The Covenant
Exported from Holy-Writings.com on 2026-06-18 - 1 clipping

Source: Bahá'í Library Online (bahai-library.com), curated by Jonah Winters. Used by permission of the curator. Original citation: The Báb, The Covenant, bahai-library.com.
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

e
wenant

Extracts from
The Writings of Baha'u'llah,
The Writings of the Bab, .
The Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha,
The Writings of Shoghi Effendi,
Letters of the Universal House of Justice, and
Letters written on its behalf.

Compiled by
The Research Department of
The Universal House of Justice
Baha'i
Publications
♦
Australia

Copyright© 1989 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the
Baha'is of Australia Inc., P.O.Box 285, Mona Vale, N.S.W., 2103
ISBN O909991 42 1
First printing B.E. 145 (1989)

Lynx Print, Mudgee
THE UNIVERSAL       HOUSE OF JUSTICE
11/\HA'I WORLD CENTRE

25 December 1987

To all   National   Spiritual   Assemblies

Dear Baha'i    Friends,

We enclose a copy of a new compilation entitled   "The Covenant"              which was
prepared by the Research Department at our instruction,

The Covenant of Baha•u'llah,        the 100th anniversary     of the inception    of
which will be commemorated in 1992, must be the subject              of sustained   and con-
centrated    study.    Instituted    by the Revealer of God's Word in this Day to
direct    and canalize     the forces released    by His Revelation,    the Covenant in
essence guarantees       the continuation     of divine guidance after     the ascension    of
the Manifestation      through the presence      in the world of an institution       to which
all the friends must turn.

So important     for the development     of the Faith at this time is the under-
standing    of the Covenant in all its aspects         that it has been designated        as a
major theme of the Six Year Plan.           It is our earnest      hope that the new compila-
tion, consisting       of extracts   which convey essential      elements of the Covenant,
will serve not only to deepen the understanding             and love of the believers       for
the Covenant, but also to increase          their level of conviction,        and their loyalty
to the Cause and its Institutions.            To this end you will undoubtedly        wish to
arrange for the compilation        to be made available      to the friends     and, if trans-
lation    is required,     to have it translated     in full into the main language or
languages    used in the areas under your jurisdiction.              Should it be necessary     to
translate    the text into vernacular       languages   of limited     usage, you are free of
course to prepare an abridged form by selecting             extracts    from the compilation.

With loving    Baha'i   gree-tings,

✓IR ~4AR)W~          //vUU
1 VlLIA~
~
cc:   Th! Hands of the Cause of God
The International Teaching Centre
Counsellors
Contents
Introduction ________________                           _     1
I.      A Covenant: "...a binding agreement between
God and man..."-------------                         2
Il.     " ... the Greater Covenant which every
Manifestation of God makes with His followers.."
The Pattern                                     3
The advent of Baha'u'lJ.?h                      4
The Covenant of Baha'u'llah concerning
the next Manifestation                          4
m. The Lesser Covenant: " ... that Baha'u'llah
made with His followers regarding 'Abdu'I-Baha..."
Appointment                                     5
Uniqueness of Baha'u'llfili's Covenant          7
IV.     The Lesser Covenant: "...that 'Abdu'l-Baha
perpetuated through the Administrative Order ..."
Twin Successors                                 9
Authority                                       10
The passing~ Shoghi Effendi                     11
The Univers House of Justice                    12
V.      Response to the Lesser Covenant assures that
" ... the Faith can remain united and pure."        15
VI.     The power of the Covenant                           16

Index                                                       19
I

The
Covenant
Materials assembled by the Research Department
of the Universal House of Justice

A
•
Covenant in the religious sense is a binding
agreement between God and man, whereby God
requires of man certain behaviour in return for which
He guarantees certain blessings, or whereby He
gives man certain bounties in return for which He talces from
those who accept them an undertaking to behave in a certain
way. There is, for example, the Greater Covenant which every
Manifestation of God makes with His followers, promising that
in the fulness 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. If they do so, the Faith can
remain united and pure. If not, the Faith becomes divided and its
force spent. It is a Covenant of this kind that Baha'u'llah made
with His followers regarding 'Abdu'l-Baha and that 'Abdu'l-
Baha perpetuated through the AdministrativeOrder...
23 March1975,from a letterwrittenby the
UniversalHouseof Justiceto an individualbeliever
I
I.
A Covenant: " ... a binding agreement between
God and man ..."

1.    ...The first duty prescribed by God for His servants is the
recognition of Him Who is the Day Spring of His Revelation and
the Fountain of His laws, Who representeth the Godhead in both
the Kingdom of His Cause and the world of creation. Whoso
achieveth this duty hath attained unto all good .... It behoveth
every one who reacheth this most sublime station, this summit of
transcendent glory, to observe every ordinance of Him Who is
the Desire of the world. These twin duties are inseparable.
Neither is acceptable without the other.
They whom God hath endued with insight will readily
recognize that the precepts laid down by God constit:ute the
highest means for the maintenance of order in the world and the
security of its peoples.... Hasten to drink your fill, 0 men of
understanding! They that have violated the Covenant of God by
breaking His commandments, and have turned back on their
heels, these have erred grievously in the sight of God, the All-
Possessing, the Most High.
"Gleaningsfrom the Writingsof Bahflu'llah",2nd rev. ed.
(Wilmette:Baha'{PublishingTrust, 1982), SectionCLV,pp. 330-31

2.    ...Follow not, therefore, your earthly desires, and violate
not the Covenant of God, nor break your pledge to Him. With
firm determination, with the whole affection of your heart, and
with the full force of your words, turn ye unto Him, and walk
not in the ways of the foolish .... Break not the bond that uniteth
you with your Creator, and be not of those that have erred and
strayed from His ways.
"Gleaningsfrom the Writingsof Bahflu'llah", Section CUii, p. 328

