Bahai Administration Part 1

Baha'i Administration.

by Shoghi Effendi.

PART ONE: EXCERPTS FROM THE WILL AND TESTAMENT OF 'ABDU'L-BAHa

"All-praise to Him Who, by the s.h.i.+eld of His Covenant, hath..."

All-praise to Him Who, by the s.h.i.+eld of His Covenant, hath guarded the Temple of His Cause from the darts of doubtfulness, Who by the Hosts of His Testament hath preserved the Sanctuary of His Most Beneficent Law and protected His Straight and Luminous Path, staying thereby the onslaught of the company of Covenant-breakers, that have threatened to subvert His Divine Edifice; Who hath watched over His Mighty Stronghold and All-glorious Faith, through the aid of men whom the slander of the slanderer affects not, whom no earthly calling, glory and power can turn aside from the Covenant of G.o.d and His Testament, established firmly by His clear and manifest words, writ and revealed by His All-glorious Pen and recorded in the Preserved Tablet.

Salutation and praise, blessing and glory rest upon that primal branch of the Divine and Sacred Lote-Tree, grown out, blest, tender, verdant and flouris.h.i.+ng from the Twin Holy Trees; the most wondrous, unique and priceless pearl that doth gleam from out the twin surging seas; upon the offshoots of the Tree of Holiness, the twigs of the Celestial Tree, they that in the Day of the Great Dividing have stood fast and firm in the Covenant; upon the Hands (pillars) of the Cause of G.o.d that have diffused widely the Divine Fragrances, declared His Proofs, proclaimed His Faith, published abroad His Law, detached themselves from all things but Him, stood for righteousness in this world, and kindled the Fire of the Love of G.o.d in the very hearts and souls of His servants; upon them that have believed, rested a.s.sured, stood steadfast in His Covenant and followed the Light that after my pa.s.sing s.h.i.+neth from the Dayspring of Divine Guidance-for behold! he is the blest and sacred bough that hath branched out from the Twin Holy Trees. Well is it with him that seeketh the shelter of his shade that shadoweth all mankind.

"O ye beloved of the Lord! The greatest of all things is the..."

O ye beloved of the Lord! The greatest of all things is the protection of the True Faith of G.o.d, the preservation of His Law, the safeguarding of His Cause and service unto His Word. Ten thousand souls have shed streams of their sacred blood in this path, their precious lives they offered in sacrifice unto Him, hastened wrapt in holy ecstasy unto the glorious field of martyrdom, upraised the Standard of G.o.d's Faith and writ with their life-blood upon the Tablet of the world the verses of His Divine Unity.

The sacred breast of His Holiness, the Exalted One, (may my life be a sacrifice unto Him) was made a target to many a dart of woe, and in Mazandaran, the Blessed feet of the Abha Beauty (may my life be offered up for His loved ones) were so grievously scourged as to bleed and be sore wounded. His neck also was put into captive chains and His feet made fast in the stocks. In every hour, for a period of fifty years, a new trial and calamity befell Him and fresh afflictions and cares beset Him. One of them: after having suffered intense vicissitudes, He was made homeless and a wanderer and fell a victim to still new vexations and troubles. In 'Iraq, the Day-Star of the world was so exposed to the wiles of the people of malice as to be eclipsed in splendor. Later on He was sent an exile to the Great City (Constantinople) and thence to the Land of Mystery (Adrianople), whence, grievously wronged, He was eventually transferred to the Most Great Prison (Akka). He Whom the world hath wronged (may my life be offered for His loved ones) was four times banished from city to city, till at last condemned to perpetual confinement, He was incarcerated in this Prison, the prison of highway robbers, of brigands and of manslayers.

All this is but one of the trials that have afflicted the Blessed Beauty, the rest being even as grievous as this.

"According to the direct and sacred command of G.o.d we are..."

According to the direct and sacred command of G.o.d we are forbidden to utter slander, are commanded to show forth peace and amity, are exhorted to rect.i.tude of conduct, straightforwardness and harmony with all the kindreds and peoples of the world. We must obey and be the well-wishers of the governments of the land, regard disloyalty unto a just king as disloyalty to G.o.d Himself and wis.h.i.+ng evil to the government a transgression of the Cause of G.o.d.

"O G.o.d, my G.o.d! Thou seest this wronged servant of Thine,..."

O G.o.d, my G.o.d! Thou seest this wronged servant of Thine, held fast in the talons of ferocious lions, of ravening wolves, of bloodthirsty beasts.

