The CovenantCovenant-breakingThe GuardianshipThe Universal House of JusticeThe Appointed InstitutionsThe Elected InstitutionsThe World CenterThe Principle of ConsultationBahá'í ElectionsPolitical ActivitiesBack to Course IndexHomeThe CovenantCovenant-breakingThe GuardianshipThe Universal House of JusticeThe Appointed InstitutionsThe Elected InstitutionsThe World CenterThe Principle of ConsultationBahá'í ElectionsPolitical ActivitiesBack to Course IndexHomeThe Bible promises the Day that shall not be followed by Night. This is achieved in the Bahá'í Faith through the power of the Covenant. The Bahá'í Writings reference several levels of Covenants. The two important ones are the "Greater Covenant" and the "Lesser Covenant". A Covenant is essentially a contract which involves two parties and in which each party has terms to abide by. In the case of the Greater Covenant, God has promised to never leave mankind without His loving guidance; mankind in turn promises to try to live in accordance with that guidance. This means we are obligated to recognize and follow the Messenger of God for our Day, that is, if you were alive in the year 200AD, Christ was the Messenger for that Day. If you were alive in the year 1000AD, Muhammad was the Messenger for that Day. From 1863 and onward the Messenger of the Day is Bahá'u'lláh. The term Manifestation is synonymous with "Messenger of God". Each Manifestation renews this Greater Covenant: He fulfills the expectation of the previous Manifestation and also promises that another Manifestation will appear in the future to again renew this Greater Covenant, like the seasons of the year there is always a new Divine Springtime. Bahá'u'lláh promised that another Manifestation would appear some time after 1,000 years, meaning not before the year 2863 (He actually wrote this around the year 1880 or so, so it could mean even later than that: this detail is not very important to us right now since none of us will be alive to worry about it! No doubt the Universal House of Justice will elaborate at the appropriate time.)
The Lesser Covenant is the agreement made between the Manifestation of God and His followers in which He appoints a successor after Him and in return His followers must accept His successor. Only in this way can the religion be safeguarded from division and the introduction of man-made ideologies into the otherwise pure teachings. In the case of the Bahá'í Faith, despite numerous vigorous attempts to start new sects and cause divisions in the community, the Faith remains united under the guidance of the Universal House of Justice. The attempts by individuals to split the Faith have resulted only in very tiny pockets that all eventually fade away in time. Going back in time, Bahá'u'lláh, in His Will and Testament, appointed His eldest son, 'Abdu'l-Bahá as His Successor. He gave 'Abdu'l-Bahá the authority to interpret His writings and commanded His followers to obey 'Abdu'l-Bahá. In turn, 'Abdu'l-Bahá, in His own Will and Testament, named the Guardian and the Universal House of Justice as His twin successors. In this same document, 'Abdu'l-Bahá specifically named Shoghi Effendi, His eldest grandson, as Guardian of the Bahá'í Faith. The Guardian was given authority to interpret the Bahá'í teachings but not to add or subtract one bit from the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh and 'Abdu'l-Bahá. This will be discussed further.
A person who becomes Bahá'í "signs up" to the terms of this Covenant. Very rarely, unfortunately, a Bahá'í will turn around and attack the authority of something in the chain of this successorship. It has happened at every turn: some rejected 'Abdu'l-Bahá after the passing of Bahá'u'lláh; some rejected Shoghi Effendi after the passing of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, some claimed to be the next Guardian after Shoghi Effendi during the brief period between the passing of Shoghi Effendi (1957) and the first election of the Universal House of Justice (1963). At the root of these rejections is some kind of self-serving interest, the seeking of personal power and/or adoration, etc. Anyone who studies the Bahá'í teachings readily realizes how those motivations are the antithesis of Bahá'í Principles, for this Faith is about unity, humility and servitude, not separation, self promotion and thirst for power. A Bahá'í who breaks this covenant is designated by the Head of the Faith (today, the Universal House of Justice) as a Covenant-breaker. A Covenant-breaker is not someone who rejects or ignores Bahá'u'lláh's station, nor is it someone who loses faith or has doubts about their beliefs, nor someone who disobeys Bahá'í laws. Rather, a Covenant-breaker is someone who attacks the Messenger or the institutions that the Messenger has designated as being the God-guided source of guidance after His passing. Someone is declared a Covenant-breaker only after every effort is made to help the person see the error of their ways. Covenant-breakers are entirely shunned by the Bahá'í Community. It is like a cancer in the body. If the cancer is not cut out, eventually it will destroy the body, but isolated, it quickly dies and the body is restored to health. Likewise, when isolated from the Bahá'í Community, over the years the pocket of Covenant-breakers too die out and the futility of their attempts at disunity become evident to all.
