The Covenant/The Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh

The Covenant of Baha’u'1lah

Introduction

Baha’u’llah’s Covenant is, in its broadest sense, a renewal of the Covenant of God. His dispensation is the fulfillment of the Everlasting Covenant. Baha’u’llah has also assured us that God’s Covenant will not end with this Covenant, for He has promised a new Manifestation Who will come in a thousand or more years.

In addition to renewing the Covenant of God, Baha’u’llah has created another Covenant with His followers. This is the “specific,”! the “lesser,” or “second form” of Covenant in which He called upon the believers to turn to ‘Abdu’1l-Bahé after His passing. Lessons 3 and 4 will examine this second type of Covenant.

1 Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Bahd’ u'lléh 137 2 The Universal House of Justice, The Covenant, intro. 3 Written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Lights of Guidance 147

25 [Page 26]Overview

“The Covenant of Baha’u’ lah,” Shoghi Effendi states, referring to the second form of Covenant, “had been solely instituted through the direct operation of His Will and purpose."

Baha’u’llah’s Covenant, the “Instrument He had forged,” was created to channel, “after His passing, the forces released by Him in the course of a forty year ministry.” Its purpose was to preserve “the unity of His Faith” and provide “the impulse necessary to achieve its destiny,”> the Kingdom of God on earth. “Had not the Covenant come to pass,” ‘Abdu’1-Baha states, “. . . the forces of the Cause of God would have been utterly scattered. . . .”*

The second form of Covenant is, in essence, the “continuation of divine guidance after the Ascension of the Prophet” through a person or institution that can “indisputably state what is the Will of God.”” Baha’u’llah instructed His followers to turn, after His passing, to “Abdu’l-Baha, the Center of His Covenant.

Baha’u’llah’s Covenant is unique in religious history because it is explicitly revealed in writing.’ His instructions regarding the Covenant are found in the Kit4b-i-Aqdas (the book of His laws), in the Tablet of the Branch, and in the Kitab-i-‘Ahd (the book of His Covenant). There are also a number of Baha’u’lla4h’s other Tablets that extol and reinforce the station of ‘Abdu’1-Baha.

4 God Passes By 325

5 Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By 405

6 Tablets of the Divine Plan 49

7 The Universal House of Justice, letter of 3-23-75

8 The Universal House of Justice, The Power of the Covenant, Part II, 4-5

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[Page 27]To understand the significance of Bahd’u’llah’s Covenant, we need only look at the experience of some earlier religions. Consider Christianity and Islam, two of the recent past dispensations.

Jesus left no detailed instructions for His followers. There was initially no written Holy Book, no designated successor, no administrative system. The powers released by the Revelation of Jesus led to the growth of Christianity. Throughout the centuries, however, the meaning of the Gospel has been vigorously debated. This led to innumerable divisions in the Christian Faith.

Muhammad left the text of the Qur’4n with guidance for the faithful in the basics of His religion, such as prayer and fasting. Although some of His followers believe that He gave instructions regarding His successor, such instructions were not left in writing. Islam, therefore, also fell victim to division into different factions and denominations.

Baha’u’llah, however, has, through His Covenant, provided His followers “in unequivocal and emphatic language, all the laws, the regulations, the principles, the institutions, the guidance, they require.”? He explicitly appointed His successor in writing— someone to whom the believers could turn for guidance and who would answer their questions and resolve their disputes. The unity of the Baha’i Faith has thus been preserved.’°

“So firm and mighty is this Covenant,” ‘Abdu’1-Baha states, “that from the beginning of time until the present day no religious Dispensation hath produced its like.”

‘Abdu’l-Baha is the Center of Baha’u’llah’s Covenant—a Covenant intended to assure the continuation of the flow of divine will for the accomplishment of the divine purpose. It is interesting to note, therefore, that ‘Abdu’l-Baha is also the Interpreter of the Word of God (the source of God’s will) and is the perfect Exemplar of the Baha’i teachings (the perfect example of God’s purpose for each human being).

