'Abdu'l-Bahá

On the same day that the Báb ushered in a new Era, 23 May 1844, the eldest son of Bahá'u'lláh was born. His name was 'Abdu'l-Bahá and he was destined later on to continue his father's work. In unequivocal terms, Bahá'u'lláh appointed his son 'Abdu'l-Bahá as legal successor and interpreter of his teachings after his passing.

'Abdu'l-Bahá was subjected to the same trials and tribulations of his father. Imprisoned at the age of 24, he was not freed until he was 68 years old during the Young Turks Revolution of 1908. His ministry lasted 30 years from 1892 - 1921.

After his final release from prison, his health greatly weakened through years of deprivation, he undertook in 1910 the most important mission of his ministry. For a period of three years he made the long and arduous journey to the west to proclaim the message of his father.

Having taken on long and heavy duties for a period of thirty years, he arrived at the end of his life. He had written thousands of tablets, given many instructions, held hundreds of conferences, speeches and interviews. He became renowned for his humanitarian work. He unceasingly tended the sick, and looked after the down-trodden to the point that he became known as the " Father of the Poor ". The British government bestowed on him a knighthood in 1920 for his efforts to relieve hunger amongst the poor in Palestine during the First World War. He died on 28 November 1921.

In his Will and Testament, Abdu'l-Bahá named his grandson Shoghi Effendi as the Guardian of the Cause of Bahá'u'lláh and was appointed to uphold unity amongst the followers and to guide them in their activities.