The House of Justice: consultation, care, and continuity

It behoveth them to be the trusted ones of the Merciful among men and to regard themselves as the guardians appointed of God for all that dwell on earth. It is incumbent upon them to take counsel together and to have regard for the interests of the servants of God, for His sake, even as they regard their own interests, and to choose that which is meet and seemly.

It is incumbent upon the Trustees of the House of Justice to take counsel together regarding those things which have not outwardly been revealed in the Book, and to enforce that which is agreeable to them. God will verily inspire them with whatsoever He willeth, and He, verily, is the Provider, the Omniscient.

… We exhort the men of the House of Justice and command them to ensure the protection and safeguarding of men, women and children. It is incumbent upon them to have the utmost regard for the interests of the people at all times and under all conditions.

Should the father fail in his duty he must be compelled to discharge his responsibility, and should he be unable to comply, let the House of Justice take over the education of the children; in no case is a child to be left without an education.

When the House of Justice is established, homes for the incapacitated will be founded, thus no one will need to beg. As the complement to the blessed verse indicates: "It is prescribed for all to earn a living" then He says "And for him who is unable, the deputies and the wealthy should designate what suffices him." The meaning of deputies is the deputies of the House, who are the members of the House of Justice.

Fourth: Everyone, whether man or woman, should hand over to a trusted person a portion of what he or she earneth through trade, agriculture or other occupation, for the training and education of children, to be spent for this purpose with the knowledge of the Trustees of the House of Justice.

… According to the fundamental laws which We have formerly revealed in the Kitab-i-Aqdas and other Tablets, all affairs are committed to the care of just kings and presidents and of the Trustees of the House of Justice.

This passage, now written by the Pen of Glory, is accounted as part of the Most Holy Book: The men of God's House of Justice have been charged with the affairs of the people. They, in truth, are the Trustees of God among His servants and the daysprings of authority in His countries.

… Religion bestoweth upon man the most precious of all gifts, offereth the cup of prosperity, imparteth eternal life, and showereth imperishable benefits upon mankind. It behoveth the chiefs and rulers of the world, and in particular the Trustees of God's House of Justice, to endeavour to the utmost of their power to safeguard its position, promote its interests and exalt its station in the eyes of the world. In like manner it is incumbent upon them to enquire into the conditions of their subjects and to acquaint themselves with the affairs and activities of the divers communities in their dominions.

Inasmuch as for each day there is a new problem and for every problem an expedient solution, such affairs should be referred to the Ministers of the House of Justice that they may act according to the needs and requirements of the time. They that, for the sake of God, arise to serve His Cause, are the recipients of divine inspiration from the unseen Kingdom. It is incumbent upon all to be obedient unto them. All matters of State should be referred to the House of Justice, but acts of worship must be observed according to that which God hath revealed in His Book.

As for the matter of election, it pertains to the general vote, that they may elect with complete freedom. We have no involvement in it except to pray for confirmation and success, that the beloved of God may be encompassed by divine favors and, through God's protection and assistance, may be successful in service to the Cause.

There is no doubt that these souls must be believing, assured, steadfast, firm and adorned with perfections, so that their reputation among the general public may be like the fragrance of musk, and the people will elect them. At present, wisdom and prudence do not permit the implementation of election rules, as this would cause commotion and sedition.

And now, concerning the House of Justice which God hath ordained as the source of all good and freed from all error, it must be elected by universal suffrage, that is, by the believers. Its members must be manifestations of the fear of God and daysprings of knowledge and understanding, must be steadfast in God's faith and the well-wishers of all mankind.

… And inasmuch as this House of Justice hath power to enact laws that are not expressly recorded in the Book and bear upon daily transactions, so also it hath power to repeal the same. Thus for example, the House of Justice enacteth today a certain law and enforceth it, and a hundred years hence, circumstances having profoundly changed and the conditions having altered, another House of Justice will then have power, according to the exigencies of the time, to alter that law. This it can do because that law formeth no part of the Divine Explicit Text. The House of Justice is both the initiator and the abrogator of its own laws.

The laws and ordinances that are not expressly defined in the Book must all be referred to the House of Justice and not to 'Abdu'l-Baha, inasmuch as He is the Expounder of such ordinances as have been specified in the Holy Writ and not the legislator of unspecified laws.

… 'Abdu'l-Baha is the expounder of the Word, not the law-giver.

Praise to be God, His Holiness Baha'u'llah-May my life be a sacrifice to his friends-hath expounded and fully explained everything in the manifested Book, hath not given any soul the chance to be confounded, hath designated the Expounder of the Book that he may fully explain and expose the manifest teachings of God; and hath devolved the ordinances which are not literally recorded in the Book, upon the Universal House of Justice which, whenever it is organized, will engage in the service of promulgating those ordinances which are not manifestly mentioned.

Today this process of deduction is the right of the body of the House of Justice, and the deductions and conclusions of individual learned men have no authority, unless they are endorsed by the House of Justice. The difference is precisely this, that from the conclusions and endorsements of the body of the House of Justice whose members are elected by and known to the worldwide Bahá’í community, no differences will arise; whereas the conclusions of individual divines and scholars would definitely lead to differences, and result in schism, division, and dispersion. The oneness of the Word would be destroyed, the unity of the Faith would disappear, and the edifice of the Faith of God would be shaken.

It is said in the blessed verse: "He Who is the Dawning-place of God's Cause hath no partner in the Most Great Infallibility. He it is Who, in the kingdom of creation, is the Manifestation of 'He doeth whatsoever He willeth'. God hath reserved this distinction unto His own Self, and ordained for none a share in so sublime and transcendent a station."

