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PART THREE
THE WORLD ORDER OF Bahá’u’lláh
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I
THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE
“It is incumbent upon the T rustees of the House of Justice, to take counsel together regarding those things which have not outwardly been revealed in the Book, and to enforce that which is agreeable to them. God will verily inspire them with whatsoever He willeth, and He, verily, is the Provider, the Omniscient.”
Bahá’u’lláh
I. THE HISTORIC ELECTION OF THE FIRST UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE
OCCASION WORLDWIDE CELEBRATIONS MOST GREAT JUBILEE COMMEMORATING CENTENARY ASCENSION BAHAULLAH THRONE HIS SOVEREIGNTY WITH HEARTS OVERFLOWING GRATITUDE HIS UNFAILING PROTECTION OVERFLOWING BOUN'I'IES JOYOUSLY ANNOUNCE FRIENDS EAST WEST ELECTION SUPREME LEGISLATIVE BODY ORDAINED BY HIM IN HIS MOST HOLY BOOK PROMISED BY HIM RECEIVE HIS INFALLIBLE GUIDANCE STOP MEMBERS FIRST HISTORIC HOUSE JUSTICE DULY ELECTED BY DELEGATES COMPRISING MEMBERS FIFTY SIX NATIONAL ASSEMBLIES ARE CHARLES WOLCO'IT ALI NAKHJAVANI H BORRAH KAVELIN IAN SEMPLE LUTFULLAH HAKIM DAVID HOFMAN HUGH CHANCE AMOZ GIBSON HUSHMAND FATHEAZAM STOP TO IUBILATION ENTIRE BAHAI WORLD VICTORIOUS COMPLETION BELOVED GUARDIANS UNIQUE CRUSADE NOW ADDED HUMBLE GRATITUDE PROFOU'ND THANKSGIVING FOLLOWERS BAHAULLAH FOR ERECTION UNIVERSAL HOUSE JUSTICE AUGUST BODY TO WHOM ALL BELIEVERS MUST TURN WHOSE DESTINY IS TO GUIDE UNFOLDMENT HIS EMBRYONIC WORLD ORDER THROUGH ADMINISTRATIVE INSTITUTIONS PRESCRIBED BY BAHAULLAH ELABORATED BY ABDULBAHA LABORIOUSLY ERECTED BY SHOGHI EFFENDI AND ENSURE EARLY DAWN GOLDEN AGE FAITH WHEN THE WORD OF THE LORD WILL COVER THE EARTH AS THE WATERS COVER THE SEA
HAIFA 22 APRIL 1963 HANDSFAITH
771emembers of the Universal House of Justice assembled in the gardens surrounding
the Shrine of the Báb on Mt. Carmel. From left to right: Charles Wolcott, Amoz
Gibson, Ḥushmand Fatheazam, Hugh Chance, H. Barrah Kavelin, Ian Semple. Luṭfu’lláh Ḥakím, David Hofman, ‘Alt’ Nathjavdni.
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Amatu’l-Bahá’ Rúḥíyyih Khánum instructing the tellers who worked through the night
in order to report the election results promptly.
2 .' ‘ ~»’
The home of the Master, N0. 7 Haparsim Street, Haifa, where the delegates cast their ballots. In the centre foreground is the Hand of the Cause Tardzu’lláh Samandart’ and, to his right, the Hands of the Cause thkru’lláh flddem and Ugo Giachery.
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2. FIRST INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION
BY CHARLOTTE M. LINFOOT1
THE date of Apri121, 1963, the first day of Riḍván, year 120, the hundredth anniversary of the declaration by Bahá’u’lláh of His sacred mission, has now been recorded in history as the day that witnessed the birth of the Universal House of Justice, that supreme administrative body of the Bahá’í Faith referred to in Bahá’u’lláh’s prophetic Tablet of Carmel and which Shoghi Effendi stated “is to be the exponent and guardian of that Divine Justice which can alone insure the security of, and establish the reign of law and order in, a strangely disordered world.”
As early as November 5, 1961, the Hands of .the Cause had called the First International Convention of the Bahá’í Faith at which the election of this crowning administrative institution was to take place. The delegates were the five hundred and four members of the fifty-six National and Regional Spiritual Assemblies elected at their respective Annual Conventions in Riḍván 1962, charged with the sacred privilege and duty of voting for the nine members of the Bahá’í world community who would comprise the membership of the Universal House of Justice.
To enable the delegates to prepare themselves spiritually for their great responsibility, arrangements had been made by the Hands of the Cause, with the cooperation of the International Bahá’í Council, for all to visit the several holy places on God’s sacred mountain, Mt. Carmel in Haifa, and in its twin city, ‘Akká. This was the greatest mass pilgrimage ever to have been made to the World Center of our Faith. For the five-day period, April 20 to April 24, the Shrine of the Báb was closed to the public, thus making it possible for the delegates to visit this most sacred spot on Mt. Carmel to pray and meditate at any hour and as many times as they wished.
Also, on each of three evenings, at designated group of delegates spent more than two hours in the International Archives Building viewing the sacred relics and documents, beautifully
1 Reprinted from U.S. Balm”! News, June, 1963.
preserved and arranged in accordance with the personal instructions of the beloved Guardian, and gaining a deeper understanding of the significance of this edifice which he said is the first of the several structures which will eventually constitute the Ark referred to by Bahá’u’lláh in His Tablet of Carmel and become the World Administrative Center of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh whose beginnings trace back to the concluding years of the Heroic Age of the Faith.
The election of the Universal House of Justice, designated by Shoghi Effendi as “the supreme legislative body of the Administrative Order of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh”, took place on the morning of the first day of Riḍván. The manner in which it was carried out and the results were reported by the Hand of the Cause Paul E. Haney at the Most Great J ubilee a few days later, as follows:
The election was held in the House of the Master and the Guardian in Haifa.
The delegates gathered and entered the main hall silently and all were in their designated places by 9.30 am.
The Hand of the Cause Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum gave a brief address of welcome and explained the mechanics of the election. T here were two prayers only, preceding the election itself.
