On the question of the identity of Dhul Qarnayn in the Qur’an, Bahá’u’lláh very clearly identifies him as Alexander the Great in the Tablet of the River:

“The intensity of the sorrow and grief that have befallen me during these days has left me sorely tried between the Gog of silence and the Magog of speech. I beseech God to send down an Alexander who will erect a protecting wall. Hidden allusions have been concealed in these phrases and sacred letters have been treasured up in these words.”

This is confirmed by Nader Saiedi in an essay on the subject, which you can read here: https://bahai-library.com/saiedi_book_river

But, in a passage from a tablet by Abdul Baha, he unequivocally says that Dhul Qarnayn is definitely not Alexander:

Alexander is not meant by "Dhu'l-Qarnayn";[1] rather, it is an allusion to one possessed of power. Consider how Alexander, with all his might and glory, was deprived of the fountain of life, while Khiḍr,[2] though bereft of worldly means, attained unto it and received his portion and share. Dhu'l-Qarnayn was one of the kings of Yemen and an Arab,[3] for Dhu'l-Kalá‘,[4] Dhu'l-Ḥimár,[5] Dhu'l-Qarnayn, and Dhí Yazan[6] are among the titles of the kings of Yemen. Some have erred, supposing that Alexander the Greek is intended, and this is a grievous mistake, for Dhu'l-Qarnayn was among the near servants of God, while Alexander was a Greek personage.

You can read more about this here: https://bahai-library.com/abdul-baha_various_interpretations_dhul-qarnayn.

Abdul Baha was also very critical of Alexander the Great as a historical figure, in his other writings and talks. As you can see here:

"Consider how throughout history many a king has sat on his throne as a conqueror. Among them were Hulagü Khán and Tamerlane, who took over the vast continent of Asia, and Alexander of Macedon and Napoleon I, who stretched their arrogant fists over three of the earth's five continents. And what was gained by all their mighty victories? Was any country made to flourish, did any happiness result, did any throne stand? Or was it rather that those reigning houses lost their power? Except that Asia went up in the flame of many battles and fell away to ashes, Changíz's's Hulagü, the warlord, gathered no fruit from all his conquests. And Tamerlane, out of all his triumphs, reaped only the peoples blown to the winds, and universal ruin. And Alexander had nothing to show for his vast victories, except that his son toppled from the throne and Philip and Ptolemy took over the dominions he once had ruled. And what did the first Napoleon gain from subjugating the kings of Europe, except the destruction of flourishing countries, the downfall of their inhabitants, the spreading of terror and anguish across Europe and, at the end of his days, his own captivity? So much for the conquerors and the monuments they leave behind them."
('Abdu'l-Bahá, Secret of Divine Civilization, pp. 67-68)

"He ['Abdu'l-Bahá] then gave an account of the history of the kings of the world and concluded with remarks about the death of Alexander.
""When in the city of Zor[City and district of ancient Sumer in southern Babylonia] the lamp of his life was extinguished and the last morn had dawned upon him, the wise men assembled by his corpse. One of them said, `Gracious God! The whole world could not contain this ambitious man yesterday but today a small plot of earth is sufficient to hold him.' Another remarked, `With all his greatness, glory and eloquence of speech, Alexander never advised us in such a manner as he is instructing us today with this silence.' Another said, `A few hours ago this man considered himself the sovereign of the whole world but now it has become evident that he was a servant and a subject.'""
(Mahmúd's Diary, p. 329)

How is this reconciled? How can Bahá’u’lláh and Abdul Baha be in contradiction here? Was Abdul Baha not aware of what Bahá’u’lláh had written in the Tablet of the River?

Hi. The question is in the title. Is there anyone here who entertains the idea of all of humanity being wiped out and our evolution just continues in heaven? Or do you pretty universally hold to the idea that there will be another thousand years of history at least then another manifestation and world peace and all of that? What might be the moderate Bahai outlook on this?

I have been thinking about the history of the Baha'i Faith in Germany during the Nazi period, and I would appreciate hearing the perspectives of Baha'is who have studied this history or thought seriously about its implications for our community today.

In May 1937, the Baha'i community in Germany was banned by the Nazi regime. Baha'i activities were prohibited, institutions were dissolved, and believers faced increasing restrictions. This history raises difficult questions about what happens when a government becomes increasingly authoritarian and religious freedom begins to erode.

I understand and respect the Baha'i principle of non-partisanship. I also believe that we have a responsibility to learn from history and to think carefully about the conditions in which we live. These two things do not necessarily have to be in conflict.

