# Consultation

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> Source: Bahá'í Library Online (bahai-library.com), curated by Jonah Winters. Used by permission of the curator. Original citation: Bahá'u'lláh, Consultation, bahai-library.com.
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> 
> Consultation
> 
> Bahá'u'lláh
> 
> Abdu'l-Bahá
> 
> Shoghi Effendi
> 
> Universal House of Justice
> 
> published in
> 
> Compilation of Compilations
> 
> Volume 1,  pp. 93-110
> 
> 1991
> 
> I.
> 
> From the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh:
> 
> The Great Being saith: The heaven of divine wisdom is illumined with the
> two luminaries of consultation and compassion. Take ye counsel together
> in all matters, inasmuch as consultation is the lamp of guidance which
> leadeth the way, and is the bestower of understanding.
> 
> ("Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh Revealed after
> the Kitáb-i-Aqdas" [rev. ed.], (Haifa: Bahá'í World
> Centre, 1982), p.
> 168
> )
> 
> Say: no man can attain his true station except through his justice. No
> power can exist except through unity. No welfare and no well-being can
> be attained except through consultation.
> 
> (Bahá'u'lláh, from a Tablet - translated
> from the Arabic)
> 
> Consultation bestoweth greater awareness and transmuteth conjecture into
> certitude. It is a shining light which, in a dark world, leadeth the way
> and guideth. For everything there is and will continue to be a station
> of perfection and maturity. The maturity of the gift of understanding is
> made manifest through consultation.
> 
> (Bahá'u'lláh, from a Tablet- translated
> from the Persian)
> 
> Such matters should be determined through consultation, and whatever emergeth
> from the consultation of those chosen, that indeed is the command of God,
> the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting.
> 
> (Bahá'u'lláh, from a Tablet - translated
> from the Persian)
> 
> In all things it is necessary to consult. This matter should be forcibly
> stressed by thee, so that consultation may be observed by all. The intent
> of what hath been revealed from the Pen of the Most High is that consultation
> may be fully carried out among the friends, inasmuch as it is and will
> always be a cause of awareness and of awakening and a source of good and
> well-being.
> 
> (Bahá'u'lláh, from a Tablet - translated
> from the Persian)
> 
> It behooveth them to be the trusted ones of the Merciful among men and
> to regard themselves as the guardians appointed of God for all that dwell
> on earth. It is incumbent upon them to take counsel together and to have
> regard for the interests of the servants of God, for His sake, even as
> they regard their own interests, and to choose that which is meet and seemly.
> Thus hath the Lord your God commanded you. Beware lest ye put away that
> which is clearly revealed in His Tablet. Fear God, O ye that perceive.
> 
> (Bahá'u'lláh, cited in a letter dated
> 5 March 1922 written by Shoghi Effendi to the Bahá'ís of
> the United States and Canada, published in "Bahá'í Administration:
> Selected Messages 1922-1932" [rev. ed.] (Wilmette: Bahá'í
> Publishing Trust, 1977), p.
> 21
> )
> 
> If in the first group of people who have gathered, unanimity is not achieved,
> new people shall be added, after which a group equal in number to the Greatest
> Name
> 
> +i
> 
> or fewer or greater shall be chosen from their midst by lots; whereupon
> the consultation shall be renewed; whatever is the result shall be obeyed.
> If the second time opinions again differ, repeat the process a third time.
> This time obey the majority vote. Verily He directeth whom He willeth to
> the straight Path.
> 
> +ii
> 
> (Bahá'u'lláh, from a Tablet - translated
> from the Arabic and Persian)
> 
> [Ed. note: there is a new translation of this passage in Questions and Answers of the
> Kitáb-i-Aqdas
> , no.
> 99
> .]
> 
> II.
> 
> From the Writings and Utterances of `Abdu'l-Bahá:
> 
> ...It is incumbent upon every one not to take any step without consulting
> the Spiritual Assembly, and they must assuredly obey with heart and soul
> its bidding and be submissive unto it, that things may be properly ordered
> and well arranged. Otherwise every person will act independently and after
> his own judgment, will follow his own desire, and do harm to the Cause.
> 
> (`Abdu'l-Bahá, cited in a letter dated 5 March
> 1922 written by Shoghi Effendi to the Bahá'ís of the United
> States and Canada, published in "Bahá'í Administration: Selected
> Messages 1922-1932", p.
> 21
> )
> 
> The prime requisites for them that take counsel together are purity of
> motive, radiance of spirit, detachment from all else save God, attraction
> to His Divine Fragrances, humility and lowliness amongst His loved ones,
> patience and long-suffering in difficulties and servitude to His exalted
> Threshold. Should they be graciously aided to acquire these attributes,
> victory from the unseen Kingdom of Bahá shall be vouchsafed to them....
