Fatwas Regarding Baha’i Faith

MOHAMMED REZA ISFAHANI

In this section, for further information of our dear readers, viewpoints and rulings of a number of authorized religious leaders and famous jurisprudents against Baha’ism are referred to in order to show how Muslim ulema treat this schism.

“Courtyard of Al Azhar, Cairo”

Dr. Sheikh Abdolmon’en al-Nahr, a renowned Muslim personality comments on the apostasy and excommunication of the Baha’is as follows: \"...We know that the Baha’is were formerly Muslims but they later abandoned Islam and founded a new creed in order to harm the religion. Therefore, from the very beginning of the advent of this pseudo-religion, religious rulings have been issued against them, either they were Muslims and were converted to Baha’ism, or were born of Baha’i parents. There is a unanimity of views among Muftis in this connection...\"

Sheikh Abu Zohrh in the book Tarikh al-Madhaheb al-Islamiya (History of Islamic Sects) described Baha’ism as: \"A crude mixture which is far from Islamic ideologies...\" The Egyptian Mufti in 1971 stated: \"If a person is converted from Islam to Baha’ism, he is considered an apostate and rulings about apostasy should be enforced against him. His marriage is null and avoid irrespective of whether his wife is a Baha’i or not...\"

“Al Azhar, Cairo”

Sheikh Abdolmajid Salim, head of the committee for religious rulings and a professor at Cairo’s Al-Azhar University, noted in September 1949: ‘Baha’ism is by no means a Muslim sect. Because, this creed is contradictory with the principles of Islam and is a religion which contradicts other divine religions. A Muslim woman is not allowed to marry a Baha’i man and if she does so, her marriage is void. Those Muslims who convert to Baha’ism are apostate, and marriage, even with a Baha’i woman, is null and void.\"

Sheikh Abdol Latif, an Egyptian Mufti and professor at Al-Azhar University, in an interview with ‘Al-Muslemoun’ publication, dated 1985/3/9 said: \"No doubt, Baha’ism, which is an apostasy in view of Islam and whose ideologies are all against Muslims and deny missions of all prophets, especially Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.), is the worse type of infidelity...\"

Sheikh Salim Al-Bashri, also a professor at Al-Azhar University, in an interview printed in volume 692 of the Egyptian daily Misr-al Fatah in 1950, said: \"If a Muslim is converted to Baha’ism, he is considered an apostate and Islamic rulings for infidels should be applied against him.\"

Another publication, Monar al-lslam has quoted Al-Bashri’s comments about Abbas Afandi as saying: \"He was an infidel.\" This same Egyptian Mufti on 1985/3/7 in another daily Al-Wafd said: \"...Baha’i ideologies and teachings are anti-Islamic and their followers are excommunicated from Islam. We have issued our rulings against their science and Ali is its gate.\" For this same reason, he called himself Bab (gate) and first claimed that he was the gate to the appearance of the Promised Imam, Mahdi, and later claimed he was Imam Mahdi himself. In the last days of his life, he claimed that he was the God and therefore called himself A’la’ (the superior). Later, Mirza Hussein Ali Mazandarani (Baha), who was Bab’s contemporary, followed the same path until the time that Bab was arrested and killed for his apostasy. Therefore, Baha announced that he had been chosen as Bab’s successor and became the Baha’i leader and called himself Bahaoddin. He transgressed all limits in his claims and announced that all religions had served as a prelude to the emergence of his faith, adding that all of them were incomplete and nothing except his religion would complete the previous religions. He also claimed that he possessed divine characteristics and that his name is similar to that of the ‘Hallowed’ name of the Almighty God. \"In the manner that Islam nullified all previous religions. Baha’ism would therefore annul Islam\" he claimed.

Bab and his followers have made odd interpretations of verses of the Holy Qur’an according to their corrupt invitation. He became so powerful in his claims that he would allow himself to change principles of the divine religion according to his wish and would invent new methods of worship for his followers.

The anti-Islamic aspect of the Baha’i ideologies, especially Babism, has become quite clear for the Council of Jurisprudence Assembly and thus, the assembly unanimously announces the apostatic nature of Baha’ism and Babism and considers the faith as an open war against Islam, and regards their followers absolute infidels.

The assembly, therefore, warns all Muslims in the world against this criminal group and calls on them to resist against followers of this fabricated faith. It also calls on Muslims to beware of the plots of imperialist, countries since they would support Baha’ism in order to sow discord among Muslims and deal a blow on Islam.
Signed by the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and eight members of the Council.

