The interpretations of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the Guardian are
divinely guided statements of what the Word of God means and as such these
interpretations are binding on the friends. However, the existence of
authoritative interpretations in no way precludes the individual from engaging
in his own study of the teachings and thereby arriving at his own
interpretation or understanding. Indeed, Bahá’u’lláh invites the believers to
"immerse" themselves in the "ocean" of His
"words," that they "may unravel its secrets, and discover all
the pearls of wisdom that lie hid in its depths."
Far from knowledge being limited, Bahá’u’lláh quotes the
Muslim tradition that "every knowledge hath seventy meanings," and
asserts that the "meaning" of the Word of God "can never be
exhausted." This potential richness of meaning is underlined by the
provision whereby future Guardians, while not abrogating the
"interpretations of former Guardians," may "elaborate and
elucidate former interpretations," as set out in the extract from a letter
dated 19 February 1947 which was written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an
individual believer: “. . . regarding future Guardians: they cannot
"abrogate" the interpretations of former Guardians, as this would
imply not only lack of guidance but mistakes in making them; however they can
elaborate and elucidate former interpretations, and can certainly abrogate some
former ruling laid down as a temporary necessity by a former Guardian.”
- The
Universal House of Justice (From a letter dated 8 March 1987 written on behalf
of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer)