The two hundred and eighty-eight members of the fifty-one National and Regional Spiritual Assemblies present proceeded to fill out their ballot papers.
Ballots were received from every National and Regional Spiritual Assembly—fifty-six in all. Representatives were present from all but five of these fifty-six Assemblies.
In silence the roll was called, each National Assembly in alphabetical order. The members present placed their ballots in the ballot box and those from absentee delegates were called and deposited by the chief tellers.
As the various Assemblies came forward,
Mr. Haney commented, one was continuously
impressed by the widely representative charac
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Amatu’I-Bahd Rdlu’yyih flza’num extending greetings and good wishes to the members of the Universal House of Justice.
hm»;
Mr. Charles Wolcott, who received the highest number of votes, responding to the applause of the delegates.
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Interior view of Beit Harofe Auditorium, Haifa, where the general sessions of the International convention were held.
ter of the electors and that we “were privileged to witness one of the great events of history taking place before our eyes.”
“When the balloting was completed,” he concluded, “every one felt that Bahá’u’lláh had indeed been present in that gathering and that a unique and wonderful pattern had been established for the world to marvel at and, in the fullness of time, to follow.”
Following the casting of the ballots and the appointment of eighteen tellers representing as many countries, all the delegates except the tellers adjourned for luncheon. In mid—afternoon they gathered a second time at Bahjí where, in the beautiful gardens in front of the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh, they, together with the believers who reside in and near the twin holy cities of ‘Akká and Haifa, commemorated the Feast of Riḍván, followed by another visit to the resting place of Bahá’u’lláh.
The three-day convention resumed the following morning, and was opened by the Hand of the Cause Amatu’I-Bahá. Rúḥíyyih Khánum. There were three sessions on each of the remaining two days, with a Hand of the
Cause presiding and the discussion led by a different delegate. The discussions were very spirited, and while no formal resolutions were presented or adopted, all delegates took back to their national communities many valuable ideas which they may be able to incorporate in their own teaching and proclamation plans in the years ahead.
The results of the election were announced at the close of the morning session of the convention on April 22. The nine members were greeted and introduced by Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum and each believer present felt that he had witnessed not only the birth of an institution which would be regarded by posterity as the “last refuge of a tottering civilization” but also the beginning of a new and more glorious stage in the evolution of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh. This was indeed an occasion of great rejoicing in the community of the Most Great Name around the world and another historic and history-making step toward “that blissful consummation” envisioned by the beloved Guardian in his message of April 1955 “when the shackles
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The International Archives Building where the delegates assembled for the official convention photograph.
hampering the growth of their beloved Faith will have been finally burst asunder, when its independent status will have been officially and universally recognized, when it will have ascended the throne and wielded the scepter of spiritual and temporal authority, when the brightness of its glory will have illuminated the
whole earth, and its dominion will have been established over the entire planet.”
. . . from the heart of Zion there cometh the cry: “The promise is fulfilled. That which had been announced in the holy Writ of God, the most Exalted, the Almighty, the Best-Beloved, is made manifest.”
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3. FIRST STATEMENT FROM THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE
Presented by DAVID HOFMAN on April 30, 1963, at the World Congress
All praise, O my God, be to T hee Who art the Source of all glory and majesty, of greatness and honour, of sovereignty and dominion, afloftiness and grace, of awe and power. Whomsoever T hou willest Thou causest to draw nigh unto the Most Great Ocean, and on whomsoever T hou desirest T hou conferrest the honour of recognizing T hy M 0st Ancient Name. Of all who are in heaven and on earth, none can withstand the operation of Thy sovereign Will. From all eternity T hou didst rule the entire creation, and T hou wilt continue for evermore to exercise Thy dominion over all created things. There is none other God but T hee, the Almighty, the Most Exalted, the All-Powerful, the All- Wise.
BELOVED friends: On this glorious occasion, the celebration of the Most Great Jubilee, we raise our grateful thanks to Bahá’u’lláh for all His bounties showered upon the friends throughout the world. This historic moment marks at one and the same time the fulfilment of Daniel’s prophecy, the hundredth anniversary of the Declaration of the Promised One of all ages, the termination of the first epoch of the Divine Plan of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá designed to establish the Faith of God in all the world, and the successful conclusion of our beloved Guardian’s world-encircling Crusade, enabling his lovers and loved ones everywhere to lay this glorious harvest of victory in his name at the feet of the Blessed Beauty. This Most Great Jubilee is the crowning victory of the life work of Shoghi Effendi, Guardian of the Cause of God. He it was, and he alone, who unfolded the potentialities of the Widely scattered, numerically small, and largely unorganized Bahá’í community which had been called into being during the Heroic Age of the Faith. He it was who unfolded the grand design of God’s Holy Cause; set in motion the great plans of teaching already outlined by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá; established the institutions and greatly extended the endowments at the World Centre, and raised the Temples of America, Africa, Australasia, and Europe; developed the Administrative Order of the Cause throughout the world; and set the ark of the Cause true on its course. He appointed the Hands of the Cause of God.
The paeans of joy and gratitude, of love and adoration which we now raise to the throne of Bahá’u’lláh would be inadequate, and the celebrations of this Most Great Jubilee in which, as promised by our beloved Guardian, we are now engaged would be marred, were no tribute paid at this time to the Hands of the Cause of God. For they share the victory with their beloved commander, he who raised them up and appointed them. They kept the ship on its course and brought it safe to port. The Universal House of J ustice, with pride and love, records on this supreme occasion its profound admiration for the heroic work which they have accomplished. We do not wish to dwell on the appalling dangers which faced the infant Cause when it was suddenly deprived of our beloved Shoghi Effendi, but rather to acknowledge with all the love and gratitude of our hearts the reality of the sacrifice, the labour, the self-discipline, the superb stewardship of the Hands of the Cause of God. We can think of no more fitting words to express our tribute to these dearly loved and valiant souls than to recall the words of Bahá’u’lláh Himself: “Light and glory, greeting and praise be upon the Hands of His Cause, through whom the light of longsuflering hath shone forth, and the declaration ofauthority is proven of God, the Powerful, the Mighty, the Independent; and through whom the sea ofbesto wal hath mo ved, and the breeze Of the favour of God, theLordofmankind, hath wafted. ’ ’
The members of the Universal House of
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Justice, all being in Haifa at the time of the election, were able to visit the Holy Shrines of Bahá’u’lláh, the Báb, and of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, where they prostrated themselves at the Sacred Thresholds and humbly sought strength and assistance in the mighty task before them. Later, in London, they have paid homage at the resting—place of Shoghi Effendi, the blessed and sacred bough of the Tree of Holiness.
