Clergy

A professional clergy does not exist in the Bahá’í Faith. Bahá’u’lláh taught that the responsibility is now with each individual, made possible through education, to independently investigate truth and to develop a personal relationship with God. Bahá’u’lláh in the Kitáb-i-Íqán lays at the feet of religious leaders throughout the ages the blame for the denial of the people in response to the Prophets of God:

“ Leaders of religion, in every age, have hindered their people from attaining the shores of eternal salvation, inasmuch as they held the reins of authority in their mighty grasp. Some for the lust of leadership, others through want of knowledge and understanding, have been the cause of the deprivation of the people. By their sanction and authority, every Prophet of God hath drunk from the chalice of sacrifice, and winged His flight unto the heights of glory. What unspeakable cruelties they that have occupied the seats of authority and learning have inflicted upon the true Monarchs of the world, those Gems of divine virtue! Content with a transitory dominion, they have deprived themselves of an everlasting sovereignty... It is evident that by the “people of the Book,” who have repelled their fellow-men from the straight path of God, is meant none other than the divines of that age, whose names and character have been revealed in the sacred books, and alluded to in the verses and traditions recorded therein, were you to observe with the eye of God. ” — Kitáb-i-Íqán

For the responsibilities associated with the administration of the affairs of the Bahá’í community see: Administration. For further discussion about the Bahá’í teachings on the religious institution, see priesthood.

See also

• Bahá’u’lláh addresses Clergy and People of Various Faiths