administrative order 5 june 2007. central figures: the báb siyyid `alí muhammad báb means...
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Administrative Order5 June 2007
CENTRAL FIGURES: The Báb
Siyyid `Alí Muhammad
Báb means “Gate”
Prophet-founder of the Bábí FaithForerunner to Bahá’u’lláh
Born 20 October 1819 in ShírázDescendant of Muhammad
Qayyúmu’l-asmá’ is the Báb’s declaration of His mission
CENTRAL FIGURES: The Báb
Ministry: 9 years
from 1844 to 1853
Titles:Remembrance of God
Gate of the Hidden ImámMahdí
Primal PointQá’im
CENTRAL FIGURES:
Twin Manifestations of God
Bahá'u'lláhThe Báb
CENTRAL FIGURES:
Twin Manifestations of God
Bahá'u'lláhThe BábMinistry 1844 – 1853 Ministry 1853 – 1892
Bayán
CENTRAL FIGURES: Bahá'u'lláhMírzá Husayn-`Alí
Bahá'u'lláh means “Glory of God”
Prophet-founder of the Bahá’í Faith
Born 12 November 1817 in Tehran
Descendant of Abraham & Zoroaster
The Báb’s Bayán is the book that spoke of Bahá’u’lláh’s appearance
CENTRAL FIGURES: Bahá'u'lláh
Ministry: 39 years
from 1853 to 1892
Titles:Sadratu'l-Muntahá
Blessed BeautyHim Whom God Shall make Manifest
CENTRAL FIGURES:
Twin Manifestations of God
Bahá'u'lláhThe BábMinistry 1844 – 1853 Ministry 1853 – 1892
Bayán
Kitáb-i-‘AhdAbdu'l-BaháMinistry 1892 – 1921
CENTRAL FIGURES: Abdu'l-Bahá
‘Abbás EffendíBahá’u’lláh’s eldest son
and successor
Bahá’u’lláh appoints Him as His successor in the
Kitáb-i-‘Ahd (the Book of the Covenant)
Role: Interpreter of the Writings
CENTRAL FIGURES: Abdu'l-Bahá
Ministry: 29 years
from 1892 to 1921
Titles:The Master
The Mystery of GodThe Most Great BranchLimb of the Law of God
CENTRAL FIGURES:
Bahá'u'lláhThe BábMinistry 1844 – 1853 Ministry 1853 – 1892
Bayán
Kitáb-i-‘AhdAbdu'l-BaháMinistry 1892 – 1921Will & Testament
GuardianMinistry 1921 – 1957
TWIN INSTITUTIONS:
Shoghi EffendiShoghí Effendí Rabbání
Gaurdian of the Cause of God and interpreter of its teachings
First and only Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith
Eldest grandson of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
TWIN INSTITUTIONS:
Shoghi EffendiAppointed as Guardian
in the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
Ministry: 36 years
from 1921 to 1957
Title:Sign of God
TWIN INSTITUTIONS:
The UniversalHouse of Justice
GuardianshipMinistry 1921 – 1957
Ministry 1963 – present
CENTRAL FIGURES:
Bahá'u'lláhThe BábMinistry 1844 – 1853 Ministry 1853 – 1892
Bayán
Kitáb-i-‘AhdAbdu'l-BaháMinistry 1892 – 1921Will & Testament
GuardianThe Universal
House of JusticeMinistry 1921 – 1957
Ministry 1963 – present
TWIN INSTITUTIONS: Universal House
of Justice Composed of 9 men
Commonly referred to as: the House or UHJ
Elected by secret ballot by the members of each
National Spiritual Assembly every 5 years during Ridván at International Convention
TWIN INSTITUTIONS: Universal House
of Justice Established in 1963 by the 56 existing
National Spiritual Assemblies at that time
The Universal House of Justice has no officers
(i.e. secretary, chairperson, treasurer)
Hands of the CauseCreated by Bahá’u’lláh
Formally defined and established by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
Function elucidated and elaborated on by Shoghi Effendi
Period of service: Lifetime appointment
Role: Propagation & Protection, came to authority in 1957 after the
passing of Shoghi Effendi and acted as “Custodian” until
the election of the Universal House of Justice
Hands of the Cause
Age specific: none specified
Number: 50
Bahá’u’lláh appointed 4
‘Abdu’l-Bahá named 4 posthumously
Shoghi Effendi named 10 posthumously
Shoghi Effendi appointed 32 others
Administrative Order
Universal House of Justice
International Teaching Centre
International Teaching CentreEstablished:
June 1973
Created by: Universal House of Justice
Commonly referred to as: ITC
Period of service: 5 years on the ‘3 and ‘8 on the Declaration of the Báb
