What does Bahá'u'lláh want you to do as a community?

"O Kings of the earth! He Who is the sovereign Lord of all is come. The Kingdom is God's, the omnipotent Protector, the Self-Subsisting."    Bahá'u'lláh

Now that you have learned Who is Bahá'u'lláh and what He wants you to do as an individual, the third part of our inquiry is ready to be explored.  Bahá'u'lláh did not reveal His religion for personal salvation only.  The Bahá'í Revelation is intended to save the world as well.

The short answer to the question is: that Bahá'u'lláh wants us to come together in order to build God's Kingdom on Earth.  Read below to find out how He wants it to be done.

To understand Bahá'u'lláh's ideas about saving the world, we need to discuss first the idea of religious covenants that have come down to us through the ages.  A covenant is a solemn and binding promise or agreement.  In legal terminology, it refers to a contract with binding obligations and rights that continue on and are passed down from the person who entered the contract to his or her successors.   In religious history, it has referred to the idea that God enters into agreements with persons with religious rights and obligations which are passed on from generation to generation, and through the ages. God promises spiritual blessings if and when certain conditions are met.

We can identify the following covenants of God in religious history.

The Great Covenant:  God has entered into a covenant with the peoples of the world that He will always send down Manifestations of God for the spiritual growth of humanity.  If the people obey and follow the teachings of the Manifestation of God, they will have spiritual progress and salvation. It is by this ancient covenant, the Teachers and Prophets have lead humanity to true knowledge and enabled mankind to build an ever-advancing civilization.

The Covenant Made by the Manifestations Concerning the Future Prophets:  This covenant is made by each Manifestation of God with His followers.  This covenant obligates His followers to recognize the next Manifestation of God.  To be faithful to one Manifestation of God requires faithfulness to the next,

The New Covenant:  The Manifestation of God makes this covenant with His followers regarding their obligation to follow His successor. Bahá'u'lláh's Revelation is unique because He is the first Manifestation to clearly and unequivocally appoint His Successor in writing.  The central tenet of this "new" Covenant is that the world will never again be left without divine guidance.  Bahá'ís will have five sources of infallible divine guidance: the Báb, Bahá'u'lláh, `Abdu´l-Bahá, the Guardian, and the Universal House of Justice.  Acceptance of Bahá'u'lláh requires acceptance of His Covenant.  When Bahá'ís speak of "the Covenant", they refer to this Covenant with Bahá'u'lláh.

The Covenant is the most important principle of the Bahá'í Sacred Texts, and is the principle upon which Bahá'u'lláh's mission is based (the unification of the human race).

There are five divine sources of divine guidance offered to Bahá'ís: the Báb, Bahá'u'lláh, `Abdu´l-Bahá, the Guardians, and the Universal House of Justice.

The Báb and Bahá'u'lláh both were Manifestations of God Who revealed the teachings for humanity in this day. Their teachings are the revealed Word.

In this essay, we will look at the Institutions of the Covenant that serve as Bahá'u'lláh's successor and the sources of continuing guidance to the faithful believers.

Bahá'u'lláh appointed his son as His successor, `Abdu´l-Bahá (which means "Servant of Bahá'u'lláh). `Abdu´l-Bahá (or the "Master") is the Center of the Covenant.  This means that after the passing of Bahá'u'lláh, He is the authority in the Cause to whom all must turn and obey.

`Abdu´l-Bahá was not a Manifestation of God.  However, He does occupy a unique station in religious history.  Bahá'u'lláh's appellation "the Mystery of God" hints at this remarkable station.  `Abdu´l-Bahá is considered to be the Perfect Man, the Exemplar.  In Him a human nature and superhuman knowledge and perfection have been blended and are completely harmonized. His teachings and pronouncements are perfectly guided by Bahá'u'lláh such that they are to be considered as part of the Sacred Texts.

