Twin Covenants of the Baha'i Faith
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Source: Bahá'í Library Online (bahai-library.com), curated by Jonah Winters. Used by permission of the curator. Original citation: Brent Poirier, Twin Covenants of the Baha'i Faith, bahai-library.com.
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Twin Covenants of the Bahá'í Faith

Brent Poirier

1998

What does Shoghi Effendi mean when he refers to the "twin Covenants" in
the Bahá'í Faith? These are the Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh, and the Covenant
of `Abdu'l-Bahá. They are part of the same Covenant, the Lesser Covenant
Bahá'u'lláh has made with His believers. He has covenanted with us that He
will guide the Institutions of the Cause until the appearance of the next
Manifestation of God, and has taken from us a Covenant to turn to them.

Shoghi Effendi refers to the "twin Covenants" in one of his letters to
America:

"Above all, the paramount duty of deepening the spiritual
life of these newly fledged, these precious and highly esteemed
co-workers, and of enlightening their minds regarding the essential
verities enshrined in their Faith, its fundamental institutions, its
history and genesis -- the twin Covenants of Bahá'u'lláh and of
`Abdu'l-Bahá ... must continue to constitute the most vital aspect of the
great spiritual Crusade ..." [1]

We do not often speak of the Covenant of `Abdu'l-Bahá, but it is often
referred to by the Guardian, and in letters written on his behalf, he
emphasizes how important it is to understand and follow its provisions. In
each of the following quotes, Shoghi Effendi refers to the Covenant of
`Abdu'l-Bahá:

"... the believers need to be deepened in their knowledge and
appreciation of the Covenants of both Bahá'u'lláh and 'Abdu'l-Bahá."
[2]

"The Youth must ponder deeply over the significance and implications of
the Covenants of Bahá'u'lláh and 'Abdu'l-Bahá, for these form the hub of
the Bahá'í wheel, so to speak, the point of unity and strength for all the
believers all over the world. Without these Covenants the Divine
Protection of God over this new world Faith would not exist. Obedience to
these Covenants is the stronghold of all the Bahá'ís, everywhere. The
Youth must grasp this fundamental truth, for this will strengthen them in
their service to the Cause, as nothing else can or will." [3]

The Guardian emphasized the importance of strengthening the
new Bahá'ís in the Covenant of `Abdu'l-Bahá as well as the Covenant of
Bahá'u'lláh:

"Above all, the utmost endeavour should be exerted by your
Assembly to familiarize the newly enrolled believers with the fundamental
and spiritual verities of the Faith, ... to instil in them a deeper
understanding of the Covenants of both Bahá'u'lláh and 'Abdu'l-Bahá ... "
[4]

"The unity and solidarity of its constituent members must be simultaneously reinforced, its
roots permanently planted in the soil of the Covenants of both Bahá'u'lláh and `Abdu'l-Bahá ... "
[5]

"The deepening and enrichment of the spiritual life of the individual believer, ... his
understanding of the fundamentals of the Covenants established by its Author and the authorised
Interpreter of its teachings..." [6]

Shoghi Effendi stated through his secretary that firmness in the twin Covenants is
the very foundation of a Bahá'í's spiritual life:

"The thing the German believers must do is to deepen themselves in the Covenants
of Bahá'u'lláh and `Abdu'l- Bahá. Mere intellectual understanding of the teachings is not
enough. Deep spirituality is essential, and the foundation of true spirituality is steadfastness in
the Covenant." [7] The Master promised us "mental tests" and the Guardian promised that these
intellectual tests would be safely met by greater knowledge of the Covenant of `Abdu'l-Bahá as
well as that of Bahá'u'lláh, and in particular, by studying the Will and Testament of `Abdu'l-
Bahá, which is the repository of His Covenant:

" ... the believers need to be deepened in their knowledge and appreciation of the Covenants of
both Bahá'u'lláh and 'Abdu'l-Bahá. This is the stronghold of the Faith of every Bahá'í, and that
which enables him to withstand every test and the attacks of the enemies outside the Faith, and
the far more dangerous, insidious, lukewarm people inside the Faith who have no real
attachment to the Covenant, and consequently uphold the intellectual aspect of the teachings
while at the same time undermining the spiritual foundation upon which the whole Cause of God
rests. He feels you and your dear family should do all you can to teach the believers the Will
and Testament to strengthen their understanding of its important provisions; for all the
authority of the administrative bodies, as well as of the Guardian himself, is mainly derived
from this tremendous document." [8] The Guardian stated through his secretary that what the
believers must have "more than anything else in the world" is a deeper understanding of the
Master's and Bahá'u'lláh's Covenants, and that without this the teaching work would not
"accomplish anything:"

"The Guardian has been considerably disturbed by the inharmony that has arisen in Germany.
He feels that what the German Bahá'ís need -- and must have -- more than anything else in the
world is a far deeper understanding of the Covenants of both Bahá'u'lláh and the Master. This is
the rock foundation without which no sound super-structure can be built. Neither the
administration, nor the general teaching work of the Cause in Germany, will progress, or be
able to accomplish anything, unless the believers are truly firm, deep, spiritually convinced
Bahá'ís. An intellectual grasp of the teachings is purely superficial; with the first real test
such believers are shaken from the bough! But once a Bahá'í has the profound conviction of the
authority from God, nested in the Prophet, passed on to the Master, and by Him, to the
Guardians, and which flows out through the assemblies and creates order based on obedience --
once a Bahá'í has this, nothing can shake him. He, therefore, urges you, and the other members
of the N.G.R., to devote as much time as you possibly can, to educating the believers in the
Covenant." [9] Since the beginning of the Guardian's ministry, the people who
have broken the Covenant have actually broken the Covenant of `Abdu'l-Bahá. Shoghi Effendi
referred to "the breakers of Bahá'u'lláh's and `Abdu'l-Bahá's Covenants" on page 58 of
"Messages to America," and in a similar vein he wrote of those who have broken the Covenant of
`Abdu'l-Bahá:

"It is a pity that some of the Western friends, with remarkable naivete, do not
grasp the fact that there is absolutely nothing keeping those who have broken the Covenant,
whether Bahá'u'lláh's or the Master's out of the Cause of God except their own inner spiritually
sick condition.... Unfortunately a man who is ill is not made well just by asserting there is
nothing wrong with him!" [10]

It lends a whole new dimension to the concept of Covenant- breaking, to realize
that in this Day to be declared a Covenant- breaker is to have broken the very Covenant of
`Abdu'l-Bahá.

