Will and Testament — §19
Persian source with Shoghi Effendi’s authorized English translation. Paragraph 19 of 59.
Source (Persian)
و ایادی امر اللّه از نفس جمعیّت خویش نه نفر انتخاب نمایند و همیشه بخدمات مهمّۀ ولیّ امر اللّه مشغول باشند و انتخاب این نه نفر یا باتّفاق مجمع ایادی و یا باکثریّت آرا تحقّق یابد و این نه نفر یا بالاتّفاق یا باکثریّت آرا باید غصن منتخب را که ولیّ امر اللّه تعیین بعد از خود نماید تصدیق نمایند و این تصدیق باید بنوعی واقع گردد که مصدّق و غیر مصدّق معلوم نشود
Shoghi Effendi Translation
The Hands of the Cause of God must elect from their own number nine persons that shall at all times be occupied in the important services in the work of the Guardian of the Cause of God. The election of these nine must be carried either unanimously or by majority from the company of the Hands of the Cause of God, and these, whether unanimously or by a majority vote, must give their assent to the choice of the one whom the Guardian of the Cause of God hath chosen as his successor. This assent must be given in such wise as the assenting and dissenting voices may not be distinguished (i.e., secret ballot).
Translation Notes
آرا
literal: Persian form from آراستن (ārāstan) ‘to adorn/invest’, root ا-ر-ا, not ر-ء-ي (to see)