Know that infallibility is of two kinds: infallibility in essence and infallibility as an attribute. The same holds true of all other names and attributes: for example, there is the knowledge of the essence of a thing and the knowledge of its attributes. Infallibility in essence is confined to the universal Manifestations of God, for infallibility is an essential requirement of their reality, and the essential requirement of a thing is inseparable from the thing itself. The rays are an essential requirement of the sun and are inseparable from it; knowledge is an essential requirement of God and is inseparable from Him; power is an essential requirement of God and is likewise inseparable from Him. If it were possible to separate these from Him, He would not be God. If the rays could be separated from the sun, it would not be the sun. Therefore, were one to imagine the Most Great Infallibility being separated from the universal Manifestation of God, He would not be a universal Manifestation and would lack essential perfection.

But infallibility as an attribute is not an essential requirement; rather, it is a ray of the gift of infallibility which shines from the Sun of Truth upon certain hearts and grants them a share and portion thereof. Although these souls are not essentially infallible, yet they are under the care, protection and unerring guidance of God--which is to say, God guards them from error. Thus there have been many sanctified souls who were not themselves the Daysprings of the Most Great Infallibility, but who have nevertheless been guarded and preserved from error under the shadow of divine care and protection. For they were the channels of divine grace between God and man, and if God did not preserve them from error they would have led all the faithful to fall likewise into error, which would have wholly undermined the foundations of the religion of God and which would be unbefitting and unworthy of His exalted Reality.

To summarize, infallibility in essence is confined to the universal Manifestations of God and infallibility as an attribute is conferred upon sanctified souls. For instance, the Universal House of Justice, if it be established under the necessary conditions--that is, if it be elected by the entire community--that House of Justice will be under the protection and unerring guidance of God. Should that House of Justice decide, either unanimously or by a majority, upon a matter that is not explicitly recorded in the Book, that decision and command will be guarded from error. Now, the members of the House of Justice are not essentially infallible as individuals, but the body of the House of Justice is under the protection and unerring guidance of God: this is called conferred infallibility.

Briefly, Baha'u'llah says that "He Who is the Dawning-place of God's Cause" is the manifestation of "He doeth whatsoever He willeth", that this station is reserved to that sanctified Being, and that others receive no share of this essential perfection. That is, since the essential infallibility of the universal Manifestations of God has been established, whatsoever proceeds from them is identical with the truth and conformable to reality. They are not under the shadow of the former religion. Whatsoever they say is the utterance of God and whatsoever they do is a righteous deed; and to no believer is given the right to object: rather must he show forth absolute submission in this regard, for the Manifestation of God acts with consummate wisdom and human minds may be incapable of grasping the hidden wisdom of certain matters. Therefore, whatsoever the universal Manifestation of God says and does is the very essence of wisdom and conformable to reality.

Now, if certain souls fail to grasp the mysteries concealed within a given commandment or action of the True One, they should raise no objection, for the universal Manifestation of God "doeth whatsoever He willeth." How often has it happened that a wise, accomplished and sagacious person took a course of action, and those who were incapable of grasping its wisdom objected and questioned why he said or did thus. This objection is prompted by ignorance and the wisdom of that wise man is free and sanctified from error.

In like manner, a skilled physician "doeth whatsoever he willeth" in treating the patient, and the latter has no right to object. Whatsoever the physician may say or do, the same is sound and true, and he must be regarded by all as the embodiment of "He doeth whatsoever He willeth, and ordaineth whatsoever He pleaseth." The physician will doubtless prescribe remedies that are at variance with popular notions, but is it permissible for those who have no knowledge of science and medicine to object? No, by God! On the contrary, they must all acquiesce and follow whatsoever the skilled physician prescribes. Thus, the skilled physician "doeth whatsoever he willeth," and the patients have no share in this station. First, the skill of the physician must be ascertained, and once this has been done, he "doeth whatsoever he willeth."

Likewise, a general who is unrivalled in the art of war "doeth whatsoever he willeth" in all that he says or commands; and the same holds true of the ship's captain who masters the art of seafaring and of the True Educator who possesses all human perfections: they do whatsoever they will in all that they say and command.

In sum, the meaning of "He doeth whatsoever He willeth" is that if the Manifestation of God issues a command, enforces a law, or performs an action whose wisdom His followers cannot grasp, they should not think for a moment of questioning His words or actions. All souls are under the shadow of the universal Manifestation, must submit to the authority of the religion of God, and are not to deviate so much as a hairsbreadth. Rather, they must conform their every act and deed to the religion of God; and should they deviate from it they will be reproved and held accountable before God. It is certain that they have no share of the station "He doeth whatsoever He willeth," for it is confined to the universal Manifestation of God.

Thus Christ--may my soul be a sacrifice for His sake!--was the embodiment of the words "He doeth whatsoever He willeth," but His disciples had no share of this station, for they abided under His shadow and were not granted leave to deviate from His will and command. Salutations!

Should there be differences of opinion, the Supreme House of Justice would immediately resolve the problems. Whatever will be its decision, by majority vote, shall be the real truth, inasmuch as that House is under the protection, unerring guidance, and care of the one true Lord.

… At whatever time all the beloved of God in each country appoint their delegates, and these in turn elect their representatives, and these representatives elect a body, that body shall be regarded as the Supreme House of Justice.

And regarding the House of Justice, whether universal or otherwise, the removal of some of its members shall be by decision of the House of Justice itself, not at the request of individuals from among the people, except upon proof of transgression, oppression, and sin. Moreover, in all Houses of Justice, a majority of votes is acceptable while a minority of votes is unacceptable and invalid.

In this great Cycle and wonderful Dispensation, the majority of these non-essential commands which refer to the body are to be administered by the House of Justice, because this great Cycle is of long duration, this great Age is vast, continuous and eternal, and since changes and alterations are the characteristic and necessary demands of the world, therefore these material commands will be administered according to the exigencies of the time, but the very foundation of the Law of God has never been nor will be altered.

By His appointing the Expounder of the Holy Word, by setting up the Institution of the House of Justice, which is the legislative body elected by the people, and by enjoining non-interference in matters of belief and conscience, Baha'u'llah has barred the way that would lead to disruption in the Faith.

