From: hakim@bigq.enet.dec.com
Newsgroups: soc.religion.islam
Subject: Re: Question about Baha'i (1/2)
Date: 17 Nov 92 00:04:48 GMT

In article <20OCT199213043373@romeo.caltech.edu> chai@m.cs.uiuc.edu (Ian Chai) writes:
 
IC>I have somewhat recently been reading about the Baha'i and have some
IC>questions about how they are to be viewed by Muslims.
IC>
IC>1. Are Baha'is Ahli Al-Kitab (People of the Book)?
 
jodar@aludra.usc.edu (Nicholas Jodar) you write:

NJ>Not according to their confession....
 
This is fair enough. There were no Baha'is present at the time of the
revelation of the Holy Qur'an.

IC>2. Are they considered to commit Shirk (violating Monotheism)? They
IC>   accept Jesus as a Prophet, but also as the Son of God, but they mean
IC>   a different thing from the Christians by the "Son of God" or "God"
IC>   -- they don't mean that he is Allah s.w.t. but that he is a "mirror
IC>   perfectly reflecting Allah" as is also Muhammad s.a.w.
 
NJ>Allah (SWT) states clearly that Jesus (AS) is 'only a man' in the
NJ>Qur'an.  How can any man 'perfectly reflect' Allah (SWT) when our
            ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
NJ>minds cannot even grasp the full Majesty and Might of Allah (AWJ)?

Nicholas, perhaps the following explanation would clarify this issue for 
you:

"Verily He Who is the Day-star of Truth and Revealer of the Supreme Being
holdeth, for all time, undisputed sovereignty over all that is in heaven 
and on earth, though no man be found on earth to obey Him. He verily is 
independent of all earthly dominion, though He be utterly destitute. Thus 
We reveal unto thee the mysteries of the Cause of God, and bestow upon 
thee the gems of divine wisdom, that haply thou mayest soar on the wings 
of renunciation to those heights that are veiled from the eyes of men. 
[A verse of the Book of Bayan. KH]

The significance and essential purpose underlying these words is to reveal 
and demonstrate unto the pure in heart and the sanctified in spirit that 
they Who are the Luminaries of truth and the Mirrors reflecting the light 
of divine Unity [i.e. The Messengers of God. KH], in whatever age and 
cycle they are sent down from their invisible habitations of ancient glory 
unto this world, to educate the souls of men and endue with grace all 
created things, are invariably endowed with an all-compelling power, and 
invested with invincible sovereignty. For these  hidden Gems, these 
concealed and invisible Treasures, in themselves manifest and vindicate 
the reality of these holy words: "Verily God doeth whatsoever He willeth, 
and ordaineth whatsoever He pleaseth." [Note: This is a reference to the 
verse appearing in several places in the Qur'an such as; Su'rih Imran, 
and Su'rih Hadj. KH]

To every discerning and illumined heart it is evident that God, the unknow-
able Essence, the divine Being, is immensely exalted beyond every human 
attribute, such as corporeal existence, ascent and descent, egress and 
regress. Far be it from His glory that human tongue should adequately 
recount His praise, or that human heart comprehend His fathomless mystery. 
He is and hath ever been veiled in the ancient eternity of His Essence, 
and will remain in His Reality everlastingly hidden from the sight of men. 
"No vision taketh in Him, but He taketh in all vision; He is the Subtile, 
the All-Perceiving." [Qur'an 6:103] No tie of direct intercourse can 
possibly bind Him to His creatures. He standeth exalted beyond and above 
all separation and union, all proximity and remoteness. No sign can 
indicate His presence or His absence; inasmuch as by a word of His command 
all that are in haven and on earth have come to exist, and by His wish,
which is the Primal Will itself, all have stepped out of utter nothingness 
into the realm of being, the world of the visible. 

Gracious God! How could there be conceived any existing relationship or 
possible connection between His Word and they that are created of it? The 
verse: "God would have you beware of Himself" [Qur'an 3:28] unmistakably 
beareth witness to the reality of Our argument, and the words: "God was 
alone; there was else besides Him" [This is a saying, which has been 
attributed to Imam Ali and his Sons. This saying, and several variations 
of it have been reported in several books. One such a reference can be 
found in the book of Kaffee, compiled by Allamih Kulaini. KH] are a sure 
testimony of its truth. All the Prophets of God and their chosen Ones, all 
the divines, the sages, and the wise of every generation, unanimously 
recognize their inability to attain unto the comprehension of that
Quintessence of all truth, and confess their incapacity to grasp Him, Who 
is the inmost Reality of all things. 