As soon as the House of Justice is able to organize its work and deploy its forces, it will examine carefully all the conditions of the Cause of God, and communications will be made to the friends. At this time we call upon the believers everywhere to follow up vigorously
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the opportunities opened up by the World Crusade. Consolidation and deepening must go hand in hand with an eager extension of the teaching work so that the onward march of the Cause may continue unabated in preparation for future plans. Now that the attention of the public is becoming more and more drawn to the Cause of God, the friends must brace themselves and prepare their institutions to sustain the gaze of the world, whether it be friendly or hostile, eager or idle.
The Universal House of Justice greets you all lovingly and joyfully at this time, and asks you to pray fervently for its speedy development and. the spiritual strengthening of its members.
a'.’ E I v , y. l |...
Exterior view ofNo. 10 Haparsim Street, Haifa. This building which hadformerly accommodated western pilgrims was converted to offices for the Universal House of Justice in 1963.
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4. THE WORLD CENTRE OF THE Bahá’í FAITHITS SUPREME ADMINISTRATIVE IMPORTANCE
Address by the Hand qf the Cause PAUL HANEY on April 30, 1963, at the World Congress
IN many of his glorious messages to the Bahá’í world the beloved Guardian described for us the twin spiritual and administrative World Centres existing and fixed permanently in the Holy Land, “constituting the midmost heart of the entire planet”, the source of spiritual power and the object of adoration of all Bahá’ís. He also drew for us a clear and inspiring picture of those sacred and divinely—ordained institutions which comprise the heart and the nerve centre of our Faith in the twin holy cities of ‘Akká and Haifa.
Our Guardian explained to us that there are three divinely revealed charters which have set in motion three distinct processes in the unfoldment of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh.
1. The Tablet of Carmel, revealed by Bahá’u’lláh Himself, which is the charter for the development of the institutions of the Faith at its World Centre, including the establishment of the supreme edifice of the Universal House of Justice.
2. The Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the charter for the establishment of the Administrative Order throughout the world; and
3. The Tablets of the Divine Plan, constituting the charter for the propagation of the Faith and the spiritual conquest of the planet.
It was the Tablet of Carmel which generated the spiritual impulse for the rise and establishment of the Bahá’í international institutions in the Holy Land, a process the beginnings of which, Shoghi Effendi told us, “may be traced as far back as the concluding years of the Heroic Age of the Faith”, and which will attain its final consummation in the Golden Age, “through the raising of the standard of the Most Great Peace and the emergence in the plenitude of its power and glory of the focal centre of the agencies constituting the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh. The final establishment of this seat of the future Bahá’í World Commonwealth will,” he told us, “signalize at once the proclamation of the sovereignty of the Founder of our
Faith and the advent of the Kingdom of the Father. . .”
PROFOUND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE INSTITUTIONS
As long ago as 1939, at the time of the transfer of the sacred remains of the Holy Mother and the Purest Branch to Mt. Carmel and their interment in the vicinity of the Tomb of the Greatest Holy Leaf, the beloved Guardian, in a stirring message to the American Bahá’ís, began to reveal the profound importance and administrative significance of the institutions which in the future would be established within the shadow of the Shrine of the Báb on God’s Holy Mountain.
In commenting on the reburial of these holy souls, he told us that: “The transfer of the sacred remains of the brother and mother of our Lord and Master ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to Mt. Carmel and their final interment within the hallowed precincts of the Shrine of the Báb, and in the immediate neighbourhood of the resting-place of the Greatest Holy Leaf, constitute, apart from their historic associations and the tender sentiments they arouse, events of such capital institutional significance as only future happenings, steadily and mysteriously unfolding at the World Centre of our Faith, can adequately demonstrate. ”
In that same message he referred to the Tablet of Carmel, quoting from its various passages, such as: “Haste thee, 0 Carmel, for [0, the light of the countenance of God, the Ruler of the Kingdom ofNames and Fashioner Of the heavens, hath been lifted upon thee.” . . .“Rejoice,for God hath made thee the dawning—place of His signs and the dayspring of His Revelation.”
He also stated that: “It must be clearly understood, nor can it be sufficiently emphasized, that the conjunction of the resting-place of the Greatest Holy Leaf with those of her brother and mother incalculably reinforces the spiritual
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potencies of that consecrated spot which, under the wings of the Báb’s over-shadowing Sepulchre, and in the vicinity of the future Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, which will be reared on its flank, is destined to evolve into the focal centre of those world—shaking, world-embracing, worlddirecting administrative institutions, ordained by Bahá’u’lláh and anticipated by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. . .”
“To attempt to visualize, even in its barest outline, the glory that must envelop these institutions, to essay even a tentative and partial description of their character or the manner of their operation, or to trace however inadequately the course of events leading to their rise and eventual establishment is far beyond my own capacity and power. Suffice it to say that at this troubled stage in world history the association of these three incomparably precious souls who, next to the three Central Figures of our Faith, tower in rank above the vast multitude of the heroes, letters, martyrs, hands, teachers and administrators of the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh, in such a potentially powerful spiritual and administrative Centre, is in itself an event which will release forces that are bound to hasten the emergence in a land which, geographically, spiritually and administratively, constitutes the heart of the entire planet, of some of the brightest gems of that World Order now shaping in the womb of this travailing age.”
