Religion Must be in Conformity with Science and Reason

1. Is the Principle \"Religion Must Be in Conformity with Science and Reason\" New?

`Abdu’l-Bahā:

This principle is a new vista proclaimed by Bahā’u’llāh.[1]

`Abdu’l-Bahā:

The first Shia Muslim Imam, Imam `Alī, has said that religion must be in accord with science.[2]

[1] “Furthermore, He proclaims that religion must be in harmony with science and reason. If it does not conform to science and reconcile with reason, it is superstition. Down to the present day it has been customary for man to accept a religious teaching, even though it was not in accord with human reason and judgment. The harmony of religious belief with reason is a new vista which Bahā’u’llāh has opened for the soul of man,” `Abdu’l-Bahā, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 455.

[2] “`Alī, the son-in-law of Muḥammad, said: ‘That which is in conformity with science is also in conformity with religion.’ Whatever the intelligence of man cannot understand, religion ought not to accept. Religion and science walk hand in hand, and any religion contrary to science is not the truth,” `Abdu’l-Bahā, Paris Talks, p. 131.

2. Bahā’u’llāh and `Abdu’l-Bahā as Scientists

·         Nuclear Physics:

o   Coppers transmutes into Gold after 70 years![76]

o   Atoms are indestructible![77]

·         Physics:

o   Both convex and concave mirrors focus light in a real point that creates great heat![78]

·         Geology:

o   The Earth’s age (world’s age) is several thousand years![79]

o   All minerals possess a spirit and life.[80]

·         Biology:

o   Some creatures are created by spontaneous generation![81]

o   There is absolutely no difference and distinction between male and female plants and animals![82]

·         Chemistry:

o   Plants survive on a watery element called carbon and hydrogen that comes from the mouth of animals![83]

·         Astronomy:

o   The Sun is Stationary, Fixed, and Ever Occupies the Same Space![84]

o   All stars have planets and all these planets have countless aliens on them![85]

o   All stars have aliens living on them![86]

·         Humanitarianism:

o   The more oppressed that you are the better.[87] Do not protest to oppressors.[88] Self-victimize yourself by not defending yourself![89] Baha’is kiss the hand of those who want to kill them![90]

·         Human rights:

o   Confiscating peoples’ property and banishing them based on religious matters are more dear than everything that is in the Skies and earth![91]

·         Psychology:

o   The communities must not shun the citizens for it has a demoralizing effect and will cause perversion of character;[92] but we will shun people![93]

·         History:

o   Empedocles was a contemporary of David and Pythagoras lived in the days of Solomon![94]

·         Linguistics:

o   Bahā’u’llāh commits many grammatical and linguistic mistakes when writing the Īqān![95]

·         Dentistry:

o   Humans have canine teeth to break nuts with![96]

·         Geography:

o   Christopher Columbus discovered America using his reason![97]

·         Ophthalmology:

o   The Pupil of the Eye is Black to Attract the Rays of the Sun![98]

o   The Pupil of the Eye is the Source of Light![99]

·         Theology:

o   `Abdu’l-Bahā claims God says in the Qur’an that everything is living![100]God says “We made from water everything living.”[101]

o   Father and son distort multiple verses from the Quran when citing them.[102]

o   Bahā’u’llāh claims he is the creator of multiple Gods.[103]

·         Science:

o   Materialists believe that all things have a spirit and life![104]

·         Deductive Reasoning:

o   Since roosters are superior to hens then there is no doubt that males are superior to females and stronger. Since lioness’ are fiercer thus females are stronger and more important than males![105]

[76] “For instance, consider the substance of copper. Were it to be protected in its own mine from becoming solidified, it would, within the space of seventy years, attain to the state of gold,” Bahā’u’llāh, The Kitāb-i-Īqān, p. 157.

[77] “Scientific philosophy has demonstrated that a simple element (‘simple’ meaning ‘not composed’) is indestructible, eternal. The soul, not being a composition of elements, is, in character, as a simple element, and therefore cannot cease to exist,” `Abdu’l-Bahā, Paris Talks, pp. 90–91.

[78] “Like sunlight that does not have a complete effect on a flat mirror, but when it shines on a concave or convex mirror, all its heat is focused in a single point and the heat of that point will become stronger than fire,” `Abd al-Ḥamīd Ishrāq Khāwarī, Ayyām tis`a, p. 324.

[79] Bahā’u’llāh claims that this date has been given by the learned men. Since the learned men have not given this date, then these words are his own beliefs: “The learned men, that have fixed at several thousand years the life of this earth [the age of this world], have failed, throughout the long period of their observation, to consider either the number or the age of the other planets,” Bahā’u’llāh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahā’u’llāh, p. 163. The correct translation is the world’s age.

[80] “As to the existence of spirit in the mineral: it is indubitable that minerals are endowed with a spirit and life according to the requirements of that stage. This unknown secret, too, hath become known unto the materialists who now maintain that all beings are endowed with life,” `Abdu’l-Bahā, Tablet to August Forel, p. 9.

[81] “Know that the creatures are of many kinds . . . some are created in wombs others [are created] by spontaneous regeneration (khalq al-sā`a) and come into existence by themselves, such as the animals that are created in fruits, and a group are created in eggs. These are the types of creation of [living] things,” `Abdu’l-Bahā, Makātīb (Egypt), vol. 2, p. 24.

[82] “Plants have male and female and animals too have male and female and there is no distinction. Look at the plant kingdom. Is there any distinction between male plants and female plants? Rather there is complete equality; and in the Animal kingdom too, there isno distinction at all,” `Abdu’l-Bahā, Khaṭābāt (Tehran), vol. 2, pp. 149–150.

[83] “From the breath of animals a watery element (`unṣur) spreads that is nowadays called hydrogen and carbon and this gives life to plants,” `Abdu’l-Bahā, Makātīb (Egypt), vol. 1, p. 459.

[84] “The animal cannot become aware of the fact that the earth is revolving and the sun stationary. Only processes of reasoning can come to this conclusion. The outward eye sees the sun as revolving. It mistakes the stars and the planets as moving about the earth. But reason decides their orbit, knows that the earth is moving and the other worlds fixed, knows that the sun is the solar center and ever occupies the same place, proves that it is the earth which revolves around it,” `Abdu’l-Bahā, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 417.