We become firm in the Covenant by recognizing God's Manifestation and by obeying His commands, i.e. by observing the laws and principles set forth in His Writings. Our firmness in the Covenant is a great source of strength and happiness. It gives us the spiritual strength to meet all of life's challenges and strengthens the Bahá'í Community, which in turn is a great source of comfort and support for the individual Bahá'í.
'Abdu'l-Bahá created the Guardianship in His Will and Testament and appointed Shoghi Effendi as the first Guardian. He made provisions for the Guardian's successor which will later be discussed. Bahá'u'lláh had already created the Universal House of Justice in His own Will and Testament. 'Abdu'l-Bahá called upon these two institutions to head the Bahá'í Community. In His Will and Testament, 'Abdu'l-Bahá says "Whatsoever they decide is of God" and that both are "under the care and protection" of Bahá'u'lláh and under "the shelter and unerring guidance of the Báb", thus indicating these institutions as channels of unerring divine guidance.
The Guardian's chief function is to interpret the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, the Báb and 'Abdu'l-Bahá, and to serve as the permanent head of the Universal House of Justice. These duties in fact are permanently being carried out despite the fact that Shoghi Effendi passed away before the first Universal House of Justice was elected. Shoghi Effendi translated many of the Sacred Writings and in the process of translating gave us his insightful interpretations. He also wrote numerous letters and messages to Bahá'í Assemblies and individuals, also giving his interpretations of the meaning of the Sacred Writings. The Universal House of Justice today has no chairman. The writings of the Guardian are always consulted in any of their deliberations, hence the Guardianship still provides guidance owing to the vast works of Shoghi Effendi.
The Guardian provided a great service to the Bahá'í Community by developing the World Center on Mount Carmel (Haifa, Israel) and by carrying out the plans of the great visionary, 'Abdu'l-Bahá (see the Tablets of the Divine Plan in the session on Bahá'í Writings).
'Abdu'l-Bahá established the Guardianship as a hereditary office. Shoghi Effendi had no children. Also, there was another provision 'Abdu'l-Bahá made: any choice of Guardian must be confirmed by the Hands of the Cause, individuals appointed by the Guardian essentially as his assistants in carrying out his responsibilities. By the time Shoghi Effendi passed away, he had no children, neither were any of the other remaining members of Bahá'u'lláh's family faithful to the Covenant, hence he could not name any successor. The Hands of the Cause, those selfless trustees of the Bahá'í Community, worked diligently to execute the final expansion plan of the Guardian which culminated in the election of the Universal House of Justice in April, 1963. In the greatest demonstration of selflessness, the Hands of the Cause requested that the Bahá'í Community disqualify them from membership on the Universal House of Justice so that they could fulfill the roles that the Guardian assigned them. What a great example of the selfless nature of "leadership" in the Bahá'í World! What a debt of gratitude the Bahá'í Community owes these great individuals for preserving the unity of the community during perhaps the most difficult period in its history.
There have been numerous attempts at splintering the Bahá'í Community as mentioned. The most recent significant instance occurred during the time after the passing of Shoghi Effendi. Mason Remey, an American Bahá'í was a Hand of the Cause. After the passing of Shoghi Effendi, Mason Remey and all the other Hands of the Cause signed a document stating that no Will and Testament had been found from Shoghi Effendi and that no Guardian could be appointed. However, Mason Remey later felt that a second Guardian must be appointed and in 1960 he, with support of a few other Bahá'ís, declared himself to be a candidate as the second Guardian, and in fact, declared himself as the second Guardian. This was of course totally preposterous since 'Abdu'l-Bahá, in His Will, required that the Guardian's successor be either the 'first-born' of the Guardian or another male descendent of Bahá'u'lláh, and that the Hands of the Cause must give their assent to his choice. Mason Remey was in no way related to Bahá'u'lláh, and, after Mason Remey's declaration the Hands unanimously condemned this action. The Hands of the Cause in the Holy Land (a group of nine empowered by the other Hands to act as head of the Bahá'í Community), declared Mason Remey and his followers as Covenant-breakers. Today, there are still remnants of Mason Remey's followers continuing to promote their claims and refusing to recognize the Universal House of Justice which has existed for over three decades. This is just a recent example of how an individual, following his/her own desires can move from an honored position in the community to a position of attacking the authority of the institutions. After Mason Remey's death, many of his followers recognized that they were misled, repented, and returned to the community or withdrew from the Faith. Serious rivalries broke out among his leading followers, each claiming to be his successors, and some of whom still promote themselves to this day (on internet!). For Bahá'ís, although these sites may invoke curiosity, we avoid them because ingesting the self-serving distortions of these individuals into our minds is even less wise than to ingest toxic substances into our bodies.
