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Glossary -
‘Abdu’I—Bahfi: (1844—1921) Son ofBahé’u’lléh, dmignated as His successor and authorized interpreter of His writings. Named 'Abbés after His grandfather. ‘Abdu’LBahé was known to the general public as ‘Abbés Effendi. Bahé’u‘lléh gave Him such titles as “thc Mosr Great Branch,” “the Mystery ofGod." and "the Master." After Bahai'u'lla'h’s passing, He chose the name ‘Abdu’l—Bahfi, meaning “Servant of Bahé‘u’lléh.”
Administrative Order: The system of administration as conceived by Bahé’u‘llfih, Formally established by ‘Abdu’l—Bahé, and realized during the Guardianship of Shoghi EFFendi. It consists, on the on: hand, of a series of elected councils. international, national, and local, in which are invested legislative, executive, and judicial powers over the Bahé'l’ community, and, on the other hand. ofeminent and devoted Bahé'fs appointed for the specific purposes of the propagation and protection of the Faith under the guidance of the head of that Faith, the Universal House ofjustice.
‘Amatu’l—Bahi Rfihfyyih flgénum: (1910—2000) Mary Sutherland Maxwell, an eminent North American Bahé’f who became the wife of Shoghi Effendi Rabbénl, Guardian of the Bahi’f Faith, in 1937. after which she became known as Rdhfyyih @énum Rabbénf. ('Amatu'l—Bahé is a title meaning “Hand- maiden of Bahfi’u’llfih.“) She served as the Guardian's secretary during his lifetime and was appointed a Hand of the Cause ofGod in 1952. After Shoghi Effendi's passing in 1957. she traveled extensively to teach the Bahé'f Faith,
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consolidate Bahé‘f communities, and serve as :1 representative of the Universal House ofjustice at major events.
Arc. the: An arc cut into Mount Carmel in Haifil. Israel. along which the international administrative buildings of the Bahd'l Faith haw: been built.
Auxiliary Boards: An institution created by Shoghi Effendi in 1954 to assist the Hands of the Cause ofGod. When the institution of the Continental Boards of Counsellors was established in 1968 by the Universal House OFJustice, the Auxiliary Boards were placed under its direCIion.
Bib, the: The title. meaning “Gate," assumed by Siy‘yid ‘AH-Muhammad. Who was the Ptophet—Foundcr of the Bibi Faith and the Forerunner of Bahé'u'lléh. Born on 10 October 1819. the Bib proclaimed Himself to be the Promised One of Islam and announced that His mission was to alert the people to the imminent advent of “Him Whom God shall make manifest." namely, Bahé‘u'lléh. Because of these claims, the Bail) was executed by order of Nisiri’d—Din fiéh on 9 July 1850.
Bahi’l Era (31:): The period of the Bahé’f calendar beginning with the Declaration of the Bib on 7.3 May 1844 and expected to last until the next appearance of a Manifestation (Prophet) of God after the expiration of at least 1,000 years.
Bahé'f International Community: A name used generally in reference to the worldwide Bahé'i community and officially in that community’s external relations. In the latter context, the Bahd'l International Community is an association of the National Spiritual Assemblies throughout the world and Functions as an international nongovernmental organization. Its oflices include its Secretariat at the Bahé'f World Centre, a United Nations Office in New York with a branch in Geneva. an Office of Public Information, an Oflice of the Environment. and an Office for the Advancement of Women.
Bahé'l World Centre: The spiritual and administrative center of the Bahfi'l' Fajth. _comprising the holy places in the Haifa<Acte area and the Arc of administrative buildings on Mount Carmel in Haifa, IsraeL
Bahé'u’lléh: The title. meaning “Glory of God," assumed by ané Husayn- ‘Alf. Founder of the Bahé‘f Faitht Born on 17. November [817, He declared His mission as the Promised One ofAll Ages in April 1863 and passed away in Acre, Palestine, on 29 May 1892 after 40 years of imprisonment. banishment. and house arrest. Bahé’u’lléh's writings are considered by Bahé'fs to be direct revelation from God.
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Bahii: Arabic for "delight." Located near Acre, it is a place of pilgrimage for Bahé'fs which comprises the Shrine of Bahé’u'lldh. the mansion which was His last residence, and the surrounding gardens that serve to beautify the site.
