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The above question posed by Rúhíyyih Khánum, widow of Shoghi Effendi, first Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith, is found in the book titled: "The Ministry of the Custodians" and refers to a body of nine Hands of the Cause selected from their own number, following the passing of Shoghi Effendi in November 1957, upon which they bestowed the name of "Custodians of the Bahá’í World Faith." In a resolution signed by all the Hands on 25 November, 1957, they stated that "The Custodians shall be deemed to succeed the Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith." As this body is not one of the Institutions delineated in the divinely-conceived and sacred Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, it clearly possessed no legitimacy in the divinely-conceived "Administrative Order which the master-hand of its perfect Architect [‘Abdu’l-Bahá] has fashioned" and therefore was never meant to be (The last quote being from the writings of Shoghi Effendi.)
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God’s "immutable Purpose"for mankind, as stressed by Shoghi Effendi, was certainly not changed by God with his passing, as insidiously claimed by the then Persian Hands of the Cause, and Shoghi Effendi, ever faithful to the Divine Mandates of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, did not fail to bequeath to succeeding generations an intact God-given Administrative Order in all of its divinely-conceived perfection and glory.
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FOUR LETTERS TO RÚHIYYÍH KHÁNUM FROM THE THIRD GUARDIAN
The Bahá'í Faith, under the Guardianship, is distinguished by the acceptance
of the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, the Son of the Founder
of the Faith, as a divinely-conceived, sacred, immutable and immortal Document
which delineates the essential Institutions of an unique Administrative
Order which, together with the application of the Laws and Principles revealed
by Bahá'u'lláh, constitutes the basis for the establishment
of the World Order of Bahá'u'lláh and a future World Civilization.
This Order was established in embryonic form by Shoghi Effendi, the first
Guardian of the Bahá'í Faith during a 36 year ministry. He
had been appointed by 'Abdu'l-Bahá in His Will and Testament, a Document
which also provided for the continuity of this Institution as long as the
Dispensation of Bahá'u'lláh endured through a succession of
Guardians of the Faith each appointed by his predecessor "in his
own lifetime." Sole interpretative authority of Bahá'í
Holy Writ has been vested by 'Abdu'l-Bahá in the Guardians who also
serve as the "sacred head and the distinguished member for life"
of the Universal House of Justice, the highest legislative organ of the
Administrative Order and in this capacity provide "the necessary
guidance to define the sphere of the legislative action" of this
institution and insure that such subsidiary laws as are enacted by this
body are in conformity with the immutable Laws revealed by Bahá'u'lláh
in His Most Holy Book. Shoghi Effendi stated that the twin institutions
of the Guardianship and the Universal House of Justice "supplement
each other's authority and functions" are inseparable and are
"the twin pillars that support this mighty Administrative Structure."
Unlike sans-Guardian Bahá'ís who believe that the Guardianship
ended with the passing of Shoghi Effendi, the Bahá'ís under the living Guardian
believe that Shoghi Effendi appointed his successor, Mason Remey, in faithful
compliance with the provisions of the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahá
and that only complete acceptance of him as the second Guardian and the
"Center of the Cause" and, in turn, his appointed successor,
constitutes fidelity to the Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh.
Further information is available for downloading from the internet
under the references shown in the following pages or may be requested from:
The Mother Bahá'í Council of the United States
P.O. Box 3201, Roswell, N.M. 88202-1169, U.S.A.
THE GREATEST LEGACY OF SHOGHI EFFENDI
THE ERECTION OF THE INSTITUTIONS OF THE EMBRYONIC WORLD ORDER
OF BAHÁ'U'LLÁH. An illustrative chart (PDF) reflecting the crowning achievement of this
supreme legacy and its momentous ramifications as outlined by him in his one and
only Proclamation of 9 January, 1951.
GOD PASSES BY (Chapter XIV) by Shoghi Effendi.
"The Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh"
GOD PASSES BY (Chapter XXII) by Shoghi Effendi.
"The Rise and Establishment of the Administrative Order"
'ABDU'L-BAHÁ "THE CENTER OF THE COVENANT"
Shoghi Effendi's words concerning His rank, unique station and role
in the Dispensation of Bahá'u'lláh.
