{"id":14195,"date":"2024-09-19T08:21:32","date_gmt":"2024-09-19T04:51:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/?p=14195"},"modified":"2024-09-19T08:21:32","modified_gmt":"2024-09-19T04:51:32","slug":"taqiyyah-dissimulation-in-bahaism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/?p=14195&lang=en","title":{"rendered":"Taqiyyah (dissimulation) in Baha\u2019ism"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><strong>Taqiyya, or dissimulation, is often misunderstood in the context of the Bah\u00e1\u2019\u00ed Faith. Contrary to popular belief, Baha\u2019u\u2019llah not only did not abolish taqiyya but actually commanded its practice, a directive further reinforced by \u2018Abdu\u2019l-Bah\u00e1. It wasn\u2019t until Shoghi Effendi that the first ban on taqiyya was introduced, raising questions about the authority behind this decision.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>Taqiyyah in Baha\u2019ism<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><strong>Taqiyya (dissimulation) means hiding one\u2019s religion or being cautious around someone of a different religion.Bah\u00e1\u2019\u00ed leaders have always assertedthat there is no concept of taqiyya in the Bah\u00e1\u2019\u00ed Faith, often using this to promote negative views of Shi\u2019ites. They point to the testimonies of the killed followers of the B\u00e1b and Bah\u00e1\u2019u\u2019ll\u00e1h, arguing that if these followers had practiced taqiyya, they would not have been killed in such numbers. They describe taqiyya as lying and hypocrisy and claim that Bah\u00e1\u2019u\u2019ll\u00e1h abolished it.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><strong>In this brief article, we do not aim to inspect the concept of Taqiyya and its conditions. Instead, by referring to various authentic Bahai sources, we will show that not only Bah\u00e1\u2019u\u2019ll\u00e1hdid not abolish taqiyya, but he also commanded its practice. There is no evidence that Bah\u00e1\u2019u\u2019ll\u00e1h ever revoked taqiyya. After Bah\u00e1\u2019u\u2019ll\u00e1h, Abdul-Bah\u00e1also instructed the followers to adhere to taqiyya as ordered by his father. However, the first order banning taqiyya came from Shoghi, but whether he had the authority to do this is not discussed in this article.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><strong>In the following sections, we are going to examine the words of Bah\u00e1\u2019u\u2019ll\u00e1h, Abdul-Bah\u00e1, and Shoghi with regards to Taqiyyah. Section one brings the references to Bah\u00e1\u2019u\u2019ll\u00e1h\u2019s words that he encourages his followers to practice taqiyya. Section two inspects the words of Abdul-Bah\u00e1 in asking his followers to do the same. Section three provides some letters from Shoghi that he has banned taqiyya. Throughout each section, we first bring a reference from the Baha\u2019i leader, and then provide a detail examination of the text.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>Section one: Bah\u00e1\u2019u\u2019ll\u00e1h\u2019sInstruction on\u00a0<em>Taqiyya<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>The first document<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><strong>Bah\u00e1\u2019u\u2019ll\u00e1hin his tablet\u00a0<em>Order and Creation, volume 3, pages 118-119\u00a0<\/em>talks about the importance oftaqiyya. He emphasis that practicing taqiyya protects the lives of believers.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-14188 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Bahaism-300x297.jpg\" alt=\"The first document\" width=\"300\" height=\"297\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Bahaism-300x297.jpg 300w, https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Bahaism-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Bahaism-50x50.jpg 50w, https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Bahaism.jpg 454w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-14189 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Untitled-1\u06f4-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"The first document Baha\u2019ism\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Untitled-1\u06f4-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Untitled-1\u06f4-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Untitled-1\u06f4-50x50.jpg 50w, https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Untitled-1\u06f4.jpg 452w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>Here is the translation of the above tablet:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><strong>\u201c<em>And you had previously stated that tablets had received and the order of taqiyya had been revealed in them; this is the truth!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><strong><em>After the martyrdom of Hazrat Badi\u2019 (\u06f1\u06f2\u06f8\u06f6 AH) upon Him be the peace of Allah\u2026and after the martyrdom of Hazrat Ali (Mulla Ali Mahfurozki) in Mazandaran; the command of hiding one\u2019s religion (i.e., the command of taqiyya) was issued. Glory be to Allah, whatever the heedless and unjust souls (of those two) desired to speak falsehood with a word other than the truth (to say we are not the Babis), was not accepted and \u2026 (Allah) says \u201cConceal that which ye possess\u201d.