Who is ‘Abdu’l-Bahá?
As the Center of Bahá’u'lláh's Covenant and the Perfect Exemplar for humankind, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's life is unique in religious history.
While He is not a Manifestation of God, He is closer in the station to a Manifestation than to the station of humanity. Drawing on statements by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi, as well as writings by many Bahá’ís, we will explore ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s life, station, roles, writings, talks, travels, accomplishments, relationship to Bahá’u'lláh, and impact on others. In particular, we will cover His passing and funeral, in this, the centenary year of His ascension.
Exemplar: a film commissioned by the Universal House of Justice
One hundred years ago, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the son of Bahá’u’lláh and the perfect example of His teachings, passed from this world. Exemplar follows the life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the profound effect He had on people both past and present.
A sense of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s unique function as a shelter, a shield, a stronghold for all humanity is captured in vignettes of some of the souls whose lives were transformed for the betterment of society through their association with Him. The film reflects a few of the universal principles embodied, both in word and deed, by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá—principles that animate a global movement of individuals, communities and institutions striving to emulate His example in service to humanity.
Movie from www.bahai.org
Who is Shoghi Effendi?
Born in 1897, the grandson of Abdu’l-Baha, he was known as the Guardian of the Baha’i Faith from 1921 until his passing in 1957.
As a Baha’i institution, the Guardianship was foreseen by Baha’u’llah in The Most Holy Book (the Kitab-i-Aqdas) and created by Abdu’l-Baha in his Will and Testament. Appointed by Abdu’l-Baha, the Guardian acted as the sole, authoritative interpreter of the Baha’i teachings—but could not legislate on any questions the Baha’i scriptures did not cover. That legislative function, according to Abdu’l-Baha’s Will and Testament, rested entirely with the democratically-elected Universal House of Justice, which first came into being in 1963, six years after Shoghi Effendi’s passing.
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