Day of the Covenant: Baha’is celebrate Abdu’l-Baha, tenets of faith

SUNDOWN TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25: Two unique Baha’i holy days commence this week, with the Day of the Covenant and the Ascension of Abdu’l-Baha. Both holy days are centered around Abdu’l-Baha, the son of Baha’i founder Baha’u’llah. Yet these two holy days share another common trait: unlike most holy days of the faith, work is not suspended on the Day of the Covenant nor the Ascension of Abdu’l-Baha. (Learn more at Bahai.us.)

Though revered internationally and by top leaders of several major world religions, Abdu’l-Baha never considered himself more than his father’s servant. Thus, it is with an intentional sense of humility that Baha’is commemorate Baha’u’llah’s Covenant.

‘MOST MIGHTY BRANCH’

As his death neared, the aging Baha’u’llah wrote, in his Book of Laws, “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.” Baha’u’llah, in explicit intention of keeping the Baha’i faith unified after his death, directed his followers to his son, whom he called the “Most Mighty Branch.” Abdu’l-Baha was given authority as sole interpreter of Baha’u’llah’s writings and the executor of his teachings. (Bahai.org has more.) Abdu’l-Baha was made the center of Baha’u’llah’s Covenant.

From Baha’u’llah’s death in 1892, Abdu’l-Baha exemplified Baha’u’llah’s wishes by acting as an international advocate of peace. Abdu’l-Baha ensured that no schisms occurred within his father’s religious movement, and he demonstrated respect for persons of various religions and backgrounds. As his own death drew near, Abdu’l-Baha appointed his grandson, Shoghi Effendi, as Guardian of the Baha’i Faith. Shoghi Effendi advanced the Baha’i community until it could maintain the institution of the Universal House of Justice, the elected international council and governing body that oversees the faith to this day. Each member of the Baha’i faith is expected to abide by Baha’u’llah’s Covenant in word and deed.

COVENANT WITH BAHA’U’LLAH

When Baha’is asked Abdu’l-Baha for a day to celebrate his birthday, Abdu’l-Baha refused to allow his actual birthday, May 23—as it was also the day that the Bab (“the gate”) declared his mission. Alternatively, Abdu’l-Baha gave the Baha’i people November 26 to celebrate the day of Abdu’l-Baha’s appointment as the Center of the Covenant. In the East, the Day of the Covenant is known as The Greatest Festival, in respect for Abdu’l-Baha as the greatest branch.