DOCSLIB.ORG

Some Answered Questions

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Some Answered Questions ACCA 1904-1906 SOME ANSWERED QUESTIONS SOME ANSWERED QUESTIONS COLLECTED AND TRANSLATED FROM THE PERSIAN OF 'ABDU'L-BAHA I! BY LAURA CLIFFORD BARNEY PHILADELPHIA COMPANY J. B. LIPPINCOTT TRUBNER & CO. LTD. LONDON: KEGAN PAUL, TRENCH, 1908 All rights reserved AJ3 H0FFITT. Edinburgh : T. and A. COBSTAJJLIS, Printera to His Majesty INTRODUCTION 'I HAVE given to you my tired moments/ were the 1 words of 'Abdu'1-Baha as he rose from table after answering one of my questions. As it was on this so it continued between the day, ; hours of work, his fatigue would find relief in renewed he was able to at activity ; occasionally speak length ; but often, even though the subject might require more time, he would be called away after a few and even weeks would in moments ; again, days pass, which he had no opportunity of instructing me. But I could well be patient, for I had always before me the greater lesson the lesson of his personal life. During my several visits to Acca, these answers were written down in Persian while 'Abdu'1-Baha spoke, that I not with a view to publication, but simply At first might have them for future study. they of the had to be adapted to the verbal translation I had a interpreter; and later, when acquired slight This knowledge of Persian, to my limited vocabulary. and for no accounts for repetition of figures phrases, 1 ' Bahaism. He is also known, Abdu'1-Baha is the great teacher of name of Abbas Efendi. For further and especially in Syria, under the information see article on Bahaism, page vii. 184831 vi SOME ANSWERED QUESTIONS one has a more extensive command of felicitous ex- pressions than 'Abdu'1-Baha. In these lessons he is the teacher adapting himself to his pupil, and not the orator or poet. This book presents only certain aspects of Bahaism, which is universal in its message, and has for each questioner the answer suited to his especial develop- ment and needs. In my case the teachings were made simple, to correspond to my rudimentary knowledge, and are therefore in no way complete and exhaustive, as the Table of Contents may suggest the Table of Contents having been added merely to indicate the subjects treated of. But I believe that what has been so valuable to me may be of use to others, since all men, notwithstanding their differences, are united in their search for reality; and I have therefore asked 'Abdul-Baha's permission to publish these talks. Originally they were not given in any special order, but have now been roughly classified for the con- venience of the reader. The Persian text has been closely followed, at times even to the detriment of the English, a few alterations being made in the translation merely where the literal rendering seemed too involved and obscure and the ; interpolated words, required to make the meaning clearer, have not been indicated in any way in order to avoid the too frequent interruption of the thought by technical or explanatory signs. Also many of the Persian and Arabic names INTRODUCTION vii have been written in their simplest form without strictly adhering to a scientific system which would be confusing to the average reader. Only the unavoid- able notes have been given in this first edition, in order that the demand for publication may be satisfied 1 without further delay. LAURA CLIFFORD BARNEY. May 1907. 1 The Persian text of 'Some Answered Questions,' under the title of An-Nuru'l-'Abha fl Mufawadat 'Abdu'l-Baha, will be published shortly by Kegan Paul, Trench, Triibner & Co., Ltd. A French translation by M. Hippolyte Dreyfus, under the title of Lea Lemons de Saint-Jean-d'Acre, is published by Ernest Leroux, 28 Rue Bonaparte, Paris. For the information of those who know little or nothing of translated from the Encyclo- Bahaism, I give the following account peedia of Larousse : an outcome 'Bahaium: the religion of the disciples of Bahaullah, 'Ali Nuri Bahaullah was born at Tihran of abism.Uirza, Husain first adherents of the in 1817 A.D. From 1844 he was one of the of his doctrine Bab, and devoted himself to the pacific propagation he with the in Persia. After the death of the Bab was, principal