3.    Great is thy blessedness inasmuch as thou hast been
faithful to the Covenant of God and His Testament... Dedicate
thyself to the service of the Cause of thy Lord, cherish His
remembrance in thy heart and celebrate His praise in such wise
that every wayward and heedless soul may thereby be roused
from slumber.
'Tablets of Baha'u'llahRevealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas"[rev. ed.]
(Haifa:Baha'{ World Centre, 1982),p. 262
4.     ... ye must conduct yourselves in such a manner that ye
I
may stand out distinguished and brilliant as the sun among other
souls. Should any one of you enter a city, he should become a
centre of attraction by reason of his sincerity, his faithfulness
and love, his honesty and fidelity, his truthfulness and loving-
kindness towards all the peoples of the world, so that the people
of that city may cry out and say: "This man is unquestionably a
Baha'i, for his manners, his behaviour, his conduct, his morals,
his nature, and disposition reflect the attributes of th.e Baha'fa."
Not until ye attain this station can ye be said to have been faithful
to the Covenant and Testament of God. For He hath, through
irrefutable Texts, entered into a binding Covenant with us all,
requiring us to act in accordance with His sacred institutions and
counsels.
"Selectionsfrom the Writingsof 'Abdu'l-Baha"[rev. ed.]
(Haifa:Baha'i World Centre, 1982),p. 71

11:
" ... the Greater Covenant which every Manifestation
of God makes with His followers..."

lilillllllllllllllllllllllllllll
l 1llllllliltllllllllllllllllllli!lllllllll
11 1
!:1111111

5.   The Lord of the universe hath never raised up a prophet
nor hath He sent down a Book unless He hath established His
covenant with all men, calling for their acceptance of the next
Revelation and of the next Book; inasmuch as the outpourings of
His bounty are ceaseless and without limit.
"Selectionsfrom the Writingsof the Bab"
(Haifa:Baha'( World Centre, 1976), p. 87

6.    Abraham, on Him be peace, made a covenant concerning
Moses and gave the glad-tidings of His coming. Moses made a
covenant concerning the promised Christ, and announced the
good news of His advent to the world. Christ made a covenant
concerning the Paraclete and gave the tidings of His coming. The
Prophet Mub.ammadmade a covenant concerning the Bab, and
the Bab was the One promised by Mul)ammad, for Mubammad
gave the tidings of His coming. The Bab made a Covenant
concerning the Blessed Beauty, Baha'u'llah, and gave the glad-
tidings of His coming for the Blessed Beauty was the One
promised by the Bab. Baha'u'llah made a covenant concerning a
Promised One Who will become manifest after one thousand or
I
thousands of years. That Manifestation is Baha'u'llah's
Promised One, and will appear after a thousand or thousands of
years. He, moreover, with His Supreme Pen, entered into a
great Covenant and Testament with all the Baha'fs whereby they
were all commanded to follow the Centre of the Covenant after
His ascension, and depart, not even to a hair's breadth, from·
obeying Him.
'Abdu'l-Bah/Jin "Baha'[World Faith"
(Wilmette:Baha'( Publishing Trust, 1976), p. 358

':Iii::::::~:::::::::::t::::::r:::::l!!\i.m::;1.1,:p~qla.11UJ&f.!l!l!!'-li1m
7.    This is the Day, 0 my Lord, which Thou didst announce
unto all mankind as the Day whereon Thou wouldst reveal Thy
Self, and shed Thy radiance, and shine brightly over all Thy
creatures. Thou hast, moreover, entered into a covenant with
them, in Thy Books, and Thy Scriptures, and Thy Scrolls, and
Thy Tablets, concerning Him Who is the Day-Spring of Thy
Revelation, and hast appointed the Bayan to be the Herald of this
Most Great and all-glorious Manifestation, and this most
resplendent and most sublime Appearance.
"Prayers and Meditations by Bahflu'llah"
(Wilmette:Baha'f Publishing Trust, 1979), p. 275

iii:iiiii:iiii:lf!lll}!ll,1~1
f:::::f~t,~:::::::::::=
8.     Verily God will raise up Him Whom God shall make
manifest, and after Him Whomsoever He Willeth, even as He
hath raised up prophets before the Point of the Bayan. He in
truth hath power over all things.
"Selectionsfrom the Writings of the Bab"
(Haifa: Baha1 World Centre, 1976), p. 144

9.    Whoso layeth claim to a Revelation direct from God ... ere
the expiration of a full thousand years, such a man is assuredly a
lying imposter .... Should a man appear ... ere the lapse of a full
thousand years -- each year consisting of twelve months
according to the Qur'an, and of nineteen months of ninteen days
each, according to the Bayan -- and if such a man revealed to
your eyes all the signs of God, unhesitatinglyreject him!
Baha'u'llah, cited in 'The World Order ef_Baha'u'llah - Selected Letters",
2nd rev. ed. (Wilmette:Bah/J'fPub)ishingTrust, 1974), p. 132.
10. ... Centuries, ... nay, countless ages, must pass away ere
I
the Day-Star of Truth shineth again in its mid-summer splendor,
or appeareth once more in the radiance of its vernal glory ....
Concerning the Manifestations that will come down in the future
"in the shadows of the clouds," ... know, verily, that in so far as
their relation to the Source of their inspiration is concerned, they
are under the shadow of the Ancient Beauty. In their relation,
however, to the age in which they appear, each and every one of
them "doeth whatsoever He willeth."
'Abdu'l-Baha,cited in "The World Order of Baha'uWih -
SelectedLetters",p. 167

III.
The Lesser Covenant: " ...•that Bahfi'u'llah made
with His followers regarding 'Abdu'I-Baha ..."
l!ll!l:J1l!lllllllll:::l:lll!lllll:i1l:j1J1l!ll!llililll~llllll!lll!lll!lil!l
1111111:l:III!
11. ... It is incumbent upon the Agh~an, the Afnan and My
kindred to tum, 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, tum 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 ('Abdu'l-Baha). Thus have We
graciously revealed unto you our potent Will, and I am verily the
Gracious, the All-Powerful.
Bahfi'u'llah,cited in 'The World Order of Bahflu'llah - SelectedLetters",
2nd rev. ed. (Wilmette:Bah/JrPublishingTrust, 1974),p. 134.