Bahá'u'lláh said:
 

"When the ocean of My presence hath ebbed and the Book of My Revelation is ended, turn your faces toward Him Whom God hath purposed, Who hath branched from this Ancient Root.  The object of this sacred verse is none other except the Most Mighty Branch (`Abdu´l-Bahá).  Thus have we graciously revealed unto you our potent Will, and I am verily the Gracious, the All-Powerful." Bahá'u'lláh
 
"Render thanks unto God, O people, for His appearance; for verily He is the most great Favor unto you, the most perfect bounty upon you; and through Him every mouldering bone is quickened.  Whoso turneth towards Him hath turned towards God, and whoso turneth away from Him hath turned away from My Beauty, hath repudiated My Proof, and transgressed against Me. " Bahá'u'lláh

"That which the Lord hath ordained as the sovereign remedy and mightiest instrument for the healing of all the world is the union of all its peoples in one universal Cause, one common Faith."      Bahá'u'lláh

After the passing of the Master, it was found that He had left a Will and Testament that appointed His Successor, including creating the Institutions of the Covenant that would serve as channels for continuing divine guidance into the future, and would form a plan and blueprint for a future Bahá'í Commonwealth.  The Will and Testament is the "Charter" for a new world Order.  According to the Will and Testament, the Successor Institutions are the "twin pillars" of the Guardian and the Universal House of Justice.

The first Guardian of the Cause of God was Shoghi Effendi:
 

"After the passing away of this wronged one, it is incumbent upon... the loved ones of the Abhá' Beauty to turn unto Shoghi Effendi-- the youthful branch branched from the two hallowed and sacred Lote-Trees and the fruit grown from the union of the two offshoots of the Tree of Holiness, ---as he is the sign of God, the chosen branch, the guardian of the Cause of God... He is the expounder of the words of God." Will and Testament of `Abdu´l-Bahá

"The mighty stronghold shall remain impregnable and safe through obedience to him who is the guardian of the Cause of God.  It is incumbent upon the members of the House of Justice, upon all the Aghsán, the Afnán, the Hands of the Cause of God to show their obedience, submissiveness and subordination unto the guardian of the Cause of God, to turn unto him and be lowly before him.  He that opposeth him hath opposed the True One..." Will and Testament of `Abdu´l-Bahá

The Master, in His Will and Testament, also expounded upon the Institution of the Universal House of Justice, a legislative body whose function it is to pass on issues and laws, from time to time, that are not addressed in the Sacred Texts. The Guardian serves as the sacred head of the Universal House of Justice.  The remaining members are elected by the Bahá'í community.

"It is incumbent upon the members of the House of Justice to take counsel together regarding those things which have not outwardly been revealed in the Book, and to enforce that which is agreeable to them.  God will verily inspire them with whatsoever He willeth, and He verily is the Provider, the Omniscient." Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitáb-i-Aqdas

"Unto the Most Holy Book [Kitáb-i-Aqdas] every one must turn and all that is not expressly recorded therein must be referred to the Universal House of Justice.  That which this body, whether unanimously or by a majority doth carry, that is verily the Truth and Purpose of God Himself." Will and Testament of `Abdu´l-Bahá

"The sacred and youthful branch, the Guardian of the Cause of God as well as the Universal House of Justice, to be universally elected and established, are both under the care and protection of the Abhá Beauty, under the shelter and unerring guidance of His Holiness, the Exalted One (may my life be offered up for them both).  Whatsoever they decide is of God.  Whoso obeyeth him not, neither obeyeth them, hath not obeyed God..." Will and Testament of `Abdu´l-Bahá
 
"Beware lest anyone falsely interpret these words, and like unto them that have broken the Covenant after the Day of Ascension (of Bahá'u'lláh) advance a pretext, raise the standard of revolt, wax stubborn, and open wide the door of false interpretation.  To none is given the right to put forth his own opinion or express his particular convictions.  All must seek guidance and turn unto the Center of the Cause and the House of Justice.  And he that turneth unto whatsoever else is indeed in grievous error.  Will and Testament of `Abdu´l-Bahá

"Soon will the present day Order be rolled up, and a new one spread out in its stead.  Verily thy Lord speaketh the truth and is the Knower of things unseen."         Bahá'u'lláh

In addition to the twin pillars of the Administrative Order, there are also secondary Institutions:  the national and local houses of justice with responsibility for national and local administration, the Hands of the Cause of God who serve the Guardian in teaching and protecting the Cause, and a system of district, national, and international elections.  Bahá'ís are forbidden to engage in partisan politics.  Elections are set in a prayerful atmosphere.  There are no nominations or campaigns but instead each participant prayerfully selects the most qualified person for the position.