> The members thereof must take counsel together in such wise that no occasion
> for ill-feeling or discord may arise. This can be attained when every member
> expresseth with absolute freedom his own opinion and setteth forth his
> argument. Should any one oppose, he must on no account feel hurt for not
> until matters are fully discussed can the right way be revealed. The shining
> spark of truth cometh forth only after the clash of differing opinions.
> If after discussion, a decision be carried unanimously, well and good;
> but if the Lord forbid, differences of opinion should arise, a majority
> of voices must prevail.
> 
> (`Abdu'l-Bahá, cited in a letter dated 5 March
> 1922 written by Shoghi Effendi to the Bahá'ís of the United
> States and Canada, published in "Bahá'í Administration: Selected
> Messages 1922-1932", p.
> 21
> -
> 22
> )
> 
> ...The first condition is absolute love and harmony amongst the members of
> the assembly. They must be wholly free from estrangement and must manifest
> in themselves the Unity of God, for they are the waves of one sea, the
> drops of one river, the stars of one heaven, the rays of one sun, the trees
> of one orchard, the flowers of one garden. Should harmony of thought and
> absolute unity be non-existent, that gathering shall be dispersed and that
> assembly be brought to naught. The second condition: They must when coming
> together turn their faces to the Kingdom on High and ask aid from the Realm
> of Glory. They must then proceed with the utmost devotion, courtesy, dignity,
> care and moderation to express their views. They must in every matter search
> out the truth and not insist upon their own opinion, for stubbornness and
> persistence in one's views will lead ultimately to discord and wrangling
> and the truth will remain hidden. The honored members must with all freedom
> express their own thoughts, and it is in no wise permissible for one to
> belittle the thought of another, nay, he must with moderation set forth
> the truth, and should differences of opinion arise a majority of voices
> must prevail, and all must obey and submit to the majority. It is again
> not permitted that any one of the honored members object to or censure,
> whether in or out of the meeting, any decision arrived at previously though
> that decision be not right, for such criticism would prevent any decision
> from being enforced. In short, whatsoever thing is arranged in harmony
> and with love and purity of motive, its result is light, and should the
> least trace of estrangement prevail the result shall be darkness upon darkness....
> If this be so regarded, that assembly shall be of God, but otherwise it
> shall lead to coolness and alienation that proceed from the Evil One....
> Should they endeavor to fulfil these conditions the Grace of the Holy Spirit
> shall be vouchsafed unto them, and that assembly shall become the center
> of the Divine blessings, the hosts of Divine confirmation shall come to
> their aid, and they shall day by day receive a new effusion of Spirit.
> 
> (`Abdu'l-Bahá, cited in a letter dated 5 March
> 1922 written by Shoghi Effendi to the Bahá'ís of the United
> States and Canada, published in "Bahá'í Administration: Selected
> Messages 1922-1932", pp.
> 22
> -
> 23
> )
> 
> One consecrated soul is preferable to a thousand other souls. If a small
> number of people gather lovingly together, with absolute purity and sanctity,
> with their hearts free of the world, experiencing the emotions of the Kingdom
> and the powerful magnetic forces of the Divine, and being at one in their
> happy fellowship, that gathering will exert its influence over all the
> earth. The nature of that band of people, the words they speak, the deeds
> they do, will unleash the bestowals of Heaven, and provide a foretaste
> of eternal bliss. The hosts of the Company on high will defend them, and
> the angels of the Abhá Paradise, in continuous succession, will
> come down to their aid.
> 
> ("Selections from the Writings of `Abdu'l-Bahá"
> [rev. ed.], (Haifa: Bahá'í World Centre, 1982), sec.
> 39
> ,
> p.
> 81
> )
> 
> If they agree upon a subject, even though it be wrong, it is better than
> to disagree and be in the right, for this difference will produce the demolition
> of the divine foundation. Though one of the parties may be in the right
> and they disagree that will be the cause of a thousand wrongs, but if they
> agree and both parties are in the wrong, as it is in unity the truth will
> be revealed and the wrong made right.
> 
> (`Abdu'l-Bahá in "Bahá'í World
> Faith: Selected Writings of Bahá'u'lláh and `Abdu'l-Bahá"(Wilmette:
> Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1976), p.
> 411
> )
> 
> The question of consultation is of the utmost importance, and is one of
> the most potent instruments conducive to the tranquillity and felicity
> of the people. For example, when a believer is uncertain about his affairs,
> or when he seeketh to pursue a project or trade, the friends should gather
> together and devise a solution for him. He, in his turn, should act accordingly.