12. ... In accordance with the explicittext of the Kitab-i-Aqdas
Baha'u'llah hath made the Centre of the Covenant the Interpreter
of His 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-Baha,cited in "The World Order of Baha'u'llflh-
SelectedLetters",p. 136

13. Today, the most important affair is firmness in the
Covenant, because firmness in the Covenant wards off
differences ....
Baha'u'llfili covenanted, not that I am the Promised One,
but that 'Alxlu'l-Baha is the Expounder of the Book and the
I
Centre of His Covenant, and that the Promised One of
Baha'u'llah will appear after one thousand or thousands of
years. This is the Covenant which BaM.'u'llahmade. If a person
deviates, he is not acceptable at the threshold of Baha.'u'llah.In
case of differences, 'Abdu'l-Baha must be consulted. All must
revolve around his good pleasure. After 'Abdu'l-Baha,
whenever the Universal House of Justice is organized it will
ward off differences.
'Abdu'l-Bahli, cited in "Star of the West",
vol. IV, no. 14, November 1913, p. 237

14. Inasmuch as great differences and divergences of
denominational belief had arisen throughout the past, every man
with a new idea attributing it to God, Baha'u'llah desired that
there should not be any ground or reason for disagreement
among the Baha'is. Therefore, with His own pen He wrote the
Book of His Covenant, addressing His relations and all people
of the world, saying, "Verily, I have appointed One Who is the
Centre of My Covenant. All must obey Him; all must tum to
Him; He is the Expounder of My Book, and He is informed of
My purpose. All must tum to Him. Whatsoever He says is
correct, for, verily, He knoweth the texts of My Book. Other
than He, no one doth know My Book." The purpose of this
statement is that there should never be discord and divergence
among the Baha'is but that they should always be unified and
agreed .... Therefore, whosoever obeys the Centre of the
Covenant appointed by Baha'u'llah has obeyed Baha'u'llah, and
whosoever disobeys Him has disobeyed Baha'u'llah ....
Beware! Beware! lest anyone should speak from the
authority of his own thoughts or create a new thing out of
himself. Beware! Beware! According to the explicit Covenant of
Baha'u'llah you should care nothing at all for such a person.
Baha'u'llah shuns such souls. •
'The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Baha
during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912", 2nd ed.
(Wilmette: Bahfi'( Publishing Trust, 1982), pp. 322-23.

15. He is, and should for all time be regarded, first and
foremost, as the Centre and Pivot of Baha.'u'llah'speerless 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 sprung from the Ancient Root, the Limb of
I
the Law of God, the Being "round Whom all names revolve,"
the Mainspring of the Oneness of Humanity, the Ensign of the
Most Great Peace, the Moon of the Central Orb of this most holy
Dispensation -- 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'llah
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'l-Baha the
incompatible characteristics of a human nature and superhuman
knowledge and perfection have been blended and are completely
harmonized.
Shoghi Effendi.from a letter of 8 February 1934,
in 'The World Order of Bahfl'u'llah - Selected Letters", p. 134

16. Baha'u'llah, the Revealer of God's Word in this Day, the
Source of Authority, the Fountainhead of Justice, the Creator of
a new World Order, the Establisher of the Most Great Peace, the
Inspirer and Founder of a world civilization, the Judge, the
Lawgiver, the Unifier and Redeemer of all mankind, has
proclaimed the advent of God's Kingdom on earth, has
formulated its laws and ordinances, enunciated its principles,
and ordained its institutions. To direct and canalize the forces
released by His Revelation He instituted His Covenant, whose
power has preserved the integrity of His Faith, maintained its
unity and stimulated its world-wide expansion throughout the
successive ministries of 'Abdu'l-Baha and Shoghi Effendi. It
continues to fulfil its life-giving purpose through the agency of
the Universal House of Justice whose fundamental object, as
one of the twin successors of Baha'u'llah and 'Abdu'l-Baha, is
to ensure the continuity of that divinely-appointed authority
which flows from the Source of the Faith, to safeguard the unity
of its followers, and maintain the integrity and flexibilty of its
teachings.
Universal House of Justice, 'The Constitution of the Universal House
of Justice" (Haifa: Baha'( World Centre, 1972), pp. 34

i:i!l:::::::::::i:::jij:j:j:j:l:::::::::::::::::::!!!!!.lf.ffl.~ji1ir.!l!!!!::~:~!.!!:~
17. As to the most great characteristic of the revelation of
Baha'u'llah, a specific teaching not given by any of the Prophets
of the past: It is the ordination and appointment of the Centre of
I
the Covenant. By this appointment and provision He has
safeguarded and protected the religion of God against differences
and schisms, makin~ it impossible for anyone to create a new
sect or faction of belief.
'The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Baha
during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912", pp. 455-56

18. To direct and canalize these forces let loose by this Heaven-
sent 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 indespensable.
That instrument Baha'u'llah had exJ?resslyprovided through the
institution of the Covenant, an institution which He had firmly
established prior to His ascension. This same Covenant He hacl
anticipated m His Kitab-i-Aqdas, had alluded to it as He bade
His last farewell to the members of His family, who had been
summoned to His bed-side, in the days immediately preceding
His ascension, and had incorporated it in a special aocument
which He designated as "the Book of My Covenant," and which
He entrusted, during His last illness, to His eldest son 'Abdu'l-
B~                                                           •
Written entirely in His own hand ... this unique and epoch-
making Document, designated by Baha'u'llah as His ''Most
Great Tablet," and alluded to by Him as the "Crimson Book" in
His "Epistle to the Son of the Wolf," can find no parallel in the
Scriptures of any previous Dispensation, not excluding that of
the Bab Himself. For nowhere m the books pertaining to any of
the world's religious sxstems, not even among the writings of
the Author of the Babi Revelation, do we find any smgle
document establishing a Covenant endowed with an authonty
comparable to the Covenant Baha'u'llah had Himself instituted.
Shoghi Effendi, "God Passes By"
(Wilmette: Baha1 Publishing Trust, 1974), pp. 237-38

19. ... There is, though, a great difference between this and
~revious Dispensations, for Baha'u'llah has written that this is
'the Day which shall not be followed by night" ("God Passes
By", p. 245). He has given us His Covenant which provides for
a continuing centre of divine guidance in the world. The Baha'i
Faith has not lacked for ambitious men who would seize the
reins of authority and distort the Faith for their own ends, but in
every case they have broken themselves and dashed their hopes
on tlie rock of the Covenant.
14 January 1979, from a letter written on behalf of the
Universal House of Justice to an individual believer
I
IV.
The Lesser Covenant: " ... that 'Abdu'I-Baha
perpetuated through the Administrative Order ..."

111111
1!1!
1!1!!:l!l!l!l!l!l!l!ll!!lll!lllllllll!lllllllllllllllllllllll!lll!lll!l!lll!I!

