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The new version of the Bahá’i Reference Library can be accessed here »
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The Administrative Order1 |
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It has been the general characteristic of religion that organization
marks the interruption of the true spiritual influence
and serves to prevent the original impulse from being carried
into the world. The organization has invariably become a
substitute for religion rather than a method or an instrument
used to give the religion effect. The separation of peoples into
different traditions unbridged by any peaceful or constructive
intercourse has made this inevitable. Up to the present time,
in fact, no Founder of a revealed religion has explicitly laid
down the principles that should guide the administrative
machinery of the Faith He has established.
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The purpose of this organization is to make possible a true
and lasting unity among peoples of different races, classes,
interests, characters, and inherited creeds. A close and sympathetic
study of this aspect of the Bahá’í Cause will show that the
purpose and method of Bahá’í administration is so perfectly
adapted to the fundamental spirit of the Revelation that it
bears to it the same relationship as body to soul. In character,
the principles of Bahá’í administration represent the science of
cooperation; in application, they provide for a new and higher
type of morality worldwide in scope. …
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A Bahá’í community differs from other voluntary gatherings
in that its foundation is so deeply laid and broadly extended
that it can include any sincere soul. Whereas other associations
are exclusive, in effect if not in intention, and from method if
not from ideal, Bahá’í association is inclusive, shutting the
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gates of fellowship to no sincere soul. In every gathering there
is latent or developed some basis of selection. In religion this
basis is a creed limited by the historical nature of its origin;
in politics this is party or platform; in economics this is a
mutual misfortune or mutual power; in the arts and sciences
this basis consists of special training or activity or interest. In
all these matters, the more exclusive the basis of selection, the
stronger the movement—a condition diametrically opposed to
that existing in the Bahá’í Cause. Hence the Cause, for all its
spirit of growth and progress, develops slowly as regards the
numbers of its active adherents. For people are accustomed
to exclusiveness and division in all affairs. The important sanctions
have ever been warrants and justifications of division. To
enter the Bahá’í Movement is to leave these sanctions behind—an experience which at first invariably exposes one to new
trials and sufferings, as the human ego revolts against the supreme
sanction of universal love. The scientific must associate
with the simple and unlearned, the rich with the poor, the
white with the colored, the mystic with the literalist, the
Christian with the Jew, the Muslim with the Parsee: and on
terms removing the advantage of long established presumptions
and privileges.
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But for this difficult experience there are glorious compensations.
Let us remember that art grows sterile as it turns away
from the common humanity, that philosophy likewise loses its
vision when developed in solitude, and that politics and religion
never succeed apart from the general needs of mankind. Human
nature is not yet known, for we have all lived in a state of
mental, moral, emotional or social defense, and the psychology
of defense is the psychology of inhibition. But the love of God
removes fear; the removal of fear establishes the latent power,
and association with others in spiritual love brings these powers
into vital, positive expression. A Bahá’í community is a gathering
where this process can take place in this age, slowly at first,
as the new impetus gathers force, more rapidly as the members
become conscious of the powers unfolding the flower of unity
among men. …
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The responsibility for and supervision of local Bahá’í affairs
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is vested in a body known as the Spiritual Assembly. This body
(limited to nine members) is elected annually on April 21st, the
first day of Riḍván (the Festival commemorating the Declaration
of Bahá’u’lláh) by the adult declared believers of the
community, the voting list being drawn up by the outgoing
Spiritual Assembly. Concerning the character and functions of
this body, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá has written as follows:—
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It is incumbent upon every one [every believer] not to
take any step [of Bahá’í activity] without consulting the
Spiritual Assembly, and they must assuredly obey with
heart and soul its bidding and be submissive unto it, that
things may be properly ordered and well arranged. Otherwise
every person will act independently and after his own
judgment, will follow his own desire, and do harm to the
Cause. The prime requisites for them that take counsel together are purity of motive, radiance of spirit, detachment from all else save God, attraction to His Divine Fragrances, humility and lowliness amongst His loved ones, patience and long-suffering in difficulties and servitude to His exalted Threshold. Should they be graciously aided to acquire these attributes, victory from the unseen Kingdom of Bahá shall be vouchsafed to them. In this day, assemblies of consultation are of the greatest importance and a vital necessity. Obedience unto them is essential and obligatory. The members thereof must take counsel together in such wise that no occasion for ill-feeling or discord may arise. This can be attained when every member expresseth with absolute freedom his own opinion and must on no account feel hurt for not until matters are fully discussed can the right way be revealed. The shining spark of truth cometh forth only after the clash of differing opinions. If after discussion, a decision be carried unanimously well and good; but if, the Lord forbid, differences of opinion should arise, a majority of voices must prevail. … 267 |
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The first condition is absolute love and harmony
amongst the members of the assembly. They must be
wholly free from estrangement and must manifest in
themselves the Unity of God, for they are the waves of one
sea, the drops of one river, the stars of one heaven, the
rays of one sun, the trees of one orchard, the flowers of
one garden. Should harmony of thought and absolute
unity be non-existent, that gathering shall be dispersed and
that assembly be brought to naught. The second
condition:—They must when coming together turn their
faces to the Kingdom on High and ask aid from the Realm
of Glory. … Discussions must all be confined to spiritual
matters that pertain to the training of souls, the instruction
of children, the relief of the poor, the help of the feeble
throughout all classes in the world, kindness to all peoples,
the diffusion of the fragrances of God and the exaltation of
His Holy Word. Should they endeavor to fulfill these conditions
the Grace of the Holy Spirit shall be vouchsafed
unto them, and that assembly shall become the center of
the Divine blessings, the hosts of Divine confirmation
shall come to their aid, and they shall day by day receive a
new effusion of Spirit.