> Likewise in larger issues, when a problem ariseth, or a difficulty occurreth,
> the wise should gather, consult, and devise a solution. They should then
> rely upon the one true God, and surrender to His Providence, in whatever
> way it may be revealed, for divine confirmations will undoubtedly assist.
> Consultation, therefore, is one of the explicit ordinances of the Lord
> of mankind.
> 
> (`Abdu'l-Bahá, from a Tablet - translated from
> the Persian)
> 
> Man must consult on all matters, whether major or minor, so that he may
> become cognizant of what is good. Consultation giveth him insight into
> things and enableth him to delve into questions which are unknown. The
> light of truth shineth from the faces of those who engage in consultation.
> Such consultation causeth the living waters to flow in the meadows of man's
> reality, the rays of ancient glory to shine upon him, and the tree of his
> being to be adorned with wondrous fruit. The members who are consulting,
> however, should behave in the utmost love, harmony and sincerity towards
> each other. The principle of consultation is one of the most fundamental
> elements of the divine edifice. Even in their ordinary affairs the individual
> members of society should consult.
> 
> (`Abdu'l-Bahá, from a Tablet - translated from
> the Persian)
> 
> Every one of the friends should highly praise the other and each should
> regard himself as evanescent and as naught in the presence of others. All
> matters should be consulted upon in the meeting and whatever is the majority
> vote should be carried out. I swear by the one true God, it is better that
> all should agree on a wrong decision, than for one right vote to be singled
> out, inasmuch as single votes can be sources of dissension, which lead
> to ruin. Whereas, if in one case they take a wrong decision, in a hundred
> other cases they will adopt right decisions, and concord and unity are
> preserved. This will offset any deficiency, and will eventually lead to
> the righting of the wrong.
> 
> (`Abdu'l-Bahá, from a Tablet - translated from
> the Persian)
> 
> The purpose of consultation is to show that the views of several individuals
> are assuredly preferable to one man, even as the power of a number of men
> is of course greater than the power of one man. Thus consultation is acceptable
> in the presence of the Almighty, and hath been enjoined upon the believers,
> so that they may confer upon ordinary and personal matters, as well as
> on affairs which are general in nature and universal.
> 
> For instance, when a man hath a project to accomplish, should he consult
> with some of his brethren, that which is agreeable will of course be investigated
> and unveiled to his eyes, and the truth will be disclosed. Likewise on
> a higher level, should the people of a village consult one another about
> their affairs, the right solution will certainly be revealed. In like manner,
> the members of each profession, such as in industry, should consult , and
> those in commerce should similarly consult on business affairs. In short,
> consultation is desirable and acceptable in all things and on all issues.
> 
> (`Abdu'l-Bahá, cited in letter dated 15 February
> 1922 written by Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of Persia)
> 
> Regarding thy question about consultation of a father with his son, or
> a son with his father, in matters of trade and commerce, consultation is
> one of the fundamental elements of the foundation of the Law of God. Such
> consultation is assuredly acceptable, whether between father and son, or
> with others. There is nothing better than this. Man must consult in all
> things for this will lead him to the depths of each problem and enable
> him to find the right solution.
> 
> (`Abdu'l-Bahá, from a Tablet - translated from
> the Persian)
> 
> The honoured members of the Spiritual Assembly should exert their efforts
> so that no differences may occur, and if such differences do occur, they
> should not reach the point of causing conflict, hatred and antagonism,
> which lead to threats. When you notice that a stage has been reached when
> enmity and threats are about to occur, you should immediately postpone
> discussion of the subject, until wranglings, disputations, and loud talk
> vanish, and a propitious time is at hand.
> 
> (`Abdu'l-Bahá, from a Tablet - translated from
> the Persian)
> 
> Settle all things, both great and small, by consultation. Without prior
> consultation, take no important step in your own personal affairs. Concern
> yourselves with one another. Help along one another's projects and plans.
> Grieve over one another. Let none in the whole country go in need. Befriend
> one another until ye become as a single body, one and all....
> 
> (`Abdu'l-Bahá, from a Tablet - translated from
> the Persian)
> 
> Every meeting which is organized for the purpose of unity and concord will
> be conducive to changing strangers into friends, enemies into associates,
> and `Abdu'l-Bahá will be present in His heart and soul with that
> meeting.
> 
> (Tablets of Abdul-Bahá Abbas" vol.2 (Chicago:
> Bahá'í Publishing Society, 1915), p.
> 553
> )
> 
> In this Cause consultation is of vital importance, but spiritual conference
> and not the mere voicing of personal views is intended. In France I was
> present at a session of the senate, but the experience was not impressive.
