Chapter 71
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Various writings regarding the 'infallibility' of Shoghi Effendi and the Universal House of Justice.

In light of the many conflicts found in the writings of Shoghi Effendi and the Universal House of Justice when compared to the writings of Baha'u'llah, as shown in earlier chapters; and their failure to recognise Abdu'l-Baha (referred to as the "Self of God" and "My Proof" in the Tablet of the Branch) as the first Dependent Prophet of Baha'u'llah, as a Manifestation of God; and their failure to recognise the role of Dependent Prophets of Baha'u'llah in this dispensation (see, for example, Chapter 18, Chapter 31, Chapter 35, Chapter 53, and Chapter 60); the writings below regarding their 'infallibility' are demonstrably false. It is only Baha'u'llah, the Independent Prophet, the Most Great Infallibility, who has absolute infallibility, who is "sanctified from errors and omissions", whose authority none may question, and all others are His servants. As shown in Chapter 4 and Chapter 33, there is good reason to question the authenticity of what has been provided to the Baha'i world as Abdu'l-Baha's Will and Testament.
 

1)
88 GUARDIAN (Infallibility of the).
"The infallibility of the Guardian is confined to matters which are related strictly to the Cause and interpretation of the teachings; he is not an infallible authority on other subjects, such as economics, science, etc. When he feels that a certain thing is essential for the protection of the Cause, even if it is something that affects a person personally, he must be obeyed, but when he gives advice, such as that he gave you in a previous letter about your future, it is not binding; you are free to follow it or not as you please."
-- Shoghi Effendi, Directives from the Guardian, p. 33


2)
1050. Infallibility of the Guardian is Not for Individual Believers to Limit or to Judge.
"Shoghi Effendi was asked several times during his ministry to define the sphere of his operation and his infallibility. The replies he gave and which were written on his behalf are most illuminating. He explains that he is not an infallible authority on subjects such as economics and science, nor does he go into technical matters since his infallibility is confined to 'matters which are related strictly to the Cause'. He further points out that 'he is not, like the Prophet, omniscient at will', that his 'infallibility covers interpretation of the Revealed Word and its application', and that he is also 'infallible in the protection of the Faith'. Furthermore, in one of the letters, the following guideline is set forth:

"'... It is not for individual believers to limit the sphere of the Guardian's authority, or to judge when they have to obey the Guardian and when they are free to reject his judgment. Such an attitude would evidently lead to confusion and to schism. The Guardian being the appointed interpreter of the Teachings, it is his responsibility to state what matters which, affecting the interests of the Faith, demand on the part of the believers, complete and unqualified obedience to his instructions.'"
(From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to and individual believer, August 22, 1977)
-- Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 310


3)
Decisions to withhold the publication of certain documents, or to publish only excerpts initially, for the protection of the Faith and the believers have numerous precedents. For example, as is mentioned on pages 3 and 4 of the Introduction to the Synopsis and Codification of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Bahá'u'lláh Himself withheld the Most Holy Book for some time after its revelation before sending it to the friends in Iran. This, He explained, was because it contained the Law of Huqúqu'lláh. The Guardian, moreover, after the passing of the Master, at first published translations of only excerpts of the Will and Testament. It lies with the Head of the Faith at any period to make such decisions, for the Cause of God is surrounded by dangers of many different kinds which only the World Centre can correctly evaluate. Nor should this be a strange concept to Bahá'ís, for did not Bahá'u'lláh quote with approval the statement that "Not everything a man knoweth can be disclosed, nor can everything that he can disclose be regarded as timely, nor can every timely utterance be considered as suited to the capacity of those who hear it."
(23 March 1983 to an individual believer) [25]
https://bahai-library.com/compilation_literature_review


4)
In Chapter 46 (on "Covenant-Breaking"), are links to examples of the House interpreting, which, according to the Will and Testament, is "the exclusive right of the Guardian, and fell within the 'sacred and prescribed domain' of the Guardianship".

1051. Authoritative Interpretation of the Teachings is the Exclusive Right of the Guardian after 'Abdu'l-Bahá.
"It must always be remembered that authoritative interpretation of the Teachings was, after 'Abdu'l-Bahá, the exclusive right of the Guardian, and fell within the 'sacred and prescribed domain' of the Guardianship, and therefore the Universal House of Justice cannot and will not infringe upon that domain. The exclusive sphere of the Universal House of Justice is to 'pronounce upon and deliver the final judgment on such laws and ordinances as Bahá'u'lláh has not expressly revealed'. Apart from this fundamental difference in the functions of the twin pillars of the Order of Bahá'u'lláh, insofar as the other duties of the Head of the Faith are concerned, the Universal House of Justice shares with the Guardian the responsibility for the application of the Revealed Word, the protection of the Faith, as well as the duty 'to insure the continuity of that divinely-appointed authority which flows from the Source of our Faith, to safeguard the unity of its followers, and to maintain the integrity and flexibility of its Teachings.' However, the Universal House of Justice is not omniscient; like the Guardian, it wants to be provided with facts when called upon to render a decision, and like him it may well change its decision when new facts emerge."
-- Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 310


