The Institution of the Learned, the Hands of the Cause of God and the Counsellors play a vital role in advancing the interests of the Faith.

Entirely devoid of priestly function, having no legislative, executive or judicial function and having no right to make authoritative interpretations they are a feature of Bahá’í administration without parallel in the religions of the past.

The Institution of the Counsellors is a digest of guidance, prepared by the Universal House of Justice, which will increase the understanding of the responsibilities of the Counsellors, their auxiliaries, and the working of the Administrative Order.

The document consists of two parts. In the first, we provide an overview of the various components of the institution and their duties. The second part is a list of statements addressing specific aspects of its functioning.

Prepared by the Universal House of Justice.