> Parliamentary procedure should have for its object the attainment of the
> light of truth upon questions presented and not furnish a battleground
> for opposition and self- opinion. Antagonism and contradiction are unfortunate
> and always destructive to truth. In the parliamentary meeting mentioned,
> altercation and useless quibbling were frequent; the result, mostly confusion
> and turmoil; even in one instance a physical encounter took place between
> two members. It was not consultation but comedy.
> 
> The purpose is to emphasize the statement that consultation must have
> for its object the investigation of truth. He who expresses an opinion
> should not voice it as correct and right but set it forth as a contribution
> to the consensus of opinion; for the light of reality becomes apparent
> when two opinions coincide. A spark is produced when flint and steel come
> together. Man should weigh his opinions with the utmost serenity, calmness
> and composure. Before expressing his own views he should carefully consider
> the views already advanced by others. If he finds that a previously expressed
> opinion is more true and worthy, he should accept it immediately and not
> willfully hold to an opinion of his own. By this excellent method he endeavors
> to arrive at unity and truth. Opposition and division are deplorable. It
> is better then to have the opinion of a wise, sagacious man; otherwise,
> contradiction and altercation, in which varied and divergent views are
> presented, will make it necessary for a judicial body to render decision
> upon the question. Even a majority opinion or consensus may be incorrect.
> A thousand people may hold to one view and be mistaken, whereas one sagacious
> person may be right. Therefore, true consultation is spiritual conference
> in the attitude and atmosphere of love. Members must love each other in
> the spirit of fellowship in order that good results may be forthcoming.
> Love and fellowship are the foundation.
> 
> The most memorable instance of spiritual consultation was the meeting
> of the disciples of Jesus Christ upon the mount after His ascension. They
> said, "Jesus Christ has been crucified, and we have no longer association
> and intercourse with Him in His physical body; therefore, we must be loyal
> and faithful to Him, we must be grateful and appreciate Him, for He has
> raised us from the dead, He made us wise, He has given us eternal life.
> What shall we do to be faithful to Him?" And so they held council. One
> of them said, "We must detach ourselves from the chains and fetters of
> the world; otherwise, we cannot be faithful." The others replied, "That
> is so." Another said, "Either we must be married and faithful to our wives
> and children or serve our Lord free from these ties. We cannot be occupied
> with the care and provision for families and at the same time herald the
> Kingdom in the wilderness. Therefore, let those who are unmarried remain
> so, and those who have married provide means of sustenance and comfort
> for their families and then go forth to spread the message of glad-tidings."
> There were no dissenting voices; all agreed, saying, "That is right." A
> third disciple said, "To perform worthy deeds in the Kingdom we must be
> further self-sacrificing. From now on we should forego ease and bodily
> comfort, accept every difficulty, forget self and teach the Cause of God."
> This found acceptance and approval by all the others. Finally a fourth
> disciple said, "There is still another aspect to our faith and unity. For
> Jesus' sake we shall be beaten, imprisoned and exiled. They may kill us.
> Let us receive this lesson now. Let us realize and resolve that though
> we are beaten, banished, cursed, spat upon and led forth to be killed,
> we shall accept all this joyfully, loving those who hate and wound us."
> All the disciples replied, "Surely we will — it is agreed; this is right."
> Then they descended from the summit of the mountain, and each went forth
> in a different direction upon his divine mission.
> 
> This was true consultation. This was spiritual consultation and not
> the mere voicing of personal views in parliamentary opposition and debate.
> 
> ("The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered
> by Abdu'l-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada
> in 1912, 2nd ed.(Wilmette: Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1982),
> pp.
> 72
> -
> 73
> )
> 
> The first duty of the members is to effect their own unity and harmony,
> in order to obtain good results. If there be no unity, or the Committee
> becomes the cause of inharmony, undoubtedly, it is better that it does
> not exist.... Therefore, when the unity of the members of the Committee is
> established, their second duty is to read the verses and communes, to be
> in a state of commemoration and mindfulness, that they may see each other
> as if in the presence of God.
> 
> (`Abdu'l-Bahá, published in "Star of the West",
> vol. 8, no. 9 (20 August 1917), p. 114)
> 
> III.
> 
> From the Writings of Shoghi Effendi:
> 
> Let us also bear in mind that the keynote of the Cause of God is not dictatorial
> authority, but humble fellowship, not arbitrary power, but the spirit of
> frank and loving consultation. Nothing short of the spirit of a true Bahá'í
> can hope to reconcile the principles of mercy and justice, of freedom and
> submission, of the sanctity of the right of the individual and of self-surrender,
> of vigilance, discretion and prudence on the one hand and fellowship, candour
> and courage on the other.
> 
> (Shoghi Effendi, 23 February 1924 to the Bahá'ís
> of America, published in "Bahá'í Administration, pp.
