Light and glory, greeting and praise be upon the Hands of His Cause, through whom the light of fortitude hath shone forth . . . Bahá'u'lláh

The first Hands of the Cause of God were appointed by Bahá'u'lláh. They were given various responsibilities, particularly the protection and propagation of His Faith. 'Abdu'l-Bahá, in Memorials of the Faithful, referred to other believers as Hands of the Cause and in His Will and Testament included a provision calling upon the Guardian of the Faith to appoint Hands of the Cause. Shoghi Effendi named a number of believers Hands of the Cause after their passing. In the last years of his ministry he raised 32 women and men from all continents to this rank.

Here is a unique collection of pen portraits of each of the 50 Hands of the Cause of God, the 'Chief Stewards of Bahá'u'lláh's embryonic World Commonwealth'. Drawn from many sources, including accounts by Hands themselves, these brief essays provide a fascinating insight into the lives of this small band of individuals, whose rank is unparalleled in religious history and who, in the words of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, 'have diffused widely the Divine Fragrances, declared His Proofs, proclaimed His Faith, published abroad His Law, detached themselves from all things but Him, stood for righteousness in this world, and kindled the Fire of the Love of God in the very hearts and souls of His servants'.