevertheless God nurtures him, bestows His kindness and sheds upon him His light."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Star of the West, Vol. 8, issue 7, p. 78)

Need for accepting the Faith

• See Kitáb-i-Aqdas, par. 1 and Some Answered Questions, Chapters 65, 84

"A person who performs good deeds but remains ignorant of God is likened to a blind man who creates a piece of art but is unable to see it."

(The Divine Art of Living, p. 48)

Unawakened soul like a diamond in a dark room, though may still progress

"...the statement on life after death and the condition of believers and non-believers; you might say that a wonderful believer is like a diamond blazing in the sun, an unawakened soul like one in a dark room. But we must couple this concept with the other part of the teachings, that God's Mercy exceeds His Justice, and that soul can progress in the world beyond; the unillumined soul can become brilliant."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, February 24, 1947; in Lights of Guidance, no. 1571)

Types of non-believers and their position

Those who never heard of the Faith

Accountability of non-believers for Divine Judgement for some actions (e.g., murder) even if not aware of the prophetic message

"...if you merely prick a man with a thorn he will cry out in pain: How well must he realize then that murder, according to reason, is vile and reprehensible. And were he to commit such a crime, he would be held accountable for it whether the prophetic message had reached him or not, for reason itself grasps the reprehensible character of this deed. Thus, when such a person commits such base actions, he will assuredly be held to account."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, par. 76:3)

Where the prophetic injunctions are not known, people will be forgiven for actions made according to the desires of nature (e.g., returning injury with injury)

"But if the prophetic injunctions have not reached a place and the people fail, as a result, to act in conformity with the divine teachings, then they are not held accountable according to the laws of religion. For instance, Christ enjoined that cruelty should be met with kindness. If a person remains unaware of this injunction and acts according to the promptings of nature, that is, if he returns injury for injury, then he is not held accountable according to the laws of religion, for this divine injunction has not been conveyed to him. Although such a person is not deserving of divine bounty and favour, God will nevertheless deal with him in His mercy and grant him forgiveness."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, par. 76:4)

Those dying before hearing of Manifestation have, if they regularly followed conduct of Jesus, obtained this Dazzling Light

"Then as to what thou hast asked me for pious people who died before they heard the Voice of this Manifestation. Listen: Those who have mounted to God before hearing the Voice, if they followed the rules of conduct as laid down by Jesus and always walked in the straight path,they have obtained this Dazzling Light after their rising to the Kingdom of God. I pray God to lift the veil for thee and to corroborate by the spirit of experience, so that all may be evident to thee, by the Holy Spirit of God."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, p. 478)

Those who lived good lives but did not have opportunity to hear of the Faith will be treated with greatest love and mercy and reap full reward

"Those who have never had any opportunity of hearing of the Faith but who lived good lives will no doubt be treated with the greatest love and mercy in the next world and reap their full reward."

(Directives from the Guardian, no. 108, p. 40)

Those who served the poor, their services are accepted and the cause of their everlasting life

"Those souls who during the war have served the poor and have been in the Red Cross Mission work, their services are accepted at the Kingdom of God and are the cause of their everlasting life. Convey to them these glad tidings."

(Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, no. 81)

Those who lived good lives in most ways but not in obeying a law (against homosexual actions)

"God judges each soul on its own merits. The Guardian cannot tell you what the attitude of God would be towards a person who lives a good life in most ways, but not in this way. All he can tell you is that it is forbidden by Bahá'u'lláh, and that one so afflicted should struggle and struggle again to overcome it. We must be hopeful of God's mercy but not impose upon it. (26 March 1950)"

(On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Homosexuality (compilation), no. 4)

Although good deeds do not have complete effect without recognition of God, the souls veiled from God are not equal (the one with good character and conduct deserves God's forgiveness while the sinner is deprived of God's bounties)

"Faith and Works

"Question: It is said in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas: “…whoso is deprived thereof, hath gone astray, though he be the author of every righteous deed”. What is the meaning of this verse?

"Answer: The meaning of this blessed verse is that the foundation of success and salvation is the recognition of God, and that good deeds, which are the fruit of faith, derive from this recognition.

"When this recognition is not attained, man remains veiled from God and, as he is veiled, his good works fail to achieve their full and desired effect. This verse does not mean that those who are veiled from God are all equal, whether they be doers of good or workers of iniquity. It means only that the foundation is the recognition of God and that good deeds derive from this knowledge. Nevertheless, it is certain that among those who are veiled from God there is a difference between the doer of good and the sinner and malefactor. For the veiled soul who is endowed with good character and conduct merits the forgiveness of God, while the veiled sinner possessed of bad character and conduct will be deprived of the bounties and bestowals of God. Herein lies the difference."

