{"id":12787,"date":"2023-12-27T17:23:18","date_gmt":"2023-12-27T13:53:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/?p=12787"},"modified":"2023-12-27T17:23:18","modified_gmt":"2023-12-27T13:53:18","slug":"october-26-on-this-date-in-2013-ahang-rabbani-died","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/?p=12787&lang=en","title":{"rendered":"October 26. On this date in 2013, Ahang Rabbani died"},"content":{"rendered":"

A prolific Baha\u2019i translator and historian who served as director of statistics at the\u00a0<\/strong>Bah\u00e1\u2019\u00ed World Centre<\/a>\u00a0from 1981 to 1988. His translation are said to whitewash, censor,and obfuscate problematic matters in Baha\u2019i scripture.<\/strong><\/p>\n

From the chapter titled “Dr Ahang Rabbani: A translator in good faith or a Baha\u2019i whitewasher<\/a>” in the book\u00a0<\/strong>Twelve Principles: A Comprehensive Investigation on the Baha’i Teachings<\/em><\/strong><\/a>…<\/strong><\/p>\n

While investigating how Baha\u2019is censor and hide problematic matters in their scripture which had been inadvertently exposed by Dr. Rabbani (the case has been documented in another article\u00a0<\/strong>here<\/strong><\/a>), it was realized that Ahang Rabbani himself had distorted a number of very problematic statements while translating the volumes that he had been working on. In two cases, these distortions are amended by footnotes which state the translations are approximate\/not precise, while in fact they are neither but an outright twisting of the truth.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In this article we will analyze the distortions introduced by Dr Rabbani in the work\u00a0<\/strong>A Lifetime with Abdu’l-Bah\u00e1: Reminiscences of Khalil Shahidi<\/strong><\/a>. Also, a single quote from another one of his translations which is worthy of mentioning will be presented.<\/strong><\/p>\n

…<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pay attention to the following quote from Abdu\u2019l-Baha:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you ask about Tiberius, know that its stones are black, its inhabitants are Jewish and their appearance is basic.\u201d (Ahang Rabbani,\u00a0<\/strong>A Lifetime with \u2018Abdu\u2019l-Bah\u00e1: Reminiscences of Khal\u00edl Shah\u00edd\u00ed<\/em><\/strong><\/a>, p. 68)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dr Rabbani writes a footnote at the end of this statement: \u201cThe narrator gives this statement in both original Arabic and translation in Persian. Translation of the final phrase is not precise.\u201d (footnote no. 74)<\/strong><\/p>\n

…<\/strong><\/p>\n

The two arrows point to two sentences: one in Arabic and the same sentence again in Farsi:<\/strong><\/p>\n

” \u0648\u062c\u0648\u0647\u0647\u0645 \u06a9\u0627\u0644\u0642\u0631\u062f”<\/strong><\/p>\n

” \u0635\u0648\u0631\u062a\u0647\u0627\u06cc\u0634\u0627\u0646 \u0645\u0627\u0646\u0646\u062f \u0645\u06cc\u0645\u0648\u0646\u0627\u0646 \u0627\u0633\u062a”<\/strong><\/p>\n

The translation of these statements is this:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201ctheir appearance is like monkeys\/apes\u201d!<\/strong><\/p>\n

So this is what Abdu\u2019l-Baha had said about the Jews of Tiberius:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you ask about Tiberius, know that its stones are black, its inhabitants are Jewish and their appearance is like monkeys\/apes.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is how it was translated by the professional Baha\u2019i translator who is no longer amongst us:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you ask about Tiberius, know that its stones are black, its inhabitants are Jewish and their appearance is basic.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

…<\/strong><\/p>\n

According to Ahang Rabbani, this is how Abdu\u2019l-Baha had compared Baha\u2019is with non-Baha\u2019is:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018Abdu\u2019l-Bah\u00e1 said, \u201cThe least of the friends is better than the fairest of the nonbelievers.\u201d Moreover, He used to say, \u201cThe worst of the friends is better than the best of the nonbelievers.\u201d\u201d (Ahang Rabbani,\u00a0<\/strong>A Lifetime with \u2018Abdu\u2019l-Bah\u00e1: Reminiscences of Khal\u00edl Shah\u00edd\u00ed<\/strong><\/a>*, p. 81)<\/strong><\/p>\n

…<\/strong><\/p>\n

The section marked in red that has been uttered by Abdu\u2019l-Baha reads:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201c\u06cc\u06a9 \u06a9\u0627\u06a9\u0627\u0633\u06cc\u0627\u0647 \u0627\u062d\u0628\u0627\u0628 \u0628\u0647\u062a\u0631 \u0627\u0632 \u06cc\u06a9 \u062d\u0648\u0631\u06cc\u0647 \u0627\u063a\u06cc\u0627\u0631 \u0627\u0633\u062a\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Which translates to:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cA Baha\u2019i nigger is better than a non-Baha\u2019i nymph\u201d!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Apologies for using the n word! The original Farsi word Abdu\u2019l-Baha used is \u2018kaka siah\u2019 (\u06a9\u0627\u06a9\u0627 \u0633\u06cc\u0627\u0647) which is the equivalent of \u2018nigger\u2019 in English.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Compare with Rabbani\u2019s translation:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThe least of the friends is better than the fairest of the nonbelievers.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

What is more shameful is the fact that the word \u2018least\u2019 has been used as an equivalent for \u2018nigger\u2019!<\/strong><\/p>\n

