On the Covenant of Baha'u'llah: Ensuring the Unity of the Baha'i Community

"Bahá’ís believe that the distinctive unity of the Bahá’í Faith stems from a promise from God to humanity that assures His continuing guidance after the passing of Bahá’u’lláh. This promise is referred to as the Covenant." So begins the section on "The Covenant of Baha'u'llah" on baha'i.org, the Baha'i website. Baha'is remain unified precisely because of their obediance to this Convenant. Here is an excerpt from another article on the same site:

The Bahá'í Faith is thus the first religion in history that has survived its critical first century with its unity firmly established. "Were it not for the protecting power of the Covenant to guard the impregnable fort of the Cause of God," said `Abdu'l-Bahá, "there would arise among the Bahá'ís, in one day, a thousand different sects as was the case in former ages."5 But in this Revelation, Bahá'u'lláh's Covenant is the magnet that draws the hearts of its followers together.

The Centre for the Study of the Texts, Haifa
While issues of succession and leadership within the Bahá'í Faith are addressed by Bahá'u'lláh in His Covenant, its significance is far more encompassing. As He wrote, "The aim of this Wronged One in sustaining woes and tribulations, in revealing the Holy Verses and in demonstrating proofs hath been naught but to quench the flame of hate and enmity, that the horizon of the hearts of men may be illumined with the light of concord and attain real peace and tranquillity."6

Elaborating this theme, Bahá'u'lláh exhorted the people of the world to behave in a manner that will elevate their station; to "hold fast to the fear of God and firmly adhere to what is right"; to refrain from engaging in "slander, abuse and whatever causeth sadness"; to "hold fast to righteousness and truth"; to recognize that the "religion of God is for love and unity" and not to be made the "cause of enmity or dissension"; to respect those who have been invested with the power to rule or govern, and to "aid those daysprings of authority and sources of command who are adorned with the ornament of equity and justice"; "to serve all nations and to strive for the betterment of the world."7

"Conflict and contention are categorically forbidden in His Book," Bahá'u'lláh asserted, emphasizing the the importance of harmony in human relationships. And again He addressed these words to His followers: "O Servants! Let not the means of order be made the cause of confusion and the instrument of union an occasion for discord."8

"The Covenant of Baha'u'llah," The Baha'is: The International Website of the Baha'i Faith
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The International Teaching Centre, Haifa

Other links regarding the Covenant of Baha'u'llah:

The Protection of Diversity in the Bahá'í Community
The keynote of the Bahá'í approach to social organization is not uniformity, but unity in diversity. Central to the Bahá'í Faith is a system of teachings and institutions that assure freedom of individual opinion, that protect individual rights irrespective of race, color, religion, nationality, class, or attitude toward the Faith, and that encourage the full participation of minorities in the life of the Bahá'í community. More >
From the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahá
Selections from the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahá. More >
Covenant and the Foundations of Civil Society
An exploration of the religious origins of the organizing principles of civil society, their secularization in the modern era, and the prospect of an inclusive global moral order based on the enduring concept of covenant. More >
Message of the Universal House of Justice
Description of the Message of the UHJ to the NY Congress in 1992. More >
Hands of the Cause of God
An emphasis on group leadership, as opposed to individual power, runs throughout the Bahá'í administrative system. Individuals do not set policy or make rules in Bahá'í institutions—Spiritual Assemblies make the decisions, although they may delegate specific executive responsibilities. More >
The Book of the Covenant
Description of the Book of the Covenant More >