The Second Pillar of the Administrative Order, the Universal House of Justice, is the supreme governing and legislative body of the Bahá'í Faith and the Head of the world community. It was ordained by Bahá'u'lláh and mandated:
The House of Justice comprises nine members, elected every five years by the members of the world's National Spiritual Assemblies at the international Bahá'í convention at the Bahá'í World Center in Haifa. Bahá'u'lláh promised "God will verily inspire" the members of the Universal House of Justice "with whatsoever He willeth". 'Abdu'l-Bahá explained that whatever they decide has the same effect as the sacred texts themselves and that all should seek guidance from them and obey them. It was first elected in 1963. With the Universal House of Justice in existence, there is no future basis for new outbreaks of Covenant-breaking based on successorship, since now there is no more potential for discontinuity. Alas, there may well always be Covenant-breaking as individuals forget the past lessons and examples in disobedience to the Covenant.
The Hands of the Cause of God are prominent, trusted Bahá'ís to whom Bahá'u'lláh, 'Abdu'l-Bahá, and Shoghi Effendi assigned special responsibilities for expanding the Faith and protecting it. 'Abdu'l-Bahá listed their duties as "to diffuse the Divine Fragrances, to edify the souls of men, to promote learning, to improve the character of all men and be, at all times and under all conditions, sanctified and detached from earthly things". Shoghi Effendi refers to them as the "Chief Stewards of Bahá'u'lláh's embryonic World Commonwealth". The Hands of the Cause of God assumed responsibility for preserving the unity of the Faith, directing its affairs and protecting its interests until they unanimously decided that the time was right for the election of the Universal House of Justice. As mentioned, they asked that they themselves be disqualified from membership in the Universal House of Justice, and became subservient to it upon its election.
The Continental Boards of Counselors was an institution created by the Universal House of Justice (UHJ) when the UHJ determined that it had no authority to appoint Hands of the Cause of God. This institution was created in 1968 to extend the work of the Hands, since eventually the Hands will all pass away.
The International Teaching Center was created by the UHJ in 1973 to coordinate and direct the work of the Continental Board of Counselors. The work of the Counselors is to stimulate, counsel and assist National Spiritual Assemblies and to keep the UHJ and the Hands informed about the condition of the Faith throughout the world. The Counselors work to broaden the base, strengthen, and ensure the security of the National Spiritual Assemblies and their underlying institutions and communities in their jurisdiction. Essential they help propagate and protect the Faith.
The Auxiliary Boards were established in 1954 by Shoghi Effendi as deputies to the Hands of the Cause. Supervision of the Auxiliary Boards were transferred to the Counselors when that institution was created in 1968. The purpose is to spark and support the growth of the Faith and to protect it from harm at the grassroots level. Auxiliary Board members appoint assistants to help them carry out their duties. This institution grows in size as the Bahá'í Community grows in size.
The elected institutions have legislative, executive and judicial powers over the Bahá'í Community.
The National Spiritual Assembly (NSA) was established by 'Abdu'l-Bahá in His Will and Testament and referred to as the "secondary House of Justice". Among its duties are:
It must also decide if a matter lies within its own jurisdiction or with that of an LSA. It also decides what matters should be referred to the UHJ.
The Local Spiritual Assembly (LSA) was established by Bahá'u'lláh in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas and referred to as the "local House of Justice". He ordained that one be established in every locality where at least nine Bahá'ís live. Its purpose is to "take counsel together and to have regard for the interests of the servants of God", "to choose that which is meet and seemly". 'Abdu'l-Bahá describes them as "shining lamps and heavenly gardens, from which the fragrances of holiness are diffused over all regions, and the lights of knowledge are shed abroad over all created things". Today, LSAs comprise nine members, elected annually in April. The most important duties are:
'Abdu'l-Bahá says they are potent sources of human progress at all times and under all conditions. He advises us not to "take any step" without consulting our LSA and to obey its decisions "with heart and soul" so that "things may be properly ordered and well arranged" for the good of the Faith. Shoghi Effendi encourages us to go to the Assemblies like "a child would to its parents" and to carry out its decisions cheerfully and without reservations.
