GROWTH OF ORTHODOX BAHA’I COMMUNITY IN INDIA - PART - 2

Abdu'l Baha, the Successor of Baha'u'llah

According to the written Will and Testament of Baha’u’llah called the Kitab-i-Ahd, his son Abbas Effendi, known as Abdu’l Baha who was born in Tehran on 23^rd May, 1844, was the successor of Baha u llah. His position in the Baha’i Faith is: The Interpreter of the Word of God, the Centre of the Covenant and thus the leader and the guide of the Baha’is throughout the world after his father’s passing and - last but not least – the Exemplar of the Baha’i Faith. He occupied the above position in 1892, when he was 48 years old. Since early childhood i.e. when he was 9 years old, he was exiled and imprisoned, and freed in the year 1908 when he was 64. It was after achieving this freedom at the age of 66 that he was able to fulfill his heart’s desire to spread the Faith and promulgate the healing words of his father, by traveling through Europe and United States of America during the years 1910 to 1913. Many books, tablets and prayers on almost all subjects concerning personal and social life of Baha’is were revealed by him, to which the Baha’is refer today and in the days to come. He died in on 28^th November, 1921, at the age of 77, The Heroic Age and the Covenant Epoch came to an end.

Shoghi Effendi, The First Guardian, Successor of Abdu'l Baha

As per Abdu’l Baha’s Will and Testament, Shoghi Rabbani was appointed his successor.  He was born in Acre (Akka) on 1^st March, 1897. He was only 24 years old and studying in England when he received the news of the passing of his beloved grandfather. Abdu’l Baha stated in his Will and Testament that Shoghi Effendi would be the Guardian of the Cause of God and the Interpreter of the Word of God after him. Also he wrote in the Will and Testament about the continuity of Guardianship in Baha’i Faith. Althogh so young in age, He powerfully and efficiently shouldered his great responsibility. He established the administrative order according to the teachings of Baha’u’ llah and Abdu’l Baha, built the shrines of the Bab, Baha’u’llah and Abdu’l Baha and also the Baha’i Archives and all the beautiful surrounding gardens in Haifa and Akka. He revealed a great number of books and tablets in Persian and English. The very most valuable benediction he bestowed upon the Western world was to translate the books, tablets and prayers of Baha’u’llah and Abdu’l Baha into English, a task which only he could achieve and that also perfectly and with such skill. He passed away to the Abha Kingdom in London on 4^th November, 1957, at the age of 60. He was the first guardian of Baha’i Faith for about 36 years.

A. Parikh
Hand of Cause of God,
Secretary, National Baha'i Council of India.