> 63
> -
> 64
> )
> 
> The duties of those whom the friends have freely and conscientiously elected
> as their representatives are no less vital and binding than the obligations
> of those who have chosen them. Their function is not to dictate, but to
> consult, and consult not only among themselves, but as much as possible
> with the friends whom they represent. They must regard themselves in no
> other light but that of chosen instruments for a more efficient and dignified
> presentation of the Cause of God. They should never be led to suppose that
> they are the central ornaments of the body of the Cause, intrinsically
> superior to others in capacity or merit, and sole promoters of its teachings
> and principles. They should approach their task with extreme humility,
> and endeavour by their open-mindedness, their high sense of justice and
> duty, their candour, their modesty, their entire devotion to the welfare
> and interests of the friends, the Cause, and humanity, to win not only
> the confidence and the genuine support and respect of those whom they should
> serve, but also their esteem and real affection. They must at all times
> avoid the spirit of exclusiveness, the atmosphere of secrecy, free themselves
> from a domineering attitude, and banish all forms of prejudice and passion
> from their deliberations. They should, within the limits of wise discretion,
> take the friends into their confidence, acquaint them with their plans,
> share with them their problems and anxieties, and seek their advice and
> counsel. And when they are called upon to arrive at a certain decision,
> they should, after dispassionate, anxious, and cordial consultation, turn
> to God in prayer, and with earnestness and conviction and courage record
> their vote and abide by the voice of the majority, which we are told by
> our Master to be the voice of truth, never to be challenged, and always
> to be whole-heartedly enforced. To this voice the friends must heartily
> respond, and regard it as the only means that can ensure the protection
> and advancement of the Cause.
> 
> (Shoghi Effendi, 23 February 1924 to the Bahá'ís
> of America, published in "Bahá'í Administration", p.
> 64
> )
> 
> Not infrequently, nay oftentimes, the most lowly, untutored, and inexperienced
> among the friends will, by the sheer inspiring force of selfless and ardent
> devotion, contribute a distinct and memorable share to a highly involved
> discussion in any given assembly.
> 
> (Shoghi Effendi, 29 January 1925 to the National Spiritual
> Assembly of the United States and Canada, published in "Bahá'í
> Administration", p.
> 79
> )
> 
> Indeed it has ever been the cherished desire of our Master `Abdu'l-Bahá
> that the friends in their councils, local as well as national, should by
> their candour, their honesty of purpose, their singleness of mind, and
> the thoroughness of their discussions achieve unanimity in all things.
> 
> (Shoghi Effendi, 29 January 1925 to the National Spiritual
> Assembly of the United States and Canada, published in "Bahá'í
> Administration", p.
> 80
> )
> 
> Consultation, frank and unfettered, is the bedrock of this unique Order.
> 
> (In the handwriting of Shoghi Effendi, appended to
> a letter dated 18 November 1933 written on his behalf to the National Spiritual
> Assembly of the United States and Canada)
> 
> IV.
> 
> From Letters written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi:
> 
> Concerning the attendance of certain individuals at the meeting of the
> Assemblies and at the invitation of that body: This Shoghi Effendi considers
> to be as expert advice, which is absolutely necessary for good administration.
> The members of the Assembly are not supposed to know everything on every
> subject, so they can invite a person, versed in that question, to attend
> their meetings and explain his views. But naturally he will have no right
> to vote.
> 
> (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi,
> 23 October 1926 to the National Spiritual Assembly of the British Isles,
> published in "Unfolding Destiny: The Messages from the Guardian of the
> Bahá'í Faith to the Bahá'í Community of the
> British Isles" (London: Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1981), p.
> 
> 59
> )
> 
> We are often told by the Master that under such circumstances we should
> consult our friends, especially the Assemblies, and seek their advice.
> It would be nice if you should follow that advice and take some of the
> friends into your confidence. Maybe God's will is best attained through
> consultation.
> 
> (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi,
> 12 November 1930 to an individual believer)
> 
> With proper consultation some method is sure to be found. There is no need
> to wait until an Assembly is constituted to start consulting. The view
> of two earnest souls is always better than one.
> 
> (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi,
> 16 June 1932 to an individual believer.)
> 
> The principle of consultation, which constitutes one of the basic laws
> of the Administration, should be applied to all Bahá'í activities
> which affect the collective interests of the Faith, for it is through cooperation
> and continual exchange of thoughts and views that the Cause can best safeguard
> and foster its interests. Individual initiative, personal ability and resourcefulness,
> though indispensable, are, unless supported and enriched by the collective
> experiences and wisdom of the group, utterly incapable of achieving such
> a tremendous task.
> 
> (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi,
> 30 August 1933 to an individual believer)
> 
> The believers should have confidence in the directions and orders of their
> Assembly, even though they may not be convinced of their justice or right.
