For Bahá’ís, work can be worship.
Bahá’u’lláh urged every person to learn and practice an art, trade, craft or profession for the good of themselves, their families and society as a whole. This principle, fundamental to the identity and the spiritual life of all Bahá’ís, calls each person to develop, train and perfect their art, craft, science or profession to the highest possible level of proficiency, beauty and service. In fact, the Bahá’í writings say that work performed in the spirit of service rises to the level of prayer and worship:
It is enjoined upon every one of you to engage in some form of occupation, such as crafts, trades and the like. We have graciously exalted your engagement in such work to the rank of worship unto God, the True One. Ponder ye in your hearts the grace and the blessings of God and render thanks unto Him at eventide and at dawn. Waste not your time in idleness and sloth. Occupy yourselves with that which profiteth yourselves and others. – Tablets of Baha’u’llah, p. 26.
The Bahá’í teachings encourage everyone to work. Abdu’l-Bahá wrote “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.” The Bahá’í envision a future human society where universal education will train all children and where no one will have to beg, be homeless or live in abject poverty – where everyone will perform useful work, and all will contribute to the welfare of society. Bahá’ís believe that even the simplest and most basic work can ennoble and exalt our spiritual condition:
In the Bahá’í Cause arts, sciences and all crafts are (counted as) worship. The man who makes a piece of notepaper to the best of his ability, conscientiously, concentrating all his forces on perfecting it, is giving praise to God. Briefly, all effort and exertion put forth by man from the fullness of his heart is worship, if it is prompted by the highest motives and the will to do service to humanity. This is worship: to serve mankind and to minister to the needs of the people. Service is prayer. A physician ministering to the sick, gently, tenderly, free from prejudice and believing in the solidarity of the human race, he is giving praise. – Abdu’l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p. 176-177.
Bahá’u’lláh counsels against indolence, laziness and sloth, saying that everyone should engage in useful work, regardless of their economic status. The Bahá’í teachings especially honour and exalt those who practice a craft or an art and develop it to a high level of expertise and excellence. Bahá’u’lláh asks everyone to “treat craftsmen with deference,” and says that God loves the highest attainment of skill in every art and craft:
Knowledge is as wings to man’s life, and a ladder for his ascent. Its acquisition is incumbent upon everyone. The knowledge of such sciences, however, should be acquired as can profit the peoples of the earth…. Great indeed is the claim of scientists and craftsmen on the peoples of the world. – Tablets of Baha’u’llah Revealed After the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, pp. 51-52.
For Bahá’ís, everyone who works empowers his or her own nobility. The Bahá’í teachings view work to support yourself or your family as a noble endeavour; see work done in the spirit of service to others as worship; and regard work accomplished for the unity and well-being of all humanity as the noblest deed of all.