Who Has the Power to Interpret the Baha’i Writings?

Email 2:

I’ve been told there is only the UHJ can do the interpretation of the Writings, and that any personal understanding must agree with theirs and even the books that we read like Kitab-i-Iqaan or Kitab-i-Aqdas has to be read alongside a key that has been published by the Administration and obviously approved by the UHJ. But I have a question, which is that Baha’u’llah called for independent investigation of truth, and I feel like I ought to be able to interpret the Writings for myself. I’m confused. Who actually has the power to interpret?

Answer:

Dear Friend, 

This is a sincere and important question – and one that touches the very heart of the Baha’i Faith. 

From the earliest days, the Faith of Baha’u’llah has stood firmly against the idea of clergy, centralized interpretation, or institutional control over spiritual understanding. The principle of Independent Investigation of Truth means that every soul is responsible for studying the Writings and arriving at their own understanding — not to rely blindly on others. 

However, what we now witness is an unfortunate contradiction of this core principle. The current Baha’i Administration, particularly the Universal House of Justice (UHJ), has effectively positioned itself as the sole interpreter and guide — and anyone who questions or reads the Writings differently is often labeled as “misguided” or worse, a “covenant-breaker.” 

But let us turn to the Writings themselves. Baha’u’llah explicitly warned against this very thing in Kitab-i-Aqdas: 

“Whoever interprets what has been sent from the heaven of Revelation by taking it away from the evident meaning is one of those who have tampered with the highest Word of God and have suffered loss according to the Perspicuous Book.” 

This powerful passage reveals that no one — individual or institution — has the right to reinterpret the words of Revelation in a way that departs from their clear, evident meaning. Any such manipulation or monopolization of interpretation is a grave error. 

The Free Baha’is believe that every individual has the spiritual capacity and right to read, reflect, and understand the sacred texts. Our connection to God is personal, and no administration, no elected body, and no institution has the right to stand in the way of that sacred bond. 

True unity comes not from uniformity in interpretation, but from shared love for Baha’u’llah and a collective spirit of truth-seeking and service. Let us reclaim that right — with humility, study, and sincerity — and remember that Baha’u’llah’s message was never meant to be filtered through layers of bureaucracy. 

In the path of truth and freedom, 

Team Free Baha’is