> Once the Assembly, through a majority vote of its members, comes to a decision
> the friends should readily obey it. Specially those dissenting members
> within the Assembly whose opinion is contrary to that of the majority of
> their fellow-members should set a good example before the community by
> sacrificing their personal views for the sake of obeying the principle
> of majority vote that underlies the functioning of all Bahá'í
> Assemblies.
> 
> But before the majority of the Assembly comes to a decision, it is not
> only the right but the sacred obligation of every member to express freely
> and openly his views, without being afraid of displeasing or alienating
> any of his fellow-members. In view of this important administrative principle
> of frank and open consultation, the Guardian would advise you to give up
> the method of asking other members to voice your opinion and suggestions.
> This indirect way of expressing your views to the Assembly not only creates
> an atmosphere of secrecy which is most alien to the spirit of the Cause,
> but would also lead to many misunderstandings and complications. The Assembly
> members must have the courage of their convictions, but must also express
> whole-hearted and unqualified obedience to the well-considered judgement
> and directions of the majority of their fellow-members.
> 
> (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi,
> 28 October 1935 to an individual believer)
> 
> Through the clash of personal opinions, as `Abdu'l-Bahá has stated,
> the spark of truth is often ignited, and Divine guidance revealed. The
> friends should therefore not feel discouraged at the differences of opinion
> that may prevail among the members of an Assembly, for these, as experience
> has shown, and as the Master's words attest, fulfil a valuable function
> in all Assembly deliberations. But once the opinion of the majority has
> been ascertained, all the members should automatically and unreservedly
> obey it, and faithfully carry it out. Patience and restraint, however,
> should at all times characterize the discussions and deliberations of the
> elected representatives of the local community, and no fruitless and hair-splitting
> discussions indulged in, under any circumstances.
> 
> (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi,
> 18 April 1939 to an individual believer)
> 
> In your last question, concerning cases when those needed for consultation
> are not available and a person is uncertain on the course to be followed
> in an important matter, you ask whether it is permissible for him to resort
> to the practice of "isti
> kh
> árih"
> 
> +iv
> 
> using the Kitáb-i-Aqdas.
> The Guardian has stated that in such cases what is necessary and essential
> is for the person to turn his heart wholly to God and to beseech aid from
> the Source of Grace and inspiration and nothing else. If it is possible
> to postpone the decision it would be preferable and more proper to do so,
> until the means for consultation are made available.
> 
> (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi,
> 23 April 1941 to an individual believer — translated from the Persian)
> 
> The remedy to Assembly inharmony cannot be in the resignation or abstinence
> of any of its members. It must learn, in spite of disturbing elements,
> to continue to function as a whole, otherwise the whole system would become
> discredited through the introduction of exceptions to the rule.
> 
> The believers, loving the Cause above all else and putting its interests
> first, must be ready to bear the hardships entailed, of whatever nature
> they may be. Only through such persistence and self-sacrifice can we ever
> hope to preserve on the one hand our divine institutions intact, and on
> the other force ourselves to become nobler, better instruments to serve
> this glorious Faith.
> 
> (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi,
> 20 November 1941 to an individual believer)
> 
> The questions you ask in your letter about individual guidance have two
> aspects, one might say. It is good that people should turn to God and beseech
> His aid in solving their problems and guiding their acts, indeed every
> day of their lives, if they feel the desire to do so. But they cannot possibly
> impose what they feel to be their guidance on anyone else, let alone on
> Assemblies or Committees, as Bahá'u'lláh has expressly laid
> down the law of consultation and never indicated that anything else superseded
> it.
> 
> (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi,
> 25 January 1943 to an individual believer)
> 
> The Guardian advises that you should refer to other doctors, and follow
> the majority vote.
> 
> +v
> 
> (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi,
> 14 February 1945 to an individual believer — translated from the Arabic)
> 
> You have pointed out that on consultative bodies it may sometimes happen
> that in a given case the view of one of the members is better and has greater
> merit than that of the others, but these members are not prepared to accept
> such a view. The Guardian stated that it is necessary and imperative to
> consult frankly and with pure motives before arriving at a decision. Once
> the decision is taken, it is incumbent upon all to follow the majority
> view, and to enforce and put it into effect, even if the decision is a
> wrong one.
> 
> (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi,
> 1 February 1946 to an individual believer — translated from the Persian)
> 
> We all have a right to our opinions, we are bound to think differently;
> but a Bahá'í must accept the majority decision of his Assembly,
> realizing that acceptance and harmony--even if a mistake has been made--are
> the really important things, and when we serve the Cause properly, in the
> Bahá'í way, God will right any wrongs done in the end.
