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The word "Baháʼí" (بهائی) is used either as an adjective to refer to the Baháʼí Faith or as a term for a follower of Baháʼu'lláh.The proper name of the religion is the "Baháʼí Faith", not Baháʼí or Baháʼism (the latter, once common among academics, is regarded as derogatory by the Baháʼís).
The Baháʼí conception of God is of an "unknowable essence" who is the source of all existence and known through the perception of human virtues. The Baháʼí Faith follows the tradition of monotheism and dispensationalism, believing that God has no physical form, but periodically provides divine messengers in human form that are the sources of spiritual education.
In Baha'i belief, although human cultures and religions differ on their conceptions of God and his nature, the different references to God nevertheless refer to one and the same Being. The differences, rather than being regarded as irreconcilable constructs of mutually exclusive cultures, are seen as purposefully reflective of the varying needs ...
The purpose of the Manifestation of God, according to Baháʼí belief, is to educate humanity. [4] The Manifestations of God are seen as divine educators, who are raised up by God with the purpose of uplifting mankind and expressing his will. [4] In expressing God's intent, the Manifestations of God are seen to establish religion in the world. [4]
The greater covenant refers to the covenant all messengers from God make with their followers regarding the next messenger God will send for them. [1] According to Bahá'u'lláh, the founder of the Bahá'í Faith, God promises to always send divine teachers to instruct humankind in a process known as progressive revelation. [2]
Muhammad, Jesus, Moses, and Zoroaster were all named by Baháʼu'lláh as being among the establishers of religion, termed Manifestations of God, as well as himself, and his forerunner the Báb. Baháʼu'lláh also expressly or implicitly referred to Adam, Noah, Saleh, Húd, and an unnamed prophet of the Sabians as messengers of God.
Eternal Quest for God: An Introduction to the Divine Philosophy of Abdu'l-Baha, by Julio Savi, George Ronald, Publisher 1989; Spiritualization of the Baháʼí Community A Plan for Teaching by National Spiritual Assembly of the Baháʼís of Ireland and Adib Taherzadeh, 1982.
The Baháʼí teachings state that there is but one religion which is progressively revealed by God, through prophets/messengers, as humanity matures and its capacity to understand also grows. The outward differences in the religions, the Baháʼí writings state, are due to the exigencies of the time and place the religion was revealed. [4]