It must always be remembered that authoritative
interpretation of the Teachings was, after 'Abdu'l-Bahá, the exclusive right of
the Guardian, and fell within the "sacred and prescribed domain" of
the Guardianship, and therefore the Universal House of Justice cannot and will
not infringe upon that domain. The exclusive sphere of the Universal House of
Justice is to "pronounce upon and deliver the final judgment on such laws
and ordinances as Bahá'u'lláh has not expressly revealed." Apart from this
fundamental difference in the functions of the twin pillars of the Order of
Bahá'u'lláh, insofar as the other duties of the Head of the Faith are
concerned, the Universal House of Justice shares with the Guardian the
responsibility for the application of the revealed word, the protection of the
Faith, as well as the duty "to insure the continuity of that
divinely-appointed authority which flows from the Source of our Faith, to
safeguard the unity of its followers, and to maintain the integrity and
flexibility of its Teachings." However, the Universal House of Justice is
not omniscient; like the Guardian, it wants to be provided with facts when
called upon to render a decision, and like him it may well change its decision
when new facts emerge…
- The Universal House of Justice (From a letter dated 22
August 1977 to an individual believer; compilation: ‘Lights of Guidance’)
