| The divinely-ordained 'instrument' provided by Bahá'u'lláh 'to direct and canalize these forces let loose by this Heaven-sent process [the Revelation
of Bahá'u'lláh], and to ensure their harmonious and continuous operation after His ascension.'19 In
His Will and Testament, the Kitáb-i-Ahdí (The Book of My Covenant), Bahá'u'lláh clearly appointed 'Abdu'l-Bahá as His successor, identifying Him as 'Him Whom God hath purposed',20 to whom all should
turn after Bahá'u'lláh's passing. 'Abdu'l-Bahá is the Centre of the Covenant. |
| The intention of the Covenant is the protection of the unity of the Bahá'í
Faith: 'The purpose of the Blessed
Beauty in entering into this Covenant and Testament was to gather all existent beings
around one point so that the thoughtless souls, who in every cycle and generation have
been the cause of dissension, may not undermine the Cause.'21 |
| 'Abdu'l-Bahá has
called the appointment of the Centre of the Covenant 'the most great characteristic
of the revelation of Bahá'u'lláh.'22 'By this appointment and provision He has safeguarded and protected the religion
of God against differences and
schisms, making it impossible for anyone to create a new sect or faction of belief.
To ensure unity and agreement He has entered into a Covenant with all the people of
the world, including the interpreter and explainer of His teachings, so that no one
may interpret or explain the religion of God according to his own view or opinion and thus create a sect founded upon his individual
understanding of the divine Words.'23 |
| The Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh is unique in religious history: 'So firm and mighty is this Covenant that from the
beginning of time until the present day no religious Dispensation hath produced the
like.'24 |
| Further, the Covenant provides the basis for the primary social teaching of the Bahá'í Revelation:
'It is indubitably clear that the pivot of the oneness of mankind is nothing else but
the power of the Covenant.'25 |
| [BD 61] |
 |
| See also: |
|
