Book Review of Fara’id, Part Six:
Specific Views Presented in the Book
Akbar Birami
Abstract
Using a critical approach based on primary Islamic sources, authentic historical data, and logical principles, this article examines seven main points presented in the book Fara’id*.
These points include: the claim of the divinity of all the world religions; the description of Baha’ism as a religion of universal kindness; the undermining of the Imamate of Imam Ali (peace be upon him) by disregarding prophetic texts; the struggle against the institution of Fiqh and Ijtihad (jurisprudence); the claim of good speech and avoidance of cursing in the Baha’i faith; and introducing the Baha’is as the sole cultural ambassadors of Iran in Europe. This research demonstrates that these claims are either unsubstantiated, based on improper interpretations of religious texts, or in clear conflict with historical and social realities. Furthermore, by citing primary sources, including the writings of Baha’ullah himself, and his sister Ezziyeh (Ezziyeh Nouri), the contradiction between the words and actions of the founders of Baha’ism in fields such as ethics, violence, and anti-Iranian sentiments have been proven.
Keywords
Fara’id, Baha’ism, Theological Critique, Husayn-Ali Baha, Taqrir, Fiqh, Cursing (La’n), Imamate, Cultural Ambassador, Ezziyeh Nouri
Baha’i Proselytism and the Calabar Church in Africa
Mohammad Hassan Ipakhchi
Abstract
The title of this paper, “The Baha’i Church of Calabar in Africa,” evokes a concept in the literature of new religious movements and cults implying the sanctity of the Christian Church institution combined with Baha’ism in Africa. Does such a mindset exist in reality? In seeking to answer why such a religious and ritualistic blurring occurs, the author, in the seventh chapter of the book The Baha’i Faith in Africa, examines the historical process of implementing the proselytation of this faith in Africa in the second half of the twentieth century. The author moves past historical ambiguities and the distortions of certain historians who wrote the narratives of the “growth” of Baha’ism in Africa. Such narratives, which are not free of ambiguity, claim Baha’i growth within the Christian Church in Calabar, Nigeria, similar to other African regions. The reality is that historical investigations show that the Calabar region in Nigeria, with its dense Christian population, possesses numerous churches belonging to various Christian denominations, including Catholic, Protestant, etc., and Baha’i missionaries were only able to conduct their teaching within the existing churches. Therefore, the institution of the “Church” underwent no change into a “Baha’i Church”! The purpose of this paper is to present and examine some of the few written documents regarding the history of Baha’ism in the Calabar region of Nigeria, West Africa, according to documented evidence.
Keywords
Baha’ism, Shoghi Effendi, Calabar Church, Christianity, Nigeria.
A Defense from Azerbaijan: Sheikh Abd al-Salam and the Scientific Movement Against Bábism and Baha’ism
Akbar Birami
Abstract
Sheikh Abdul-Salam Akhundzadeh (1259-1325 AH / 1843-1907 AD) was a prominent Shia scholar in the Caucasus and the Sheikh al-Islam of Tbilisi. In the late 19th century, through his two treatises, Radd bar Iqan* (Refutation of the Iqan) and Mudafa’ah bar Muqabalat al-Khasm (Defense against the response of the Opponent), he engaged in a critique of the Bábí and Baha’i movements. This article, employing a historical-analytical approach, examines the life, works, and critical methodology of this erudite scholar. First, it provides an overview of the geographical and cultural context of the Caucasus in the 19th century and Sheikh Abdul-Salam’s scholarly standing. It then analyzes his encounter with Babism, his study of the book Iqan, and the composition of his first treatise. Furthermore, it details his theological debate with Reza Qannad (an associate and company of Abdu’l-Baha) and the motivation behind writing the book Mudafa’ah. The structure, style, and most significant axes of Sheikh Abdul-Salam’s critique in this book—including the critique of the claim of “manifestation” (mazhariyyat), the concept of “predominance” (ghalaba), finality and the Seal of Prophethood (Khatamiyat), the Baha’i interpretive method, the investigation of Bábí intellectual roots in the Shaykhi movement, and the relationship between religion and modernity—are analyzed concisely. The research findings indicate that Sheikh Abd al-Salam, using a reasoned and concise method while drawing on Islamic sources, the history of religions, and awareness of Western developments, provided an insightful critique of the Bábí and Baha’i movements, leaving behind a legacy of scholarly yet assertive debate.
Keywords
Abd al-Salam Akhundzadeh, Sheikhul-Islam of the Caucasus, Babism, Baha’ism, Mudafa’ah bar-Muqabalat al-Khasm*, Iqan, Fara’ed of Golpayegani.
Introduction to the Iqan: The Greatest and Oldest of Baha’i Books
Abdulhussein Fakhari
Abstract
The book Iqan*, authored by Mirza Husayn-Ali Nuri (Baha’u’llah)—the founder of Baha’ism—is considered highly significant by the Baha’is, even is regarded as his oldest and greatest work. This article focuses on the bibliography and content critique of this book. It examines literary and content errors, unsubstantiated interpretations, the spiritual distortion of the New Testament and verses of the Holy Qur’an, unjustified interpretations of the Divine Books in the reasoning of Iqan, and the discussion of the finality of prophethood.
Keywords
Book of Iqan, Bibliography, Content Critique, Literary Errors, Content Errors, Contradictions, Distortion, Unsubstantiated Interpretations, Baha’u’llah’s terrorism in Iraq, Straw man fallacy in Iqan, Finality of Prophethood (Khatamiyat), the Hadith of the Tablet of Fatima (PBUH).
