According to the Bahá’í teachings, every human being is a rational soul that is eternal. The purpose of life is to know and to love God, and to develop spiritual qualities such as truthfulness, justice, kindness, trustworthiness and a spirit of service.
A twofold moral purpose
The Bahá’í writings speak of a twofold moral purpose — to attend to one’s own spiritual and intellectual growth, and to contribute to the transformation of society. The two are inseparable: the qualities of the soul are developed through service to others.
Prayer and reflection
Daily prayer, reading and reflecting on the sacred writings, and fasting are important parts of Bahá’í life. They draw the individual closer to God and infuse everyday activity with spiritual meaning.
Work as worship
The Bahá’í teachings regard work performed in the spirit of service as equivalent to worship. Professional excellence, honesty and diligence are therefore expressions of the spiritual life.
Updated 12 October 2026