The Bahá'í administration combines the wholesome elements which are found in each of the three forms of secular government, without incorporating any of the negative or corrupting features of such systems:  

• autocratic:  the Guardian exercises sole and absolute discretion in making interpretations of the Teachings (but in terms of legislative power, he has one voice among the elected members of the Universal House of Justice and there are no clergy)
• democratic:  all administrative bodies are elected (but once they are elected they answer only to God and are not responsible to or bound by a mandate from the electorate)
• aristocratic:  it upholds the hereditary principle in entrusting the Guardian with interpretation of the teachings (but it provides for free and direct election of the Order's legislative body)

The Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh preserves divine guidance and protection of the Faith into the future. It maintains the integrity and flexibility of the Teachings after the passing of the Manifestation of God, and it preserves divine guidance and protection for all time. Equally important is its function in safeguarding the unity of the believers (thereby creating the instrument for the ultimate unification of humanity).  By uniting Bahá'ís in obedience to the Guardian, the Bahá'í Administrative Order alone possesses the capability of uniting the various competing factions of the world.

The Bahá'í administration is not simply another "church" organization.  Properly understood, it is a living blueprint and embryonic System of Divine Government for the world.  It is the long-awaited kingdom of God on earth.  This Order is not man-made:
 

"The world's equilibrium hath been upset through the vibrating influence of this most great, this new World Order. Mankind's ordered life hath been revolutionized through the agency of this unique, this wondrous System--- the like of which mortal eyes have never witnessed."  Bahá'u'lláh

• "Let no one, while this System is still in its infancy, misconceive its character, belittle its significance or misrepresent its purpose.  The bedrock on which this Administrative Order is founded is God's immutable Purpose for mankind in this day.  The Source from which it derives its inspiration is no one less than Bahá'u'lláh Himself.  Its shield and defender are the embattled hosts of the Abhá Kingdom.  Its seed is the blood of no less than twenty thousand martyrs who have offered up their lives that it may be born and flourish.  The axis round which its institutions revolve are the authentic provisions of the Will and Testament of `Abdu´l-Bahá.  Its guiding principles are the truths which He Who is the unerring Interpreter of the teachings of our Faith has so clearly enunciated in His public addresses throughout the West.  The laws that govern its operation and limit its functions are those which have been expressly ordained in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas.  The seat round which its spiritual, its humanitarian and administrative activities will cluster are the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar and its Dependencies.  The pillars that sustain its authority and buttress its structure are the twin institutions of the Guardianship and of the Universal House of Justice.  The central, the underlying aim which animates it is the establishment of the New World Order as adumbrated by Bahá'u'lláh.  The East nor West, neither Jew nor Gentile, neither rich nor poor, neither white nor colored. Its watchword is the unification of the human race; its standards the "Most Great Peace"; its consummation the advent of that golden millennium ---the Day when the kingdoms of this world shall have become the Kingdom of God Himself, the Kingdom of Bahá'u'lláh. "
• "A world federal system, ruling the whole earth and exercising unchallengable authority over its unimaginably vast resources, blending and embodying the ideals of both the East and the West, liberated from the curse of war and its miseries, and bent on the exploitation of all the available sources of energy on the surface of the planet, a system in which Force is made the servant of Justice, whose life is sustained by its universal recognition of one God and by its allegiance to one common Revelation --- such is the goal towards which humanity, impelled by the unifying forces of life is moving."

• "The Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh, whose supreme mission is none other but the achievement of this organic and spiritual unity of the whole body of nations, should, if we be faithful to its implications, be regarded as signalizing through its advent the coming of age of the entire human race. It should be viewed not merely as yet another spiritual revival in the ever-changing fortunes of mankind, not only as a further stage in a chain of progressive Revelations, nor even as the culmination of one of a series of recurrent prophetic cycles, but rather as marking the last and highest stage in the stupendous evolution of man's collective life on this planet.  The emergence of a world community, the consciousness of world citizenship, the founding of a world civilization and culture--- all of which must synchronize with the initial stages in the unfoldment of the Golden Age of the Bahá'í Era--- should, by their very nature, be regarded, as far as this planetary life is concerned, as the furthermost limits in the organization of human society, though man, as an individual, will, nay must indeed as a result of such a consummation, continue indefinitely to progress and develop."

