Double standard of Baha’i organization on the problem of whom one should obey when there is apparent conflict between the immediate civil authority under which one resides and a superior authority, such as a state or the federal Government.. The issue of Baha’is Obedience often arises when there is apparent conflict between the immediate civil authority under which one resides and a superior authority, such as a state government or the Federal Government.
Often it is thought that the superior authority is the one to be obeyed under these circumstances; thus, for example, in cases of school desegregation there are those who, in trying to carry out a federal ruling, find themselves in open dispute with others who may prefer to support contrary actions of a local or state authority.
A Baha’i caught in this kind of conflict is often bewildered because he wishes to carry out the injunction of Bahá’u’lláh to be loyal to one’s government. But how, can one be loyal to two or more conflicting authorities? The tendency of many people in choosing among loyalties is to feel that the Federal Government, being the supreme authority in the land, must be obeyed in preference to any local or state authority. How, then, does the principle of loyalty to government apply when there is apparent conflict between state and Federal laws?
The following excerpts from the writings of the Guardian and The Universal House of Justice clarify these questions.
“To all administrative regulations which the civil authorities have issued from time to time, or will issue in the future in that land, as in all other countries, the Baha’i community, faithful to its sacred obligations towards its government, and conscious of its civic duties, has yielded, and will continue to yield implicit obedience …” (Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By, p.207)
“We see, therefore, that we must do two things – shun politics like the plague, and be obedient to the Government in power in the place where we reside. If they (the Baha’is) become involved in the issues the Governments of the world are struggling over, they will be lost. But if they build up the Baha’i pattern, they can offer it as a remedy when all else has failed.” (Shoghi Effendi, Directives from the Guardian, p.159)
“The full text of the quotations from which these excerpts are taken makes it clear
that Baha’is must live the Baha’i life, fully and continuously, unless prevented by the authorities. If local, state, or federal authorities actively prohibit Baha’i life or some aspect of it, then Baha’is must submit to these requirements in all cases except where a spiritual principle is involved such as a denial of faith. This, Baha’is cannot do under any circumstances.” (The Universal House of Justice, July 23, 1964)
“Baha’is obey the law, Federal or state, unless submission to these laws amounts to a denial of their Faith. We live the Baha’i life, unless prevented by authorities. This implies, if it does not categorically state, that a Baha’i is not required to make a judgment as to the precedence of federal or state law —this is for the courts to decide.” (The Universal House of Justice, March 30, 1965)
Civil disobedience is not permissible for Baha’is. However, a Baha’i may decide, while obeying a repugnant regulation, to complain to the authorities, if wisdom and consultation with Baha’i institutions dictate such action.
In conclusion, a Baha’i should be implicitly obedient to the constituted authority in the community wherein he functions. This principle reflects the broader framework of Baha’is obedience to lawful authority and social order. Thus, for example, if school administrators are permitted by the state to promulgate rules and regulations for student conduct, the Baha’i student will obey those rules.
“If they (Baha’is) engage in the matters that world governments are striving for, they will perish. But if they focus on building the Baha’i model, they can, if requested, present it as a solution.”
(Letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Baha’i News, Issue 241, p. 14)
“The quoted texts make it clear that Baha’is should observe the Baha’i way of life unless prevented by civil authorities. If national, state, or federal authorities seriously prohibit Baha’i life, laws, or any aspect of them, Baha’is must in all cases submit to their rulings and demands—except when required to deny their faith, which under no circumstances can be done.”
(Message of the Universal House of Justice, July 23, 1964)
“Baha’is obey all laws, whether federal or state, unless compliance with such laws requires them to deny their Baha’i identity. This means that we observe the Baha’i way of life unless its practice is prohibited by authorities.”
(Message of the Universal House of Justice, March 30, 1965) (1)
The statements of Baha’i leader on Obedience to Civil Authority
Bahā’u’llāh as the leader of the Baha’is insisted on the Baha’is Obedience to Civil Authority in his book, Aqdas.
The laws revealed by Bahā’u’llāh in the Aqdas are, whenever practicable and not in direct conflict with the Civil Law of the land, absolutely binding on every believer or Bahā’ī institution whether in the East or in the West. (Bahā’u’llāh, The Kitābi Aqdas, p. 4 (digital copy))
Also he said:
None must contend with those who wield authority over the people; leave unto them that which is theirs, and direct your attention to men’s hearts. (Bahā’u’llāh, Aqdas, p.55 (Paragraph 95))
Violation of the Baha’is’ obedience to governments and civil authority
Although Bahá’u’lláh, in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, explicitly instructed Bahá’ís to obey governments, rulers, and authorities, numerous examples can be cited of Bahá’ís engaging in subversive activities and involving themselves in the political affairs of the countries where they reside—raising questions about the consistency of Baha’is obedience to these teachings. One such instance from Qatar is highlighted below.
Remy Rouhani, the head of the National Spiritual Assembly of Baha’is in Qatar and the Director of MENA (International Chamber of Commerce) and ICC QATAR WBO (the National Committee of the World Trade Organization in Qatar), was arrested on January 25, 2025, at the airport of this country.
He had been convicted in 2022 by the Qatari court for economic offenses, receiving a sentence of one month in prison and a fine of $27,000. He was detained at the airport for transfer to judicial authorities to serve his sentence.
Following this arrest, the Baha’i organization, alongside aligned media outlets and international human rights entities, launched extensive efforts to pressure the Qatari government to release him. Among their demands was the removal of his criminal record and ensuring that no negative records are registered against him.
This approach by the Baha’i organization, contrary to their repeated claims about respecting the laws of countries, demonstrates that this group not only defends the illegal actions of its followers but also leverages its influence in international organizations and media to exert pressure on governments—casting further doubt on the sincerity of Baha’is obedience to legal and governmental authority.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Baha’is Obedience to civil authority—while strongly emphasized in official texts—becomes problematic when it conflicts with internal Baha’i teachings or the directives of the Universal House of Justice. This contradiction creates confusion among followers, who are expected to uphold both government laws and institutional commands. The lack of clear guidance in such cases exposes a deeper tension within the Baha’i administrative system regarding authority, loyalty, and the true limits of obedience.
Note:
- National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States; Published in Baha’i National Review, Issue 32, p. 1, August 1970
