This is an article about the status of Universal House of Justice. I have been
contemplating on a theory that seems to be the most
logical solution in regard to the status of Universal
House of Justice. In this article it is assumed that
the reader understands and accepts Bahá'í concepts in
regard to God's existence and His spiritual worlds. In
order to keep the article as short as possible no
references have been given in regard to statements
which rely on Bahá'í Writings. Many parts of this
article can be substantiated by adding appropriate
Bahá'í Writings in regard to the topic. References are
avoided as the aim is to introduce the concept only and
not to prove it. In future, I may attempt to add
references to Bahá'í Writings too.
Contents:
- Introduction
- Physical evidences of universe
- The concept of seed
- Duality of nature of creation
- The state of Manifestations
- Universal House Justice
- The concept of men only membership
- Conclusion
Introduction
In this article I would like to introduce a new
theory that perhaps could explain the concept of
physical creation and status of manifestations of God
in respect to it. Although, it is very difficult to
associate physical proofs to it, but like any other
explanation for creation that man can think of, it can
be considered but not absolutely ascertained. My ideas
in this regard have flourished due to collecting
material from our holy Scriptures in this regard and
other articles that have dwelled on unified concepts
that consider the creation as a whole. I hope that I
can describe it as clear as possible.
In a non-Bahá'í environment the scientists can
only look at the physical world and then conceptualise
the physical world that they think they see. However,
in an environment that the concept of God and His
Manifestations are fully accepted, the whole creation
can take a new look and totally different shape. In
this article I propose a new theory that can combine
current physical observations of the universe and the
Bahá'í concepts in regard to existence of worlds of God
and spirituality of man. A derivative of this concept
is a new notion in regard to status of Universal House
of Justice and its infallibility. In addition, It can
provide an acceptable reason for the so called problem
of 'men only membership on Universal House of Justice'.
Before I go further, I like to stress that if this
concept is not taken fully or not looked at with total
impartiality, there is a danger that one could say it
produces a situation where man (as masculine) is
superior to woman in human spices. But if it is taken
in its full form then this problem can not arise and
the concept of equality of man and woman would not
interfere in it. In this article analogous situations
are used to let the reader grasp the individual notions
in a better way. This article is divided into a number
of segments so that the final notion can be presented
to the reader in an smooth and logical way.
Physical evidences of universe
The present observation of our universe suggest
that we live in a physical identity that is expanding
in its dimensions and could have had a beginning which
is so termed as "Big Bang". please note that I called
it an identity and not a universe, this is because I
like to introduce a picture of a universe which
encompasses the Bahá'í concept of Worlds of God in a
latter stage. This identity is believed to go through
either a cyclic situation of expansion and contraction
or through an everlasting expansion. What is very
clear for the time being is that objects such as
galaxies are receding from each other and the involved
distances are so vast that they have to be measured in
concepts of light years. In recent studies of the
distribution of objects in universe, the idea that they
are not distributed randomly and that the universe has
distinctive shape is immerging. What ever the form,
today's science is producing proofs in this respect and
has the potential of discovering a unified law that
governs this identity.
However, all this scientific work can only provide
physical evidences and proofs that are limited to this
identity and can not cover concepts such as God, the
spirituality of man (a creation which is within this
identity), life after death and so on. If a theory is
devised that clearly combines this physical world and
relates it to spiritual worlds of God then we may have
a better understanding of our existence. In deed, The
whole thing could be like the concept of
electromagnetic waves, where we see only a band (i.e.
from ultra violet light to infra red section). It
could be that like electromagnetic waves in which
infinite wavelengths are possible on each end of the
bands, this physical universe is a band in the spectrum
of Worlds of God and as man progresses in these Worlds
it moves from one band to another, each with its own
and totally different characteristics to the others.
In the next section I like to bring the concept of seed
into this argument.
The concept of seed
If one looks at the individual parts that
constitute the whole of this physical creation, one
thing is clear, that identities such as man and other
evolving things even nature itself are going through
cycles of composition and decomposition. In the period
of composition they evolve from a seed into an identity
(in case of life the seed is an individual cell).
Although, the seed does not look like the object
itself, at its full developed state, but it has
inherent potentials to become the object itself. An
example is a seed that produces an apple tree, that
seed is always an apple seed not an orange seed that
turns into a beautiful apple tree (i.e. in short an
orange seed can not transmute into an apple seed and
vis versa). Perhaps in the course of time, the seed
will change characteristics which would make it totally
different to its past origin but yet it is fulfilling
its original propose (i.e. reproduction).
