Bahaism considers itself as a remarkably developed religion and the universal one. It is claiming for being in conformity with wisdom.
According to Abbas Effendi (Abdul Baha): “If religious issues are against wisdom and science, they will be imagination because the opposite of science is ignorance. Bigotries are great barriers for creating peace and oneness as long as these bigotries exist, human being won’t be prosperous at all.”[1] He tried to attribute all developed teachings to his father, Bahaullah. So that he has said in different positions that such teachings haven’t existed before Bahaullah human communities.[2] Additionally, all these are from Baha’i creed which have been sent down for his father (Bahaullah) via inspiration.[3]
Criticism and investigation
A glance at Bahaism religious books and sources will indicate that the so-called advanced and new teachings of Abdul Baha is nothing but gathering and mixing religious teachings of the east with the intellectual and modern thoughts of the west. Abbas Effendi (Abdul Baha) created Bab and Baha’s teachings proportional with the current teachings of 19th century in the west such as modernism and humanism awakening entitled the twelve teachings and principles of Bahaism during his 3-year trip to Europe and America.
Most of his speech and writings in the book Aghdas are consequences of Abdul Baha’s studies, experiences, interpretations and adaptations from teachings and works of other religions and are also due to his study and familiarity with the western thoughts and works.[4]
The relationship between wisdom and inspiration
In addition to Abdul Baha’s claiming for innovation in conformity between re religion and science and wisdom, they are against the original and inspirational teachings of the divine religions; because the religious commandments of the divine prophets don’t oppose science and wisdom because they are from the All-Wise God. In monotheistic religions, wisdom possess a distinguished position in interpreting beliefs and commandments as an important source.
During history, each prophet who has been sent for prophetic mission by God has had true miracles and messages compatible with intellectual, scientific and intrinsic standards. It is stated in the holy Quran:
كَذَلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ آيَاتِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ” “
“Thus does Allah clarify His signs to you so that you may exercise your reason.” (Al-Cow/242)
“و أَفَلَمْ يَسِيرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ فَتَكُونَ لَهُمْ قُلُوبٌ يَعْقِلُونَ بِهَا أَوْ آذَانٌ يَسْمَعُونَ بِهَا فَإِنَّهَا لا تَعْمَى الْأَبْصَارُ وَلَكِن تَعْمَى الْقُلُوبُ الَّتِي فِي الصُّدُورِ”
“Have they not travelled through the land so that they may have hearts by which they may exercise their reason, or ears by which they may hear? Indeed, it is not the eyes that turn blind, but it is the hearts in the breasts that turn blind!” (Al-Hajj/46)
In addition to various intellectual proofs, God has taught reasons to prophets stated in the holy Quran”[5]
There are many traditions by the holy Imam (peace be upon them) in the field of intellectual proofs such as:
“إِنَّ لِلَّهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ حُجَّتَينِ، حُجَّةٌ ظَاهِرَةٌ وَ حُجَّةٌ بَاطِنَهُ فَأَمَّا الظَّاهِرَهُ فَالرُّسُل وَ الأنبياء و الآئِمِهِ وَ أَمَّا البَاطِنَه فَالعُقُول”[۶]
According to assiduity rule:
كلما حکم به العقل، حكم به الشرع و كلما حكم به الشرع، حکم به العقل
Everything judged by wisdom, it will be judged by religion and everything judged by religion, it will be judged by wisdom.
Also, there is a great position for science and science learning:
” قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِي الَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَالَّذِينَ لا يَعْلَمُونَ”
Say, ‘Are those who know equal to those who do not know?’ (Al-Zomar/9)
The holy prophet stated:
” طَلَبُ الْعِلْمِ فَرِيضَةٌ عَلَى كُلِّ مُسْلِم”[۷]
Basically, the claiming for innovation of the Baha’is in the field of paying attention to wisdom and science isn’t acceptable, while most of teachings and Commandments of Bahaism are in total contrast with intellectual, scientific and intrinsic criteria as clear reason for falsehood of this humane teaching. The followings are some commandment tried to be hidden by the Baha’i proselytizers.