to and Adrianople, Babis, exiled to Baghdad, and later Constantinople It was in tl under the surveillance of the Ottoman Government. whom declared his mission. He was "He latter city that he openly the Bab had announced in h God would make manifest," whom of God, for the last days ; writings, the great Manifestation promised of the States of Europe he and in his letters to the principal Rulers and universal[peace. invited them to join him in establishing religion him became Bahais From this time, the Babis who acknowledged Acca m Palestme where The Sultan then exiled him (1868 A.D.) to where he of his doctrinal works, and he composed the greater part had confided to his son Abb died in 1892 A.D. (May 29). He the > and Efendi 'Abdu'l Baha, the work of spreading religion the world. the Bahais of all parts of tinuing the connection between viii SOME ANSWERED QUESTIONS In point of fact, there are Bahais everywhere, not only in Muham- madan countries, but also in all the countries of Europe, as well as in the United States, Canada, Japan, India, etc. This is because Baha'u'llah has known how to transform Babism into a universal religion, which is presented as the fulfilment and completion of all the ancient faiths. The Jews await the Messiah, the Christians the return of Christ, the Muslims the Mahdi, the Buddhists the fifth Buddha, the Zoroastrians Shah Bahram, the Hindus the reincarna- tion of Krishna, and the Atheists a better social organisation ! Baha'u'llah represents all these, and thus destroys the rivalries and the enmities of the different religions; reconciles them in their primitive purity, and frees them from the corruption of dogmas and rites. For Bahaism has no clergy, no religious ceremonial, no public its is belief in in prayers ; only dogma God and His Manifestations (Zoroaster, Moses, Jesus, etc., Baha'u'llah). The principal works of Baha'u'llah are the Kitabu'l-Iqan, the Kitabu'l-Aqdas, the Kitabu'l- Ahd, and numerous letters or tablets addressed to sovereigns or to private individuals. Ritual holds no place in the religion, which must be expressed in all the actions of life, and accomplished in neighbourly love. Every one must have an occupation. The educa- tion of children is enjoined and regulated. No one has the power to receive confession of sins, or to give absolution. The priests of the existing religions should renounce celibacy, and should preach by their example, mingling in the life of the people. Monogamy is universally recommended, etc. Questions not treated of are left to the civil law of each country, and to the decisions of the Baitu'l-'Adl, or Houses of Justice, instituted by Baha'u'llah. Respect towards the Head of the State is a part of respect towards God. A universal language, and the creation of tribunals of arbitration between nations, " are to suppress wars. You are all leaves of the same tree, and drops of the same sea," Baha'u'llah has said. Briefly, it is not so much a new religion as Religion renewed and unified, which is directed to-day by 'Abdu'1-Baha.' (Nouveau Larousse Illustrt, supplement, p. 66.) CONTENTS PART I ON THE INFLUENCE OF THE PROPHETS IN THE EVOLUTION OF HUMANITY PAGE I. is NATURE GOVERNED BY ONE UNIVERSAL LAW, . 3 ii. PROOFS AND EVIDENCES OF THE EXISTENCE OF GOD, . 5 in. THK NEED OF AN EDUCATOR, 8 rv. ABRAHAM, 14 v. MOSES, 17 vi. CHBIST, 20 vii. MUHAMMAD, 22 .vin. THE BAB, 30 ix. BAHA'U'LLAH, .32 x. TRADITIONAL PROOFS EXEMPLIFIED FROM THE BOOK OF DANIEL, 43 xi. COMMENTARY ON THE ELEVENTH CHAPTER OF THE 53 REVELATION OF ST. JOHN, , xii. COMMENTARY ON THE ELEVENTH CHAPTER OF THE BOOK OF ISAIAH, 72 xin. COMMENTARY ON THE TWELFTH CHAPTER OF THE REVELATION OF ST. JOHN 77 ix SOME ANSWERED QUESTIONS PAGE xiv. SPIRITUAL PROOFS, 83 xv. TRUE WEALTH, PART II SOME CHRISTIAN SUBJECTS xvi. OUTWARD FORMS AND SYMBOLS MUST BE USED TO CONVEY INTELLECTUAL CONCEPTIONS, ... 95 xvii. THE BIRTH OF CHRIST, 99 xvin. THE GREATNESS OF CHRIST is DUE TO HIS PER- FECTIONS, 102 xix. THE BAPTISM OF CHRIST, 104 xx. THE NECESSITY OF BAPTISM, 107 xxi. THE SYMBOLISM OF THE BREAD AND THE WINE, . 