1. n.d.. Remarks to Pilgrims to Haifa by Shoghi Effendi. Vivian Fellows. Six short, undated quotations. Pilgrims.
2. n.d.. Tablet from Our Lord, Abbas Effendi, Presented by Abdel Karim Effendi, to the American Beloved, and Tablet from the Master. Abdu'l-Bahá. Two Tablets self-published in the early 1900s. (Date of illustration 1889.) Translator and context not given. Translations.
3. 2025-12. Bahá'u'lláh's Warning to Mírzá Muḥammad-'Alí in a Tablet to Siyyid Mihdíy-i-Dahájí: Provisional Translation and Commentary. Aaron J. R. Ferguson. A warning concerning the possibility of Bahá'u'lláh's son straying from the cause; significance of this Tablet in light of the themes of spiritual authority and succession in the Bahá’í Faith; admonitions to remain firm in His Covenant and prevent schism. Articles.
4. 2025-07. Bahá'í Sacred Writings. Bahá'u'lláh, Abdu'l-Bahá, Bahá'í World Centre, comp. . A comprehensive collection of selections from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh and the Writings and utterances of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, representing the range of the Bahá’í teachings. Writings.
5. 2025-05. Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, The: 'Abdu'l-Bahá's Covenant. Brent Poirier. Comparison of the wills of Bahá'u'lláh and Abdu’l-Bahá, their "twin Covenants"; authority conferred on the House of Justice; the Guardianship and Bahá'u'lláh's plan of World Order. Link to article (offsite). Articles.
6. 2025-05. Execution of the Jewish Tribe of Banú Qurayẓih, The: Historical, Religious, and Ethical Considerations. Mohammad Norozi. Examination of the historical context of this event from the days of the Prophet Muḥammad, 627 CE. Articles-unpublished.
7. 2025-02. Epistle of the Báb to Azal: Commentary and Translation. The Báb, Mohammad Norozi, trans. . Introduction, background, and references to the Epistle by the Báb for Mírzá Yahyá, the Tawqi'a Vasyat, commonly and erroneously referred to as the "Will and Testament of the Bab," followed by a provisional translation. Translations.
8. 2025. Primordial Covenant and Joseph: Metaphoricity in the Quran. Todd Lawson. On metaphors of emotion as a mode of cognition in the Quran; emotions of God, represented by the Quranic names and attributes; the role of God in the life of the believer and the community. No mention of the Bahá'í Faith. Articles-unpublished.
9. 2025. After Shoghi Effendi: Guardianship, Lineage, and the Limits of Claim. Iman Motlagh Arani. Theological-legal analysis of the Bahá’í Covenant as it pertains to the institution of the Guardianship, and the claims advanced by Mason Remey and the "Orthodox Bahá’ís"; the nature of the Covenant, the Guardianship, and the Aghsan. Essays.
10. 2024-12. Logos and Civilization: Spirit, History, and Order in the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, by Nader Saiedi: Review. Christopher Buck. Review of Nader Saiedi's book that focuses on the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh. Review title: Nader Saiedi’s Logos and Civilization Revisited. Reviews.
11. 2024. Ruhi Book 6: Notes. Ehsan Bayat, ed. These notes for Ruhi Book 6 explore the spiritual principles and practical approaches to teaching the Bahá’í Faith, emphasizing personal and collective efforts, unity, consultation, systematic planning, capacity building, and fostering community growth. Study.
12. 2023-11-28. Reflections on the First Century of the Formative Age. Universal House of Justice. Overview of the Faith's developments and activities during the previous century, including the Guardianship, global expansion, community building and development, participation in societal discourse, and construction of the Bahá'í World Centre. UHJ-letters.
13. 2023. Role of Wonder in Creating Identity, The. Todd Lawson. The term badí', "wondrous" or "new," is used dozens of times by the Báb in his proclamatory work the Qayyúm al-Asmáʾ. Wonder plays a major role in Bábí and Bahá'í thought and practice, and in their ethos and message. Link to article (offsite). Articles.
14. 2022-09. "And universal peace —"" in what Book is this written?": How and Why 'Abdu'l-Bahá Identified "New" and Distinctive Bahá'í Principles. Christopher Buck. Reflections on ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's answer to the question "What has Bahá’u’lláh brought that we have not heard before?" Introductory.
15. 2022. Qur'anic Kerygma: Epic, Apocalypse, and Typological Figuration. Todd Lawson. Article contains no mention of the Bábí or Bahá'í Faiths, but includes themes of relevance to Bahá'í teachings on the typologies of proclamation and apocalypse. Articles.
16. 2021-11. Primary Source Texts Related to the Covenant. Bahá'u'lláh, Abdu'l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi, Universal House of Justice. Collection of some essential writings central to understanding the Bahá'í Covenant. Introductory.
17. 2021-02. Universal House of Justice, The. Universal House of Justice, Research Department, comp. Compilation about the "Universal House of Justice" from the writings of Bahá’u’lláh, 'Abdu’l-Bahá, and Shoghi Effendi, and from the constitution and letters of the Universal House of Justice. Compilations.
18. 2021. List of Articles by John Hatcher on BahaiTeachings.org. John S. Hatcher. List of online essays and articles by Dr. John Hatcher. Bibliographies.
19. 2021. Half Million Years, A. Dana Paxson. Exploring the 500,000-year Bahá’í cycle asserted by Shoghi Effendi, in two versions: academic-style essay form, and story-narrative form. Articles-unpublished.
20. 2021. Light of the World: Selected Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá. Abdu'l-Bahá. Tablets of ‘Abdul-Bahá describing aspects of the life of Bahá’u’lláh including the tribulations He suffered, events in His homeland, the purpose and greatness of His Cause, and the nature and significance of His Covenant. Writings.
21. 2021. Legacy of Verse 42 of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, The. Gerald C. Keil. Explores the circumstances under which a reading of Verse 42 which indicates that the line of Aghsan might end prior to the establishment of the Universal House of Justice came to predominate. Includes a memorandum from the Research Department. Articles-unpublished.
22. 2021. Aghsan, The. Grover Gonzales. The article gives a new, different view of the development of the Bahai Covenant, the end of the Guardianship, overview of the meanings of aghsán ("branches"), the sons of Bahá'u'lláh, the expulsion of Abdu'l-Bahá's seven grandsons, and succession. Essays.
23. 2021. Cosmopolitan World of the Quran and Late Antique Humanism, The. Todd Lawson. On the Qur'an's use of the themes of epic and apocalypse to reveal its most cherished sacred truths: the Oneness of God, the Oneness of Religion, and the Oneness of Humanity. Contains no mention of the Bahá'í Faith. Articles.
24. 2021. 'Abdu'l-Bahá — the Master: Warwick Leaflets. Warwick Bahá'í Bookshop. Introductory biography of 'Abdu'l-Bahá — Bahá'u'lláh's son, appointed leader, authorised interpreter, and selfless exemplar of Bahá'í life. Essays.
25. 2020-2026. Online Course on the Bahá'í Faith. John S. Hatcher. Links to 117 Youtube videos on Bahá'í history and teachings. Video.
26. 2020-04-10. Writings of the Báb, The: Notes from Talks given by Dr. Nader Saiedi. Nader Saiedi, Anonymous, comp. . Structured summarized notes from Dr. Saiedi’s 2019 talks on the Báb’s Writings, delivered at the Swedish and Norwegian Bahá'í summer school 2019, highlighting key theological concepts and themes. Includes some provisional translations quoted in the talks. Talks.
27. 2018/2025. Additional Tablets, Extracts and Talks. Abdu'l-Bahá, Bahá'í World Centre, trans. . 216 selections, last updated 2025. Writings.
28. 2018-11. Inseparability and Complementarity of the Book and the Universal House of Justice, The. Sana Rezai. Direct references the House of Justice makes to the words of 'Abdu'l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi, as illustrated through the 26 November 2018 message. Essays.
29. 2018. Reflections on the Principle of Unity/Oneness, Some. Hooshmand Badee. Reflections on the message of Bahá'u'lláh creating the oneness of humanity and a global society that is based on unity and love rather than factors such as economic and political gains. Articles.
30. 2018. Power and the Bahá'í community. Moojan Momen. While Bahá'í social teachings may have sounded new and exciting a century ago, that is no longer the case today. The problem the world faces is not in the principles that would lead to a better society, but in their application. Articles.
31. 2018. Bahá'u'lláh and Peace: A Series of Four Talks. Nader Saiedi. Talks at the Santa Monica Baha’i Center in California on four areas within the context of Baha'u'llah's Revelation that relate to peace, and how Baha'u'llah reconstructs the concepts of victory, mystical poetry, interpretation, and the temple. Audio.
32. 2017. 1893 Russian Publication of Baha'u'llah's Last Will and Testament, The: An Academic Attestation of 'Abdu'l-Baha's Successorship. Christopher Buck, Youli A. Ioannesyan. On the content of the Kitab-i-Ahdi, its manuscript history, and textual variants; Andalib's eyewitness account of its unveiling; Tumanski's scholarly work; contemporary attestation of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's successorship by Tumanski and other Russian notables. Articles.
33. 2017. Authority of the Institutions According to the Will and Testament of Abdu'l-Bahá, The: A Text Analysis. Gerald C. Keil. Abdu'l-Bahá's Will and Testament is the indispensable starting point for understanding the Bahá'í Administrative Order, and the competencies and areas ofresponsibility of the various institutions. The text must be examined as a cohesive whole. Articles-unpublished.