Know thou, O handmaid, that in the sight of Baha, women are accounted the same as men, and God hath created all humankind in His own image, and after His own likeness. That is, men and women alike are the revealers of His names and attributes, and from the spiritual viewpoint there is no difference between them.

… The House of Justice, however, according to the explicit text of the Law of God, is confined to men; this for a wisdom of the Lord God's, which will erelong be made manifest as clearly as the sun at high noon.

According to the ordinances of the Faith of God, women are the equals of men in all rights save only that of membership on the Universal House of Justice, for as hath been stated in the text of the Book, both the head and the members of the House of Justice are men. However, in all other bodies, such as the Temple Construction Committee, the Teaching Committee, the Spiritual Assembly, and in charitable and scientific associations, women share equally in all rights with men.

As regards the constitution of the House of Justice, Baha'u'llah addresses the men. He says: "O ye men of the House of Justice!"

But when its members are to be elected, the right which belongs to women, so far as their voting and their voice is concerned, is indisputable. When the women attain to the ultimate degree of progress, then, according to the exigency of the time and place and their great capacity, they shall obtain extraordinary privileges.

The available source contains an omission or incomplete wording; sentence boundaries need review.

None of those who enter the house of justice should reject she who is manifest in her knowledge, for she hath known the true import of the Cause through God's grace, and she is today an honor for this company.

An executive board is necessary. It may consist of both men and women; but the House of Justice will be composed of men only.

To be brief, God will raise pure, righteous and sincere beings for the House of Justice who will be under His protection and the decrees of the House of Justice shall be effective in all matters not especially 'provided for in the Book.'

[Being asked as to the sex of its membership, 'Abdu'l-Baha answered:]

The membership of the House of Justice shall be all men.

[Being asked if the members of the General House of Justice will be nine in number, He answered:]

The membership is not limited to nine. Nay, nine is the minimum number and it will gradually be increased nine by nine. For instance, it will be raised to numbers which are multiples of the number nine, such as eighty-one which is equal to nine times nine, and so forth.

Q. Am I right in thinking that the Houses of Justice will at first be instituted for the Bahais only, but when the Bahai Cause becomes widespread they will come to take the place of existing parliaments and legislative assemblies?

Abdul Baha: It is the same Beit-ul-Adl. Beit-ul-Adl will be established. It is like parliament. It takes its place, but this is a parliament which has the utmost of authority and power.

These council boards are not Houses of Justice. That is a universal affair to be organized in time by all. Now is not the time.

… Question: Should we organize into a legal body now, with a constitution?

Answer: The time for organization is not yet. At present the work must be entirely spiritual.

Now there is no House of Justice, but spiritual assemblies have been formed in various regions that consult about matters like the education of children, care of orphans, assistance to the weak, and spreading the divine fragrances. This spiritual assembly is also elected by majority vote.

As for renewal of elections and setting terms, that is referred to the Universal House of Justice which all Baha'is of the world will elect, because whatever is not explicitly stated in text, the Universal House of Justice will make a decision about it.

The Spiritual Assembly is in truth solely an assembly for the promotion of teaching. This is its greatest task and duty, though it also carries out minor matters such as schools for poor and weak children. However, the House of Justice is sovereign and legislates on matters not found in the divine texts. This House of Justice will be elected by universal suffrage according to the system used for national parliamentary elections, after the Cause of God is exalted and proclaimed.

Regarding the Spiritual Assembly (board of consultation, working committee, etc.) this is not the house of Justice. It is a purely spiritual Assembly and belongs to spiritual matters, and that is: to teach the Cause of God and diffuse the Fragrances of God. If the believers arise in the accomplishment of this work, the existence of the Spiritual Assembly will not become absolutely necessary or obligatory.

The signature of that meeting should be the Spiritual Gathering (House of Spirituality) and the wisdom therein is that hereafter the government should not infer from the term "House of Justice" that a court is signified, that it is connected with political affairs, or that at any time it will interfere with governmental affairs.

Regarding your mention of the House of Justice, it is clear and evident to you that the upheavals of this earth, its tribulations and its afflictions have been revealed beforehand in the Tablets of God. Therefore, whenever a decree was revealed, this servant strove to have copies sent to all regions lest the upheaval and turmoil of this earth become a barrier between God's ordinances and His servants. Indeed, during these upheavals there was fear that all that existed would be lost, but God preserved it through His sovereignty and power. For this reason, a copy of that Tablet was sent, and the intention was not for it to be implemented in these days, for it is known that the loved ones are few and the enemies many.

If today in various cities institutions specifically known by the name of House of Justice and the like become known, there is danger for all, as the people are immature. Leave them until their backs are strengthened and they attain their maturity.

However, that House of Justice mentioned in the Kitab-i-Aqdas is absolutely impossible to establish now - indeed it is forbidden and inconceivable. That will be when the Cause is proclaimed and the laws of God are promoted. So now is not the time for the House of Justice that must be formed through universal election, and its mention is not permitted and its conception impossible.

In these days the formation of the House of Justice is not possible, rather it will be formed after the exaltation of the Cause of God.

Concerning the formation of the House of Justice, the friends must await favourable circumstances. … That is why this servant has time and again urged the friends not to assemble more than nine persons in one place. Thus it is evident what a formidable task the emergence of the House of Justice out of the Spiritual Assemblies would prove to be.

Therefore, your honor must arise with perfect strength and steadfastness and gather together the Afnans of the Divine Lote-Tree - that is, make them of one heart and mind - and become united and in agreement with the Hands of the Cause of God, so that the Universal House of Justice may be formed to the extent possible and when necessary the contents of the Will and Testament be implemented.

The formation of the House of Justice is most timely. I hope that ye may be confirmed therein.

The term of service of the members of a consultative assembly, ere the convening of the House of Justice, is five years. When the House of Justice is convened, whatsoever its members deem fit must be obeyed by all.