The Baha’i intellectuality:
Bab and Baha were claiming for inteIlectual and progressed teachings which were compatible with the understanding of the modem men sent down, while most of their beliefs and teachings are in contrast with intellectual and logical principles; e.g.: Baha says:
لا اله الا انا المسجون الفرید””
There is no god but me as unique and imprisoned[8]
Also: “Say nothing is being seen in my body but God’s and my body is His and my existence is His and also my essence, movement, stillness and pen are His.”[۹]
Mirza Agha khan Kermani and Ahmad Rouhi – of the followers of Bab’s school (Azali branch)- are considering Mirza Hussein Ali Nouri’s claim too strange and out of wisdom that they believe just ignorant people say so. So, they have written in “the eight paradises”: “The mentioned Mirza has considered people too… (brutish) that he has assumed himself as God… In brief, the more strange than this god are the stupid people who have heard and acted these meaningless nonsenses.[10]
In addition to Bab’s contradictory claims concerning commandments, one example is being given as follows: “Don’t ride on cow and don’t drink donkey milk. Don’t ride on animal without rein and treadle and don’t put anything on it to carry. Don’t hit the egg to any place before boiling because it may be broken and becomes damaged. One day, we considered the egg as the prior point in order for you to be thankful !!!”[11] Naturally, each viewer who is wise is unable to accept the contents of such teachings which are advanced!!!
Science and Bahaism:
The progressed teachings of Bab and Baha are contrary with science and knowledge. For example:
۱) Bab has announced using drugs as absolutely illegitimate:” It is your duty not to possess drug and intoxicating drinks. Don’t sell, don’t buy and don’t use.”[12] So, all medical activities must be cancelled.
(۲) Bab doesn’t issue any permit for teaching books except for Bayan.[13] Consequently, all scientific researches must all be cancelled.
لا يجوز التدريس في كتب غیر البیان””
۳) Ordered by Bab, all books in the world must be destroyed except for the Babi ones.[14]
“”فی حکم محو كل الكتب كلها الا ما انشات او تنشى في ذلك الأمر
Also, the Aghdas book considers the numbers of month in a year as 19 and each month as 19.[15] This issue is in lack of intellectual and scientific and religious sources and it has lots of basic problems.[16]
Baha also says: “Copper will be changed into gold after 70 years.[17] Chemists have investigated this issue and concluded that copper will never be changed into gold in its natural mine.
Also, Baha has had many mistakes in history science. For instance: Pythagoras is a known Greek philosopher and Baha has reminded him as contemporary with the Excellency Solomon (P.H.) and his students: “Pythagoras has been at the same time with Solomon, the son of David. White, the Excellency Solomon has lived 400 years before Pythagoras confirmed by the historians.[18]
[۱] Sermons, Abdul Baha, p.18.
[۲] Refer to Abbas Effendi (Abdul Baha), the blessed sermons, p.191.
[۳] Abdul Baha’s fondness with the west in thought and action, Saeed Sharifi, historical studies periodical, No.17. p.210.
[۴] Refer to encyclopedia of the Islamic world, Oxford, under the entry Baha’i.
[۵] Refer to “the study of religion, Abdullah Jawadi Amoli, Qom, Asra, 1381 S.H. pp. 157-163; the rank of wisdom in the geometry of religious knowledge, Abdullah Jawadi Amoli, Qom, Asra, 1386 S.H., pp. 61-69.
[۶] Tohafal Ogoul An Al-Rasoul, Ibn Sho’beh Harani: Qom: teachers community, 1404 A.H., P. 386.
[۷] Refer to Mizanul Hekmah by Muhammadi Ryshahri.
[۸] Mobin, Bahaullah, 1308 A.H., p. 286.
[۹] Mobin, p.17.
[۱۰] Eight paradises, Mirza Agha Khan Kermani and Sheikh Ahmad Rouhi, Bita, Bita, p. 215.
[۱۱] The Arabic Bayan, Ali Mahammad Bab, p.49.
[۱۲] The Arabic Bayan, P.22.
[۱۳] The Persian Bayan, P.30
[۱۴] The Persian Baryan, p. 198.
[۱۵] The Aghdas book, p.34.
[۱۶] This belief is problematic.
[۱۷] The adventure of Bab and Baha, Seyyed Mostafa Tabatabaee- Tehran, Rozanet publishing house, 1380 S.H., P. 199.
[۱۸] Narrated by Majar