34. 2016. Concept of 'Faithfulness' in the Bahá'í Texts in English Translation, The. Wendi Momen. On faithfulness (being faithful as an individual; God being faithful to His people; believers being faithful to the Covenant; Bahá’u’lláh calling for fidelity to the new Manifestation) and behavior expected of the followers. Articles.
35. 2016. Demystifying Bahá'u'lláh's Tablet of the Holy Mariner: History, Translations, Interpretations and Analysis. Hui Bau. Lengthy compilation, with background information on the Tablet, and commentary from Bau, Adib Taherzadeh, Michael Sours, Jamsheed Samandari, and Aziz Mboya. Study.
36. 2015-06-11. Hands of the Cause of God Cannot Appoint a Guardian. Universal House of Justice. Short letter quoting the Guardian's statement that the Hands of the Cause of God have to ratify the current guardian's appointment of another guardian, and they may also suggest another guardian, but cannot themselves appoint one. UHJ-documents.
37. 2015. Theory of Religious Cycles: Tradition, Modernity and the Bahá'í Faith, by Mikhail Sergeev: Review. Benjamin Olshin. Reviews.
38. 2014. Major Opus, The: A Study of the German Templers Movement and Its Relationship with the Bahá'í Faith. Fuad Izadinia. The story of the journey of two parallel movements to the Holy Land in 1868: the Bahá'ís from Iran and the Templars from Germany. Includes early descriptions of Haifa from both sources, comparative translations of the Tablet to G. Hardegg, and more. Books.
39. 2013. Commentary on a Passage in the Epistle to the Son of the Wolf. Moojan Momen. Short biography of the Son of the Wolf, Aqa Najafi; summary of persecutions from 1874-1903; and the Epistle's references to Qayyumu’l-Asma and the Muslim dawn prayer for Ramadan. Articles.
40. 2013. Religious Authority and Apocalypse: Tafsír as Experience in an Early Work by The Báb. Todd Lawson. Analysis of the Báb's commentary on the Qur'an's longest chapter, Surat al-baqara, regarded as his first significant work, which includes themes such as divine self-manifestation, the hierarchy of existence, eschatology, and religious authority. Articles.
41. 2012. "He hath known God who hath known himself": A Deepening Course on the Bahá'í Revelation. Barbara Ives Reich Kochmann, comp, Richard Kochmann, comp. A lengthy compilation by the granddaughter of Howard Colby Ives designed to be a study guide to the Writings, covering knowledge of God, the station of the Manifestations, the nature of the Covenant, and the dynamics of creation, constancy, and servitude. Compilations-personal.
42. 2011-09. Covenant, Day of the (November 26). Christopher Buck. Encyclopedia.
43. 2010-12. Material and Spiritual Worlds. Peter J. Khan. Four talks on the Five-Year Plan given at the North Island Bahá'í Summer School, Hamilton, New Zealand, December 2010. Audio.
44. 2010-04. Abdu'l-Baha's First Thousand-Verse Tablet: History and Provisional Translation. Ahang Rabbani, Khazeh Fananapazir. Tablet revealed in 1897 in response to events in Akka and the rebellion against Abdu'l-Bahá by his family members after the passing of Bahá'u'lláh. Articles.
45. 2010. We are overdue to honour our end of our covenant with God. Ted Slavin. Overview of the meanings of the Covenant, from a personal perspective. Newspapers.
46. 2010. Guardianship and the Universal House of Justice. Universal House of Justice. UHJ-letters.
47. 2010. Historical Consciousness and the Divine Plan. Douglas Martin. A series of eight short talks (total around two hours), in both audio and video formats, on the evolution of religion and humanity. Includes compilation materials for further study. Audio.
48. 2010. Balancing Constancy and Change in the Bahá'í Faith. Peter J. Khan. Address to the 2010 United States Bahá'í convention: transcript, video, and audio. Talks.
49. 2009-2019. Lists of Articles. Brent Poirier. Lists of 126 articles at the author's six blog websites. Essays.
50. 2009-2011. Provisional Translations of Selected Writings of the Báb, Baháʼuʼlláh, and ʻAbdu'l-Bahá. Peyman Sazedj. Twenty-four translations from 2009, 2010, and 2011 copied from the defunct website peyman.sazedj.org. Translations.
51. 2009-04. Administration, Bahá'í. Glenford Mitchell. On the international system governing the affairs of the Bahá’í Faith; a framework based on elected councils that hold legislative, executive, and judicial authority and on appointed individuals whose role is to protect and advise. Encyclopedia.
52. 2009-02-09. Islam, the Baha'i Faith and the Eternal Covenant of Alast. Susan Maneck. Essays.
53. 2009. Guardianship, The Universal House of Justice, and Infallibility. Universal House of Justice. The House is infallible even without the Guardian, because that the Guardian's chief function was interpretation and not legislation. UHJ-letters.
54. 2009. Mysteries of Alast: The Realm of Subtle Entities and the Primordial Covenant in the Babi-Bahá'í Writings. Farshid Kazemi. One of the more esoteric concepts in Shi'i and Shaykhi thought is the "realm of subtle entities," 'ālam-i dharr, a sort of pre-existence for the archetype of humanity, which is relevant to free will and the seven stages of creation. Articles.
55. 2008/2022. Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh, The. Boris Handal. Overview of the Bahá'í Covenant, the nature of Covenant-breaking, and the spiritual foundation for being firm in such a fundamental principle. Essays.
56. 2008. Shoghi Effendi's The Dispensation of Bahá'u'lláh: A Theology of the Word. Jack McLean. An interpretation of Shoghi Effendi's 'theological' themes, including fundamental tenets of Bahá'í theology; the 'stations' of the Central Figures; exclusivist, inclusivist and pluralist statements; and the apologetic method of comparison. Articles.
57. 2008. Gate of the Heart: Understanding the Writings of the Bab (contents and index only). Nader Saiedi. A lengthy, detailed examination of the context, chronology, and content of the writings of the Báb. (Link to document, offsite; only the contents and index are on this site, for keyword searching.) Excerpts.
58. 2007. Mírzá Yahyá Azal, Designation of in the Writings of the Báb. Universal House of Justice. UHJ-letters.
59. 2007. Will and Testament of The Báb. The Báb. One-page scan of a document commonly, though inaccurately, referred to as the "Will and Testament." Writings.
60. 2007. Making the Crooked Straight. Udo Schaefer, Nicola Towfigh, Ulrich Gollmer. Two pages on a prophecy concerning the advent of Man Yuzhiruhu'llah. Excerpts.
61. 2007. Bahá'í Covenant, The. Alí Nakhjavání. The continuing importance of the Bahá'í concept of the Covenant and its implications to an understanding of Bahá'í history; misconceptions about the covenant; covenant-breakers; the passing of Shoghi Effendi without writing a will or testament. Articles.
62. 2006/2011. Abrahamic Covenant as the Pathway to the Glory of God, The: Exploring the Mysteries of Divine Unity. Ray Estes, Miles Lane. 77 audio files of talks and interviews by a born-again Christian who became a Bahá'í, and related material, including presentations on spiritual truths and the rapture of "end times," and archive of the website innermeanings.com. Audio.
63. 2006/2008. Guardianship and the Universal House of Justice, The. Ian C. Semple. Reflections on the Guardianship and Universal House of Justice by a former House member. Includes an interesting Q&A on topics including women on the House, Shoghi Effendi's personality, infallibility, Bahá'í scholarship, fundamentalism, etc. Articles.
64. 2006. Seeds of Revelation and the Mystic Bond between The Báb and Bahá'u'lláh: An Exposition on Excerpts from the Persian Bayán. James B. Thomas. A comparison of some of the writings of the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh, showing the unique, mysterious bond between them as the Twin Messengers of the Bahá'í Dispensation. Articles.
65. 2005-08-12. Bahá'í Community and the Life of the Mind, The. Douglas Martin. Audio.
66. 2005-05. Interpretation and the Guardianship. Ian C. Semple. Two versions of a talk presented at a seminar in Haifa, 1984, on differences between personal interpretation, authoritative interpretation, divinely guided legislation, and the role of the Guardian as interpreter Articles.
67. 2005-02-21. Covenant, The. Alí Nakhjavání. From a conference at Centro Studi Bahá'í, Acuto, Italy, February 19-26 2005. Audio.
68. 2005. One Common Faith. Universal House of Justice. Examines humanity’s spiritual crisis, critiques materialism and religious division, and affirms religion as a progressive, unifying force essential for moral development and global civilization. UHJ-documents.
69. 2005. Present Structure of Bahá'í Administration. Duane Troxel. One-page illustration showing the full structure of the Bahá'í Institutions and their inter-connections. Visual.
70. 2005. Passing of Shoghi Effendi, Ministry of the Hands of the Cause, and Defection of Mason Remey, The. Shahin Vafai. Essays.
71. 2005. Bahá'í Faith and the World's Religions. Moojan Momen, ed. Papers presented at 'Irfán Colloquia. Books.
72. 2005. Seeing Double: The Covenant and the Tablet of Ahmad. Todd Lawson. The Tablet of Ahmad is believed to have special potency. "Seeing double" means both looking at the words of Scripture, and looking in the direction beyond the words, as indicated by the context. This paper also discusses the meaning of Covenant in Islam. Articles.
73. 2004/2007. Towards World Order. Alí Nakhjavání. Transcripts of six talks given at a week-long course on the World Order of Bahá'u'lláh, sponsored by the NSA of Italy. Document includes compilation and outline. Study.
