The Answer:
Needing religion and spirituality for the development of human being isn’t an issue stated by the Baha’ism leaders for the first time but it is an intrinsic issue accepted by each free human being.
Consequently, the Almighty God has said to the holy prophet (P.H.):
“إِنَّمَا أَنْتَ مُنْذِرٌ وَ لِكُلِّ قَوْمٍ هَادٍ [رعد/7 ]”
“… Thou art a warner only, and for every folk a guide.” (Al-Ra’d/7)
The holy prophet (P.H.) has interpreted this verse as: The Almighty God has appointed me as warner and Ali Ibn Abu Talib and his 11 offspring as those who guide human beings till the day when they will come out of their graves[3].”
On the other hand, other divine religions had reminded human being of this concept. As the holy Quran has stated:
“رَضِيتُمْ بِالْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا مِنَ الْآخِرَةِ فَمَا مَتَاعُ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا فِي الْآخِرَةِ إِلَّا قَلِيلٌ [توبه/38]”
“… Take ye pleasure in the life of the world rather than in the Hereafter? The comfort of the life of the world is but little in the Hereafter.” [Al-Taubah/38]
“Or the holy Quran has also stated:
“وَفَرِحُوا بِالْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا فِي الْآخِرَةِ إِلَّا مَتَاعٌ [رعد/26]”
“… And they rejoice in the life of the world, whereas the life of the world is but brief comfort as compared with the Hereafter.” [Al-Ra’d /26]
[1] Abbas Effendi, the Sermons, Germany: The national assembly of publishing the faith works in Persian and Arabic languages, Bita, Vol. 3, p. 78.
[2] Abbas Effendi, the Sermons, Germany: The national assembly of publishing the faith works, 127 Badi’a, Vol. 2, p. 150-151.
[3] Refer to Sheikh Koleini, Kafi principles, Tehran: Darul Kotob Islamieh, 1388 A.H., Vol. 1, (the chapter ان الائمه هم الهداه) , Vol. 3, p. 192.