The Baha’is believe that the Excellency Mahdi (P.H.)’s emergence is accompanied by a new religion while according to verses and traditions, the Excellency Mahdi (P.H.) will revitalize Islam and destroy innovations.
Ali Muhammad Shirazi (the promised Mahdi and the first prophet of the Baha’is) has claimed for the abolishment of Islam and sending down a new religious law.[1] Thus; to prove his claim, the Baha’is cite the traditions which are indicating a new religious law.
As Imam Baqer (P.H.) states:
“…يَقُومُ بِأَمْرٍ جَدِيدٍ وَ كِتَابٍ جَدِيدٍ وَ سُنَّةٍ جَدِيدَةٍ وَ قَضَاءٍ جَدِيدٍ”
(The Excellency Mahdi will rise with new order, book, tradition and jurisdiction.[2]”
Answer:
- In this tradition of Imam Baqer (P.H.) it is announced that the emergence of the Excellency Mahdi (P.H.) will be in the lunar month of Ramadhan after two heavenly shouts while such even hasn’t happened at the time of the emergence of the Babism leader claim.
- According to the definite Islamic texts and the verses of the holy Quran, Islam is the last religion and the holy prophet Muhammad (P.H.) is the last prophet:
“ما كانَ مُحَمَّدٌ أَبا أَحَدٍ مِنْ رِجالِكُمْ وَ لكِنْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَ خاتَمَ النَّبِيِّينَ وَ كانَ اللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَليماً [احزاب/۴۰]”
“Muhammad is no the father of any man among the Seal of the prophet; and Allah is Aware of all things.” [Al-Ahzab/40]
- Imam Baqer’s (P.H.) tradition means before the emergence of Excellency Mahdi (P.H.), innovation in religion is expanding too much that as if Excellency Mahdi (P.H.) has come having a new religion.
As Imam Sadeq (P.H.) states:
“یَصْنَعُ مَا صَنَعَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ (صلی الله علیه و آله) یَهْدِمُ مَا کَانَ قَبْلَهُ کَمَا هَدَمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ (صلی الله علیه و آله) أَمْرَ الْجَاهِلِیَّةِ وَ یَسْتَأْنِفُ الْإِسْلَامَ جَدِیدا”[۳]
“The Excellency Mahdi (P.H.) will do the same as the holy prophet (P.H.). He will destroy the present innovations. As the holy prophet (P.H.) destroyed the basis of the pagan state of the Arabs before the holy prophet (P.H.). Then, he will rebuild Islam.
- Traditions from the holy Imams (peace be upon them) clarify that the Excellency Mahdi (P.H.) is the revitalizer of Islam. He doesn’t bring a new religion; as the holy prophet (P.H.) states:
“الْقَائِمُ مِنْ وُلْدِی اسْمُهُ اسْمِی وَ کُنْیَتُهُ کُنْیَتِی وَ شَمَائِلُهُ شَمَائِلِی وَ سُنَّتُهُ سُنَّتِی یُقِیمُ النَّاسَ عَلَی مِلَّتِی وَ شَرِیعَتِی وَ یَدْعُوهُمْ إِلَی کِتَابِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَل[۴]”
“ Qaem is of my offspring. His name and nickname are the same as mine. His perspiration and behavior are the same as mine. He will force people to obey my religion and invite them to the holy Qur
[۱] Refer to Hussein Ali Nouri, the Iqan, Pakistan: the national press institute, 5th edition, 144 Badi’a, p. 187.
[۲] The great scholar Majlesi, Bearul Anwar, Beirut: Darul Ehya Al-Torath, 1403 A.H., Vol. 52, p. 213.
[۳] Muhammad Ibn Ibrahim Neamani, the book Al-Qeibat, Tehran: Al-Sadouq publishing house, 1397 A.H., p. 213; the great scholar Majlesi, Beharul Anwar, Beirut: Darul Ehya Al-Torath, 1403 A.H., Vol. 53, p. 353.
[۴] The great scholar Majlesi, Beharul Anwar, Beirut: Darul Ehya Al-Torath, 1403 A.H., Vol. 51, chapter 1, p. 73.