74. 2004-2014. Powerpoints for Deepening. Duane Troxel. 26 presentations in Powerpoint format, on a variety of topics covering Bahá'í history, Central Figures, teachings, and relationship with Islam. Presentations.
75. 2004-09-06. Self-Defense, the Ungodly, Infallibility, and Sexual Violence and Abuse. Universal House of Justice. Answers to a number of questions, with extracts from four letters of the House, on self-defense, the ungodly, infallibility, sexual violence, and abuse. UHJ-letters.
76. 2004-09. Will and Testament: Translation and Commentary. The Báb, Sepehr Manuchehri, trans. . Examination of four available manuscripts, dates of issue, variations, exclusions, verse numbering followed by a running commentary on its tone, message and implications for the future of the Bábí movement. Study.
77. 2004-05-28. Tablet of the Báb Lawh-i-Vasaya, "Will and Testament"; Titles of Mírzá Yahyá. Universal House of Justice. Two questions: on the Tablet of the Bab "Lawh-i-Vasaya: The Will and Testament"; the nature of the appointment and titles of Mírzá Yahyá. Includes two attachments: Tablet of the Bab Lawh-i-Vasaya and excerpt from Making the Crooked Straight. UHJ-letters.
78. 2004. Azálí-Bahá'í Crisis of September, 1867, The. Juan Cole. On the history of a fateful weekend during which the Bábí movement in the nineteenth-century Middle East was definitively split into the Bahá'í and Azalí religions. Articles.
79. 2003. Spiritual Footprints in the Sands of Time. Kevin Brogan. The covenantal relationship between God and humankind; the lives of the founders of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, and Buddhism; the societies in which these religions developed; and some of their common features. Articles.
80. 2003. Tablet to Jamál-i-Burujirdí (Lawh-i-Jamál-i-Burujirdí). Abdu'l-Bahá, Khazeh Fananapazir, trans. . Tablet to a one-time Covenant-breaker on the importance of obedience to the Covenant. Translations.
81. 2003. Introduction to Bahá'í Law, An: Doctrinal Foundations, Principles and Structures. Udo Schaefer. A pioneering look at Bahá'í law both in general and in detail, the foundations and principles of which can only be understood within their theological context. Articles.
82. 2003. Styles of piety: Notes on the relationship between Bahá'í scholars and the Bahá'í institutions with reference to academic methodology. Todd Lawson. On the role of the scholar in the community, the phenomenon of the internet, and the institution of the Covenant, as seen in the light of the intellectual heritage of the Islamic world. Articles.
83. 2002. Kitáb-i-Aqdas as a Lens with which to Examine some of the Dilemmas of Modernity, The. Betsy Omidvaran. Contrast between the Aqdas - the source of laws of future society - and issues of the modern world as it had evolved up to the 19th century. Discussion of Houses of Worship, universal language, financial principles, justice, the Covenant, and unity. Articles.
84. 2002. Kitab-i-Aqdas Questions and Concordances. Habib Riazati. The Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh and their relationship to selected passages in The Aqdas; New Laws That Abrogate the Laws of Former Dispensations; Correlation of Paragraphs, Notes, and Questions and Answers of the Aqdas; sample questions. Study.
85. 2002. Covenant Deepening: Workshop Materials. Mona G. Seow, Jimmy Seow. A nine-part set of deepening materials on the Covenant, including study guides, a book-length compilation on the covenant, a crossword puzzle, and group discussion topics and activities. Study.
86. 2001-04-04. Withdrawal from the Faith. Universal House of Justice. UHJ-letters.
87. 2001-04. Universal House of Justice and the Principles of Jurisprudence. Abdu'l-Bahá, Universal House of Justice, trans. . Authorized translation of an excerpt of a tablet on "the wisdom of referring certain important laws to the House of Justice." Translations.
88. 2001-01. Loyalty to the Covenant and Critical Thought. Udo Schaefer, Harry Liedtke, trans, Nancy Ackerman, ed. . A commentary for Bahá’ís examining the balance of critical thought with loyalty to Bahá’í institutions. Articles-unpublished.
89. 2001. Keys to the Proper Understanding of Islam in "The Dispensation of Baha'u'llah". Brian Wittman. Some references to Islam in Shoghi Effendi's English-language writings. Articles.
90. 2001. Child of the Covenant, by Adib Taherzadeh: Review. Tricia Fallon-Barry. Brief review of this sequel to Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh. Reviews.
91. 2001. Unity Principle, The: Ideas of Social Concord and Discord in the Bahá'í Faith. Robert Stockman. The concept of unity pervades Bahá’í thought, expressed both in the functioning of Bahá’í administration and the Bahá’í community and in the avoidance of political partisanship in the relationship of Bahá’ís to the wider world. Articles.
92. 2000-06. Address at Queen's Birthday Weekend Conference, Auckland. Peter J. Khan. Addresses a variety of issues facing the Bahá'í community, especially as pertains to New Zealand Bahá'ís. Talks.
93. 2000. Kitáb-i-Aqdas (Most Holy Book): Questions and Concordances. Habib Riazati. Study questions, categorized cross-references to the Aqdas and its notes and "Questions and Answers," topical concordances, and other research materials. Study.
94. 2000. Spiritual Nature of Reality, The: Has the Future Already Been Written?. John S. Hatcher. Meditations on "Who is Writing the Future": why is spiritual development a social as well as personal matter; what is epistemological methodology for this development; how is it distinct from materialism; and how does it relate to the Covenants? Articles.
95. 2000. Concept of Sacred Justice in Hebrew Eschatology. Gary Selchert. The concepts of Justice and Judgment in the Hebrew Bible; centuries before Christ, the social order of the Israelite tribes was legislated and enforced in accordance with the Covenant and Law of Moses; the formation of social ethics. Articles.
96. 2000. Promoting the Equality of Women and Men: The Role of the Covenant. Janet A. Khan. The implementation of the principle of gender equality; the application of relevant Bahá’í law, including progressive clarification and application, the principle of convergence, and the exercise of restraint, all so as to ensure enduring change. Articles.
97. 2000. Fact and Fiction: Interrelationships between History and Imagination. Bahíyyih Nakhjavání. On the tension between "fact" and "fiction," between objective history and our relative and subjective stories, between art as the representation of reality and faith based on the Word of God. We inherited a responsibility to resolve this tension. Articles.
98. 2000. Child of the Covenant, The. Adib Taherzadeh. Link to book (offsite). Books.
99. 1999-12. Truth Triumphs: A Bahá'í Response to Misrepresentations of the Bahá'í Teachings and Bahá'í History. Peter Terry. Rebuttal of Francis Beckwith's thesis "Bahá'í, A Christian response to Bahá'ísm, the religion which aims toward one world government and one common faith." Articles-unpublished.
100. 1999. Principle of Succession in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, The: Wilmette Institute faculty notes. Brent Poirier. Study.
101. 1999. Hidden Words: Allusion to Progressive Revelation in Persian HW #77. Daryl Lowery. Student paper, exploring one of the longest and more mystical Hidden Words. Study.
102. 1999. Irish Bahá'í Summer School. Adib Taherzadeh. A wide-ranging talk on the administrative order, anecdotes about George Townshend, and time spent in Ireland. Audio.
103. 1999. New Creation, A: The Power of the Covenant in the Life of Louis Gregory. Gayle Morrison. Louis Gregory's achievements, focussing on his promotion of the oneness of humankind, teaching the Bahá’í Faith, and administering its affairs. Gregory became both a herald of the Covenant and an enduring example of its transforming power. Articles.
104. 1999. Knowledge and the Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh: Invited Commentary. Ian C. Semple. On the apparent contradiction between following infallible divine guidance while pursuing an unfettered search after truth, and the culture of academic writing. Articles.
105. 1999. References of 'Abdu'l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi to the Hidden Words: Introduction. Dominic Parviz Brookshaw. Essay written as introduction to the Compilation on the Hidden Words, both published in BSR 9. Essays.
106. 1999. Paradise and Paradigm: Key Symbols in Persian Christianity and the Bahá'í Faith. Christopher Buck. Study of Bahá'í and Christian symbology, the "first academic monograph comparing Christianity and the Bahá'í Faith." Books.
107. 1999. Ancient Covenants. Don Dainty. God fulfills his promises; the twin duties of faith and obedience; fulfillment of ancient covenants. Essays.
108. 1999. 'Descent' of Revelation on 'Clouds'. Don Dainty. The use of "clouds" in Jewish and Christian prophecy; literal vs symbolic meanings of "clouds"; progressive revelation. Essays.
109. 1999. Universal House of Justice, The: Bahá'u'lláh's Agent of Change. Geoffrey W. Marks (published as Geoff Marks). On the nature of change within a community, its methods and authority; the rate and parameters of socially-acceptable change; how the Universal House of Justice exercises wisdom in leading the Bahá'í community. Articles-unpublished.
110. 1998/2012. Apostle Paul, a "False Teacher"?. Universal House of Justice. Whether Bahá'í Writings state that Paul was a "false teacher," the relationship between apostles Paul and Peter, and some Bahá'í teachings on Christianity. UHJ-letters.