Calendar, Bah“: Year consisting of [9 months of 19 days each. with the addition of cemin “intetmluy days” (four in ordinary and five in leap years) between the [8th and 19th months in otdcr to adjust the calendar to the solar ya]: Naw-Rt'iz, the Bahé’I new year, is astronomically fixed. wmmenEing at the vernal equinox (7.1 Matdt). The Bahé’l era (BE) begins with the yw of the Béb’s declaration (I844 CB).
Consultation: A form of discussion between individuals and within groups which requires the subjugation of egotism so that all ideas can be shamed and evaluated with Franknm. oourtay. and opennm ofmind. and decisions arrived at an be wholehartedly supported. Its guiding principles were elaborated by ‘Abdu’I—Bahé.
Continental Boards of Counsellors: An institution created in 1968 by the Universal House of Justice to exrend into the future the work of the institution of the Hands of the Cause of God. particulariy its appointed Functions of protection and propagation. With the passing ofShoghi Ffiendi, the Guardian of the Bahé'f Faith. there was no way for additional Hands of the Cause to be appointed. The duties of the Counsellors include directing the Auxiliary Boards in their respeCtive areas, advising and collaborating with National Spiritual Assemblies, and keeping the Universal House of Justice informed concerning the conditions of the Faith in their areas. Counsellors are appointed for terms of five years.
Convention: A gathering called at a regional, national. or international level for consultation on matters affecting the welfate of the Bahi'l community and for the purpose. respectively, ofelecting delegates to a National Convention. electing members of a National Spiritual Assembly, or electing members of the Universal House ofJustice.
Hands of the Cause of God: Individuals appointed by Bahé’u'lléh. and later by Shoghi Effendi, who were charged with the specific duties of protecting and propagating the Faith. (Four individuals were recognized posthumously as Hands of the Cause by ‘Abdu'l-Bahé.) \Vith the passing of Shoghi Efiendi. there was no further possibility for appointing Hands of the Cause; hence, in order to extend into the future the important Functions of propagation and protection. the Universal House ofjustice in 1968 created Continental Boards of Counsellors and in 1973 established the International Teaching Centre, which coordinates their work.
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Holy Days: Eleven days commemorating significant Bahi‘l anniversaries. on nine ofwhich work is suspended.
Huql'xqu’lla'h: Arabic for “the Right of God.” As instituted in the Kitéb—i— Aqdas, payment to “the Authority in the Cause to whom all must turn’I (at present, the Universal House ofJustice) of 19 percent of what remains of one's personal income after one's essential expenses have been covered. Funds generated by the payment of Huqdqu’llfih are used for the promotion ofthe Faith and for the welfare of society.
International Teaching Centre: An institution established in 1973 by rhe Universal House of Jusrice to bring to fruition the work of the Hands of the Cause of God in the Holy Land and to provide for its extension into the future. The duties of the International Teaching Centre include co— ordinating, stimulating, and directing the activities of the Continental Boards of Counsellors and acting as liaison between them and the Universal House ofjustice. The membership of the Teaching Centre comprises the surviving Hands of the Cause and also nine Counsellors appointed by the Universal House ofjustice. The seat of the International Teaching Centre is located a: (he Bahé'f World Centre in Haifa, Israel.
Knight of Bahfi’u’lléh: Title initially given by Shoghi Effendi to those Bahé’is who arose to open specified new territories to the Faith during the first year of the Ten Year Crusade (1953—1963) and subsequently applied to those who first reached the remaining unopened territories on the list at a later date.
Lesser Peace: A polixical peace to be established by the nations of the world in order to bring about an end [0 war. lts establishment will prepare the way for the Most Great Peace, 3 condition of permanent peace and world unity to be founded on the spiritual principles and insxiturions of the World Order of Bahé’u'lléh and signalizing humanity's coming of age.
Local Spiritual Assembly: The local adminisuative body in [he Bahé'f Faith, ordained in [he KixfibJ—Aqdas. The nine members are directly elected by SCCI'C( ballotcach year at Ridvén From among the adult believers in a community.
Monument Gardens: Beautifully landscaped gardens at the heart of the Arc on Mount Carmel where befitting monuments have been erected over the graves ofthe daughter and the wife of Bahé'u‘lléh. His son who died in prison in Acre, and the wife of ‘Abdu'l—Bahé.