"This blessed verse means, therefore, that good deeds alone, without the recognition of God, cannot lead to eternal redemption, to everlasting success and salvation, and to admittance into the Kingdom of God."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, Chapter 65; note that the mentioned verse from the Aqdas is par. 1)

"This cycle is the cycle of favor and not of justice. Therefore, those whose deeds are clean and pure, even though they are not believers, will not be deprived of the divine mercy; but perfection is in faith and deeds. Undoubtedly, a person, who is not a believer, but whose deeds and morals are good, is far better than one who claims his belief in words but, who, in actions, is a follower of satan. The Blessed Beauty says, 'My humiliation is not in my imprisonment, which, by my life, is an exaltation to me; nay rather, it is in the deeds of my friends, who attribute themselves to us and commit that which causes my heart and pen to weep!'"

(Attributed to 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Star of the West, vol. 9, issue 3, p. 29)

(Criticism of) narrow-minded materialists does not include moderate materialistic philosophers who have been of service to mankind and are worthy of esteem and praise

"It is as thou hast written, not philosophers in general but narrow-minded materialists that are meant. As to deistic philosophers, such as Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, they are indeed worthy of esteem and of the highest praise, for they have rendered distinguished services to mankind. In like manner we regard the materialistic, accomplished, moderate philosophers, who have been of service (to mankind)."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablet to August Forel, p. 7)

Exceptional cases in which association can be spiritually corrosive with certain former Bahá'ís who are not Covenant-breakers

"There are certain former Bahá'ís whose actions do not necessarily constitute Covenant-breaking, but are seriously destructive. Where such people have shown that they are impervious to explanations or exhortations from the Bahá'í institutions, continued association with them can be burdensome and can exert a spiritually corrosive effect on the faith of believers. In such cases the Head of the Faith may simply advise the Bahá'ís to leave them to their own devices.

"Thus, there are exceptional cases in which a former believer's spiritual attitude to the Faith may, to various degrees, create an estrangement between him and the Bahá'ís. In general, however, a person who has withdrawn from the Faith is regarded as being among the generality of humankind with whom the Bahá'ís are enjoined to associate "in joy and fragrance"."

(Universal House of Justice, Withdrawal from the Faith)

Non-association with children of those who actively opposed the Manifestation

"He has heard nothing against the character of Mrs ... and does not doubt in many ways she may be a very commendable woman. However, this does not change the fact that in view of her inhered convictions about Bahá'u'lláh it is best for the Bahá'ís, including yourself, not to associate with her. That which is in the heart of those who have actively opposed the Manifestation of God is spiritually unhealthy, and although we in our limited human understanding cannot always see the wisdom of shunning them, the Master has instructed us to do so, and for our good, and the good of the Cause, we must obey this instruction."

(On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Light of Divine Guidance, vol. 2, p. 87)

Prayer effective by non-believers (though more effective when read by those who fully accept the Revelation)

"The Healing Prayers revealed by Bahá’u’lláh can be effective even though used by non-believers. But their effectiveness is of course greater in the case of those who fully accept the Revelation."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, March 19, 1939: Bahá’í News, No. 134, March 1940, p. 2, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1507)

Prayer has spiritual effect, answering prayers of anyone if urgently prayed (as long as His wisdom sanctions what we wish), not mattering who prays

"You have asked concerning approval of Christian Science treatment and healing. Spirit has influence; prayer has spiritual effect. Therefore, we pray, "O God! Heal this sick one!" Perchance God will answer. Does it matter who prays? God will answer the prayer of every servant if that prayer is urgent. His mercy is vast, illimitable. He answers the prayers of all His servants. He answers the prayer of this plant. The plant prays potentially, "O God! Send me rain!" God answers the prayer, and the plant grows. God will answer anyone. He answers prayers potentially. Before we were born into this world did we not pray, "O God! Give me a mother; give me two fountains of bright milk; purify the air for my breathing; grant me rest and comfort; prepare food for my sustenance and living"? Did we not pray potentially for these needed blessings before we were created? When we came into this world, did we not find our prayers answered? Did we not find mother, father, food, light, home and every other necessity and blessing, although we did not actually ask for them? Therefore, it is natural that God will give to us when we ask Him. His mercy is all-encircling.

"But we ask for things which the divine wisdom does not desire for us, and there is no answer to our prayer. His wisdom does not sanction what we wish...

"God is merciful. In His mercy He answers the prayers of all His servants when according to His supreme wisdom it is necessary."

(Attributed to 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 246-247)

See also

• Life after death/soul (on soul of non-believers in next world)
• Celebrating non-Bahá'í festivals
• Marriage with non-Bahá'ís/Relations with a non-Bahá'í spouse
• Occasions for preference to Bahá'ís
• Ungodly
• Holy war
• Believers
• Religion

To-dos for this page

• Add more representative quotations, fork off those who have withdrawn from the Faith, oppose it, etc., to separate pages; non-association with Covenant-breakers, need for respect of civil rights, etc. (also see theocracy); incorporate relevant portions of https://bahai-library.com/uhj_takfir and https://bahai-library.com/uhj_non-bahai_relatives_death