[85] “Consider, moreover, the manifold divergencies that have resulted from the theories propounded by these men. Know thou that every fixed star hath its own planets, and every planet its own creatures, whose number no man can compute,” Bahā’u’llāh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahā’u’llāh, p. 163; “Regarding the passage on p. 163 of the ‘Gleanings’: The creatures which Bahā’u’llāh states to be found on every planet cannot be considered to be necessarily similar or different from human beings on this earth. Bahā’u’llāh does not specifically state whether such creatures are like or unlike us. He simply refers to the fact that there are creatures on every planet. It remains for science to discover one day the exact nature of these creatures. (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, February 9, 1937),” Helen Bassett Hornby, Lights of Guidance: A Bahā’ī Reference File, chap. XLI, no. 1581.

[86] “All celestial stars have special creatures. When this planet earth that is comparably infinitely small is not empty and in vain, then these great bright shining [heavenly] bodies are a different matter altogether (meaning they definitely possess life). It has been explicitly [mentioned] in the Quran, “And from His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the animals/beasts (dābbah) He scattered in both of them.” He says in both of themnot in it (meaning only earth). It is very clear that in both of them there are creatures that have souls. For dābbah (animal/beast) is used [to refer to] a creature that has a soul and moves,” `Abdu’l-Bahā, Muntakhabātī az makātīb Ḥaḍrat `Abdu’l-Bahā, vol. 6, no. 480; “He explicitly says in the Quran, “And from His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the animals/beasts (dābbah) He scattered in both of them.” This means that there are [creatures] that have souls in both the sky and Earth. Thus it is clear that all these bright [heavenly] bodies are inhabited and the light of truth shines and beams in all of them. God has not created these infinite bright [heavenly] bodies in vain,” `Abdu’l-Bahā,Muntakhabātī az makātīb Ḥaḍrat `Abdu’l-Bahā, vol. 6, no. 481; “Regarding (the question about) the species of these creatures and if they are like the creatures on earth, (the answer is) yes. But their difference is like the difference between sea dwelling, land dwelling, air dwelling, and fire dwelling animals and the difference in their nature and the variance in the balance of elements (that create them), those creatures differ in the composite parts that they are created from,” `Abdu’l-Bahā, Makātīb, vol. 1, p. 120.

[87] “The more you are oppressed the more favored it has and it will be,” Bahā’u’llāh,Iqtidārāt wa chand lauḥ dīgar, p. 127; “Know, by the Age of God, that being oppressed is loved [by God] . . . God, the Almighty, has loved being oppressed and will continue to do so,” `Abd al-Ḥamīd Ishrāq Khāwarī, Mā’idiy-i āsimānī, vol. 4, pp. 349–350;

[88] “[Our] friends must leave the actions and deeds of the oppressors to God and must not protest in any way,” `Abd al-Ḥamīd Ishrāq Khāwarī, Mā’idiy-i āsimānī, vol. 8, p. 44.

[89] “As a religious body, Baha’is have, at the express command of Bahā’u’llāh, entirely abandoned the use of armed force in their own interests, even for strictly defensive purposes. In Persia many, many thousands of the Bābīs and Baha’is have suffered cruel deaths because of their faith. In the early days of the Cause the Bābīs on various occasions defended themselves and their families by the sword, with great courage and bravery. Bahā’u’llāh, however, forbade this,” J. E. Esslemont, Bahā’u’llāh and the New Era, pp. 169–170.

[90] “He bareth his breast to meet the darts of the enemy and raiseth his head to greet the sword of destiny; nay rather, he kisseth the hand of his would-be murderer and surrendereth his all,” Bahā’u’llāh, Gems of Divine Mysteries, p. 29.

[91] Compare what Bahā’u’llāh says about the book of Bayān: “I [swear by] He who in His hand is my soul and my essence, a single letter from the Bayān is dearer to me than everything that is in the heavens and the earth,” and the orders given therein: “The fifth chapter of the fifth unit which is about the decree of taking the property of those who do not believe in [the religion] of Bayan and giving it back if they become believers in this religion, except in the lands where taking [property] is not possible,” The Bāb, Farsi Bayan, unit 5, chap. 5; “The sixteenth chapter of the seventh unit which is about [the decree] that all rulers who rise who are [followers] of the religion of the Bayan, leave no-one in their land who is not a follower of this religion. This is compulsory upon all the people too,” The Bāb,Farsi Bayān, unit 7, chap. 16;

[92] “One thing remains to be said: it is that the communities are day and night occupied in making penal laws, and in preparing and organizing instruments and means of punishment. They build prisons, make chains and fetters, arrange places of exile and banishment, and different kinds of hardships and tortures, and think by these means to discipline criminals, whereas, in reality, they are causing destruction of morals and perversion of characters,”`Abdu’l-Bahā, Some Answered Questions, p. 271; “The community, on the contrary, ought day and night to strive and endeavor with the utmost zeal and effort to accomplish the education of men, to cause them day by day to progress and to increase in science and knowledge, to acquire virtues, to gain good morals and to avoid vices, so that crimes may not occur. At the present time the contrary prevails; the community is always thinking of enforcing the penal laws, and of preparing means of punishment, instruments of death and chastisement, places for imprisonment and banishment; and they expect crimes to be committed. This has a demoralizing effect,” `Abdu’l-Bahā, Some Answered Questions, p. 272.

[93] “The Hands of the Cause of God must be ever watchful and so soon as they find anyone beginning to oppose and protest against the Guardian of the Cause of God, cast him out from the congregation of the people of Bahā and in no wise accept any excuse from him. How often hath grievous error been disguised in the garb of truth, that it might sow the seeds of doubt in the hearts of men!” `Abdu’l-Bahā, The Will and Testament of `Abdu’l-Bahā, p. 12; “Shun any man in whom you perceive enmity for this Servant, though he may appear in the garb of piety of the former and later people, or may arise to the worship of the two worlds,” `Abdu’l-Bahā, Bahā’ī World Faith—Selected Writings of Bahā’u’llāh and `Abdu’l-Bahā (`Abdu’l-Bahā’s Section Only), p. 431.

[94] “Empedocles, who distinguished himself in philosophy, was a contemporary of David, while Pythagoras lived in the days of Solomon, son of David, and acquired Wisdom from the treasury of prophethood. It is he who claimed to have heard the whispering sound of the heavens and to have attained the station of the angels. In truth thy Lord will clearly set forth all things, if He pleaseth. Verily, He is the Wise, the All-Pervading,” Bahā’u’llāh, Tablets of Bahā’u’llāh Revealed After the Kitāb-i-Aqdas, p. 145. Empedocles lived between 490–440 BC whilst David lived between 1040–970 BC. There are about 500 years of difference between these dates. Pythagoras lived between 570–495 BC whilst Solomon lived between 970–931 BC. The difference between these two is also about 500 years.