9 Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Baha’ u'lléh 21

10 Shoghi Effendi, on page 50 of Messages to America wrote: “Were anyone to imagine or expect that [the] Cause .. . should, at all times, be immune to any divergence of opinion, or any defection on the part of its multitudinous followers, it would be sheer delusion. ... That sucha secession, however, . . . should have failed . . . to split in twain the entire body of the adherents of the Faith .. . is a fact too eloquent for even a casual observer . . . to either deny or ignore.”

11 Quoted in God Passes By 238

27 [Page 28]1. “There is, for example, the Greater Covenant which every Manifestation of God makes with His followers, promising that in the fullness of time a new Manifestation will be sent, and taking from them the undertaking to accept Him when this occurs. There is also the Lesser Covenant that a Manifestation of God makes with His

followers that they will accept His appointed successor after Him.” —The Universal House of Justice, The Power of the Covenant, Part II, 4

2. “A dynamic process, divinely propelled, possessed of undreamtof potentialities, world-embracing in scope, world-transforming in its ultimate consequences, had been set in motion on that memorable night when the Bab communicated the purpose of His mission to Mulla Husayn in an obscure corner of Shiraz. It acquired a tremendous momentum with the first intimations of Baha’u’llah’s dawning Revelation. ... It was finally consummated by the laws and ordinances He [Baha’u’llah] formulated, by the principles which He enunciated and by the institutions which He ordained... . “To direct and canalize these forces let loose by this Heavensent process, and to insure their harmonious and continuous operation after His ascension, an instrument divinely ordained, invested with indisputable authority, organically linked with the Author of the Revelation Himself, was clearly indispensable. That instrument Baha’u’llah had expressly provided through the institution of the Covenant... .” —Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By 237-38

3. “The purpose of the Blessed Beauty in entering into this Covenant and testament was to gather all existent beings around one point so that the thoughtless souls, who in every cycle and generation have been the cause of dissension, may not undermine the Cause. He hath, therefore, commanded that whatever emanateth from the Centre of the Covenant is right and is under His protection and favour, while all else is error.” —Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’ l-Bahé 209

4. “‘Tn accordance with the explicit text of the Kitab-i-Aqdas Baha’u’llah hath made the Center of the Covenant the Interpreter of the Word—a Covenant so firm and mighty that from the beginning of time until the present day no religious Dispensation hath produced its like.” —‘Abdu’l-Bahé, quoted in The World Order of Bahd' u'lléh 136

5. “The Covenant is, moreover, embedded in the Writings of Baha’u’ll4h Himself. Thus . . . to accept Baha’u’llah is to accept

His Covenant; to reject His Covenant is to reject Him.” —written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice, The Covenant 18

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The Nature of Baha’u’llah’s Covenant

potentialities: abilities, qualities, or talents that can be developed

transforming: changing significantly in form or condition

intimations: indirect indications; hints

ordinances: commands, laws

formulated: fixed or stated in definite terms; made

enunciated: declared or proclaimed

canalize: to create channels to direct the flow of water, or, in this case, spiritual energies

organically: parts connected, organized and related to one another as in a living thing

indispensable: required, essential

emanate: to come forth or issue from a source

embedded: fixed firmly in; part of [Page 29]6. “... Nowhere in the books pertaining to any of the world’s religious systems . . . do we find any single document establishing a Covenant endowed with an authority comparable to the Covenant which Baha’u’ll4h had Himself instituted. . . .

“. .. Glorified by Him, in other passages of His writings, as the “Ark of Salvation’ and as ‘the Cord stretched betwixt the earth and the Abha Kingdom,’ this Covenant has been bequeathed to posterity in a Will and Testament which, together with the Kitab-i-Aqdas and several Tablets . . . constitute the chief buttresses designed by the Lord of the Covenant Himself to shield and support, after His ascension, the appointed Center of His Faith and the Delineator of its future institutions.” —Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By 238-39

7. ““When the ocean of my presence hath ebbed and the Book of My Revelation is ended, turn your faces toward Him Whom God hath purposed, Who hath branched from this Ancient Root... .’ “When the Mystic Dove will have winged its flight from its Sanctuary of Praise and sought its far-off goal, its hidden habitation, refer ye whatsoever ye understand not in the Book, to Him Who hath branched from this mighty Stock.’”