The door of the knowledge of the Ancient of Days [i.e. A Biblical term 
denoting God. KH] being thus closed in the face of all beings, the Source 
of infinite grace, according to His saying "His grace hath transcended all 
things; My grace hath encompassed them all" [This is a saying of Baha'u'llah
Himself. Here He is using a variation of the Qur'anic verse in Su'rih A'araf.
KH] hath caused those luminous Gems of Holiness [i.e. The Messengers of God.
KH] to appear out of the realm of the spirit, in the nobel form of the human 
temple, and be made manifest unto all men, that they may impart unto the 
world the mysteries of the unchangeable Being [i.e. God. KH], and tell of 
the subtleties of His imperishable Essence [Messengers are God are therefore
INTERMEDIARIES between God, the Creator, and man His "jewel of creation".
To be intermediaries they must of necessity have a DUAL STATION: 1- human 
station and 2- divine station. KH]. These sanctified Mirrors, these Day-
springs of ancient glory [i.e. The Messengers of God. KH] are one and all 
the Exponents on earth of Him Who is the central orb of the universe, its 
Essence and ultimate Purpose [i.e. God. KH]. From Him proceeds their 
knowledge and power; from Him is derived their sovereignty. The beauty of 
their countenance is but a reflection of His image, and their revelation a 
sign of His [i.e. God's. KH] deathless glory. They are the Treasuries of 
divine knowledge, and the Repositories of celestial wisdom. Through them is
transmitted a grace that is infinite, and by them is revealed the light that
can never fade. Even as He hath said: "There is no distinction whatsoever
between Thee [i.e. Muhammad. KH] and them; [i.e. The people to whom Muhammad 
was sent. In this part of the verse, the human aspect of Prophet Muhammad, 
as well all other Messengers of God, is portrayed. An aspect which is no 
different than that of other people. KH] except that they are Thy servants, 
and are created of Thee [In this part of the verse, the eternal/divine 
aspect of Prophet Muhammad, as well all other Messengers of God, is conveyed. 
The station of being the Messenger of God among mankind. A station which 
places the Person of the Messenger in the position of creatorship in 
comparison to other people who are His creation. KH]." [This is a part of 
a prayer from Imam Hasan, the 2nd Imam of Shi'ahs. This prayer can be found 
in vol. 20 of Bihar'ul-Anvar of Majlesi. KH] This is the significance of 
the tradition: "I am He, Himself, and He is I, myself." [Hadith-i Qudsi, of 
Prophet Muhammad. KH] 

The traditions and sayings that bear direct reference to Our theme are 
diverse and manifold; We have refrained from quoting them for the sake of 
brevity. Nay, whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth is
a direct evidence of the revelation within it of the attributes and names 
of God, inasmuch as within every atom are enshrined the signs that bear 
eloquent testimony to the revelation of that most great Light [Note: Here 
Baha'u'llah is examining the term "revelation" from a more universal 
perspective, rather than its more particular form, namely, revelation of 
God through the Messengers. KH]. Methinks, but for the potency of that 
revelation, no being could ever exist. How resplendent the luminaries of 
knowledge that  shine in an atom, and how vast the ocean of wisdom that 
surge within a drop! To a supreme degree is this true of man, who, among 
all created things, hath been invested with the robe of such gifts, and 
hath been singled out for the glory of such distinction. For in him are 
potentially revealed all the attributes and names of God to a degree 
that no other created being hath excelled or surpassed [Note: Baha'u'llah
identifies this as the distinguishing factor between a human being and other
existing beings and living creatures. KH]. All these names and attributes 
are applicable to him. Even as He hath said: "Man is My mystery, and I am 
his mystery." [i.e. "Hadith-i-Qudsi" from Prophet Muhammad. KH] Manifold 
are the verses that have been repeatedly revealed in all the heavenly Books 
and the holy Scriptures, expressive of this most subtle and lofty theme. 
Even as He hath revealed: "We will surely show them Our signs in the world 
and within themselves." [Qur'an 41:53] Again He saith: "And also in your 
own selves: will ye not then behold the sign of God?" [Qur'an 51:21] And yet 
again He revealeth: "And be ye not like those who forget God, and whom He 
hath therefore caused to forget their own selves." [Qur'an 59:19] In this 
connection, He Who is the eternal King-may the soul of all that dwell within 
the mystic Tabernacle be a sacrifice unto Him- hath spoken: "He hath known 
God who hath known himself." [i.e. This is a Hadith Imam Ali. KH] 

I swear by God, O esteemed and honoured friend! Should thou ponder these 
words in thine heart, thou wilt of a certainty find the doors of divine 
wisdom and infinite knowledge flung open before thy face.