…<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pay attention to the following quote:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the pillars of the Covenant-breakers was named Muhammad-Jav\u00e1d Qazv\u00edn\u00ed. When he strolled, he held his neck exceedingly straight, particularly if he came upon the friends or His blessed Temple [\u2018Abdu\u2019l-Bah\u00e1]. \u2018Abdul-Bah\u00e1 would say, \u201cHe is like someone with a back injury, and forced to hold his neck straight to ease the pain.\u201d (Ahang Rabbani,\u00a0<\/strong>A Lifetime with \u2018Abdu\u2019l-Bah\u00e1: Reminiscences of Khal\u00edl Shah\u00edd\u00ed<\/strong><\/a>, p. 91)<\/strong><\/p>\n

What was so special about the last sentence that needed to be mentioned in the memoirs: \u201cHe is like someone with a back injury, and forced to hold his neck straight to ease the pain.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

…<\/strong><\/p>\n

The section underlined in red reads:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201c\u0627\u06cc\u0646 \u0645\u062b\u0644 \u0627\u0644\u0627\u063a\u06cc \u0645\u06cc \u0645\u0627\u0646\u062f \u06a9\u0647 \u06a9\u0645\u0631\u0634 \u0632\u062e\u0645 \u0634\u062f\u0647 \u0628\u0627\u0634\u062f \u0648 \u0627\u0632 \u0634\u062f\u062a \u062f\u0631\u062f \u06af\u0631\u062f\u0646\u0634 \u0631\u0627 \u0634\u0642 \u0646\u06af\u0647 \u062f\u0627\u0631\u062f.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Which translates to:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cHe is like a donkey with a back injury, and forced to hold his neck straight to ease the pain.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Abdu\u2019l-Baha has compared a covenant-breaker with a donkey. This isn\u2019t strange from Abdu\u2019l-Baha. After all he is the son of Baha\u2019u\u2019llah who would refer to his deniers and enemies as\u00a0<\/strong>donkeys, pigs, and dogs<\/strong><\/a>. Now, compare with Dr. Rabbani\u2019s translation:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cHe is like someone with a back injury, and forced to hold his neck straight to ease the pain.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dr Rabbani writes in the footnote that this is \u201can approximate translation\u201d. Apparently, in the Baha\u2019i teachings, \u2018donkey\u2019 is an approximate translation for \u2018someone\u2019!<\/strong><\/p>\n

…<\/strong><\/p>\n

According to Ahang Rabbani this is how Abdu\u2019l-Baha responded to a Jew he was debating:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018Abdu\u2019l-Bah\u00e1 immediately responded back with the lines,<\/strong><\/p>\n

This faith is true, that a delight!<\/strong><\/p>\n

and yet the mob, an ugly sight,<\/strong><\/p>\n

Protested it with all their might!<\/strong><\/p>\n

I wish I knew which one was right!<\/strong><\/p>\n

However, while He was saying, \u201cand yet the mob, an ugly sight,\u201d He was pointing to him with His blessed hand, meaning, \u201cYou are that ugly sight who denies these two Dispensations.\u201d (Ahang Rabbani,\u00a0<\/strong>A Lifetime with \u2018Abdu\u2019l-Bah\u00e1: Reminiscences of Khal\u00edl Shah\u00edd\u00ed<\/strong><\/a>, pp. 23-24)<\/strong><\/p>\n

The original words (see image below) that Dr Rabbani has translated as \u201cyet the mob, an ugly sight\u201d read as:<\/strong><\/p>\n

“\u0648 \u0644\u06a9\u0646 \u0627\u0644\u0642\u0648\u0645 \u0627\u0644\u0642\u0628\u06cc\u062d”<\/strong><\/p>\n

These words translate to: \u201cBut the ugly people\/race.\u201d This is the first distortion in the translation. The second distortion occurs in the sentence: \u201cYou are that ugly sight.\u201d In the original Farsi, the word translated as \u2018You\u2019 has been used in the plural form (shoma-ha) which means Abdu\u2019l-Baha was referring to all Jews not just the person he was conversing with. Abdu\u2019l-Baha directly calls the followers of Judaism an \u201cugly people\/race.\u201d This statement has been clearly distorted in the translation.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ironically, Dr Rabbani states that he has made great effort to translate this work precisely and in the style and manner of the original text:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cSince the account is a primary source document, every effort was made to translate it precisely in the style and manner of the original, in hope that by so doing it would convey a flavor of the original text.\u201d (Ahang Rabbani,\u00a0<\/strong>A Lifetime with \u2018Abdu\u2019l-Bah\u00e1: Reminiscences of Khal\u00edl Shah\u00edd\u00ed<\/strong><\/a>, p. 8)<\/strong><\/p>\n

We\u2019ll leave it to the readers to Judge Dr Rabbani on this statement.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

https:\/\/bahaism.blogspot.com\/<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A prolific Baha\u2019i translator and historian who served as director of statistics at the\u00a0Bah\u00e1\u2019\u00ed World Centre\u00a0from 1981 to 1988. His translation are said to whitewash, censor,and obfuscate problematic matters in Baha\u2019i scripture. From the chapter titled “Dr Ahang Rabbani: A translator in good faith or a Baha\u2019i whitewasher” in the book\u00a0Twelve Principles: A Comprehensive Investigation […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":12788,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[823,985],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12787","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-english-articles","category-slidshow"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12787","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=12787"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12787\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12789,"href":"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12787\/revisions\/12789"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/12788"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=12787"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=12787"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=12787"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}