—Baha’u’llah, Synopsis and Codification of the Kitéb-i-Aqdas 24

8. ““There hath branched from the Sadratu’1-Muntaha this sacred and glorious Being, this Branch of Holiness; well is it with him that hath sought His shelter and abideth beneath His shadow... . Render thanks unto God, O people, for His appearance; for verily He is the most great Favor unto you, the most perfect bounty upon you.... Whoso turneth towards Him hath turned towards God, and whoso turneth away from Him hath turned away from My beauty,

hath repudiated My Proof, and transgressed against Me.” —Bahd’u’lléh, from the Tablet of the Branch, quoted in The World Order of Baha'u'llah 135

9. “The Will of the divine Testator is this: It is incumbent upon the Aghsdn, the Afnan and My kindred to turn, one and all, their faces towards the Most Mighty Branch. Consider that which We have revealed in Our Most Holy Book: ‘When the ocean of My presence hath ebbed and the Book of My Revelation is ended, turn your faces toward Him Whom God hath purposed, Who hath branched from this Ancient Root.’ The object of this sacred verse is none other except the Most Mighty Branch. Thus have We graciously revealed unto you our potent Will, and I am verily the Gracious, the All-Powerful.” —Banh4’u’1!4h, quoted in the Kitab-i-‘Ahd, Tablets of Baha’ u’lléh 221-22

Uniqueness and Origin

bequeathed: given or left by will; handed down,

posterity: future generations collectively

Kitab-i-Aqdas (ket-awbeh-ack-dass): the Most Holy Book, revealed in ‘Akka about 1873; “the Charter of His World Order, the chief repository of His laws, the Harbinger of His Covenant” (The Promised Day is Come 24)

buttress: support, prop

Delineator: one who describes something precisely in words

Sadratu'l-Muntaha (sadra-tol-monta-haw): the Divine Lote Tree; the tree which marks a boundary beyond which there is no passing; reference to the Manifestation of God

Branch: in Persian, Ghusn (gossn); a son or male descendant of Baha'u'llah

transgressed: broke a law; sinned against

Testator: one who makes a will

Aghsan (ax-awn): branches; sons and male descendants of Baha'u'llah

Afnan (aff-nawn): twigs; the relatives of the Bab

the Most Mighty Branch: ‘Abdu'l-Baha; known to

Baha'is by titles such as “the Master” and “the Most Mighty Branch,” He did not take the title ‘Abdu'l-Baha (servant of Baha) until after His Father’s passing

29 [Page 30]10. “Thou knowest, O my God, that I desire for Him [‘Abdu’1Baha] naught except that which Thou didst desire, and have chosen

Him for no purpose save that which Thou hadst intended for Him.” —Bahé’u’ll4h, quoted in The World Order of Bahd' u'lldh 136

11. “He is, and should for all time be regarded, first and foremost, as the Center and Pivot of Baha’u’llah’s peerless and all-enfolding Covenant, His most exalted handiwork, the stainless Mirror of His light, the perfect Exemplar of His teachings, the unerring Interpreter of His Word, the embodiment of every Baha’i ideal, the incarnation of every Baha’i virtue, the Most Mighty Branch . . . styles and titles that are implicit and find their truest, their highest and fairest expression in the magic name ‘Abdu’l-Baha. He is, above and beyond these appellations, the ‘Mystery of God’—an expression by which Baha’u’ lah Himself has chosen to designate Him, and which, while it does not by any means justify us to assign to Him the station of Prophethood, indicates how in the person of ‘Abdu’lBaha the incompatible characteristics of a human nature and superhuman knowledge and perfection have been blended and are completely harmonized.” —Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Bahd' u' lldh 134

12. “. .. The Blessed Beauty . . . appointed a Center, the Exponent of the Book and the annuller of disputes. Whatever is written or said by Him is conformable to the truth and under the protection of the Blessed Beauty. He is infallible.” —‘adu’1-Ban4, Baha’ f World Faith 358

13. “The interpretations of ‘Abdu’l-Baha . . . are divinely guided statements of what the Word of God means and as such these interpretations are binding on the friends.”