Graciously a.s.sist me, through my love for Thee, that I may drink deep of the chalice that brimmeth over with faithfulness to Thee and is filled with Thy bountiful Grace; so that, fallen upon the dust, I may sink prostrate and senseless whilst my vesture is dyed crimson with my blood.

This is my wish, my heart's desire, my hope, my pride, my glory. Grant, O Lord my G.o.d, and my Refuge, that in my last hour, my end, may even as musk shed its fragrance of glory! Is there a bounty greater than this? Nay, by Thy Glory! I call Thee to witness that no day pa.s.seth but that I quaff my fill from this cup, so grievous are the misdeeds wrought by them that have broken the Covenant, kindled discord, showed their malice, stirred sedition in the land and dishonored Thee amidst Thy servants. Lord! s.h.i.+eld Thou from these Covenant-breakers the mighty Stronghold of Thy Faith and protect Thy secret Sanctuary from the onslaught of the unG.o.dly. Thou art in truth the Mighty, the Powerful, the Gracious, the Strong.

"O G.o.d, my G.o.d! s.h.i.+eld Thy trusted servants from the evils of..."

O G.o.d, my G.o.d! s.h.i.+eld Thy trusted servants from the evils of self and pa.s.sion, protect them with the watchful eye of Thy loving kindness from all rancour, hate and envy, shelter them in the impregnable stronghold of Thy Cause and, safe from the darts of doubtfulness, make them the manifestations of Thy glorious Signs, illumine their faces with the effulgent rays shed from the Dayspring of Thy Divine Unity, gladden their hearts with the verses revealed from Thy Holy Kingdom, strengthen their loins by Thy all-swaying power that cometh from Thy Realm of Glory. Thou art the All-bountiful, the Protector, the Almighty, the Gracious!

O ye that stand fast in the Covenant! When the hour cometh that this wronged and broken winged bird will have taken its flight unto the celestial concourse, when it will have hastened to the Realm of the Unseen and its mortal frame will have been either lost or hidden neath the dust, it is inc.u.mbent upon the Afnan, that are steadfast in the Covenant of G.o.d, and have branched from the Tree of Holiness; the Hands, (pillars) of the Cause of G.o.d, (the glory of the Lord rest upon them), and all the friends and loved ones, one and all to bestir themselves and arise with heart and soul and in one accord, to diffuse the sweet savors of G.o.d, to teach His Cause and to promote His Faith. It behooveth them not to rest for a moment, neither to seek repose. They must disperse themselves in every land, pa.s.s by every clime and travel throughout all regions. Bestirred, without rest and steadfast to the end they must raise in every land the triumphal cry "O Thou the Glory of Glories!" (Ya-Baha'u'l-Abha), must achieve renown in the world wherever they go, must burn brightly even as a candle in every meeting and must kindle the flame of Divine love in every a.s.sembly; that the light of truth may rise resplendent in the midmost heart of the world, that throughout the East and throughout the West a vast concourse may gather under the shadow of the Word of G.o.d, that the sweet savors of holiness may be diffused, that faces may s.h.i.+ne radiantly, hearts be filled with the Divine spirit and souls be made heavenly.

In these days, the most important of all things is the guidance of the nations and peoples of the world. Teaching the Cause is of utmost importance for it is the head corner-stone of the foundation itself. This wronged servant has spent his days and night in promoting the Cause and urging the peoples to service. He rested not a moment, till the fame of the Cause of G.o.d was noised abroad in the world and the celestial strains from the Abha Kingdom roused the East and the West. The beloved of G.o.d must also follow the same example. This is the secret of faithfulness, this is the requirement of servitude to the Threshold of Baha!

The disciples of Christ forgot themselves and all earthly things, forsook all their cares and belongings, purged themselves of self and pa.s.sion and with absolute detachment scattered far and wide and engaged in calling the peoples of the world to the Divine Guidance, till at last they made the world another world, illumined the surface of the earth and even to their last hour proved self-sacrificing in the pathway of that Beloved One of G.o.d. Finally in various lands they suffered glorious martyrdom. Let them that are men of action follow in their footsteps!

O my loving friends! After the pa.s.sing away of this wronged one, it is inc.u.mbent upon the A_gh_san (Branches), the Afnan (Twigs) of the Sacred Lote-Tree, the Hands (pillars) of the Cause of G.o.d and the loved ones of the Abha Beauty to turn unto Shoghi Effendi-the youthful branch branched from the two hallowed and sacred Lote-Trees and the fruit grown from the union of the two offshoots of the Tree of Holiness,-as he is the sign of G.o.d, the chosen branch, the guardian of the Cause of G.o.d, he unto whom all the A_gh_san, the Afnan, the Hands of the Cause of G.o.d and His loved ones must turn. He is the expounder of the words of G.o.d and after him will succeed the first-born of his lineal descendants.

