Will

A will is a document in which an individual indicates what he/she wishes to happen to them and to their possessions after death. Every Bahá'í is urged to make a will, and Bahá'u'lláh makes certain provisions applicable to it.

The Kitáb-i-`Ahd

The Kitáb-i-`Ahd is a short book, the text of which can be found in the book Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh , page 217. In it, Bahá’u’lláh sets out His Will, which chiefly concerns the succession and integrity of the Faith. In part, this says:

'When the ocean of My presence hath ebbed and the Book of Revelation is ended, turn your faces toward Him whom God hath purposed, Who hath branched from this Ancient Root.' The object of this sacred Verse is none other except the Most Mighty Branch [ 'Abdu'l-Bahá ]..... Verily God hath ordained the station of the Greater Branch [ Muhammad 'Ali ] to be beneath that of the Most Great Branch [ 'Abdu'l-Bahá ].

Among other things, the Ancient Beauty states clearly that His family have no right to the property of others.

The Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahá

Main article: Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

This document, frequently published in booklet form, was written by 'Abdu'l-Baha some years before His passing. It was opened some days after His death, in the presence of Bahá'ís from both the East and the West. It was translated into English quite soon afterwards, to be copied and dispatched to the United States and to Europe. From a historical point of view, its most important provision was the institution of the Guardianship, and its nomination of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's grandson, Shoghi Effendi, to the role.

Shoghi Effendi

The most noteworthy thing to mention when discussing Shoghi Effendi and wills is that he himself never wrote one. Bahá'u'lláh Himself urged people to leave a will, and the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahá laid explicit responsibilities upon the Guardian to nominate a future Guardian from within his own family. Given that he had over thirty years in which to do this, it seems certain that he realised that there was no one whom he could nominate, and therefore he felt unable to make a will. After he passed away, the Hands of the Cause followed the provisions already laid out in the "Will and Testament", ensuring a smooth transition in the exercise of authority within the Faith.