> 
> ...Bahá'ís are not required to vote on an Assembly against
> their consciences. It is better if they submit to the majority view and
> make it unanimous. But they are not forced to. What they must do, however,
> is to abide by the majority decision, as this is what becomes effective.
> They must not go around undermining the Assembly by saying they disagreed
> with the majority. In other words, they must put the Cause first and not
> their own opinions. He (a Spiritual Assembly member) can ask the Assembly
> to reconsider a matter, but he has no right to force them or create inharmony
> because they won't change. Unanimous votes are preferable, but certainly
> cannot be forced upon Assembly members by artificial methods such as are
> used by other societies.
> 
> (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi,
> 19 October 1947 to an individual believer)
> 
> The Bahá'ís must learn to forget personalities and to overcome
> the desire — so natural in people — to take sides and fight about it. They
> must also learn to really make use of the great principle of consultation.
> 
> (30 June 1949 to the National Spiritual Assembly of
> Germany and Austria, published in "The Light of Divine Guidance: The Messages
> from the Guardian of the Bahá'í Faith to the Bahá'ís
> of Germany and Austria" [vol. 1], (Hofheim-Langenhain: Bahá'í-
> Verlag 1982), p.
> 152
> )
> 
> There are no dissenting votes in the Cause. When the majority of an Assembly
> decides a matter the minority, we are told by the Master, should accept
> this. To insist on having one's dissenting vote recorded is not good, and
> achieves no constructive end.
> 
> (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi,
> 19 March 1950 to an individual believer)
> 
> The Guardian regrets that, in the light of the Master's statement that
> the deliberations of Assemblies must be secret and confidential, it is
> not possible to have a non-Assembly member in the National Spiritual Assembly
> meeting. You must always remember that, in matters of principle, there
> can be no deviation; in America it may be possible for you to find a wholly
> trustworthy believer; but if your Assembly is permitted to have non-Assembly
> secretaries present, then the same privilege must be accorded oriental
> and Latin American Assemblies; and can these other countries be assured
> of finding people of the calibre you have found? Highly personal subjects,
> damaging to the honour and happiness of others, are often taken up by National
> Assemblies, and the danger that confidence will be betrayed is already
> great enough with the 9 chosen representatives of the whole Community,
> let alone introducing non-Assembly members. You will just have to make
> your minutes a little more compact and sacrifice, if necessary, a certain
> amount of efficiency in order to follow this very important principle.
> 
> +vi
> 
> (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi,
> 5 July 1950 to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States)
> 
> V.
> 
> From Letters written by the Universal House of Justice:
> 
> Although Local Spiritual Assemblies are primarily responsible for counseling
> believers regarding personal problems, there may be times, when in the
> judgement of the National or Local Assembly, it would be preferable to
> assign counselling or advisory duties to individuals or committees. This
> is within the discretion of the Assembly.
> 
> (From a letter written by the Universal House of Justice,
> 27 March 1966 to the National Spiritual Assembly of Bolivia)
> 
> It is important to realise that the spirit of Bahá'í consultation
> is very different from that current in the decision-making processes of
> non-Bahá'í bodies.
> 
> The ideal of Bahá'í consultation is to arrive at a unanimous
> decision. When this is not possible a vote must be taken. In the words
> of the beloved Guardian: "...when they are called upon to arrive at a certain
> decision, they should, after dispassionate, anxious and cordial consultation,
> turn to God in prayer, and with earnestness and conviction and courage
> record their vote and abide by the voice of the majority, which we are
> told by the Master to be the voice of truth, never to be challenged, and
> always to be whole-heartedly enforced".
> 
> As soon as a decision is reached it becomes the decision of the whole
> Assembly, not merely of those members who happened to be among the majority.
> 
> When it is proposed to put a matter to the vote, a member of the Assembly
> may feel that there are additional facts or views which must be sought
> before he can make up his mind and intelligently vote on the proposition.
> He should express this feeling to the Assembly, and it is for the Assembly
> to decide whether or not further consultation is needed before voting.
> 
> Whenever it is decided to vote on a proposition all that is required
> is to ascertain how many of the members are in favour of it; if this is
> a majority of those present, the motion is carried; if it is a minority,
> the motion is defeated. Thus the whole question of "abstaining" does not
> arise in Bahá'í voting. A member who does not vote in favour
> of a proposition is, in effect, voting against it, even if at that moment
> he himself feels that he has been unable to make up his mind on the matter.
> 
> (From a letter written by the Universal House of Justice,
> 6 March 1970 to the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada)
> 
> Your letter of 14 February 1973 enquiring about the uses of Bahá'í
> consultation has been received.
> 
> This is, of course, a matter in which rigidity should be avoided.