—written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice, letter of 3-9-87

14. “The continuity of that unerring guidance vouchsafed to it since its birth was now assured. The significance of the solemn affirmation that this is ‘the Day which shall not be followed by night’ was now clearly apprehended.” —Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By 245

15. “He is the Trust of God amongst you, His charge within you, His manifestation unto you and His appearance among His favored servants. ... Blest and sanctified be God Who createth whatsoever He willeth. ... They who deprive themselves of the shadow of the Branch, are lost in the wilderness of error, are consumed by the heat

of worldly desires, and are of those who will assuredly perish.’” —Bahé’u’lldh, from the Tablet of the Branch, quoted in The World Order of Bahd’u' lléh 135

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‘Abdu’l-Baha: The Center of the Covenant

Pivot: person or thing on which something hinges or depends

Exemplar: model to be copied; example or pattern

embodiment: concrete expression

ideal: a norm of perfection to be aimed at

incarnation: concrete expression in human form

implicit: essentially contained in

appellations: titles, names designate: name, appoint

incompatible: not capable of existing together in harmony or agreement

Exponent: one who explains or interprets; one who is regarded as the representative or symbol

annuller: one who cancels or abolishes

affirmation: positive declaration, confident statement

apprehended: understood manifestation: state of

making something clear or obvious to the senses

For more quotations on topics raised in this lesson

see the index, page 81. [Page 31]Illustration

“Baha’u llaéh had entrusted His Will and Testament to the care of ‘Abdu’l-Baha. On the ninth day after His ascension its contents became known. Earlier in the day nine of the Baha’fs, including members of Baha’u’llah’s family who were chosen by ‘Abdu’lBaha, gathered to witness the breaking of the seal and learn the counsel of the Testament. Later, the same day, within the walls of the Shrine of Baha’u’llah, Mirza Majdi’d-Din—the son of Mirza Musa, Baha’u’llah’s faithful brother and valiant supporter throughout forty years, then alas deceased—stood up to read the Will.'! No doubt could be entertained. It was evident to Whom the Baha’is had to turn, and Whom they had to obey, on Whose shoulders the mantle of total authority now rested. No one expressed dissent. Everyone who was there, and heard that ‘Abdu’1-Baha was the successor to Baha’u’llah, submitted to what He had ordained. Tardzu’llah Samandartf [later appointed a Hand of the Cause] vividly recalled that felicitous day, and the obedience that was unquestionably rendered to ‘Abdu’1-Baha.

“But there was a heart hopelessly stirred by envy. It beat in the frame of the second surviving son of Baha’u’lla4h, Mirz4 Muhammad-‘Ali, entitled Ghusn-i-Akbar, the Greater Branch, the man whose rank and station the Testament of Baha’u’1lah had placed next to that of the Centre of the Covenant Himself. This halfbrother of ‘Abdu’l-Baha had already committed an act of astounding perfidy. To this testifies the letter of repentance, short-lived though that repentance was, of Mirz4 Badi’u’1lah, the fourth surviving son of Baha’u’ll4h. In that document he stated, in no uncertain terms, that two cases which belonged to Baha’u’llah and contained His writing materials, seals, and papers were purloined by Mirza Muhammad-‘Alf, on the very dawn of the day that their Father passed away....

“Mirzé Muhammad-‘Ali’s most cherished object had been to lay hands on the Will and Testament which he knew his Father had written. But that document had been entrusted to ‘Abdu’1-Baha. Thus his first attempt to subvert the Covenant of Baha’u’llah proved abortive. But ambition and jealousy drove him on to deeds more wretched, until he ultimately destroyed himself.”