… These matters are according to the principles and standards observed today. When, however, the Universal House of Justice is established, it will deliberate upon all these matters, both large and small, and, according to the exigencies of the time, issue a binding resolution.

Whatever hath been set forth in this sheet is not mandatory: At the present time, the course indicated is merely recommended.

The details for the organization of the House of Justice are amply provided for and the place for its holding will be decided upon by the members themselves...

The available source contains an omission or incomplete wording; sentence boundaries need review.

Regarding inheritance, that if there be no offspring, their shares revert to the House of Justice, and when any of the other categories are not present, such as father, mother, brother, sister, or teacher, whether their shares also revert to the House of Justice or are otherwise disposed - this matter hath been revealed in the Book of God. He saith, exalted be He: "Should one die and leave no offspring, their share shall revert to the House of Justice" and so forth. And: "Should one leave offspring but none of the other categories specified in the Book, two-thirds of what they leave shall revert to the offspring and the remaining third to the House of Justice."

As to the difference between that material civilization now prevailing, and the divine civilization which will be one of the benefits to derive from the House of Justice, it is this: material civilization, through the power of punitive and retaliatory laws, restraineth the people from criminal acts; and notwithstanding this, while laws to retaliate against and punish a man are continually proliferating, as ye can see, no laws exist to reward him.

Certainly such unfaithful souls who would commit such an atrocious act will rarely be found.

The House of Justice, after its formation, will legislate regarding this matter and will enforce severe punishment upon such persons and will consider such an atrocious act a great crime. This mentioned ruling is in regard to those who are learned and cultured people, not criminals without name or honor who are like wild animals.

Such souls must now be shunned by the friends who must never allow them in their gatherings and meetings until the House of Justice is formed and severe punishment is legislated regarding them.

In truth, in Western countries it is a form of commerce, but whether it is permitted or forbidden must be referred to the Universal House of Justice, that is, the House of Justice elected by all the Baha'is of the world. For any ordinance that is not explicitly revealed in the Book must be referred to the House of Justice. 'Abdu'l-Baha is the interpreter of the Book and not the enactor of laws not revealed in the Book.

As for the matter of the tower of silence, although there is no clear sacred text about it and the permissibility or impermissibility of this matter is referred to the House of Justice - this servant's duty is to explain the clear sacred texts, but everything beyond what is explicitly in the Book is referred to the House of Justice - whenever it is established they will make a decision about this.

Regarding the site that was designated for the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar but has not yet been built upon, its change is permitted, but in these days with the approval of the Spiritual Assembly and in the future with the confirmation of the House of Justice whenever it is established. As for selling the site of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar in order to build another Mashriqu'l-Adhkar, this ruling rests with the House of Justice. Whenever it is formed, it will make a decision.

If they lack the means, this duty falls upon the House of Justice whenever it shall be established in the future to carry this out.

I have neither promoted nor forbidden this, for this matter pertains to the Universal House of Justice. Whenever it is established, whatever the House of Justice decides will be put into practice.

Endowments dedicated to charity, prior to the establishment of the House of Justice, are referred to the Spiritual Assembly which is pure and sanctified from any trace of self, otherwise not....

The available source contains an omission or incomplete wording; sentence boundaries need review.

Surely you and the divine friends will make the utmost effort in this important matter. … God willing, may the divine friends and the Spiritual Assembly make sacrifices in this important matter, or may you succeed in arranging installment payments over two years.

Some friends asked about the matter of singing and chanting in the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar: 'Abdu'l-Baha said that the recitation of the Holy Writings and prayers, whether in verse or prose, should be performed by singing and chanting. "However," he added, "I do not interfere in such matters that have not been explicitly revealed in the Text. Whatsoever the Universal House of Justice may prescribe at any time, the same shall be the accepted criterion."

Mr. Randall then asked if America might for the present adopt the Persian dates.

‘Abdu'l-Baha replied: "Yes, if they want to. They must want to and take the initiative. It is not the request of ‘Abdu'l-Baha. These matters are left to the House of justice which will be established before this century is out."

A.B.---- These affairs must be referred to the Convention. The Convention is something like the House of Justice. I do not interfere in these matters.

Abdul Baha: That rests with the delegates to the Convention- not all those present at the Convention, the delegates only - not strangers. The Convention is like a parliament. The delegates represent the opinion of the whole body of believers. What they decide unanimously or by a majority, must be accepted.

Things not definitely stated in the Book are referred to the House of Justice. Whatever the House of Justice decides, that is obligatory. Now it is not possible for all the world to come together. The Convention is similar to the House of Justice to a certain extent. Its decision and laws must be carried out.

Dr. E.: "It is misleading, is it not, to say that the Bahai cause cannot be organized?"

Abdul Baha: "How is it possible that there should be no organization? Even in a household, if there is not organization there will be hopeless confusion. Then what about the world? What is meant is that the organization is not rigid. In ancient times it was rigid. In the Torah all the political affairs were rigidly fixed, but in this cause, they are not. In this cause there is political freedom, i.e., in each time the House of Justice is free to decide in accordance with what it deems expedient.

'Abdu'l-Baha: "Each state, for instance New York, will have one House of Justice. The cities (of that state) will be under that House of Justice.

"The nations will choose directly the International House of Justice and everything will be in its hands. For instance, Syria will have a House of justice. The people will elect it. Then this House of Justice of Syria [as a state under the Turkish Empire] will elect the House of Justice of Constantinople. Then Constantinople, London, Paris, Washington and so on will elect the International House of Justice."

There are three stages-the local, national, and international. In the city the mass of the people elect a delegation or a committee and this committee appoints or elects the members of the local House of Justice. The members of the local Houses of Justice convene at some given place and elect directly the members of the national House of Justice, either from their own members or from others. This national House of Justice directs the affairs of the country. Then the members of the various national Houses of Justice convene and elect in the same manner the members of the International House of Justice. A uniform rule applies to all of them.

