The early history of the Bahá'í Faith is marked by a profound internal conflict over succession and authority, particularly following the death of its founder, Bahá'u'lláh, in 1892. At the heart of this dispute were Bahá'u'lláh’s two sons, Abbas (Abdul-Bahá) and Muhammad Ali, whose differing interpretations of their father’s teachings led to a bitter rivalry. This conflict not only shaped the future of the movement but also sparked a series of theological and leadership disputes that continue to echo within the Bahá'í community today.
I. Disputes over Authority and Doctrine
Mohammed Ali Behai, through his proponents, asserts that the cause of the misunderstanding between him and Abdul Baha was based on the principles of their religion, not on "earthly possessions".
The primary points of contention raised by the Society of Behaists (followers of Mohammed Ali) against Abdul Baha include the following:
- Interpretation and Infallibility: Abdul Baha claimed to be the Interpreter of the Utterances of Beha 'U'llah, even though Beha 'U'llah declared in the Book of Wisdom that there is no interpreter save Himself. The sources confirm that Beha 'U'llah strictly prohibited the interpretation of revelations that deviated from the "apparent meaning".
- Succession and Station: Abdul Baha claimed Ghusni Akbar "was cut off and fell" from the position Beha 'U'llah appointed for him in the Book of My Covenant (Kitabi Ahdi), even though he had not yet had a chance to occupy it.
- The Center of the Covenant: Abdul Baha claimed to be the "Centre of the Covenant," a claim rejected by his opponents who argued that only God is the Center of the Covenant.
- Manifestation Status: Abdul Baha claimed to be a manifestation of servitude, and claimed that the Greatest Manifestation had three chiefs: The Bab, Beha 'U'llah, and himself. His opponents countered that Beha 'U'llah taught that there are no manifestations after Him until one thousand years passed from His appearance.
- Claiming Revelation: Abdul Baha claimed great infallibility, calling his letters sacred tablets and revelations, despite Beha 'U'llah having stated that anyone claiming a mission before the completion of one thousand years from His manifestation is a "lying imposter".
- Spreading Personal Teachings: Abdul Baha was accused of teaching and spreading his own doctrines instead of the teachings of Beha 'U'llah, as he was commanded to do.
- Concealment of the Will: Abdul Baha was questioned regarding why he concealed a part of the Book of My Covenant, the last will of Beha 'U'llah.
II. Reciprocal Accusations and Covenant-breaking
Both sides leveled strong accusations against the other:
- Against Mohammed Ali (Ghusni Akbar): Abdul Baha's will accuses him and others of "unpardonable crimes," "hostilities," and "interpolating and falsifying the Words and Verses of the Text".
- Against Abdul Baha's Opponents (Covenant-breakers): Abdul Baha's will refers to those who opposed him as "Covenant-breakers". He writes that they "afflicted me with the arrows of hate", stirred up "grievous sedition," and attempted to "ruin the edifice of the Covenant". He warned that if they were "suffered to continue they would, in but a few days' time, exterminate the Cause of God".
III. Resulting Behai Sects
The internal conflicts led to a division into three major groups in America:
- The Society of Behaists (or Behaists): This is characterized as the oldest assembly. They believe Beha 'U'llah is the sole Manifestation and the beginner and the end of the religious dispensation. They accept His teachings literally and consider them final, opposing the necessity of an explainer or interpreter.
- The National Spiritual Assembly of the Behais of the United States and Canada (followers of Abdul Baha and Shoghi Effendi): They recognize Beha 'U'llah as the Author, but consider Abdul Baha the Interpreter and true Exemplar of the Cause. They accept the Will of Abdul Baha as final, incorporating it into their organization, thereby establishing a system of "infallible guardians and little popes" for the next thousand years.
- The New History Society: This group believes in both Beha 'U'llah and Abdul Baha, but does not accept the leadership of Shoghi Effendi, who was appointed as the Guardian in Abdul Baha's will.
IV. Fundamental Dispute over Clergy and Interpretation
A foundational dispute underlying the sectarian division is the adherence to Beha 'U'llah's principle of "Religion Without Clergy".
- Beha 'U'llah commanded that His teachings are the leaders and guides for followers.
- Shua'u'llah Behai suggests that historically, religious dissension and strife arose because religious leaders corrupted inspired teachings by misinterpretation to fulfill their selfish desires and rule the masses.
- The Society of Behaists views the establishment of an infallible guardianship (following Abdul Baha's will) as "reproducing the supremacy of the Papacy" and argues that this violates the command to free oneself from the "clutches of religious leaders".
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