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Will and Testament of `Abdu'l-Bahá


A seminal document, written in three stages by `Abdu'l-Bahá. Several sections were written under imminent threat of harm. The first section was probably written in 1906.

This document constitutes one of the central and defining pieces of Bahá'í primary source literature, and is considered to be intimately connected to Bahá'u'lláh's ('Abdu'l-Bahá's father) Most Holy Book.

The Will and Testament, along with the Tablets of the Divine Plan and the Tablet of Carmel, were described by Shoghi Effendi as the charters of the Bahá'í administration.

The Covenant is a critical aspect of the Bahá'í Faith. The Will and Testament of `Abdu'l-Bahá is sometimes seen as the culmination of `Abdu'l-Bahá's role as the "Centre of the Covenant". In it he describes his circumstances, lays out his testimony, refers to the machinations of certain enemies, settles certain affairs of the Bahá'í Faith, and appoints his grandson Shoghi Effendi as his successor and the Guardian of the Cause of God. He also refines the structure of Baha'i administration by the aforementioned appointment, the establishment of the Spiritual Assembly at the national level, and defines the mechanism for the election of these assemblies as well as the House of Justice.

The Will is written in three sections, each of which were written separately and under differing circumstances. The three sections, however, remain together and comprise, collectively, the full Will and Testament.

`Abdu'l-Bahá notes the fundamental teachings of the Bahá'í Faith as love for all mankind. He then reiterates the twofold station of the Báb as a Manifestation of God and the forerunner to Bahá'u'lláh, and explains the full station of Bahá'u'lláh.


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