From: hakim@bigq.enet.dec.com
Newsgroups: soc.religion.bahai
Subject: The Claims of The Bab (was Refutation of Baha'i....) (Part 07/10)
Date: 4 Dec 92 14:34:09 GMT
Article-I.D.: ogicse.47212
Organization: -

Continuation from part 6:

Baha'u'llah continues on the same theme in Kitab'ul Iqan as follows:

"We [i.e. Baha'u'llah is referring to Himself. KH] have already in the
foregoing pages assigned two stations unto each of the Luminaries
arising from the Daysprings of eternal holiness [i.e. Messengers,
Manifestations or Prophets of God. KH]. One of these stations, the
station of essential unity, We have already explained. "No distinction
do We make between any of them." [Qur'an 2:136] The other is the
station of distinction, and pertaineth to the world of creation and to
the limitations thereof. In this respect, each Manifestation of God
hath a distinct individuality, a definitely prescribed mission, a
predestined Revelation, and specially designated limitations. Each one
of them is known by a different name, is characterized by a special
attribute, fulfils a definite Mission, and is entrusted with a
particular Revelation. Even as He saith: "Some of the Apostles We have
caused to excel the others. To some God hath spoken, some He hath
raised and exalted. And to Jesus, Son of Mary, We gave manifest signs,
and We strengthened Him with the Holy Spirit." [Qur'an 2:253]

"It is because of this difference in their station and mission that
the words and utterances flowing from these Well-springs of divine
knowledge appear to diverge and differ. Otherwise, in the eyes of them
that are initiated into the mysteries of divine wisdom, all their
utterances are in reality but the expressions of one Truth. As most of
the people have failed to appreciate those stations to which We have
referred, they there- fore feel perplexed and dismayed at the varying
utterances pronounced by Manifestations that are essentially one and
the same. It hath ever been evident that all these divergences of
utterance are attributable to differences of station. Thus, viewed
from the standpoint of their oneness and sublime detachment, the
attributes of Godhead, Divinity, Supreme Singleness, and Inmost
Essence, have been and are applicable to those Essences of being,
inasmuch as they all abide on the throne of divine Revelation, and are
established upon the seat of divine Concealment.  Through their
appearance the Revelation of God is made manifest, and by their
countenance the Beauty of God is revealed. Thus it is that the accents
of God Himself have been heard uttered by these Manifestations of the
divine Being.

"Viewed in the light of their second station - the station of
distinction, differentiation, temporal limitations, characteristics
and standards - they manifest absolute servitude, utter destitution
and complete self-effacement. Even as He saith: "I am the servant of
God. I am but a man like you." [Hadith. KH] From these
incontrovertible and fully demonstrated statements strive thou to
apprehend the meaning of the questions thou hast asked, that thou
mayest become steadfast in the Faith of God, and not be dismayed by
the divergences in the utterances of His Prophets and Chosen Ones.

"Were any of the all-embracing Manifestations of God to declare: "I am
                                                        ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
God!" He verily speaketh the truth, and no doubt attacheth thereto.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
For it hath been repeatedly demonstrated that through their
                                              ^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Revelation, their attributes and names, the Revelation of God, His
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
name and His attributes, are made manifest in the world. Thus, He hath
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
revealed: "Those shafts were God's, not Thine!" [Qur'an 8:17] And also
He saith: "In truth, they who plighted fealty unto thee, really
plighted that fealty unto God." [Qur'an 48:10] And were any of them to
                                               ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
voice the utterance: "I am the Messenger of God," He also speaketh the
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
truth, the indubitable truth. Even as He saith: "Muhammad is not the
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ father of any man among you, but He is
the Messenger of God." [Hadith.  KH] [Here by Muhammad, the person of
Muhammad is not intended, but, the Manifestation of God. While the
human aspects of the Messengers is capable of having offsprings, the
Manifestation aspect, being eternal (not having a beginning or end,
thus, birth or death) is not BORN and can not GIVE BIRTH. This is an
important issue to remember. KH] Viewed in this light, they are all
but Messengers of that ideal King, that unchangeable Essence. And were
they all to proclaim: "I am the Seal of the Prophets," they verily
utter but the truth, beyond the faintest shadow of doubt. For they are
all but one person, one soul, one spirit, one being, one revelation.
They are all the manifestation of the "Beginning" and the "End," the
"First" and the "Last," the "Seen" and "Hidden" - all of which pertain
to Him Who is the innermost Spirit of Spirits and eternal Essence of
Essences [i.e. God. KH]. And were they to say: "We are the servants of
God," this also is a manifest and indisputable fact. For they have
been made manifest in the uttermost state of servitude, a servitude
the like of which no man can possibly attain. Thus in moments in which
these Essences of being were deeply immersed beneath the oceans of
ancient and everlasting holiness, or when they soared to the loftiest
summits of divine mysteries, they claimed their utterance to be the
Voice of divinity, the Call of God Himself. Were the eye of
discernment to be opened, it would recognize that in this very state,
they have considered themselves utterly effaced and non-existent in
the face of Him Who is the All-Pervading, the Incorruptible. Methinks,
they have regarded themselves as utter nothingness, and deemed their
mention in that Court an act of blasphemy. For the slightest
whispering of self, within such a Court, is an evidence of
self-assertion and independent existence. In the eyes of them that
have attained unto that Court, such a suggestion is itself a grievous
transgression. How much more grievous would it be, were aught else to
be mentioned in that Presence, were man's heart, his tongue, his mind,
or his soul, to be busied with anyone but the Well-Beloved, were his
eyes to behold any countenance other than His beauty, were his ear to
be inclined to any melody but His voice, and were his feet to tread
any way but His way."
				Baha'u'llah, Ketab'ul Iqan pp. 175-180
	
Note: I have included certain comments and informations, however
inadequate, inside [brackets. KH] for further clarification.

I hope this clarifies the reason behind such a usage in the Writings
of The Bab.
						Part 7 of 10