'Abdu’l-Bahá never in the course of His life wished to exalt His name, nor did He seek publicity for Himself. For instance, He had an immense dislike of being photographed. He said, '...to have a picture of oneself is to emphasize the personality...'.

During the first few days of His visit to London, He refused to be photographed. However, as a result of much pressure by the newspaper reporters, and persistent pleas by the Bahá'ís to be allowed to take His photograph, 'Abdu'l-Bahá acquiesced in order to make them happy.

Bahá'u'lláh died in 1892. In His Will, He conferred the authority of succession upon His eldest son, 'Abdu'l-Bahá. 'Abdu'l-Bahá is known to Bahá'ís as the "Center of the Covenant" of Bahá'u'lláh.

The "Covenant," as regarded by Bahá'ís, is God's promise to achieve peace and abiding human fellowship.

From 1892 until His death in 1921, 'Abdu'l-Bahá directed the affairs of the Bahá'í community and began to implement the Bahá'í administrative order which had been described by Bahá'u'lláh. Renowned for His saintliness and His many acts of philanthropy and service, He exemplified the qualities of spirit that are the hallmark of a true follower of Bahá'u'lláh.

The exalted titles conferred upon Him by Bahá'u'lláh are indicative of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's lofty station. Yet 'Abdu'l-Bahá never applied them to Himself. Instead, after the Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh, He took the title of 'Abdu'l-Bahá (Servant of Bahá) and urged the believers to call Him only by this name. True servitude at the threshold of Bahá'u'lláh was all He prized. These are some of His words as He describes with utter self-effacement the reality of His station:

"My name is 'Abdu'l-Bahá. My qualification is 'Abdu'l-Bahá. My reality is 'Abdu'l-Bahá. My praise is 'Abdu'l-Bahá. Thralldom to (Bahá'u'lláh) is my glorious and refulgent diadem, and servitude to all the human race my perpetual religion... No name, no title, no mention, no commendation have I, nor will ever have, except 'Abdu'l-Bahá. This is my longing. This is my greatest yearning. This is my eternal life. This is my everlasting glory."

(copyright 2003 by the Bahá'ís of the United States)