[95] “Regarding stylistic and grammatical changes: numerous changes are recorded, all of which are reflected in the texts transcribed during the time of Bahā’u’llāh, i.e., assumed to have been seen and approved by Him,” Symbol and Secret: Qur\'an Commentary in Bahā’u’llāh\'s Kitab-i-Iqan, p.27.

[96] “Thou hast written regarding the four canine teeth in man, saying that these teeth, two in the upper jaw and two in the lower, are for the purpose of eating meat. Know thou that these four teeth are not created for meat-eating, although one can eat meat with them. All the teeth of man are made for eating fruit, cereals and vegetables. These four teeth, however, are designed for breaking hard shells, such as those of almonds,” Helen Bassett Hornby, Lights of Guidance: A Bahā’ī Reference File, chap. XXIV, no. 1007.

[97] Although Christopher Columbus discovered America by sheer chance when trying to find an alternative way to India, `Abdu’l-Bahā claims: “For example, man is in this hemisphere; but, like Columbus, through the power of his reason he discovers another hemisphere—that is, America—which was until then unknown,” `Abdu’l-Bahā, Some Answered Questions, p. 144; “An animal in Europe could not foresee and plan the discovery of America as Columbus did. It could not take the globe map of the earth and scan the various continents, saying, “This is the eastern hemisphere; there must be another, the western hemisphere,” `Abdu’l-Bahā, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 417.

[98] “So the science of physiology—that is to say, the knowledge of the composition of the members—records that the reason and cause of the difference in the colors of animals, and of the hair of men, of the redness of the lips, and of the variety of the colors of birds, is still unknown; it is secret and hidden. But it is known that the pupil of the eye is black so as to attract the rays of the sun, for if it were another color—that is, uniformly white—it would not attract the rays of the sun,” `Abdu’l-Bahā, Some Answered Questions, pp. 192–193.

[99] “Although the pupil of the eye is black in color, but it is the mine of light. You must become like this. The essence must be luminous not the face. Thus say with utmost certitude and sureness, ‘O Lord, make a dazzling light, a glowing lamp, and a rising star, so that I may illuminate the hearts by the shining beam of the Abhā kingdom,’” `Abdu’l-Bahā, Makātīb, vol. 7, pp. 60–61.

[100] “He saith in the Qur’ān, ‘All things are living.’” `Abdu’l-Bahā, Tablet to August Forel, p. 9.

[101] Quran, 21:30

[102] Refer to the tables we provided in the current chapter.

[103] “All Gods became Gods from the flow of my affairs and all Lords became Lords by the overflowing of my decree,” `Abdu’l-Bahā, Makātīb, vol. 2, p. 255.

[104] “As to the existence of spirit in the mineral: it is indubitable that minerals are endowed with a spirit and life according to the requirements of that stage. This unknown secret, too, hath become known unto the materialists who now maintain that all beings are endowed with life,” `Abdu’l-Bahā, Tablet to August Forel, p. 9.

[105] “Although women and men share the same capacities and abilities, there is definitely no doubt that men are superior and stronger. Even in animals like pigeons, sparrows, peacocks, and other [birds] this advantage is visible,” Maḥmūd Zaraqānī, Badā’i` al-āthār, vol. 1, p. 153; “‘Abdu’l-Bahā smiled and asked: “What will you say if I prove to you that thewoman is the stronger wing?” The answer came in the same bright vein: “You will earn my eternal gratitude!” at which all the company made merry. ‘Abdu’l-Bahā then continued more seriously: “The woman is indeed of the greater importance to the race. She has the greater burden and the greater work. Look at the vegetable and the animal worlds. The palm which carries the fruit is the tree most prized by the date grower. The Arab knows that for a long journey the mare has the longest wind. For her greater strength and fierceness, the lioness is more feared by the hunter than the lion.” `Abdu’l-Bahā, `Abdu’l-Bahā in London, pp. 102–103.

3. Is Science Good or Bad?

`Abdu’l-Bahā:

The difference between man and animal is science and reason.[5] “The highest virtue of the human world is science for it is the discovery of the truth of things.”[6]

The Bāb:

Teaching anything but my books is forbidden.[7] All non-Bābī books must be burned.[8]

[5] “[That which causes] distinction between humans and animals is reason and science. If religious beliefs contradict reason and science, then of course [they are] ignorance,” `Abd al-Ḥamīd Ishrāq Khāwarī, Payām-i malakūt, p. 92.

[6] `Abd al-Ḥamīd Ishrāq Khāwarī, Payām-i malakūt, p. 81.

[7] `Alī Muḥammad Bāb, Farsi Bayān, unit 4, chap. 10.

[8] “The utterance of the [book or religion] of Bayān in the day of the appearance of his Highness A`lā (meaning the Bāb) was to behead, burn the books, destroy the monuments, and massacre [everyone] but those who believed [in the Bāb’s religion] and verified it,” `Abdu’l-Bahā, Makātīb (Egypt: 1330 AH), vol. 2, p. 266; “The unbelievers and the faithless have set their minds on four things: first, the shedding of blood [beheading]; second, the burning of books; third, the shunning of the followers of other religions; fourth, the extermination of other communities and groups. Now however, through the strengthening grace and potency of the Word of God these four barriers have been demolished, these clear injunctions have been obliterated from the Tablet and brutal dispositions have been transmuted into spiritual attributes.” Bahā’u’llāh, Tablets of Bahā’u’llāh Revealed After the Kitāb-i-Aqdas, p. 91.

4. Is Bābism a True Religion: Books and Teaching

`Abdu’l-Bahā:

“If religious matters are against science and reason, they are illusions.”[9]

The Bāb:

Do not teach but my books,[10] do not argue but by my words,[11] do not own but my writings.[12]

[9] `Abdu’l-Bahā, Khaṭābāt (Tehran), vol. 2, p. 147.

[10] “Teaching a book other than the book of Bayān is not allowed unless it has in it what is related to speculative theology (kalām). [Teaching] those [sciences] which have been invented such as logic (manṭiq), principles of jurisprudence (uṣūl), and other [sciences], are not permitted for those who have faith,” The Bāb, Farsi Bayān, unit 4, chap. 10.

[11] “Do not argue but by the verses [of the Bayān] for whoever does not argue using them has no knowledge, and do not mention any miracle [but this book]!” The Bāb, Arabic Bayān, unit 6, chapter 8.

[12] “Chapter six of the sixth unit which is about destroying all books but those that have been written or will be written about this Order (meaning the Bab’s creed),” The Bāb, Farsi bayān, unit 6, chap. 6.

5. Is Bābism a True Religion: Destroy Anyone and Everything Non-Bābī

`Abdu’l-Bahā:

“If religious matters are against science and reason, they are illusions.”[13]

The Bāb:

Destroy anyone and anything non-Bābī.[14]

[13] `Abdu’l-Bahā, Khaṭābāt (Tehran), vol. 2, p. 147.