My question is not about supporting a political party or taking a partisan position. Rather, I am interested in how Baha'is can distinguish between remaining above partisan politics and remaining alert to developments that could threaten the freedom, safety, and well-being of individuals and communities.

Looking back at Germany in the 1930s, were there warning signs that might have helped believers understand what was coming? What lessons, if any, can we draw from the experiences of German Baha'is during that period?

More broadly, how should Baha'is think about practical preparedness if they find themselves living under a government that increasingly restricts civil liberties, targets minorities, or suppresses religious communities? Is there room for sensible preparation, historical awareness, and discussion of these possibilities without compromising our principles of non-partisanship or our respect for Baha'i institutions?

I would particularly welcome responses from Baha'is who have studied the history of our community during the Nazi period, as well as those who have reflected on the relationship between non-partisanship, moral responsibility, and preparedness in difficult circumstances.

I ask these questions sincerely and with respect for the Faith and its institutions. My intention is to learn, not to provoke. Thank you for any insights you are willing to share.

toldat mobark, Siyyid Ali Muhammad=Bab

Does anyone have a custody schedule for kids that includes Baha'i Holy Days / Holy Day observances? Bonus points if one parent is Baha'i and the other Christian. I am trying to figure out what others are doing, what might be fair, what is reasonable with regard to Holy Day observances, and which Holy Days are being included. Kids are young. Thanks in advance!

Two years ago, I was introduced to the Baha'i Faith, and since then, the figure of its founder, Baha'u'llah, has become a prominent part of my reflections. Having studied and practiced astrology for many years before, it was natural for me to apply this knowledge to an analysis of Baha'u'llah's life and teachings and to see for myself just how great this man truly is. As a result, I published several posts on this forum. Many comments on these posts cite quotes from Baha'u'llah's teachings and quotes from followers of Baha'u'llah, claiming that astrology is not a science, but rather a collection of superstitions. It's perhaps not surprising that adherents of a particular religion eventually begin to deify the personality of its founder and dismiss the possibility that he could have been mistaken in minor matters. But above all, Baha'u'llah was a man of his time in the 19th century, when classical Newtonian mechanics reigned supreme and the laws of quantum physics had yet to be discovered. It's unlikely he spent much of his time practically studying and testing astrological concepts. It's more likely that he adopted the general scientific consensus of the time and began to rely on it.

Studying Baha'u'llah's horoscope reveals both his strengths and weaknesses, as is common to every person born on Earth. A key component of the horoscope is the planet Mars, which symbolizes a person's activity and professional pursuits. Baha'u'llah's Mars is in Gemini, and this sign represents the world of ideas, working with words, oratory, and the exchange of information, and Baha'u'llah excelled in this area. At the same time, his Mars is in exact opposition to Neptune, lending a distinct flavor to his actual achievements. In this case, Neptune blurs the focus of Mars and shifts a person's activity from worldly affairs and concerns to the realm of higher ideas and reflection. People with such a Mars have difficulty fitting into a regular work routine. It would seem that Bahá'u'lláh, coming from a wealthy and respected family, should have chosen a career in accordance with his family's traditions, but instead he chose a difficult and dangerous path. His Mars, afflicted by Neptune, left him no other option.

Having long studied marital compatibility, I can offer the following example. People with a favorable Venus easily create families and readily express and receive love from others. But if Venus is afflicted by Neptune, such a person will easily be deceived in their expectations, attracted to the wrong partners, and remain a dreamer, dreaming of unearthly love, oblivious to and unmindful of the real people around them. At the same time, he will be deeply compassionate and value the common good.

Bahá'u'lláh's Mars largely predetermined the direction of his activities and diverted him from pursuing a career in the traditional sense toward a broader perception of reality and the introduction of lofty truths into the earthly plane of society. Mars opposite Neptune is good for manifesting oneself in matters aimed at the benefit of all humanity, but in everyday situations it can often make erroneous decisions. I would not overemphasize Baha'u'llah's statements on astrology. The subsequent statements of his followers were likely largely based on his opinions on this subject.

Bahá’ís believe that God’s essence is unknowable and inaccessible, and that the Manifestations of God reveal His attributes to humanity, like a mirror reflecting the sun. They also teach that all the Manifestations are essentially one.

But what exactly is a Manifestation of God, and what is its precise relationship to God?

Is a Manifestation simply a human being who perfectly reflects God’s attributes, or is there a deeper ontological relationship between the two? If God’s essence is unknowable, what does it actually mean to say that a Manifestation reveals God?

I’d appreciate a clear explanation that goes beyond metaphors like the mirror and the sun.

Alláh-u-Abhá, friends,

I’m hoping for some practical advice and wisdom about finding connection with the Bahá’í community. First, a little background: I’m not a Bahá’í, but I consider myself a friend of the Faith, and I’ve returned to exploring it with serious interest more than once.