Although the golden age of the Bahá'í World Commonwealth will not be established in our lifetimes, the Writings and the books by Shoghi Effendi do give us a glimpse of what the future will bring:

• All nations, creeds and classes closely and permanently united
• Autonomy of state members and personal freedom and initiative completely safeguarded.
• A world legislature will control the entire resources of all component nations and will enact laws to regulate life, satisfy the needs and adjust the relationships of all races and peoples.
• A world executive backed by an international Force will carry out the decisions and apply the laws of world legislature and safeguard the organic unity of the whole commonwealth.
• A world tribunal will adjudicate and deliver compulsory and final verdicts in all disputes arising between the constituent elements of the system.
• A system of world inter-communication will be devised to embrace the whole planet freed from national hindrances and restrictions and functioning with the marvelous swiftness and perfect regularity.
• A world metropolis acting as the nerve center of a world civilization, the focus towards which the unifying forces of life will converge and from which its energizing influences will emanate.
• A world language (chosen or invented) and taught in the schools of all federated nations as an auxiliary to their mother tongues.
• A world script and literature, a uniform system of currency and of weights and measures-- to facilitate intercourse and understanding.
• Science and religion will be reconciled.
• The press will give full expression to the diversified views and convictions of mankind, but will cease to be mischievously manipulated by vested interests and will be liberated from the influences of contending governments and peoples.
• The economic resources of the world will be organized, its raw materials tapped and fully utilized, its markets coordinated and developed, and distribution of its products equitably regulated.
• National rivalries, hatreds, and prejudices will cease.
• Racial animosity and prejudice will be replaced by racial amity, understanding and cooperation.
• The causes of religious strife will be permanently removed.
• Economic barriers and restrictions will be completely abolished.
• The inordinate distinction between classes will be abolished.
• Both destitution and gross accumulation of ownership will disappear.
• The enormous energy dissipated and wasted on war, (economic and political) will be consecrated to such ends as will extend the range of human inventions and technical development, increase productivity, exterminate disease, extend scientific research, raise the standard of physical health, sharpen and refine the human brain, exploit the unused and unsuspected resources of the planet, prolong human life, further any other agency that can stimulate the intellectual, moral, and spiritual life of the entire human race.

'"Well is it with him who fixeth his gaze upon the Order of Bahá'u'lláh and rendereth thanks unto his Lord! For He will assuredly be made manifest. God hath indeed irrevocably ordained it in the Bayán."  The Báb

For more information about the Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh and those Bahá'ís who were not faithful to it, click here.

Considering that this is a forum for the mystical or spiritual teachings of the Orthodox Bahá'í Faith, it is important to realize that the above discussion of the Bahá'í Covenant and Administrative Order consists of essentially spiritual teachings. By establishing a divine government able to embody and give full expression to the divine forces, attributes, and guidance, the society created thereby will be conducive to the spiritual growth and happiness of its participants.  In brief, the Bahá'í concept of salvation is a mature one that recognizes that there can be no salvation unless it is a universal salvation that embraces all of humanity.  Thus, spiritual service to the Cause requires tireless effort to build the Institutions of the Cause and it depends upon complete and absolute obedience to the Covenant

Most persons are aware that there are presently at least two Bahá'í organizations.  This is clearly contrary to the teachings of the Cause as set forth above.  To read about the story of how the vast multitude of Bahá'ís lost faith in the Bahá'í Administrative Order and established their own man-made system in its place, click here.  The larger organization of Bahá'ís violated the Covenant by rejecting the Guardian.  The Bahá'ís who call themselves "Orthodox" have remained firm in the Covenant and adhere fully to the letter and spirit of the Bahá'í Teachings.

more on the Covenant and its violation