Bahá’u’lláh – the Prophet Founder of The Bahá’í Faith – has planned a network of channels through which His teachings are brought to the field of existence. This plan is called the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, and Bahá’í Administration is a part of it. The Bahá’í Administration is handled by individual Bahá’ís who do not have any special rank or authority by themselves in the Bahá’í community.
Bahá’í Administration is different from every other form of religious order because it is not man-made. Bahá’ís believe it is the Plan of God for this age, given to us through His Manifestation, Bahá’u’lláh, and destined to establish order and peace among all the various peoples of the earth.
Bahá’í community life is characterised by an atmosphere of cordial consultation and encouragement. The Bahá’í teachings emphasise that each person is in charge of his or her own spiritual development. Accordingly, there is no clergy or priesthood in the Bahá’í Faith.
Bahá’u’lláh Himself, laid the foundation for this World Order, and drafted its plan. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá who was appointed by Bahá’u’lláh as the Centre of the Faith after Him, explained the details of the divine plan and started its construction. However, it was through the lifelong efforts of Shoghi Effendi who Himself was appointed as the Centre of the Faith after the passing of Abdu’l-Bahá, that the Bahá’í Administration was gradually built up, and far-flung communities were joined to make them parts of a united whole.
Bahá’í Administration is composed of many inter-linked components. Some of the major Administrative Institutions are: Local Spiritual Assemblies (LSAs), National Spiritual Assemblies (NSAs), The Universal House of Justice, The Nineteen Day Feasts; and Bahá’í Houses of Worship.
