Shoghi Effendi

Shoghí Effendí Rabbání (March 1, 1897 - November 4, 1957), better known as Shoghi Effendi, was the appointed head of the Bahá'í Faith from 1921 until his death in 1957.

After the death of `Abdu'l-Bahá in 1921, the leadership of the Bahá'í community entered a new phase, evolving from that of a single individual to an administrative order with executive and legislative branches, the head of each being the Guardianship and the Universal House of Justice. Shoghi Effendi was referred to as the Guardian, and held the explicit authority to interpret the writings of the three central figures of the religion and define the sphere of legislative authority. His writings are effectively limited to commentaries on the works of the Central Figures, and broad directives for the future.

Future hereditary Guardians were permitted in the Bahá'í scripture by appointment from one to the next, but a prerequisite that appointees be male descendants of Bahá'u'lláh left no living candidates that had not been excommunicated as covenant-breakers, and Shoghi Effendi died without making an appointment. The Universal House of Justice, the only institution authorized to adjudicate on situations not covered in scripture, later announced that it could not legislate to make possible the appointment of a successor to Shoghi Effendi. [The Universal House of Justice, Letter of 6 October, 1963, "Messages from the Universal House of Justice, 1963-1986", [http://bahai-library.com/published.uhj/messages.1963-86.html#s5.1 p. 14] ] To Bahá'ís he is the first and last Guardian.

Background

Born in `Akká in March 1897, Shoghi Effendi was related to The Báb through his father, Mírzá Hádí Shírází, and to Bahá'u'lláh through his mother, Díyá'íyyih Khánum, the eldest daughter of `Abdu'l-Bahá. From the early years of his life, Shoghi Effendi was greatly influenced by `Abdu'l-Bahá, who provided much of his initial training. Shoghi Effendi learned prayers from his grandfather `Abdu'l-Bahá, who encouraged him to chant. It was also `Abdu'l-Bahá who insisted that the appellation given to the child should be "Shoghi Effendi", ("Effendi" signifies "Sir"), rather than simply "Shoghi", as a mark of respect towards him.

From his early years, Shoghi Effendi was introduced to the suffering which accompanied the Bahá'ís in Akká, including the attacks by Mírzá Muhammad `Alí against `Abdu'l-Bahá. As a young boy, he was aware of Sultán `Abdu'l-Hamíd's desire to banish `Abdu'l-Bahá to the deserts of North Africa where he was expected to perish. At one point, Shoghi Effendi was warned not to drink coffee in the homes of any of the Bahá'ís in the fear that he would be poisoned.

Tablet from `Abdu'l-Bahá

Being the eldest grandson of `Abdu'l-Bahá, from his earliest childhood he had a special relationship with his grandfather. Dr. Baghdadi reports that when Shoghi Effendi was only 5 years old, he was pestering his grandfather to write a tablet for him, which was common for `Abdu'l-Bahá. He wrote the following for his grandson:

cquote|He is God!O My Shoghi, I have no time to talk, leave me alone! You said 'write' - I have written. What else should be done? Now is not the time for you to read and write, it is the time for jumping about and chanting 'O My God!', therefore memorize the prayers of the Blessed Beauty and chant them that I may hear them, because there is no time for anything else.*cite book |author = Rabbani, R. |authorlink = Rúhíyyih Khanum |year = 1969 |title = The Priceless Pearl |pages = 8 | edition = Hardcover |publisher = Bahá'í Publishing Trust: 2000 |location = London, UK |id = ISBN 1870989910 ]

Shoghi Effendi then set out to memorize a number of prayers, and chanted them as loud as he could. This caused family members to ask `Abdu'l-Bahá to quiet him down, a request which he apparently refused.

Education

He first attended a French Christian Brothers school in Haifa, then boarding at another Catholic school in Beirut, Shoghi Effendi later attended the Syrian Protestant College (later known as the American University of Beirut) for his final years of high school and first years of university. He reports being very unhappy in school and often returned on vacations to Haifa spent with `Abdu'l-Bahá.

During his studies, he dedicated himself to mastering English - adding this language to the Persian, Turkish, Arabic and French, languages in which he was already fluent - so that he could translate the letters of `Abdu'l-Bahá and serve as His secretary.