—Balyuzi, ‘Abdu’ I-Bahd 51-52

11 The entire text of Baha’u’ll4h’s Will and Testament—the Kit4b-i-‘Ahd (Book of the Covenant) —can be found in Tablets of Bahd’u'lléh, pages 217-23.

mantle: cloak; anything that clothes or envelopes

dissent: disagreement

felicitous: marked by an agreeable manner

perfidy: deliberate violation of faith; treachery

repentance: regret for past sins

purloined: stolen

object: purpose, intention

subvert: to destroy or overthrow; to undermine

abortive: not reaching full or complete development

al [Page 32]Further Study

Select one of the passages from the “Readings” section.

What does the passage mean What are the implications of to you? the passage for your life?

List any unanswered questions about the lesson you may want to explore in more depth. Use the index on page 81 and additional reading below to help you find answers to your questions.

1.

2.

The Kitab-i-“Ahd, in Tablets of Baha’ w’ llah 219-23

God Passes By, by Shoghi Effendi, Chapter XIV Explanation of the Covenant of Baha’u’ lah.

The World Order of Baha’ wu’ llah, by Shoghi Effendi, 131-39 Explanation of the station of ‘Abdu’1l-Baha.

The Power of the Covenant, Part I . Commentary, with quotations, on Baha’u’llah’s Covenant.

a2

Personal Reflection

Remaining Questions

Additional Reading [Page 33]1. (Circle all that apply.) Baha’u’lla4h’s Covenant:

a. channels the forces first released by the Bab

b. appoints ‘Abdu’l-Baha and the Universal House of Justice as twin Centers of Authority

c. prevents all disputes and defections

d. prevents the scattering of the forces released by Baha’u’llah’s Revelation

2. (Circle all that apply.) Baha’u’llah’s Covenant is unique because:

other Manifestations have not appointed successors

. other Manifestations have not made a lesser Covenant it is in writing

. infallible guidance will continue throughout

the Dispensation

aocp

3. List the three major books or tablets by Baha’u’ll4h in which He gives authority to ‘Abdu’1-Baha:

1.

z

a.

4. Describe the station of ‘Abdu’1-Baha in relation to:

Baha’u’ll4h’s Covenant:

God’s will:

God’s purpose:

33 [Page 34]Answers

The following are suggested answers. Depending on your understanding of the quotes, you may have different answers. Consider the suggested answers a starting point for thought and discussion.

1. aandd. See page 26 and #2, page 28. “C” is not correct—the Covenant does not prevent disputes and defections, it provides a way to resolve them and protect the unity of the Faith. See footnote 10 on page 27.

2. candd. See pages 26 and 27 and #14, page 30.

3. The Kitéb-i-Aqdas (The Most Holy Book), The Tablet of the Branch and the Kitab-i-‘Ahd (Book of the Covenant). Although the references in the first two refer to a “Branch”—a male descendant of Baha’u’ll4h—the reference in the Kitab-i-‘Ahd to the Most Mighty Branch could refer to no one else but ‘Abdu’1Baha.'’? (See #9, page 29.)

4. See pages 27, 29, and 30. ‘Abdu’l-Baha is the “Center and Pivot” of Baha’u’ll4h’s Covenant, the “Delineator of its future institutions, ” and the “annuller of disputes.” In relation to God’s will, He is the “Interpreter” and “Exponent” of the Word of God, the continuation of the channel of divine guidance, Whose statements about what the Word of God means are infallible. Regarding God’s purpose, He is the “perfect Exemplar” and the “embodiment of every Baha’i ideal,” thus representing the realization of the potential within each human being.

Discussion

What are the similarities between the greater (Covenant of God) and lesser (Covenant of Baha’u’llah) Covenants, particularly in their relation to God’s will and purpose. What are the differences?

How does Baha’u’llah’s Covenant enable us to fulfill our purpose in life, both as individuals and as a society? What is ‘Abdu’lBaha’s role in Baha’u’llah’s Covenant? What is our role in Baha’u’llah’s Covenant?

12 Taherzadeh, The Revelation of Baha'u'llah, Vol. Ill, 371

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