THE WILL AND TESTAMENT OF 'ABDU'L-BAHÁ
"His greatest legacy to posterity" and the "Charter of the
New World Order" of Bahá'u'lláh.
THE DISPENSATION OF BAHÁ'U'LLÁH.
"The Administrative Order" by Shoghi Effendi. Considered the spiritual
testament of the first Guardian.
THE DIVINELY-CONCEIVED ORIGIN AND FUNCTIONS OF THE INSTITUTIONS OF THE WORLD ORDER
OF BAHÁ'U'LLÁH AS OUTLINED IN THE WRITINGS SHOGHI
EFFENDI.
EXTRACTS FROM TABLETS OF 'ABDU'L-BAHÁ EULOGIZING MASON REMEY.
MESSAGES TO THE BAHÁ'Í WORLD 1950-1957
by Shoghi Effendi. PROCLAMATION of 9 January 1951 ( in cablegram form ) establishing
the International Bahá'í Council as the embryonic Universal
House of Justice.
MESSAGES TO THE BAHÁ'Í WORLD 1950-1957
by Shoghi Effendi.
Extract of cablegram of 2 March 1951, identifying Mason Remey as the one
whom he had appointed as President of the International Bahá'í
Council.
MESSAGES TO THE BAHÁ'Í WORLD 1950-1957
by Shoghi Effendi.
Extracts of cablegrams of 25 April 1951, stating that the establishment
of the International Bahá'í Council and the construction of
the superstructure of the Báb's Sepulcher constituted "the initial
major evidences" of "the rise and consolidation of the administrative
center of the World Faith of Bahá'u'lláh."
MESSAGES TO THE BAHÁ'Í WORLD 1950-1957
by Shoghi Effendi.
Extract of cablegram of 30 November 1951, emphasizing as the "Great
Jubilee" in 1953 approaches, the inauguration of the long anticipated
intercontinental stage in the administrative evolution of the Faith"
the relationship that exists between the "consolidation of the Faith
at its World Center through recent formation of International Bahá'í
Council in the Holy Land" and the initiation of "highly significant
measures further cementing the Bahá'í National Assemblies
in five continents of the globe."
MESSAGES TO THE BAHÁ'Í
WORLD 1950-1957 by Shoghi Effendi.
Cablegram of 24 December 1951, reviews "chain of recent historic events
heralding long anticipated rise and establishment of the World Administrative
Center of the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh in the Holy Land"
including among others the "creation of the International Bahá'í
Council" and the acquisition of properties in the vicinity of the Báb's
Sepulcher destined to serve as the site of future edifices envisaged by
'Abdu'l-Bahá to house auxiliary agencies revolving around the twin
institutions of the Guardianship and the House of Justice." This cablegram
also announces the first contingent of twelve Hands of the Cause, including
Mason Remey, which he points out "paralleled preliminary measure of
the formation of the International Council destined to culminate in the
emergence of the Universal House of Justice."
"EXTRACTS FROM DAILY OBSERVATIONS
OF THE BAHÁ'Í FAITH MADE TO THE HANDS OF THE FAITH IN THE
HOLY LAND" by Mason Remey while serving as a member of the body of
nine Hands at the World Center following the passing of Shoghi Effendi.
"APPEALS MADE TO THE HANDS OF THE FAITH"
by Mason Remey following the passing of Shoghi Effendi.
ANNOUNCEMENT TO THE HANDS OF THE FAITH FROM MASON REMEY,
THE SECOND GUARDIAN OF THE BAHÁ'Í FAITH OF HIS APPOINTMENT
OF GUARDIANSHIP BY THE FIRST GUARDIAN OF THE FAITH.
PROCLAMATION OF MASON REMEY TO THE BAHÁ'Í
WORLD AT RIDVÁN 1960, setting forth his rightful claim to the Guardianship
on the basis of his appointment by Shoghi Effendi in strict compliance with
the terms of the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahá.
THREE ENCYCLICAL LETTERS OF MASON REMEY.
"THE QUESTION OF THE GUARDIANSHIP OF THE BAHÁ'Í
FAITH"
compiled by Mason Remey,1960.
