What is Bahá’í

Administrative order

Abdu’l-Bahá’s Will and Testament is the charter of the Bahá’í administrative order. In this document `Abdu’l-Bahá established the twin institutions of the Guardianship and the Universal House of Justice, and he appointed his eldest grandson, Shoghi Effendi, as the Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith. Again, because of the clear directions in the Will and Testament, there was no question as to the succession of leadership in the Faith.

Shoghi Effendi, who was a student at Oxford University at the time of his grandfather’s passing, served as the Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith until his passing in 1957. For thirty-six years he developed the Bahá’í community and its administrative structure in order to prepare it to support the election of the Universal House of Justice. Because the Bahá’í community was relatively small and undeveloped when the Guardian assumed the leadership of the Faith, it took many years to strengthen it and develop it to the point where it was capable of supporting the administrative structure envisioned by `Abdu’l-Bahá. Shoghi Effendi pursued this goal energetically and systematically.

As outlined in the Will and Testament of `Abdu’l-Bahá, the roles and functions of the institutions of the Guardianship and the Universal House of Justice were clearly complementary: the Guardianship’s function was interpretive, while the function of the Universal House of Justice was legislative. Neither should infringe upon the role of the other. Throughout the period of the Guardianship, Shoghi Effendi exercised his interpretive function. He translated the sacred writings of the Faith; he developed global plans for the expansion of the Bahá’í community; he developed the World Centre of the Bahá’í Faith in Haifa; he carried on a voluminous correspondence with communities and individuals around the world; and he built the administrative structure of the Faith, preparing the community for the election of the Universal House of Justice.

The Will and Testament of `Abdu’l-Bahá clearly anticipated that there would be a succession of Guardians, but this was not to be. `Abdu’l-Bahá had indicated that the first born of the Guardian should be his successor, but if that individual did not inherit the Guardian’s spiritual qualities, then he should appoint another male descendant of Bahá’u’lláh. However, Shoghi Effendi did not have children, and through the years all of the members of his family had rebelled against the authority conferred upon him, becoming “Covenant-Breakers”. Thus, it was not possible for him to appoint a successor as Guardian. It was also clear from `Abdu’l-Bahá’s Will and Testament that only the Universal House of Justice had the authority to resolve questions not explicitly dealt with by either Bahá’u’lláh or `Abdu’l-Bahá, and this issue would obviously need to be taken up by that body. And so Shoghi Effendi had laid the foundations for the election of the Universal House of Justice. This nine-member body, which governs the international Bahá’í community, was first elected in 1963. That same year, it determined that there was “no way to appoint or to legislate to make it possible to appoint a second Guardian to succeed Shoghi Effendi.” Bahá’ís all over the world, loyal to the Covenant first established by Bahá’u’lláh and then carried forward by `Abdu’l-Bahá, accepted this decision made by what they believe is the divinely guided central authority of their Faith.

There is no clergy in the Bahá’í Faith. At the grassroots level, Bahá’í communities are governed by freely elected nine-member councils called “Local Spiritual Assemblies”. Similarly, National Spiritual Assemblies direct and coordinate the affairs of national Bahá’í communities. The Bahá’í electoral process is unique. There is no system of candidature, electioneering or campaigning, and the purpose is to elect members who best possess those spiritual qualities that enable them to serve the community. Both men and women age 21 or over are eligible to elect and be elected to the local and national assemblies, while the Universal House of Justice is male only.

Social principles

The following 14 “principles” are frequently listed as a quick summary of the Bahá’í teachings. They are derived from transcripts of speeches given by Abdu’l-Bahá during his tour of Europe and North America in 1912.

• The Oneness of God
• The Oneness of religion
• The Oneness of mankind
• One World Government
• Equality of women and men
• Elimination of all forms of prejudice
• World peace
• Harmony of religion and science
• Independent investigation of truth
• The need for universal compulsory education
• The need for a universal auxiliary language
• Obedience to government and non-involvement in party politics
• A spiritual solution to economic problems (elimination of extremes of wealth and poverty)

Another Bahá’í principle is that of moderation in all things (specifically liberty, civilization, religious zeal and scriptural literalism.) The Bahá’í teachings also reject asceticism and monasticism.

