Relative rank of Bahá'í duties

Duties relative to recognizing God

The first duty is recognition of God's Dayspring and the duty inseparable with it is observing every ordinance of Him

"The first duty prescribed by God for His servants is the recognition of Him Who is the Dayspring of His Revelation and the Fountain of His laws, Who representeth the Godhead in both the Kingdom of His Cause and the world of creation. Whoso achieveth this duty hath attained unto all good; and whoso is deprived thereof hath gone astray, though he be the author of every righteous deed. It behoveth every one who reacheth this most sublime station, this summit of transcendent glory, to observe every ordinance of Him Who is the Desire of the world. These twin duties are inseparable. Neither is acceptable without the other. Thus hath it been decreed by Him Who is the Source of Divine inspiration."

(Bahá’u’lláh, Kitáb-i-Aqdas, par. 1)

After recognizing the Manifestation of God, the first and foremost duty is steadfastness in His Cause

"The first and foremost duty prescribed unto men, next to the recognition of Him Who is the Eternal Truth, is the duty of steadfastness in His Cause. Cleave thou unto it, and be of them whose minds are firmly fixed and grounded in God. No act, however meritorious, did or can ever compare unto it. It is the king of all acts, and to this thy Lord, the All-Highest, the Most Powerful, will testify...."

(Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings, sec. CXXXIV)

The second duty after recognizing God is to show forth constancy in God's Cause, then purify one's riches (Huqúqu'lláh)

"Say: O people, the first duty is to recognize the one true God -- magnified be his Glory -- the second is to show forth constancy in His Cause and, after these, one's duty is to purify one's riches and earthly possessions according to that which is prescribed by God."

(Bahá’u’lláh, Compilation on Huqúqu'lláh, no. 31)

After recognizing the oneness of God, the fruit best befitting the tree of human life is regard for the rights due to one's parents (and then trustworthiness, godliness, truthfulness and sincerity)

"The fruits that best befit the tree of human life are trustworthiness and godliness, truthfulness and sincerity; but greater than all, after recognition of the unity of God, praised and glorified be He, is regard for the rights that are due to one's parents. This teaching hath been mentioned in all the Books of God, and reaffirmed by the Most Exalted Pen."

(Bahá’u’lláh, Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Questions and Answers, no. 106)

After recognizing God and becoming steadfast, the station of affection and unity is superior to most other good deeds

"After man's recognition of God, and becoming steadfast in His Cause, the station of affection, of harmony, of concord and of unity is superior to that of most other goodly deeds."

(Bahá’u’lláh, Compilation Discouraging Divorce, no. 4)

After recognizing the Manifestation, one's obligation is to be absolutely steadfast in the Cause and observe the divine ordinances

"In this Day whosoever is guided by the fragrance of the raiment of His mercy to gain admittance into the pristine Abode, which is the station of recognizing the Source of divine commandments and the Dayspring of His Revelation, hath everlastingly attained unto all good. Having reached this lofty station a twofold obligation resteth upon every soul. One is to be steadfast in the Cause with such steadfastness that were all the peoples of the world to attempt to prevent him from turning to the Source of Revelation, they would be powerless to do so. The other is observance of the divine ordinances which have streamed forth from the wellspring of His heavenly-propelled Pen. For man's knowledge of God cannot develop fully and adequately save by observing whatsoever hath been ordained by Him and is set forth in His heavenly Book."

(Bahá’u’lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 268)

"A twofold obligation resteth upon him who hath recognized the Day Spring of the Unity of God, and acknowledged the truth of Him Who is the Manifestation of His oneness. The first is steadfastness in His love, such steadfastness that neither the clamor of the enemy nor the claims of the idle pretender can deter him from cleaving unto Him Who is the Eternal Truth, a steadfastness that taketh no account of them whatever. The second is strict observance of the laws He hath prescribed--laws which He hath always ordained, and will continue to ordain, unto men, and through which the truth may be distinguished and separated from falsehood."

(Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings, sec. 133, pp. 289-290)

See also

• Faith and works

The education and training of children is among the most meritorious acts of humankind and is the indispensable foundation of all human excellence

"The education and training of children is among the most meritorious acts of humankind and draweth down the grace and favour of the All-Merciful, for education is the indispensable foundation of all human excellence and alloweth man to work his way to the heights of abiding glory."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, sec. 103, p. 129)

Courtesy is the prince of virtues

"O people of God! I admonish you to observe courtesy, for above all else it is the prince of virtues. Well is it with him who is illumined with the light of courtesy and is attired with the vesture of uprightness. Whoso is endued with courtesy hath indeed attained a sublime station. It is hoped that this Wronged One and everyone else may be enabled to acquire it, hold fast unto it, observe it, and fix our gaze upon it. This is a binding command which hath streamed forth from the Pen of the Most Great Name."

(Bahá’u’lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 71)

Charity is a prince among goodly deeds

"Charity is pleasing and praiseworthy in the sight of God and is regarded as a prince among goodly deeds."

(Bahá’u’lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 71)

See also

• Priority-rank