20. 0 my loving friends! After the passing away of this
wronged one, it is incumbent upon the A,gh~ (Branches), the
Afnan (Twigs) of the Sacred Lote-Tree, the Hands (pillars) of
the Cause of God 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 God, the chosen branch, the guardian of the Cause
of God, he unto whom all the Am~an, the Afnan, the Hands of
the Cause of God and His loved ones must turn. He is the
expounder of the words of God and after him will succeed the
first born of his lineal descendents. •
'The Will and Testament of 'Ahdu'I-Baha"
(Wilmette: Baha'( Publishing Trust, 1968), p. 11

21. And now, concerning the H<;>useof Justice which God
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 God and day-
springs of knowledge and understanding, must be steadfast in
God's faith and the well-wishers of all mankind.
'The Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Baha",p. 14

22. ... 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 majority doth carry, that is verily the Truth
and the Purpose of God Himself.
'The Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Baha",p. 19

23. ... They [Baha'u'llah and 'Abdu'l-Baha] have also., in
unequivocal and emphatic language, appointed those twin
institutions of the House of Justice and the Guardianship as their
chosen Successors, destined to apply the principles, promulgate
the laws, protect the institutions, adapt loyally and intelligently
the Faith to the requirements of progressive society, and
consummate the incorruptible inheritance which the Founders of
I
the Faith have bequeathed to the world.
Shoghi Effendi.from a letter of 21 March 1930 in
"The World Order of Bahflu'llah - Selected Letters", 2nd rev. ed.
(Wilmette: Baha'i Publishing Trust, 1974), pp. 19-20

24.       under the Covenant of God, Shoghi Effendi was,
during his ministry as Guardian of the Cause, the point of
authority in the Faith to which all were to turn ... The same thing
applies to the position occupied by the Universal House of
Justice in its relationship to the friends.
9 November 1981,from a letter written on behalf of the
Universal House of Justice to an individual believer

!l:llllllilll!lllllllllllllllllllllll:lllllllill\llillllll~llllllllllllllllllllllilillll:
25. The sacred and youthful branch, the guardian of the Cause
of God 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 God.
Whoso obeyeth him not, neither obeyeth them, hath not obeyed
God; whoso rebelleth against him and against them hath rebelled
against God; whoso opposeth him hath opposed God; whoso
contendeth with them hath contended with God; whoso disputeth
with him hath disputed with God; whoso denieth him hath
denied God; whoso disbelieveth in him hath disbelieved in God;
whoso deviateth, separateth himself and turneth aside from him
hath in truth deviated, separated himself and turned aside from
God.
'The Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Baha",p. 11

26. ... it is made indubitably clear and evident that the
Guardian of the Faith has been made the Interpreter of the Word
and that the Universal House of Justice has been invested with
the function of legislating on matters not expressly revealed in
the teachings. The interpretation of the Guardian, functioning
within his own sphere, is as authoritative and binding as the
enactments of the International House of Justice, whose
exclusive right and prerogative is to pronounce upon and deliver
the final judgement on such laws and ordinances as Baha'u'llah
has not expressly revealed. Neither can, nor will ever, infringe
upon the sacred and prescribed domain of the other. Neither will
I
seek to curtail the specific and undoubted authority with which
both have been divinely invested.
Shoghi Effendi.from a letter of 8 February 1934, in
'The World Order of Baha'u'llah - Selected Letters", pp. 149 - 50

27. ... In the conduct of the administrative affairs of the Faith,
in the enactment of the legislation necessary to supplement the
laws of the Kitab-i-Aqdas, the members of the Universal House
of Justice, it should be borne in mind, are not, as Baha'u'llah's
utterances clearly imply, responsible to those whom they
represent, nor are they allowed to be governed by the feelings,
the general opinion, and even the convictions of the mass of the
faithful, or of those who directly elect them. They are to follow,
in a prayerful attitude, the dictates and promptings of their
conscience. They may, indeed they must, acquaint themselves
with the conditions prevailing among the community, must
weigh dispassionately in their minds the merits of any case
presented for their consideration, but must reserve for
themselves the right of an unfettered decision. "God will verily
inspire them with whatsoever He willeth," is Baha'u'llah's
incontrovertible assurance. They, and not the body of those who
either directly or indirectly elect them, have thus been made the
recipients of the guidance which is ·at once the life-blood and
ultimate safeguard of this Revelation.
Shoghi Effendi.from a letter of 8 February 1934, in
"The World Order of Baha'u'llah - Selected Letters", p. 153

:111111:111:11:1:1:111::111:11::::1:1:11111:1:1::1:111111111111
1,1111111~11111i111:1111111111111111111::111111111:1:1111

28. At the time of our beloved Shoghi Effendi's death it was
evident, from the circumstances and from the explicit
requirements of the Holy Textst, that it had been impossible for
him to appoint a successor in accordance with the provisions of
the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Baha.
The Universal House of Justice.from a letter of 9 March 1965, in
''Wellspring of Guidance: Messages 1963-1968"
(Wilmette: Baha'{ Publishing Trust, 1976), p. 44

29. After prayerful and careful study of the Holy Texts bearing
upon the question of the appointment of the successor to Shoghi
Effendi as Guardian of the Cause of God, and after prolonged
consultation which included consideration of the views of the
1. Shoghi-Effendi had no children and all the surviving A&h~m
had broken the Covenant.
Hands of the Cause of God residing in the Holy Land, the
I
Universal House of Justice finds that there is no way to appoint
or to legislate to make it possible to appoint a second Guardian to
succeed Shoghi Effendi.
The UniversalHouse of Justice,from a letterof 6 October1963, in
"Wellspringof Gui.dance:Messages1963-1968",p. 11

!1:::1111111::11:::111:1111:1:11111:l:lil:llll:llllllllll:llllllllllllll:IIIIIIIIJllllllllllllllllil::1111:l
30. The Covenant of Baha'u'llah is unbroken, its all-
encompassing power inviolate. The two unique features which
distinguish it from all religious covenants of the past are
unchanged and operative. The revealed Word, in its original
purity, amplified by the divinely guided interpretations of
'Abdu'l-Bah~ and Shoghi Effendi, remains immutable,
unadulterated by any man-made creeds or dogmas,
unwarrantable inferences, or unauthorized interpretations. The
channel of Divine guidance, providing flexibility in all the affairs
of mankind, remains open through that institution which was
founded by Baha'u'llah and endowed by Him with supreme
authority and unfailing guidance, and of which the Master wrote:
"Unto this body all things must be referred." How clearly we
can see the truth of Baha'u'llah's assertion: "The Hand of
Omnipotence hath established His Revelation upon an enduring
foundation. Storms of human strife are powerless to undermine
its basis, nor will men's fanciful theories succeed in damaging
its structure."
The UniversalHouse of Justice.from a letter of October1963,
in "Wellspringof Gui.dance:Messages1963-1968",p. 13