> 
> When a believer has a problem concerning which he must make a decision,
> he has several courses open to him. If it is a matter that affects the
> interests of the Faith he should consult with the appropriate Assembly
> or committee, but individuals have many problems which are purely personal
> and there is no obligation upon them to take such problems to the institutions
> of the Faith; indeed, when the needs of the teaching work are of such urgency
> it is better if the friends will not burden their Assemblies with personal
> problems that they can solve by themselves.
> 
> A Bahá'í who has a problem may wish to make his own decision
> upon it after prayer and after weighing all the aspects of it in his own
> mind; he may prefer to seek the counsel of individual friends or of professional
> counselors such as his doctor or lawyer so that he can consider such advice
> when making his decision; or in a case where several people are involved,
> such as a family situation, he may want to gather together those who are
> affected so that they may arrive at a collective decision. There is also
> no objection whatever to a Bahá'í's asking a group of people
> to consult together on a problem facing him.
> 
> It should be borne in mind that all consultation is aimed at arriving
> at a solution to a problem and is quite different from the sort of group
> baring of the soul that is popular in some circles these days and which
> borders on the kind of confession that is forbidden in the faith. On the
> subject of confession the Guardian's secretary wrote on his behalf to an
> individual believer: "We are forbidden to confess to any person, as do
> the Catholics to their priests, our sins and shortcomings, or to do so
> in public, as some religious sects do. However, if we spontaneously desire
> to acknowledge we have been wrong in something, or that we have some fault
> of character, and ask another person's forgiveness or pardon, we are quite
> free to do so. The Guardian wants to point out, however, that we are not
> obliged to do so. It rests entirely with the individual."
> 
> (From a letter written by the Universal House of Justice,
> 19 March 1973 to the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada)
> 
> VI.
> 
> From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House
> of Justice:
> 
> The statement which you quote
> 
> +vii
> 
> in the second paragraph of your letter is
> taken from a Tablet of `Abdu'l- Bahá which was addressed by Him
> to the friends in Tihrán at a time when, without the knowledge and
> permission of the Spiritual Assembly and contrary to government regulations,
> one of the friends undertook to print the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. The instructions
> of `Abdu'l-Bahá which you quote were issued on that occasion and
> in that context. The Universal House of Justice has pointed out that when
> Shoghi Effendi enumerates the functions of a Local Spiritual Assembly in
> "Bahá'í Administration" page
> 37
> , he indicates that the local
> matters to be referred to the Local Spiritual Assembly are those "pertaining
> to the Cause". This does not mean, of course, that personal problems may
> not be referred to Bahá'í Assemblies. The Local Spiritual
> Assembly, however, is not the only institution or agency to which the friends
> may turn for consultation on personal matters. Such consultation could
> be held with members of one's family, with friends, or with experts. For
> example in one of His Tablets `Abdu'l-Bahá envisages the possibility
> of experts in one profession conferring together.
> 
> (From a letter written on behalf of the Universal
> House of Justice, 8 April 1975 to an individual believer
> 
> Notes:
> 
> i
> Nine.
> 
> ii
> "This statement was revealed in response to a question inquiring about the Bahá'í teaching on consultation.  It appears in '
> Questions
> and Answers
> ' [Ed.: no.
> 99
> ], described by Shoghi
> Effendi as an appendix to the 'Kitab-i-Aqdas'.  It was revealed
> before Spiritual
> Assemblies had been established and was in answer to a question about
> the Bahá'í
> teaching on consultation.  The emergence of Spiritual Assemblies,
> to which the
> friends may always turn, in no way prohibits them from following, if
> they wish,
> the procedure outlined in the above passage when they desire to consult
> on their
> personal problems.  The quotation clearly indicates Bahá'u'lláh's
> preference for
> unanimity."  (From a letter dated 28 February 1978 written on
> behalf of the
> Universal House of Justice to all National Spiritual Assemblies)
> 
> iii
> Cf.  "Selections from the Writings
> of 'Abdu'l-Bahá" [rev. ed.] (Haifa Bahá'í World Centre, 1982), Sec.
> 102
> , pp.
> 128
> -
> 29
> .
> 
> iv
> This is a process of divination, such
> as is done through bibliomancy, when a Holy Book is opened at random and guidance is sought for one's problem
> by reading passages of the Book on the opened page.
> 
> v
> This advice was given by the Guardian
> in a case when the inquirer sought the Guardian's counsel, since one doctor's view was that an operation was needed, while another doctor did not consider such an operation necessary.
> 
> vi
> This advice was given by the Guardian in response to a request by the National Spiritual Assembly to have a non-member present throughout its deliberations to take notes and keep minutes of the Assembly's decisions.  It does not contradict the guidance given in extract Number
> 28
> on pages 14-15.
> 
> vii
> See extract number
> 8
> on p. 5 of this compilation.
> 
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