This really strikes me as a revolutionary take on the concept of justice-that observing it lies in recognizing the prophet of God, and violating it lies in a conscious denial of his claim. Did Baha’u’llah’s broader, more expansive understanding of justice surprise you? Perhaps the above passages are why, at a later point in the Tablet, Baha’u’llah actually mentions its recipient by name and remarks that “his justice is his faith in God” and that “it is a justice unmatched by any other.” Whoso believeth not in Him hath indeed abandoned the stronghold of justice, and recorded his name as an oppressor in the glorious and preserved Tablet. The justice that shaketh the pillars of oppression and eradicateth the foundation of blasphemy is the recognition of this Revelation in this resplendent dawn, wherein the Sun of Glory shineth with manifest sovereignty above the horizon of eternity. Here is another fascinating declaration from Baha’u’llah’s tablet on the subject of justice: That’s precisely why, as I mentioned above, obedience to him is even more cherished than “the acts of worship and devotion offered by the entire creation”-because the very pinnacle of justice itself lies in following the prophet of God for this day and age. This truly fascinating declaration-that Baha’u’llah himself incarnates “the highest, the infallible standard of justice unto all creation”-really struck me profoundly. – Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah, p. Were His law to be such as to strike terror into the hearts of all that are in heaven and on earth, that law is naught but manifest justice. He doth verily incarnate the highest, the infallible standard of justice unto all creation. Know verily that the essence of justice and the source thereof are both embodied in the ordinances prescribed by Him Who is the Manifestation of the Self of God amongst men, if ye be of them that recognize this truth. Actually, one particular passage from this tablet, translated by Shoghi Effendi, addresses that question directly: According to the Baha’i teachings, are there other aspects to justice, such as belief in Baha’u’llah and following Baha’i laws? Perhaps that’s why it’s such an attractive trait! It is a demonstration of our inherent capacity to be good, kind, and noble, all wrapped up into one beautiful virtue. Personally, I think there is something very pleasant about seeing someone be courteous in their interactions with others. Well is it with him that adorneth his temple therewith, and woe unto him who is deprived of this great bounty. Courtesy is, in truth, a raiment which fitteth all men, whether young or old. We, verily, have chosen courtesy, and made it the true mark of such as are nigh unto Him. There is, however, ample praise for this important virtue in the writings of Baha’u’llah. Whereas “fairness” or “fair-mindedness” are traits that all of us have the potential to exemplify.Ĭourtesy basically refers to consideration for others, so it is quite different in that sense from the above set of words. It seems to me that justice is a virtue chiefly exercised by actual sovereigns who hold real power, and the language of the Tablet of the Paradise of Justice seems to confirm this idea. In Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, Baha’u’llah includes the following in one of his supplications to God:īestow justice upon the rulers, and fairness upon the divines. So, Baha’u’llah defines fair-mindedness as a subset of justice-an interesting distinction. This servant beseecheth the one True God-exalted be His glory-to graciously adorn the world of humanity with justice and fair-mindedness, although in truth the latter is but one of the expressions of the former. ![]() For instance, we have the following passage from Baha’u’llah in Tabernacle of Unity : I think, however, that the Baha’i teachings make the subtle differences between these concepts much clearer. ![]() ![]() As one example, the primary definition given for equitable is: “The state or quality of being just and fair.” If you look up each of those words in The American Heritage Dictionary, you will see that all of the definitions actually refer to each other. ![]() In secular contemporary usage, justice, equity, and fairness all function as synonyms. Is justice synonymous with equity, fairness or courtesy? In the last installment of this series, we discussed the young translator and scholar Adib Masumian’s recent provisional translation of Baha’u’llah’s Tablet of the Paradise of Justice, and its new way of defining the quality of justice.
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