Understanding Orthodox Bahá’í Guardianship and Its Foundations

The Orthodox Bahá’í Faith maintains that the Guardianship, a vital element of Bahá’í administration as stipulated in the Will and Testament of `Abdu’l-Bahá, should continue with successive appointees. This view stands in contrast to Haifan Bahá’ís, who adhere to a line of leadership that transitioned to the elected Universal House of Justice in 1963 after Shoghi Effendi passed away without appointing a successor.

To understand the Orthodox Bahá’í position and its historical context, several important documents and texts are crucial:

1. The Will and Testament of `Abdu’l-Bahá

Abdu'l-Bahá's Will and Testament is a foundational document for the Bahá'í administrative order. In it,Abdu’l-Bahá outlined the structure of the Bahá’í administration, including the institution of the Guardianship. The Orthodox Bahá’ís holds that the appointment of successive Guardians is a key element derived from this document.

• Document Reference: This document can be found in the Bahá’í Reference Library.

2. Kitáb-i-Aqdas (The Most Holy Book)

The Kitáb-i-Aqdas, written by Bahá’u’lláh, is the central book of Bahá’í laws. It provides comprehensive guidance on personal conduct, laws for the Bahá’í community, and the establishment of Bahá’í institutions. The Orthodox Bahá’ís reference the Kitáb-i-Aqdas to support their view of a divinely guided administrative order.

• Document Reference: The Kitáb-i-Aqdas is available in the Bahá’í Reference Library.

3. Kitáb-i-Íqán (The Book of Certitude)

Another key text by Bahá’u’lláh, the Kitáb-i-Íqán, addresses the nature of God and the spiritual journey of humanity. It underscores the progressive revelation, a concept fundamental to Bahá’í theology. Orthodox Bahá’ís use this text to reinforce the importance of continuous divine guidance, which they believe includes the institution of the Guardianship.

• Document Reference: The Kitáb-i-Íqán can also be found in the Bahá’í Reference Library.

4. The Dawn-Breakers

This historical account documents the early history of the Bahá’í Faith, from the declaration of the Báb to the early days of Bahá’u’lláh’s mission. It provides context for the development of the Bahá’í community and highlights the significance of the early leaders, which Orthodox Bahá’ís see as foundational to their claims.

• Document Reference: The Dawn-Breakers is available in various Bahá’í literature repositories.

5. Some Answered Questions

Compiled by Laura Clifford Barney, this text features `Abdu’l-Bahá’s responses to various theological and philosophical questions. It provides insights into Bahá’í teachings and the vision for the Faith’s future. Orthodox Bahá’ís cite this work to support their interpretations of Bahá’í doctrines and administrative structures.

• Document Reference: This book can be accessed through the Bahá’í Reference Library.

Key Figures and Arguments:

• Shoghi Effendi: The first Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith. His writings and administrative decisions are crucial in understanding the structure and governance of the Bahá’í community.
• Mason Remey: The founder of the Orthodox Bahá’í Faith, who claimed to be appointed as the second Guardian. His arguments are based on the necessity of continuous Guardianship as outlined in `Abdu’l-Bahá’s Will and Testament.
• Universal House of Justice: The elected body that Haifan Bahá’ís ( whose headquarter is in Haifa, Israel ) believe is the supreme institution guiding the Bahá’í community after Shoghi Effendi. The Orthodox Bahá’ís, however, argue that without a living Guardian, the Administrative Order is incomplete and in fact its a bogus UHJ.

Conclusion:

The Orthodox Bahá’í Faith emphasizes the importance of the Guardianship, believing it to be an essential component of the Bahá’í administrative structure as intended by `Abdu’l-Bahá. This belief is supported by various foundational Bahá’í texts, which we interpret as endorsing the necessity of a continuous line of Guardians to maintain the integrity and divine guidance of the Faith.

For anyone researching the Orthodox Bahá’í perspective, these documents and texts provide critical insights and a basis for understanding the historical and theological arguments that underpin their claims. These references are readily available in the Bahá’í Reference Library and other Bahá’í literature repositories, offering a comprehensive view of the Orthodox Bahá’í stance within the broader context of the Bahá’í Faith.