Now, after a review of the opinions of the Muslim ulema and thinkers about this fabricated sect, we go through viewpoints of Islamic scientists on the faith’s connection to Zionism and imperialism and the role imperialist circles played in their support. The great Islamic writer Sattar Mohyedin Al-Khatib, on page 8 of the book Darasat Anal Babiya va Bahaiya (Studies About Babis and Baha’is) has written: \"Some are of the idea that hands of foreign countries, either Britain or Russia, could be seen behind this religion (Baha’ism) and that those are the same hands which have invented Baha’ism and Babism. But, in my opinion, this is an exaggerated comment since foreigners are not capable of creating such religious trends. However, they would not hesitate to misuse such sects after their emergence to their own advantage.\"

Also, on page 41 of the above-mentioned book, Ali Al-Mansour, the consultant of the chairman of the Administrative Court of the Council of Ministers of Egypt, has been quoted as saying: \"Baha’ism is one of the invented sects which has been excommunicated from Islam and its followers are apostate and there apostasy.\" The committee of religious rulings of Al-Azhar University has also ruled that, \"Baha’i faith is unvalid and has no connection with Islam. Any Muslim who converts to Baha’ism is an apostate and infidel.\"

Another Al-Azhar University professor has said, \"Baha’ism is a political pro-Zionism grouplet.\"

“Al Azhar University, Cairo”

Sheikh Jad-al Haq Ali Jad-al Haq, another Al-Azhar professor, in a statement released in connection with the arrest of two Egyptian groups, one led by a doctor who claimed to have prophetic mission, and the other by a Baha’i artist, announced that Muslims should boycott those who have turned away from religion and should not transact with them. \"Any help to them or marriage with them is prohibited according to Islam\", he added. The statement stipulated that if the two mentioned groups do not repent, they are considered apostates. It further added that Baha’ism is a void religion which not only is rejected by Islam but has no connection to Christianity or Judaism. \"Rather\", the statement continued, \"it is a group subservient to international Zionism and is commissioned to implement its vicious schemes in Arab and Islamic countries, the most obvious proof to which is recognition of Haifa as the Qiblah of the Baha’is\". The sheikh called on the two groups to repent and return to Islam. In his comments printed in the weekly Al-Lawa al-Islamic in 1985, he said: \"Baha’ism is a false religion which is rejected by Islam.\"

Finally, the following is the text of the fourth resolution of the Jurisprudence Assembly of Egypt on Baha’ism which is needless of any interpretation. Fourth Resolution; Rulings on Baha’ism and its Followers : Praise be upon God, the One and Only, and blessings on his Prophet, the one that has not been followed by other prophets. The Council of the Jurisprudence Assembly has made a survey of Baha’ism which emerged in Iran in the second half of the past century and which is presently being followed by a group of people who are dispersed in Muslim and non-Muslim countries. The council has also reviewed the research work which has been conducted by a large number of scientists and writers and those who are fully aware of the real nature of this sect and its emergence, as well as of the biography of its founder Mirza Hussein Ali Mazandarani, born on 12 November 1817 and those of his successors, his son Abbas Afandi, known as Abdol Baha, and finally of their activities. After a lengthy discussion, the council came to the following conclusions:

1. Baha’ism is a newly invented faith which is based upon another new sect invented by a person called Bab (Ali Mohammed), born in Shiraz in October 1819. This person in the beginning had tendencies towards Sufism but later invented his sect upon instigations of his misled leader Kazem Rashti, who believed that he had the characteristics of angels. In the beginning, Ali Mohammad would repeat the same claims as his leader did, but, after a while separated from him and claimed that he was the same as Imam Ali Ibn Abi Taleb about whom the Prophet has stated that: \"I am the city of execution is a must.\" picture : Seyyed Jamaleddin Assadabadi

“Seyyed Jamaleddin Assadabadi”

Seyyed Jamaleddin Assadabadi, has also expressed his views on page 155 of the weekly Monar al-lsiam as follows: \"Baha’ism is one of the dangerous religions and has an anti-Islamic philosophy. It is a sect in which the Jews play a big role. In 1842, the Babis announced their separation from Islam and started their fight with Islam and Arabic language.\"

Meanwhile, the same publication on page 343 of its 7th volume has quoted Seyyed Rashid Reza, the great Islamic thinker and editor-in-chief of the said weekly as saying: \"Baha’ism is based on Babism whose foundations are laid on corruption. Therefore, how do you expect Muslims to accept Baha’ism and Babism which, like Christianity, attribute divine characteristics to human beings?\"

Mr. Abdol Aziz Nashi, a teacher and himself a student of Seyyed Rashid Reza, delivered a speech at the Islamic Guidance Society of Cairo which appeared on page 24 of the book Azva va Haqayeq Anal Babiya val Bahaiya (facts about Babis and Baha’is): \"...In my opinion, it is a duty shouldered by the scientists, orators and thinkers, as well as all those who are influential among the people, men and women and all those who could read and write, to advise Muslims and warn them against being deceived by Baha’ism and against attending their circles or reading their books…Baha’is are the most dangerous axes created to uproot Islam.\"