After studying at the American University of Beirut he later went to Balliol College, Oxford in England, where he matriculated in "Economics and Social Sciences", while still perfecting his translation skills.

Prelude to Guardianship

The issue of successorship to `Abdu'l Bahá was in the minds of early Bahá'ís, and although the Universal House of Justice was an institution mentioned by Bahá'u'lláh, the institution of the Guardianship was not introduced until the Will and Testament of `Abdu'l-Bahá was publicly read after his death. Bahá'u'lláh's own will mentions Mírzá Muhammad `Alí as following `Abdu'l Bahá in leadership, but he was excommunicated as a covenant-breaker and shunned by Bahá'ís.

On the occasion of some Persian believers asking him about a successor, `Abdu'l Bahá responded:

On another occasion, Western believers, hearing of the birth of Shoghi Effendi, wrote to `Abdu'l Bahá and asked if this child is the one mentioned in the Bible in Isaiah 11:6 where it says "a little child shall lead them". The response was:

Guardianship

`Abdu'l-Bahá's Will and Testament is considered one of the three charters of the Bahá'í Administrative Order. In it he laid down the authority of the Guardian and the Universal House of Justice:

Death of `Abdu'l-Bahá

On 29 November 1921, the news of `Abdu'l-Bahá's death reached Shoghi Effendi, which left him "in a state of collapse," according to Tudor Pole, the deliverer of the cable. After spending a couple of days in bed, and making the proper arrangements, he arrived in Haifa on 29 December, and a few days later opened `Abdu'l-Bahá's Will and Testament, which was addressed to Shoghi Effendi.

In the Will Shoghi Effendi found that he had been designated as "the Sign of God, the chosen branch, the Guardian of the Cause of God". He also learned that he had been designated as this when he was still a small child.

Shoghi Effendi later expressed to his wife and others that he had no foreknowledge of the existence of the Institution of Guardianship, least of all that he was appointed as Guardian. The most he expected was perhaps, because he was the eldest grandson, `Abdu'l-Bahá might have left instructions as to how the Universal House of Justice was to be elected and he might have been designated as Convener of the gathering which would elect it.

Major accomplishments

During his ministry the Bahá'í Religion developed into a global faith. From the time of appointment until his death, the Bahá'í Faith grew from 100,000 to 400,000 members, and countries of representation went from 35 to 250.

For thirty-six years Shoghi Effendi developed the worldwide Bahá'í community and its administrative structure. Because the Bahá'í community was relatively small and undeveloped when he assumed the leadership of the Faith, he strengthened and developed it over many years to the point where it was capable of supporting the administrative structure envisioned by `Abdu'l-Bahá. Under Shoghi Effendi's direction, National Spiritual Assemblies were formed, and many thousands of Local Spiritual Assemblies sprang up as the Bahá'í Faith spread around the globe.

He also appointed 32 living Hands of the Cause, oversaw the completion of the superstructure of the Shrine of the Báb, appointed the International Bahá'í Council in 1951, launched the Ten Year Crusade in 1953, and acted as the official representative of the Faith to legal authorities in Palestine/Israel throughout many attempts by Covenant-breakers to take authority from him.

In a more "secular" cause, prior to World War II he supported the work of restoration-forester Richard St. Barbe Baker to reforest Palestine, introducing St. Barbe Baker to religious leaders from the major faiths of the region, from whom backing was secured for such an effort. [cite book | title = My Life, My Trees | year = 1985 |origdate = 1970 | edition= 2nd edition |id= ISBN 0-905249-63-1 | author = Richard St. Barbe Baker | authorlink = Richard St. Barbe Baker | publisher = Findhorn | location = Forres]

Translations and letters

In his lifetime, Shoghi Effendi translated in English many of the writings of the Báb, Bahá'u'lláh and `Abdu'l-Bahá, as well as such historical texts as "The Dawn-breakers". His significance is not just that of a translator, but he was also the designated and authoritative interpreter of the Bahá'í writings. His translations therefore are a guideline for all future translations of the Bahá'í writings.