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… nothing whatever should be given to the public by
any individual among the friends, unless fully considered
and approved by the Spiritual Assembly in his locality; and
if this (as is undoubtedly the case) is a matter that pertains
to the general interest of the Cause in that land, then it is
incumbent upon the Spiritual Assembly to submit it to the
consideration and approval of the national body representing
all the various local assemblies. Not only with
regard to publication, but all matters without any exception
whatsoever, regarding the interests of the Cause in
that locality, individually or collectively, should be referred
exclusively to the Spiritual Assembly in that locality,
which shall decide upon it, unless it be a matter of national
interest, in which case it shall be referred to the
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national [Bahá’í] body. With this national body also will
rest the decision whether a given question is of local or
national interest. (By national affairs is not meant matters
that are political in their character, for the friends of God
the world over are strictly forbidden to meddle with political
affairs in any way whatsoever, but rather things that
affect the spiritual activities of the body of the friends in
that land.)
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Full harmony, however, as well as cooperation among
the various local assemblies and the members themselves,
and particularly between each assembly and the national
body, is of the utmost importance, for upon it depends the
unity of the Cause of God, the solidarity of the friends,
the full, speedy and efficient working of the spiritual
activities of His loved ones. …
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The various Assemblies, local and national, constitute
today the bedrock upon the strength of which the Universal
House [of Justice] is in future to be firmly established
and raised. Not until these function vigorously and harmoniously
can the hope for the termination of this period
of transition be realized. … … bear in mind that the keynote of the Cause of God is not dictatorial authority but humble fellowship, not arbitrary power, but the spirit of frank and loving consultation. Nothing short of the spirit of a true Bahá’í can hope to reconcile the principles of mercy and justice, of freedom and submission, of the sanctity of the right of the individual and of self-surrender, of vigilance, discretion and prudence on the one hand, and fellowship, candor and courage on the other. |
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The local Spiritual Assemblies of a country are linked together
and co-ordinating through another elected body of nine
members, the National Spiritual Assembly. This body comes into
being by means of an annual election held by elected delegates
representing the local Bahá’í communities. … The National
Convention in which the delegates are gather together is
composed of an elective body based upon the principle of
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proportional representation. … These National Conventions
are preferably held during the period of Riḍván, the twelve days
beginning April 21st which commemorate the Declaration
made by Bahá’u’lláh in the Garden of Riḍván near Baghdád.
The recognition of delegates is vested in the outgoing National
Spiritual Assembly.