112 xxn. MIRACLES, 115 xxiii. THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST, 119 xxiv. THE DESCENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT UPON THE APOSTLES, 122 xxv. THE HOLY SPIRIT, 124 xxvi. THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST, AND THE DAY OF JUDGMENT, 126 xxvii. THE TRINITY 129 ' xxviii. EXPLANATION OF THE VERSE : O FATHER, GLORIFY THOU ME, WITH THE GLORY WHICH I HAD WITH THEE BEFORE THE WORLD WAS.' (St. John xvii. 5), 132 ' xxix. EXPLANATION OF THE VERSE : As JN ADAM ALL DIE, EVEN so IN CHRIST SHALL ALL BE MADE ALIVE.' (1 Cor. xv. 22), 134 xxx. ADAM AND EVE, 139 CONTENTS xi xxxi. EXPLANATION OF THE BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT. (Matt. xii. 31, 32), 146 xxxn. EXPLANATION OF THE VERSE : <FOR MANY ABE BUT FEW ABE CHOSEN.' CALLED, (Matt. Xxii. 14), 148 xxxin. THE 'RETURN' SPOKEN OF BY THE PROPHETS, . 151 xxxiv. PETER'S CONFESSION OF FAITH. (Matt. xvi. 16, 18), 154 xxxv. PREDESTINATION, 15g PART III ON THE POWERS AND CONDITIONS OF THE MANIFESTATIONS OF GOD xxxvi.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Buddhism and the Bahá'í Writings: an Ontological Rapprochement
    Buddhism and the Bahá’í Writings An Ontological Rapprochement * Ian Kluge Buddhism is one of the revelations recognised by the Bahá’í Faith as being divine in origin and, therefore, part of humankind’s heritage of guidance from God. This religion, which has approximately 379 million followers 1 is now making significant inroads into North America and Europe where Buddhist Centres are springing up in record numbers. Especially because of the charismatic leader of Tibetan Prasangika Buddhism, the Dalai Lama, Buddhism has achieved global prominence both for its spiritual wisdom as well as for its part in the struggle for an independent Tibet. Thus, for Bahá’ís there are four reasons to seek a deeper knowledge of Buddhism. In the first place, it is one of the former divine revelations and therefore, inherently interesting, and second, it is one of the ‘religions of our neighbours’ whom we seek to understand better. Third, a study of Buddhism also allows us to better understand Bahá’u’lláh’s teaching that all religions are essentially one. (PUP 175) Moreover, if we wish to engage in intelligent dialogue with them, we must have a solid understanding of their beliefs and how they relate to our own. We shall begin our study of Buddhism and the Bahá’í Writings at the ontological level because that is the most fundamental level at which it is possible to study anything. Ontology, which is a branch of metaphysics, 2 concerns itself with the subject of being and what it means ‘to be,’ and the way in which things are.
    [Show full text]
  • Program and Abstracts
    ‘Irfán Colloquium One Hundred and Thirty-Second Session Memorials of the Faithful: A Centenary Celebration Program and Abstracts Centre for Bahá’í Studies Acuto, Italy 2-5 July 2015 Vision and Aims of `Irfan Colloquium The Haj Mehdi Arjmand Memorial Fund was established in 1992 to honor Haj Mehdi Arjmand (1861-1941) and is dedicated to promoting the scholarly study of the Bahá’í Faith. Haj Mehdi Arjmand was a Persian scholar and teacher of the Bahá’í Faith who became well known in Iran for his profound knowledge of the Bible, Qur’an, and Bahá’í scriptures. The primary activity of the Fund is sponsoring ‘Irfán Colloquium and its publications. In 2012, benefiting from the guidance received from the Universal House of Justice, a management board was appointed for this fund by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States to function as a Bahá’í agency and sponsor ‘Irfán Colloquia, presently held in North America and Western Europe in English, Persian and German languages. The ‘Irfán Colloquium aims at promoting and supporting systematic studies of fundamental principles of the Bahá’í beliefs, the Writings of the Central Figures of the Bahá’í Faith, the interface of the Bahá’í Faith with intellectual schools of thought and religious traditions, and looking at current challenges in human society from the Bahá’í perspective. `Irfán is a Persian word referring to mystical, theological and spiritual knowledge. As of July 2015 one hundred and thirty-two sessions of colloquia have been held. Papers in English presented or received at the `Irfán Colloquia are annually published in a series of volumes of the Lights of `Irfán.