On July 7, 1950, in announcing to the Bahá’í world the completion of the initial stage of the building of the superstructure of the Shrine of the Báb, the beloved Guardian referred to “the process set in motion sixty years ago by Bahá’u’lláh’s visit to Mt. Carmel”, and after reviewing the contribution to its unfoldment made by the successive stages in the construction of the Shrine, stated that this process would attain its consummation “through the emergence of the institutions of the World Administrative Centre of the Faith in the Vicinity of its World Spiritual Centre, signalizing the sailing of the Divine Ark on God’s Mountain, prophesied in the Tablet of Carmel.”
THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL
On January 9, 1951, the beloved Guardian announced the formation of the first International Bahá’í Council and characterized it as
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the “forerunner of supreme administrative institution destined to emerge in fullness of time within precincts and beneath the shadow of World Spiritual Centre of the Faith already established in the twin cities of ‘Akká and Haifa.”
During the Riḍván period of the same year (1951), Shoghi Effendi, in opening the door to direct contributions to the International Fund in the Holy Land by individual believers throughout the world, as well as by National and Local Assemblies, referred to “the establishment of the International Bahá’í Council and the construction of the superstructure of the Báb’s Sepulchre” as constituting “the initial major evidences” of “the rise and consolidation of the Administrative Centre of the World Faith of Bahá’u’lláh.” In that same message he told the believers that upon their response to the needs which he described would “depend the nature and rapidity of the evolution of the World Administrative Centre designed to culminate in the erection of the last unit crowning the structure of the embryonic World Order of Bahá’u’lláh”, this of course being a reference to the establishment of the Universal House of Justice.
More than three years later, after completion of the superstructure of the Shrine of the Báb, the Guardian, in announcing the acquisition of a thirteen hundred metre plot located in “a central position amidst the extensive Bahá’í domains in the heart of God’s Holy Mountain”, indicated that the ownership of this plot would permit the location of the site, the excavation of the foundations and the erection of the structure of the International Bahá’í Archives, constituting one of the foremost objectives of the Ten Year Plan.
In this historic message he also disclosed that the raising of the edifice of an International Archives would “in turn herald the construction, in the course of successive epochs of the Formative Age of the Faith, of several other structures” designed to serve as the administrative seat of the various divinely—appointed institutions of the Faith, including the Universal House of Justice. These edifices, he explained, will be in the shape of a far-flung arc surrounding the resting-places of the Greatest Holy Leaf, the Purest Branch and the Holy Mother. “The ultimate completion of this stupendous undertaking,” he told us, “will mark the culmination
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of the development of a world-wide divinely appointed Administrative Order.”
PROGRESS REFLECTED IN THE GUARDIAN’S MESSAGES
In each of his last three annual Riḍván Messages our beloved Guardian shared with the friends throughout the world additional news reflecting the rapid progress of construction of the International Archives Building and the expansion of the ownership of properties on Mt. Carmel, safeguarding the future development of the Bahá’í spiritual and administrative institutions.
In April 1955 announcement was made of steps “being taken for the purchase of several properties . . . the acquisition of which is essential for the safeguarding of the area in the close vicinity of the Báb’s Sepulchre, as well as for the future expansion of the are around which the edifices destined to serve as the seat of the future Bahá’í World Commonwealth are to be erected.”
A year later, in his Riḍván Message for 1956, Shoghi Effendi informed the Bahá’í world that : “In the Holy Land, the centre and pivot round which the divinely appointed, fast multiplying institutions of a world-encircling, resistlessly marching Faith revolve, the double process, so noticeable in recent years, involving a rapid decline in the fortunes of the breakers of Bahá’u’lláh’s Covenant and proclaiming the rise of the institutions of its World Administrative Centre, in the shadow of His Shrine, has been accelerated on the one hand, through the death, in miserable circumstances, of the treacherous and malignant Majdi’d-Din, the last survivor of the principal instigators of the rebellion against the Will of the Founder of our Faith, and on the other, through the laying of the foundation, and the erection of some of the pillars, of the facade and of the northern side of the International Bahá’í Archives—the first of the major edifices destined to constitute the seat of the World Bahá’í Administrative Centre to be established on Mt. Carmel.”
And finally, in his last Riḍván Message in April 1957, the beloved Guardian was able to share with the friends the following joyful announcement: “In the Holy Land, the Qiblih of a world community, the heart from which the energizing influences of a vivifying Faith con 435
tinually stream, and the seat and centre around which the diversified activities of a divinely appointed Administrative Order revolve—following upon the termination of the construction of the Báb’s Holy Sepulchre, marking the closing of the first chapter in the history of the evolution of the central institutions of a world Faith, a marked progress in the rise and establishment of these institutions has been clearly noticeable. The remaining twenty-two pillars of the International Bahá’í Archives—the initial edifice heralding the establishment of the Bahá’í World Administrative Centre on Mt. Carmel—have been erected. The last half of the nine hundred tons of stone, ordered in Italy for its construction, have reached their destination, enabling the exterior of the building to be completed, while the forty-four tons of glazed green tiles, manufactured in Utrecht, to cover the five hundred square metres of roof, have been placed in position, the whole contributing to an unprecedented degree through its colourfulness, its classic style and graceful proportions, and in conjunction with the stately golden-crowned Mausoleum rising beyond it, to the unfolding glory of the central institutions of a World Faith, nestling in the heart of God’s Holy Mountain.
“Simultaneous with this striking development, the plan designed to insure the extension and completion of the are serving as a base for the erection of future edifices constituting the World Bahá’í Administrative Centre, has been successfully carried out.”
LAST UNIT OF THE EMBRYONIC WORLD ORDER
And now, in this Riḍván period, at the termination of the World Crusade of our beloved Guardian, coinciding with the end of the first epoch of the unfoldment of the Divine Plan of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, that “last unit crowning the structure of the embryonic World Order of Bahá’u’lláh”, the Universal House of Justice, has been established.
