Can Humanity Unite?

Baha’is believe that yes, humanity not only can unite, but will unite as one race, the human race.  That essential oneness, the Baha’i teachings tell us, is our birthright and our destiny:

O ye steadfast loved ones! The grace of God is beating down upon mankind, even as the rains in spring, and the rays of the manifest Light have made this earth to be the envy of heaven. But alas, the blind are deprived of this bounty, the heedless are closed off from it, the withered despair of it, the faded are dying away — so that even as flooding waters, this endless stream of grace passeth back into its primal source in a hidden sea. Only a few receive this grace and take their share of it. Wherefore, let us put our hopes in whatever the strong arm of the Beloved can bring about.

We trust that in a time to come the slumberers will waken, and the heedless will be made aware, and the excluded will become initiates in the mysteries. Now must the friends work on with heart and soul and put forth a mighty effort, until the ramparts of dissension are toppled down and the glories of the oneness of humanity lead all to unity. – Abdu’l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu’l-Baha, p. 276.

This beautiful vision of the future of humanity has beckoned to philosophers, poets and prophets throughout history.  Called “The Shining City on the Hill,” this great dream can now come true.  We have the requisite knowledge, the technological and scientific means and inspiration from God in the Baha’i teachings that can all combine to bring about peace, unity and harmony amongst the entire human race.

The following prayer by Abdu’l-Baha summarizes the central Baha’i message of the precious nature and essential unity of humanity. It calls to all of us to uplift the banner of the oneness of mankind: 

O Thou kind Lord!  Thou hast created all humanity from the same stock.  Thou hast decreed that all shall belong to the same household.  In Thy Holy Presence they are all Thy servants, and all mankind are sheltered beneath Thy Tabernacle; all have gathered together at Thy Table of Bounty; all are illumined through the light of Thy Providence. 

O God!  Thou art kind to all, Thou hast provided for all, dost shelter all, conferrest life upon all.  Thou hast endowed each and all with talents and faculties, and all are submerged in the Ocean of Thy Mercy. 

O Thou kind Lord!  Unite all.  Let the religions agree and make the nations one, so that they may see each other as one family and the whole earth as one home.  May they all live together in perfect harmony. 

O God!  Raise aloft the banner of the oneness of mankind.

O God!  Establish the Most Great Peace.

Cement Thou, O God, the hearts together.

O Thou kind Father, God!  Gladden our hearts through the fragrance of Thy love.  Brighten our eyes through the Light of Thy Guidance. Delight our ears with the melody of Thy Word, and shelter us all in the Stronghold of Thy Providence.

Thou art the Mighty and Powerful, Thou art the Forgiving and Thou art the One Who overlooketh the shortcomings of all mankind. – Baha’i Prayers, p. 102.

Adapted from One With All The Earth, © Kalimat Press 2003, All Rights Reserved.