31. The Universal House of Justice, which the Guardian said
would be regarded by posterity as "the last refuge of a tottering
civilization," is now, in the absence of the Guardian, the sole
infallibly guided institution in the world to which all must turn,
and on it rests the responsibilty for ensuring the unity and
progress of the Cause of God in accordance with the revealed
Word.
The UniversalHouse of Justice.from a letter of 27 May 1966,
in "Wellspringof Gui.dance:Messages1963-1968",p. 90

32. The infallibilty of the Universal House of Justice,
operating within its ordained sphere, has not been made
dependent upon the presence in its membership of the Guardian
of the Cause ....
However, quite apart from his function as a member and
I
sacred head for life of the Universal House of Justice, the
Guardian, functioning within his own sphere, had the right and
duty "to define the sphere of the legislative action" of the
Universal House of Justice. In other words, he had the authority
to state whether a matter was or was not already covered by the
Sacred Texts and therefore whether it was within the authority of
the Universal House of Justice to legislate upon it.
The question therefore arises: In the absence of the
Guardian, is the Universal House of Justice in danger of
straying outside its proper sphere and thus falling into error?
Here we must remember three things: First, Shoghi Effendi,
during the thirty-six years of his Guardianship, has already made
innumerable such definitions, supplementing those made by
'Abdu'l-Baha and by Baha'u'llah Himself. As already
announced to the friends, a careful study of the Writings and
interpretations on any subject on which the House of Justice
proposes to legislate always precedes its act of legislation.
Second, the Universal House of Justice, itself assured of Divine
guidance, is well aware of the absence of the Guardian and will
approach all matters of legislation only when certain of its sphere
of jurisdiction, a sphere which the Guardian has confidently
described as "clearly defined." Third, we must not forget the
Guardian's written statement about these two institutions:
"Neither can, nor will ever, infringe upon the sacred and
prescribed domain of the other."
The UniversalHouse of Justice.from a letter of 27 May 1966,
in "Wellspringof Guidance:Messages1963-1968",pp. 82-84

33. The Universal House of Justice; beyond its function as the
enactor of legislation, has been invested with the more general
functions of protecting and administering the Cause, solving
obscure questions and deciding upon matters that have caused
difference.
From a letterof 7 December1969, in
"Messagesfrom the UniversalHouse of Justice:1968-1973"
(Wilmette:Bah.a'(PublishingTrust, 1976),pp. 38-39

34. ... Upon the Universal House of Justice, in the words of
the Guardian, "has been conferred the exclusive right of
legislating on matters not expressly revealed in the Baha'i
Writings." Its pronouncements, which are susceptible of
amendment or abrogation by the House of Justice itself, serve to
supplement and apply the Law of God. Although not invested
with the function of interpretation, the House of Justice is in a
I
position to do everything necessary to establish the World
Order of Baha'u1lah on this earth. Unity of doctrine is
maintained by the existence of the authentic texts of Scripture
and the voluminous interpretations of 'Abdu'l-Baha and Shoghi
Effendi, together with the absolute prohibition against anyone
propounding "authoritative" or "inspired" interpretations or
usurping the function of Guardian. Unity of administration is
assured by the authority of the Universal House of Justice.
The UniversalHouse of Justice.from a letterof 9 March 1965,
in "Wellspringof Guidance:Messages1963-1968",pp. 52-53
35. In the Baha'i Faith there are two authoritative centres
appointed to which the believers must tum, for in reality the
Interpreter of the Word is an extension of that center which is the
Word itself. The Book is the record of the utterance of
Baha'u'llah, while the divinely inspired Interpreter is the living
Mouth of that Book -- it is he and he alone who can
authoritatively state what the Book means. Thus one center is the
Book with its Interpreter, and the other is the Universal House
of Justice guided by God to decide on whatever is not explicitly
revealed in the Book. This pattern of centers and their
relationships is apparent at every stage in the unfoldment of the
Cause. In the Kitab-i-Aqdas Baha'u'llah tells the believers to
refer after His passing to the Book, and to "Him Whom God
hath purposed, Who hath branched from this Ancient Root." In
the Kitab-i-'Ahdt (the Book of Baha'u'llah's Covenant), He
makes it clear that this reference is to 'Abdu'l-Baha. In the
Aqdas Bah!'u'llah also ordains the institution of the Universal
House of Justice, and confers upon it the powers necessary for it
to discharge its ordained functions. The Master in His Will and
Testament explicitly institutes the Guardianship, which Shoghi
Effendi states was clearly anticipated in the verses of the Kitab-i-
Aqdas, reaffirms and elucidates the authority of the Universal
House of Justice, and refers the believers once again to the
Book: "Unto the Most Holy Book everyone must turn and all
that is not expressly recorded therein must be referred to the
Universal House of Justice," and at the very end of the Will He
says: "All must seek guidance and turn unto the Center of the
Cause and the House of Justice. And he that turneth unto
whatsoever else is indeed in grievous error."
From a letter of 7 December1969, in
"Messagesfrom the UniversafHouse of Justice:1968-1973"pp. 42-43
II
V.
Response to the Lesser Covenant assures that
" ... the Faith can remain united and pure."
36. ... the power of the Covenant will protect the Cause of
Baha'u'llah from the doubts of the people of error. It is the
fortified fortress of the Cause of God and the firm pillar of the
religion of God. Today no power can conserve the oneness of
the Baha'i world save the Covenant of God; otherwise
differences like unto a most great tempest will encompass the
Baha'i world. It is evident that the axis of the oneness of the
world of humanity is the power of the Covenant and nothing
else. ... Therefore, in the beginning the believers must make
their steps firm in the Covenant so that the confirmations of
Baha'u'llah may encircle them from all sides, the cohorts of the
Supreme Concourse may become their supporters and helpers,
and the exhortations and advices of 'Abdu'l-Baha, like unto the
pictures engraved on stone, may remain permanent and
ineffaceable in the tablets of all hearts.
'Tablets of the Divine Plan Revealed by 'Abdu'l-Bah/ito the North American
Bah/i'is",rev. ed. (Wilmette:Bah/i'[PublishingTrust, 1977),p. 49.
The last sentenceis a newly authorizedtranslation.