The election of this glorious institution which Shoghi Effendi said would be regarded by posterity as “the last refuge of a tottering civilization”, brings to fruition at long last the ardent hopes of the Master and the Guardian, both of whom confidently anticipated the time when this august institution would come into
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being and fulfil its diviner-ordained function as “the Supreme Legislative Body of the Administrative Order of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh.”
The first foundations of this sacred edifice were reared in the days of the Master, Who devoted so much of His time and effort to raising up and training the Local Spiritual Assemblies and committees in the countries where groups of Bahá’ís existed.
Then the beloved Guardian, acting under the infallible guidance and supreme authority conferred upon him in the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, steadily expanded these foundations as he strove to educate and deepen the believers in their knowledge of the administration and its true purpose.
At length this process of preparation reached the point where our Guardian could assign definite plans with specific objectives to the various national communities, and, finally, a World Crusade for the spiritual conquest of the entire planet, making possible the erection of no less than fifty-six National and Regional Assemblies which now constitute the pillars of the supreme edifice of the Universal House of Justice.
The importance of this process and its glorious consummation were described by Shoghi Effendi in various communications, some written as early as 1923. In a letter written in December of that year he said:
“As to the order and management of the spiritual affairs of the friends, that which is very important now is the consolidation of the Spiritual Assemblies in every centre, because on these fortified and. unshakable foundations, God’s Supreme House of Justice shall be erected and firmly established in the days to come. When this most great edifice shall be reared on such an immovable foundation, God’s purpose, wisdom, universal truths, mysteries and realities of the Kingdom, which the mystic Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh has deposited within The Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, shall gradually be revealed and made manifest.”
And less than a year later, in October 1924, he told us that:
“These Spiritual Assemblies have been primarily constituted to carry out these affairs, and secondly to lay a perfect and strong f oundation for the establishment of the divine and
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Universal House of Justice. When that central pivot of the people of Bahá shall be effectively, majestically and firmly established, a new era will dawn, heavenly bounties and graces will pour out from that Source, and the all-encompassing promises will be fulfilled.”
IMPORTANCE OF THE BELIEVERS’ TASKS
Then in a communication written a number of years preceding the inception of the Ten Year Plan, he gave us another glimpse of the supreme future importance of the tasks which the believers were being called upon to perform :
“The purpose of so much perpetual and intensive emphasis on the support and consolidation of these Spiritual Assemblies is this . . . that the foundation of the Cause of God must become broader and stronger day by day, that no confusion ever enter the divine order, that new and strong ties be forged between East and West, that Bahá’í unity be safeguarded and illumine the eyes of the people of the world with its resplendent beauty, so that upon these assemblies God’s Houses of Justice may be firmly established and upon these secondary Houses of Justice the lofty edifice of the Universal House of Justice may, with complete order, perfection and glory, and with no delay, be raised up. When the Universal House of Justice shall have stepped forth from the realm of hope into that of visible fulfilment and its fame be established in every corner and clime of the world, then that august body, solidly grounded and founded on the firm and unshakable foundation of the entire Bahá’í community of East and West, and the recipient of the bounties of God and His inspiration . . . will proceed to devise and carry out important undertakings, world-wide activities and the establishment of glorious institutions. By this means the renown of the Cause of God will become world-wide and its light will illumine the whole earth.”
In one of his messages written in the period between the end of the Second World War and the beginning of the World Crusade, the beloved Guardian promised us that the long process of building the foundations of the Administrative Order would eventually bring us to the time—“During this Formative Age of the Faith” . . . when the “last and crowning stage in
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the erection of the framework of the Administrative Order of Bahá’u’lláh, the election of the Universal House of Justice”, would take place.
PROMISES, INJUNCTIONS FROM THE WILL AND TESTAMENT
Although every Bahá’í is familiar with the spiritual authority conferred upon the Universal House of Justice by Bahá’u’lláh and the Centre of His Covenant, it is appropriate at this historic moment to review some of the passages from the sacred Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá which set forth the divine promises and injunctions relating to this august institution.
“And now, concerning the House of Justice which Godhath ordained as the source of all good and freed from all error, it must be elected by universal suflrage, that is, by the believers. Its members must be manifestations of the fear of God and daysprings of knowledge and understanding, must be steadfast in God’sfaith and the well-wishers of all mankind. By this House is meant the Universal House of Justice, that is, in all countries a secondary House of Justice must be instituted, and these secondary Houses of Justice must elect the members of the Universal one. Unto this body all things must be referred. It enacteth all ordinances and regulations that are not to be found in the explicit Holy T ext. ’ ’
“The sacred and youthful branch, the guardian of the Cause of God as well as the Universal House of Justice, to be universally elected and established, are both under the care and protection of the Abhá’ Beauty, under the shelter and unerring guidance of His Holiness, the Exalted One (may my life be oflered up for them both). Whatsoever they decide is of God. Whoso obeyeth him not, neither obeyeth them, hath not obeyed God; whoso rebelleth against him and against them hath rebelled against God; whoso opposeth him hath opposed God; whoso contendeth with them hath contended with God. . .”
“T his is the foundation of the belief of the people of Bahd (may my life be oflered up for them). ‘His Holiness, the Exalted One, (the Báb) is the Manifestation of the Unity and Oneness of God and the Forerunner Of the Ancient Beauty.
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His Holiness the Abhá’ Beauty (may my life be a sacrificefor H is steadfastfriends) is the Supreme Manifestation of God and the Dayspring ains Most Divine Essence. All others are servants unto Him and d0 His bidding.’ Unto the Most Holy Book every one must turn and all that is not expressly recorded therein must be referred to the Universal House of Justice. That which this body, whether unanimously or by a majority doth carry, that is verily the Truth and the Purpose of God Himself: Whoso doth deviate therefrom is verily Ofthem that love discord, hath shownforth malice and turned away from the Lord of the Covenant.”
“All must seek guidance and turn unto the Centre of the Cause and the House of Justice. And he that turneth unto whatsoever else is indeed in grievous error.
“The Glory of Glories rest upon you!”