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A National Convention is an occasion for deepening one’s
understanding of Bahá’í activities and of sharing reports of
national and local activities for the period of the elapsed
year. … The function of a Bahá’í delegate is limited to the
duration of the National Convention and participation in the
election of the new National Spiritual Assembly. While gathered
together, the delegates are a consultative and advisory
body whose recommendations are to be carefully considered by
the members of the elected National Spiritual Assembly. …
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Regarding the establishment of “National Assemblies,”
it is of vital importance that in every country, where the
conditions are favorable and the number of the friends has
grown and reached a considerable size … that a “National
Spiritual Assembly” be immediately established,
representative of the friends throughout that country. Its immediate purpose is to stimulate, unify and coordinate by frequent personal consultations, the manifold activities of the friends as well as the local Assemblies; and by keeping in close and constant touch with the Holy Land, initiate measures, and direct in general the affairs of the Cause in that country. It serves also another purpose, no less essential than the first, as in the course of time it shall evolve into the National House of Justice (referred to in ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Will as the “secondary House of Justice”), which according to the explicit text of the Testament will have, in conjunction with the other National Assemblies throughout 270 the Bahá’í world, to elect directly the members of the International House of Justice, that Supreme Council that will guide, organize and unify the affairs of the Movement throughout the world. … |
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This National Spiritual Assembly, which, pending the
establishment of the Universal House of Justice, will have
to be re-elected once a year, obviously assumes grave
responsibilities, for it has to exercise full authority over
all the local Assemblies in its province, and will have to
direct the activities of the friends, guard vigilantly the
Cause of God, and control and supervise the affairs of the
Movement in general. Vital issues, affecting the interests of the Cause in that country such as the matter of translation and publication, the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, the Teaching Work, and other similar matters that stand distinct from strictly local affairs, must be under the full jurisdiction of the National Assembly. It will have to refer each of these questions, even as the local Assemblies, to a special Committee, to be elected by the members of the National Spiritual Assembly, from among all the friends in that country, which will bear to it the same relation as the local committees bear to their respective local Assemblies. With it, too, rests the decision whether a certain point at issue is strictly local in its nature, and should be reserved for the consideration and decision of the local Assembly, or whether it should fall under its own province and be regarded as a matter which ought to receive its special attention. … … it is bounden duty, in the interest of the Cause we all love and serve, of the members of the incoming National Assembly, once elected by the delegates at Convention time, to seek and have the utmost regard, individually as well as collectively, for the advice, the considered opinion and the true sentiments of the assembled delegates. Banishing every vestige of secrecy, of undue reticence, of dictatorial aloofness, from their midst, they 271 should radiantly and abundantly unfold to the eyes of the delegates, by whom they are elected, their plans, their hopes, and their cares. They should familiarize the delegates with the various matters that will have to be considered in the current year, and calmly and conscientiously study and weigh the opinions and judgments of the delegates. The newly elected National Assembly, during the few days when the Convention is in session and after the dispersal of the delegates, should seek ways and means to cultivate understanding, facilitate and maintain the exchange of views, deepen confidence, and vindicate by every tangible evidence their one desire to serve and advance the common weal. … |
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The National Spiritual Assembly, however, in view of
the unavoidable limitations imposed upon the convening
of frequent and long-standing sessions of the Convention,
will have to retain in its hands the final decision on all
matters that affect the interests of the Cause … such as
the right to decide whether any local Assembly is functioning
in accordance with the principles laid down for the
conduct and the advancement of the Cause. …
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… to state very briefly and as adequately as present
circumstances permit the principal factors that must be
taken into consideration before deciding whether a person
may be regarded as a true believer or not. Full recognition
of the station of the Forerunner, the Author, and the
True Exemplar of the Bahá’í Cause, as set forth in
‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Testament; unreserved acceptance of, and
submission to, whatsoever has been revealed by their
Pen; loyal and steadfast adherence to every clause of our
Beloved’s sacred Will; and close association with the
spirit as well as the form of the present day Bahá’í administration
throughout the world—these I conceive to
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be the fundamental and primary considerations that must
be fairly, discreetly and thoughtfully ascertained before
reaching such a vital decision.
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And now, concerning the House of Justice which God
hath ordained as the source of all good and freed from
all error, it must be elected by universal suffrage, that is,
by the believers. Its members must be manifestations of
the fear of God and daysprings of knowledge and understanding,
must be steadfast in God’s faith and the well-wishers
of all mankind. By this House is meant the
Universal House of Justice, that is, in all countries a
secondary House of Justice must be instituted, and these
secondary Houses of Justice must elect the members of
the Universal one.
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Unto this body all things must be referred.
It enacted all ordinances and regulations that are
not to be found in the explicit Holy Text. By this body all
the difficult problems are to be resolved and the Guardian
of the Cause of God is its sacred head and the distinguished
member for life of that body. Should he not attend
in person its deliberations, he must appoint one to
represent him. … This House of Justice enacteth the
laws and the government enforceth them. The legislative
body must reinforce the executive, the executive must aid
and assist the legislative body so that through the close
union and harmony of these two forces, the foundation
of fairness and justice may become firm and strong, that
all the regions of the world may become even as Paradise
itself. … … Unto the Most Holy Book 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 273 verily the Truth and the Purpose of God Himself. Whoso doth deviate therefrom is verily of them that love discord, hath shown forth malice and turned away from the Lord of the Covenant. |
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Even at the present time, the Bahá’ís in all parts of the world
maintain an intimate and cordial association by means of regular
correspondence and individual visits. This contact of members of
different races, nationalities and religious traditions is concrete
proof that the burden of prejudice and the historical factors of
division can be entirely overcome through the spirit of oneness
established by Bahá’u’lláh.
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This section on the Administrative Order is taken from the article on The Present-Day Administration of the Bahá’í Faith by Horace Holley, published in 1933 in The Bahá’í World, Volume V, p. 191 et seq. Passages in this article quoting from Bahá’í writings have been replaced by newer translations where these are available.
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The Universal House of Justice was elected for the first time in April 1986 by the members of fifty-six National Spiritual Assemblies.
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