The sacred and youthful branch, the guardian of the Cause of G.o.d, as well as the Universal House of Justice, to be universally elected and established, are both under the care and protection of the Abha Beauty, under the shelter and unerring guidance of His Holiness, the Exalted One (may my life be offered up for them both). Whatsoever they decide is of G.o.d. Whoso obeyeth him not, neither obeyeth them, hath not obeyed G.o.d; whoso rebelleth against him and against them hath rebelled against G.o.d; whoso opposeth him hath opposed G.o.d; whoso contendeth with them hath contended with G.o.d; whoso disputeth with him hath disputed with G.o.d; whoso denieth him hath denied G.o.d; whoso disbelieveth in him hath disbelieved in G.o.d; whoso deviateth, separateth himself and turneth aside from him hath in truth deviated, separated himself and turned aside from G.o.d. May the wrath, the fierce indignation, the vengeance of G.o.d rest upon him! The mighty stronghold shall remain impregnable and safe through obedience to him who is the guardian of the Cause of G.o.d. It is inc.u.mbent upon the members of the House of Justice, upon all the A_gh_san, the Afnan, the Hands of the Cause of G.o.d to show their obedience, submissiveness and subordination unto the guardian of the Cause of G.o.d, to turn unto him and be lowly before him. He that opposeth him hath opposed the True One, will make a breach in the Cause of G.o.d, will subvert His word and will become a manifestation of the Center of Sedition. Beware, beware, lest the days after the ascension (of Baha'u'llah) be repeated when the Center of Sedition waxed haughty and rebellious and with Divine Unity for his excuse deprived himself and perturbed and poisoned others. No doubt every vainglorious one that purposeth dissension and discord will not openly declare his evil purposes, nay rather, even as impure gold, would he seize upon divers measures and various pretexts that he may separate the gathering of the people of Baha. My object is to show that the Hands of the Cause of G.o.d must be ever watchful and so soon as they find anyone beginning to oppose and protest against the guardian of the Cause of G.o.d cast him out from the congregation of the people of Baha and in no wise accept any excuse from him. How often hath grievous error been disguised in the garb of truth, that it might sow the seeds of doubt in the hearts of men!

O ye beloved of the Lord! It is inc.u.mbent upon the guardian of the Cause of G.o.d to appoint in his own life-time him that shall become his successor, that differences may not arise after his pa.s.sing. He that is appointed must manifest in himself detachment from all worldly things, must be the essence of purity, must show in himself the fear of G.o.d, knowledge, wisdom and learning. Thus, should the first-born of the guardian of the Cause of G.o.d not manifest in himself the truth of the words:-"The child is the secret essence of its sire," that is, should he not inherit of the spiritual within him (the guardian of the Cause of G.o.d) and his glorious lineage not be matched with a goodly character, then must he (the guardian of the Cause of G.o.d), choose another branch to succeed him.

The Hands of the Cause of G.o.d must elect from their own number nine persons that shall at all times be occupied in the important services in the work of the guardian of the Cause of G.o.d. The election of these nine must be carried either unanimously or by majority from the company of the Hands of the Cause of G.o.d and these, whether unanimously or by a majority vote, must give their a.s.sent to the choice of the one whom the guardian of the Cause of G.o.d hath chosen as his successor. This a.s.sent must be given in such wise as the a.s.senting and dissenting voices may not be distinguished. (secret ballot)

O friends! The Hands of the Cause of G.o.d must be nominated and appointed by the guardian of the Cause of G.o.d. All must be under his shadow and obey his command. Should any, within or without the company of the Hands of the Cause of G.o.d disobey and seek division, the wrath of G.o.d and His vengeance will be upon him, for he will have caused a breach in the true Faith of G.o.d.

The obligations of the Hands of the Cause of G.o.d are to diffuse the Divine Fragrances, to edify the souls of men, to promote learning, to improve the character of all men and to be, at all times and under all conditions, sanctified and detached from earthly things. They must manifest the fear of G.o.d by their conduct, their manners, their deeds and their words.

This body of the Hands of the Cause of G.o.d is under the direction of the guardian of the Cause of G.o.d. He must continually urge them to strive and endeavor to the utmost of their ability to diffuse the sweet savors of G.o.d, and to guide all the peoples of the world, for it is the light of Divine Guidance that causeth all the universe to be illumined. To disregard, though it be for a moment, this absolute command which is binding upon everyone, is in no wise permitted, that the existent world may become even as the Abha Paradise, that the surface of the earth may become heavenly, that contention and conflict amidst peoples, kindreds, nations and governments may disappear, that all the dwellers on earth may become one people and one race, that the world may become even as one home. Should differences arise they shall be amicably and conclusively settled by the Supreme Tribunal, that shall include members from all the governments and peoples of the world.

