Becoming a Bahá’í
To be a Bahá’í one must…
- Catch the spark of Faith
- Know who Bahá’u'lláh, The Báb and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá are
- Be aware that there is an administration which should be respected and obeyed
- Learn the basic teachings of the Faith and endeavour to live by its laws
Becoming a Bahá’í is an individual matter of Faith. A convert is not required to renounce their previous faith, but merely to recognise that their previous faith was in need of regeneration.
Bahá’ís do not proselytize, they believe that everybody should discover Bahá’u'lláh for themself. So you will not find Bahá’ís who pressure you to join our Faith. Instead, we think it is the choice of each individual, between themselves and God, to decide for themselves what they believe. However, if you wish to become a Bahá’í, we welcome you with open arms!
The actual process of becoming part of the Bahá’í community varies according to the country in which you live, it often involves a written or spoken declaration that you believe in Bahá’u'lláh as the Messenger of God for this day and agree to try to obey His laws and institutions.
In the UK, a person can indicate verbally to a Bahá’í friend or in writing or by email that they consider themselves a Bahá’í and wish to be part of the community. Unless there is some very good reason for not doing so, their enrolment in the community is accepted without question.
Enrolled Bahá’ís can serve on the Local Assembly, if elected, or in other Bahá’í administrative roles; they can also attend the Nineteen Day Feast.
“The first duty prescribed by God for His servants is the recognition of Him Who is the Day Spring of His Revelation and the fountain of His laws… It behooveth every one who reacheth this most sublime station, this summit of transcendant glory, to observe every ordinance of Him Who is the Desire of the world. These twin duties are inseperable. Neither is acceptable without the other.”
Bahá’u'lláh