The only actual book he ever wrote was "God Passes By" in 1944 to commemorate the centennial anniversary of the religion. He also carried on a voluminous correspondence with believers from all parts of the globe. The total estimated number of letters that Shoghi Effendi wrote are over 30,000. [ [http://home.wanadoo.nl/arjen.nandita2/bahai-archives.htm] , [http://bahai-library.com/?file=uhj_numbers_sacred_writings] ] His letters to individuals and assemblies have been compiled into several books which stand out as significant sources of literature for Bahá'ís around the world.

He always signed his letters with simply "Shoghi". In 1922, soon after becoming Guardian, he requested that he be regarded as a "true brother", to be referred in letters and verbal addresses always as Shoghi Effendi, as opposed to any other appellation. [cite book |first = Shoghi |last = Effendi |authorlink = Shoghi Effendi |year = 1974 |title = Bahá'í Administration | pages = 25 |publisher = Bahá'í Publishing Trust |location = Wilmette, Illinois, USA |id = ISBN 0877431663 |url = http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/se/BA/]

Private life

Marriage

In 1937, Shoghi Effendi married Mary Maxwell entitled Rúhíyyih Khanum, a Canadian. She was the only child of May Maxwell, a disciple of `Abdu'l-Bahá, and William Sutherland Maxwell, a Canadian architect. Then herself 26 years old, Mary Maxwell was a tall, athletic active woman. In 1941, she became Shoghi Effendi's principal secretary in English. In 1951, Shoghi Effendi appointed her to the first International Bahá'í Council. Shoghi Effendi and Rúhíyyih Khanum never had children.

Travels

During his ministry Shoghi Effendi occasionally took summer breaks to Europe, in the early years often to the Swiss Alps. In 1929 and 1940 he traveled through Africa from south to north.cite encyclopedia |last= Smith |first= Peter |encyclopedia= A concise encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith |title= Shoghi Effendi |year= 2000 |publisher=Oneworld Publications |location= Oxford |id= ISBN 1-85168-184-1 |pages= p. 314-318]

uffering

Rúhíyyih Khanum later published parts of her personal diaries to show glimpses of Shoghi Effendi's life. She recalls a great deal of pain and suffering caused by his immediate family, and Bahá'ís in Haifa.

Family members expelled

Throughout Shoghi Effendi's life, nearly all remaining family members and descendants of `Abdu'l-Bahá rebelled against his authority at some point, and were expelled by him as Covenant-breakers. Other branches of Bahá'u'lláh's family had already been declared Covenant-breakers in `Abdu'l-Bahá's Will and Testament.

At the time of his death, there were no descendants of Bahá'u'lláh that remained loyal to him, including his parents.

Unexpected death

Shoghi Effendi's death came unexpectedly in London, on 4 November 1957, as he was traveling to Britain and caught the Asiatic flu. The news flashed around the world in the following cable:

cquote|Shoghi Effendi beloved of all hearts sacred trust given believers by Master passed away sudden heart attack in sleep following Asiatic flu. Urge believers remain steadfast cling institution Hands lovingly reared recently reinforced emphasized by beloved Guardian. Only oneness heart oneness purpose can befittingly testify loyalty all National Assemblies believers departed Guardian who sacrificed self utterly for service Faith.Ruhiyyihcite book |author = Rabbani, R. |authorlink = Rúhíyyih Khanum |year = 1969 |title = The Priceless Pearl |pages = 447 | edition = Hardcover |publisher = Bahá'í Publishing Trust: 2000 |location = London, UK |id = ISBN 1870989910 ]

According to the framework of the Will and Testament of `Abdu'l-Bahá, it was not possible to appoint a successor, and the legislative body "possessing the exclusive right to legislate on matters not explicitly revealed" was not yet established in the world. Furthermore, The Guardian left no will as attested to by the Hands of the Cause, who were required to ratify his selection. All of the 27 living Hands of the Cause unanimously signed a statement shortly after the death of Shoghi Effendi stating that he had died "without having appointed his successor..." ( [http://www.bahai-education.org/materials/essays/proclamation_hands.htm see full text] ).

