The relationship between the Bahá’í
Faith and Islam is very interesting, for both the casual observer and the
serious student of comparative religion. On the one hand it can
become quite complicated, and on the other it is straight forward. The basics are easy to understand.
"Knowledge is a single
point, but the ignorant have multiplied it." (This utterance traditionally attributed to the Prophet Muhammad or to
one of the holy Imams – also quoted by Baha'u'llah, in The Seven Valleys, p. 24)
Here is a basic part of my understanding of the relationship between the Bahá’í Faith and Islam, from my limited study and limited point of view:
Christianity was born in Judea (ancient
It is for this latter reason that the Bahá’ís have been persecuted by the clergy in Muslim countries around the world—with opportunists under the guise of Islam following suit, to usurp Baháí properties, pensions, etc. (See links at the bottom of page http://watsongregory.homestead.com/files/baha.htm and also see http://news.bahai.org/story/323 and http://ppt.homestead.com/DestroyedHoly.ppt ) It is very interesting to note that one of the high religious courts in Egypt, in 1925, made a decision, which was upheld by the highest ecclesiastical authorities in the country, containing the startling and indeed historic assertion that the Bahá’í Faith was to be regarded as a distinct religion, wholly independent of the religious systems that have preceded it—an assertion which hitherto the enemies of the Faith, whether in the East or in the West, had either disputed or deliberately ignored (God Passes By, p. 364).
Having expounded the fundamental tenets and ordinances of Islam, and given a detailed exposition of the Bahá'í teachings, supported by various quotations from the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, from the writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá and of Mirza Abu'l-Fadl, with special reference to certain Bahá'í laws, and demonstrated that the defendants had, in the light of these statements, actually abjured the Faith of Muhammad, his [the court’s] formal verdict declares in the most unequivocal terms: "The Bahá'í Faith is a new religion, entirely independent, with beliefs, principles and laws of its own, which differ from, and are utterly in conflict with, the beliefs, principles and laws of Islam. No Bahá'í, therefore, can be regarded a Muslim or vice-versa, even as no Buddhist, Brahmin, or Christian can be regarded a Muslim or vice-versa." (Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By, p. 364 or http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/se/GPB/gpb-25.html )
It is ironic that while Muslims have often persecuted and denounced the Bahá’í Faith, the followers of Bahá’u’lláh, in deep contrast, revere and promote the truth of Islam. From a Bahá’í perspective, Islam is considered one of the true religions—a true revelation from God. Indeed, from the perspective of “progressive revelation” all the religions are to be considered as a series of successive unfoldments of one divine plan or purpose—that is, one continual revelation. Reportedly, 'Abdu'l-Bahá (one of the three Central Figures of the Bahá’í Faith) once said that “there is only one religion and all the Prophets of taught it.”
“It regards them in no other light except as different stages in the eternal history and constant evolution of one religion, Divine and indivisible, of which it itself forms but an integral part. It neither seeks to obscure their Divine origin, nor to dwarf the admitted magnitude of their colossal achievements. It can countenance no attempt that seeks to distort their features or to stultify the truths which they instill. Its teachings do not deviate a hairbreadth from the verities they enshrine, nor does the weight of its message detract one jot or one tittle from the influence they exert or the loyalty they inspire.” (Shoghi Effendi: World Order of Baha'u'llah, Page: 114 or http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/se/WOB/wob-37.html or http://watsongregory.homestead.com/files/otherreligions.htm )
Bahá’ís believe that the study of Islam is important for them, so that they can better understand the historical context of the birth of their own religion, and indeed to see the greater context of the influence of Islam upon the world—especially in the light of ancient and modern conflicts between the followers of Islam and Christianity.
Baha'i quotes emphasizing the importance of studying the Qur'an and Islam:
"Perused ye not the Qur'an? Read it, that haply ye may find the Truth, for this Book is verily the Straight Path. This is the Way of God unto all who are in the heavens and all who are on the earth." (Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, Page: 44)
"First is the importance of the study of Islam -- which subject is still new to the majority of the believers, but whose importance for a proper and sound understanding of the Cause is absolutely indispensable . . make every effort to provide. . . facilities required, such as textbooks, competent lecturers and writers, who though not necessarily Baha'is, should have a correct knowledge and sound appreciation of Islam, so as to be able to impress its true significance and mission… " (Shoghi Effendi -- "Lights of Guidance", #1903, p. 562)
"Guardian would. . . urge the friends to make a thorough study of the Qur'án, as the knowledge of this sacred Scripture is absolutely indispensable for every believer who wishes to adequately understand and intelligently read, the writings of Baha'u'llah. . . " ("Directives from the Guardian," page 63 -- "Lights of Guidance", p. 562)
"Guardian agrees, that it would be easier and more helpful to study the Book according to subjects…" ("Directives from the Guardian," page 63 --"Lights of Guidance", p. 497)
"They must strive to obtain, from sources that are authoritative and unbiased, a sound knowledge of the history and tenets of Islam -- the source and background of their Faith -- and approach reverently and with a mind purged from preconceived ideas the study of the Qur'án . . . ("The Advent of Divine Justice," p. 49)
"Ponder a while and observe that everything in Islam hath its ultimate and eventual beginning in the Book of God. Consider likewise the Day of the Revelation of Him Whom God shall make manifest, He in Whose grasp lieth the source of proofs, and let not erroneous considerations shut thee out from Him, for He is immeasurably exalted above them, inasmuch as every proof proceedeth from the Book of God which is itself the supreme testimony, as all men are powerless to produce its like. Should myriads of men of learning, versed in logic, in the science of grammar, in law, in jurisprudence and the like, turn away from the Book of God, they would still be pronounced unbelievers. Thus the fruit is within the supreme testimony itself, not in the things derived therefrom." (Selections from the Bab, page: 104)
"A careful and thorough investigation of the historical record [for
brief account see FILE here titled "Islamic
Civilization…" ] will establish the fact that the major part of the
civilization of Europe is derived from Islam; for all the writings of Muslim
scholars and divines and philosophers were gradually collected in Europe and
were with the most painstaking care weighed and debated at academic gatherings
and in the centers of learning, after which their valued contents would be put
to use. Today, numerous copies of the works of Muslim scholars, which are not
to be found in Islamic countries, are available in the libraries of
"The friends should uphold Islam as a revealed Religion in teaching the Cause but need not make, at present, any particular attempt to teach it solely and directly to non-Baha'is at this time... The mission of the American Bahá'ís is, no doubt to eventually establish the truth of Islam in the West." (Shoghi Effendi in a letter to an individual believer, July 30, 1941 -- Lights of Guidance, #1665, p. 496. There are a number of other references listed in LG on this page, but not cited here.)
