In remembrance

In remembrance
Originally uploaded by - Matt -

Today we hosted a memorial gathering for Dr. ‘Alí-Muhammad Varqá, the last Hand of the Cause of God to leave this earthly existence. Dr. Varqá passed away at his home in Haifa, Israel, several weeks ago. In its 23 September 2007 message to the Bahá’ís of the world, the Universal House of Justice, the supreme governing council of the Bahá’í Faith, advised the friends “in all lands to commemorate his passing” with befitting memorial services. In addition to devotions for the progress of Dr. Varqá’s soul in the realms beyond, we read the press release from the Bahá’í International Community and the letter of the House of Justice concerning his passing, as well as portions of an article on the institution of the Hands of the Cause of God published in a volume of The Bahá’í World. Our program concluded with a brief slideshow presentation featuring photographs of many of the members of this sacred institution, which everyone enjoyed.

The institution of the Hands of the Cause of God was ordained by Bahá’u’lláh, the Prophet-Founder of the Bahá’í Faith, and its members were invested with the twofold role of protecting and propagating His Faith. Bahá’u’lláh named several people in His lifetime as Hands of the Cause. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Bahá’u’lláh’s eldest son and appointed successor, elucidated in His Writings the responsibilities of this exalted office. Shoghi Effendi, appointed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as Guardian of the Faith after His passing, also delineated the role the Hands played in the Administrative Order of Bahá’u’lláh, and elevated several individuals to this rank during his lifetime. No others, however, could be appointed when Shoghi Effendi suddenly passed away in 1957 without naming a successor of his own. The Continental Boards of Counsellors and the International Teaching Centre, institutions founded by the House of Justice in the years following its first election, now oversee the propagation and protection of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh.