Bahá'í teachings on political non-involvement
At a time when global affairs and geopolitical tensions dominate daily news, our thinking can be at risk of becoming polarised by unfolding events. At these times more than ever, we must cling to the Bahá’í teachings and spiritual principles that offer clarity and balance amid uncertainty, that keep us safe from being unwittingly enmeshed in, or unduly influenced by, the breakdown of the old world order.
This article draws on guidance originally published in Bahá’í News India (January 2005), which explores fundamental questions facing believers, each accompanied by extracts of authoritative guidance. These reflections invite us to step back from the immediacy of events and consider deeper principles that can inform our understanding, attitudes, and responses during turbulent times.
As 2026 is a general election year in Aotearoa, and election campaigns of the various political parties are already underway, this guidance can help with navigating the partisan politics of the general election.
What do the Bahá'í teachings say about involvement in politics?
The Guardian of the Faith calls for “…no interference whatsoever in political matters or questions.”(4) “We should - every one of us - remain aloof, in heart and in mind, in words and in deeds, from the political afffairs and disputes of the Nations and of Governments.”(4) “And this principle is no other than that which involves the non-participation by the adherents of the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh, whether in their individual capacities or collectively as local or national Assemblies, in any form of activity that might be interpreted, either directly or indirectly, as an interference in the political affairs of any particular government.”(2) “Let them refrain from associating themselves, whether by word or by deed, with the political pursuits of their respective nations, with the policies of their governments and the schemes and programmes of parties and factions.”(2)
What about political controversies?
The Guardian wrote: “In such controversies they should assign no blame, take no side, further no design, and identify themselves with no system prejudicial to the best interests of that world-wide Fellowship which it is their aim to guard and foster.”(2)
Is the Bahá'í Faith compatible with any political party?
The Guardian has written that no political party is completely harmonious with the principles enunciated by Bahá'u'lláh.(3) The Universal House of Justice states: “Membership in any political party, therefore, necessarily entails repudiation of some or all of the principles of peace and unity proclaimed by Bahá'u'lláh. As ‘Abdu’l-Bahá stated: ‘Our party is God’s party; we do not belong to any party.’”(5)
Would political involvement affect the unity within the Bahá'í community?
The Guardian wrote: “We Bahá’ís are one the world over, we are seeking to build up a new World Order, divine in origin. How can we do this if every Bahá’í is a member of a different political party - some of them diametrically opposite to each other? Where is our unity then? We would be divided, because of politics, against ourselves, and this is the opposite of our purpose. Obviously if one Bahá’í in Austria is given freedom to choose a political party and join it, however good its aims may be, another Bahá’í in Japan or America, or India, has the right to do the same thing and he might belong to a party the very opposite in principle to that which the Austrian Bahá’í belongs. Where would be the unity of the Faith then? These two spiritual brothers would be working against each other because of their political affiliations (as the Christians of Europe have been doing in so many fratricidal wars).”(3)
Could political involvement create difficulties for the Faith in another country?
The Universal House of Justice wrote: “If the institutions of the Faith, God forbid, became involved in politics, the Bahá’ís would find themselves arousing antagonism instead of love. If they took one stand in one country, they would be bounds to change the views of the people in another country about the aims and purposes of the Faith. By becoming involved in political disputes, the Bahá’ís instead of changing the world or helping it, would themselves be lost and destroyed.”(5)
What is the consequence to a Bahá'í of his involving himself in politics?
The Guardian has warned: “But if a certain person does enter into party politics and labours for the ascendancy of one party over another, and continues to do it against expressed appeals and warnings of the Assembly, the Assembly has the right to refuse him the right to vote in Bahá’í elections.”(3)
In what government positions could a Bahá'í seek employment?
The Universal House of Justice states: “The Faith is not opposed to the true interest of any nation, nor is it against any party or faction. It holds aloof from all controversies and transcends them all, while enjoining upon its followers loyalty to government and a sane patriotism. The love for their country the Bahá’ís show by serving its well-being in their daily activity, or working in the administrative channel of the government instead of through party politics or in diplomatic or political posts.”(5)
How can Bahá'ís decide which posts are acceptable?
The Guardian wrote: “It is their duty to strive to distinguish as clearly as they possibly can, and if needed with the aid of their elected representatives, such posts and functions as are either diplomatic or political from those that are purely administrative in character, and which under no circumstances are affected by the changes and chances that political activities and party government, in every land, must necessarily involve.”(2)
Is the Bahá'í Faith opposed to any party?
The Universal House of Justice has written: “The Faith is not opposed to the true interests of any nation, nor is it against any party or faction. It holds aloof from all controversies and transcends them all…”(5)
Should we form any connection with a party?