Mount Carmel: The mountain spoken of by Isaiah as the “mountain of the Lord." Six: of (he Bnhé‘f World Centre including several Bahd'f holy places,
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the most important of which are the Shrine of the Béb and the Monument Gardens.
National Spiritual Assembly: The national administrative body in the Bahé’l Faith, ordained in the Bahé'l sacred writings, with authority over all activities and affairs of the Bahé‘f Faith throughout its area. Among its duties are to stimulate, unify, and coordinate the manifold activities of Local Spiritual Assemblies and of individual Bahé'ls within its jurisdiction. The members of National Spiritual Assemblies throughout the world constitute the electoral college For the Universal House of Justice. At Ridvén 2003, there were 182 National or Regional Spiritual Assemblies. See also Regional Spiritual Anrmbly.
Nineteen Day Feast: The principal gathering in each local Bahé’f community. every Bahé'l month, for the threefold purpose ofwotship, consultation, and fellowship.
Pioneer: Any Bahfi’l who arises and leaves his or her home to journey to another country for the purpose of teaching the Babe“ Faith. “Homefront pioneer” describes those who move to areas within their own country that have yet to be exposed to the Bahé’f Faith or where the Bahé’f community needs strengthening.
Regional Bah“ Council: An element of Bahé'l administration between the local and national levels, established at the discretion of the Universal House of Justice in countries where the condition and size of the Bahé’! community warrant. A means of decenualizing the work of the National Spiritual Assembly. a Regional Council may be formed either by election or by appointment, depending on local requirements and the condition of the Bahé'f community. It provides for a level ofautonomous decision making on both teaching and administrative matters. In some countries, State Bahé’l Councils perform these tasks within specific civic jurisdictions.
Regional Spiritual Assembly: An institution identical in Function to the National Spiritual Assembly but including a number ofoounn'ics or regions in its jurisdiction. often established as a precursor to the formation of a National Spiritual Assembly in mach of the countries it enmmpasses.
Ritjlvén: Arabic for “Paradise." Twelve-day festival (from 11 April through 2 May) commemorating Bahé’u’lléh's declaration of His mission to His companions in 1863 in the Garden of Ridvén in Baghdad.
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Shoghi Efiendi Rabbénl: (1897—1957) The Guardian of (he Bahé’i Faith after the passing of‘Abdu’l-Bahé in x921, designated in His \Wlll and Testament 1? His successor in interpreting the Bahzi'l writings and as Head of the Faith.
Shrine of Bahé'u’lléh: The reinng place of Bahé‘u’lléh‘s mortal remains, located near the city ofAcre. Israel. The Shrine is the holiest spot on earth to Bahé'ls and a place of pilgrimage.
Shrine of the Bib: The resting place of (he Ba’b’s mortal remains. located on Mount Carmel in Haifa. Israel. a sacred site to Bahzi'is, and a place of pilgrimage.
State Bahfi'l' Council: See Regional Bahzi'l' Council.
Tablet: Divinely revealed scripture. ln Bahé‘f scripture, the term is used [0 denote wriIings revealed by Bahé'u'lléh. the Bib, and 'Abdu'l-Bahé‘
Ten Year Crusade: (1953—1963) Ten Year Plan initiated by Shoghi Efl‘endi for teaching the Bahfi'i Faith, which culminated with the election of the Universal House ofjusrice during the centenary of the Declaration of Bahé’u'lléh. The objectives of [he Crusade were the development of the institutions at the World Centre. the consolidation of the communities of the participating National Spiritual Assemblies. and the spread of the Faith (0 new regions. See also Knight ofBa/m' 'u’lld/I.
Universal House of Justice: Head of Lhe Bahé'f Faith after the passing of Shoghi Eficndi. and Lhe supreme administrative body ordained by Bahi’u’lléh in the Kixéb—i—Aqdas, His book of laws. The Universal House of Justice is elected every five years by the members of all National Spiritual Assemblies. who gather at an lmemational Convention. The House ofjustice was elected for the first time in I963. It occupied its permanent seat on Mount Carmel in 1983.
Some entries adapted From A Basic Bahd’l Dictionary, ed. Wendi Momen (Oxford: George Ronald, 1989).
