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"O 'Abdu'l-Baha"
calligraphy by Mishkin-Qalam |
There is nothing in the Writings that would lead us to the
conclusion that what Shoghi Effendi says about himself concerning statements on
subjects not directly related to the Faith also applies to ‘Abdu’l Bahá.
Instead we have assertions which indicate that ‘Abdu’l Bahá’s position in the
Faith is one for which we find “no parallel” in past Dispensations. For
example, Bahá’u’lláh, in addition to His reference to the Center of His
Covenant as the “Mystery of God,” states that ‘Abdu’l Bahá should be regarded
as God’s “exalted Handiwork” and “a Word which God hath adorned with the
ornament of His Own Self, and made it sovereign over the earth and all that
there is therein.” And from Shoghi Effendi we have the incontrovertible
statement that the Guardian of the Faith while “overshadowed” by the
“protection” of Bahá’u’lláh and of the Báb, “remains essentially human,”
whereas in respect of ‘Abdu’l Bahá Shoghi Effendi categorically states that “in
the person of ‘Abdu’l Bahá the incompatible characteristics of a human nature
and superhuman knowledge and perfection have been blended and are completely
harmonized.” - The Universal House of Justice (From a letter dated 3 June 1982, written on behalf of the
Universal House of Justice to individual believers; ‘Online Baha’i Reference Library
of the Baha’i World center)