37. Walk, therefore, with a sure step and engage with the
utmost assurance and confidence in the promulgation of the
divine fragrances, the glorification of the Word of God and
firmness in the Covenant. Rest ye assured that if a soul ariseth in
the utmost perseverance and raiseth the Call of the Kingdom and
resolutely promulgateth the Covenant, be he an insignificant ant
he shall be enabled to drive away the formidable elephant from
the arena, and if he be a feeble moth he shall cut to pieces the
plumage of the rapacious vulture.
"Selectionsfrom the Writingsof 'Abdu'l-Baha"[rev. ed]
(Haifa:Bahar World Centre,1982),p. 209

38. The progress of the Cause of God gathers increasing
momentum and we may with confidence look forward to the day
when this Community, in God's good time, shall have traversed
the stages predicted for it by its Guardian, and shall have raised
-on this tormented planet the fair mansions of God's Own
Kingdom wherein humanity may find surcease from its self-
induced confusion and chaos and ruin, and the hatreds and
violence of this time shall be transmuted into an abiding sense of
I
world brotherhood and peace. All this shall be accomplished
within the Covenant of the everlasting Father, the Covenant of
Baha'u'llah.
The Universal House of Justice,
Ri<f.vanMessage 1973 to the BahfJ'{sof the World

39. The Baha'is must cling firmly to the knowledge that the
Cause is safely in God's hands, that the Covenant of Baha'u'llah
is incorruptible and that they can have complete confidence in the
ability of the Universal House of Justice to function "under the
care and protection of the Abha Beauty, under the shelter and
unerring guidance of His Holiness, the Exalted One".
28 May 1975, from a letter written on behalf of the
Universal House of Justice to an individual believer

VI.
The power of the Covenant

40. Today the pulsating power in the arteries of the body of
the world is the spirit of the Covenant -- the spirit which is the
cause of life. Whosoever is vivified with this spirit, the
freshness and beauty of life become manifest in him, he is
baptized with the Holy Spirit, he is born again, is freed from
oppression and tyranny, from heedlessness and harshness which
deaden the spirit, and attains to everlasting life.
Praise thou God that thou art finn in the Covenant and the
Testament and art turning thy face to the Luminary of the world,
His Highness Baha'u1lah.
'Abdu'l-Bahfi,cited in "Star of the West", vol. 14, no. 7,
October 1923, p. 225

41. ... It is indubitably clear ... that the pivot of the oneness of
mankind is nothing else but the power of the Covenant.
The power of the Covenant is as the heat of the sun which
quickeneth and promoteth the development of all created things
on earth. The light of the Covenant, in like manner, is the
educator of the minds, the spirits, the hearts and souls of men.
'Abdu'l-Baha, cited in "God Passes By"
(Wilmette: Baha1 Publishing Trust, 1974), p. 238; p. 239
I
42. Today, the Lord of Hosts is the defender of the Covenant,
the forces of the Kingdom protect it, heavenly souls tender their
services, and heavenly angels promulgate and spread it
broadcast. H it is considered with insight, it will be seen that all
the forces of the universe, in the last analysis serve the
Covenant
"Selectionsfrom the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha", [rev. ed.]
(Haifa: Bahfi'( World Centre, 1982), p. 228

43. ... No power can eliminate misunderstanding except that
of the Covenant. The power of the Covenant is all-embracing,
and resolveth all difficulties, for the Pen of Glory hath explicitly
declared that whatever misunderstanding may arise should be
referred to the Centre of the Covenant.
'Abdu'l-Baha,from a recently translated Tablet

44. Were it not for the protecting power of the Covenant to
guard the impregnable fort of the Cause of God, there would
arise among the Baha'fs, in one day, a thousand different sects
as was the case in former ages. But•in this Blessed Dispensation,
for the sake of the permanency of the Cause of God and the
avoidance of dissension amongst the people of God, the Blessed
Beauty (may my soul be a sacrifice unto Him), has through the
Supreme Pen written the Covenant and the Testament ...
'Abdu'l-Baha, cited in "Bahfl(World Faith"
(Wilmette: Bahfl'( Publishing Trust, 1976), pp. 357-58.

45. ... Launched through these very acts2 into the troublesome
seas of ceaseless tribulation, piloted by the mighty arm of
'Abdu'l-Baha and manned by the bold initiative and abundant
vitality of a band of sorely-tried disciples, the Ark of
Baha'u'llah's Covenant has, ever since those days, been steadily
pursuing its course contemptuous of the storms of bitter
misfortune that have raged, and which must continue to assail it,
as it forges ahead towards the promised haven of undisturbed
security and peace.
Shoghi Effendi.from a letter o/21 April 1933, in
'The World Order of Baha'u'llah - Selected Letters", 2nd rev. ed.
(Wilmette: Balla'{ Publishing Trust, 1974), p. 84

