At the time of our beloved Shoghi Effendi's death it was
evident, from the circumstances and from the explicit requirements of the Holy
Texts, that it had been impossible for him to appoint a successor in accordance
with the provisions of the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahá. This situation,
in which the Guardian died without being able to appoint a successor, presented
an obscure question not covered by the explicit Holy Text, and had to be
referred to the Universal House of Justice. The friends should clearly
understand that before the election of the Universal House of Justice there was
no knowledge that there would be no Guardian. There could not have been any
such foreknowledge, whatever opinions individual believers may have held.
Neither the Hands of the Cause of God, nor the International Bahá'í Council,
nor any other existing body could make a decision upon this all-important
matter. Only the House of Justice had authority to pronounce upon it. This was
one urgent reason for calling the election of the Universal House of Justice as
soon as possible.
- The Universal House of Justice (From a message dated 9
March, 1965; ‘Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1963-1986)