I believe that this is the Covenant of `Abdu'l-Bahá, the appointment of His twin Successors, to
whom all must turn:

"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. May the wrath, the fierce indignation, the vengeance of God
rest upon him! [11]

And again, the closing words of His Last Will and Testament, and thus His last
guidance to the human race:

"O ye the faithful loved ones of 'Abdu'l-Bahá! It is incumbent upon you to take the
greatest care of Shoghi Effendi, the twig that hath branched from and the fruit given forth by
the two hallowed and Divine Lote-Trees, that no dust of despondency and sorrow may stain his
radiant nature, that day by day he may wax greater in happiness, in joy and spirituality, and
may grow to become even as a fruitful tree. For he is, after 'Abdu'l-Bahá, the guardian of the
Cause of God, the Afnan, the Hands (pillars) of the Cause and the beloved of the Lord must obey
him and turn unto him. He that obeyeth him not, hath not obeyed God; he that turneth away
from him, hath turned away from God and he that denieth him, hath denied the True One. Beware
lest anyone falsely interpret these words, and like unto them that have broken the Covenant
after the Day of Ascension (of Bahá'u'lláh) advance a pretext, raise the standard of revolt, wax
stubborn and open wide the door of false interpretation. To none is given the right to put forth
his own opinion or express his particular conviction. 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." [12]

The Greatest Holy Leaf spoke eloquently of turning to the Master's Covenant:

"Although the towering citadel of God's Cause is upraised on foundations of iron,
and His Word is founded on authority and power, and the loyal and firm in His Covenant,
through the blessings of the Abha Paradise, stand immovable as the mountains, and are fast-
rooted in their love - still, the hurricanes of tests are mighty as well, and from every side
comes the thundering roar of violent commotions and bitter trials. From these, at every
moment each one of us should beg of God to defend and protect us. "Let us call to mind the clear
statements and the warnings revealed by the Blessed Beauty, and the explanations and
commentaries of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, particularly as found in His Will and Testament. This
Testament was the last song of that Dove of the Rose- garden of Eternity, and He sang it on the
branch of the Tree of bestowal and grace. It was His principal gift, indeed the greatest of all
splendours that radiated forth from that Day-Star of bounty, out of the firmament of His
bestowals. This Testament was the strong barricade built by the blessed hands of that wronged,
that peerless One, to protect the garden of God's Faith. It was the mighty stronghold circling the
edifice of the Law of God. This was an overflowing treasure which the Beloved freely gave, a
goodly and precious legacy, left by Him to the people of Bahá. In all the world, no gift could
equal this; no dazzling gem could rival such a precious pearl. "With His own pen, He designated
as Guardian of the Cause of God, Shoghi Effendi Rabbani, the Chosen Branch, and made him the
'blest and sacred bough that hath branched out from the Twin Holy Trees,' to be the one to whom
all must turn, the centre and focus of all on earth. "In unmistakable terms did He set forth the
obligations and elucidated the nature of the institutions of God's Holy Faith. He laid hold of
discord's tree and brought it down. He for ever shut the door on conflicting interpretations and
views. With every breath ought we to offer praise and thanks to the God of Grace for this
bestowal. It is incumbent upon us to read and meditate on the contents of the Will and Testament
at all times, and implore God at His Holy Threshold that He will aid us to carry out whatsoever
it ordains." [13]

NOTES

Shoghi Effendi, "This Hour, Crowded With Destiny," letter dated August 18, 1949, "Citadel
of Faith," p. 76.

From a letter of the Guardian's secretary on his behalf to an individual Bahá'í in Germany,
The Light of Divine Guidance, Volume 2, page 84.

From a letter of Shoghi Effendi to the National Youth Committee of the Bahá'ís of Germany
and Austria dated 20 October 1949, "The Light of Divine Guidance," Volume 2, page 89.

Shoghi Effendi, Messages to Canada, pp. 61-62.

Shoghi Effendi, Letters to Australia and New Zealand 1923- 1957, p. 80.

Shoghi Effendi, Letters to Australia and New Zealand 1923- 1957, p. 93.

From a letter of the Guardian's secretary on his behalf to an individual Bahá'í in Germany,
"The Light of Divine Guidance," Volume 2, page 83.

From a letter of the Guardian's secretary on his behalf to Mrs. Anna Grossman, "The Light
of Divine Guidance," Volume 2, page 84.

From a letter of the Guardian's secretary on his behalf to Hermann Grossman, "The Light of
Divine Guidance," Volume 2, pp. 83-84.

From a letter on behalf of the Guardian to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United
States dated April 11, 1949, Lights of Guidance, Second Edition, Page 188, #618.

Will and Testament of `Abdu'l-Bahá, p. 11.

Will and Testament of `Abdu'l-Bahá, pp. 25-26.

From a letter of the Greatest Holy Leaf, "Bahiyyih Khanum," pp. 209-211.

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-- Twin Covenants of the Baha'i Faith (Used by permission of the curator)