۱۹ Popular Misconceptions about Baha’ism, Part Two
A look at the most important common misconceptions about Baha’i that exist in society
Mohammad Gogani
Abstract
Many times, the topic of Baha’i is associated with false information in people’s minds. In the meantime, some common mistakes, which are sometimes mentioned by missionaries and organizations, have been created frequently for the youth and the general public. To clear these doubts, it is not always possible to refer to important sources and in-depth researches, and sometimes these people do not have the opportunity and the possibility of deep and long study on the subject of Baha’i, and with short speeches, they have some misconceptions. Therefore, in response to it, a documented, short, practical and accurate text should be provided.
With this goal in mind, this article seeks to clarify some of these mistakes about Baha’i and tries to briefly provide some documentation, although documenting all the propositions of the text would make it out of general use. Common misconceptions are:
It is not necessary to study Baha’i; Baha’i is a sect of Islam; New and modern religion; Oppression and righteousness; Morality and honesty; Connection with Israel; Belief in the equality of men and women; Belonging to Baha’i symbols of modernity and early schools; The Pahlavi regime’s oppression of Baha’is; The reason for the non-spreading of Baha’ism; Clerical position; Entry and exit from Baha’i; Hide the belief (taqiyyah), Involvement in politics; Patriotism; Corruption and espionage; Mandatory orders; Selective management , Children’s religion. In this article, the last nine subjects are discussed.
Keywords
Baha’i, sect, religion, oppression and justice, morality and justice, Israel, equality between men and women, early schools, Pahlavi system, non-expansion, clerical position, leaving Baha’i, rejection, piety, involvement in politics, patriotism, Baha’i and Espionage, Baha’i elections, propagating children, Baha’ism in the West, Baha’ism and militarism
Hazrat Muhammad bin Al-Hasan al-Askari in the book of Iqan
AmirHossein Sharifi
Abstract
This article examines the book of Iqan, one of the most important works of Baha’u’llah, and its criticism. In this book, Baha’u’llah has tried to prove the authority of Mirza Ali Muhammad Báb by referring to Islamic traditions and introduce him as the promised Mahdi of Islam. However, a careful analysis of these arguments shows that they have been associated with distortion, intersection, plagiarism and interpretation.
Baha’u’llah has, on numerous occasions, changed or removed parts of hadiths that specifically refer to Hujjat ibn al-Hasan (peace be upon him) in order to prove his claims. This method not only harms the scientific validity of Iqan’s book, but also shows the instability of the arguments presented in it and committing unethical behaviors. In addition, in some cases, he has used narrations and hadiths that he previously considered to be fake and illusory, but when these narrations were beneficial to his goals, he used them to prove his claims. Although Iqan was written with the aim of denying the existence of Hazrat Hojjat bin Al-Hasan and introducing Ali Muhammad Bab as the Qaim of Islam, this study shows that it not only failed to prove this claim, but also became one of the best reasons to prove the existence of Hazrat Muhammad Bin Al-Hasan. .
Key words
Iqan, Mohammad bin Al-Hassan, distortion, plagiarism
Bahá’í’s point of view on the issue of miracles and its criticism
Soheila jalali – Fatemeh Fatahi
Abstract
Throughout history, the calling of prophets has been accompanied by signs and evidences. These signs are called miracles. The miracle is the difference between the true claimants of prophethood and the liars who call themselves prophets. The Baha’i faith does not consider the performance of a miracle or an unusual act as proof of prophecy
They believe that in order to prove the authenticity of the Prophet, there is no need to present an extraordinary matter, also no prophet has presented a miracle to prove his authenticity. They interpret the prophets’ miracles as esoteric, but at the same time they believe that the Quran is a miracle of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). However, in 1264 AH, with the revelation of the book “Bayan Mizan Men Endellah” ( the Book Bayan )written by Ali Mohammad Shirazi known as “Bab”.
This research collected, analyzed and processed data by using the library-descriptive method, and finally, the miracle of The Qur’an has been defended and finally rejects the Baha’i claim that the Qur’an is abrogated.
Key words
Baha’i, miracle, chapter, Baha’u’llah, Qur’an.