O ye beloved of the Lord! In this sacred Dispensation, conflict and contention are in no wise permitted. Every aggressor deprives himself of G.o.d's grace. It is inc.u.mbent upon everyone to show the utmost love, rect.i.tude of conduct, straightforwardness and sincere kindliness unto all the peoples and kindreds of the world, be they friends or strangers. So intense must be the spirit of love and loving-kindness, that the stranger may find himself a friend, the enemy a true brother, no difference whatsoever existing between them. For universality is of G.o.d and all limitations earthly. Thus man must strive that his reality may manifest virtues and perfections, the light whereof may s.h.i.+ne upon everyone. The light of the sun s.h.i.+neth upon all the world and the merciful showers of Divine Providence fall upon all peoples. The vivifying breeze reviveth every living creature and all beings endued with life obtain their share and portion at His heavenly board. In like manner, the affections and loving-kindness of the servants of the One True G.o.d must be bountifully and universally extended to all mankind. Regarding this, restrictions and limitations are in no wise permitted.

Wherefore, O my loving friends! Consort with all the peoples, kindreds and religions of the world with the utmost truthfulness, uprightness, faithfulness, kindliness, good-will and friendliness; that all the world of being may be filled with the holy ecstasy of the grace of Baha, that ignorance, enmity, hate and rancor may vanish from the world and the darkness of estrangement amidst the peoples and kindreds of the world may give way to the Light of Unity. Should other peoples and nations be unfaithful to you show your fidelity unto them, should they be unjust toward you show justice towards them, should they keep aloof from you attract them to yourself, should they show their enmity be friendly towards them, should they poison your lives sweeten their souls, should they inflict a wound upon you be a salve to their sores. Such are the attributes of the sincere! Such are the attributes of the truthful.

And now, concerning the House of Justice which G.o.d hath ordained as the source of all good and freed from all error, it must be elected by universal suffrage, that is, by the believers. Its members must be manifestations of the fear of G.o.d and daysprings of knowledge and understanding, must be steadfast in G.o.d's faith 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 inst.i.tuted, 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 Text. By this body all the difficult problems are to be resolved and the guardian of the Cause of G.o.d is its sacred head and the distinguished member for life of that body. Should he not attend in person its deliberations, he must appoint one to represent him. Should any of the members commit a sin, injurious to the common weal, the guardian of the Cause of G.o.d hath at his own discretion the right to expel him, whereupon the people must elect another one in his stead.

"O ye beloved of the Lord! It is inc.u.mbent upon you to be submissive..."

O ye beloved of the Lord! It is inc.u.mbent upon you to be submissive to all monarchs that are just and show your fidelity to every righteous king.

Serve ye the sovereigns of the world with utmost truthfulness and loyalty.

Show obedience unto them and be their well-wishers. Without their leave and permission do not meddle with political affairs, for disloyalty to the just sovereign is disloyalty to G.o.d himself.

This is my counsel and the commandment of G.o.d unto you. Well is it with them that act accordingly.

"By the Ancient Beauty! This wronged one hath in no wise..."

By the Ancient Beauty! This wronged one hath in no wise borne nor doth he bear a grudge against any one; towards none doth he entertain any ill-feeling and uttereth no word save for the good of the world. My supreme obligation, however, of necessity, prompteth me to guard and preserve the Cause of G.o.d. Thus, with the greatest regret, I counsel you saying:-"Guard ye the Cause of G.o.d, protect His law and have the utmost fear of discord. This is the foundation of the belief of the people of Baha (may my life be offered up for them). "His Holiness, the Exalted One, (the Bab) is the Manifestation of the Unity and Oneness of G.o.d and the Forerunner of the Ancient Beauty. His Holiness the Abha Beauty, (may my life be a sacrifice for His steadfast friends) is the Supreme Manifestation of G.o.d and the Dayspring of His Most Divine Essence. All others are servants unto Him and do 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 G.o.d himself. Whoso doth deviate therefrom is verily of them that love discord, hath shown forth malice and turned away from the Lord of the Covenant. By this House is meant that Universal House of Justice which is to be elected from all countries, that is, from those parts in the East and West where the loved ones are to be found, after the manner of the customary elections in Western countries such as those of England.