With 'Abdu'l-Bahá's passing,áullá the time had come to establish the administrative order which has been termed the pattern and nucleus of the world order which it is the special mission of the religion of Bahá'u'lláh to establish. The Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahá consequently marks a turning point in Bahá'í history, dividing the era of immaturity and irresponsibility from that era in which the Bahá'ís themselves are destined to fulfill their spirituality by enlarging its scope from the realm of personal experience to that of social unity and cooperation. The three principal elements in the administrative plan left by 'Abdu'l-Bahá are:--
1. "The Guardian of the Cause of God," 2. "The Hands of the Cause of God," and 3. "The Houses of Justice, Local, National and International."(44)
'Abdu'l-Bahá appointed His eldest grandson, Shoghi Effendi, to the responsible position of "Guardian of the Cause" (Valiyy-i-Amru'lláh). Shoghi Effendi is the eldest son of Diya'íyyih _Kh_ánum, the eldest daughter of 'Abdu'l-Bahá. His father, Mírzá Hádí, is a relative of the Báb (although not a direct descendant, as the Báb's only child died in infancy). Shoghi Effendi was twenty-five years of age, and was studying at Balliol College, Oxford, at the time of his grandfather's passing. The announcement of his appointment is made in 'Abdu'l-Bahá's Will as follows:--
O my loving friends! After the passing away of this wronged one, it is incumbent upon the A_gh_sán (Branches), the Afnán (Twigs) of the Sacred Lote-Tree, the Hands (pillars) of the Cause of God and the loved ones of the Abhá Beauty to turn unto Shoghi Effendi--the youthful branch branched from the two hallowed and sacred Lote-Trees and the fruit grown from the union of the two offshoots of the Tree of Holiness,--as he is the sign of God, the chosen branch, the Guardian of the Cause of God, he unto whom all the A_gh_sán, the Afnán, the Hands of the Cause of God and His loved ones must turn. He is the expounder of the words of God and after him will succeed the first-born of his lineal descendants.
The sacred and youthful branch, the Guardian of the Cause of God as well as the Universal House of Justice, to be universally elected and established, are both under the care and protection of the Abhá Beauty, under the shelter and unerring guidance of His Holiness, the Exalted One (may my life be offered up for them both). Whatsoever they decide is of God....