Bahá’ís believe that although the current age is quite dark, the future of humanity is gloriously bright and that world peace is inevitable. This bright future is generally seen by Bahá’ís as the fulfilment of prophecies in various older religions. Many Bahá’í beliefs are in harmony with those of the emerging global civilization (such as support for international organisations, universal standards of human rights, and the free movement of people and trade between countries). At the same time, the Bahá’í teachings differ in important ways from many values associated with westernization and its harmful effects (rejecting, for example, cultural uniformity, materialism, economic injustice and “loose” moral standards).

To be a Bahá’í means that a person believes that Bahá’u’lláh is the manifestation of God for this time. A Bahá’í strives to follow his teachings and observe his laws.

Rituals

There are very few rituals or traditions in the Bahá’í Faith, and rigidity is seen as a quality that must be avoided. However, there are a few basic religious observances that the Kitáb-i-Aqdas holds as obligatory:

• There is a specified marriage declaration.
• There are a few specified funerary practices.
• Bahá’ís are enjoined to
  • recite an obligatory prayer each day, facing in the direction of the Qiblih (the Point of Adoration)
  • read the sacred writings of their faith each morning and evening

Other laws and ordinances

• Bahá’ís in good health between the ages of 15 and 70 observe a nineteen-day sunrise-to-sunset fast each year March 2 to March 21, during the Bahá’í month of `Alá.
• There are no dietary restrictions, but Bahá’ís are forbidden to drink alcohol or to take recreational drugs, as these interfere with an individual’s spiritual growth and progress. The use of tobacco is not forbidden but is discouraged.
• Bahá’ís are generally expected to make a financial contribution to the faith, but soliciting of funds from individuals is prohibited and contributions from people who are not registered Bahá’ís are not accepted. Distinct from the general Bahá’í funds is the law of Huqu’u’llah (“Right of God”), which requires Bahá’ís to pay 19% of their net income (after subtracting all necessary expenses). In the case of both Huqu’u’llah and the general funds contributions are confidential and the amount paid is a matter of individual conscience.
• Family life is, in the Bahá’í view, a cornerstone of society. Marriage is encouraged. Marriage is permitted only between a man and a woman; homosexual relationships are forbidden in Bahá’í law.
  • Couples wishing to marry must obtain the consent of all living natural parents, as the Bahá’í teachings state that marriage is more than a union of individuals; it is the union of families.
  • Inter-religious marriages are permitted, and interracial marriages are encouraged.
  • Chastity is required, i.e. sexual intercourse only within marriage.
  • Divorce is permitted, although regarded with the utmost seriousness, and is granted if, after a year of separation, the couple is unable to reconcile their differences.
  • Parents are required to provide an education to their children. If resources permit for only one child to be educated, the Bahá’í Faith says that a daughter should receive this education, as she is the first educator to her future children.
• Bahá’ís should obey the decisions made by their elected local and national spiritual assemblies (elected religious councils) and the Universal House of Justice. If they continuously fail to do so in a way that endangers the faith they may be sanctioned: national assemblies are authorised to remove “administrative rights” (to vote and be elected, attend meetings with an administrative function and make financial contributions); the Universal House of Justice has the authority to expel members from the community and declare a person a “Covenant-Breaker”. In accordance with the instructions given by `Abdu’l-Bahá, Bahá’ís are expected to “shun” covenant-breakers, i.e. avoid personal contact. Most people who disobey the laws or institutions of the Faith are not considered “covenant-breakers”, however.

Calendar

The Bahá’í calendar was established by the Báb. The year consists of 19 months of 19 days, and 4 or 5 intercalary days, to make a full solar year. The New Year (called Naw Rúz) occurs on the vernal equinox, March 21, at the end of the month of fasting. Bahá’í communities gather at the beginning of each month at a meeting called a “feast” for worship, consultation and socializing. While the name may seem to suggest that an elaborate meal is served, that is not necessarily the case. Sometimes refreshments are plentiful, but they can be as simple as bread and water. Bahá’ís observe 11 Holy Days throughout the year, with work suspended on 9 of these. These days commemorate important anniversaries in the history of the Faith.

Call or text for more information to: 0777 227 3362