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><strong><em>The oppression of the oppressors and the ignorance of the ignorant has reached a point where the Pen (Bah\u00e1\u2019u\u2019ll\u00e1h) has spoken with a word from one of the previous letters (Imam Muhammad al-Taqi) \u2013Taqiyya is my religion- and the purpose (of Taqiyya) is to protect the sanctified soul.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><strong><em>Note that a considerable number of souls lost their lives due to lack of covering, concealment, and dissimulation. It was commanded to act according to wisdom, as adorned in most of the Tablets regarding observance of wisdom.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><strong>Key Points Derived from this Passage:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol style=\"text-align: left;\">\n<li style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>Bah\u00e1\u2019u\u2019ll\u00e1h has commanded dissimulation, basing this action on the sayings of the Imams of Shi\u2019ites.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>Wisdom and dissimulation are considered synonymous and are used interchangeably.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>Bah\u00e1\u2019u\u2019ll\u00e1h has explained the philosophy of dissimulation for the protection of the believers\u2019 lives.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>Bah\u00e1\u2019u\u2019ll\u00e1h condemns those who do not practice dissimulation as being heedless.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>Bah\u00e1\u2019u\u2019ll\u00e1h states that he has commanded dissimulation in most of the Tablets.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><strong>The second document<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><strong>Kamran Iqbal, quoting the Bah\u00e1\u2019\u00ed magazine\u00a0<em>Payam Bah\u00e1\u2019\u00ed<\/em>, Issue 307 (June 2005), pages 43-44, presents a tablet from Bah\u00e1\u2019u\u2019ll\u00e1h addressed to Aqa Seyyed Khalil. A portion of this tablet is as follows:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><strong>\u201c<em>O My Name! All those who have entered prison in the path of God, and those who have become agitated, distressed, and dispersed out of fear of oppressors, have all attained the mention of the Most Exalted Pen!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><strong><em>The people of \u2018Mim\u2019 have faced calamities the likes of which have never been heard in the world. By God\u2019s life, this oppression will cause widespread corruption and discord in the world\u2026 Protect yourself and be among those who conceal [their faith].<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><strong><em>The wickedness of the servants has reached such a level that the Most Exalted Pen laments and wails, for it has spoken in the words of the saints of the past: \u2018Conceal your gold, your travels, and your beliefs,\u2019 and \u2018Taqiyya (dissimulation) is my religion and the religion of my ancestors.\u2019<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><strong><em>After the death of Bad\u00ed\u2018 (may divine mercy be upon him), a firm ruling of wisdom was revealed in the divine book, meaning it was clearly and explicitly stated; similarly, after the death of Mulla Ali, the ruling of concealment was revealed: no one has the right to declare this matter [i.e., the Bah\u00e1\u2019\u00ed Faith] in front of others.<\/em><\/strong><strong>\u201c<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><strong>The points derived from this tablet are:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol style=\"text-align: left;\">\n<li style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>The command for\u00a0<em>taqiyya<\/em>(dissimulation) with the phrase\u00a0<em>Protect yourself\u2026<\/em>\u00a0Be among those who conceal [their faith].<\/strong><\/li>\n<li style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>A repeated command for\u00a0<em>taqiyya<\/em>, referring to the words of the religious leaders and saints:\u00a0<em>Conceal your gold, your travels, and your beliefs<\/em>. (This phrase comes from the elders of Sufism and mysticism and has been mentioned in some Shi\u2019a sources, attributed to the Prophet Muhammad, though similar sentiments are found in Shi\u2019a hadiths.)<\/strong><\/li>\n<li style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>The synonymous nature of wisdom and\u00a0<em>taqiyya<\/em>.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>The explicit ruling for\u00a0<em>taqiyya<\/em>with the phrase\u00a0<em>No one has the right\u2026<\/em>\u00a0No one has the right to declare their Bah\u00e1\u2019\u00ed faith in front of others.