111. 1998-03-17. Tablet of 'Abdu'l-Baha Concerning Arius. Universal House of Justice. Arius was an early Christian theologian whose rejection of the Trinity, Abdu'l-Bahá said, destroyed the unity of the Church. UHJ-letters.
112. 1998-01-06. Concerns raised about the absence of a Guardian to succeed Shoghi Effendi. Universal House of Justice. On the lack of a Guardian to succeed Shoghi Effendi, the possibility of a member of his family expressing contrition and being admitted into the community, and the functions of Guardianship in his absence. UHJ-letters.
113. 1998. Twin Covenants of the Bahá'í Faith. Brent Poirier. Nature of the "Twin Covenants" of the Bahá'í Faith — those of Bahá'u'lláh and of Abdu'l-Bahá; includes compilation of relevant quotations. Essays.
114. 1998. Hidden Words: References of 'Abdu'l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi. Abdu'l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi, Universal House of Justice, Research Department, comp. . Compilations.
115. 1998. Infalibilidad: Un Ensayo. Susan Maneck, Badi Villar Cardenas, trans. . Spanish translation of Maneck's essay "Infallibility: An Essay." Essays.
116. 1998. Infallibility: An Essay. Susan Maneck. Short overview of the meaning of infallibility, as applied to Bahá'u'lláh and Abdu'l-Bahá. Essays.
117. 1998. Symbolic Profile of the Bahá'í Faith, A. Christopher Buck. A “symbolic profile” of Bahá’í consciousness as shaped by the writings of Bahá’u’lláh and ancillary texts: Ninian Smart’s dimensional model of religion is used to order and classify the symbols, together with insights from Sherry Ortner & John Wansbrough. Articles.
118. 1998. Obedience: Liberation through Love of God in Practice. Roxanne Lalonde. The virtue of obedience in light of the Covenant, contemporary secular notions of obedience, attitudes and behavior of Bahá'ís in the West, and some incidents of expulsion or resignation from the Faith. Articles.
119. 1997-12. Episodes in the History of the Covenant (Waqáy-i-Tárikhiyyih dar 'Ahd wa Mitháq-i-Iláhi). Shoghi Effendi, Khazeh Fananapazir, trans, Mehdi Wolf, ed. . Message revealed by the Guardian to the Bahá'ís of ‘Irán concerning the incorruptibility of the Covenant. Translations.
120. 1997-07. Remembering Shoghi Effendi as Interpreter. Glenford Mitchell. Scholarly talk on the nature of interpretation and the Covenant, given at Foundation Hall of the House of Worship in Wilmette. Talks.
121. 1997-06-04. Authority of the Hands of the Cause to direct the Faith and expel Covenant-breakers. Universal House of Justice. Authority of the Hands of the Cause assume control of the Faith and eject Covenant-breakers following Shoghi Effendi's passing. UHJ-letters.
122. 1997. Love Relationship between God and Humanity: Reflections on Baha'u'llah's Hidden Words. Julio Savi. An overview of God and man's relationship as expressed in Bahá'u'lláh's Hidden Words. Articles.
123. 1997. Mason Remey and Those Who Followed Him. Universal House of Justice. Letter from the US NSA on the importance of commitment to the covenant, a letter from the UHJ on covenant-breaking, and the history "Mason Remey and Those Who Followed Him." UHJ-letters.
124. 1997. Guardianship and the House of Justice. Sen McGlinn. The Context of The Dispensation of Bahá'u'lláh; the distinction and separation of the Guardianship and the Houses of Justice; distinctions between the Guardian and the Exemplar; the inseparability of the Guardianship and the Universal House of Justice. Articles-unpublished.
125. 1997. Covenant, The: Brit Olam. Peter Terry. The concept of covenant is found in the Bible, the Qur'an, and Bahá'í writings. Using the form of an inter-religious dialogue, this paper correlates references to covenant in four religions, demonstrating the distinctive characteristics of each. Articles-unpublished.
126. 1996-03-31. Role of the Scholar: Scholarship and the Covenant. John S. Hatcher, Abdu'l-Missagh Ghadirian, Mark Towfiq, comp. . Essays "The New Role of the Scholar in Bahá'í Society" and "Scholarship and the Covenant." Essays.
127. 1996-03-14. Laymen vs. Scholars in Bahá'í Studies. Universal House of Justice. No distinction should be drawn between "laypeople" and "scholars" in Bahá'í studies, and the pursuit of knowledge. UHJ-letters.
128. 1996 Winter. Flow of Divine Authority. Brent Poirier. Scriptural authority for the Universal House of Justice to function infallibly without the presence of a living Guardian. Articles.
129. 1996. Origins of Shi'ism: A Consensus of Western Scholarship. Jonah Winters. Shi'ism, representing about 10% of the umma, is often regarded as illegitimate by the majority Sunnis. Using Western historiographical methods, I examine three key events occuring during the life of Muhammad that are used to legitimize Shi'i origins. Personal.
130. 1996. Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1963-1986: Third Epoch of the Formative Age. Universal House of Justice, Geoffrey W. Marks, comp. . Books.
131. 1996. Election and Infallibility of the Universal House of Justice. Universal House of Justice. Answers to three questions: Why were steps taken to elect a Universal House of Justice with the foreknowledge that there would be no Guardian? Was the time ripe for such an action? Could not the International Bahá'í Council have carried on the work? UHJ-documents.
132. 1996. Proselytizing, Development, and the Covenant. Universal House of Justice. Teaching vs. proselytization; applying Bahá'í social teachings without becoming ensnared in prevailing cultural mores; and the uniqueness of the Bahá'í covenant. UHJ-letters.
133. 1995-09. Covenant, The. Darius K. Shahrokh. Overview of two covenants: one with all Prophets regarding the next Manifestation, specifically the Covenant of the Bab; and Bahá'u'lláh's Covenant protecting the divine word from human interference and safeguarding the unity of Bahá'ís and all humankind. Audio.
134. 1995-05-18. Administrative Order, Suggestions about changes in. Universal House of Justice. Ways in which Bahá'ís may make suggestions for change within the Bahá'í administration, and the nature of internet discussions. UHJ-letters.
135. 1995-05. Obedience. Darius K. Shahrokh. The meanings of infallibility, obedience to Bahá'u'lláh, the covenant of God with humanity, and the paradox of law being the instrument of liberation, not limitation. Audio.
136. 1995-03-12. Mental Tests. Universal House of Justice. Meaning of the phrase "mental tests" in the writings of Abdu'l-Bahá and of Shoghi Effendi. Includes short compilation of relevant passages. UHJ-letters.
137. 1995. Covenant, The, and Covenant-breaker. Moojan Momen. Encyclopedia.
138. 1995. Bahá'í Cosmological Symbolism and the Ecofeminist Critique. Michael W. Sours. Constituents of Bahá'í cosmological symbolism; introduction to the main feminist/environmentalist arguments; eschatological character of Bahá'í cosmological symbolism; Bahá'í eschatology provides answers to many feminist and ecological objections. Articles.
139. 1993. God's Promise to Humanity: Warwick Leaflets. Warwick Bahá'í Bookshop. Essays.
140. 1992-12-08. Guardianship, Anticipation of, in the Kitab-i-Aqdas. Universal House of Justice. Did Bahá'u'lláh anticipate the Institution of the Guardianship in the Kitab-i-Aqdas? UHJ-letters.
141. 1992-04-09. Humanity's Coming Encounter with Baha'u'llah. Douglas Martin. Retrospective look at the previous 100 years of Bahá'í history, current shifts of focus and teaching plans, and the prospects for the future which the new Message can bring. Talks.
142. 1992 [1905-1907]. Will and Testament of Abdu'l-Bahá. Abdu'l-Bahá. 'Abdu'l-Bahá's Will and Testament consists of three parts - all three written in His own hand. The first one was revealed around 1905 and the second and third sometime around 1907. Writings.
143. 1992. Ministry of the Custodians 1957-1963, The: An Account of the Stewardship of the Hands of the Cause. Universal House of Justice, Rúhíyyih Khánum. Account of the stewardship of the Hands of the Cause of God from 1957-63, from the passing of Shoghi Effendi to the election of the House, riding the waves of crisis to the moment of victory — the fulfillment of prophecy. Preface by R. Khanum. UHJ-documents.
144. 1992. Windows to the Past. Darius K. Shahrokh, Grace Shahrokh, comp. . Deepening talks on 25 topics about Bahá'í history and teachings, downloadable in MP3 audio format and PDF transcripts. Audio.
145. 1991/1996. Compilation of Extracts Regarding Arius. Universal House of Justice, Research Department, Abdu'l-Bahá, Mírzá Abu'l-Faḍl Gulpáygání. Collection of materials regarding an early Christian theologian who, in expounding that Christ was subordinate to God the Father, discarded the trinity and fractured the unity of the Church. UHJ-letters.
146. 1991-12-30. Questions about Aspects of the Bahá'í Teachings: Seven various questions. Universal House of Justice. On Bahá'í status and community membership, spiritual primacy, Most Great Spirit, studying the Covenant, revelation of the Bab, civil elections, and definition of a pioneer. Includes short compilation "Conditions for Membership in the Bahá'í Community." UHJ-letters.
147. 1991-03. Spiritual Health of American Community. Universal House of Justice. Publication of a letter addressing an individual's concerns for the spiritual health of the American Bahá’í community, and suggestions for personal action. (Letter dated Dec. 24 1990, published March 1991.) UHJ-letters.
148. 1991 [1938]. World Order of Bahá'u'lláh. Shoghi Effendi. Letters written by the Guardian, 1929-1936. Includes The Dispensation of Bahá'u'lláh. Writings.
