Bahá’í World/Volume 33/Glossary
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Glossary
‘Abdu’l—Bahé: (1844—1921) Son of Bahé’u’lléh, designated as His successor and authorized interpreter of His writings. Named <Abba’ts after His grandfather, ‘Abdu’l—Bahé was known to the general public as ‘Abbés Effendi. Bahé’u’lla’th gave Him such titles as “the Most Great Branch,” “the Mystery of God,” and “the Master.” After Bahé’u’lléh’s passing, He chose the name ‘Abdu’l-Bahé, meaning “Servant of Bahé’u’llzih.”
Administrative Order: The system of administration as conceived by Bahé’u’lléh, formally established by ‘Abdu’l—Bahé, 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 Bahé’l’ community, and, on the other hand, ofeminent and devoted Bahé’is 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—Bahé Rfihl’yyih @énum: (1910—2000) Mary Sutherland Maxwell, an eminent North American Bahé’l’ who became the wife of Shoghi Effendi Rabbém’, Guardian of the Bahé’l’ Faith, in 1937, after which she was known as Rfihl’yyih @énum Rabbini. (‘Amatu’l-Bahai is a title meaning “Handmaiden of Bahé’u’lléh.”) She served 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 Bahé’l’ Faith, consolidate
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Bahé’i’ 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 0f the Bébi’ Faith and the Forerunner 0f Bahé’u’lléh. 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, Bahé’u’llzih. Because of these claims, the Béb was executed by order of Nésiri’d-Din fléh on 9 July 1850.
Bahzi’i' Era (BE): The period of the Bahé’i’ calendar beginning with the Declaration of the Bib on 23 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’i.
Bahai’i' 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 Bahé’i’ International Community is an association of the National Spiritual Assemblies throughout the world and functions as an international nongovernmental organization. Its offices include its Secretariat at the Bahé’i' World Centre, a United Nations Office in New York with a branch in Geneva, an Office of Public Information with a branch in Paris, and an Office for the Advancement of Women.
Bahé’i’ World Centre: The spiritual and administrative center of the Bahai’i’ Faith, comprising the holy places in the Haifa—Acre area and the Arc of administrative buildings on Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel.
Bahé’u’lléh: The title, meaning “Glory of God,” assumed by Mirza’ Husayn— ‘Ali, Founder of the Bahé’i’ Faith. Born on 12 November 1817, He declared His mission as the Promised One of All 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 Baha’i’i’s to be direct revelation from God.
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Bahji’: Arabic for “delight.” Located near Acre, it is a place of pilgrimage for Baha’is which comprises the Shrine of Bahé’u’lléh, the mansion which was His last residence, and the surrounding gardens that serve to beautify the site.
Calendar, Baha’i: Year consisting of 19 months of 19 days each, with the addition of certain “intercalary days” (four in ordinary and five in leap years) between the 18th and 19th months in order to adjust the calendar to the solar year. Naw—RL’IZ, the Baha’i new year, is astronomically fixed, commencing at the vernal equinox (21 March). The Baha’i era (BE) begins with the year of the Bab’s declaration (1844 CE). See also Balad’z’Em.
Consultation: A form of discussion between individuals and within groups which requires the subjugation of egotism so that all ideas can be shared and evaluated with frankness, courtesy, and openness of mind, and decisions arrived at can be wholeheartedly supported. Its guiding principles were elaborated
by ‘Abdu’l-Baha.
Continental Boards of Counsellors: An institution created in 1968 by the Universal House ofjustice 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 Effendi, the Guardian of the Baha’i 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 welfare of the Baha’i community and for the purpose, respectively, of electing 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—Baha.) With the passing of Shoghi Effendi, there was no further possibility for appointing Hands of the Cause; hence, in order to extend into the fitture 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 Bahé’l' anniversaries, on nine of which work is suspended.
Huqfiqu’lléh: 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” (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 Huqfiqu’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 ofjustiee. 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 Bahé’l’ World Centre in Haifa, Israel.
Knight of Bahé’u’lléh: Title initially given by Shoghi Effendi to those Bahzi’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 0n 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. Its 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.
Local Spiritual Assembly: The local administrative body in the Babe“ Faith, ordained in the Kitéb—i—Aqdas. The nine members are directly elected by secret ballot each year at Ridvén from among the adult believers in a community.
Monument Gardens: Beautifully landscaped gardens at the heart of the Are on Mount Carmel where befitting monuments have been erected over the graves of the 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.” Site of the Bahzi’l’ World Centre, including several Baha’t’l' holy places,
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the most important of which are the Shrine of the Bab and the Monument
Gardens.
National Spiritual Assembly: The national administrative body in the Baha’i Faith, ordained in the Baha’i sacred writings, with authority over all activities and affairs of the Baha’i Faith throughout its area. Among its duties are to stimulate, unify, and coordinate the manifold activities of Local Spiritual Assemblies and of individual Baha’i's within its jurisdiction. The members of National Spiritual Assemblies throughout the world constitute the electoral college for the Universal House of Justice. At Ridvein 2004, there were 183 National or Regional Spiritual Assemblies. See also Regional Spiritual Assembly.
Nineteen Day Feast: The principal gathering in each local Baha’i community, every Baha’i month, for the threefold purpose of worship, consultation, and fellowship.
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Pioneer: Any Baha 1 who arises and leaves his or her home to journey to another country for the purpose of teaching the Baha’i Faith. “Homefiont pioneer” describes those who move to areas within their own country that have yet to be exposed to the Baha’i Faith or where the Baha’i community
needs strengthening.
Regional Baha’i Council: An element of Baha’i 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 Baha’i community warrant. A means of decentralizing 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 Baha’i community. It provides for a level ofautonomous decision making on both teaching and administrative matters. In some countries, State Baha’i
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 of countries or regions in its jurisdiction, often established as a precursor to the formation of a National Spiritual Assembly in each of the countries it encompasses.
Rjdvén: Arabic for “Paradise.” Twelve—day festival (from 21 April through 2 May) commemorating Baha’u’lléh’s declaration of His mission to His companions in 1863 in the Garden of Ridvén in Baghdad.
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Shoghi EEendi Rabba’tm’: (1897—1957) The Guardian of the Bahé’l’ Faith after the passing of ‘Abdu’l—Bahz’t in 1921, designated in His Will and Testament as His successor in interpreting the Bahé’l’ writings and as Head of the Faith.
Shrine ofBahé’u’lléh: The resting place of Bahé’u’lléh’s mortal remains, located near the city ofAcre, Israel. The Shrine is the holiest spot on earth to Bahé’fs 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’x’s, and a place of pilgrimage.
State Bahé’l’ Council: 566 Regional Bahé’f Council.
Tablet: Divinely revealed scripture. In Bahé’l’ scripture, the term is used to denote writings revealed by Bahé’u’lléh, the Béb, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahé.
Ten Year Crusade: (1953—1963) Ten Year Plan initiated by Shoghi Effendi for teaching the Bahé’l’ Faith, which culminated in the election of the Universal House ofjustice during the centenary of the declaration of Bahé’u’lléh. The objectives of the 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 of Ba/oa’ ’u’lld/J.
Universal House of Justice: Head of the Bahé’l’ Faith after the passing of Shoghi Effendi, and the supreme administrative body ordained by Bahé’u’lléh in the Kitéb—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 Babd’z’ Dictionary, Wendi Momen, ed. (Oxford: George Ronald, 1989).