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>With this ruling, the possibility of interpretation and exegesis has been removed from the Bah\u00e1\u2019\u00eds!<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>The third document<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><strong>The article \u201cReview of the tablets of Baha\u2019u\u2019llah addressed to Muhammad Mustafa Baghdadi\u201d written by Kamran Iqbal, included in\u00a0<em>Safina Irfan, book 4, page 192-202,\u00a0<\/em>highlights the fact that Bahullah commanded his followers to practice taqiyya. Below is that portion of the article.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-14191 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Untitled-1\u06f2-300x261.jpg\" alt=\"The third document\" width=\"300\" height=\"261\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Untitled-1\u06f2-300x261.jpg 300w, https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Untitled-1\u06f2.jpg 477w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><strong>In other tablets, the observance of wisdom (<em>taqiyya<\/em>) is compared to the two wings of a bird (p. 212). In many of the tablets, Bah\u00e1\u2019u\u2019ll\u00e1h repeatedly advises Muhammad Mustafa to practice wisdom. This emphasis from the Blessed Beauty (Bah\u00e1\u2019u\u2019ll\u00e1h) was perhaps due to the rebellious and passionate nature of Muhammad Mustafa, who never hesitated to openly and publicly promote the Bah\u00e1\u2019\u00ed Cause. In one of the tablets, He says in this regard:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><strong><em>\u201cWe command you in all circumstances to practice wisdom. Follow what the one who ascended to the heavens (Prophet Muhammad, may all souls be his sacrifice) has spoken: Conceal your travels, your gold, and your beliefs. Conceal all pearls from every eye, whether of the virtuous or the wicked, because people do not grasp the mystery of the words, nor do they understand their intended meaning. They take what is ambiguous and judge it against what is clear.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>Other references to practicing wisdom are found in numerous tablets, and in those times, this was a common practice. For instance, in another tablet, He says:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong><em>\u201cO Muhammad Mustafa, if we mention the truth, we fear corruption; and if we conceal it, we fear leading people astray. Therefore, conceal, and be among those who conceal.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>He also states:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong><em>\u201cWhatever pertains to the Cause, if it is concealed, particularly in that land, it is better.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><strong>Key Points Derived from this Passage:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol style=\"text-align: left;\">\n<li>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>Synonymy of Wisdom and Dissimulation (Taqiyya):<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong><em>\u201cWe command you in all circumstances to practice wisdom\u2026 Conceal your travels, your gold, and your beliefs.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>Command to Practice Taqiyya:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong><em>\u201cO Muhammad Mustafa, if we mention the truth, we fear corruption; and if we conceal it, we fear leading people astray. Therefore, conceal, and be among those who conceal.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>Specific Command to Practice Taqiyya in Baghdad:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong><em>\u201cWhatever pertains to the Cause, if it is concealed, particularly in that land, it is better.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>The fourth document<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><strong>In a tablet addressed to Mulla Ali Bejestani;\u00a0<em>Order and creation, volume 3, page 116,\u00a0<\/em>practicing taqiyya is emphasized.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-14192 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Bahaism1-300x198.jpg\" alt=\"Baha\u2019ism1\" width=\"300\" height=\"198\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Bahaism1-300x198.jpg 300w, https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Bahaism1.jpg 598w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>Here is the translation of the above tablet:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><strong><em>But all matters must be conducted with wisdom. Anything that causes turmoil among the people is certainly contrary to wisdom. O friends of God, avoid this. We ask God to help us follow what He has commanded, not what we see as beneficial or appropriate\u2026 Any matter that is clearly decreed in the divine book but causes the fire of enmity to ignite should not be carried out. Thus, our beloved Lord has decreed, as a favor from Him upon us and His devoted servants.