Work is Worship
“Bahá’u’lláh enjoins work on all. No one need ever be ashamed of his job.”
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O Lord! Unto Thee I repair for refuge, and toward all Thy signs I set my heart.
O Lord! Whether traveling or at home, and in my occupation or in my work, I place my whole trust in Thee.
Grant me then Thy sufficing help so as to make me independent of all things, O Thou Who art unsurpassed in Thy mercy!
Bestow upon me my portion, O Lord, as Thou pleasest, and cause me to be satisfied with whatsoever Thou hast ordained for me.
Thine is the absolute authority to command.
-The Báb
O MY SERVANT!
The best of men are they that earn a livelihood by their calling and spend upon themselves and upon their kindred for the love of God, the Lord of all worlds.
-The Hidden Words of Bahá'u'lláh
"... it is impossible for a human being to turn aside from his own selfish advantages and sacrifice his own good for the good of the community except through true religious faith. For self-love is kneaded into the very clay of man, and it is not possible that, without any hope of a substantial reward, he should neglect his own present material good. That individual, however, who puts his faith in God and believes in the words of God - because he is promised and certain of plentiful reward in the next life, ... will for the sake of God abandon his own peace and profit and will freely consecrate his heart and soul to the common good."
-Abdu'l-Bahá, The Secret of Divine Civilization, pages 96-97
Every person must have an occupation, a trade or a craft, so that he may carry other people's burdens, and not himself be a burden to others.
-‘Abdu’l-Bahá, The Compilation of Compilations vol. I, p. 3
“Bahá’u’lláh enjoins work on all. No one need ever be ashamed of his job.”
-Shoghi Effendi, Unfolding Destiny, p. 462
We have enjoined upon all to become engaged in some trade or profession, and have accounted such occupation to be an act of worship. Before all else, however, thou shouldst receive, as a sign of God's acceptance, the mantle of trustworthiness from the hands of divine favour; for trustworthiness is the chief means of attracting confirmation and prosperity.
-Bahá’u’lláh, The Compilation of Compilations vol. II, p. 335
It is the commandment of the Blessed Beauty, may my life be a sacrifice at His Threshold, that whosoever engageth in a craft, should endeavour to acquire in it utmost proficiency. Should he do so, that craft becometh a form of worship.
-‘Abdu’l-Bahá, The Compilation of Compilations vol. I, p. 3
Every Bahá’í has a duty to work and earn his living, and in choosing a career a Bahá’í should consider not only its earning capacity but also the benefit of the work to his fellowmen. All over the world Bahá’ís are rendering outstanding services in this way.
-The Universal House of Justice, Messages 1963 to 1986, p. 513
https://youtu.be/iRnCVTBEI4w?si=lSLpzHa6So162hcV
To engage in some profession is highly commendable, for when occupied with work one is less likely to dwell on the unpleasant aspects of life.
-Bahá’u’lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 175
“Thy letter was received. Praise be to God it imparted the good news of thy health and safety and indicated that thou art ready to enter an agricultural school. This is highly suitable. Strive as much as possible to become proficient in the science of agriculture, for in accordance with the divine teachings the acquisition of sciences and the perfection of arts are considered acts of worship. If a man engageth with all his power in the acquisition of a science or in the perfection of an art, it is as if he has been worshipping God in churches and temples. Thus as thou enterest a school of agriculture and strivest in the acquisition of that science thou art day and night engaged in acts of worship– acts that are accepted at the threshold of the Almighty. What bounty greater than this that science should be considered as an act of worship and art as service to the Kingdom of God.”
-‘Abdu’l-Bahá, quoted in The Chosen Highway by Lady Blomfield
"Work done in the spirit of service is the highest form of worship."
-‘Abdu'l-Baha, Divine Philosophy, p. 83
Having attained the stage of fulfilment and reached his maturity, man standeth in need of wealth, and such wealth as he acquireth through crafts or professions is commendable and praiseworthy in the estimation of men of wisdom, and especially in the eyes of servants who dedicate themselves to the education of the world and to the edification of its peoples. They are, in truth, cup-bearers of the life-giving water of knowledge and guides unto the ideal way. They direct the peoples of the world to the straight path and acquaint them with that which is conducive to human upliftment and exaltation. The straight path is the one which guideth man to the dayspring of perception and to the dawning-place of true understanding and leadeth him to that which will redound to glory, honour and greatness.
-Bahá’u’lláh