>From that which hath been said it becometh evident that all things, in their
inmost reality [i.e. the Messengers of God. KH], testify to the revelation 
of the names and attributes of God within them. Each according to its 
capacity, indicateth, and is expressive of, the knowledge of God. So potent 
and universal in this revelation, that it hath encompassed all things, 
visible and invisible. Thus hath He revealed: "Hath aught else save Thee a 
power of revelation which is not  possessed by Thee, that it could have 
manifested Thee? Blind is the eye which doth not perceive Thee." [This is 
a part of a prayer by Imam Husayn. KH] Likewise hath the eternal King spoken: 
"No thing have I perceived, except that I perceived God within it, God before 
it, or God after it." [i.e. Tradition, A saying of Imam Ali. KH] Also in the 
tradition of Kumayl it is written: "Behold, a light hath shone forth out of 
the Morn of eternity, and lo! its waves have penetrated the inmost reality 
of all men." [i.e. This is a saying of Imam Ali. KH] Man, the noblest and 
most perfect of all created things, excelleth them all in the intensity of 
this revelation, and is fuller expression of its glory [i.e. The revelation 
of God's names and attributes within man. KH]. And of all men, the most 
accomplished, the most distinguished and the most excellent are the 
Manifestations of the Sun of Truth [i.e. Messengers of God. KH]. Nay, all 
else besides these Manifestations, live by the operation of their Will [i.e. 
The Will of the Messengers of God. KH], and move and have their being 
through the outpourings of their grace. "But for Thee, I would have not 
created the heavens." [i.e. A tradition from Prophet Muhammad. KH] Nay, 
all in their holy presence fade into utter nothingness, and are a thing 
forgotten. Human  tongue can never befittingly sing their praise, and
human speech can never unfold their mystery. These Tabernacles of holiness,
these primal Mirrors [i.e. The Messengers of God, thus, the new terminology
Manifestations of God. KH] which reflect the light of unfading glory, are 
but expressions of Him Who is the Invisible of the Invisibles [i.e. God. 
KH] By the revelation of these gems of divine virtue all the names and 
attributes of God, such as knowledge and power, sovereignty and dominion, 
mercy and wisdom, glory, bounty and grace are made manifest. 

These attributes of God are not and have never been vouchsafed specially 
unto certain Prophets, and withheld from others. Nay, all the Prophets of 
God, His well-favoured, His holy, and chosen Messengers, are, without 
exception, the bearers of His names, and the embodiments of His attributes. 
They only differ in the intensity of their revelation, and the comparative 
potency of their light. Even as He hath revealed: "Some of the Apostles We 
have caused to excel the others." [Qur'an 2:253] It hath therefore become 
manifest and evident that within the tabernacles of these Prophets and 
chosen Ones of God the light of His infinite names and exalted attributes 
hath been reflected, even though the light of some of these attributes may 
or may not be outwardly revealed [i.e. during their lifetime. KH] from these 
luminous Temples to the eyes of men. That a certain attribute of God hath 
not been outwardly manifested by these Essences of Detachment doth in no 
wise imply that they Who are the Daysprings of God's attributes and the 
Treasuries of His holy names did not actually possess it. Therefore, these 
illuminated Souls, these beauteous Countenances have, each and every one 
of them, been endowed with all the attributes of God, such as sovereignty, 
dominion, and the like, even though to outward seeming they be shorn of all 
earthly majesty. To every discerning eye this is evident and manifest; it 
requireth neither proof nor evidence. 

Yea, inasmuch as the peoples of the world have failed to seek from the 
luminous and crystal Springs of divine knowledge [i.e. The Manifestations 
of God when present among mankind. KH] the inner meanings of God's holy 
words, they therefore have languished, stricken and sore athirst, in the 
vale of idle fancy and waywardness. They have strayed far from the fresh 
and thirst-subduing waters, and gathered round the salt that burneth 
bitterly [Note: Here Baha'u'llah is referring to the widely contradictory 
interpretation offered by the theologians and the religious leaders about
the dual nature of the Manifestations of God, thus, the confusion among
the believers. KH]. Concerning them, the Dove of Eternity hath spoken:
"And if they see the path of righteousness, they will not take it  for 
their path; but if they see the path of error, for their path will they 
take it. This, because they treated Our signs as lies, and were heedless 
of them." [Qur'an 7:145] 