    [Show full text]
  • The Letters of the Living
    TO BECOME ACQUAINTED WITH THE MAJOR EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF THE BÁB AND TO DEVELOP A DEEP LOVE FOR HIM BASED ON AN UNDERSTANDING OF THESE EVENTS THE LETTERS OF THE LIVING SPIRITUAL QUALITIES RELEVANT TO THIS TOPIC: ENTHUSIASM, IDEALISM, OBEDIENCE, STEADFASTNESS O My beloved friends! You are the bearers of the name of God in this Day. You have been chosen as the repositories of His mystery. It behooves each one of you to manifest the attributes of God, and to exemplify by your deeds and words the signs of His righteousness, His power and glory. Selection from the Báb’s Farwell Address to the Letters of the Living, quoted in The Dawn-Breakers, p. 92 God sent His Prophets into the world to teach and enlighten man, to explain to him the mystery of the Power of the Holy Spirit, to enable him to reflect the light, and so in his turn, to be the source of guidance to others. 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Paris Talks, pp. 61-72 Central Figures –The Báb – Level Two 43 GOAL: TO BECOME ACQUAINTED WITH THE MAJOR EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF THE BÁB TOPIC: THE LETTERS OF THE LIVING LEARNING OBJECTIVES AND SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES KNOWLEDGE OBJECTIVES • To know the concept of the Letters of the Living and how each Letter of the Living had to discover the Báb independently • To know who the Letters of the Living were, their names, and how each discovered the Báb • To know the lives of selected Letters of the Living SUGGESTED LEARNING ACTIVITIES • Use games and role play to assist the community) to learn the names and stories learners to understand the concept of the of the Letters of the Living.
    [Show full text]
  • Táhirih: a Religious Paradigm of Womanhood* Susan Stiles Maneck
    Published in the Journal of Bahá’í Studies Vol. 2, number 2 (1989) © Association for Bahá’í Studies 1989 Táhirih: A Religious Paradigm of Womanhood* Susan Stiles Maneck An earlier version of this paper was presented for a seminar on women in Middle Eastern and South Asian literature, directed by Dr. Leslie Flemming at the University of Arizona. The author wishes to thank Dr. Flemming for her helpful comments on this work, which received an award from the American Academy of Religion, Western Region. Abstract Every religion has had its paradigm of the “ideal” woman. In Hinduism this has been Sita, the perfect wife who remains faithful to her husband at all costs. In Christianity the most eminent woman is the Virgin Mary, symbol of motherhood. Islam has Fátimih, Muhammad’s daughter, who figures in the role model of mother, wife, and daughter together. Táhirih, the archetypal paradigm of womanhood in the Bahá'í Faith, presents a startling contrast to the former models. She is remembered by Bahá’ís not as the typical wife, mother, and daughter but as the courageous, eloquent, and assertive religious innovator whose actions severed the early Bábís from Islam completely. This paper will first examine the biographical details of Táhirih’s life, focusing on her years as a Bábí leader from 1844 to her execution in 1852. Then it will explore Táhirih’s meaning as a paradigm to writers in the Middle East and in the West, both to Bahá'ís and non-Bahá'ís. But most especially it will look at the meaning Táhirih has for Bahá'ís in their perceptions of what a woman ought to be.