149. 1991. Covenant [1991 republication]. Bahá'u'lláh, Abdu'l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi, Universal House of Justice. Compilation of authoritative Bahá’í texts explaining the Greater and Lesser Covenants, their purpose, authority, and essential role in preserving unity and continuity. Compilations.
150. 1991. Importance of Deepening Our Knowledge and Understanding of the Faith [1991 republication], The. Bahá'u'lláh, Abdu'l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi. Compilations.
151. 1990/1995/2007. World Order, Evolution Towards: Notes on recent secondary literature, compilation, and two memoranda from the Bahá'í World Centre. Universal House of Justice, Steve Cooney, comp. . Two letters, "Request for Materials about the World Order of Bahá'u'lláh" and "World Government and the Universal House of Justice," and compilation "Extracts from Letters Written by and on Behalf of the House of Justice on Evolution Towards World Order." Articles.
152. 1990-03. International Bahá'í Council. Duane L. Herrmann. History of the International Bahá'í Council. Articles.
153. 1990. Hinduism and the Bahá'í Faith. Moojan Momen. An attempt to explore the relationship between Hinduism and the Bahá'í Faith and to explain the Bahá'í Faith to those who are from a Hindu background. Books.
154. 1988 [1978]. Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh Revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas. Bahá'u'lláh. Writings.
155. 1988. Lights of Guidance: A Bahá'í Reference File. Bahá'u'lláh, Abdu'l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi, Universal House of Justice, Helen Bassett Hornby, comp. . The classic Bahá'í reference book. This is its first online edition. Compilations-personal.
156. 1987/1993. Major Themes of the Creative Word: Series of Books for Deepening and Studying. Melanie Smith, Paul Lample. Five activity books "designed to draw the student into a study of the profound concepts found in the Bahá’í Revelation." Youth Can Move the World, The Significance of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation, Spiritual Conquest of the Planet, The Covenant, etc. Books.
157. 1987/1989. Covenant, The. The Báb, Bahá'u'lláh, Abdu'l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi, Universal House of Justice, Universal House of Justice, Research Department, comp. . Extracts from the Writings of Bahá'u’lláh, the Báb, Abdu'l-Bahá, and Shoghi Effendi, letters of the Universal House of Justice, and letters written on its behalf. Original edition. Compilations.
158. 1987-2025. Ruhi Books. Ruhi Institute. Published volumes of the Ruhi Institute books. (Links to documents, offsite.) Books.
159. 1982-01-03. Letter to an Individual (on Belief, Development, and the Covenant). Universal House of Justice. Regarding questions raised about sharing Bahá'í beliefs, participation in social and economic development activities, and the significance of the Covenant. UHJ-letters.
160. 1977-08-22. Infallibility of the Guardianship and of the Universal House of Justice. Universal House of Justice. Distinction between the interpretive spheres of the Guardian versus the Universal House of Justice. UHJ-documents.
161. 1976. Dawn over Mount Hira and Other Essays. Marzieh Gail. A collection of essays on various topics of interest to Bahá'í studies and history. Most of these were first published in Star of the West and World Order between 1929 and 1971. Books.
162. 1974. Historical Analysis of Critical Transformations in the Evolution of the Bahá'í World Faith, An. Vernon Elvin Johnson. Detailed study of major changes in the Faith's history, opposition to such changes, and their resulting tensions and resolutions. Theses.
163. 1972-11-26. Constitution of the Universal House of Justice. Universal House of Justice. UHJ-documents.
164. 1971 [1944]. God Passes By. Shoghi Effendi. The classic — and canonical — historical summary and interpretation of the significance of the development of the Bábí and Baháʼí religions from 1844 to 1944. Writings.
165. 1971. Covenant and Administration, The. Bahá'u'lláh, Abdu'l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi, Hands of the Cause, United States Bahá'í Publishing Trust, comp. . Compilations-NSA.
166. 1969. View on Islam, A. Amin Banani. This lecture gives "a few generalizations about Islam that are directly significant to Bahá'ís." Audio.
167. 1967-12-09. Hidden Words, The: Transcript of a talk by Hand of the Cause of God A. Q. Faizí. Abu'l-Qásim Faizí. Talk delivered in Wilmette, Illinois. Talks.
168. 1966-05-27. Guardianship and the Universal House of Justice, The. Universal House of Justice. Passages from a letter on the relationship between the Guardianship and the Universal House of Justice, the timing of the election of the House, the lack of a will by or a successor to the Guardian, and the House's ability to function on its own. UHJ-letters.
169. 1963. Covenant of Baha'u'llah, The: A Compilation. National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the British Isles, comp. Lengthy compilation published as a book, first put together in 1950, of quotations from Scripture — Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Bábí, and Bahá’í — about the Covenant of God, the Eternal Covenant, and the Greater and Lesser Covenants. Compilations-NSA.
170. 1960-05-31. Statement on Mason Remey from the Western Hands of the Faith. Corinne True, Hermann Grossmann, William Sears. Background information on the claims of Remey, compiled by the Hands of the Cause of God in the Western hemisphere. Histories.
171. 1958-10-31. In the Days of the Guardian. Leroy Ioas. Includes the well-known comments by Shoghi Effendi about his reactions to being appointed Guardian. Audio.
172. 1957 (?). Spiritual Reinforcement: Study Questions, Compilation, and Quiz. Author unknown, comp. Questions and quizzes for individual study and group discussion, on "what every Bahá'í should know" about the Covenant and the Bahá'í way of living. Study.
173. 1957. Die Grundlagen Der "Verwaltungsordnung" Der Baha'i: (The foundations of the Baha'i administrative order). Udo Schaefer. Schaefer beschreibt in der Dissertation die Bahá'í-Verwaltungsordnung. Sie basiert auf dem Bund Gottes. Er erläutert im Detail die Bahá'í-Gemeinde, deren Elemente der Organisation, die Quellen des Bahá'í-Rechts und die verwendeten Begriffe. Theses.
174. 1956. Power of the Covenant, The: A Compilation. National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States, comp. Compilations-NSA.
175. 1952/2003. Memories of Nine Years in Akka. Youness Khan Afroukhteh, Riaz Masrour, trans. . Translation of Khatirát-i-Nuh-Saliy-i-‘Akká, the memoirs of Dr. Yúnis Afrukhtih, who served ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as secretary and interpreter from 1900-1909. Includes discussion of the history of Covenant-breaking. Pilgrims.
176. 1950. Covenant, The: An Analysis. George Townshend. A study guide in outline form on the idea of a covenant, Messengers and their missions, the covenant between the Messenger and the faithful, and covenant-breaking. Includes an appendix, compilation on the covenant. Compilations-personal.
177. 1949. Teaching Problems / Success in Teaching. Rúhíyyih Khánum. Three versions of an article: first published as "Teaching Problems" in March 1949, then as "Success in Teaching" in June 1949, and a Persian translation. Letters.
178. 1948/1949. Our Covenant with Abdu'l-Bahá. Horace Holley. Every Bahá'í has a mission to do their part in the quickening of souls. Bahá'ís meet in the spirit of consultation and action, inspired by the creative nature of the Faith, to deliver God's message and renew our personal covenant. Talks.
179. 1945/1982/1989. Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Baha: A Commentary. David Hofman. Books.
180. 1939. Heart of the Gospel: The Bible and the Bahá'í Faith. George Townshend. Using only the text of the Bible, Townshend provides a new reading of Scripture as a guidebook for those who seek a universal view of religion and the contemporary world. Books.
181. 1921. Prayer for Fathers. Abdu'l-Bahá, Ahmad Sohrab, trans. . Tablet revealed for Albert Windust, first American publisher of the Bahá'í Writings and founder of Star of the West, on the occasion of his father's passing. Translations.
182. 1914/1918. Firmness in the Covenant and Protection of the Cause of God. Charles Mason Remey. Two versions of an essay written in response to "certain conditions of violation" of the Covenant in London and other European assemblies: a 5-page essay from 1914, and a 28-page (unpublished?) article from 1918. Articles.
183. 1912-07-13. Center of the Covenant: Tablet to Mason Remey, interview with Badi'u'llah. Abdu'l-Bahá, Mirza Badi'u'llah, Ahmad Sohrab, trans. . Brief interview conducted by Howard MacNutt. Includes a tablet from Abdu'l-Bahá to Mason Remey. Histories.
184. 1907. Epistle to the Bahá'í World, An. Mirza Badi'u'llah, Ameen Ullah Fareed, trans. . Letter from the half-brother of `Abdu'l-Bahá about Badi'u'llah's exit from, return to, and then exit again from the Bahá'í Faith. Histories.
185. 1900. Addresses Delivered before the New York and Chicago Assemblies. Abdel Karim Effendi Teherani, Anton Haddad, trans. . Talks to the New York and Chicago assemblies, delivered at Abdu'l-Bahá's request, to deepen the believers following the covenant-breaking of Ibrahim Kheiralla, published as a 100-page booklet. Books.
186. 1900. Prayers, Tablets, Instructions and Miscellany: Gathered by American Visitors to the Holy City During the Summer of 1900. Edward C. Getsinger, Lua Getsinger, William Hoar, Anna Hoar. Around the time of Kheiralla's defection, Abdu'l-Bahá selected some texts on the Covenant which, along with pilgrim's notes of the second party of American Bahá'ís to visit Akka, were translated and published as this book. Pilgrims.