In many of his writings during the thirty-six year period of his ministry, the beloved Guardian explained the functions of the House of Justice and described the bounties which would descend upon the world following its establishment. He made it clear that Bahá’u’lláh’s promise that “God will verily inspire them with whatsoever He willet ” referred to the institution of the House of J ustice acting as the consultative body having the “exclusive right and prerogative . . . to pronounce upon and deliver the final judgment on such laws and ordinances as Bahá’u’lláh has not expressly revealed.”
In a message sent early in 1951 commenting on the participation of four National Spiritual Assemblies in the newly opened African teaching campaign which was to bring such joy to his heart, Shoghi Effendi gave an indication of the future role of the Universal House of Justice in linking the various National Assemblies in world—wide undertakings.
“Fervently praying participation British American Persian Egyptian National Assemblies unique epoch making enterprise African continent may prove prelude convocation first African Teaching Conference leading eventually initiation undertakings involving collaboration all national assemblies of Bahá’í world, thereby paving way ultimate organic union these assemblies through formation International House of Justice destined launch enterprises embracing whole Bahá’í world.”
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THE BLESSING CONFERRED UPON THE WORLD
In closing let us attempt to understand, through these majestic words of our beloved Guardian, the extent of the blessing now conferred upon the entire world through the establishment of Bahá’u’lláh’s Universal House of Justice.
Referring to the first charter mentioned earlier, Shoghi Effendi, in one of his messages explained that :
“In this great Tablet (of Carmel) which unveils divine mysteries and heralds the establishment of two mighty, majestic and momentous undertakings . . . the Spiritual and Administrative World Centres of the Faith . . . Bahá’u’lláh refers to an ‘Ark’, whose dwellers are the men of the Supreme House of Justice, which in conformity with the exact provisions of the Will and Testament of the Centre of the Mighty Covenant is the body which should legislate on laws not explicitly revealed in the Text. In this dispensation, these laws are destined to flow from this Holy Mountain, even as in the Mosaic Dispensation, the law of God was promulgated from Zion. The ‘sailing of the Ark’ of His laws is a reference to the establishment of the Universal House of Justice, which is indeed the House of Legislature, one of the branches of the World Administrative Centre of the Bahá’ís on this Holy Mountain.”
And in other messages referring to the time when this supreme institution would be established, he told us that:
“Through it the pillars of the Faith on this
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earth will be firmly established and its hidden powers be revealed, its signs shine forth, its banners be unfurled and its light be shed upon all peoples.” . . . “Then will all our cherished hopes and aspirations be realized, the tree of our endeavours bear fruit, the Will and Testament of our Master and our Beloved be fully and firmly established, and the hidden powers of the Cause of our Lord and God be fully manifested. Then will be unveiled before our eyes the inauguration of an era the like of which has never been witnessed in past ages.” . . . “Then will the throne of Bahá’u’lláh’s sovereignty be founded in the promised land and the scales of justice be raised on high. Then will the banner of the independence of the Faith be unfurled, and His Most Great Law be unveiled and rivers of laws and ordinances stream forth from this snow-white spot with all-conquering power and awe-inspiring majesty, the like of which past ages have never seen. Then will appear the truth of what was revealed by the Tongue of Grandeur: ‘Call out to Zion, 0 Carmel, and announce the joyful tidings: He that was hidden from mortal eyes is come! H is aIl-conqaering so vereignty is manifest; His all-encompassing splendour is revealed . . . 0 Carmel . . . well is it with him that circleth around thee, that praclaimeth the revelation of thy glory, and recounteth that which the bounty of the Lord, thy God, hath showered upon thee. . . Ere long will God sail His Ark upon thee, and will manifest the people of Bahd, who have been mentioned in the Book of Names.’ ”
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THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE
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5. THE AUTHORITY, POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE
THE Guardian stated in his World Order letters1 that “we stand. . . too close to so monumental a document to claim for ourselves a complete understanding of all its implications, or to presume to have grasped the manifold mysteries it undoubtedly contains. Only future generations can comprehend the value and the significance attached to this Divine Masterpiece, which the hand of the Master—builder of the world has designed for the unification and the triumph of the world-wide Faith of Bahá’u’lláh. Only those who come after us will be in a position to realize the value of the surprisingly strong emphasis that has been placed on the institution of the House of Justice and of the Guardianship.”
One of the ways in which the friends will come to a fuller understanding of the authority, powers and functions of the Universal House of Justice will be through elucidations and statements made from time to time by that supreme body itself. Twice during the first five years of its existence the Universal House of Justice was called upon to make major statements in response to questions asked—once by a National Spiritual Assembly and at another time by an individual believer. The elucidations provided by the Universal House of Justice in response to those questions are reprinted here.
Excerpts from a Letter to a National Spiritual Assembly2
March 9, 1965
We are glad that you have brought to our attention the questions perplexing some of the believers. It is much better for these questions to be put freely and openly than to have them, unexpressed, burdening the hearts of devoted believers. Once one grasps certain basic principles of the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh such uncertainties are easily dispelled. This is not to say that the Cause of God contains no mysteries. Mysteries there are indeed, but they are not of a kind to shake one’s faith once the essential tenets of the Cause and the indisputable facts of any situation are clearly understood.
The questions put by the various believers fall into three groups. The first group centres upon the following queries: Why were steps taken to elect a Universal House of J ustice with the foreknowledge that there would be no Guardian? Was the time ripe for such an action? Could not the International Bahá’í Council have carried on the work ?
At the time of our beloved Shoghi Effendi’s death it was evident, from the circumstances and from the explicit requirements of the Holy Texts, that it had been impossible for him to appoint a successor in accordance with the
‘ The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 8. ' Wellspring of Guidance, pp. 44-56.
EE
provisions of the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. This situation, in which the Guardian died without being able to appoint a successor, presented an obscure question not covered by the explicit Holy Text, and had to be referred to the Universal House of Justice. The friends should clearly understand that before the election of the Universal House of Justice there was no knowledge that there would be no Guardian. There could not have been any such foreknowledge, whatever opinions individual believers may have held. Neither the Hands of the Cause of God, nor the International Bahá’í Council, nor any other existing body could make a decision upon this all-important matter. Only the House of Justice had authority to pronounce upon it. This was one urgent reason for calling the election of the Universal House of Justice as soon as possible.