    [Show full text]
  • Religion Asserts That Its Central Concerns Are Discovering Truth and Implementing the Measures Called for by That Truth
    1 Truth: A Path for the Skeptic 2 Truth: A Path for the Skeptic Robert Vail Harris, Jr. First Edition (PDF Version) Copyright 2018 Robert Vail Harris, Jr. Website: truth4skeptic.org Email: [email protected] What is truth? Is there meaning in existence? What are life and death? These and similar questions are explored here. This work draws on techniques and examples from science and mathematics in a search for insights from ancient and modern sources. It is writ- ten especially for the skeptical scientist, the agnostic, and the athe- ist. It is informal but rigorous, and invites careful reflection. 3 Contents Page Questions 4 Answers 84 Actions 156 Notes and References 173 Truth: A Path for the Skeptic 4 Questions Overview The search for truth is a lifelong endeavor. From the time we open our eyes at birth until we close them at the hour of death, we are sorting and sifting, trying to determine what is true and what is not, what is reality and what is illusion, what is predictable and what is random. Our understanding of truth underpins our priorities and all our activities. Every thought we have, every step we take, every choice we make is based on our assessment of what is true. Knowing the truth enriches our lives, while false beliefs impover- ish and endanger us. The importance of truth can be illustrated by countless exam- ples. Contractual arrangements are accompanied by an assertion of truthfulness. Participants in a trial are required to tell the truth. Various implements have been used to try to ascertain truth, from the dunking and burning of accused witches to the use of lie detec- tors.
    [Show full text]
  • Bab's Life Movements
    CHRONOLOGY OF THE BÁB - WITH MAPS OF HIS TRAVELS Created and compiled by Duane K. Troxel for Wilmette Institute Course, The door of the Báb’s house in Shíráz. Nov. 2004-Feb. 2005. Máh-Kú 17 July 9, 1847 Chihríq 18 April 10, 1848 Tabríz 21 August, 1848 16 June, 1847 Urúmíyyih 20 July, 1848 19 July, 1848 22 Arrives back in Tabríz June 19, 1850. Executed, July 9, 1850. Tihrán Kulayn 15 March 29, 1847 Káshán 14 March 21, 1847 Karbilá 4 1840 Isfáhán Najaf 13 September, 1845 3 1840 Pilgrimage Shi’ih Shrines Daladi Shíráz 11 Jun 30, 1845 1 1819 Birth 5 1841 Marriage Búshihr 12 1845 2 1835 6 Oct 2/3, 1844 Left for Pilgrimage to Mecca & Medina. 10 1845 The Báb’s travels from birth to martyrdom. The numbers indicate the order in which His travels took place. The circled numbers are correlated with their red counterparts in the chronology following the maps. 1844 6 1844 7 9 1845 Arrived January 16. 1840 7 1844 Arrived sometime in 8 1844 December. Arrived Dec. 12. Announced He is Qá’im Dec. 20. CHRONOLOGY RELATED TO THE LIFE OF THE BÁB · 1778 Birth of Siyyid Muhammad Riday-i- · 1820 Birth of Khadijih Bagum (daughter of Shirazi, the father of the Bab. · 1818 Birth of Mulla Zaynu’l-Abidin (Zaynu’l- Mirza ‘Ali, a merchant of Shiraz), first wife of · 1783 Birth of Mirza ‘Abbas-i-Irivani, later Muqarrabin), Apostle of Baha’u’llah, in the Bab, in Shiraz. Prime Minister Haji Mirza Aqasi, in Mah-ku.
    [Show full text]
  • Baha'ism in Iran
    IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science (IOSR-JHSS) Volume 9, Issue 2 (Mar. - Apr. 2013), PP 53-61 e-ISSN: 2279-0837, p-ISSN: 2279-0845. www.Iosrjournals.Org Baha’ism in Iran Ashaq Hussain Centre of Central Asian Studies, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal-190006 Abstract : During the early 19th century, a religious movement called Babism flourished in Persia though for a short period, i:e., 1844-1852. Its founder Mirza Ali Mohammad Shirazi proclaimed his station as that of the Mehdi to the Muslims. Afterwards Bab claimed Prophetic status. He abrogated Islamic law and instead promulgated a system of Babi law in his (Persian) Bayan. Although the Babi movement successfully established its network both in rural and urban settlements of Iran, and after the execution of Bab he became a prominent figure among Babis. Most of the Babis were exiled by the Qachar government to the Sunni Ottoman area in Iraq. It was in Iraq that Baha‟u‟llah proclaimed himself the Prophet Promised by Bab. Majority of the Babis believed him and entered into the new faith and became Baha‟is. This happened in 1863 after a decade of Bab‟s execution. He stated his own dispensation and wrote letters to many kings instigating them to establish peace. He tried a lot to make his laws compatible with the modern globalized world. To him “World is but one country and humankind its citizens”. So far as the relevance of the present study is concerned, its pros and cons need to be analyzed and evaluated objectively. Study of religion usually influences common people in so far as the legitimate force that operates behind the principles and ideals of religion are concerned.