1. 1891-00-00 —
   Bahá'u'lláh revealed the Kitáb-i-`Ahd. [BBD32; CB142; GPB236–40, BKG420–5; RB4:419–20]
   • It was probably written at least one year before His Ascension. CB142]
   • In it Bahá'u'lláh alluded to Epistle to the Son of the Wolf as the `Crimson Book'. [DG16; ESW32; GPB238]
   • In Kitáb-i-`Ahd Bahá'u'lláh explicitly appointed `Abdu'l-Bahá His successor, the Centre of the Covenant and the Expounder of the revealed word. [BKG420; GPB239]
2. 1892-05-29 —
   The Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh  

   Bahá'u'lláh passed away at Bahjí in His seventy–fifth year. [AB47; BBRXXIX, 233; BKG420; CB148; GPB221; RB4:411]

   "The news of His ascension was instantly communicated to Sultán 'Abdu'l-Hamíd by 'Abdu'l-Bahá in a telegram which began with the words "the Sun of Bahá has set". [GPB222; AB47; BKG420]

   • He cited these last words, two verses from the Kitáb-i-Aqdas:

     "Say: Let not your hearts be perturbed, O people, when the glory of My Presence is withdrawn, and the ocean of My utterance is stilled. In My presence amongst you there is a wisdom, and in My absence there is yet another, inscrutable to all but God, the Incomparable, the All-Knowing. Verily, We behold you from Our realm of glory, and shall aid whosoever will arise for the triumph of Our Cause with the hosts of the Concourse on high and a company of Our favoured angels."