In Bahá'í Faith, we believe in the existence of a
substance so called ether which in Arabic-Persian
languages it is termed "Maday-i-Asyrieh" meaning a
substance with atraction powers, we believe that
this substance is a prerequisite to existence of God's
creation. Yet science today has not come with such an
identity in physical sense. I believe that the nature
of this substance is not physical in the sense that we
know it. It must have characteristics that can not be
measured in a physical sense. However, when a
combination of these identical substances appear in
relation to each other then physical realities come
into form. I would like to go further by saying that
this substance does not have physical characteristic at
all but an spiritual one. When it is in a combination
state it manifests physical characteristics which can
be attributed to that combined form (i.e. an atom or
sub-atomic particles). Now if we consider that one of
these so called ether substances to have in it the full
potentiality of this physical world of existence, then
we can say that the seed has been defined for the
physical existence. Perhaps like an apple seed the
ether seed also developed by multiplying into different
constituents that shape our present universe.
A universe that is developed or is developing from
a single seed that had the full inherent potentials of
this physical existence within it, is more aligned with
the present knowledge of man in regard to the formation
of our universe (i.e. current Big Bang theory). Now a
universe that is defined in this manner will be in all
aspects an orderly one and purposeful in it origin and
in its development. Like any other developing organism
this universe will flourish and produce numerous
fruits. This concept can be analogous to development
of an apple tree where the seed in swanned in the soil
and is watered until it blossoms and starts growing
into a young tree, which in time develops into a fully
grown tree, which at an end, produces fruits as sweet
as an apple. In like manner, it can be considered that
the world of existence has appeared as a result of such
development in seed like ether substance which is
nourished by inherent spiritual characteristics and
directly as a result of the Will of God. This tree of
universe will develop in all aspects in an orderly
manner. It will take nourishment from an spiritual
source and in its fullness of time produce fruits of
diverse qualities and perhaps man himself is the
ultimate fruit that will develop behind the imagination
of our present times.
An interesting aspect of such development is the
nature of the formation of the original seed. this
formation and the related concept of "active force and
recipient" are discussed in the next section.
Duality of nature of creation
As it was stated before, individual identities in
the world of creation go through cycles of
reproduction. By interaction of these identities with
each other a seed is formed, which in turn develops
into an alike identity. Abdul'Baha has stated this
concept very clearly in Some Answered Questions. This
physical world is created in a form that each
constituent has an opposite counter part. As an
example man has been created in the form of a male and
a female identities. In like manner, this is true in
the kingdom of animals, vegetables and even in objects.
In the world of creation two opposite forces are always
in interaction and this interaction produces
reproduction. If we go back to the concept of original
creation, we can consider that as a result of
interaction of the word of God and His love for
creation this creation has been produced. I would like
to state that this interaction is an inherent property
of the concept, from God's level down to the minute
identities in the world as a whole, whether in this
physical world or in other Worlds of God. Perhaps it
will become more clear as we go through these different
level of existences, starting with God, Himself.
As a result of interaction of God's Word and His
Love for creation all existences have come into
reality. In Bahá'í Faith we believe this concept of
levels to be in the form of God, Holy Spirit then
Manifestations of God, followed by world of mankind and
then kingdoms of animals, vegetables, and finally
minerals. In these levels, there is always interaction
and this interaction is between the two opposite
counter parts. In this situation, we have one identity
which play the role of active force and the other which
acts as the recipient. Resultant to the interaction of
these identities a third identity comes into form. As a
result of interaction between God, being the active
force and Holy Spirit being the recipient, the Word of
God comes into being. Now these identities can take
the form of active force in respect to a lower level or
the role of recipient in respect to a level higher. In
this manner, The Holy Spirit is an active force in
respect to the Manifestations of God, which take the
role of recipient and as a result of their interaction
the concept of revelation is formed. In a level lower,
the Manifestation of God takes the role of active force
and the humanity the role of recipient and as a result
of this interaction the concept of religion, order,
harmony and civilisation is formed among Mankind. An
interesting fact is that man (human beings) is at an
important boundary of this structure. He has the
physical body and yet an spiritual soul which together
constitute the highest creation in the physical world.
Similarly, in the levels lower than Mankind the
identity at level above act as the active force.