"IRREFUTABLE EVIDENCE THAT SHOGHI EFFENDI, THE
FIRST GUARDIAN OF THE BAHÁ FAITH, APPOINTED A SUCCESSOR."
A paper written by Joel Bray Marangella.
"HERALD OF THE COVENANT"
Open letters to the Bahá'í friends, dated 9 July 1960 and 21 October 1960 from
Joel Bray Marangella, former Chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly
of France and Auxiliary Member to the Hands of the Cause in Europe stating
the reasons for his acceptance of Mason Remey as the second Guardian of
the Faith.
"HERALD OF THE COVENANT" Winter 1974/75
providing "A brief history of the violation of the Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh
at the World Center of the Bahá'í Faith following the passing
of the first Guardian of the Bahá'í Faith" written by
Joel Bray Marangella.
"HERALD OF THE COVENANT" Winter 1973/74
published by the European Bureau of the Orthodox Bahá'í Faith
containing among other articles one on "The Tree of the Covenant of
Bahá'u'lláh" and a "Statement of Beliefs of the
Orthodox Bahá'ís Under the Living Guardianship."
"HERALD OF THE COVENANT" November 1977
"What is the Meaning of Loyalty to the Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh
and Who are the Present Day Covenant Breakers?"
written by Joel Bray
Marangella.
"HERALD OF THE COVENANT" January 1985
providing a "Commentary on the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahá"
written by Joel Bray Marangella.
UNANSWERED LETTERS TO RUHÍYYÍH KHÁNUM.
Preface and Index of Unanswered Letters sent to Rúhíyyih Khánum by the Third
Guardian of the Bahá'í Faith: Ridván 1988 – Naw-Rúz, 1999
Written by Joel Bray Marangella.
THE FINAL LETTER TO RUHÍYYÍH KHÁNUM.
The fourth and final letter sent to Rúhíyyih Khánum by the Third
Guardian of the Bahá'í Faith, dated Naw-Rúz, 1999
Written by Joel Bray Marangella.
"THE BAHÁ'Í FAITH – A SUMMARY OF
ITS AIMS, TEACHINGS AND HISTORY."
Author: Joel Bray Marangella.
"AN APPEAL TO THE HETERODOX BAHÁ'ÍS" An introductory letter emphasizing that future spiritually minded scholars
of the Faith will inevitably recognise the continuity of the Guardianship
as assured by Shoghi Effendi and reject a substitute man made Bahá'í
organisation in place of the divinely conceived Administrative Order delineated
by 'Abdu'l-Bahá in His Will and Testament.
Author: Joel Bray Marangella.
AN APPEAL TO THE HETERODOX BAHÁ'ÍS."
Publications in leading newspapers with, as an example,the appeal appearing
in the "Glasgow Herald," Glasgow, Scotland.
Author: Joel Bray Marangella.
SHOGHI EFFENDI'S ONLY PROCLAMATION IGNORED
On 9 January 1951, Shoghi Effendi issued the one and only Proclamation of his ministry. As this Proclamation was dispatched in cablegram form and even though it opened with the words: "Proclaim to National Assemblies of East and West weighty epoch-making decision of formation of the first International Bahá’í Council . . ." subsequent events would prove that it was never recognized as such, not only by the National Assemblies to which this Proclamation was significantly addressed but by the entire Bahá’í world as well, in spite of the superlative and unprecedented terms used by Shoghi Effendi to describe this "historic" decision.
Author: Joel Bray Marangella.
HOW AND WHY SHOGHI EFFENDI OBSCURED THE APPOINTMENT OF HIS SUCCESSOR AND THE CONSEQUENCES.
Author: Joel Bray Marangella.
A CRITIQUE REVEALING ERRONEOUS STATEMENTS AND INTERPRETATIONS PERTAINING TO THE CONTINUITY OF THE GUARDIANSHIP IN ADIB TAHERZADEH'S BOOK: "THE COVENANT OF BAHÁ'U'LLÁH"
Author: Joel Bray Marangella.
