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Glossary »
‘Abdu’l-Bahi: 0844—1921) Son of Bahi’u’lléh, designated as His successor and authorized interpreter of His writings. Named 'Abbis after His grandfather, ‘Abdu'I—Bahé was known to the general public as ‘Abbas Efl'cndi. Baha’u’llfih gave Him such titles as “the Most Great Branch," “the Mystery ofGod,” and “the Master." After Baha'u'lléh’s passing. He chose the name ‘Abdu'l—Baha, meaning “Servant of Baha'u'llah."
Administrative Order: The system of administration as conceived by Baha'u'llfih, formally established by ‘Abdu’l—Baha. and realized during the Guardianship of Shoghi Effendi. It consists. on the one hand. of a series of elected councils. international, national. and local, in which are invested legislative, executive. and judicial powers over the Bahi'l community, and. on the other hand. ofeminent and devoted Baha'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 Rt’thlyyih Khénum: (1910—2000) Mary Sutherland Maxwell, an eminent North American Baha'i who became the wife of Shoghi Effendi Rabhanf, Guardian of the Bath“ Faith, in I937, after which she beame known as Rtihfyyih Khinum Rabbam'. ('Amatu’l-Baha is a tide meaning 'Handmaidcn of Baha'u'llah.”) She sewed as the Guardian’s secretary during his lifetime and was appointed a Hand of the Cause of God in 1952. After Shoghi Effendi’s passing in 1957. she traveled extensively to teach the Baha’l Faith, consolidate
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Bahé’f communities, and serve as a representative of the Universal House of Justice at major events.
Are, the: An are cut into Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel, along which the international administrative buildings of the Bahé’l’ Faith have been built.
Auxiliary Boards: An institution created by Shoghi Effendi in 1954 to assist the Hands of the Cause of God. 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 direction
Béb, the: The title, meaning "Gate," assumed by Siyyid ‘AlI-Muhammad, Who was the Prophet—Founder of the Bébf Faith and the Forerunner of Bahé’u'llaih. Born on 20 October 1819, the Béb 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, Bahfi’u’lléh. Because of these claims, the Béb was executed by order of Nésiri’d—Din fifih on 9 July 1850.
Bahé’f Eta (BE): 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 of God after the expiration of at least 1,000 years. See also Calendar, Baha' '1’.
Bahé’l’ International Community: A name used generally in reference to the worldwide Bahé’f community and officially in that community's external relations. In the latter context, the Bahé’f 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’l’ World Centre, a United Nations Office in New Yotk with a branch in Geneva, an Office of Public Information. and an Office for the Advancement ofWomen.
Bahé’l World Centre: The spiritual and administrative center of the Bahé’f Faith,‘ comprising the holy places in the Haifa—Acre area and the Arc of administrative buildings on Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel.
Bah 'u’lléh: The title, meaning “Glory of God," assumed by Miné Husayn— ‘Ah’, Founder of the Bahé’i Faith. Born on 17. November 1817, He declared His mission as the Promised One ofAJI Ages in April 1863 and passed away in Acte, Palestine, on 29 May 1897. after 40 years of imprisonment, banishment, and house arrest. Bahé’u’llih‘s writings are considered by Bahé'is 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'is which comprises the Shrine ofBahi'u'lléh. the mansion which was His last residence. and the surrounding gardens that serve to beautify the site.
Calendar, Bah“: Year consisting of 19 months of 19 days each. with the addition ofcettain “interminry days" (four in ordinary and five in leap yam) between the |8th and l9th months in order to adjust the calendar to the solar year. Naw-Rdz, the Bahi'i new year. is astronomically fixed, commencing at the vernal equinox (11 March). The Bahi'i en (BE) begins with the year of the Béb’s declaration (1844 CE). See also Bahd'l Em.
Consultation: A form of discussion between individuals and within groups which requires the subjugation ofcgotism so that all idms can be shared and evaluated with frankness. courtesy. and openness ofmind. and decisions arrived at can be wholeheartedly supported. Its guiding principles were elaborated by ‘Abdu’l—Bahé.
Continental Boalda of Counsellon: An institution created in 1968 by the Universal House of Justice to extend into the future the work of the institution of the Hands of the Cause of God, particularly its appointed functions of protection and propagation. With the passing ofShoghi Efl‘endi, the Guardian of the Bahi‘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 Spititual Assemblies. and keeping the Universal House of justice informed concerning the conditions of the Faith in their arms. Counsellors are appointed for terms of five years.
Convention: A gathering called at a regional, national. or international level for consultation on matters afi'ecting the welfare of the Bath“ community and for the purpose. rmpectiveiy. of electing delegates to a National Convention. elecring members of a National Spiritual Assembly. or electing members of the Universal House ofjustice.
