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
notable achievements include the translation of sacred writings into English
and the delineation of the features and functions of the Administrative Order.
Additionally, he appointed 27 Hands of the Cause of God as his "chief
stewards," entrusted with the propagation and preservation of the Faith,
provided they obey the Guardian's guidance without scheming against him.
Among these Hands was Rúhíyyih Khánum, who also happened to
be Shoghi Effendi's wife. After marrying him in 1937, she became his close companion,
collaborator, and staunch supporter. Rúhíyyih Khánum accompanied Shoghi Effendi
on his travels, served as his secretary, and assisted him in his correspondence
and literary work. She authored several books, including The Priceless Pearl
and The Ministry of the Custodians, which highlighted Shoghi Effendi's life and
accomplishments. Throughout the Bahá'í community, Rúhíyyih Khánum was highly
respected and beloved for her unwavering devotion and dedicated service to the
Cause.
However, Rúhíyyih Khánum's role in the history of the
Guardianship is very controversial. In 1948, she published an article titled
"Twenty-Five Years of the Guardianship," wherein she praised Shoghi
Effendi's leadership and emphasized the indispensability of his office in preventing
division or schism within the Baha’i community. She stated:
"The institution of the Guardianship — firmly
established by ‘Abdu'l-Bahá through His Will — has effectively ensured the
unity of the Baha’i ranks, and no amount of perseverance and ingenuity can undo
it." (Mary Maxwell [Rúhíyyih Khánum], Twenty-Five Years of the
Guardianship [1948], p. 19. Also published in The Bahá'í World, vol. XI,
1946-1950, pp. 113-126.)
However, following Shoghi Effendi's passing in 1957,
Rúhíyyih Khánum changed her stance on the Guardianship. She claimed that Shoghi
Effendi had not left a will or appointed a successor, leading her to assert
that there would be no future Guardians. This apparent contradiction between
Rúhíyyih Khánum's earlier and later views on the Guardianship has sparked
criticism, controversy, and division among Bahá'ís, particularly those who
advocate for the continuation of the Guardianship after Shoghi Effendi. They
accuse Rúhíyyih Khánum of hypocrisy, betrayal, and deviating from
'Abdu'l-Bahá's Will. They argue that she violated her own principles by denying
the necessity and validity of a living Guardian. Some suggest that she may have
been influenced by certain Hands of the Cause who were opposed to the
continuation of the Guardianship, or that she herself became the main opponent
of the Faith, seeking to undermine the institution.
This controversy surrounding Rúhíyyih Khánum's position has
resulted in schisms and divisions within the Baha’i Faith. Different groups
within the faith hold diverse views and interpretations of 'Abdu’l-Bahá’s Will
and Testament and Shoghi Effendi’s actions and writings. Apparently, it is
clear as per 'Abdu'l-Bahá's Will, that the faith cannot function without a
living Guardian, and the Universal House of Justice (UHJ) lacks authority
without the guidance of a Guardian. These debates and disputes have led to the
fragmentation of the Baha’i community into multiple sects.
It is important to note that the topic of the Guardianship
remains contentious among Bahá'ís, and the differing perspectives on the
subject have contributed to ongoing disagreements within the community.
Today, the Baha’i Faith is divided into multiple sects and
Rúhíyyih Khánum and her hypocrisy remains a main cause of schism and divisions
in the faith.
Stay Tuned for more…
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