    [Show full text]
  • Parallels in the Ministries of Táhirih and Paul
    Parallels in the Ministries of Táhirih and Paul By JoAnn M. Borovicka Based on the paper “Parallels in the Ministries of Táhirih and Paul” by JoAnn M. Borovicka published in Lights of Irfan, Seventeen and freely available at Bahai-Library.com The Báb (the Gate, 1819-1852): The Founder of the Bábi Religion and the Herald of Bahá’u’lláh (1817-1892), the Founder of the Baha’i Faith. The Bábi Religion is considered The earliest days of the Baha’i Era. Bahá’u’lláh and Tahirih (Fatimah Baraghani, circa 1817-1852) were followers of the Báb. Fatimah was given the title Táhirih “The Pure One” by Bahá’u’lláh. Táhirih The only woman among the Báb’s original disciples – the eighteen Letters of the Living “Comparable in rank to those immortal heroines: Sarah, Ásíyih, the Virgin Mary, Fátimah”, and “Bahiyyih Khanum.” (Shoghi Effendi in God Passes By, p. 75 and Messages to the Bahá’í World, p. 74) The Apostle Paul “Saul” (circa 5 – 64 A.D.) One of the most important figures in Christianity. 13 of the 27 books of Christian scripture are attributed to Paul. Statue of St. Paul outside the Basilica in Rome Paul in the Bahá’í Writings “One's conduct must be like the conduct of Paul... ” (‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 189.5) “Saint Paul hath written...”(Bahá’u’lláh, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, 91) “Saint Paul the great Apostle...” (‘Abdu’l-Bahá, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in London, 23) Statue of St. Paul outside the Basilica in Rome Parallels(1) Parallels between in the Ministries Táhirih of Táhirih and and Paul Paul Both are recognized for singular initiatives that contributed significantly to distinguishing the new Revelation from the old.
    [Show full text]
  • Course of Bahá´Í Symbolism
    Course of Bahá´í Symbolism Ernesto J. Fernández 1 English version: Patricio J. Cernadas Introduction An in-depth study of Bahá´í symbolism is yet to be accomplished. The present course barely attempts to develop an elementary introduction to this topic. In his prologue to Hidden Words, George Townshend, the Hand of the Cause, wrote about the present constrictions imposed by this type of intellectual endeavors: “We, the ones from the spiritual twilight, the ones who still linger in the darkest side, the ones who have inherited the General Tradition of the Doubt and the Adoration of the Golden Calf, cannot penetrate into the deepest meaning of these occult words, nor grasp the perspective of Life and the Universe that they render. Years and generations are yet to come until men get to shed the shackles which have constrained their souls, and retrieve the lost discernment that they have not used for a long while.” Here I will merely try to describe the symbolic forms in the sacred writings and the Bahá´í architectural systems, and I will compare them to analogous forms in the universal religious symbolism. There are great similarities, but also great differences. For example the Bahá´í lotus as a tree or a flower, which appears in texts and temples. Although it is similar to the Hindu lotus, there are some differences not easy to render in detail. Something similar can be found in the seven circles of Mount Carmel, a symbol shared with the Catholic Carmelites. This course will start with the system of Mount Carmel, which includes the Bahá´í Sacred Geography.