Age specific: 21 years or older
International Teaching CentreRole:
Liaison between the Continental Board of Counsellors and the
Universal House of Justice
Number: 9 International Counsellors
and the remaining Hand of the Cause
Administrative Order
Universal House of Justice
International Teaching Centre
Continental Board of Counsellors
Continental Board of
Counsellors
Established: June 1968 created by the
Universal House of Justice to perpetuate the function and role of the Hands of the Cause
Commonly referred to as: CBC
Period of service: 5 years on the ‘0 and ‘5
on the Day of the Covenant
Continental Board of
Counsellors
Role: Propagation & Protection
Age specific: 21 years or older
Number: 81Africa: 19
Americas: 19Asia: 19
Australasia: 11Europe: 13
Administrative Order
Universal House of Justice
International Teaching Centre
Continental Board of Counsellors
Auxiliary Board Members
Auxiliary Board
Member
Established: April 1954 created by
Shoghi Effendi but appointed by the Hands of the Cause
Commonly referred to as: ABM
Period of service: 5 years on the ‘1 and ‘6 on
the Day of the Covenant
Auxiliary Board
Member
Role: They are the deputies, assistants and advisers to the Continental Board of Counsellors. Either Propagation OR Protection
Age specific: 21 years or older
Number: 990Africa: 234
Americas: 234Asia: 288
Australasia: 108Europe: 126
Administrative Order
Universal House of Justice
International Teaching Centre
Continental Board of Counsellors
Auxiliary Board Members
Assistant to the Auxiliary Board Members
Assistant to Auxiliary
Board Member
Established: June 1973
Commonly referred to as: Assistant
Period of service: Very short to a few years
Assistant to Auxiliary
Board Member
Role: Assist the
Auxiliary Board Member in specific acts of service
Age specific: Can be youth
Number: 1000s
Administrative Order
Universal House of Justice
International Teaching Centre
Continental Board of Counsellors
Auxiliary Board Members
Assistant to the Auxiliary Board Members
Guardian
Abdu'l-Bahá
The Báb Bahá'u'lláh
Institutions of the RulersDirection & Administration
National Spiritual
Assembly
9 members
Elected by secret ballot by the delegates from
the National Convention every year during Ridván
National Committees: Such as the National Teaching
Committee, National Youth Committee, etc.
Appointed by the National Spiritual Assembly
Regional Councils
9 members
Elected by secret ballot by the members of each
Local Spiritual Assembly every year
Local Spiritual
Assembly
9 members
Elected by secret ballot by the members of each locality where
more than 9 adult believers reside ever year on the
1st Day of Ridván (21st April)
Local Committees: Feast Committee, Holy Day
Committee, etc. Appointed by the
Local Spiritual Assembly
Present Structure of Bahá'í Administration
Agencies:Bahá'í’
International Community, etc.
National Spiritual Assemblies
ELECTED APPOINTEDThe Universal House of JusticeSupreme Administrative Body of the Bahá'í FaithAnd sole recipient of infallible divine guidance
International Teaching Centre comprises the Hand of the
Cause and a number of Counsellors
Continental Board of Counsellors
Auxiliary Board Members for Propagation & Protection
of the Faith
Departments:Secretariat,
Research and other departments
Assistants to the Members of the Auxiliary Board
Local Spiritual Assemblies
Local Committees
National Committees
Institutions of the RulersDirection & Administration
1
2
3
Institutions of the Learned Advice & Encouragement
It is helpful to use the Shrine of the Greatest Holy Leaf (background image) as a model of
the Administrative Order. The dome (1) represents the Universal House of Justice.
The pillars (2) symbolize the National Spiritual Assemblies which support the Dome; and the base represents Local Spiritual Assemblies (3)