The Guardian wrote: We should have no political connection with any of the parties and should join no faction of these different and warring sects.”(4)
What should be our attitude toward political parties?
The Guardian has stated that: “Absolute impartiality in the matter of political parties should be shown by words and by deeds, and the love of the whole humanity, whether a Government or a nation, which is the basic teaching of Bahá'u'lláh, should also be shown by words and by deeds.”(4)
Should Bahá'ís associate with politicians?
The Universal House of Justice wrote: “The Bahá'ís may, indeed are encouraged to, mix with all strata of society, with the highest authorities and with leading personalities as well as with the mass of the people, and should bring the knowledge of the Faith to them; but in doing so they should strictly avoid becoming identified, or identifying the Faith, with political pursuits and party programmes.”(5)
What pitfalls are to be avoided in such association?
The Guardian warned the believers: “Let them beware lest they allow themselves to become the tools of unscrupulous politicians, or to be entrapped by the treacherous devices of the plotters and the perfidious among their countrymen.”(2)
Is it appropriate to mention a political figure in a Bahá'í public talk?
The Guardian wrote through his secretary: “The Guardian wishes me to draw the attention of the Friends through you that they should be very careful in their public addresses not to mention any political figures - either side with them or denounce them. This is the first thing to bear in mind. Otherwise they will involve the friends in political matters, which is infinitely dangerous to the Cause.”(3)
What are some guidelines for public presentations in connection with the Faith?
The Guardian stated: “We should, while endeavouring to uphold loyally and expound conscientiously our social and moral principles in all their essence and purity, in all their bearings upon the divers phases of human society, insure that no direct reference or particular criticism in our exposition of the fundamentals of the Faith would tend to antagonise any existing institution, or help to identify a purely spiritual movement with the base clamourings and contentions of warring sects, factions, and nations.”(3)
What approach should we use in our public utterances, written or verbal?
The Guardian wrote: “We should strive in all our utterances to combine the discretion and noble reticence of the wise with the frankness and passionate loyalty of the ardent advocate of an inspiring Faith. While refusing to utter a word that would needlessly alienate or estrange any individual, government, or people, we should fearlessly and unhesitatingly uphold and assert in their entirety such truths the knowledge of which we believe is vitally and urgently needed for the good and betterment of mankind.”(3)
Does the principle of non-involvement in politics affect our external affairs work or administrative activities?
The Guardian has written: “Whether it be in the publications which they initiate and supervise; or in their official and public deliberations; or in the posts they occupy and the services they render, or in their affiliations with kindred societies and organisations, it is, I am firmly convinced, their first and sacred obligation to abstain from any word or deed that might be construed as a violation of this vital principle.”(2)
Is it appropriate to vote in a civil election?
The Guardian wrote: “The Friends may vote, if they can do it, without identifying themselves with one party or another. To enter the arena of party politics is surely detrimental to the best interests of the Faith and will harm the Cause.”(3)
Does such a vote imply acceptance of the programme of a political party?
The Guardian has written: “…no Bahá'í vote for an officer nor Bahá'í participation in the affairs of the Republic shall involve acceptance by that individual of a programme or policy that contravenes any vital principle, spiritual or social, of the Faith. I feel it is incumbent upon me to clarify the above statement, written on my behalf, by stating that no vote cast, or office undertaken, by a Bahá'í should necessarily constitute acceptance, by the voter or office holder, of the entire programme of any political party.”(3)
Upon what basis should a Bahá'í cast his vote in a civil election?
The Guardian stated: “It remains for the individuals to so use their right to vote as to keep aloof from party politics, and always bear in mind that they are voting on the merits of the individual, rather than because he belongs to one party or another. The matter must be made perfectly clear to the individuals, who will be left free to exercise their discretion and judgement.”(3)
Will Bahá'ís be subject to temptation, in the future, to compromise their principles for material benefits they could obtain thus from a government?
The Guardian warns: “These communities will, moreover, feel a growing need of the goodwill and the assistance of their respective governments in their efforts to widen the scope, and to consolidate the foundations, of the institutions committed to their charge. Let them beware lest, in their eagerness to further the aims of their beloved Cause, they should be led unwittingly to bargain with their Faith, to compromise with their essential principles, or to sacrifice, in return for any material advantage which their institutions may derive, the integrity of their spiritual ideals.”(2)
References: Extracted from a compilation Political non-involvement and obedience to Government.
Bahá'í Administration
The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh
Principles of Bahá'í Administration
Directives from the Guardian
Messages of the Universal House of Justice 1968-1973