Continuing in this connection the Master said: "A house is never furnished before the structure is erected. So with the Cause of Baha'u'llah. It must be first built up; afterwards it will be furnished with justice and then it will be called the House of Justice. When this time comes and the universal House of Justice is once established, its commands will be obeyed by all."

"Many minor laws not mentioned in the Kitab-el-Akdas will be made by them, but no laws contained in the Kitab-el-Akdas can be abrogated by them. We have to regard the Cause of Baha'u'llah as a house in the process of building and that we are the builders; in other words, we are simply the servants building the house. The house is not ours. We simply contribute the labor."

The House of Justice must be obeyed in all things because it has been established by the Blessed Perfection. … The House of Justice will be appointed by the people. It must be obeyed because it is the Law of God expressed through the people by their own will and voice.

… The Law of God will be vested in nineteen men who will compose the House of Justice and render decisions.

From the Local Spiritual Assembly upwards, all must submit to the vote of the majority.

… As the Centre of the Covenant of God," 'Abdu'l-Baha said, "I promulgate the laws of God, interpret His Holy Word, protect His Cause and raise the banner of divine Unity. However, I do not legislate. The men of the House of Justice are the ones who will do so. The House of Justice if free from error or blunder.

The Universal House of Justice has only the legislative function; the executive power belongs to the administrative department of government.

At first, National Houses of Justice will be established in every country, and they will elect in turn members to the Universal House of Justice.

Again I repeat, The House of Justice, whether National or Universal, has only legislative power, and not executive power. For example, in Europe and America the Parliament or Congress enact laws, while the Government executes these laws. The House of Justice cannot fulfil two functions at the same time-legislative and executive.

The House of Justice has legislative authority and legislates what is not explicitly revealed, and it is not executive. Elections take place in different provinces and the House of Justice is formed, and they will determine the center according to their own judgment.

He has ordained and established the House of Justice, which is endowed with a political as well as a religious function, the consummate union and blending of church and state. This institution is under the protecting power of Bahá’u’lláh Himself. A universal, or international, House of Justice shall also be organized. Its rulings shall be in accordance with the commands and teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, and that which the Universal House of Justice ordains shall be obeyed by all mankind. This international House of Justice shall be appointed and organized from the Houses of Justice of the whole world, and all the world shall come under its administration.

3. In the country where the rising sun is first fully recognized (where the Baha'i Faith is introduced) every town, every community should raise a Local House of Justice, which combines the administrative function (administration) with the profane (wordly) as well as ecclesiastical (religious) legislation, and effects and supervises its carrying-out.

… The Local House of Justice represents a communal authority, the next-highest is the National House of Justice, and the highest must be a supranational (cosmopolitan) one.

… 6. The Supranational House of Justice not only has to watch over peace among the nations, but it should also try and bring about and uphold the brotherhood of all peoples, all races and religions through a unifying language (with a unified script).

4. Understanding among peoples should be ensured through a Supranational House of Justice (Baytu'l-'Adl), which will at the same time and above all serve to guard and preserve universal peace (as the great Tsar tried to do in the Hague (Remark of the Master)).

5. The National Houses of Justice are entrusted with fostering public morality on the religious basis of the Baha'i Teachings.

6. Theirs also is the duty to carefully cultivate the lower and higher educational systems.

7. Public administration is to be organized, beginning with the Local Houses of Justice up to the National Houses of Justice. Supranational questions are under the jurisdiction of the International House of Justice.

The time will come one day when the International House of Justice will decide when and into what western languages the "Holy Book" of the "Most Exalted Pen" (Baha'u'llah) may and should be translated.

… The most beautiful places one should give to the House of Worship (Mashriqu'l-Adhkar); the House of Justice (Council Hall) may be built adjoining it or else opposite it. In a circle around these two central buildings there should be built an orphanage with two sections for boys and girls, a university, a hospital, a dispensary and a guest house (hospice, khan, hostel for travellers). The maternity hospital, the insane asylum, an asylum for irredeemable cases (prison?) and incurable cases, an old-age home, a home for the crippled and the blind, should be established in another place, far from there. All these and other institutions are in the first instance placed under the House of Justice.

But if the Lord God should let the blessed line of our descendants be broken one day, the International House of Justice, together with the local one, will appoint a suitable guardian, caretaker, custodian and steward for the three places of pilgrimage, and the roses of Shiraz and the lilies of Tihran will for ever bloom and exhale their fragrance in memory of the Forerunner, the Consummator and the Disseminator of the Baha'i Teachings, as living Manifestations of the beauty and glory of God.

All the civic affairs and the legislation of material laws for the increase in needs of the enlightened humanity belong to the House of Justice. This, the House of Justice, will be not only a body for the legislation of laws according to the spirit and requirement of the time, but a broad arbitration for the settlement of all disputes arising between peoples.

When the Universal House of Justice is organized the members will do their upmost for the realization of greater cordiality and comity amongst the nations.

All the civic affairs and the legislation of material laws for the increasing needs of the enlightened humanity belong to the House of Justice. Thus the House of Justice will not be only a body for the legislation of laws according to the spirit and requirement of the time but a board of arbitration for the settlement of all the disputes arising between peoples.

… The laws of Baha'u'llah are the unchangeable, organic laws of the Universal House of Justice. They are the very foundation upon which the structure of additional legislation is built.

And this categorical ordinance is revealed from the Ancient Realm of Glory for the people of the world in general and the members of parliaments in particular, inasmuch as the application of the laws and ordinances revealed in the Book hath been left to the men of divine Houses of Justice. This command is the greatest means of unity and the most powerful cause of fellowship and solidarity among the people of the world.

After 'Abdu'l-Baha, whenever the Universal House of Justice is established, it will remove differences.

But if there be a case of difference between husband and wife, where it is entirely impossible to recreate their love, where it is not possible for them to live any longer with one another, then both should go to the House of Justice and together, in perfect agreement, lay their case before it.

