| Providing an explanation of the Sacred Writings. |
| The function of authoritative interpretation of the Bahá'í Scriptures is limited to ‘Abdu'l-Bahá and the Guardian of the Bahá'í Faith. Bahá'u'lláh designated ‘Abdu'l-Bahá as the only authorized Interpreter of His Teachings: ‘When the Mystic Dove will have winged its flight from its Sanctuary of Praise and sought its far-off goal, its hidden habitation, refer ye whatsoever ye understand not in the Book to Him Who hath branched from this mighty stock."13 In the Kitáb-i-'Ahdí Bahá'u'lláh states: "When the ocean of My presence hath ebbed and the Book of My Revelation is ended, turn your faces toward Him Whom God hath purposed, Who hath branched from this Ancient Root." The object of this sacred Verse is none other except the most Mighty Branch [‘Abdu'1-Bahá].'14 |
| In His Will and Testament ‘Abdu'l-Bahá appointed His grandson to be the Interpreter: ‘After the passing of this wronged one, it is incumbent upon the Ag̲h̲sán, the Afnán of the Sacred Lote-Tree, the Hands of the Cause of God and the loved ones of the Abhá Beauty to turn unto Shoghi Effendi . . . as he is the sign of God, the chosen branch, the guardian of the Cause of God. . . He is the expounder of the words of God . ‘15 |
| As no further Guardians could be appointed after the passing of Shoghi Effendi, the function of authoritative interpretation ceased: ‘there are those prerogatives and duties which lie exclusively within the sphere of the Guardian himself and, therefore, in the absence of a Guardian, are inoperative except insofar as the monumental work already performed by Shoghi Effendi continues to be of enduring benefit to the Faith. Such a function is that of authoritative interpretation of the Teachings."16 |
| The exclusive nature of authoritative interpretation does not preclude individuals from having their own understandings of the Writings: ‘A clear distinction is made in our Faith between authoritative interpretation and the interpretation or understanding that each individual arrives at for himself from his study of its teachings. While the former is confined to the Guardian, the latter, according to the guidance given to us by the Guardian himself, should by no means be suppressed. In fact such individual interpretation is considered the fruit of man's rational power and conducive to a better understanding of the teachings, provided that no disputes or arguments arise among the friends and the individual himself understands and makes it clear that his views are merely his own."17 |
| [BD 119-120] |
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