Hands of the Cause of God: individuals appointed by Bahd'u'lldh, and later by Shoghi Efiendi. 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—Bahi.) With the passing of Shoghi Effendi. 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 Baha‘i anniversaries, on nine of which work is suspended.
Huql'lqu'lléh: Arabic for “the Right of God." As instituted in the Kitab-i- Aqdas, payment to “the Authority in the Cause to whom all must turn” (at present, the Universal House of Justice) 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 [jluqtiqu'lléh are used for the promotion of the Faith and for the welfare of society.
International Teaching Centre: An institution established in 1973 by the Universal House of Justice 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 Hand of the Cause and also nine Counsellors appointed by the Universal House ofjustice. The seat of the International Teaching Centre is located at the Baha'i World Centre in Haifa, Israel.
Knight ofBahé'u’lléh: Title initially given by Shoghi Effendi to those Bahé’l's 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 political peace to be established by the nations of the world in order to bring about an end to 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 institutions of the World Order of Bahé’u’lléh and signalizing humanity’s coming of age.
Incal Spiritual Assembly: The local administrative body in the Bahé’f Faith. ordained in the Kitéb-i-Aqdas. The nine members are directly elected by secret ballot_each year at Ridvan 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 of the daughter and the wife ufBahé'u’lléh, His son who died in prison in Acre, and the wife of ‘Abdu’l-Baha.
Mount Carmel: The mountain spoken of by Isaiah as the “mountain of the Lord.” Site of the Baha'f World Centre, including several Bahé’f holy places,
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the most important of which are the Shrine of the Bib 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 aflairs of the Bahi'n' Faith throughout its am. Among its duties are to stimulate. unify, and coordinate the manifold activities of Loml Spiritual Assemblies and of individual Bahfi‘is within its jurisdiction. The members of National Spiritual Assemblies throughout the world constitute the electoral college for the Universal House of Justice, At Ridvén 2004, there were 183 National or Regional Spiritual Assemblies. See also Regional Spiritual Assembly.
Nineteen Day Past: The principal gathering in each loal Bahé'i community. every Bahé’f month, for the threefold purpose of worship. consultation, and fellowship.
Pioneer: Any Bahé'l who arises and leaves his or her home to journey to another country for the purpose of teaching the Bahi’f Faith. “Homefront pioneer" describes those who move to areas within their own country that have yet to be exposed to the Bahé’l Faith or where the Bahé'l community needs strengthening.
Regional Bahfi’l 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'f community warrant. A means of decentmlizing 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 of autonomous decision making on both teaching and administrative matters. In some countries, State Bah“ 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 ofcountries or regions in its jurisdiction, often established as a precursor to the formation ofa National Spiritual Assembly in each of the countries it encompasses.
Riqlvin: Arabic for “Paradise.“ Twelvevday Festival (from 21 April through 1 May) commemorating Bahé’u‘lléh’s declaration of His mission In His companions in 1863 in dxe Garden of Ridvén in Baghdad.
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Shoghi EHendi Rabbénf: (18974957) The Guardian of the Bahé'I Faith after the passing of ‘Abdu‘l—Bahé in :92], designated in His Will and Testament as His successor in interpreting the Bah.“ writings and as Head of the Faith.
Shrine of Bahé’u'llfih: The resting place of Bahé‘u'lléh‘s mortal remains, located near the city of Acre. Israel. The Shrine is the holiest spot on earth to Bahfi'ls and a place of pilgrimage.
Shrine of the Bib: The resting place of the Béb’s mortal remains. located on Mount Carmel in Haifa. Israel, a sacred site to Bahé'fs. and a place of pilgrimage.
State Bahfi’! Council: 5:: Regional Bahé'f Council.
Tablet: Divinely revealed scripture. In Bahé’! scripture. the term is used to denote writings revealed by Bahé’u’lléh. the Bib, and ‘Abdu'I-Bahé.
Ten Year Crusade: (1933—1963) Ten Year Plan initiated by Shoghi EFfendi for teaching the Bahé‘f Faith, which culminated in the election of the Universal House nfjustice during the centenary of the declaration of Bahé’u’lléh. The objectives of thc 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 to new regions. See also Knight ofBahd ’u'L/d/I.
Universal House of Justice: Head of the Bahé'l Faith after the passing of Shoghi Eflendi. and the supreme administrative body ordained by Bahé’u‘lléh in the Kita'b—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 International Convention. The House ofjustice was elected for the first time in 1963. It occupied its permanent seat on Mount Carmel in 1983.
Some entries adapted from A Basic Ba/m' ’1' Dicriamny. ed. Wendi Momen (Oxford: George Ronald, 1989).