A look at the activities of Baha’is in African countries
Mohammad Hassan Ipakchi
Abstract
The Baha’i faith began its presence and activities in the first half of the 20th century in sub-Saharan Africa. Following the design of missionary programs in the African continent, the countries located in the sub-Saharan Africa region were considered as an important project, and by using the Baha’i persons of western immigrants and selected African natives, and considering the African contexts of the regions such as cultural and material poverty, the influence of colonialism And missionary propaganda of the West, Baha’ism organized and implemented its programs in the dimensions of education, agriculture and welfare according to the instructions of Bait ul-Adl( UHJ).
African natives following monotheistic religions as well as native religions that were suffering from the pain of alienation and identity crisis under the exploitation of Western colonialism, were not only ready to accept any call indicating peace and receiving help, but also, taking into account their native cultural characteristics, ready for ideological coexistence. And they shared their cultural and religious beliefs with other cultures and religions. Therefore, according to the religious opinion of some African experts such as Ambiti, this Faith tried to show itself as a popular religion in the spiritual centers (Mashrek al-Azkar) of African countries, although with a limited population.
The following report, while examining the history of the entry of Baha’i into some African countries, also gives an overview of their activities. The operational beginning of the project to familiarize sub-Saharan African countries with the Baha’i faith was in the second half of the 20th century, and Shoghi Effendi played an important role in launching this project.
Keywords
Enoch Olinga, Baha’i in Africa, Baha’i Temple Kampala, World Baha’i Mission Maps
Baha’is from the point of view of Christian intellectuals and critics
Part 6: Vernon Elvin Johnson
Section 2: point of views after the time of Abdu’l-baha
Hamid Farnaq
Abstract
Dr. Vernon Elvin Johnson, a student of theology in the Christian seminary and university, writer and critic, who has a history of oratory and preaching in the church, got acquainted with Baha’i in the course of his religious studies.
In this detailed research, he showed that in all stages of succession in the Babi- Baha’i faith, the person who became the head of the group, in order to justify his legitimacy, firstly, made heretical changes in the previous teachings of the group. Secondly, at every stage, famous people opposed the claimant of the new leadership or his changes and heresies, and because of this, they were rejected and expelled from the group and the newcomers and less knowledgeable about the basic teachings remained in the group. Thirdly, the group that claims to create the unity of the human world, at every stage of its succession, has had to reject and expel a number of its main people. Fourthly, due to the Western tendencies of the Baha’i leaders in the Ottoman Empire, what is introduced as Baha’i today has a very different nature from the early Babi-Bahá’í religion and is highly influenced by Western and Christian culture and traditions. . Looking at the performance of the leaders of the Baha’i organizations in censorship and control of the academic works of Baha’i writers, eliminating and rejecting opponents, not paying attention to the suppression of the real truth, the lack of equal rights of men and women in the Baha’i society, he advises them to respect the different thoughts and perceptions of the Baha’is, show self-confidence and accept the opinions of critics; otherwise, they will gradually deteriorate. In this section of paper, his points of view and critics about baha’i organization after the time of Abdu’l-baha is presented.
Keywords
Baha’i critics, Christianity and Bahá’í criticism, heresies in Baha’i, Baha’i contradictions, rejection in Baha’i, differences and schisms in Baha’i, Vernon Elvin Johnson.
A star in the research sky
A brief look at “The Baha’i Book”, a magnificent work by Dr. Najafi
Abdul Hossein Fakhari
Abstract
The Bahaiyan Book is a research-based work by Dr. Najafi Shushtari, which, after fifty years, according to researchers and history experts, is still the most important source of modern knowledge about Shaykhyyah, Babiyyah, and Bahá’íism. The late writer has analyzed the historical aspects and presented a scientific critique of their beliefs using the most important Shaiykhi, Babi and Baha’i texts. The first edition of this book was released in 1356 HS (1977) and then became rare. Then it was published by another publisher in 2013. The diligent author of this book did not limit his research to Iran’s libraries and went to Egypt and found copies of Baha’i books in Egyptian libraries and compared them with other versions and brought scholarly criticisms to researchers.
Keyword
Najafi Shushtari, Babiyyah, Baha’i studies, Egyptian libraries, Shaykhiyah, Bahaiyan