And if dispute and conflict arise, its judgment is referred to the House of Justice.

Praise be to God, all such doors are closed in the Cause of Baha'u'llah for a special authoritative Center hath been appointed---a Center that solveth all difficulties and wardeth off all differences. The Universal House of Justice, likewise, wardeth off all differences and whatever it prescribeth must be accepted and he who transgresseth is rejected. But this Universal House of Justice which is the Legislature hath not yet been instituted.

In this most great Dispensation, the House of Justice is the body unto which all must turn: Whatsoever the House of Justice should ordain, the same is incumbent upon the people.

The substance is, that prior to the completion of a thousand years, no individual may presume to breathe a word. All must consider themselves to be of the order of subjects, submissive and obedient to the commandments of God and the laws of the House of Justice. Should any deviate by so much as a needle's point from the decrees of the Universal House of Justice, or falter in his compliance therewith, then is he of the outcast and rejected.

Baha'u'llah hath affirmed that, if the Baha'is engage in contention, even if the conflict concern Baha'u'llah Himself, both parties will be in the wrong. He hath commanded all to turn to the House of Justice, and prior to its establishment, He hath referred all matters to the Centre of the Covenant and hath commanded all to obey Him.

If it is not so one thousand sects of religion would arise. Each one would rise up to cause disturbance and would say, 'My conscience says it is not good.' Another would say, 'My conscience says this is good,' and they cannot agree on anything.

If the time were opportune and House of Justice were formed, that Body would surely safeguard the Cause of God.

[The blessed discourse delivered that day in the gathering of the friends concerned the internal dissensions that arise within religions after the ascension of the Dawning-Places of the bounties of God, and how the Blessed Beauty had closed the doors to such divisions, referring all matters to the Most Great House of Justice, that whatsoever it might decree all should obey. Even if the Baha'is were to split up into two groups, 'Abdu'l-Baha has warned, each forming a House of Justice of its own, one in opposition to the other, both would be false. Pending the formation of the House of Justice, Baha'u'llah has appointed the Centre of the Covenant, affirmed His infallibility and, with His blessed Pen, has solemnly secured His Covenant.]

The House of Justice is so mighty an organization that no one shall have the right to resist or oppose it. By that is meant the Universal House of Justice.

That is, when all the local Houses of Justice of the different countries will be represented in the organization of a General House of Justice, that House will rule over all. For such a House of Justice shall be under the protection and infallibility of the Blessed Perfection and favored by His confirmation.

In this Cause the Blessed Beauty has established a criterion that removes and averts all discord, because according to the conclusive text, the House of Justice is under the protection of the Blessed Beauty.

He further said: "Consider how weighty is this matter, that the Blessed Beauty hath constituted the House of Justice as the source of legislation. Should the members of the House of Justice differ in their views, and divergence of opinion arise among them, the decision of the majority is the decision of the Blessed Beauty."

… Were the House of Justice in session at this very moment, by God, beside Whom there is none other God, I would be the first to obey its command, though it were directed against Mine own self. True, it is not infallible; yet it abideth beneath the shadow of the protection and preservation of the Blessed Beauty, and its command is the command of the Blessed One.

They [the Covenant-breakers] attributed a Tablet to the Ancient Beauty and produced it, in which---God forbid!---the scattering and dispersion of the blessed Cause was explicitly appointed according to the number of 'all things.' (361) Somehow the friends managed to obtain a copy of this tablet and sent it to the presence of 'Abdu'l-Baha, Who said there were numerous tablets corrupted like this one and that it was unimportant. "The House of Justice will put things right," He said. "It will gather together all the Sacred Writings, scrutinized them carefully, and pronounce its conclusive findings, and should any make contradictory remarks, he would be severely dealt with." Then He gave an explanation about how such a tablet never existed and was not from the Ancient Beauty and was not in His blessed idiom.

In the future, however, everyone must turn to the divinely ordained House of Justice.

Furthermore, Baha'u'llah has commanded the organization of an universal house of justice, which shall have power to legislate regarding all questions not elucidated in the books, and the decisions of this body are to be accepted as the law.

In this Cause, the Blessed Beauty has established a standard that prevents and removes differences. For this reason, the House of Justice, by explicit text, is under the protection of the Blessed Beauty. That is, the Universal House of Justice which all Baha'is elect - whatever differences may arise, the ruling of the Universal House of Justice, by divine explicit text, is the ruling. Whatever it decides is the truth. Thus, no individual can make claims or arguments or try to exclude something. The House of Justice considers his claim - if accepted, blessed is the acceptance, if rejected, blessed is the rejection.

After Him, there will be the House of Justice, and when that House of Justice is formed of the sanctified, perfect souls, and sagacious souls, that House of Justice will be the last resort. Whatever they decide will be correct.

There shall not be any separation among the believers because Baha'u'llah has appointed the House of Justice to be the authority. In the future many false traditions and untrue statemenst will appear, but the men of the House of Justice will with great power stop the mouths of the liars. All difficult problems must be referred to the House of Justice.

The Universal House of Justice is under the shadow of the Most Great Infallibility and the Blessed Beauty preserves it from error: should it occur to anyone's heart that a decision of the House of Justice is inapt, he has indeed erred. For instance, Baha'u'llah has said that the House of Justice is the law-giver and must legislate on matters that have not been explicitly recorded in the Book. Now, were the House of Justice to err, that error would revert to Baha'u'llah Himself and would subvert the Religion and Law of God. To ensure that no conflict may persist in this Dispensation, and that true concord may be established therein, a clear Centre has been appointed in the Cause to which all matters must be referred.

In the future the House of Justice will be the solver of all difficulties. Whatever is not explicitly laid down in the text is referred to the House of Justice.

