Are the Baha’i pioneers for Independent Investigation of Truth?

IMRAN SHAYKH

Abdul Baha confesses that seeking the truth is not an innovation of Baha’u’llah and all prophets invited the people to investigate the truth

Are the Baha’i’s the first ones to have brought these principles forward to the ears of the world? 
The Baha’i principle of Independent Investigation of Truth is not new. It is in reality an innate principle which has already come in the books of various religions.

It is clearly evident that this principle is not a particular initiative or special innovation of The Baha’i Faith. Rather, all schools of thought and all of the Divine Religions call up on people to seek what is right, say what is right, and accept what is right. We will refer to just a few examples below so that the lack of originality of this principle can be revealed to all.

In the Avesta, the Holy Book of the Zoroastrians, it has come that: 
Hear with your ears the best things; look upon them with clear-seeing thought, for the decision between the two Beliefs, each man for himself before the Great consummation, bethinking you that it be accomplished to our pleasure. 
(Ref: Avesta, , Translated by L. H. Mills, vol. 1, Ahunavaiti Gatha, Yasna, chap. 30, verse 2, citing Sacred Books of the East (American Edition, 1898), http://avesta.org/yasna/yasna.htm#y30)

In the Torah, the Holy Book of the Jews, we read that: 
Thus saith Jehovah, stand ye in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way; and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. 
(Ref: The Old Testament, The Book of Jeremiah, chap. 6, verse 16 (American Standard Version)

It is mentioned in the Bible: 
Prove all things; Hold fast that which is good; Abstain from every form of evil. 
(Ref: The New Testament (American Standard Version), Thess. 5:21-22)

The Holy Quran says: 
. . . so give good tiding to My servants. [Those] Who listen to speech and follow the best of it. Those are the ones God has guided, and those are people of understanding. 
(Ref: Quran (Sahih International) 17-18)

It is interesting that Abdul Baha also confesses to the fact that this principle is not new: 
His Highness Moses spread the truth as did his Highness Jesus and his Highness Abraham and his Highness the Messenger (meaning the Prophet Muhammad) and his Highness the Bab and his Highness Baha’u’llah. They all established and spread the truth. 
(Ref: Abdul Baha, Khatabat (Tehran), vol. 2, p. 5)

He also says: 
From the teachings (principles) of his Highness Baha’u’llah, the first is seeking the truth, and the foundation of all the Prophets . . . is truth, and the truth is one. His Highness Abraham was the harbinger of truth. His Highness Moses was the servant of truth. His Highness Christ was the establisher of truth. His Highness Muhammad was the propagator of truth. His Highness A`la (meaning the Bab) was the herald of truth, and his Highness Baha’u’llah, was the light of truth. 
(Ref: Ibid, p.55)

He also mentions: 
The foundation of the divine religions is one. It is one truth, it is one spirit, it is one light, and it does not have a multitude. Among the foundations of the divine religion is seeking the truth [so] that the whole of humanity seeks the truth. 
(Ref: Abdul Baha, Khatabat (Egypt), vol. 1, pp. 66)

The articles have been based on the book \"Avaze Dohol\" - the Beating of the Drum by Masoud Basiti, Zahra Moradi.

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