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><strong>As is clearly evident, Bah\u00e1\u2019u\u2019ll\u00e1h explicitly states that any matter that leads to chaos and hostility towards the Bah\u00e1\u2019\u00eds, even if it is one of God\u2019s explicit commandments, should not be acted upon, as doing so would go against wisdom and is not permissible!Here, wisdom is again equated with concealment and discretion.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>The fifth document<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><strong>The following tablet was addressed to Zain al-Maqrabinin\u00a0<em>Order and Creation, volume 3, page 116.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-14196\" src=\"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/The-fifth-document-300x252.jpg\" alt=\"The fifth document\" width=\"300\" height=\"252\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/The-fifth-document-300x252.jpg 300w, https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/The-fifth-document-60x50.jpg 60w, https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/The-fifth-document.jpg 604w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\">\n<p style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>Here is the translation of the tablet:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><strong><em>And in a tablet addressed to Zayn al-Muqarrab\u012bn, He says: \u2018But in light of the wisdom that has been revealed in the tablets of God, some rulings that today cause unrest among the people and are the reason for the veil over them are perplexing. Imam Sadiq said to Mu\u2018alla ibn Khunays or Mu\u2018alla:Conceal our matter and do not disclose it, for whoever conceals our matter and does not reveal it, God will honor him in this world and place a light before his eyes guiding him to paradise. O Mu\u2018alla, Taqiyya (dissimulation) is my religion and the religion of my ancestors; there is no religion for one who does not practice Taqiyya.<\/em><\/strong><strong>\u00a0Then He said,\u00a0<em>Whoeverpublicly discloses our matter is like someone who denies it. Our matter is hidden, and the covenant with us is severed. Whoever exposes us will be humiliated by God.\u2019<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><strong>Here again, it is emphasized that acting on commandments that cause turmoil and trouble for the Bah\u00e1\u2019\u00eds, and lead to the people turning away from them, is contrary to wisdom and has been prohibited!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>The sixth document<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><strong>In Order and Creation, volume 3 page 118, Bahaullah reminds his followers of practicing taqiyya.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-14197\" src=\"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/The-sixth-document-300x189.jpg\" alt=\"The sixth document\" width=\"300\" height=\"189\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/The-sixth-document-300x189.jpg 300w, https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/The-sixth-document.jpg 477w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>Here is the translation of the tablet:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong><em>O Mahdi, may God\u2019s peace and mercy be upon you. These are the blessed days of Ramadan. During the days, we are fasting, and at night we are standing and speaking. Some who claim to love us are deprived of both action and wisdom. But God is the most concealing, the all-knowing. This supreme word has been repeatedly mentioned.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>In this tablet, it is also clear that:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><strong>Firstly, Bah\u00e1\u2019u\u2019ll\u00e1h Himself practiced\u00a0<em>taqiyya<\/em>(dissimulation). Like Muslims, He would fast and, away from the eyes of enemies, engage in promoting His message at night!<\/strong><\/li>\n<li style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><strong>Secondly, Bah\u00e1\u2019\u00eds who outwardly claim to love Bah\u00e1\u2019u\u2019ll\u00e1h but do not act with wisdom are merely claimants of love, not true lovers. This highlights the importance of observing wisdom (<em>taqiyya<\/em>)!<\/strong><\/li>\n<li style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><strong>Thirdly, God has concealed the actions of these claimants and protects them!<\/strong><\/li>\n<li style=\"direction: ltr; text-align: left;\"><strong>The phrase\u00a0<em>\u201cDo not believe every speaker and do not trust every newcomer<\/em>\u201d itself indicates the extent of Bah\u00e1\u2019u\u2019ll\u00e1h\u2019s<em>taqiyya<\/em>and concealment and how important it was to Him!<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>Section Two: Abdu\u2019l-Bah\u00e1\u2019s Instruction on\u00a0<em>Taqiyya<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>The first document<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>In a tablet addressed to Sheikh Farajullah Kurdi, found\u00a0<em>in Mak\u00e1t\u00edb, Volume 3, page 325<\/em>, \u2018Abdu\u2019l-Bah\u00e1 instructs him to practice\u00a0<em>taqiyya<\/em>!