Bahá’u’lláh’s Covenant is unique in the annals of religious history, for it is not only penned in His own hand, it also provides for a divinely assisted, continuing center of divine guidance in the world. History has shown the proclivity of ambitious individuals to attempt, and sometimes succeed, to seize the reins of religious authority and distort the meaning of religious teachings to suit their own ends. Since the inception of the new Revelation, such individuals arose at different times, seeking to usurp authority, foment disunity, or alter the essential character of the Faith, but in every case their hopes were dashed on the rock of the Covenant. “Were it not for the protecting power of the Covenant to guard the impregnable fort of the Cause of God,” said ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, “there would arise among the Bahá’ís, in one day, a thousand different sects as was the case in former ages.” But in this Revelation, Bahá’u’lláh’s Covenant is the magnet that draws the hearts of its followers together.

This section explores different challenges to the Covenant which have arisen. In studying the questions explored, students will see how attacks on the Covenant have been ineffective and come to understand that future attacks will also be futile.

In this section

• Has the Covenant faced challenges in the history of the Bahá’í Faith?
• What purposes do challenges to the Covenant serve?
• How should we respond to challenges to the Covenant?
• What does the term “Covenant-breaking” mean?
• What challenges to the Covenant emerged after the passing of Baha’u’llah?
• What challenges to the Covenant occured after the passing of ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá?
• What challenge to the Covenant occurred after the passing of Shoghi Effendi?
• How did the Hands of the Cause protect the Bahá’í Faith after the passing of Shoghi Effendi?
• What kinds of challenges will the Covenant face in the future?