Have you ever wondered what happened to the leadership of
the Baha'i Faith after the death of its first Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, in
1957? How did a religion that claimed to have a unique system of succession and
unity end up with different sects and schisms? And why did the Guardian, who
was supposed to appoint his successor, died without even leaving a will behind?
In this article, we will explore these questions and reveal
some of the secrets and controversies that surround the Guardianship of the
Baha'i Faith. We will also show you how the Baha'i scriptures and literature
before 1957 clearly affirmed the continuation of the Guardianship until the end
of this dispensation, and how this contradicts the current situation of the
faith.
What is the Guardianship of the Baha'i Faith?
The Baha'i Faith is a religion that was founded by
Baha'u'llah, a Persian nobleman who claimed to be a new messenger of God for
this age. He revealed many writings that outlined his teachings and laws for
humanity. He also appointed his son 'Abdu'l-Baha as his successor and
interpreter of his writings.
'Abdu'l-Baha, in turn, wrote a document called the Will and
Testament, where he appointed his grandson Shoghi Effendi as his successor and
the first Guardian of the Baha'i Faith. He also established two authoritative
institutions for the future guidance of the faith: the Guardianship and the
Universal House of Justice.
The Guardianship is the hereditary office of the head of the
faith, who is appointed by his predecessor. The Guardian is the infallible
interpreter of the Baha'i scriptures and the protector of the faith from schism
and error. The Universal House of Justice is the elected body of nine male
members who legislate on matters not explicitly revealed in the Baha'i
scriptures. The Universal House of Justice is guided by God and by the
Guardian, who is its permanent head.
How did Shoghi Effendi confirm the continuation of the
Guardianship?
Shoghi Effendi, the first guardian of the Baha'i Faith
served from 1921 until his death in 1957. During his ministry, he established
the administrative order of the faith, translated and interpreted many Baha'i
writings, and launched global plans for the expansion and consolidation of the
Baha'i community.
Shoghi Effendi also made it clear that he was not the
last Guardian, but that there would be others after him until the end of this
dispensation. He wrote:
“Once the mind and heart have grasp the fact that God guides
men through a Mouthpiece, a human being, a Prophet, infallible and unerring, it
is only a logical projection of this acceptance to also accept the station of
‘Abdu’l-Baba and the Guardians. The Guardians are the evidence of
the maturity of mankind in the sense that at long last men have progressed to
the point of having one world and of needing world management for human
affairs. In the spiritual realm they have progressed to the point where God
could leave, in human hands (i.e. the Guardians), guided directly by the
Bab and Baha’u'llah as the Master states in his Will, the affairs of His Faith
for this Dispensation. This is what is meant by “this is the day which will not
be followed by night.” (Baha'i News, June, 1950, p. 8,)
The phrase "the day which will not be followed by
night" comes from a passage in 'Abdu'l-Baha's Will and Testament, where he
appoints Shoghi Effendi as his successor.
Another prominent Baha'i writer who affirmed this interpretation
was George Townshend, a former Anglican clergyman who became a Baha'i and a
Hand of the Cause (a high-ranking appointee of the Guardian). He wrote:
“Interpretation of the Word, which has always been the
fertile source of schism in the past, is thus taken once and for all time, into
His own hands by Baha'u'llah, and none other but His appointed Guardian, whom
He guides, can fulfill this function. This is the secret of the unbreakable
unity of the Baha'i Faith and its entire and blessed lack of sects.”
(Townshend, Christ and Baha’u'llah, p. 100)
With these words, Townshend reveals his understanding that
the Guardian, by his authority to interpret the sacred writings, a prerogative
of the Guardian alone (“none other”), is able to ward off schism in the faith.
The Guardian has this right, whereas the Universal House of Justice is
limited to the legislation of matters not recorded in Baha'i scripture. The
lack of interpretive authority in the Universal House of Justice is the real limitation
of that institution.
What happened after Shoghi Effendi's death?
The importance of the Guardianship to the Baha'i Faith in
the literature before 1957 is clearly spelled out in the above words. What
happens, though, if the Guardian does not appoint his successor?
This was the problem in the faith after Shoghi Effendi’s
passing, when he seemingly named no successor.
Baha'u'llah in his Kitab-i-Aqdas rules that his followers
must write a will (paragraph 109): “Unto everyone hath been enjoined the writing
of a will.”
It is really strange that the Guardianship which was a hot
topic and its continuation was confirmed per the books published before 1957
suddenly ended after the death of Shoghi Effendi and Universal House of Justice
got full authority. Different sects got created. The real schism happened in
the faith after Shoghi Effendi’s death.
Nobody knows if Shoghi Effendi really did not write a will,
or his will was purposely destroyed. Whatever be the case the truth remains
that like any other religion Baha'i Faith also faced the same problem of sects
and schism.
What are the implications of this mystery?
The mystery of the missing Guardian has profound
implications for the Baha'i Faith and its followers. It raises questions about:
- The validity and legitimacy of the current leadership
and institutions of the faith
- The authenticity and integrity of the Baha'i scriptures
and teachings
- The fulfilment and interpretation of the prophecies and
promises of Baha'u'llah and 'Abdu'l-Baha
- The unity and diversity of the Baha'i community and its
relations with other religions
- The future and destiny of the Baha'i Faith and its role
in world affairs
These are not trivial or irrelevant questions, but rather
vital and urgent ones that every sincere seeker and believer should investigate
and reflect upon.
We will dig into these questions in more depth in our
upcoming articles. Stay tuned…
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