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-14198 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/The-first-document-282x300.jpg\" alt=\"The first document\" width=\"282\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/The-first-document-282x300.jpg 282w, https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/The-first-document.jpg 447w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 282px) 100vw, 282px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>The translation of this section of the tablet is as follows:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong><em>\u201cThe flow of truth in the veins of intelligent and wise people, who have the capacity to uncover the truth, brings us satisfaction. But you must observe wisdom in all aspects because people are in a deep sleep and under a thick veil\u2026 Therefore, it is obligatory upon you to practice taqiyya!\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>As can be seen, \u2018Abdu\u2019l-Bah\u00e1, like Bah\u00e1\u2019u\u2019ll\u00e1h, equates wisdom with\u00a0<em>taqiyya<\/em>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>The second document<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>In another tablet addressed to Farajullah Kurdi, found in\u00a0<em>Mak\u00e1t\u00edb \u2018Abdu\u2019l-Bah\u00e1, Volume 3, page 326<\/em>, \u2018Abdu\u2019l-Bah\u00e1 says:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-14199\" src=\"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/The-second-document-188x300.jpg\" alt=\"The second document\" width=\"188\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/The-second-document-188x300.jpg 188w, https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/The-second-document.jpg 490w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 188px) 100vw, 188px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>In this tablet, too, \u2018Abdu\u2019l-Bah\u00e1 equates wisdom with concealment and denial:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong><em>\u201cThe intention is that the friends must remain completely silent for a few days, and if anyone asks, they should express total ignorance\u2026 because at this time, wisdom demands this. Therefore, instruct all the friends to absolutely refrain from speaking about this matter at this time.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>Section Three: Shoghi banns Taqiyya<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>In the section on the prohibition of dissimulation (<em>taqiyya<\/em>) within the \u201cTreasury of Limits and Laws,\u201d a letter from Shoghi Effendi forbidding\u00a0<em>taqiyya<\/em>\u00a0is included.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong><em>Chapter Seventy-Two: Prohibition Against Taqiyya (Dissimulation) and Concealing Beliefs<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong><em>His Holiness, the Guardian of the Cause of God, may His Majesty be glorified, says in His most exalted words: (Extract from the Holy Tablet dated November 9, 1927)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong><em>\u201cSome time ago, a telegram was sent from the Holy Land to that radiant assembly, emphasizing that regarding the civil records and the registration of religion and faith of the divine friends in all areas of that land, if they are compelled or obligated to state and record their religion, they should certainly not conceal it. They should not resort to pretension or hypocrisy. They should express their belief with full courage and clarity and should not fear or worry about the consequences and outcomes of stating the truth and revealing what is in their hearts.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>He also says:\u00a0<em>\u201cDo not conceal your belief and avoid taqiyya (dissimulation). Come out from behind the veil of secrecy and step into the arena of service. Do not be anxious or fearful, and rise to the challenge with a willingness to sacrifice. Sacrifice anything for this primary goal, and for this noble Cause, give up any position or rank, and place personal interests and considerations aside for the sake of the general interests of the Cause. Wisdom and taqiyya in past times were the means of safeguarding and protecting the oppressed of that land and were the only means of preserving the religion of the Lord of the Universe. However, in these days, since the enemies of the Cause of God and the adversaries of the heavenly Faith have removed the veil of concealment from the face of the truths of the Cause, and they have fully revealed and publicized the essential beliefs of the people of Bah\u00e1, and they have confirmed the independence of the religion of Bah\u00e1\u2019u\u2019ll\u00e1h, and through this, the Great Announcement has become known and famous throughout the regions of the world, taqiyya and concealing belief have become a cause of insult and disgrace, and in the eyes of the wise, they are unnecessary and harmful.