2. Eveqts associated with the introductiooof the Faith in the West
46. The Covenant is the "axis of the oneness of the world of
I
humanity" because it preserves the unity and integrity of the
Faith itself and protects it from being disrupted by individuals
who are convinced that only their understanding of the
Teachings is the right one -- a fate that has overcome all past
Revelation.s. The Covenant is, moreover, embedded in the
Writings of Baha'u'llah Himself. Thus, as you clearly see, to
accept Baha'u'llah is to accept His Covenant; to reject His
Covenant is to reject Him.
3 January 1982.from a letter writtenon behalf of the
UniversalHouse of Justice to an individualbeliever
I
Index
The numbersgiven after each subjectrefer to the extract(s)in which it
appears,not tfiepage numbers.
'Abdu'l-Baha, 23, 28, 32, 34, 36                   has not lacked for ambitious men who
all must obey, tum to, 14                          would seize reins of authority and distort
Baha'u'llah's most exalted handiwork, 15            Faith for own ends, 19
Being round Whom all names revolve, 15           impregnable, 44
Centre (Pivot) of Baha'u'llah's Covenant,       integrity, 46
6, 12, 13, 14, 15, 35                       permanency,44
disobedience of is disobedience of              progress of, 31, 38
Baha'u'llah, 14                             safely in God's Hands, 39
embodiment of every Baha'f ideal, 15          Baha'i Teachings, 46
Ensign of the Most Great Peace, 15            Baha'i Writings, 34
Exemplar ofBaha'u'llah's teachings,           Baha'fs, 4, 6, 14, 16, 27, 39, 44, 45
perfect, 15                               Baha'u'llah, 6, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19,
Expounder of Baha'u'llah's Book, 13, 14            23,26,27,30,32,34,35,39,40,45,46
"He knoweth the texts of My book", 14           Appearance, most resplendent, sublime, 7
incarnation of every Baha'f virtue, 15          Author of the Revelation, 18
interpreter of Baha'u'llah's Word,              Covenant of, 38
unerring,12,15                                 anticipated in Kitab-i-Aqdas, 18
extension of the Word itself,35                Arkof,45
Limb of the Law of God, 15                         authority, indisputable, 18
"magic name", 15                                   Centre of (see 'Abdu'l-Baha)
Mainspring of Oneness of Humanity, 15               directs, canalizes forces released by His
Mirror of Baha'u'llah's light,                          Revelation, 16, 18
stainless, 15                                      divinely-ordained, 18
misunderstandings to be referred to, 43             established prior to His ascension, 18
Moon of the Central Orb of this most holy           firm, 12
Dispensation, 15                               incorruptible, 39
not "the Promised One", 13                          indispensable, 18
obedience to is obedience to Baha'u'llah,14        linked with Baha'u'llah, organically, 18
"other than He, no one doth know My                maintained unity of His Faith,16
book", 14                                      mighty, 12
titles:-                                          most great characteristic of His
"Him Whom God hath purposed, Who                 Revelation, 17
hath branched from this Ancient Root",        no religious Dispensation hath produced
11,35                                         its like, 12
Master, the, 30                               power of, inviolate, 30
Most Mighty Branch, 15                        preserved integrity of His Faith, 16
Mystery of God, 15                            stimulated world-wide_expnsion of His
whatsoever He says is correct, 14                     Faith, 16
Will and Testament, 35                             provides for continuing centre of divine
Abraham,6                                               guidance in world, 18
Afnan (descendents of the family of the Bab),        purpose, life-giving, 16
11,20                                             rejection of is rejection of Baha'u'llah, 6
Aghsan (sons and male descendants of                 safeguards, protects Faith against
Baha'u'llah), 11, 20, 28 footnote                     differences, schisms, 17
Assurance, 37                                        unbroken, 18
Attraction, 4                                        unique features which distinguish it from
Authority, 14, 19, 26                                   all other religious covenants of past un-
changed and operative, 30
Bab, the, 6, 8, 16                                   with all Baha'fs, re. 'Abdu'l-Baha, 6, 11,
Baha'f community, 38                                    13
Baha'f Faith, 17, 20, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 33,           re. next M~estation of God, 6, 9, 13
35, 36                                          Creator of a New World Order, 16
Establisher of the Most Great Peace, 16
Fountainhead of Justice, the, 16
freed from heedlessness,
I
harshness, oppression, tyranny, 40
Inspirer and Founder of a world civilization,          freshness, beauty of life become
16                                                manifest in him, 40
Luminary of the world, 40                       Creeds, man-made, 30
Manifestation, Most Great, all-glorious, 7
One promised by the Bab, 6                      Day, "whereon Thou wouldst reveal Thyself',
Revealer of God's Word in this Day, 16            7
Source of Authority, the, 16                      "which should not be followed by night",19
titles:-                                        Desires, earthly, 2
Abha Beauty, the, 20, 25, 39                Determination, 2
All-Powerful, the, 11                       Difficulties, 43t
Anc1ent Beauty, the 10                      Dispensation, this blessed, 44
Blessed Beauty, the, 6, 44                     different from previous, 19
Father, the everlasting, 38                 Dogmas, man-made, 30
Gracious, the, 11
Him Whom God shall make manifest, 8         Epistle to the Son of the Wolf. 18
Lord of Hosts, the, 42
Bayan, the, 1, 8, 9                               Faction, 17
Belief, differences and divergences of, 14        Faithfulness, 4
Blessedness, 3                                    Fidelity, 4
Brotherhood, world, 38                            Foolish, the, 2
Fragrances, divine, 37
Christ, 6
Confidence, 37                                    Guardianship, 32
Covenant, all forces of universe serve, 42          anticipated clearly in verses of Kitab-i-
firmness in, 36                                      Aqdas, 35
brings confirmations of Baha'u'llah, 36        instituted explicitly in Will and Testament
most important affair today, 13                    of 'Abdu'l-Baha, 35
wards off differences, 13                    Glory, summit of transcendent, 1
embedded in Writings of Baha'u'llah, 46         God, 21
for sake of, avoidance of dissension              bond that unites with, 2
amongst people of God, 44                         bounty of, 5
permanency of Cause of God, 44                 commandments of, 1
fortified fortress of the Cause of God, 36        Covenant of, 1, 3, 4; 24
light of, educator of minds, spirits, hearts,         calling for all men's acceptance of next
souls of men, 41                                   Revelation and next Book, 5
power of, all-embracing, 43                            established with all men, 5, 7
as heat of the sun, 41                         pledge to, 2
axis of oneness of world of humanity, 36,      power over all things, 8
48                                           praise, remembrance of, 3
only one which can eliminate                   purpose of, 22
misunderstandings, 43                       radiance, 7
pivot of oneness of mankind, 41                   self, 7
protecting, 44                                    servants, first duty prescribed for, 1
resolves all difficulties, 43                     sight of, 1
will protect Cause from doubts of people of       signs of, 9
error, 36                                       titles:-
preserves unity and integrity of Faith, 46           All-Possessing, the, 1
protects Faith from being disrupted by               Creator, the, 2
individuals convinced that only their             Lord, 3, 7
understanding of Teachings is right, 46               of the universe, 5
spirit of, cause of life, 40                         Most High, the, 1
pulsating power in arteries of world, 40        truth of, 22
whosoever is vivified with this spirit,         ways of, 2
attains to everlasting life, 40
baptized with Holy Spirit, 40              Hands of the Cause of God, 20, 29
born again, 40                          Hatreds or this time, 38
Hearts, 2, 3, 36
I
disobedience of is disobedience of God, 25
Honesty, 4                                          disputation with is disputation with God, 25