Dr. Mohammad Nassir on page 59 of the above-mentioned book has commented about the interest of imperialism and Zionism to support this sect and written: \"Baha’is say that the proof to the emergence of Baha is the influence of his words and expansion of his invitation in the absence of any human liaison but rather through the Divine Will. Such a reasoning is in fact a proof to the selfishness of the Baha’is and is quite untrue. The Baha’is have been attacked everywhere except for those places where imperialism and Zionism according to their advantages have supported them.\" As a proof to his statement, he has mentioned an instance in the next two pages of the book, saying: \"...Abdol Baha continued his services for imperialism as he was serving the interests of Zionism in the same manner. Abdol Baha helped the British and the Indians to dominate over Palestine in the course of the World War I and after the war ended to the advantage of Britain, the British government in a splendid ceremony held on April 27, 1920 at a military headquarter in Haifa, presented him with the decoration, the Imperial House of Britain. Meanwhile, Zionism sensitively responded towards news concerning Baha’ism. For instance, at the time of the formation of the Baha’i circle, the report was repeatedly broadcast by Israeli radio stations, together with congratulations and felicitations on the occasion of their new year. In return, representatives of international Baha’ism appreciated the kind attitude of the Israeli government towards the Baha’is…There are other instances proving an amicable tie between Zionism and Baha’ism.\"

Professor Bent al-Shati, on the relation between Baha’ism and Zionism says: \"Zionism has been unmasked and has mobilized all its forces at the service of Abdol Baha. He has wasted properties of the Jews in order to render financial assistance to a faith which has emerged according to the interests of Israel. It has also mobilized a group of followers of the faith in the Islamic East, where Abbas Afandi had faced the severest Muslim resistance, in order to propagate in favor of the sect and expand the dimension of its domination. It was at the time of Baha when Zionism was unmasked and revealed its vicious scheme ‘from the Nile to the Euphrates’ and commissioned Baha’ism as one of its collaborators to pave the way for the entry of Judaism into the ‘Promised Land’. Abdol Baha then wrote a treatise called Surat-ol Muluk in which he criticized the Turkish monarch under the pretext of making a distinction between the rights of Muslims and those of the Jews. The headquarters of Baha’ism on ‘Al-Karmal’ mountain has become a den for the ring leaders of international Zionism and their mercenaries among whom some had been assigned to major posts in Israeli institutions since the birth of the Israeli regime.

An article printed in Al-Akhbar Al-Amriya weekly, the official publication of the international circle of Baha’ism in 1951, throws more light on the subject: ‘The assistants of Amrollah, introduced members of the Baha’i community at the international Bahai center to the Israeli president and his wife. His Excellency the president has talked about his excursion in the gardens of Jabal Karmal and his visit with the beloved Amrollah in the years 1909-1911 and also his meetings with Baha.\" ( Al-Ahram newspaper, dated 1973/9/14)

Mr. Taha al-Mowla, a Muslim historian, holds some viewpoints in this connection which has been printed in the 63rd volume of the weekly Al-Alam: \"Muslim ulema have cursed Baha’ism but the Jews have promulgated the faith. Baha’ism has attacked Islam and claims that the era of Islam has come to an end and therefore is trying to sow the seeds of its fabricated religion which is a combination of Judaism, Christianity, Islam and idolatry.\"

Mr. Khaled Mohammad Khaled, a Muslim thinker, expressed his ideas on Baha’ism and its fabricated ideologies as: \"My study about Baha’ism revealed an ugly profile of the faith. The late Imam Sheikh Mohammad AI-Khezr Hussein had made a survey over the sect and had obtained deep knowledge about it. In one instance he has said; ‘This sect is excommunicated from Islam and its followers who claim to be commissioned for prophetic missions and even go far beyond that, and who deny miracles under the pretext of being irrational…and do not believe in the Resurrection Day, Heaven and Hell, who disregard Hajj and even intend to destroy Ka’aba, are apostate.-.Baha’ism is an invention of a ‘mind’ which had various political inclinations and, therefore, the faith is considered as a deceitful religion.\"

The prominent Iraqi religious personality Sheikh Mohammad Hussein Al-Kashef Al-Ghetain an interview with the weekly Felestine al-Thowra has stated: \"...Many years ago we received a pamphlet in Persian which said that a person has come from the Czarist Russia to Tehran who later learnt Persian and converted to Islam. He would instigate people to rise and would teach military techniques to the Babis to make them ready to attack the Iranian army. This man (Dolgroki whose memoir has been recently translated from Farsi and who is himself a translator at the Russian embassy) was later promoted to the rank of minister extraordinary and finally to the post of the ambassador.\"

And, in order to have a happy conclusion to all the above-mentioned quotations, Imam Khomeini’s views on Baha’ism, printed in the Arabic Kayhan in 1982, are quoted as follows:

\"Even if we do not have any witness which could serve as a proof to the fact that Baha’is are U.S. mercenaries and spies, Reagan’s support for them is the best proof to this claim.\"

Source: www.bahaiawareness.com