Baháʼí Line of Succession (Baháʼí Ministries)

Baháʼí Line of Succession (Baháʼí Ministries), framing it as crucial for the integrity and continuity of the Baháʼí Faith, particularly in the context of the Twin Institutions of the Guardianship and the Universal House of Justice (UHJ).

The Established Line of Succession (Baháʼí Ministries)

The Baháʼí Ministries present a direct and continuous line of succession, divinely ordained to safeguard the Faith:

Bahá’u’lláh (1863 - 1892): The Prophet-founder of the Bahá’í Faith. He ordained the Center of the Covenant to prevent differences and schisms, making it impossible for anyone to create a new sect.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá (1892 - 1921): Son of Bahá’u’lláh and His appointed Center of the Covenant. Bahá’u’lláh referred to him as "Him Who hath branched from this mighty Stock" and "the Most Mighty Branch".

Shoghi Effendi (1921 - 1957): Appointed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as the First Guardian in his Will and Testament. He is described as "the sign of God, the chosen branch, the guardian of the Cause of God".

Charles Mason Remey (1957 - 1966): Appointed by Shoghi Effendi as the Second Guardian. This appointment is based on Shoghi Effendi's cablegrams regarding Mason Remey's presidency of the International Bahá’í Council, which was seen as an "embryonic International Institution" that would "effloresce into Universal House of Justice". The sources state that "Presidency of the Universal House of Justice (including presidency of its several preliminary and successive active states) and Guardianship are synonymous terms, according to the Testament of ‘Abdu'l-Bahá," making Remey "his chosen successor- the second Guardian of the Faith".

Joel Bray Marangella (1966 - present): Appointed by Mason Remey as the Third Guardian through a sealed letter dated December 5, 1961. He was also appointed President of the second International Bahá’í Council.

Nosrat’u’llah Bahremand: Identified in a 2015 post by Mark V. Marangella as "the Guardian of the Cause of God, the Center of the Cause". This suggests a continuation of the Guardianship through him by the "Orthodox Baháʼí Faith" adherents.

The Twin Institutions and the Role of Succession

The sources emphasize that the Guardianship and the Universal House of Justice are twin institutions, divine in origin, essential in function, and complementary in purpose. They are designated as "chosen Successors" to Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, tasked with applying principles, promulgating laws, protecting institutions, and adapting the Faith to societal requirements. This system of succession, particularly the "twin institutions," offers "irrefutable evidences of Divine Guidance" and forms the "strength of the unity of the Faith," distinguishing the Baháʼí Revelation from others.

A cornerstone of this administrative order is the explicit decree by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá that "the guardian of the Cause of God is its sacred head and the distinguished member for life of that body" (the Universal House of Justice). This connection is considered indispensable:

The Guardianship enhances the prestige of the UHJ, stabilizes its supreme position, safeguards its unity, and ensures the continuity of its work.

It provides the "necessary guidance to define the sphere of the legislative action of its elected representatives [UHJ]".

"Divorced from the institution of the Guardianship the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh would be mutilated", its integrity imperiled, and its stability gravely endangered.

Obedience, submissiveness, and subordination to the Guardian are incumbent upon members of the House of Justice, the Aghsán, the Afnán, and the Hands of the Cause of God. The Guardian, however, "cannot override the decision of the majority of his fellow-members" but can insist on reconsideration of enactments he believes conflict with Bahá’u’lláh’s utterances.

The Orthodox Baháʼí Critique of the Current Universal House of Justice

The "North-East Indian Baha'is" sources present a strong critique of the mainstream Baháʼí Faith's administrative order, specifically asserting that the current Universal House of Justice is "illegitimate" and "bogus". This stance is fundamentally rooted in the belief that the Guardianship is a continuing, living institution and that the current UHJ operates without its "sacred head".

Key points of this critique include:

Absence of a Guardian: The "large body of Bahá'ís" does not believe in a living Guardian today. This is seen as a direct violation of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's Will and Testament, which designates the Guardian as the "sacred head" of the UHJ. The question is posed: "How can a body live without a head?".

Spurious Creation: The current UHJ is accused of being "spuriously created by the former Hands of the Cause, without authority and in total contradiction to the provisions of the Will and Testament of 'Abdu’l-Bahá". A legitimate Universal House of Justice, according to this view, can only be established "in the future and in due time, in accordance to the provisions of the Will and Testament of 'Abdu’l-Bahá".

Non-compliance with the Will and Testament: Several instructions from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's Will and Testament are cited as not being followed due to the absence of a Guardian, such as the Hands of the Cause electing nine persons to serve the Guardian, and the general requirement of obedience to the Guardian.

Deviation from the Truth: The presence of a living Guardian is considered essential to "keep us from deviating from the truth" and to "guide all the peoples of the world". Without a Guardian, it is feared that the Faith is "already deviating" from God's immutable purpose.

Illegitimate Collection of Huququ'llah (Right of God):

‘Abdu’l-Bahá's Will and Testament, and Shoghi Effendi, clearly state that "only the Guardian is the right authority of the Cause, and the Guardians will be the sole lawful recipients of the Huququ’llah".

The "illegitimate UHJ" is accused of "wrong doing" by demanding and collecting Huququ’llah without authority. It allegedly used a selectively picked 13-word answer from a Tablet by 'Abdu’l-Bahá, adding its own words to claim authority, but has failed to provide substantiating references.

Nosrat’u’llah Bahremand, identified as the Guardian, is stated to consider the payment of Huququ’llah "not obligatory for the Bahá’is" presently.

There is a criticism of lack of transparency from the UHJ regarding the large sums received, leading to accusations of misappropriation for administrative expansion and salaries, rather than public welfare.

Moral Failures and Loss of Faith: The "Haifan Baha'i Faith" (referring to the mainstream administration) is criticized for "rampant immorality" and "moral failure" among its teachers and key administration members (counselors, NSA members), with examples of divorce and sexual misconduct. The administration is accused of "overlook[ing] it and show[ing] love to her" in cases of disgrace, while simultaneously focusing on collecting Huququ’llah. This is contrasted with Shoghi Effendi's instruction for National Assemblies to take "immediate action" to protect the Faith and deprive offenders of voting rights to preserve purity. Such issues, combined with the absence of a Guardian, have led some sincere Baháʼís to lose "hopes in the administrative order".

In essence, these sources strongly argue that the divinely ordained line of succession, culminating in a continuous Guardianship, is paramount for the legitimacy and spiritual health of the Baháʼí Faith and its administrative institutions, particularly the Universal House of Justice. The absence of a recognized Guardian is presented as a fundamental flaw leading to the illegitimacy of the current mainstream UHJ and various administrative and moral issues.