Bahá’u’lláh, as the Revealer of God’s Word in this Day, has inaugurated “the Day which shall not be followed by night” by enunciating principles, formulating laws and ordinances, and establishing the institutions to bring about a “wellspring of enduring justice and peace—not for one place or one people, but for all places and all peoples”-–the Kingdom of God on earth. To ensure the harmonious and continuous operation of His Faith, Bahá’u’lláh ordained “twin institutions”–the Guardianship and the Universal House of Justice–with indisputable authority, to direct and canalize heavenly forces to guide humanity in the reordering of its affairs.

This section explores the emergence of these twin institutions and explores questions that students encounter in studying the Covenant.

In this section

• Where did ‘Abdu’l-Bahá derive His authority as the Center of Bahá’u’lláh’s Covenant?
• What is the station of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá?
• Where did Shoghi Effendi derive his authority as Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith?
• Where does the Universal House of Justice derive its authority as head of the Bahá’í Faith?
• What is the role of the Institution of the Hands of the Cause of God?
• What were the conditions set by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá for the appointment of a Guardian after Shoghi Effendi?
• Did Shoghi Effendi write a Will and Testament?
• Can the Universal House of Justice function properly without a living Guardian?