THE ILLEGITIMATE REIGN OF THE "CUSTODIANS" AT THE BAHÁ’Í WORLD CENTER THAT WAS
NEVER MEANT TO BE
"How [was this body of the Custodians] to assume the reins of authority with no document to support us, other than general theological statements about the Hands?"
The above question posed by Rúhíyyih Khánum, widow of Shoghi Effendi, first
Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith, is found in the book titled: "The Ministry of
the Custodians" and refers to a body of nine Hands of the Cause selected from their own number,
following the passing of Shoghi Effendi in November 1957, upon which they bestowed the name of
"Custodians of the Bahá’í World Faith." In a resolution signed by
all the Hands on 25 November, 1957, they stated that "The Custodians shall be deemed to
succeed the Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith." As this body is not one of
the Institutions delineated in the divinely-conceived and sacred Will and Testament of
‘Abdu’l-Bahá, it clearly possessed no legitimacy in the divinely-conceived
"Administrative Order which the master-hand of its perfect Architect
[‘Abdu’l-Bahá] has fashioned" and therefore was never meant to be. (the
last quote being from the writings of Shoghi Effendi).
TO: THOSE DIRECTING AFFAIRS AT THE BAHÁ'Í WORLD CENTER: THE TABLET OF THE HOLY MARINER DOOMS BOGUS UHJ TO EXTINCTION
Author: Joel Bray Marangella.
TO: THOSE DIRECTING AFFAIRS AT THE BAHÁ'Í WORLD CENTER:
WHAT POSSIBLE ANSWER CAN YOU GIVE TO FUTURE BAHÁ'Í GENERATIONS?
Author: Joel Bray Marangella.
"THIS MOST GREAT ORDER"
Author: Joel Bray Marangella.
SHOGHI EFFENDI'S WORDS ON THE DESTINY OF EVERY SOUL
Author: Joel Bray Marangella.
AFNÁN as "branch"
Believers holding the view that the Guardian has been restricted in his choice of a successor to an Aghsán can do nothing less than reconsider their stand in view of the quoted phrase
Author: Joel Bray Marangella.
THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE CREATED BY SHOGHI EFFENDI IGNORED
Author: Joel Bray Marangella.
"AT THE WORLD CENTER OF THE FAITH WHERE AT LONG LAST THE MACHINERY OF ITS HIGHEST INSTITUTIONS HAS BEEN ERECTED"...
"AROUND WHOSE MOST HOLY SHRINES THE SUPREME ORGANS OF ITS UNFOLDING ORDER, ARE, IN THEIR EMBRYONIC FORM, UNFOLDING."
(Extracts from cablegram of Shoghi Effendi, 30 June 1952)
"SHOGHI EFFENDI'S INTENTIONS FOR MASON REMEY'S FUTURE"
Author: Joel Bray Marangella.
"JOINT AUTHORSHIP OF THE WILL AND TESTAMENT OF 'ABDU'L-BAHÁ"
Author: Joel Bray Marangella.
"THE REAL HERESY WITHIN THE BAHÁ'Í FAITH TODAY.
"
A Paper written by Franklin D.Schlatter.
WARNING: THIS RELIGIOUS FAITH NOW CONTAINS HERESY.
A Paper written by Franklin D. Schlatter.
IS THE WILL AND TESTAMENT OF 'ABDU'L-BAHÁ PASSÉ?
DOCUMENTS POSTED ON ALT.RELIGION.BAHAI IN RESPONSE TO STATEMENTS REGARDING THE WILL AND TESTAMENT OF 'ABDU'L-BAHÁ AND THE COVENANT OF BAHÁ'U'LLÁH.
Documents written by Franklin D. Schlatter.
"THE TWIN INSTITUTIONS OF THE GUARDIANSHIP AND THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE" and "THE LINE OF SUCCESSION FROM BAHÁ'U'LLÁH: THE LESSER COVENANT"
Two pamphlets compiled by K.J. Herman, July 1994, under the direction of
the Mother Bahá'í Council of the United States.
"THE BAHÁ'Í ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER,
AS DELINEATED BY 'ABDU'L-BAHÁ IN HIS WILL AND TESTAMENT.