[14] “The utterance of the [book or religion] of Bayān in the day of the appearance of his Highness A`lā (meaning the Bāb) was to behead, burn the books, destroy the monuments, and massacre [everyone] but those who believed [in the Bāb’s religion] and verified it,” `Abdu’l-Bahā, Makātīb (Egypt: 1330 AH), vol. 2, p. 266; “The unbelievers and the faithless have set their minds on four things: first, the shedding of blood [beheading]; second, the burning of books; third, the shunning of the followers of other religions; fourth, the extermination of other communities and groups. Now however, through the strengthening grace and potency of the Word of God these four barriers have been demolished, these clear injunctions have been obliterated from the Tablet and brutal dispositions have been transmuted into spiritual attributes.” Bahā’u’llāh, Tablets of Bahā’u’llāh Revealed After the Kitāb-i-Aqdas, p. 91; “You must destroy everything [non-Bābī?] that you have written and you must argue using the Bayān,” The Bāb, Arabic Bayān, unit 6, chap. 6. “Chapter six of the sixth unit which is about destroying all books but those that have been written or will be written about this Order (meaning the Bab’s creed),” The Bāb, Farsi bayān, unit 6, chap. 6; “The fifth chapter of the fifth unit which is about the decree of taking the property of those who do not believe in [the religion] of Bayan and giving it back if they become believers in this religion, except in the lands where taking [property] is not possible,” The Bāb, Farsi Bayan, unit 5, chap. 5; “Chapter six of the sixth unit which is about destroying all books but those that have been written or will be written about this Order (meaning the Bab’s creed),” The Bāb, Farsi bayān, unit 6, chap. 6; “The sixteenth chapter of the seventh unit which is about [the decree] that all rulers who rise who are [followers] of the religion of the Bayan, leave no-one in their land who is not a follower of this religion. This is compulsory upon all the people too,” The Bāb, Farsi Bayān, unit 7, chap. 16; “He who acquires a position of ruling is a manifestation of God’s wrath and if possible for him, must not leave [alive] on earth anyone but the Bābīs!” The Bāb, Lauḥ haykal al-dīn, unit 4, chap. al-Bahā; “Make everyone accept the [religion of] Bayān and do not accept from them jewels that would amount to the whole earth as payment so that they are excused from becoming Bābīs,” The Bāb, Lauḥ haykal al-dīn, unit 5, chap. al-Lād.

6. Is Bābism a True Religion: Food and Medicine

`Abdu’l-Bahā:

“If religious matters are against science and reason, they are illusions.”[15]

The Bāb:

Do not buy, sell, or use medicine. Not drinking donkey milk will make you pious. [16]

[15] `Abdu’l-Bahā, Khaṭābāt (Tehran), vol. 2, p. 147.

[16] “You must not possess, buy, sell, or use medicine, intoxicants, and higher than those!” The Bāb, Arabic Bayān, unit 9, chap. 8; “Do not drink donkey milk! And do not load it and other animals with what they cannot bear. This is what God has made incumbent upon you so that you may become pious!” The Bāb, Arabic Bayān, unit 10, chap. 15.

7. Is Bābism a True Religion: Guidelines for Going on Journeys

`Abdu’l-Bahā:

“If religious matters are against science and reason, they are illusions.”[17]

The Bāb:

“Do not go on journeys but [1] for the sake of God and [2] if you are going to (visit) He Whom God Shall Make manifest or [3] (visiting) those who have faith in him. And He orders you to take the leaves of trees and eat them [!] and walk above [!] the earth with your legs!”[18]

[17] `Abdu’l-Bahā, Khaṭābāt (Tehran), vol. 2, p. 147.

[18] The Bāb, Lauḥ haykal al-dīn, unit 6, chap. al-Badī.

8. Is Bābism a True Religion: Some Miscellaneous Laws

`Abdu’l-Bahā:

“If religious matters are against science and reason, they are illusions.”[19]

The Bāb:

Renew your books every 202 years by throwing them in water or giving them to someone else.[20] If you truly believe in God you must not ride cows or make them carry loads.[21]“Do not wear clothes that will frighten children!”[22] “Do not buy or sell the four elements (earth, air, fire, and water)!”[23]

[19] `Abdu’l-Bahā, Khaṭābāt (Tehran), vol. 2, p. 147.

[20] “In every dispensation, God loves that everything becomes renewed. It is because of this that he has ordered that once in every 202 years every person renew what books he possesses by either putting them in fresh water or bestowing them to someone else!” The Bāb, Farsi Bayān, unit 7, chap. 1;

[21] “Do not ride cows and do not put loads on them if you (truly) believe in God and His signs,” The Bāb, Arabic Bayān, unit 10, chap. 15.

[22] The Bāb, Arabic Bayān, unit 7, chap. 6.

[23] The Bāb, Arabic Bayān, unit 9, chap. 11.

9. Does the Quran Say Everything Is Living?

`Abdu’l-Bahā:

It says in the Qur’an that all things are living.[24]

Qur’an:

“We made from water everything living.”[25]

[24] “As to the existence of spirit in the mineral: it is indubitable that minerals are endowed with a spirit and life according to the requirements of that stage. This unknown secret, too, hath become known unto the materialists[24] who now maintain that all beings are endowed with life, even as He saith in the Qur’ān, ‘All things are living,’” `Abdu’l-Bahā,Tablet to August Forel, p. 9.

[25] Quran, 21:30

10. The Criterion for Being Knowledgeable and Reasonable in the Baha\'i Creed?

Esslemont (Baha’i author):

“The religious world owes a debt of gratitude to the men of science who helped to tear such worn-out creeds and dogmas to tatters and allowed the truth to step forth free.”[26]

Bahā’u’llāh:

If you don’t become a Baha’i you are ignorant even if you possess all the science in the world.[27] If you do not become a Baha’i you have no reason.[28]

[26] J. E. Esslemont, Bahā’u’llāh and the New Era, p. 200.

[27] “If today, someone grasps all of the knowledge on earth but stops at the word ‘yes’ (meaning does not become a Baha’i), the Lord will not pay attention to him and he will be considered as the most ignorant amongst the people,” Bahā’u’llāh, Iqtidārāt wa chand lauḥ dīgar, p. 111; “From now on nobody is to be called knowledgeable, except those who have decorated themselves with the garment of this New Affair (meaning those who have become Baha’is),” Bahā’u’llāh, Badī`, pp. 138–139.