Following the passing of Shoghi Effendi the international administration of the Faith was carried on by the Hands of the Cause of God with the complete agreement and loyalty of the National Spiritual Assemblies and the body of the believers. This was in accordance with the Guardian’s designation of the Hands as the “Chief Stewards of Bahá’u’lláh’s embryonic World Commonwealth.”
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From the very outset of their custodianship of the Cause of God the Hands realized that since they had no certainty of Divine guidance such as is incontrovertibly assured to the Guardian and to the Universal House of Justice, their one safe course was to follow with undeviating firmness the instructions and policies of Shoghi Effendi. The entire history of religion shows no comparable record of such strict self-discipline, such absolute loyalty, and such complete self—abnegation by the leaders of a religion finding themselves suddenly deprived of their divinely inspired guide. The debt of gratitude which mankind for generations, nay, ages to come, owes to this handful of griefstricken, steadfast, heroic souls is beyond estimation.
The Guardian had given the Bahá’í world explicit and detailed plans covering the period until Riḍván 1963, the end of the Ten Year Crusade. From that point onward, unless the Faith were to be endangered, further Divine guidance was essential. This was the second pressing reason for the calling of the election of the Universal House of Justice. The rightness of the time was further confirmed by references in Shoghi Effendi’s letters to the Ten Year Crusade’s being followed by other plans under the direction of the Universal House of Justice. One such reference is the following passage from a letter addressed to the National Spiritual Assembly of the British Isles on February 25, 1951, concerning its Two Year Plan which immediately preceded the Ten Year Crusade:
“On the success of this enterprise, unprecedented in its scope, unique in its character, and immense in its spiritual potentialities, must depend the initiation, at a later period in the Formative Age of the Faith, of undertakings embracing within their range all National Assemblies functioning throughout the Bahá’í world, undertakings constituting in themselves a prelude to the launching of worldwide enterprises destined to be embarked upon, in future epochs of that same age, by the Universal House of J ustice, that will symbolize the unity and coordinate and unify the activities of these National Assemblies.”
Having been in charge of the Cause of God for six years, the Hands, with absolute faith in the Holy Writings, called upon the believers to elect the Universal House of Justice, and even
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went so far as to ask that they themselves be not voted for. The sole, sad instance of anyone succumbing to the allurements of power was the pitiful attempt of Charles Mason Remey to usurp the Guardianship. . .
“At whatever time all the beloved of God in each country appoint their delegates, and these in turn elect their representatives, and these representatives elect a body, that body shall be regarded as the Supreme House of Justice.
“The establishment of that House is not dependent upon the conversion of all the nations of the world. For example, if conditions were favourable and no disturbances would be caused, the friends in Persia would elect their representatives, and likewise the friends in America, in India, and other areas would also elect their representatives, and these would elect a House of Justice. That House of Justice would be the Supreme House of Justice. That is all.” (Persian and Arabic Tablets of ‘Abdu’l—Bahd, vol. III, pp. 499—501.)
The friends should realize that there is nothing in the Texts to indicate that the election of the Universal House of Justice could be called only by the Guardian. On the contrary, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá envisaged the calling of its election in His own lifetime. At a time described by the Guardian as “the darkest moments of His (the Master’s) life, under ‘Abdu’l—Hamid’s regime, when He stood to be deported to the most inhospitable regions ofNorthern Africa”, and when even His life was threatened, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá wrote to Hájí Mirza Taqi Afnz’m, the cousin of the Bath and chief builder of the ‘Ishqábád Temple, commanding him to arrange for the election of the Universal House of Justice should the threats against the Master materialize. The second part of the Master’s Will is also relevant to such a situation and should be studied by the friends.
The second series of problems vexing some of the friends centres on the question of the infallibility of the Universal House of Justice and its ability to function without the presence of the Guardian. . .
It should be understood by the friends that before legislating upon any matter the Universal House of Justice studies carefully and exhaustively both the Sacred Texts and the writings of Shoghi Effendi 0n the subject. The interpretations written by the beloved Guardian
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cover a vast range of subjects and are equally as binding as the Text itself.
There is a profound difference between the interpretations of the Guardian and the elucidations of the House of Justice in exercise of its function to “deliberate upon all problems which have caused diference, questions that are obscure, and matters that are not expressly recorded in the Book.” The Guardian reveals what the Scripture means; his interpretation is a statement of truth which cannot be varied. Upon the Universal House of Justice, in the words of the Guardian, “has been conferred the exclusive right of legislating on matters not expressly revealed in the Bahá’í Writings.” Its pronouncements, which are susceptible of amendment or abrogation by the House of Justice itself, serve to supplement and apply the Law of God. Although not invested with the function of interpretation, the House of Justice is in a position to do everything necessary to establish the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh on this earth. Unity of doctrine is maintained by the existence of the authentic texts of Scripture and the voluminous interpretations of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi, together with the absolute prohibition against anyone propounding “authoritative” or “inspired” interpretations or usurping the function of Guardian. Unity of administration is assured by the authority of the Universal House of Justice.
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“Such,” in the words of Shoghi Effendi, “is the immutability of His revealed Word. Such is the elasticity which characterizes the functions of His appointed ministers. The first preserves the identity of His Faith, and guards the integrity of His law. The second enables it, even as a living organism, to expand and adapt itself to the needs and requirements of an everchanging society.”
. . . The third group of queries raised by the friends concerns details of functioning of the Universal House of J ustice in the absence of the Guardian, particularly the matter of expulsion of members of the House of Justice. Such questions will be clarified in the Constitution of the House of Justice, the formulation of which is a goal of the Nine Year Plan. Meanwhile the friends are informed that any member committing a “sin injurious to the common weal” may be expelled from membership of the House of Justice by a majority vote of the House itself. Should any member, God forbid, be guilty of breaking the Covenant, the matter would be investigated by the Hands of the Cause of God, and the Covenant-breaker would be expelled by decision of the Hands of the Cause of God residing in the Holy Land, subject to the approval of the House of Justice, as in the case of any other believer. The decision of the Hands in such a case would be announced to the Bahá’í world by the Universal House of Justice.