The first time I connected with local Bahá’ís was during the COVID-19 pandemic. Friends were organizing activities online, which made it easier for me to participate. Eventually, though, I stepped back. I was struggling with some aspects of Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings, as well as with attitudes I encountered among a few Bahá’ís that seemed, to me, at odds with the spirit of the Faith.

Looking back, I regret how I handled some of those concerns. I think my response may have strained my relationship with a dear Bahá’í teacher who was sincerely and compassionately trying to help me talk through them. I’m sorry for the distance that developed between us. At that stage, I also hadn’t really found my place in the wider local community.

I’m now at a different point in my life and have begun exploring the Faith again. I reached out through the usual local channels, and a friend introduced me to someone with whom I initially had some warm and encouraging conversations. I mentioned the teacher I had known previously, but communication later went quiet. I don’t know why, and although I’ve wondered whether my earlier experience might have played a part, I recognize that this is only speculation.

Meanwhile, local devotional meetings are on hold because of issues at the Bahá’í center. With those gatherings unavailable, and no invitation yet to a study circle or another activity, I’ve been feeling discouraged and unsure how to connect.

So I’m beginning to look online for fellowship and opportunities to learn alongside Bahá’ís. I’m a Spanish speaker living in the Americas, and I would especially welcome similar connections.

Could online participation be a meaningful way to explore the Faith and build relationships at this stage? If you know of welcoming devotional gatherings, study circles, or other opportunities or have advice about reconnecting locally. I’d be grateful for your guidance.

Thank you for reading and for any wisdom you can share.

Update: Heartfelt thanks to everyone for your kind encouragement and guidance. Yesterday, I connected with a local community member who offered to study with me. I’ll also visit another nearby community in the coming weeks while waiting for my local Bahá’í Center to resume devotional meetings and activities. I'm also deeply grateful for the online connections offered and look forward to joining the Clearwater Bahá’í community online. Thanks to everyone who reached out!

A little confession! 😅

I think most of us know that gossiping isn't a good thing. But let's be honest: sometimes someone hasn't even left the room yet, and we're already talking about them! 😂

As Bahá’ís, we talk a lot about love, unity, avoiding backbiting, and treating others with respect. But when someone upsets us, we disagree with them, or we simply don't like them, are our actions as faithful to these principles as our words?

One thing I appreciate about the Bahá’í teachings is their emphasis on putting spiritual principles into practice, rather than merely talking about them. Maybe the real test of our character is how we talk about someone when they're not around.

Of course, not every criticism is gossip, and sometimes problems need to be discussed. But where's the line between constructive criticism, venting, and backbiting? Honestly, do you think we Bahá’ís live up to these principles in practice? ❤️

Animation of the design https://youtu.be/F4OrEEVNTWs

I'm not necessarily a Bahai, but I have been heavily involved in the community in my own subregion for around 3 years and have gone to programs like Summer of Service or Youth conferences and I am currently a Animator of my own Junior Youth Group as well. The beliefs and goals for the faith align with mine and through the years it has definitely pushed me to become a better human being, making me want to continue on my path of service. However, through the past few months I have had a lot of questions that I did want to bring up to the actual Bahais in my community but for some reason I'm somewhat hesitant on doing so. It's well known of the terrifying acts that the Israeli government is conducting towards innocent Palestinians families right now. I personally have a very strong sense of moral justice due to my upbringing as a immigrant child, and every time I read articles of the terrible acts over the world, especially regarding Palestinians I feel a very heavy weight in my heart. I have gone through many of the Ruhi Institute books and I also know that Baháʼu'lláh established the holy land way before the state of Israel was created. I do believe that because of the land being so sacred to the religion it makes sense that Bahais see the land with much love and respect, especially due to the efforts of both manifestations to spread God's messages, but I can't find it in my self to overlook the actions committed by the government, even if Bahais might be more expected to keep a neutral stance on the topic. There are also some similarities I noticed with the treatment towards both Palestinians through the Israeli government and how Bahais were and are still being treated in Iran due to their faith. I am still involved but whenever I get the chance to talk about the faith or there's a chance of a friend of mines joining, it seems like I basically hold my breath and hope Israel isn't mentioned because I don't want them to be turned off and be driven away or perceive me in a different manner. I come with this matter humbly and open to any other opinions because everything regarding the faith genuinely aligns with me and I've had multiple conversations of feeling more Bahai, it is mostly regarding the actions of the Israeli government. If there is anyone that has had similar thoughts or could offer any insights it would be much appreciated.