[28] “The general criterion is what we mentioned and any soul who has success in it, meaning recognizes and realizes the Sunrise of Manifestation (meaning himself), will be mentioned in the Divine Book as someone who possesses reason or else he will be (mentioned as) ignorant even if he himself thinks that his reason equals that of the whole world,” `Abd a l-Ḥamīd Ishrāq Khāwarī, Mā’idiy-i āsimānī, vol. 7, p. 160; “No one has denied or will deny what has been revealed by the Ancient Pen (meaning himself) in this Most Great Manifestation regarding society, unity, manners, rites, and being occupied with what has benefits for the people, except that he completely lacks reason,” Bahā’u’llāh,Iqtidārāt wa chand lauḥ dīgar, p. 168.

11. Was the Tablet of Wisdom Revealed in Persian?

Shoghi:

The tablet of wisdom was revealed in Persian.[29]

The tablet was revealed by Bahā’u’llāh in Arabic!

[29] When referring to a problematic matter in the English translation of this tablet he says: “We must not take this statement too literally; \"contemporary\" may have been meant inPersian as something far more elastic than the English word. Likewise, the wholetranslation probably needs revising(15 February 1947).” Article titled Socrates compiled by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice: http://bahai-library.com/compilation_socrates_bwc (retrieved 17/2/2014).

12. Is Shoghi Infallible?

Shoghi:

I am only infallible in matters regarding the faith and interpreting it.[30]

Shoghi makes errors when speaking about Bahā’u’llāh’s Tablet of Wisdom and claims it was revealed in Persian while it was revealed in Arabic.[31]

[30] “The infallibility of the Guardian is confined to matters which are related strictly to the Cause and interpretations of the Teachings; he is not an infallible authority on other subjects, such as economics, science, etc,” Shoghi Effendi, Directives from the Guardian, p. 33–34.

[31] See previous footnotes.

13. Can Shoghi Fit the Role of Being the Authorized Interpreter of Baha\'i Texts?

`Abdu’l-Bahā:

Shoghi is the authoritative interpreter of the words of God.[32]

Shoghi is unsure in interpreting the words of Bahā’u’llāh and uses the words may and probably.[33] He doesn’t even consider his own translations as final.[34]

[32] “O my loving friends! After the passing away of this wronged one, it is incumbent upon the Aghsān (Branches), the Afnān (Twigs) of the Sacred Lote-Tree, the Hands (pillars) of the Cause of God and the loved ones of the Abhā Beauty to turn unto Shoghi Effendi—the youthful branch branched from the two hallowed and sacred Lote-Trees and the fruit grown from the union of the two offshoots of the Tree of Holiness,—as he is the sign of God, the chosen branch, the Guardian of the Cause of God, he unto whom all the Aghsān, the Afnān, the Hands of the Cause of God and His loved ones must turn. He is the Interpreter of the Word of God and after him will succeed the first-born of his lineal descendents,” `Abdu’l-Bahā, The Will and Testament of `Abdu’l-Bahā, p. 11.

[33] “We must not take this statement too literally; \"contemporary\" may have been meant in Persian as something far more elastic than the English word. Likewise, the whole translation probably needs revising(15 February 1947),” Article titled Socrates compiled by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice: http://bahai-library.com/compilation_socrates_bwc (retrieved 17/2/2014).

[34] “Concerning the different translations of the Words. It is surely the original text that should never be changed. The translations will continue to vary as more and better translations are made. Shoghi Effendi does not consider even his own translations as final, how much more translations made in the early days of the Cause in the West when no competent translators existed (From a letter on behalf of the Guardian to John Hyde Dunn, 14 August 1930),” http://bahai-library.com/compilation_provisional_translations (retrieved 18/2/2014).

14. Are the Bāb\'s Words Divine Inspirations?

Writes the Qayyūm al-Asmā’ by copying verses of the Quran, the end result being mostly vague incomprehensible sentences, then claims they are divine revelations.[35]

[35] See the section on The Bab’s Religious Knowledge in Chapter 4.

15. Bahā\'u\'llāh and Divine Knowledge: Referring to Books

Bahā’u’llāh:

Whenever I want to quote a book it is revealed in a tablet before my face.[36] “You know that we did not read the books of the people and were unaware of the sciences that they possessed.”[37]

Bahā’u’llāh:

I searched in vain for a book to see what the author had written in it until I finally found it![38] I used to read books when I was a child.[39]

[36] “Whenever We desire to quote the sayings of the learned and of the wise, presently there will appear before the face of thy Lord in the form of a tablet all that which hath appeared in the world and is revealed in the Holy Books and Scriptures,” Bahā’u’llāh,Tablets of Bahā’u’llāh Revealed After the Kitāb-i-Aqdas, p. 149.

[37] Bahā’u’llāh, Majmū`ihī az alwāḥ jamāl aqdas abhā ki ba`d az kitāb Aqdas nāzil shude.(Langenhain [Germany]: Lajniyi Nashr Āthār Amrī Bi Lisān Fārsī wa `Arabī), p. 89.

[38] “As We had frequently heard about him, We purposed to read some of his works. Although We never felt disposed to peruse other peoples’ writings, yet as some had questioned Us concerning him, We felt it necessary to refer to his books, in order that We might answer Our questioners with knowledge and understanding. His works, in the Arabic tongue, were, however, not available, . . . We sent for the book, and kept it with Us a few days. It was probably referred to twice,” Bahā’u’llāh, The Kitāb-i-Īqān, pp. 184–186.

[39] “This oppressed one in his childhood (ṭufūliyyat) saw the war of the tribe of Qurayẓa in a book that belonged to (was authored by) Mullā Bāqir Majlisī, and has been sad and sorrowful ever-since,” `Abd al-Ḥamīd Ishrāq Khāwarī, Mā’idiy-i āsimānī, vol. 7, p. 136

16. Bahā\'u\'llāh and Divine Knowledge: Historical Facts

Claims the words in the Tablet of Wisdom are divine revelations from God[40] and quotes verbatim[41] therein, wrong historical facts from other history books.[42]

[40] “This is an Epistle which the All-Merciful hath sent down from the Kingdom of Utterance,” Bahā’u’llāh, Tablets of Bahā’u’llāh Revealed After the Kitāb-i-Aqdas, p. 137.

[41] “In many of the passages that follow concerning the Greek philosophers, Bahā’u’llāh quotes verbatim from the works of such Muslim historians as Abu’l-Fatḥ-i-Shāhristānā (1076–1153 A.D.) and Imādu’d-Dān Abu’l-Fidā (1273–1331 A.D.),” Bahā’u’llāh, Tablets of Bahā’u’llāh Revealed After the Kitāb-i-Aqdas, p. 144 (footnote).

