But, at present—and to this the Guardian wishes to draw your
careful attention—no Assembly nor even he himself can have the right of
enacting any law supplementing those of the Aqdas except in exceptional
circumstances when the Authorities require it. And even in such a case the
enactment is purely temporary. The only
body which is empowered to legislate in such matters is the International House
of Justice, and the Guardian can take part in such legislation only in his
capacity as a member of that body. Just as the power of interpreting the
Writings is the sole right and prerogative of the Guardian, so also the power
of legislation has been invested by Bahá’u’lláh solely in the International
House of Justice. Thus there is a clear distinction between the powers of
legislation and interpretation, though the two are closely related. - Shoghi Effendi (From a
letter dated 6 July 1935 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual
believer; compilation: ‘The Universal House of Justice’, by the Research
Department of the Universal House of Justice, February 2021; Online Baha’i
Reference Library of the Baha’i World Center)