Regional Councils were established recently by the National Spiritual Assembly at the behest of the Universal House of Justice. This institution facilitates the planning of teaching activities in four different regions of the United States (North-east, South, Central, Western). Some other nations were directed to implement these councils also tailored to their specific needs. The councils are elected by the members of the LSAs throughout the region of jurisdiction.
Isaiah promised "it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it". The Bahá'í World Center, in fulfillment of this prophecy, is located on Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel. More than 100 years ago Bahá'u'lláh fulfilled Isaiah's prophecies when He visited Mount Carmel and revealed the Tablet of Carmel (which you can read in the book "Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh", see the session on Writings), the charter establishing the world spiritual and administrative centers of the Bahá'í Faith. In 1909 'Abdu'l-Bahá laid the sacred remains of the Báb to rest on Mount Carmel, thus establishing the second most holy spot in the Bahá'í world. When 'Abdu'l-Bahá ascended in 1921 He was also buried within the Shrine of the Báb. In 1939 Shoghi Effendi transferred the remains of Abdu'l-Bahá's mother (Navváb) and brother (Mírzá Mihdí) near the resting place of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's sister, Bahíyyih Khánum. These three resting places are at the center of the "world-shaking, world-embracing, world-directing" administrative institutions, i.e. the "Ark" which Bahá'u'lláh references in the Tablet of Carmel. In 1953 Shoghi Effendi arranged for the building of the beautiful superstructure over the Shrine of the Báb and then began planning to construct the five magnificent buildings, all in a harmonious style of architecture arranged in a wide arc around the resting places of the Holy Family. The first building was completed in 1957 shortly before Shoghi Effendi's passing: the International Archives Building in which original writings of the Central Figures can be viewed along with soul-stirring artifacts from the history of the Faith.
In 1987, the Universal House of Justice announced that the remaining buildings of the Administrative Center would be erected along with a series of terraces above and below the Shrine of the Báb and an extension to the Archives Building. This construction project means more than just providing the location for administrative activities to be carried out: it has a great spiritual significance, it is like a material symbol of the process of the spiritualization of humanity and the presence of justice and unity throughout the world. The transformation from bleak hillside to one of the most beautiful places on earth is symbolic of the spiritual transformation that will occur in the world as a result of the adoption of God's guidance for today. The Seat of the Universal House of Justice was completed and occupied in 1983. The Center for the Study of the Texts is nearly completed. The International Teaching Center is under construction. The International Bahá'í Library is yet to be started. Photos of the Bahá'í World Center are available.
The Bahá'í Administrative Order operates on the principle of consultation. Briefly, the objective is to discover the truth of a matter or to arrive at a decision. It is a unity building process unlike the politics more familiar to us. Facts are gathered and decisions reached based on spiritual principles using frank, loving and courteous exchange of different viewpoints and avoiding the clinging to one's own viewpoint. The group desires a unanimous decision, however in the absence of that, the majority view is adopted and all treat it whole-heartedly as the decision of all. If the decision is wrong, it will become evident and corrected but unity is essential. More information is available in the session on Bahá'í Principles.
Bahá'í elections are unlike anything we have seen before. Every believer in good standing and 21 years of age and older is eligible for the Local Spiritual Assembly. The election does not permit self-promotion, nominations or campaigning. The community assembles in a spirit of unity and friendliness and using secret ballot elects those whom prayer and reflection inspire them to choose, looking for those with the high spiritual qualities such as unquestioned loyalty, selfless devotion, a well-trained mind, recognized ability and mature experience. Those elected are not responsible to their electorate but rather to God. The National Spiritual Assembly is elected in a two-stage process: first a regional delegate is elected, then the delegates assemble at the National Convention to elect the NSA from among any believer in good standing and 21 years of age and older within the nation.
Recently, an additional administrative body has been added: the Bahá'í Regional Counsels. These were instituted by the Universal House of Justice in several nations to support decentralization of teaching planning. The Counsel is elected by the LSA members annually from among all Bahá'ís in good standing and 21+ within the region.
Bahá'ís are free to exercise their right to vote but are directed (by Shoghi Effendi) not to join or maintain membership in any political party. We stay apart from partisan politics since they are a source of disunity. Rather, Bahá'ís "must turn all their forces into the channel of building up the Bahá'í Cause and its administration. They can neither change nor help the world in any other way at present. If they become involved in the issues the governments of the world are struggling over, they will be lost. But if they build up the Bahá'í pattern they can offer it as a remedy when all else has failed." When political controversies arise, Bahá'ís assign no blame and take no sides, instead choosing to foster the spirit of unity.
The source for this
material is largely pages 20-34 of "So Great An Honor",
prepared by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of
the United States
and has been abbreviated for this website.