Glory be to the Lord of the world, and thanks be to the Hands of His Cause, and praise be to the Trustees of His House of Justice, who, in their endeavours to raise aloft His Word and exalt His utterance, have renounced themselves and all created things, and are regardful of and tenaciously adhering to whatsoever will promote the Cause of God.

Ere long will God sail His Ark upon thee, and will manifest the people of Baha who have been mentioned in the Book of Names.

The provenance, the authority, the duties, the sphere of action of the Universal House of Justice all derive from the revealed Word of Baha'u'llah which, together with the interpretations and expositions of the Centre of the Covenant and of the Guardian of the Cause -- who, after 'Abdu'l-Baha, is the sole authority in the interpretation of Baha'i Scripture -- constitute the binding terms of reference of the Universal House of Justice and are its bedrock foundation. The authority of these Texts is absolute and immutable until such time as Almighty God shall reveal His new Manifestation to Whom will belong all authority and power.

Supplied quotation · catalogue passage not verified

In His Will and Testament 'Abdu'l-Baha conferred the mantle of Guardian of the Cause and infallible Interpreter of its teachings upon His eldest grandson, Shoghi Effendi, and confirmed the authority and guarantee of divine guidance decreed by Baha'u'llah for the Universal House of Justice on all matters "which have not outwardly been revealed in the Book". The Guardianship and the Universal House of Justice can thus be seen to be, in the words of Shoghi Effendi, the "Twin Successors" of Baha'u'llah and 'Abdu'l-Baha. They are the supreme institutions of the Administrative Order which was founded and anticipated in the Kitab-i-Aqdas and elaborated by 'Abdu'l-Baha in His Will.

Supplied quotation · catalogue passage not verified

Now deduction is the right of the body of the House of Justice, and the deductions and conclusions of individual learned men have no authority, unless they are endorsed by the House of Justice. The difference is precisely this, that from the conclusions and endorsement of the House of Justice, whose members are elected by and known to the universal Baha'i community, no dissension will arise; whereas the conclusions of individual divines would definitely lead to differences, and result in schism, division, and dispersion.

Catalogue reference: AB00151 · passage alignment is approximate; supplied wording retained.

You have stated that believers have asked, 'Are the decisions of the Universal House of Justice free from error even if incorrect information has been provided to it?' The infallibility of the House of Justice, like that of the Guardian, is 'conferred,' as distinct from the infallibility of the Manifestation of God, which is 'innate.' The House of Justice, like the Guardian, is not omniscient; when called upon to make a decision, it wants to receive information and facts and at times consults experts on the subject. Like him, it may well change its decision when new facts emerge or in light of changed conditions.

Supplied quotation · catalogue passage not verified

...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.

Supplied quotation · catalogue passage not verified

Sentence boundary needs source review; the supplied wording is retained.

Individual opinions, however, should not be imposed on others, nor so promoted as to crystallize into doctrines not found in the explicit Text. When exchanging views about the Universal House of Justice -- the body to which all things must be referred -- the friends should exercise care lest they go to extremes, by either diminishing its station or assigning to it exaggerated attributes.[...] The House of Justice appeals to the friends not to become embroiled in the kind of fruitless theological discussions that caused conflict and contention in past dispensations, lest they lose sight of their responsibility to promulgate the oneness of humanity and of the role of the Covenant established by Baha'u'llah in uniting minds, hearts, and souls.

Supplied quotation · catalogue passage not verified

Sentence boundary needs source review; the supplied wording is retained.

In considering the whole field of divinely conferred "infallibility" one must be careful to avoid the literal understanding and petty-mindedness that has so often characterized discussions of this matter in the Christian world. … It is a human tendency, against which the Manifestation warns us, to measure His statements against the inaccurate standard of the acquired knowledge of mankind. We tend to take them and place them within one or other of the existing categories of human philosophy or science while, in reality, they transcend these and will, if properly understood, open new and vast horizons to our understanding.

Supplied quotation · catalogue passage not verified

Abdu'l-Baha explaines that "error is the want of guidance". [SAQ.263] Infallibility is freedom from error because the infallible authority does not act outside the boundaries of God's guidance.

Supplied quotation · catalogue passage not verified

Let it not be imagined that the House of Justice will take any decision according to its own concepts and opinions. God forbid! The Supreme House of Justice will take decisions and establish laws through the inspiration and confirmation of the Holy Spirit, because it is in the safekeeping and under the shelter and protection of the Ancient Beauty, and obedience to its decisions is a bounden and essential duty and an absolute obligation, and there is no escape for anyone.

Supplied quotation · catalogue passage not verified

The members of the Universal House of Justice shall be elected by secret ballot by the members of all National Spiritual Assemblies at a meeting to be known as the International Baha'i Convention. An election of the Universal House of Justice shall be held once every five years unless otherwise decided by the Universal House of Justice, and those elected shall continue in office until such time as their successors shall be elected and the first meeting of these successors is duly held.

Supplied quotation · catalogue passage not verified

Such matters should be determined through consultation, and whatever emergeth from the consultation of those chosen, that indeed is the command of God, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting.

Catalogue reference: BH00725 · passage alignment is approximate; supplied wording retained.

It hath been prescribed that in every city a House of Justice be established wherein shall gather together people to the number of Baha, and should it exceed this number it mattereth not. They should consider themselves as entering the Presence of God, the Most High, and as beholding Him Who is invisible. It behooveth them to be the trusted ones of the Merciful among men and the deputies of God for such as dwell on earth. They should consult together in such wise as to win the good pleasure of God and should choose that which is approved.

Catalogue reference: BH01525 · passage alignment is approximate; supplied wording retained.

Those matters of major importance which constitute the foundation of the Law of God are explicitly recorded in the Text, but subsidiary laws are left to the House of Justice. The wisdom of this is that the times never remain the same, for change is a necessary quality and an essential attribute of this world, and of time and place. Therefore the House of Justice will take action accordingly.