In the Bahá'í Faith we believe that the Worlds of
God are all connected to each other in some kind of
manner, but, yet all have boundaries or conditions
attached to them. As an example, a baby in the womb of
the mother is connected to this world but yet is
limited in the sense that the birth must occur before
it can come to this world. Likewise, man must die
before he can enter into the World of souls or Abha-
Kingdom. Once the baby is in this World it would not go
back into the womb again and likewise, once we depart
we would not come back. These restrictions are so
called the boundaries that bond the worlds and separate
them from each other. I like to state that God also
acts in this manner Himself. He has an spiritual form,
it only manifests Himself into this physical world by
the way of His Manifestations. He is only following
rules that He has created Himself. He can not appear
in any other form except the form that He comes,
because we can only grasp this condition and none
other. This is a limit that is inherent in the
conditions of our level in the spectrum of creation as
a whole. As a consequence of this, He (or the Holy
Spirit) being the active force must as a prerequisite to
the above concept appear in the physical world to the
highest level of the physical world which can only be a
form of man (as masculine) a recipient in this respect
(note: man being the active force in the reproduction
sense to the woman that performs the recipient role in
the physical world). This interaction is solely for
improvement of the state of the physical world and must
occur in this manner. Once this interaction occurs,
order, harmony and improvement of society as a whole
can come into reality. In the next section I will
elaborate on this concept.
The state of manifestations
In the history of mankind as we know it, there
have been major steps that have shaped the direction in
which civilisation has moved. These steps are in
conjunction with the appearances of the Manifestations
of God. From known records humanity has been guided by
these Manifestations of God, starting with Adam in the
adamic cycle and followed by Moses, Christ, Mohammad,
the Bab, and now Bahá'u'lláh, the first Manifestation
of the cycle of Baha. surely as our Scriptures suggest
there will be other Manifestations to come as time
elapses and there have been Manifestations prior to the
Adamic Cycle which no records have remained. To date,
these Manifestations have all been in the form of a man
(masculine). The fact that they have been all in the
form of male individuals can not be an accidental
event. It must bear some reason.
Many concepts have been postulated to this effect
but yet, in my opinion none can be strong enough such
that they can be considered purposeful. I do not like
to go into the different existing reasons or concepts
as the intention is not to dispute them but to present
a new concept that seems to have more sound bases in
the pattern of the whole creation. What seems very
clear is that up to date the Manifestations have been
in the form of male individuals and I think this
pattern will always continue in this manner because the
equality of man and woman does not come into play and
it is a fact of creation. The purpose of
manifestations is to interact with humanity in the
sense that a resultant identity which is an improved
civilisation can come into being. The male individual
in this respect is only acting as a recipient to the
World of God (i.e. a feminine role). The female
identity in the physical world can not be considered as
a recipient in this interaction as it does not have the
required state for this interaction. If it is
considered as a recipient then the continuity in these
levels are broken.
Let me restate that this concept is in no wise
suggestive that the female identity has a inferior
position or the male identity is superior to the female
identity. It only suggests that they have a role to
play in the purpose of creation. They take these forms
to initiate the interaction in order to cause the
consequential formation of the third identity. I must
stress that the concept can only be taken as the whole
otherwise the concept is not understood. Hence, if
someone raises this question of superiority and
inferiority, I must consider that they have not
understood the concept of the roles of the active force
and the recipient in these interactions. In the next
section I like to move this concept further and suggest
the notion that it also encompasses the institution of
our beloved Universal House of Justice.
Universal House Justice
In the past religions, we encounter the existence
of certain followers of the Manifestations that have
taken an important role in the formation and
development of that faith. In Bahá'í Faith we consider
them to be inspired by the Manifestation Himself and
guided to play such a role. Such examples are; the
lesser Prophets in duration of the Faith of Moses, the
twelve disciples of Christ, and in Islam the twelve
Imams that are considered to be inspired by each of
those manifestations. Yet, these Holy Beings were also
in the form of male individuals too. These luminaries
were in the recipient state in respect to the
manifestation Himself which now was an active force in
the interaction from the spiritual world. It is well
clear that as a consequence of the role that these
individuals played, the development of each of those
Faiths have take distinctive shape and direction in
this physical world.
