Deviation of Standards in the Book Divinity and Manifestation
Part 2: Value Assessment
By: Masood Tehrani
Abstract
The first part introduced the book Divinity and Manifestation and its author, Alimorad Davoudi, summarizing its key objectives. It reviewed efforts to align Bahá’í beliefs with theoretical mysticism, especially that of Ibn Arabi and his followers. In part two, the article critiques the theological foundations of Bahá’í monotheism. It argues that the methodology used by the book undermines the Bahá’í standard for authoritative texts, relying on excessive interpretation of Bahá’u’lláh’s statements. Despite this flaw, the critique proceeds in five main areas, assessing the Bahá’í understanding of divine unity, names and attributes, manifestation, theophany, and deity of Bahá’u’lláh. It concludes that the Bahá’í concept of divinity is inconsistent with both Islamic theology and theoretical mysticism, and that the book’s logic is weak and self-contradictory.
Keywords
Interpretation, Divine Status, Realms of Command and Creation, Divine Names, Divine Manifestation, Source of Revelation, the Status of Self of God, Theophany, Unity and Limitations of knowledge, Knowledge of Divine Essence, Corporeality of Bahá’u’lláh, Deification of Bahá’u’lláh.
Deviation of Standards in the Book Divinity and Manifestation
Part 1: Re-reading of a Work
By: Masood Tehrani
Abstract
From the beliefs and practices of Bahá’ís is their view on divinity and godhood of Mirza Husayn Ali Nuri (Bahá’u’lláh), which puts them at odds with not only the Shia Islam (due to altered views on the concept of the Mahdi) and Sunni Muslims in general (because of the denial of the finality of the holy Prophet), has put the Bahá’ís in contradiction with all the Divine religions. To adopt various justifications and interpretations to defend such beliefs, the Bahá’í literature, Divinity and Manifestation by Alimorad Davoudi holds a special status. The author tries to justify these claims through philosophical and mystical terminologies. In this article, the logical and philosophical structures and foundational premises of the book are critically analyzed, showing their inconsistencies. Explanations of the mystical terms are also provided for comparison.
Keywords
Divinity, Manifestation, Divine Names and Attributes, Manifestation of the Cause, Knowledge of God, Realms of Divine Order, Theophany, Worship.
Critique of the Book of Faraed, Part Three, “Miracle” and Doubts About It
Akbar Bayrami
Abstract
A miracle is that which God’s Proof provides and which others are unable to provide or create . Given the inability of the Babi and Baha’i leaders to provide such a thing, their followers decided to eliminate the necessity of providing a miracle from the divine proof and, in defense of the Babi and Baha’i, to reduce the value of miracles. This article first provides general information about miracles and their place in proving divine proof, and then it reviews and examines Faraid Golpayegani’s doubts about the idea of miracles in Islam.
Keywords
Miracles – Critique of Faraid – Baha’i belief in miracles – Critique of Baha’i evidence – Examination of doubts about miracles – Critique of Faraid Golpayegani’s book.
Baha’ism from the Perspective of Baha’i Critics, Part 17, Jamshid Ma’ani
By : Mohsen Mohajer
Abstract
This article examines the life, missionary activities, and doctrinal claims of Jamshid Ma’ani, one of the immigrants and active missionaries of the Baha’i community in Indonesia. Jamshid Ma’ani, who came from a Baha’i family, was expelled from the Baha’i community after years of activity in promoting Baha’ism due to his claim of divine manifestation and the establishment of a new religion.
This article, citing various documents and sources, analyzes Jamshid’s positions, the reaction of the House of Justice and the Hands of the Cause, and the impact of these claims on the Baha’i community. The article also refers to Ma’ani’s arguments in proving his claim, his role in the formation of the split in the Baha’i community, and finally the removal and censorship of his works and services in the official history of Baha’i. This study shows that since Maani’s claims could not be easily refuted and answered by the principles of Baha’ism, he faced resistance and rejection in order to keep Baha’is from understanding his claims and arguments. However, he had a wide impact among some segments of Baha’is and provoked strong reactions from the official Baha’i structure.
Keywords
Jamshid Maani, Baha’ism, Bait al-Adl, Hands of the Cause, Spiritual Expulsion, Indonesia, Baha’i Propaganda, Manifestation, Continuity of Divine Grace, Split in Baha’ism, Sama’ullah, Shoghi’s Ten-Year Plan, Mason Remy, Baha’i Leadership Structure, Emerging Religions, Hojjatiyeh Society, Censorship in Baha’ism, Claim of Prophethood.