[42] “Empedocles, who distinguished himself in philosophy, was a contemporary of David, while Pythagoras lived in the days of Solomon, son of David, and acquired Wisdom from the treasury of prophethood. It is he who claimed to have heard the whispering sound of the heavens and to have attained the station of the angels. In truth thy Lord will clearly set forth all things, if He pleaseth. Verily, He is the Wise, the All-Pervading,” Bahā’u’llāh, Tablets of Bahā’u’llāh Revealed After the Kitāb-i-Aqdas, p. 145. Empedocles lived between 490–440 BC whilst David lived between 1040–970 BC. There are about 500 years of difference between these dates. Pythagoras lived between 570–495 BC whilst Solomon lived between 970–931 BC. The difference between these two is also about 500 years.

17. Bahā’u’llāh and Divine Knowledge: Citing Verses of the Quran

Bahā’u’llāh:

Whenever I want to quote Holy Books and scriptures they are revealed in a tablet before my face.[43]

Baha’u’llah makes multiple distortions while citing verses of the Quran in the Īqān.[44] The Universal House of Justice Says it is no big deal!

`Abdu’l-Bahā:

Those who distort two letters from the verses of the Quran are leaders of those who are in hell and their followers are lowly flies.[45]

[43] “Whenever We desire to quote the sayings of the learned and of the wise, presently there will appear before the face of thy Lord in the form of a tablet all that which hath appeared in the world and is revealed in the Holy Books and Scriptures,” Bahā’u’llāh,Tablets of Bahā’u’llāh Revealed After the Kitāb-i-Aqdas, p. 149.

[44] See section titled Bahā’u’llāh’s Religious Knowledge

[45] “He had written the blessed verse of the Quran “what are these statues/images that you are worshipping” (mā hādhihī l-tamāthīl al-latī antum `alayhā `ākifūn) [and had written the last word] as `āfikūn and the [text] is in the possesion of Mīrzā Yaḥyā Qazwīnī. Pay attention that the leader of this group cannot make a distinction between `ākif and`āfik and he distorts the evident verse of the Book of God in his own handwriting! This writing has been unwillingly inscribed by his pen so that it becomes evident that he is the chief of the distorters and the leader of those who are in Hell. Some of the followers of thatunknown person (meaning Mīrzā Yaḥyā)—even though they saw this [distortion] with there own eyes—didn’t wake up and proved that they were lowly flies that followed any caller and bended with any breeze,” `Abdu’l-Bahā, Muntakhabātī az makātīb Ḥaḍrat `Abdu’l-Bahā, vol. 6, no. 430.

18. Bahā’u’llāh and Divine Knowledge: Revisions in the Divine Texts

Baha’u’llah revealed a Holy book, found out that it had multiple grammatical mistakes and discovered many errors in citing the verses of the Quran. He then proceeded to revise it, and gave out a second version, and then claimed “the latter is better and more appropriate”![46]

[46] “A copy of a correct Īqān was given to Jināb-i-`Alī Akbar, My Glory be upon him. Existing copies should be brought into conformity with this copy, or new transcriptions made from it. The latter is better and more appropriate,” Symbol and Secret: Qur\'an Commentary in Bahā’u’llāh\'s Kitab-i-Iqan, p. 26.

19. Bahā\'u\'llāh and Adhering to the Customs of the Previous People

In matters of sex, Baha’u’llah adhered to the customs of Muslims and took three wives. However he forbids this for everyone else.[47] When citing the Quran, he put aside the custom of the Muslims in carefully citing the exact verses of the Quran and erroneously cites many verses in the book of Īqān.

[47] When the UHJ is asked as to why Bahā’u’llāh had three wives when he himself forbade it, it is claimed: “He was following the Laws of the previous Dispensation and the customs of the people of His own land,” Letter from Universal House of Justice to an individual believer dated 23/10/1995: http://bahai-library.com/uhj_wives_bahaullah (retrieved 1/6/2104).

20. Bahā\'u\'llāh and Citing Shia Narrations

Baha’u’llah forged many narrations and distorted many others to prove that the Bāb was divine.[48] He then labeled the Shia as being unmindful selfish shunners of truth because they did not believe in his forged and distorted narrations.[49]

[48] See section titled Bahā’u’llāh’s Religious Knowledge

[49] “Consider, that even the year in which that Quintessence of Light is to be made manifest hath been specifically recorded in the traditions, yet they still remain unmindful, nor do they for one moment cease to pursue their selfish desires. According to the tradition, Mufaḍḍal asked Ṣādiq saying: “What of the sign of His manifestation, O my master?” He made reply: “In the year sixty, His Cause shall be made manifest, and His Name shall be proclaimed.” How strange! Notwithstanding these explicit and manifest references these people have shunned the Truth,” Bahā’u’llāh, The Kitāb-i-Īqān, pp. 253–254.

21. `Abdu’l-Bahā and Citing Verses of the Quran

‘Abdul-Bahā distorted dozens of verses from the Quran.[50] He announced those who distort two letters from the verses of the Quran are leaders of those who are in hell and their followers are lowly flies.[51] Yet he distorted the same verse of the Quran that he is using to bash Mīrzā Yaḥyā because Mīrzā Yaḥyā had misplaced two letters in it![52]

[50] See section titled `Abdu’l-Bahā’s Religious Knowledge

[51] “He had written the blessed verse of the Quran “what are these statues/images that you are worshipping” (mā hādhihī l-tamāthīl al-latī antum `alayhā `ākifūn) [and had written the last word] as `āfikūn and the [text] is in the possesion of Mīrzā Yaḥyā Qazwīnī. Pay attention that the leader of this group cannot make a distinction between `ākif and`āfik and he distorts the evident verse of the Book of God in his own handwriting! This writing has been unwillingly inscribed by his pen so that it becomes evident that he is the chief of the distorters and the leader of those who are in Hell. Some of the followers of thatunknown person (meaning Mīrzā Yaḥyā)—even though they saw this [distortion] with there own eyes—didn’t wake up and proved that they were lowly flies that followed any caller and bended with any breeze,” `Abdu’l-Bahā, Muntakhabātī az makātīb Ḥaḍrat `Abdu’l-Bahā, vol. 6, no. 430.

[52] `Abdu’l-Bahā mentions the verse as mā hādhihī l-tamāthīl al-latī antum `alayhā`ākifūn. The underlined word should be lahā! (see previous footnote).

22. The Bāb’s Education

`Abdu’l-Bahā:

“(1) It was universally admitted by the Shī’is that (2) He had never studied in any school and (3) had not acquired knowledge from any teacher (4) all the people of Shīrāz bear witness to this.”[53]

Four false statements in a single sentence.[54]

[53] `Abdu’l-Bahā, Some Answered Questions, p. 25.

