The Covenant Unites Us
Baha’is understand the Greater Covenant to be God’s promise to always provide guidance. An additional Lesser Covenant in the Faith is to follow the guidance of the successors Bahá’u’lláh named. The Lesser Covenant keeps the Faith from dividing into sects.
The Bahá’í Faith began with the mission entrusted by God to two Divine Messengers—the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh. Today, the distinctive unity of the Faith They founded stems from explicit instructions given by Bahá’u’lláh that have assured the continuity of guidance following His passing. This line of succession, referred to as the Covenant, went from Bahá’u’lláh to His Son ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and then from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to His grandson, Shoghi Effendi, and the Universal House of Justice, ordained by Bahá’u’lláh. A Bahá’í accepts the divine authority of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh and of these appointed successors.
Read more about the Covenant from Bahai.org.
Before the death of Bahá’u’lláh He repeatedly put in writing a Covenant appointing his eldest son ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá, Whom He often refers to as “The Branch,” or “The Most Great Branch,” as the authorized interpreter of the teachings . . .
In November, the first Holy Day, this year on the 26th, is the Day of the Covenant, established at the request of Bahá’ís in the early years to have a day to honor ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
‘Abdu’l‑Bahá is also called the “Center of the Covenant.”
Guaranteeing through ‘Abdu’l-Bahá a Centre to Whom all would turn was the means by which Bahá’u’lláh could diffuse His message of hope and universal peace to every corner of the world. This Covenant was the instrument that ensured the unity of the Bahá’í community and preserved the integrity of Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings.
Read more about the significance of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
The second Holy Day in November is the Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, on the day He passed away. This is observed at the time of His death, 1:00 a.m., on November 28th.