Study of Will and Testament

The Wills of Bahaullah and Abdul-Baha are considered as the honorable heritages of the Baha’i community. According to the Baha`i learned people they could prevent any deviation and division among the Baha`is. Bahaullah in his written Will introduced Abbas Effendi (Abdul-Baha) and his younger brother, Mohammad Ali Effendi, as successive leaders of the Baha`is. But after the death of Bahaullah, Abdul-Baha neglected his father`s Will. According to most Baha`is Abdul-Baha wrote his Will and Testament and appointed Shoghi Effendi, his grandson, as his next successor. Some Baha`is believe that Will and Testament of Abdul-Baha is not authentic, and is manipulated by Shoghi’s relatives. So, they don`t respect it. Contrary to the requirements of the Will and Testament, Shoghi Effendi died while he had not appointed his successor. It caused a big challenge for the Baha`is. In this article, the text of Will and Testament and also the surrounding views have been investigated.