To this testifieth that which hath been witnessed in this wondrous and 
exalted Dispensation [Note: Baha'u'llah is referring to humanity's refusal 
to receive the knowledge of God from its most recent source -His own 
revelation ushered by that of The Ba'b-, and people's blind preference to 
follow their theologians. KH]. Myriads of holy verses have descended from 
the heaven of might and grace [i.e. Referring to the revelations of The 
Bab and that of His Own. KH], yet, no one hath turned thereunto, nor ceased 
to cling to those words of men, not one letter of which they that have 
spoken them comprehend. For this reason the people have doubted incontestable 
truths, such as these, and caused themselves to be deprived of the Ridvan 
[i.e. Paradise. KH] of divine knowledge, and the eternal meads of celestial 
wisdom." 
				Baha'u'llah, "Ketab-i Iqan", (p. 97-106)

`Abdu'l-Baha clarifies this concept further in "Some Answered Questions" as
follows:

"Know that perception varies. The lowest degree of perception is that of 
animals -that is to say, the natural feeling which appear through the powers
of the senses, and which is called sensation. In this, men and animals are
sharers; moreover, some animals with regard to the senses are more powerful
than man. But in humanity, perception differs and varies in accordance with
the different conditions of man.

The first condition of perception in the world of nature is the perception 
of the rational soul. In this perception and in this power all are sharers, 
whether they be neglectful or vigilant, believers or deniers. This human 
rational soul is God's creation: it encompasses and excels other creatures; 
as it is more noble and distinguished, it encompasses things. The power of 
the rational soul can discover the realities of things, comprehends the 
peculiarities of beings, and penetrate the mysteries of existence. All 
sciences, knowledge, arts, wonders, institutions, discoveries and enterprises 
come from the exercised intelligence of the rational soul. There was a time 
when they were unknown, preserved mysteries and hidden secrets; the rational 
soul gradually discovered them and brought them out of the plane of the 
invisible and the hidden into the realm of the visible. This is the greatest 
power of perception in the world of nature, which in its highest flight and 
soaring comprehends the realities, the properties and effects of the 
contingent beings.

But the universal divine mind which is beyond nature, is the bounty of the
Preexistent Power. This universal mind is divine; it embraces existing 
realities, and it receives the light of the mysteries of God. It is a 
conscious power, not a power of investigation and of research. The 
intellectual power of the world is the power of investigation, and by 
its research it discovers the realities of beings, and the properties of 
existences; but the heavenly intellectual power, which is beyond nature, 
embraces things and is cognizant of things, knows them, understands them, 
is aware of mysteries, realities and divine significations, and is the 
discoverer of the concealed verities of the Kingdom. This divine intellectual 
power is the special attribute of the Holy Manifestations and the Dawning-
places of prophethood; a ray of this light falls upon the mirrors of the 
hearts of the righteous, and a portion and a share of this power comes to 
them through the Holy Manifestations [i.e. Messengers of God. KH].

The Holy Manifestations have three conditions: one, the physical condition
[i.e. they have a body which like that of man and animal is capable of
sensation and is in need of food, shelter and sleep, and is subject to
birth, illness and death. KH]; one that of rational soul [i.e. The human
station. KH]; and one that of the manifestation of perfection and of the 
lordly splendor [i.e. The divine station. KH]. The body comprehends things 
according to the degree of its ability in the physical world; therefore, in 
certain cases it shows physical weaknesses. For example: `I was sleeping and 
unconscious; the breeze of God passed over Me and awoke Me, and commanded Me 
to proclaim the Word'; or when Christ in His thirtieth year was baptized, 
and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him; before this the Holy Spirit did not 
manifest itself in Him. All these things refer to bodily conditions of the 
Manifestations; but Their heavenly condition embraces all things, knows all 
mysteries, discovers all signs, and rules over all things; before as well 
as after Their mission, it is the same. That is why Christ has said: `I am 
Alpha and Omega, the first and the last' [Revelation 22:13] -that is to say, 
there has never been and never shall be any alteration in Me."

			`Abdu'l-Baha, "Some Answered Questions", pp. 217-219

Note: I have included certain comments and informations, however inadequate,
inside [brackets, followed by KH] for further clarification.

I hope this offers a fresh perspective for your consideration.

						Part 1 of 2
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