5.1)
053. God Ordained, in this Day, that Guidance has been Vouchsafed to Man Through Institutions.
"... In view of the fact that guidance in this day, through the Bounty of God, and because of the very nature of Bahá'u'lláh's Revelation, has been vouchsafed to man through institutions in this world; namely, the Guardianship at present; and also in the future, the International House of Justice; individuals are not in a position to interpret the Teachings, and have no justification for claiming special stations."
(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, December, 13, 1955)
-- Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 312

5.2)
The continuation of divine guidance-the primary theme of this Book is a unique feature of the Bahá'í Faith. Unlike any of the Manifestations of God Who preceded Him, Bahá'u'lláh, the Founder of the Bahá'í Faith, made a Covenant with His followers to direct and channel the forces released by His Revelation, guaranteeing the continuity of infallible guidance after His death through institutions to which all of His followers must turn.
-- The Universal House of Justice, Messages 1963 to 1986, p. v


6)
1055. The Guardian is Assured the Guidance of Both Bahá'u'lláh and the Bab.
"Instructions sent on behalf of the Guardian are binding, as are the words of the Guardian; although of course, they are not the Guardian's words.
"The Guardian's infallibility covers interpretation of the Revealed Word and its application. Likewise any instructions he may issue having to do with the protection of the Faith, or its well being must be closely obeyed, as he is infallible in the protection of the Faith. He is assured the guidance of both Bahá'u'lláh and the Báb, as the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahá clearly reveals."
(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, August 20, 1956)
-- Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 312


7)
1064. Infallibility of the Universal House of Justice not Dependant on the Presence of the Guardian.
"The infallibility of the Universal House of Justice, operating within its ordained sphere, has not been made dependant upon the presence in its membership of the Guardian of the Cause. Although in the realm of interpretation the Guardian's pronouncements are always binding, in the area of the Guardian's participation in legislation it is always the decision of the House itself which must prevail. It is supported by the words of the Guardian: "The interpretation of the Guardian, functioning, within his own sphere, is as authoritative and binding as the enactments of the International House of Justice, whose exclusive right and prerogative is to pronounce upon and deliver the final judgement on such laws and ordinances as Bahá'u'lláh has not expressly revealed. Neither can, nor will ever, infringe upon the sacred and prescribed domain of the other. Neither will seek to curtail the specific and undoubted authority with which both have been divinely invested."
(From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, May 27, 1966)
-- Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 315


8.1)
1065. The House of Justice has Conferred Infallibility.
"To epitomize: essential infallibility belongs to the supreme Manifestations, and acquired infallibility is granted to every holy soul. For instance, the Universal House of Justice, if it be established under the necessary conditions -- with members elected from all the people -- that House of Justice will be under the protection and the unerring guidance of God. If that House of Justice shall decide unanimously, or by a majority, upon any question not mentioned in the Book, that decision and command will be guarded from mistake. Now the members of the House of Justice have not, individually, essential infallibility; but the body of the House of Justice is under the protection and the unerring guidance of God: this is called conferred infallibility."
('Abdu'l-Bahá: Some Answered Questions, 1984 ed., Wilmette pp. 172-173)
-- Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 315

8.2)
The sacred and youthful branch, the guardian of the Cause of God, as well as the Universal House of Justice, to be universally elected and established, are both under the care and protection of the Abha Beauty, under the shelter and unerring guidance of His Holiness, the Exalted One (may my life be offered up for them both). Whatsoever they decide is of God. Whoso obeyeth him not, neither obeyeth them, hath not obeyed God; whoso rebelleth against him and against them hath rebelled against God; whoso opposeth him hath opposed God; whoso contendeth with them hath contended with God; whoso disputeth with him hath disputed with God; whoso denieth him hath denied God; whoso disbelieveth in him hath disbelieved in God; whoso deviateth, separateth himself and turneth aside from him hath in truth deviated, separated himself and turned aside from God. May the wrath, the fierce indignation, the vengeance of God rest upon him! 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 members of the House of Justice, upon all the Aghsan, the Afnan, 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, will make a breach in the Cause of God, will subvert His word and will become a manifestation of the Center of Sedition. Beware, beware, lest the days after the ascension (of Bahá'u'lláh) be repeated when the Center of Sedition waxed haughty and rebellious and with Divine Unity for his excuse deprived himself and perturbed and poisoned others. No doubt every vainglorious one that purposeth dissension and discord will not openly declare his evil purposes, nay rather, even as impure gold, would he seize upon divers measures and various pretexts that he may separate the gathering of the people of Baha. My object is to show that the Hands of the Cause of God must be ever watchful and so soon as they find anyone beginning to oppose and protest against the guardian of the Cause of God cast him out from the congregation of the people of Baha and in no wise accept any excuse from him. How often hath grievous error been disguised in the garb of truth, that it might sow the seeds of doubt in the hearts of men!
-- Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith - Abdu'l-Baha Section, p. 442



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