     "Be not dismayed, O peoples of the world, when the day-star of My beauty is set, and the heaven of My tabernacle is concealed from your eyes. Arise to further My Cause, and to exalt My Word amongst men. We are with you at all times, and shall strengthen you through the power of truth. We are truly almighty. Whoso hath recognized Me will arise and serve Me with such determination that the powers of earth and heaven shall be unable to defeat his purpose." [GWB137]

   • For an account by Túbá Khánum see CH105–9.
   • Bahá'u'lláh had spent 23 years, 8 months and 29 (or 30) days in the Holy Land. [DH12]
   • He passed away eight hours after sunset. [GPB221; UD170]
   • Shortly after sunset, on the very day of His passing, Bahá'u'lláh was buried beneath the floor of the northermost room in the house adjacent to the mansion of Bahjí, the house which had served as a dwelling-place for His son-in-law, Háji Siyyid 'Ali Afnán. This became the Qiblih of the Bahá'í Faith. [AB47; BBD211; BKG427; GPB222]
   • See CB149 and RB4:149 for the effect of Bahá'u'lláh's ascension on`Abdu'l-Bahá.
   • See ARG71-72 for `Abdu'l-Bahá's account of His attempt to convince Mírzá Muhammad-'Alí to be faithful to the Covenant.
   • See CoC132-134; AB52–3, CB148–9, 152-153 and RB4:148–9 for the theft of Bahá'u'lláh's cases containing His seals, papers and other items. See as well An Epistle to the Bahá'í World by Mirza Badi'u'llah, page 13, written during his short-life period of confession/redemption.
     • One of the documents in these cases was the original Long Obligatory Prayer that had been mentioned in the Kitab-i-Aqdas. Bahá'u'lláh had revealed the text but did not release it in order to avoid provoking conflict with Muslims. [Prayer and Worship by John Walbridge]
     • The box also contained a valuable ring and a rosary. "The ring was sold by Mírzá Muhammad-`Alí in the course of his journey in India and spent as travel money. And Mírzá Badi`u'llah wasted the rosary." [MBBA214
   • See AB52–61, CB148–51 and RB4:148–54 for the Covenant-breaking activities of Bahá'u'lláh's family immediately following His death.
   • For 'Abdu'l-Bahá's description of His Father see BWF220-224.
   • See GPB222–3 for the mourning following the ascension of Bahá'u'lláh.
   • In his book about Shoghi Effendi, Ugo Giachery recounted how that Guardian had asked him, "In the late forties" to bring to the Holy Land an alabaster sarcophagus that had been made by the believers in Rangoon, Burma. It was similar to the one they had made for the remains of the Báb. It had "reached the shores of the Mediterranean" but because of the unrest in the region, it had not been delivered.. He reported that "The sarcophagus is now in good hands waiting for the opportunity to be sent to its rightful destination." [SER117]
   • See BBR234–6 for a list of Europeans who had met Bahá'u'lláh.
3. 1892-06-07 —
   On the ninth day after Bahá'u'lláh's passing the Will and Testament of Bahá'u'lláh, the Kitáb-i-`Ahd (The Crimson Book) was read at Bahjí before a large assembly in His Most Holy Tomb. [AB51–2; BBD132; CB150; DH113; GPB238; RB4:419–20, BKG420-425]
   • In it Bahá'u'lláh explicitly appointed `Abdu'l-Bahá His successor, the Centre of the Covenant and the Expounder of the revealed word. [BKG420; GPB239]
   • The Kitab-i-'Ahd (The Book of the Covenant), was only document that explicitly announced 'Abdu'l-Bahá as the Centre of the Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh and the one to whom all must turn after His ascension. It was published among the believers only after Bahá'u'lláh's passing. This historic document was probably written at least one year before His ascension, for it is alluded to in the Epistle to the Son of the Wolf as the 'Crimson Book'. Bahá'u'lláh kept His Will and Testament secret, retained it in His own possession and did not share its contents with anyone during His lifetime. But there is evidence to suggest that He had intimated its contents to 'Abdu'l-Bahá. [CoCp29]
   • See CB150, 164 for the effect this had on the believers.
4. 1901-08-00 —
   `Abdu'l-Bahá wrote His Will and Testament over this seven-year period. [AB124–5, 484; BBD236]
   • It was written in three parts. [AB124–5, 484; BBD236]
   • It `may be regarded as the offspring resulting from that mystic intercourse between Him Who had generated the forces of a God-given Faith and the One Who had been made its sole Interpreter and was recognized as its perfect Exemplar'. [GPB325]
   • Shoghi Effendi calls the Will the "Charter of the New World Order". [WOB144]
   • For an analysis of its content and its import see AB484–93 and GPB325–8.
   • For a photo of the opening pages of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's Will and Testament see Bahá'í Media Bank.
5. 1901-11-26 —
   The Day of the Covenant

   The Day of the Covenant is a Bahá'í holy day honouring the Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh, in particular, 'Abdu'l-Bahá as the "Centre of the Covenant" and as such, the successor, the interpreter and the exemplar of the Bahá'í Faith. Bahá'u'lláh's Covenant also provided for the extension of this covenant to the Guardian and to the Universal House of Justice.
   The first celebration of the Day of the Covenant in North America was marked on this day in Chicago. It was sponsored by "The Chicago House of Justice" and the "Women's Assembly of Teaching". It was attended by both Mírzá Assad'ullah and Mírzá Abu'l-Fadl. It can be presumed that they had educated the community in the commemoration of this Holy Day. [BFA2xv,p56-57, 129,202]

   • Prior to this time some of the believers celebrated the birth of 'Abdu'l-Bahá on the 22nd of May. Others marked the 29th of May, the anniversary of the passing of Bahá'u'lláh and thusly, the day on which He acceded to the leadership of the Bahá'í community. 'Abdu'l-Bahá chose the day November 26th, as reckoned by the Gregorian calendar, as approximately half a year away from the day of Bahá'u'lláh's Ascension, to commemorate His appointment of the Centre of the Covenant. This Holy Day is now celebrated on the 25th or 26th of November depending on the date of Naw-Rúz.
   • The day was know as Jashn-i-A'zam (The Greatest Festival) in the East because He was Ghusn-i-A'zam, the Greatest Branch or the "Most Might Branch" [GPB238, BFA2:XV, 56; SA247, Day of the Covenant by Christopher Buck, AB523]
   • Further guidance on the Day of the Covenant..on the Bahá'í Reference Library in the book, named in translation, The Order and Creation Vol 4 p 17 it says in provisional translation, that the day should be about 180 and some days after the anniversary of the ascension of Bahá’u’lláh or the farthest day in the calendar from the day of the commemoration of the ascension of Bahá’u’lláh.
6. 1912-06-19 —
   `Abdu'l-Bahá clarified His station as the Centre of the Covenant. It is widely believed that He named New York the `City of the Covenant' on this occasion but no substantiation can be found, however, Shoghi Effendi noted that He did call New York City the "City of the Covenant" (CoF158; GPB288 refer). [239D:93; AB220; BBD55, ABNY51; DJT315-316]
   • This proclamation was made to about 125 people gathered in HIs house at West 78th Street.
   • The text of HIs talk can be found at SoW Vol 5 No 15 (December 12, 1914), p227-228. The translation of this talk was done by Dr Ameen Fareed. Notes were taken by "E. C. M." and revised by 'Abdu'l-Bahá and Fareed at Montclair on the 25th of June, 1912. [LGHC410n82] Also see [LGHC165-166].
   • This same day 'Abdu'l-Bahá named Lua Getsinger "Herald of the Covenant" while in Juliet Thompson's studio for the sixth sitting for His portrait. [LGHC157]
     • See 239D:92–93 for a description of this event.
   • It was on this day that 'Abdu'l-Bahá received a manuscript from Mirzá Abu'l-Fazl. He had it translated and printed, and called it The Brilliant Proof.
7. 1921-11-28 —
   Ascension of `Abdu'l-Bahá
   
