Bahai Divisions

  The institution of the Guardianship holds a significant place within the Bahá'í Faith, as it was established by 'Abdu'l-Bahá in His Will and Testament to ensure the unity and continuity of the religion founded by Bahá'u'lláh. According to 'Abdu'l-Bahá, the Guardian of the Cause of God is the "sacred head and the distinguished member for life" of the Universal House of Justice, which serves as the supreme legislative body of the Bahá'í world. The Guardian is entrusted with the authority to interpret the writings of Bahá'u'lláh and 'Abdu'l-Bahá, as well as the appointment of the Hands of the Cause of God, who assist him in his work.   The first Guardian of the Bahá'í Faith was Shoghi Effendi, appointed by 'Abdu'l-Bahá in His Will as His "branch" and "the sign of God." From 1921 until his passing in 1957, Shoghi Effendi guided the development and expansion of the Bahá'í community. His not...

  The International Baha’i Council (IBC) was an administrative body established by Shoghi Effendi, the first Guardian of the Baha’i Faith, in 1951. It was intended to be an "embryonic" Universal House of Justice, the supreme institution of the Baha’i Faith. Shoghi Effendi appointed Charles Mason Remey as the president of the IBC and gave him a prominent role in the development of the Baha’i World Centre in Haifa, Israel.   Remey was a prominent American Baha’i who had been a close associate of 'Abdu’l-Baha, the son of Baha’u’llah, the founder of the Baha’i Faith. 'Abdu’l-Baha had praised Remey as "my dear son" and had prophesied that he would be "a sign of guidance unto mankind". Remey was also considered to be an adopted Aghsan (Branch), a term used for the male descendants of Baha’u’llah.   According to the Will and Testament of 'Abdu’l-Baha, which established the Guardianship as a hereditary institution, the Guardian had to appoint h...