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>As\u00a0it is evident,\u00a0these writings are addressed to a community that not only did not consider\u00a0<em>taqiyya<\/em>\u00a0reprehensible but practiced it quite naturally (according to the command of Bah\u00e1\u2019u\u2019ll\u00e1h and `Abdu\u2019l-Bah\u00e1). If it were otherwise, the issuance of such a decree would have had no meaning or purpose.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>Especially noteworthy is the end of the second decree, where Shoghi Effendi, with the phrase \u201c<em>I urge you, O beloved friends\u2026 I ask you, dear ones of God, to make every effort to carry out this most difficult and dangerous task and remain steadfast in it\u2026\u201d<\/em>\u00a0urges the Bah\u00e1\u2019\u00eds to abandon the old tradition of\u00a0<em>taqiyya<\/em>\u00a0and to commit themselves to this most difficult and dangerous endeavor!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>However, this request was not fully carried out, neither during Shoghi Effendi\u2019s time nor after his passing. In situations where it was deemed in the interest of the Bah\u00e1\u2019\u00ed administration, the tradition of\u00a0<em>taqiyya<\/em>\u00a0was still practiced, and it continues to be practiced today\u2014a topic that requires further discussion.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>As mentioned at the beginning of the article, the Bah\u00e1\u2019\u00ed cult and its propagandists have attempted to distort history by presenting the Bah\u00e1\u2019\u00eds as always free from\u00a0<em>taqiyya<\/em>. They support this claim by referencing the B\u00e1b\u00ed and Bah\u00e1\u2019\u00ed martyrs, who courageously stepped onto the battlefield and achieved union with the Beloved. In contrast, they portray\u00a0<em>taqiyya<\/em>\u00a0as something specific to Shi\u2019as, defining it as deceit, trickery, and hypocrisy.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>However, if martyrdom is evidence of the absence of\u00a0<em>taqiyya<\/em>, Shi\u2019as have given thousands of martyrs throughout history!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>The ignorance, fanaticism, and blind religious hatred in individuals like Nader Saeedi are so extreme that they write:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>\u201c<em>In short, if the Bah\u00e1\u2019\u00ed Faith were a political conspiracy for espionage in favor of foreigners, then Bah\u00e1\u2019u\u2019ll\u00e1h, `Abdu\u2019l-Bah\u00e1, Shoghi Effendi, and the Bah\u00e1\u2019\u00ed Universal House of Justice would have always emphasized to the Bah\u00e1\u2019\u00eds that their religious duty was to practice taqiyya like the Shi\u2019as, and they would have regarded the disclosure of their beliefs as a great sin. They would have also prevented any form of written documentation identifying the Bah\u00e1\u2019\u00eds\u2026\u201d<\/em>(Nader Saeedi,\u00a0<em>Anti-Bah\u00e1\u2019\u00ed Sentiment and the Accusation of Bah\u00e1\u2019\u00ed Espionage<\/em>)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>In reality, however, the truth is something else. As stated, Bah\u00e1\u2019u\u2019ll\u00e1h and `Abdu\u2019l-Bah\u00e1 both practiced\u00a0<em>taqiyya<\/em>\u00a0themselves and instructed their followers to do so, thereby unwittingly associating them with lying, hypocrisy, and espionage.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"direction: ltr;\"><strong><u>https:\/\/www.hassanershad.com\/<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Taqiyya, or dissimulation, is often misunderstood in the context of the Bah\u00e1\u2019\u00ed Faith. Contrary to popular belief, Baha\u2019u\u2019llah not only did not abolish taqiyya but actually commanded its practice, a directive further reinforced by \u2018Abdu\u2019l-Bah\u00e1. It wasn\u2019t until Shoghi Effendi that the first ban on taqiyya was introduced, raising questions about the authority behind this [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":14187,"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":[7347,2924,2946,12543,3849,12547,12545],"class_list":["post-14195","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-english-articles","category-slidshow","tag-abolishment","tag-dissimulation","tag-faith","tag-misunderstanding","tag-order","tag-reinforce","tag-shoqi-effeandi"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14195","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=14195"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14195\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14200,"href":"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14195\/revisions\/14200"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/14187"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=14195"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=14195"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bahaismiran.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=14195"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}