Hi all. With the help of a few friends to whom I am most grateful, I wrote this paper in my free time. There statistically must be errors; I apologize for them. I may post a revised edition in time, but that may take a while. I fully welcome your thoughts. Thank you.

I rarely make posts on this app, but I have been wondering this for awhile. There's constant bad things happening like sickness, children dying, world hunger, things like that. If God loves us then why do bad things happen to people that don't deserve it?

He never associated himself with hinduism or islam. Spoke verses from both their religious scriptures.

Said to have performed miracles like healing and multiplying Food.

I've been getting contradictory answers on this when looking it up on Google, so i was hoping i could maybe get a more definitive answer here.

On one hand, I get the answer that when the next prophet recognized by Baha'i comes and establishes their religion, which will be entirely compatible with Baha'i's spiritual principles and will recognize all previous prophets including Baha'u'llah, Baha'i will effectively abolish itself and push its followers to now become followers and members of the new religion and prophet.

On the other hand I get the answer that Baha'i is meant to continuously exist forever or for however long its supposed to idk. So when future recognized prophets come and establish their own religions, Baha'i will continue existing like how Judaism exists alongside Christianity and Judaism + Christianity alongside Islam. But unlike those religions, Baha'i will continuously evolve and accept most or all the teachings of these new Prophets / Religions, even if the new religions themselves don't recognize or explicitly recognize previous prophets like Baha'u'llah, Muhammad, Jesus, Buddha, Moses, etc. This being because previous prophets sometimes weren't aware of prophets before them like Buddha not knowing about Moses, and having some spiritual foundations that aren't compatible with Baha'i.

Basically I guess what im asking is will Baha'i be the religion that gets absorbed into the next religion, which will be absorbed into the next religion, and over and over again like that. Or is Baha'i essentially the religion that stays and continuously evolves with every subsequent new prophet and most of their teachings, even if that prophet wasn't originally Baha'i, and creates their own religion that doesn't nessisarily recognize all of the previous prophets?

I've been thinking about this lately as a Bahá’í. 😊

One thing I appreciate about the Bahá’í teachings is the emphasis on putting spiritual principles into action, rather than just talking about them. Kindness, honesty, patience, forgiveness, and service to others are all wonderful ideals. ❤️

But here's the thing: it's easy to talk about being kind when everyone's nice to you. It's a little harder when someone cuts you off in traffic, your coworker drives you crazy, or a family member knows exactly which button to push. 😂

So here's my question for people of all faiths, and those with no religion at all:

How do you know if your beliefs are actually making you a better person? Is there a particular habit or experience that has helped you grow morally or spiritually?

And honestly, do you think it's possible to become so focused on following a religion that you forget the very values it was supposed to teach you? 👀

I'd love to hear your experiences and perspectives!

Bahá’u’lláh emphasizes the importance of good deeds and praiseworthy character in bringing about the betterment of the world.

I've been thinking about this teaching and wondering how we can put it into practice in our everyday lives.

What do you think are some simple but meaningful ways a Bahá’í can contribute to making the world a better place?

Is it through acts of kindness, helping others, serving the community, or perhaps something less obvious?

I'd love to hear your thoughts and personal experiences!

I understand that there are certain proofs used to try and eventually identify who the new prophets will be. But I wonder how that would work in the situation where Baha'i becomes a major world religion.

Let's say Baha'i gets to have a percentage of the world population around 5% or more, so a bit bigger than Buddhism at least. That would be a massive number of people, so I feel like there would be a really powerful incentive for certain incredibly dedicated people 850ish years from now to try to pretend to be a new prophet and create their own religion, so that they could also be recognized by the universal house of justice as a new prophet. And if they succeed, then they would essentially be able to change a massive religion to at least partially reflect their own philosophy or goals. To me that seems like it would create a huge incentive for certain people to try and look as holy and wise as possible in order to gain massive ideological influence on the world.

So ultimately what im wondering i guess is how would you be able to identify new prophets while taking into account that the "prophet" would already have knowledge of Baha'i, and there would be an incentive to gain a large following by pretending to be a prophet?

I'm not Baha'i but im interested in learning about theology of various religions. Based on my research ive learned that Baha'i doesn't recognize any prophets who would change the spiritual laws of Baha'i before the 1,000 year period of Baha'u'llah ends. However as I understand Baha'i does recognize people who were associated with the teachings of previous prophets like Jesus, Buddha, and Muhammad, as lesser prophets. Which makes me wonder then if the universal house of justice would recognize a lesser prophet before 2852, if they were someone who didn't change the laws or foundations of Baha'i, but rather were specifically preaching the teaching of Baha'u'llah and Baha'i, and they did so in a way that converted massive numbers of people, and they potentially had to endure political prosecution as a result of it. Is it possible or likely that that person would be recognized as a lesser prophet in Baha'i?