Ministry of the Custodians

In Shoghi Effendi's final message to the Baha'i World, dated October 1957, he named the Hands of the Cause of God, "the Chief Stewards of Bahá'u'lláh's embryonic World Commonwealth." (Shoghi Effendi, Messages to the Baha'i World - 1950-1957, p. 127) Consequently, following Shoghi Effendi's passing, the Bahá'í Faith was temporarily stewarded by the Hands of the Cause, who elected among themselves 9 "Custodians" to serve in Haifa as the head of the Faith. They reserved to the "entire body of the Hands of the Cause" the responsibility to determine the transition of the International Bahá'í Council into the Universal House of Justice, and that the Custodians reserved to themselves the authority to determine and expel Covenant-breakers. [cite book |author = Rabbani, R. (Ed.) |authorlink = Rúhíyyih Khanum |year = 1992 |title = The Ministry of the Custodians 1957-1963 | pages = 34 |publisher = Bahá'í World Centre |id = ISBN 085398350X |url = http://bahai-library.com/published.uhj/ministry.custodians.toc.html]

This stewardship oversaw the execution of the final years of Shoghi Effendi's ordinances of the ten year crusade (which lasted until 1963) culminating and transitioning to the election and establishment of the Universal House of Justice, at the first Baha'i World Congress in 1963.

Election of the Universal House of Justice

At the end of the Ten Year Crusade, planned by Shoghi Effendi and concluding in 1963, the Universal House of Justice was first elected. As its first order of business, the Universal House of Justice evaluated the situation caused by the fact that the Guardian had not appointed a successor. It determined that under the circumstances, given the criteria for succession described in the Will and Testament of `Abdu'l-Bahá, there was no legitimate way for another Guardian to be appointed.

Therefore, although the Will and Testament of `Abdu'l-Bahá leaves provisions for a succession of Guardians, Shoghi Effendi remains the first and last occupant of this office. This is only disputed by relatively small groups of Bahá'ís who claim that the Guardianship continues. See Bahá'í divisions.

Publications

See Bahá'í literature

Notes

References

*cite book
first=Ugo
last=Giachery
year=1973
title=Shoghi Effendi - Reflections
publisher=George Ronald
location=Oxford, UK
id=ISBN 0-85398-050-0

*cite book
first=Riaz
last=Khadem
year=1999
title=Shoghi Effendi in Oxford
publisher=George Ronald
location=Oxford, UK
id=ISBN 0-85398-423-9

*cite book
author= Rabbani, Ruhiyyih (Ed.)
authorlink=Rúhíyyih Khanum
year= 1992
title= The Ministry of the Custodians 1957-1963
publisher= Bahá'í World Centre
id= ISBN 0-85398-350-X
url= http://bahai-library.com/published.uhj/ministry.custodians.toc.html

*cite book
author= Rabbani, Ruhiyyih
authorlink=Rúhíyyih Khanum
year= 1969
title= The Priceless Pearl
edition=Hardcover
publisher= Bahá'í Publishing Trust: 2000
location=London, UK
id= ISBN 1-870989-91-0

*cite book
first=Shoghi
last=Effendi
year=1974
title=Bahá'í Administration
publisher=Bahá'í Publishing Trust
location=Wilmette, Illinois, USA
id=ISBN 0-87743-166-3
url=http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/se/BA/

*cite book | first = Riaz | last = Khadem | title = Shoghi Effendi in Oxford | year = 1999 | publisher = George Ronald | location = Oxford | id = ISBN 0-85398-423-9

ee also

*Bahá'í administration
*Universal House of Justice
*Bahá'í World Centre

External links

* [http://info.bahai.org/guardian-of-the-bahai-faith.html The work and life of Shoghi Effendi]
* [http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/se/ Writings of Shoghi Effendi in English]
* [http://bahai-library.com/biography/life.shoghi.effendi.html Biography of Shoghi Effendi]
* [http://www.bahai.org.uk/shoghi/ Directions to the Resting Place of Shoghi Effendi]
* [http://reference.bahai.org Writings of Shoghi Effendi in Persian, and Arabic]
* [http://news.bahaibologna.it/?page_id=204 Shoghi Effendi] (Italiano)