   `Abdu'l-Bahá passed away at about 1:00 a.m., in Haifa. [AB452; BBD4; BBR347; GPB311; UD170]
   • For details of His passing see DOMH210-216, AB452, BW1:19-23; BW15:113-15 and GPB310-11. Westerners who were present in the Holy Land at the time included: Grace and Florian Krug, Louise and John Bosch from the USA, Ethel Rosenberg from London and Fräulein Johanna Hauff from Stuttgart as well as American Curtis Kelsey who was in the Holy Land to attend to the electrical installations in the Shrine of the Báb at the time. [AB462-463]
     Note: In fact, Ethel Rosenberg was en route to visit the Master when He ascended. She arrived from Port Said by train on the 2nd of December having learned of His ascension from a member of the staff on the train. [EJR182]
   • Sir Herbert Samuel and Sir Ronald Storrs led the funeral procession. [CH226]
   • This marked the end of the Apostolic, Heroic or Primitive Age of the Bahá'í Faith and the beginning of the Transitional Formative or Iron Age. [BBD35-6]
   • For a photograph of the cable sent announcing His passing see SW12, 15:245.
   • See The Passing of 'Abdu'l-Bahá by Shoghi Effendi and Lady Blomfield.
   • For a pen portrait of 'Abdu'l-Bahá see The Oriental Rose by Mary Hanford Ford pg 158-159
   • Also see AB452-83; HLS93-100.
   • This date marks the beginning of the First Epoch of the Transitional, Formative or Iron Age of the Faith.
   • See an account of the passing of 'Abdu'l-Bahá compiled by David Merrick.
   • See Part IX of The Utterance Project by Violetta Zein.
   • See WMSH26-52 for an account by John and Louise Bosch of the passing of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, the funeral, the reading if the Will, their subsequent time in the Holy Land and Egypt, and their teaching trip to Italy, Switzerland, and Germany. They arrived in New York on the 23rd of April and proceeded to Chicago to attend the National Convention. Shoghi Effendi had entrusted them with eight passages from the Will to be presented to the North American friends.
   • See The Station and Titles of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in The Bahá'í World on line.
8. 1922-01-03 —
   The Will and Testament of `Abdu'l-Bahá was read aloud for the first time, to a group of nine men, mainly senior members of `Abdu'l-Bahá's family. [BBRSM115; CB286; ER194; GBF14; PP45]
   • Shoghi Effendi was not present at the reading. [CB286; ER194]
   • Shoghi Effendi was appointed Guardian of the Bahá'í Faith. [WT11]
   • Shoghi Effendi had no fore-knowledge of the institution of the Guardianship nor that he would be appointed Guardian. [CB285; PP423]
   • The fact that Shoghi Effendi was to become 'Abdu'l-Bahá's successor was a well-guarded secret. The person who was privy to this appointment was the Greatest Holy Leaf. Another was a non-Bahá'í woman, Dr J. Fallscheer, a German physician who lived in Haifa and attended the ladies of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's household. When Shoghi Effendi was a child, 'Abdu'l-Bahá clearly stated to her that Shoghi Effendi would be His successor. But this information was not communicated to anybody else. [CoC30; PP1-2]
   • For a list of topics covered by the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahá see GPB328.
9. 1937-12-00 — The writing of Episodes in the History of the Covenant by Shoghi Effendi originally written as "Waqáy-i-Tárikhiyyih dar 'Ahd wa Mitháq-i-Iláhi" for the friends in Iran. In 1997 it was translated by Khazeh Fananapazir and edited by Mehdi Wolf. [Episodes in the History of the Covenant]
10. 1950-00-00 — The publication of The Covenant, An Analysis by George Townshend. It was published in Manchester by the Bahá'í Publishing Trust 15p. [Collins7.2578]
11. 1957-11-04 —
    Passing of Shoghi Effendi

    Shoghi Effendi passed away in London of coronary thrombosis after a bout of Asian influenza. [CB377; PP446 BW13:207-225]

    • The 1957 influenza pandemic (the "Asian flu") was a category 2 flu pandemic outbreak of avian influenza that originated in China in early 1956 lasting until 1958. It originated from a mutation in wild ducks combining with a pre-existing human strain. A vaccine for H2N2 was introduced in 1957, and the pandemic slowed down. There was a second wave in 1958, and H2N2 went on to become part of the regular wave of seasonal flu. Estimates of worldwide deaths vary widely depending on the source, ranging from 1 million to 4 million, with WHO settling on "about two million". [Sino Biological website]
    • He was in London to purchase some furniture to complete the interior of the International Archives Building at the time of his passing. [PP445]
    • For a tribute to Shoghi Effendi written by Amatu'l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum see BW13:58–226.]
      
      In it she lists four major aspects of his life: (Copied and arranged in point form here.)
      • "his translations of the Words of Bahá'u'lláh, the Báb, Àbdu'l-Bahá and Nabil's Narrative;
      • his own writings such as the history of a century, published as God Passes By, as well as an uninterrupted stream of instructive communications from his pen which pointed out to the believer the significance, the time and the method of the building up of their administrative institutions;
      • an unremitting programme to expand and consolidate the material assets of a world-wide Faith, which not only involved the completion, erection or beautification of the Bahá'í Holy Places at the World Centre but the construction of Houses of Worship and the acquisition of national and local headquarters and endowments in various countries throughout the East and the West;
      • a masterly orientation of thought towards the concepts enshrined in the teachings of the Faith and the orderly classification of those teachings into what might well be described as a vast panoramic view of the meaning, implications, testing and purpose of the religion of Bahá'u'lláh, indeed of religious truth itself in its portrayal of man as the apogee of God's creation, evolving towards the consummation of his development-the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth." [PP226-227]
    • See also Rabbání, The Guardian of the Bahá'í Faith and The Priceless Pearl.
12. 1957-11-25 —
    A proclamation was issued stating that Shoghi Effendi left no heir and made no appointment of another Guardian. [BW13:341–5; MC25–30]
    • See LOG310 for an explanation of the various meanings of the word 'Guardianship'.
    • See CB388–9 for a discussion of the continuation of the institution of the Guardianship.
13. 1957-11-26 —
    Interregnum

    Following the passing of Shoghi Effendi the international administration of the Faith was carried on by the Hands of the Cause of God with the complete agreement and loyalty of the National Spiritual Assemblies and the body of the believers. This was in accordance with the Guardian's designation of the Hands as the "Chief Stewards of Bahá'u'lláh's embryonic World Commonwealth." [Message of 9 March 1965]

    The beginning of the six year ministry of the Hands of the Cause residing in the Holy Land, or 'Custodians'. [BW16:90; WG45–6]

    • This period is known as the 'interregnum'. [BBD 120]
    • See BW14:467 for a summary of the work of the Hands of the Cause during this period.
    • The International Bahá'í Council continued to perform its duties at the World Centre under the direction of the Custodians. The appointed Council was replaced by an elected Council at Ridván of 1961. All National Assemblies and Regional National Assemblies participated in the election by postal ballot. [BBD118]
    • See alsoThe Ministry of the Custodians 1957-1963: An Account of the Stewardship of the Hands of the Cause.
14. 1963-04-21 —
    Establishment of the Universal House of Justice
    • The Universal House of Justice was elected for the first time. [BW14:427; MoC424]
      Those elected were: Charles Wolcott, ‘Alí’ Nakhjavani, H. Barrah Kavelin, Ian Semple, Luṭfu’lláh Ḥakím, David Hofman, Hugh Chance, Amoz Gibson, and Ḥushmand Fatheazam. [BW14p425]
    • The election was held at 9:30 in the morning at the home of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, 7 Haparsim Street, Haifa. [BW14:427; MoC425]
    • Ballots were received from all 56 national spiritual assemblies. [BW14:427]
    • 288 members of 51 national spiritual assemblies were present at the election. [BW14:427]
    • For a list of the electors see MoC406–13.
    • For details of the election see BW14:425–9 and MoC20–1.
    • The election marked the end of the Second Epoch during which time the Faith had spread globally. The Third Epoch began.
15. 1976-02-00 — The publication of the first booklet in the The Power of the Covenant series by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Canada. Part Four was published in October of 2000. Reproduction can be found on Bahá'í Media Library in English and in French.

1. 1956-03-00 — The course "The Covenant and the Individual, was conducted in British Columbia and consequently was given in every province in Canada. The National Spiritual Assembly requested that the Local Assemblies and Regional Teaching Committees to make certain that prospective believers were familiar with the essential contents of the following books: Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablet of the Branch, Book of the Covenant (Kitab-i-A!hd) and the Dispensation of Bahá'u'lláh. [CBN No89 June 1957 p1]

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