    [Show full text]
  • The Eternal Quest for God: an Introduction to the Divine Philosophy of `Abdu'l-Bahá Julio Savi
    The Eternal Quest for God: An Introduction to the Divine Philosophy of `Abdu'l-Bahá Julio Savi George Ronald, Publisher 46 High Street, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 2DN Copyright © Julio Savi, 1989 All rights Reserved British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data Savi, Julio The eternal quest for God: an introduction to the divine philosophy of `Abdu'l-Bahá. I. Bahaism. Abd al Baha ibn Baha All ah, 1844-1921. I. Title II. Nell'universo sulle tracce di Dio. English 297'.8963 ISBN 0-85398-295-3 Printed in Great Britain by Billing and Sons Ltd, Worcester By the same author Nell'universo sulle tracce di Dio (EDITRICE NÚR, ROME, 1988) Bahíyyih Khánum, Ancella di Bahá (CASA EDITRICE BAHÁ'Í, ROME, 1983) To my father Umberto Savi with love and gratitude I am especially grateful to Continental Counselor Dr. Leo Niederreiter without whose loving encouragement this book would have not been written Chapter 1 return to Table of Contents Notes and Acknowledgements Italics are used for all quotations from the Bahá'í Sacred Scriptures, namely `any part of the writings of the Báb, Bahá'u'lláh and the Master'. (Letter on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, in Seeking the Light of the Kingdom (comp.), p.17.) Italics are not used for recorded utterances by `Abdu'l- Bahá. Although very important for the concepts and the explanations they convey, when they have `in one form or the other obtained His sanction' (Shoghi Effendi, quoted in Principles of Bahá'í Administration, p.34) - as is the case, for example, with Some Answered Questions or The Promulgation of Universal Peace - they cannot `be considered Scripture'.
    [Show full text]
  • WINDOWS to the PAST by Darius K
    MULLA HUSAYN-I-BUSHRU'I A transcript of audio-cassette from series WINDOWS TO THE PAST by Darius K. Shahrokh, M.D. No introduction more befitting, no words more expressive for opening this window other than these awesome words of Baha'u'llah uttered in the Book of Certitude about Mulla Husayn - "But for him, God would not have been established upon the seat of His mercy, nor ascended the throne of eternal glory. " (Kitab-i-Iqan, p. 223) In another tablet, Baha'u'llah has asserted that the Bab pronounced Mulla Husayn to be the return and resurrection of Muhammad because he was invested with the command of God the same way that Muhammad was. Then Baha'u'llah states, IIThis station is sanctified from every limitation and name, and naught can be seen therein but God." (Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 185) Now we can understand why, with praises given to Mulla Husayn by his teacher, Siyyid Kazim, the other disciples suspected him to be the promised Qa'im which was the station of the Bab. (God Passes BY, P. 50) He was eighteen when he went to Karbila, a holy city in Iraq, and in those nine years he spent at the feet of his illustrious teacher, Siyyid Kazim, one wonders if he had any idea about the glorious mission awaiting him. As you recall, Siyyid Kazim was the second and the last luminary who appeared before the Declaration of the Bab, foretelling the nearness of the advent of the promised Qa'im. Although the doctrines of these two teachers were clearly in accordance with Islamic holy writings, some prominent divines in Iran contested them and showed indication of withdrawing their support, bordering on open opposition.
    [Show full text]
  • The Ten Plagues of the Exodus in Light of the Bahá'í Writings
    The Ten Plagues of the Exodus in Light of the Bahá’í Writings JoAnn Borovicka www.JoAnnBorovicka.com Based on: “The Ten Plagues of the Exodus in Light of the Baha’i Writings” by JoAnn Borovicka in Lights of ‘Irfan - Book 16 (Bahai-Library.com) Photographic images in this presentation by JoAnn Borovicka unless otherwise noted. Overview 1: The Exodus Narrative and Theories The Exodus narrative is an important ancient tradition. There is compelling evidence that the story does not represent literal historical facts. 2: Understanding Bahá’í References The Bahá’í Writings sometimes refer to the Exodus narrative as if it really happened. These references validate the spiritual truths contained in the scripture; however, they do not validate the story as historical fact. 3: Inner Meanings in the Exodus Narrative The Exodus narrative contains spiritual truths that are universally relevant. Part One: Exodus Narrative and Theories Exodus Narrative • Israelites in forced labor in Egypt under a tyrannical Pharaoh • Moses confronts Pharaoh “Let my people go.” (5:1) • Moses inflicts the land of Egypt with ten plagues Plagues 1 Water to blood 2. Frogs* 3. Gnats 4. Flies* 5. Diseased cattle 6. Boils 7. Thunder, hail, fire* 8. Locusts* 9. Three days of darkness* 10. Death of the Egyptian firstborns** * False release **Release, then pursuit • Moses leads the Israelites out of Egypt • Pharaoh sets out in pursuit with the Egyptian army • Moses parts the waters, the Israelites advance on dry land, Pharaoh’s army drowns • 13th Century B.C.* * Finkelstein and
    [Show full text]