[54] See the section titled The Bāb’s education in Chapter 4.

23. Is It in Accordance with Reason to Prohibit Someone from Doing Something in the Past?

The Bāb, while about 29 years old, gave orders to his childhood teacher to not hit him until he is five years old![55]

[55] “Say O Muḥammad, my teacher. Do not hit me before my age finishes five even for a moment for my heart is very very soft. After that discipline me but not more than I can bear. If you want to hit me do not [hit me] more than five times. And do not hit me on my flesh (laḥm) unless there is a covering over it. If you exceed [these guidelines] your wife will be illegal for you for nineteen days. If you forget and if you don’t have a companion, then you must give in charity for every beating nineteen mithqāls of gold if you want to be faithful. And do not hit but very very softly,” Bāb, Arabic Bayān, unit 6, chapter 11.

24. Had Bahā’u’llāh Associated with the Learned and the `Ulamā?

`Abdu’l-Bahā:

“As all the people of Persia know, He had never studied in any school, nor had He associated with the `ulamā or the men of learning.” [56]

`Abdu’l-Bahā:

My father used to associate with the learned and the `Ulamā![57]

[56] `Abdu’l-Bahā, Some Answered Questions, p. 27.

[57] “When He was only thirteen or fourteen years old He became renowned for His learning. He would converse on any subject and solve any problem presented to Him. In large gatherings He would discuss matters with the `Ulamā (leading mullās) and would explain intricate religious questions. All of them used to listen to Him with the greatest interest,” J. E. Esslemont, Bahā’u’llāh and the New Era, p. 48; “In whatever meeting, scientific assembly or theological discussion He was found, He became the authority of explanation upon intricate and abstruse questions presented,” `Abdu’l-Bahā, Bahā’ī World Faith—Selected Writings of Bahā’u’llāh and `Abdu’l-Bahā (`Abdu’l-Bahā’s Section Only), p. 220.

25. Is Quoting the Words of Others a Sign of Not Having Divine Knowledge?

Bahā’u’llāh:

“I mislike the copious citation from sayings of the past; for quotation from the words of others proveth acquired learning, not the divine bestowal.”[58]

Ponder on these questions:

·         Why would Bahā’u’llāh and `Abdu’l-Bahā cite hundreds of lines of poetry in their writings without acknowledging the original composers?[59]

·         Why would Bahā’u’llāh quote verbatim[60] many wrong passages about philosophers from Muslim historians in the Tablet of Wisdom whilst claiming the tablet is a divine revelation from God?[61]

·         Why would Bahā’u’llāh and `Abdu’l-Bahā refer countless times to the sayings of the learned men,[62] scientists,[63] and what has been written in the books?[64]

·         Why would Bahā’u’llāh refer to books to gain knowledge.[65]

[58] Bahā’u’llāh, The Seven Valleys And the Four Valleys, p. 26.

[59] See Vahid Rafati’s Ma’ākhiz ash`ār dar āthār Bahā’ī.

[60] “In many of the passages that follow concerning the Greek philosophers, Bahā’u’llāh quotes verbatim from the works of such Muslim historians as Abu’l-Fatḥ-i-Shāhristānā (1076–1153 A.D.) and Imādu’d-Dān Abu’l-Fidā (1273–1331 A.D.),” Bahā’u’llāh, Tablets of Bahā’u’llāh Revealed After the Kitāb-i-Aqdas, p. 144 (footnote).

[61] Bahā’u’llāh, Tablets of Bahā’u’llāh Revealed After the Kitāb-i-Aqdas, p. 137.

[62] For instance, “The learned men, that have fixed at several thousand years the life of this earth . . .” Bahā’u’llāh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahā’u’llāh, p. 163.

[63] For instance, “For instance copper can transmute into Gold but earth/soil (turab) does not have this possibility in actualness (bil-fi`l). Since the scientists have already mentioned these subjects this servant did not like to mention it comprehensively,” `Abd al-Ḥamīd Ishrāq Khāwarī, Mā’idiy-i āsimānī, vol. 7, p. 44.

[64] For instance, “Mention hath been made in certain books of a deluge which caused all that existed on earth,” Bahā’u’llāh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahā’u’llāh, p. 174.

[65] For instance, “This oppressed one in his childhood (ṭufūliyyat) saw the war of the tribe of Qurayẓa in a book that belonged to (was authored by) Mullā Bāqir Majlisī, and has been sad and sorrowful ever-since,” `Abd al-Ḥamīd Ishrāq Khāwarī, Mā’idiy-i āsimānī, vol. 7, p. 136; “We purposed to read some of his works. Although We never felt disposed to peruse other peoples’ writings, yet as some had questioned Us concerning him, We felt it necessary to refer to his books, in order that We might answer Our questioners with knowledge and understanding. His works, in the Arabic tongue, were, however, not available . . . We sent for the book, and kept it with Us a few days. It was probably referred to twice,” Bahā’u’llāh, The Kitāb-i-Īqān, pp. 184–186.

26. Bahā’u’llāh’s Childhood: Happiness or Sorrow?

`Abdu’l-Bahā:

“The early part of His life was passed in the greatest happiness.” [66]

Bahā’u’llāh:

“This oppressed one in his childhood (ṭufūliyyat) saw the war of the tribe of Qurayẓa in a book that belonged to (was authored by) Mullā Bāqir Majlisī, and has been sad and sorrowful ever-since.”[67]

[66] `Abdu’l-Bahā, Some Answered Questions, p. 27.

[67] `Abd al-Ḥamīd Ishrāq Khāwarī, Mā’idiy-i āsimānī, vol. 7, p. 136.

27. Kissing the Hand of Ones Murderer

Bahā’u’llāh:

Had it not been against God’s law I would have kissed the hand of the one who intends to kill me.[68]

Bahā’u’llāh:

My followers kiss the hands of those who intend to kill them.[69]

[68] “God is my witness! Had it not been in conflict with that which the Tablets of God have decreed, I would have gladly kissed the hands of whosoever attempted to shed my blood in the path of the Well-Beloved,” Bahā’u’llāh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahā’u’llāh, p. 102.

[69] “He bareth his breast to meet the darts of the enemy and raiseth his head to greet the sword of destiny; nay rather, he kisseth the hand of his would-be murderer and surrendereth his all,” Bahā’u’llāh, Gems of Divine Mysteries, p. 29.