Imposter, 9                                         duties and functions:-
Inferences, unwarrantable, 30                           adapt Faith to needs of progressive
Interpretations, absolute prohibition against              society, 23
anyone propounding "authoritative" or               cannot be usurped, 34
"inspired", 34                                    consummate incorruptible inheritence, 23
unauthori:zed, 30                                     interpretation, amplified revealed Word,
Kingdom, 37, 38                                            authoritative and binding, 26
Kitab-i-'Ahdi ("Book of the Covenant";                     divinely-guided, 30
"Crimson Book"; "Most Great Tablet"), 35                   maintains unity of doctrine, 34
entrusted to 'Abdu'l-Baha, 18                            voluminous, 34
unique, no parallel in Scriptures of previous        promulgate laws, 23
Dispensations, 18                               obedience to is obedience to God, 25
written in Baha'u1lah's own hand (with His        opposition to is opposition to God, 25
own pen), 14, 18                                point of authority to which all were to turn,
Kitab-i-Aqdas ("Most Holy Book"), 11, 12, 18,          24
22,27, 35                                         rebellion against is rebellion against God,
Love (loving-kindness), 4                           separation from is separation from God, 25
successor, after him will succeed first-born
Manifestations of God (Prophets),5,8                       of his lineal
Baha'u'llah's Promised One, 6, 13                     descendants, 20
future, 10                                            impossible for him to appoint, 28
past, 17                                              impossible for Universal House of Justice
recognition of, 1                                         to appoint, 29
represents the Godhead in Kingdom of His           titles:-
Cause and world creation, 1                        Centre of the Cause, 35
titles:-                                              Chosen Branch, the, 20
Day-Spring of His (Thy) Revelation, 1, 7           expounder of the words of God, 20
Day-Star of Truth, 10                              Fruit grown from the union of the two
Desire of the world, 1                                 offshoots of the Tree of Holiness, 20
Fountain of His Laws, 1                            Guardian of the Cause of God, 20, 25, 31,
Mankind (humanity, peoples), 4, 7,                        32,38
14,38                                                 Interpreter of the Word, 26
affairs, flexibility in, 30                           sacred and youthful branch, the, 25
security of, 1                                        Sign of God, the, 20
Misfortunes, 45                                        youthful branch branched from two
Moses, 6                                                  hallowed and sacred lote-trees, 20
Muhammad (the Paraclete), 6                         turning aside from is turning aside from
God,25
Past, 44                                            under care and protection ofBaha'u'llah,
Peace, 38, 45                                          shelter and guidance of the Bab, 25
Perserverance, 37                                   Universal House of Justice, relationship
with:-
Qur'an, 9                                              cannot infringe upon its domain, 26, 32
defines its sphere of legislative action
Revelation, 5, 8                                          (right and duty), 32
Sects, 17, 44                                          interpretations carefully studied by
Security, 45                                              members on any subject preceding act
Shoghi Effendi, 16                                        of legislation, 32
absence of, 31, 32                                   member,32
death of, 28                                         twin successors of Baha'u'llah and
contention with is contention with God, 25              'Abdu'l-Baha, 23
denial of is denial of God, 25                       two authoritative centres, 35
deviation from is deviation from God, 25          whatsoever he decides is of God, 25
disbelief in is disbelief in God, 25            Sincerity, 4
Slumber, 3
Spirit, 40
two authoritative centres, 35
I
will not seek to curtail his authority, 26
Spiritual Assemblies, National, 27                  guided by God to decide on whatsoever is
Station, 4                                             not explicitly revealed in the Book, 35
most sublime, 1                                   in position to do everything necessary to
Strife, 30                                             establish World Order of Baha'u'llah on
earth, 34
Texts, holy, irrefutable, 4, 28, 29                 infallible, freed from all error, 21
Theories, fanciful, 30                                 God will inspire them with whatsoever
Tribulation, 45                                           He wills, 27
not dependent on Guardian's member-
Understanding, men of, 1                                  ship, 32
Universal House of Justice, 29                         sole infallibly-guided institution in world,
all must tum to, 31, 35                                 31
assured of divine guidance, 32                    interpretation, not invested with function,34
authority, assures unity of administration,34     last refuge of a tottering civilization, 31
reaffirmed, elucidated in Will and             members, must acquaint themselves with
Testament of'Abdu'l-Baha, 35                    conditions amongst community, 27
Baha'fs must have confidence in, 39                   must be daysprings of knowledge and
careful study of Writings and interpretations            understanding, manifestations of fear
on any subject always precedes act of                of God, steadfast in God's Faith, well-
legislation, 32                                      wishers of mankind, 21
.contention with is contention with God, 25           must reserve for themselves the right of
denial of is denial of God, 25                           an unfettered decision, 27
deviation from is deviation from God, 25              must weigh dispassionately merits of any
disbelief in is disbelief in God, 25                     case presented for consideration, 27
disobedience of is disobedience of God, 25            not allowed to be governed by feelings,
disputation with is disputation with God, 25             general opinions, convictions of mass
duties, functions and objects:-                          of faithful or of those who directly
adapt Faith to requirements of progressive           elect them, 27
society, 23                                     not responsible to those whom they
apply laws, principles of Faith, 23                  represent, 27
consummate incorruptible inheritance,23           recipients of divine guidance, 27
decide upon matters that have caused           obedience to is obedience to God, 25
difference, 33                               opposition to is opposition to God, 25
enactor of legislation, 27, 33                 ordained, 21
ensure continuity of divinely-appointed           in Kitab-i-Aqdas, 35
authority which flows from Source of         point of authority to which all tum, 24
Faith, 16                                    pronouncements supplement, apply laws of
ensure unity, progress of Cause, 31               God,34
maintain integrity, flexibility of teach-         susceptible to amendment, abrogation by
ings, 16                                           itself, 34
pronounce upon and deliver final               rebellion against is rebellion against God,25
judgement on such laws and ordinances        separation from is separation from God, 25
as Baha'u'llah has not expressly            source of all good, 21
revealed (exclusive right and preroga-       sphere of jurisdiction clearly defined, 32
tive), 22, 26, 27, 34                       turning aside from is turning aside from
protect institutions, 23                          God, 25
protect and administer Cause, 33               under care and protection ofBaha'u'llah,
safeguard unity of Faith's followers, 16          shelter and guidance of the Bab, 25, 39
solve obscure questions, 33                    whatsoever they decide is of God, 22, 25
ward off all differences, 13
election must be by universal suffrage, 21      Violence of this time, 38
enactments, authoritative and binding, 26
Guardian, rel!.ltionto:-                        Word(s), force of, 2
cannot infringe upon his domain, 26, 32       revealed, 30, 31
twin successors of Baha'u'llah and           World (planet), 1, 38, 40
'Abdu'l-Baha, 16, 23
-- The Covenant (Used by permission of the curator)