In Bahá'í Faith, likewise, the Master (Abdul'Baha)
and the Guardian played such a role. It was also
willed that the future Guardians to be the sons of the
Guardian. However, The course of history was to be such
that no Guardians would remain and The Universal House
of Justice to be the supreme body of the Faith. As we
all know the Universal House of Justice must be
considered to be infallible in all its decisions and
actions. This infallibility can only come about if the
House is considered to be inspired by our beloved
Manifestation of God, Bahá'u'lláh. This body for its
span of existence will be inspired by Bahá'u'lláh in
all times. This body as a consequence of this
interaction will take the role of recipient in
delivering its potential's. The result of this
interaction will be the unity of the Faith for all
times. The body of the House as a single identity will
always be in a role of recipient to the level of
Manifestation of God and an active force to the level
of humanity. It will move humanity which takes a
recipient position in its interaction with the House
into fruitful directions and develop humanity towards
its ultimate goal of a Golden Civilisation. In the
next section, I will discuss in detail the role of
Universal House of Justice and take this concept
further in relation to its membership of men only.
The concept of men only membership
As it was stated in the previous section, this
spectrum of active force and its recipient can be seen
in all levels of creation. Bahá'u'lláh has in this age
provided a medium in which the flow of inspiration can
be made continuous. The existence of a single body in
which inspiration can be directed to the physical world
would enable mankind to leap into such heights of
development that as yet can not be imagined. This body
of individuals is in a state of recipient in respect to
the World of God and its interaction with the active
force i.e. the Manifestation of God will allow the
birth of a new civilisation and will lead to the
maturity of human kind as a whole.
This interaction is happening at a level in which
the boundary of spiritual world and our physical world
occurs. As a result, the body which comprises this
recipient agent must be by default an active agent in
the physical world which means that the individuals
constituting the body must be male individuals. As the
interaction is between a spiritual world and a physical
world, the agent must act as recipient to a level above
and be active force to a level below. When an
interaction is at the boundary of the spiritual world,
the recipient can only be the one that is the active
force in the physical sense, because the interaction is
to cause some kind of reproduction or manifestation of
some kind of physical progress.
This concept must not be misunderstood by the fact
that men and women are equal in the Site of God. In
Bahá'í Faith, the right of women to be equal to men
encompasses all aspect of our social and environmental
existence in the physical world. Yet, in this physical
world man has been made in a form which plays as an
active force and women as a recipient, with the result
of their physical interaction being the reproduction
process, where a child can be born into the physical
world. These are roles that each of these identities
have to play and have no bearing on their equality in
the Site of God or their opportunities in the physical
world. In addition, This concept should not be
considered to impair or unbalance the spiritual
progress of the female individuals of the society. As
in the Site of God, men and women have equal rights and
opportunities to progress their soul and human
attributes to outmost perfection. If male individuals
are selected to be as recipients in an spiritual
interaction, then they are merely playing their
function and has nothing to do with notion of
superiority.
Conclusion
It seems very logical to have a physical world
which in its origin was a seed like identity that
possessed all possible potentials of development into
the universe as we know it. This model can be seen in
diverse forms in nature and is replicated in all level
of created identities. The concept of a seed like
ether which its development was initiated in a time in
distant past to us and a tree like development which is
in every aspect orderly and with significant purpose
has more bearing to our existence than the postulation
that the world of existence happens to be here as a
result of a Big Bang and a chaotic explosion in a
massive dimension with an unknown origin. It is more
logical to assume that man, an identity that has
spiritual and physical nature to it, lives in a
Universe that encompasses not only this plane of
physical existence but in a plane that constitutes many
Worlds of God.
As there are boundaries to these different plans
of existence then it is logical to consider a concept
of active force and its recipient for reproduction or
developmental purposes. The concept of active force
and its recipient can be applied to all levels of
creation from God, Himself to the ultimate identities
in the world of existence.
It seems likely that this concept also applies to
a governing body such as the Universal House of Justice
which is empowered to deliver spiritual direction to
the world of humanity. In this respect, if this body
is considered to be infallible and recipient of the
guidances of the Manifestation of God Himself, then it
must be a body that can act as recipient to the
spiritual world and be an active force to the world of
humanity. In addition, the individuals that constitute
this body must as a prerequisite of creation to be male
individuals which act as an active force in the
physical creation. It must be beared in mind that this
body at all times is a recipient in nature to the World
of God and an active force to the world of mankind and
as a consequence of its interaction the world of
humanity will be directed towards a more civilised and
mature state.