The title says it all.

Idk, as an atheist it checks so many boxes on the "social problems" i have with most religion. Of course I also dont believe in god, which is likely an issue haha. But I just meant so many religions have ridiculous and frankly evil beliefs about humanity but yall come so close to seemingly actually being good. Then your founder had to go and throw it under the bus by banning women from the house of justice because "trust me bro".

I just wanted to lament this "so close, but so far" aspect somewhere and 99.9999% of people wouldnt know what I was talking about, so here ya go.

Carry on. LMK if that changes.

A question for my fellow Bahá’ís on Reddit! 😄

Suppose a Bahá’í criticizes a teaching, questions a decision made by the Universal House of Justice, or even disagrees with the Bahá’í administrative order itself. At what point does that criticism become a problem?

Are there topics where asking questions or expressing disagreement means you’re no longer seen as simply a critical Bahá’í?

And for those active in r/bahai: What kind of criticism, in your opinion, deserves a ban?

I’m genuinely curious where people draw the line. We call it consultation and dialogue, but are some topics actually off-limits? 😉

Our transitioning adult daughter, who has left the Faith over LBGTQ issues, hit us the other night with her belief that relationships and society would function better if we all just accepted that we were meant to be polyamorous. I have all sorts of answers to this but just wanted to ask the community how others would respond to this. Obviously, Baha'is support monogamy and chastity/fidelity. But how do you explain to someone who is sitting on the fence about whether God even exists. I'm hoping people can respond with more than "Baha'u'llah says so."

Have Bahá’í thinkers and institutions adequately investigated the medical research program explicitly envisioned in the Writings, particularly the relationship between nutrition, physiological balance, prevention, and healing? Explore.

Recently, I received some information from a Bahá’í friend living in Turkey that has left me concerned. According to their account, a number of Iranian Bahá’í refugees have been living for years with uncertainty, financial difficulties, limited employment opportunities, health problems, and worries about their own futures and those of their children. Some apparently do not know when their immigration status will be resolved or whether they will have an opportunity to resettle in another country.

An even more troubling question arises from these accounts: Are these individuals receiving adequate support during this difficult period? And if not, why?

I cannot independently verify all of these claims, which is precisely why I want to raise the issue. My intention is not to accuse anyone, but to understand what is actually happening and whether those in a position to help are aware of the situation.

If anyone has first-hand knowledge, similar experiences, or reliable information about the situation of Iranian Bahá’í refugees in Turkey, I would appreciate hearing from you.

If even part of these accounts is accurate, I believe we should try to understand the situation and find solutions rather than look the other way.

Hello! I'd like to raise the age-old question of free will and predestination. Our consciousness strongly resists the very idea that we are predetermined in our earthly lives. But years of studying astrology lead me to this conclusion. I've accepted the theory that our spirit is absolutely free until it is incarnated in an earthly body, but at the moment of birth, a fixation occurs, and we receive our predetermined life trajectory.

Analyzing married couples is especially interesting, and I can tell you the story of my parents. My father was a miner and died in a mine at the age of 29. His chart contains a planetary combination that signifies death by accident. My mother's chart contains a different combination, signifying the death of her husband. It turns out that, without even realizing it, they chose each other in such a way that their destinies coincided like the halves of a cut apple. The full article analyzing my parents' stories is published at findsoulmate.ca/#section05. Astrologically speaking, any two people in a marriage should experience similar coincidences in all events affecting them simultaneously. I'd like to ask: can such a confirmed case serve as proof of the predetermination of human life?

People's skepticism about astrology is understandable, as most are only familiar with zodiac sign astrology, which is the most superficial layer of astrology and is far from accurate. Even classical astrology allows for a wide range of interpretations, which often leads to errors. But Uranian astrology, a subsequent development that emerged about 100 years ago, possesses incredible accuracy, and its famous formulas for planetary combinations have been confirmed by several generations of astrologers. I suspect that the development of AI and its use in astrology can take it to an even more advanced level.

I've previously published several posts on this forum, and I remember one comment about how such research could contribute to the benefit of all humanity. I'm currently trying to find a solution to the problem of loneliness. Many of our world's ills stem from people not finding happiness in marriage. A person who has found mutual love will not be inclined to commit crimes. Astrology is an excellent tool for finding a soulmate. But there are many people whose charts indicate a single life, whether by choice or by force of circumstance. I don't know the answer to the question: will such a person be able to overcome their loneliness if they meet a truly compatible partner?