28. When and Where to Bury the Dead

Bahā’u’llāh:

“It is forbidden you to transport the body of the deceased a greater distance than one hour’s journey from the city.”[70]

Under Bahā’u’llāh and `Abdu’l-Bahā’s orders, this one hour limit changes to fifty years and thousands of kilometers for the Bāb![71]

[70] Bahā’u’llāh, The Kitābi Aqdas, p. 230.

[71] “As observed in a previous chapter the mangled bodies of the Bāb and His fellow-martyr, Mīrzā Muḥammad-`Alī, were removed, in the middle of the second night following their execution, through the pious intervention of Ḥājī Sulaymān Khān, from the edge of the moat where they had been cast to a silk factory owned by one of the believers of Milān, and were laid the next day in a wooden casket, and thence carried to a place of safety. Subsequently, according to Bahā’u’llāh’s instructions, they were transported to Ṭihrān and placed in the shrine of Imām-Zādih Ḥasan. They were later removed to the residence of Ḥājī Sulaymān Khān himself in the Sar-Chashmih quarter of the city, and from his house were taken to the shrine of Imām-Zādih Ma`ṣūm, where they remained concealed until the year 274 1284 A.H. (1867–1868), when a Tablet, revealed by Bahā’u’llāh in Adrianople, directed Mullā `Alī-Akbar-i-Shāhmīrzādī and Jamāl-i-Burūjirdī to transfer them without delay to some other spot . . . Ḥājī Shāh Muḥammad buried the casket beneath the floor of the inner sanctuary of the shrine of Imām-Zādih Zayd, where it lay undetected until Mīrzā Asadu’llāh-i-Iṣfahānī was informed of its exact location through a chart forwarded to him by Bahā’u’llāh. Instructed by Bahā’u’llāh to conceal it elsewhere, he first removed the remains to his own house in Ṭihrān, after which they were deposited in several other localities such as the house of Ḥusayn-‘Alīy-i-Iṣfahānī and that of Muḥammad-Karīm-i-‘Aṭṭār, where they remained hidden until the year 1316 (1899) A.H., when, in pursuance of directions issued by ‘Abdu’l-Bahā, this same Mīrzā Asadu’llāh, together with a number of other believers, transported them by way of Iṣfahān, Kirmanshāh, Baghdād and Damascus, to Beirut and thence by sea to ‘Akkā, arriving at their destination on the 19th of the month of Ramadān 1316 A.H. (January 31, 1899), fifty lunar years after the Bāb’s execution in Tabrīz,” Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By, pp. 273–274.

29. Does Bahā\'u\'llāh Intend to Abrogate the Book of Bayān?

Bahā’u’llāh:

We will re-enforce the Bayān’s decrees and prove them. God curse those who say we abrogated it and break their mouths.[72]

Bahā’u’llāh:

The book of Bayān has been abrogated.[73]

[72] “Say: The polytheists thought that we might want to abrogate what was revealed unto the Point of Bayan (Nuqṭat al-Bayān which means the Bab). Say: By my Merciful Lord, even if we had intended [to do] what they had thought, no one was allowed to object to God who has created everything . . . but God has desired by this manifestation [meaning Bahā’u’llāh himself] to reinforce what has been revealed by the Point of Bayan . . . thus we will reinforce his decrees and will prove his writings [or signs] on earth with power and authority,” Bahā’u’llāh, Badī`, p. 390; “Although everyone knows that by this great manifestation what has been revealed in the Bayān has been proved/made firm, made obvious, and has been fulfilled; the name of God has been elevated; the remnants of God have been distributed to the West and East; and the Farsi Bayān has been endorsed particularly for this manifestation, but they have been constantly writing ‘that they (meaning the Baha’is) have abrogated the Bayān’ so that they may induce doubts in the hearts and the calf may be worshipped,” Bahā’u’llāh, Iqtidārāt wa chand lauḥ dīgar, pp. 45-46; “They have attributed to this Station (meaning Bahā’u’llāh)—by whose authority all [divine] Books speak— that he has abrogated the decrees of the Bayān. May the curse of God fall upon the unjust,” Bahā’u’llāh, Iqtidārāt wa chand lauḥ dīgar, p. 103; “I swear to God that if an individual from the followers of the Bayān mentions the abrogation of that book, God will break the mouth of the speaker and defamer. I [swear by] He who in His hand is my soul and my essence, a single letter from the Bayān is dearer to me than everything that is in the heavens and the earth,” Asad-Allāh Fāḍil Māzandarānī, Asrār al-āthār khuṣūṣī, vol. 5,p. 333;

[73] “The book of Aqdas abrogates all the decrees of the book of Bayān . . . everyone’s [religious] source is [now] the book of Aqdas not the book of Bayān. The decrees of theBayān are [now] abrogated,” Asad-Allāh Fāḍil Māzandarānī, Asrār al-āthār khuṣūṣī, vol. 2,p. 106.

30. Noah’s Flood: Symbolic or Reality?

Shoghi:

The flood is symbolic.[74]

Bahā’u’llāh:

The flood is a reality and destroyed everything on earth.[75]

[74] “The statement in ‘Seven Days of Creation’ certainly cannot be considered authoritative or correct. The Ark and the Flood we believe are symbolical,” Helen Bassett Hornby,Lights of Guidance: A Bahā’ī Reference File (New Delhi: Bahā’ī Publishing Trust, 1983), chap. XLI, no. 1716.

[75] “Manifestations . . . were dispatched in the first centuries and invited the people to the truth. But because of the disturbances and changes in the world some of their names and sayings have been lost. In the books the flood has been mentioned and in that eventeverything that was on earth was drowned including history records and other things. Furthermore, there have been many revolutions which have annihilated (the records) of some events . . .” Bahā’u’llāh, Muntakhabātī az āthār Ḥaḍrat Bahā’u’llāh, pp. 115–116.

31. If Religion Contradicts Reason Which One Is Incorrect?

`Abdu’l-Bahā:

If religion contradicts science and reason, that religion is an illusion.[3]

Bahā’u’llāh and `Abdu’l-Bahā:

If religion contradicts science and reason, the human mind is to be blamed.[4]

[3] “If religious matters are against science and reason, they are illusions,” `Abdu’l-Bahā,Khaṭābāt (Tehran), vol. 2, p. 147.

[4] “Sometimes, a weak intellect cannot perceive [a concept]. In such a case, intellect has a shortcoming by being imperfect, not religion,” `Abd al-Ḥamīd Ishrāq Khāwarī, Payām-i malakūt, p.93 (citing `Abd al-Bahā); “One of the fundamental teachings of Bahā’u’llāh is that true science and true religion must always be in harmony. Truth is one, and whenever conflict appears it is due, not to truth, but to error,” J. E. Esslemont, Bahā’u’llāh and the New Era, p.197.

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