"As to Muhammad, the Apostle of God, let none among His followers who
read these pages, think for a moment that either Islam, or its Prophet, or His
Book, or His appointed Successors, or any of His authentic teachings, have
been, or are to be in any way, or to however slight a degree, disparaged. The
lineage of the Báb, the descendant of the Imam Husayn; the divers and striking evidences, in Nabil's Narrative, of the attitude of the Herald of our
Faith towards the Founder, the Imams, and the Book of Islam; the glowing
tributes paid by Bahá'u'lláh in the Kitáb-i-Íqán to Muhammad and His lawful Successors, and
particularly to the "peerless and incomparable" Imam Husayn; the arguments adduced, forcibly, fearlessly, and
publicly by 'Abdu'l-Bahá, in churches and synagogues,
to demonstrate the validity of the Message of the Arabian Prophet; and last but
not least the written testimonial of the Queen of Rumania, who, born in the
Anglican faith and notwithstanding the close alliance of her government with
the Greek Orthodox Church, the state religion of her adopted country, has,
largely as a result of the perusal of these public discourses of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, been prompted to proclaim her recognition of
the prophetic function of Muhammad -- all proclaim, in no uncertain terms, the
true attitude of the Bahá'í Faith towards its parent
religion."
(Shoghi Effendi, The
Promised Day is Come, p. 108)
=====================
The signs and tokens of the True One are as apparent as the sun in mid-heaven, yet people are bewildered in the desert of blindness and ignorance. Notwithstanding that many of the Qur'ánic verses and confirmed traditions indicate a new Law and Command, and a new Cause, they still await the promised Countenance to decree according to the law of the Qur'án; just as the Jews and Christians hold to the same saying. Among the texts pointing to a new Law and a new Dispensation are the statements in the prayer of Nudba: "Where is the One who is preserved to renew the precepts and regulations? Where is the One who is chosen to reform the religion and law?" It is also said in the Zeyarat (visiting tablet written by Ali): "Peace be upon the new True One." Abu-Abd 'Allah (sixth Imam) was asked concerning the character of the Mahdi: "What will be His character?" He (Muhammad) and He will destroy whatever hath been before Him, just as the Prophet of God abolished the matter of Jahileyeh."
Consider, notwithstanding similar traditions, how they have sought to prove the permanency of the ordinances, although the purpose of every Manifestation is the manifestation of change and transformation in the regions of the world, publicly and privately, outwardly and inwardly. For if the affairs of the earth change not, the appearance of Universal Manifestations would be futile. It is said in "Awalim" which is one of the authoritative books, "A youth shall appear from Beni-Hashem (family of Muhammad) who will possess a new Book and new Laws"; then follows, "Most of his enemies will be the divines." In another place it is related that Sadik-Ebn-Muhammad said: "A youth shall appear from Beni-Hashem, and will command people to swear allegiance to Him; He shall possess a new Book; He will summon people to acknowledge a new Book which is onerous to the Arab. When you hear about Him, hasten to Him." How well have they carried out the testament of the Imams of Religion and Lights of Certainty! Although it is said: "If you hear of a youth of Beni-Hashem appearing, summoning people to a new Divine Book and new Supreme Laws, hasten unto Him," yet they gave verdict of infidelity and apostasy against that Lord of Existence and did not go unto that Hashemite Light and Divine Appearance except with drawn swords and hearts full of hatred. Moreover consider how plainly the enmity of the divines is mentioned in the Book. Notwithstanding all these clear and indicative traditions and evident and confirmed references, the people have turned away from the clear Essence of knowledge and utterance, and have advanced toward the appearances of error and sedition; and despite these revealed words and recorded traditions, they say whatever is prompted by self. Should the Essence of Truth give an explanation which proves contrary to their egotism and desire, they will straightway charge Him with infidelity, saying, "this is contrary to the words of the Imams of the religion and of the manifest lights, and no such command or order hath been laid down in the irrefutable Law"; just as in the present day similar vain sayings proceed from these mortal temples.
No understanding can comprehend the character of His Manifestation and no knowledge grasp the measure of His mission.
All sayings are dependent upon His approval, and all things are in need of His authority. All else save Him is created by His command and exists by His direction. He is the manifestor of the divine mysteries and the elucidator of the hidden wisdoms of eternity. This is it related in "Buhar'ul-Answar," "Awalim" and "Yanbou'a" (three authoritative books of tradition) that Sadik-Ebn-Muhammad said: "Knowledge is twenty-seven letters. All that was brought of it by the Prophets were two letters, and until the present day, people only know these two letters; but when Gha'im [Qá’im] shall arise, the twenty-five letters will appear." (Compilations, Baha'i Scriptures, p. 61)
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