Supplied quotation · catalogue passage not verified

Your questions are mostly along the line of trying to lay down a fixed pattern for future society, long before the time for such a pattern is ripe. Remember that Baha'u'llah says what is not already revealed, the International House of Justice must in the future legislate, and it can make, and abrogate if necessary, its own laws. This means not fixity in guiding society, but fluidity!

Supplied quotation · catalogue passage not verified

Upon the Universal House of Justice, in the words of the Guardian, "has been conferred the exclusive right of legislating on matters not expressly revealed in the Baha'i Writings." Its pronouncements, which are susceptible of amendment or abrogation by the House of Justice itself, serve to supplement and apply the Law of God. Although not invested with the function of interpretation, the House of Justice is in a position to do everything necessary to establish the World Order of Baha'u'llah on this earth.

Supplied quotation · catalogue passage not verified

...the Guardian, functioning within his own sphere, had the right and duty "to define the sphere of the legislative action" of the Universal House of Justice. In other words, he had the authority to state whether a matter was or was not already covered by the Sacred Texts and therefore whether it was within the authority of the Universal House of Justice to legislate upon it. No other person, apart from the Guardian, has the right or authority to make such definitions.

Supplied quotation · catalogue passage not verified

Sentence boundary needs source review; the supplied wording is retained.

The Universal House of Justice, which the Guardian said would be regarded by posterity as 'the last refuge of a tottering civilization' is now, in the absence of the Guardian, the sole infallibly guided institution in the world to which all must turn, and on it rests the responsibility for ensuring the unity and progress of the Cause of God in accordance with the revealed Word.

Supplied quotation · catalogue passage not verified

While ultimately the major function of the Universal House of Justice will be that of legislation, it has continuing responsibility for executive and judicial functions of the institution. Therefore it is not accurate to refer to members of the House of Justice as 'legislators", understandable as is the wish to give simple titles rather than complex ones.

Supplied quotation · catalogue passage not verified

There are numerous individuals who share the ideals of the Faith and draw inspiration from its Teachings, while disagreeing with certain of its features, but those who actually enter the Baha'i community have accepted, by their own free will, to follow the Teachings in their entirety, understanding that, if doubts and disagreements arise in the process of translating the Teachings into practice, the final arbiter is, by the explicit authority of the Revealed Text, the Universal House of Justice.

Supplied quotation · catalogue passage not verified

With regard to the status of women, the important point for Baha'is to remember is that in the face of the categorical pronouncements in Baha'i Scripture establishing the equality of men and women, the ineligibility of women for membership on the Universal House of Justice does not constitute evidence of the superiority of men over women. It must also be borne in mind that women are not excluded from any other international institution of the Faith.

Supplied quotation · catalogue passage not verified

As regards your question concerning the membership of the Universal House of Justice: there is a Tablet from 'Abdul-Baha in which He definitely states that the membership of the Universal House is confined to men, and that the wisdom of it will be fully revealed and appreciated in the future. In the local as well as the national Houses of Justice, however, women have the full right of membership. It is, therefore, only to the International House that they cannot be elected.

Supplied quotation · catalogue passage not verified

In any case the believers should know that, as 'Abdu'l-Baha Himself has explicitly stated that sexes are equal except in some cases, the exclusion of women from the International House of Justice should not be surprising. From the fact that there is no equality of functions between the sexes one should not, however, infer that either sex is inherently superior or inferior to the other, or that they are unequal in their rights.

Supplied quotation · catalogue passage not verified

While individuals are free to speculate on the reason for the membership of the Universal House of Justice being confined to men, there is no authoritative text to support the assertion that it is due to women being so compassionate as to be unable to make objective decisions. Indeed, it might well be argued that if this were the reason, the teachings would have provided also for the exclusion of women from Local and National Spiritual Assemblies...

Supplied quotation · catalogue passage not verified

Sentence boundary needs source review; the supplied wording is retained.

Baha'is believe that to gain a fuller understanding of the reason women are excused from membership of the Universal House of Justice, we must await the evolution of society, and we are confident that the wisdom of women's exclusion will become manifest as society develops and becomes more united.

Supplied quotation · catalogue passage not verified

A few things which one encounters in the Teachings do not lend themselves to rational analysis at all, but must be accepted in a spirit of deep faith. The ineligibility of women for service on the Universal House of Justice is one such instance. However, here again, the important thing is to view this fact within the larger context of what our Teachings actually say about the role of women and the role of men.

Supplied quotation · catalogue passage not verified

As to the order and the management of the spiritual affairs of the friends, that which is very important now is the consolidation of the Spiritual Assemblies in every center, because on these fortified and unshakable foundations, God's Supreme House of justice shall be erected and firmly established in the days to come. When this most great Edifice shall be reared on such an immovable foundation, Gods purpose, wisdom, universal truths, mysteries and realities of the Kingdom, which the mystic revelation of Baha'u'llah has deposited within the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Baha, shall gradually be revealed and made manifest.

Supplied quotation · catalogue passage not verified

And as the Baha'i Faith permeates the masses of the peoples of East and West, and its truth is embraced by the majority of the peoples of a number of the Sovereign States of the world, will the Universal House of Justice attain the plenitude of its power, and exercise, as the supreme organ of the Baha'i Commonwealth, all the rights, the duties, and responsibilities incumbent upon the world's future super-state.

Supplied quotation · catalogue passage not verified

One night, when He spoke on this subject again He said, "If the House of justice had been operating in this day and pronounced my death sentence, all would have to obey." The late Muhammad Riday-i-Qannad was disturbed at this statement by the Master, and he asked, "Is the House of Justice of God, or is it not?" "Of course it is," replied the Master. "How then is it possible for that which is of God to condemn He Who is of God?" asked he. "My object", 'Abdu'l-Baha replied, "is that you may know that on that day the House of Justice is the true one of God, for the Blessed Beauty has ordained it to be the law-maker."

Catalogue reference: ABU2070 · passage alignment is approximate; supplied wording retained.