Shoghi Effendi: The Hands Do Not Have the Authority to Overrule the Guardian

 THE BAHA'I WORLD 

No. 288

February, 1955

 

A letter written on behalf of the Guardian by his Secretary and addressed on...June 6, 1954.

    Passage on Will and Testament

    "The statement in the Will of 'Abdu'l-Bahá* does not imply that the Hands of the Cause of God have been given the authority to overrule the Guardian.  'Abdu'l-Bahá could not have provided for a conflict of authority in the Faith.  This is obvious, in view of His own words, which you will find on page 13 [p. 11 of 1944 U.S. edition] of the 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 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,' etc."

*The passage in the Master's Will which provides for the successor to the Guardian, in which reference is made to the Hands of the Cause.




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