Universal House of Justice - Publications

Publications

While being empowered to legislate on matters, the Universal House of Justice has, since its inception in 1963, been limited in its exercise of this function. Instead it has generally provided guidance to Bahá'ís around the world; this guidance has generally been through the form of letters and messages, much like Shoghi Effendi's communications. Many of these letters have been published in compilations and are regarded as divinely empowered and authoritative; its legislative decisions are considered infallible to Bahá'ís. The letters cover a range of subjects including teaching, prayer, family life, education and Bahá'í administration.

The institution has also collected and published extracts from the writings of the Báb, Bahá'u'lláh and `Abdu'l-Bahá. In 1992 they published the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Bahá'u'lláh's book of laws in English, and further translations have since been published. During these endeavours, they established departments of research and archives at the Bahá'í World Centre, and, as of 1983, have collected over 60,000 letters of Bahá'u'lláh, `Abdu'l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi. These collected works have been used as a base in the deliberations of the Universal House of Justice.

• The Promise of World Peace (1985).

Statement addressed "To the Peoples of the World", presented to over 160 heads of state and government. It outlines the major prerequisites for, as well as the obstacles working against, the establishment of world peace.

• Bahá'u'lláh (1992).

Marking the centenary of the passing of Bahá'u'lláh, this statement is a review of his life and work.

• The Prosperity of Humankind (1995).

A statement on the concept of global prosperity in the context of the Bahá'í Teachings.

• Century of Light (2001).

Review of the 20th century, focusing on dramatic changes and the emergence of the Baha'i Faith from obscurity.

• Letter to the World's Religious Leaders (2002).

Letter addressing the disease of sectarian hatreds. Calling on all religious movements to "rise above fixed conceptions inherited from a distant past."

• One Common Faith (2005).

Document primarily intended for a Bahá'í audience, in which it identifies as a major challenge for the Bahá'í community the inculcation of the principle of the oneness of religion and the overcoming of religious prejudices