Excerpts from a Letter to an Individual Believer1
May 27, 1966
. . . You query the timing of the election of the Universal House of Justice in view of the Guardian’s statement: “. . . given favourable circumstances under which the Bahá’ís of Persia and the adjoining countries under Soviet rule may be enabled to elect their national representatives . . . the only remaining obstacle in the way of the definite formation of the International House of Justice will have been removed.” On April 19, 1947, the Guardian, in a letter written on his behalf by his secretary, replied to the inquiry of an individual believer about this passage: “At the time he referred to Russia there were Bahá’ís there. Now the community has practically ceased to exist; therefore the formation of the
‘ Wellspring of Guidance, pp. 81-91.
International House of Justice cannot depend on a Russian National Spiritual Assembly, but other strong National Spiritual Assemblies will have to be built up before it can be established.”
You suggest the possibility that, for the good
of the Cause, certain information concerning
the succession to Shoghi Effendi is being withheld from the believers. We assure you that
nothing whatsoever is being withheld from the
friends for whatever reason. There is no doubt
at all that in the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi was the authority designated to appoint his successor; but he had no
children and all the surviving Aghsan had
broken the Covenant. Thus, as the Hands of
the Cause stated in 1957, it is clear that there
was no one he could have appointed in accor
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THE BAHA
View of the Shrine of the Báb and the International Archives Building and what was described
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by Shoghi Effendi in his April, 1955, message as: “. . . the arc around which the edifices destined to serve as the seat of the future Bahá’í World C ammonwealth are to be erected.”
dance with the provisions of the Wi11.To have made an appointment outside the clear and specific provisions of the Master’s Will and Testament would obviously have been an impossible and unthinkable course of action for the Guardian, the divinely appointed upholder and defender of the Covenant. Moreover, that same Will had provided a clear means for the confirmation of the Guardian’s appointment of his successor, as you are aware. The nine Hands to be elected by the body of the Hands were to give their assent by secret ballot to the Guardian’s choice. In 1957 the entire body of the Hands, after fully investigating the matter, announced that Shoghi Effendi had appointed no successor and left no will. This is documented and established.
The fact that Shoghi Effendi did not leave a will cannot be adduced as evidence of his failure to obey Bahá’u’lláh—rather should we acknowledge that in his very silence there is a wisdom and a sign of his infallible guidance. We should ponder deeply the Writings that we
have, and seek to understand the multitudinous significances that they contain. Do not forget that Shoghi Effendi said two things were necessary for a growing understanding of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh: the passage of time and the guidance of the Universal House of J ustice.
The infallibility of the Universal House of
Justice, operating within its ordained sphere,
has not been made dependent upon the presence in its membership of the Guardian of the
Cause. Although in the realm of interpretation
the Guardian’s pronouncements are always
binding, in the area of the Guardian’s participation in legislation it is always the decision of the
House itself which must prevail. This is supported by the words of the Guardian: “The
interpretation of the Guardian, functioning
within his own sphere, is as authoritative and
binding as the enactments of the International
House of Justice, whose exclusive right and
prerogative is to pronounce upon and deliver
the final judgement on such laws and ordinan
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THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE
ces as Bahá’u’lláh has not expressly revealed. Neither can, nor will ever, infringe upon the sacred and prescribed domain of the other. Neither will seek to curtail the specific and undoubted authority with which both have been divinely invested.
“Though the Guardian of the Faith has been made the permanent head of so august a body he can never, even temporarily, assume the right of exclusive legislation. He cannot override the decision of the majority of his fellow members, but is bound to insist upon a reconsideration by them of any enactment he conscientiously believes to conflict with the meaning and to depart from the spirit of Bahá’u’lláh’s revealed utterances.”
. . . As you point out with many quotations, Shoghi Effendi repeatedly stressed the inseparability of these two institutions. Whereas he obviously envisaged their functioning together, it cannot logically be deduced from this that one is unable to function in the absence of the other. During the whole thirty-six years of his Guardianship Shoghi Effendi functioned without the Universal House of Justice. Now the Universal House of Justice must function without the Guardian, but the principle of inseparability remains. The Guardianship does not lose its significance nor position in the Order of Bahá’u’lláh merely because there is no living Guardian. We must guard against two extremes: one is to argue that because there is no Guardian all that was written about the Guardianship and its position in the Bahá’í World Order is a dead letter and was unim 443
portant; the other is to be so overwhelmed by the significance of the Guardianship as to underestimate the strength of the Covenant, or to be tempted to compromise with the clear Texts in order to find somehow, in some way, a “Guardian”.
. . . As the Universal House of Justice has already announced, it cannot legislate to make possible the appointment of a successor to Shoghi Effendi, nor can it legislate to make possible the appointment of any more Hands of the Cause, but it must do everything within its power to ensure the performance of all those functions which it shares with these two mighty institutions. It must make provision for the proper discharge in future of the functions of protection and propagation, which the administrative bodies share with the Guardianship and the Hands of the Cause ; it must, in the absence of the Guardian, receive and disburse the Huqfiqu’lláh, in accordance with the following statement of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá: “Disposition of the Huqdq, wholly or partly, is permissible, but this should be done by permission of the authority in the Cause to whom all must turn.” It must make provision in its Constitution for the removal of any of its members who commits a sin “injurious to the common weal”. Above all, it must, with perfect faith in Bahá’u’lláh, proclaim His Cause and enforce His law so that the Most Great Peace shall be firmly established in this world and the foundation of the Kingdom of God on earth shall be accomplished.
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Governor John A. Burns of Hawaii signs a proclamation designating September 15, 1963, as “ World Peace Day”.
proclamation event sponsored by Bahá’ís in many parts of the world.
“World Peace Day” is an annual
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GTHOM I‘YHVH 3H1.
