The Independent Investigation of Truth...

The Independent Investigation of Truth, Unfettered by Superstition or Tradition

“Bahā’u’llāh’s first principle is the seeking of the truth. Man must seek the truth and set aside imitations.”26

The independent investigation of truth is defined as searching for the truth and abstaining from imitations

The Investigation of Truth is one of the most important of the twelve Baha’i principles. `Abdu’l-Bahā introduced this as the first of Bahā’u’llāh’s teachings. 

(Although in another instance `Abdu’l-Bahā refers to the Oneness of Humanity as the first principle: “His first teaching is the Oneness of the World of Humanity,” `Abdu’l-Bahā, Khaṭābāt (Tehran), vol. 2, p. 5.) 

Baha’i’s preach that every individual must investigate and seek the truth. They must listen with their own ears, see with their own eyes, and contemplate without the influence of any love or hatred. 

(“When humans attain the rank of [religious] maturity they must investigate and think about [the things] the servants [of God] grasp—without [the influence] of love or hatred— whilst they have trust in God, and [they] must hear and see with their own ears and eyes.” `Abd al-Ḥamīd Ishrāq Khāwarī, Payām-i malakūt (New Delhi: Mu’assisiyi Maṭbū`āt Amrī Hind, 1986), p.11 (citing Bahā’u’llāh) 

`Abdu’l-Bahā says: 

Man must seek the truth and set aside imitations. The nations of the world each have their own imitations and each are different. The imitations have caused war and conflict, and as long as these imitations remain, the unity of the human world is not possible. Thus, one must seek the truth so that with its light, these darknesses disappear. For truth is only one. It does not accept plurality or division . . . These imitations, have made the human world dark. These imitations have caused war and killings. These imitations have caused hatred and enmity. Thus, we must seek the truth so that we can be freed from all of the hardships and [our] insights can be awakened and we can find way to the Divine Kingdom. (Abdu’l-Bahā, Khaṭābāt (Tehran), vol. 2, pp. 144–145.) 

According to `Abdul-Bahā, since every nation has its own set of imitations, and none of them ever heads towards a single truth, they will always be at war with each other. Instead, they should put these imitations aside and independently search for the truth so that all problems are solved. He also says: 

Those who are fair will examine, research, and inquire. This examination and inquiry will result in their guidance . . . they say, “We will go and see, and we will investigate the truth.” (`Abdu’l-Bahā, Khaṭābāt (Egypt), vol.1, p. 189.) 

It is certainly true that seeking the truth is critical. However, even more important is accepting the truth, once it is found. Otherwise, the slogan of seeking the truth will not solve anything. With this point in mind, we will analyze this principle from the three aforementioned perspectives.