Consultation

“Bahá’u’lláh has established consultation as one of the fundamental principles of His Faith and has exhorted the believers to ‘take counsel together in all matters’. He describes consultation as ‘the lamp of guidance which leadeth the way’ and as ‘the bestower of understanding’. Shoghi Effendi states that the ‘principle of consultation… constitutes one of the basic laws’ of the Bahá’í Administrative Order.”
(The Kitáb-i-Aqdas, note 52, p. 190)

Bahá’u’lláh wrote:

“The Great Being saith: The heaven of divine wisdom is illumined with the two luminaries of consultation and compassion. Take ye counsel together in all matters, inasmuch as consultation is the lamp of guidance which leadeth the way, and is the bestower of understanding.”
(Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 168)

“Consultation bestoweth greater awareness and transmuteth conjecture into certitude. It is a shining light which, in a dark world, leadeth the way and guideth. For everything there is and will continue to be a station of perfection and maturity. The maturity of the gift of understanding is made manifest through consultation.”
(Consultation: A Compilation, p. 3)

‘Abdu’l-Bahá said:

“The question of consultation is of the utmost importance, and is one of the most potent instruments conducive to the tranquility and felicity of the people. For example, when a believer is uncertain about his affairs, or when he seeketh to pursue a project or trade, the friends should gather together and devise a solution for him. He, in his turn, should act accordingly. Likewise in larger issues, when a problem ariseth, or a difficulty occurreth, the wise should gather, consult, and devise a solution. They should then rely upon the One true God, and surrender to His Providence, in whatever way it may be revealed, for divine confirmations will undoubtedly assist. Consultation, therefore, is one of the explicit ordinances of the Lord of mankind.”
(Consultation: A Compilation, p. 7)

“The members thereof must take counsel together in such wise that no occasion for ill-feeling or discord may arise. This can be attained when every member expresseth with absolute freedom his own opinion and setteth forth his argument. Should anyone oppose, he must on no account feel hurt for not until matters are fully discussed can the right way be revealed. The shining spark of truth cometh forth only after the clash of differing opinions. If after discussion, a decision be carried unanimously well and good; but if, the Lord forbid, differences of opinion should arise, a majority of voices must prevail.”
(Quoted in Bahá’í Administration, p. 21)