Chapter 62
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Conflicting writings as relates to Divine Unity.
In passage 1, Shoghi Effendi says, "previous religions were more or less
static", which conflicts with the writings of Baha'u'llah and
Abdu'l-Baha in passage 2. Also, in the era of Muhammad, the Holy Imams (Dependent/Lesser Prophets of
Muhammad, one of the two classes of Prophets) introduced new doctrines after the ascension of Muhammad (see
Chapter 7, "Introduction to Shi'i Islam" by Moojan Momen). Passage 1 also conflicts with
passages 3 - 6.
1)
35.1
... One of the main things we boast
about is that whereas previous religions were more or less static in
their nature the Bahá’í teachings are progressive. Now, how could this
progressive tendency be maintained without an institution such as the
Guardianship and the House of Justice, who are empowered to legislate
upon matters not referred to by Bahá’u’lláh?
-- From a letter dated 25 March 1930 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer
Full text available at: https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/compilations/universal-house-of-justice-compilation/universal-house-of-justice-compilation.xhtml?795fc615
He [the true seeker] should
be content with little, and be freed from all inordinate desire. He
should treasure the companionship of those that have renounced
the world, and regard avoidance of boastful and worldly people a precious benefit.
-- Baha'u'llah, The Kitab-i-Iqan, p. 193
2)
It should first be noted that in one sense the stations of the Prophets
of God differ one from another. For instance, consider Moses. He
brought forth a Book and established ordinances, whilst a number of the
Prophets and Messengers who arose after Him were charged with the
promulgation of His laws, insofar as they remained consonant with the
needs of the age. The books and chronicles annexed to the Torah bear
eloquent testimony to this truth.
-- Baha'u'llah, Tabernacle of Unity.
Thereupon God sent Elijah the prophet [a Dependent/Lesser Prophet in the era of Moses] who redeemed the people, renewed
the law of God and established an era of new life for Israel.
-- Abdu'l-Baha, Foundations of World Unity, p. 95
3)
By God! This Bird of Heaven [Baha'u'llah, the Independent Prophet], now dwelling upon the dust, can, besides
these melodies, utter a myriad songs, and is able, apart from these
utterances, to unfold innumerable mysteries. Every single note of its
unpronounced utterances is immeasurably exalted above all that hath
already been revealed, and immensely glorified beyond that which hath
streamed from this Pen. Let the future disclose the hour when the Brides of inner meaning will, as decreed by the Will of God, hasten forth, unveiled, out of their mystic mansions,
and manifest themselves in the ancient realm of being. Nothing
whatsoever is possible without His permission; no power can endure save
through His power, and there is none other God but He. His is the world
of creation, and His the Cause of God. All proclaim His Revelation, and all unfold the mysteries of His Spirit.
-- Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitab-i-Iqan, p. 175
Darkness hath encompassed every land, O my God, and caused most of Thy
servants to tremble. I beseech Thee, by Thy Most Great Name [Baha'u'llah, the Independent Prophet], to raise
in every city a new creation that shall turn towards Thee, and shall
remember Thee amidst Thy servants, and shall unfurl by virtue of their
utterances and wisdom the ensigns of Thy victory, and shall detach themselves from all created things.
-- Baha'u'llah, Prayers and Meditations by Baha'u'llah, p. 170
4)
O Thou kind Lord! From the horizon of detachment Thou hast manifested souls that, even as the shining moon,
shed radiance upon the realm of heart and soul, rid themselves from the
attributes of the world of existence and hastened forth unto the
kingdom of immortality. With a drop from the ocean of Thy loving
kindness Thou didst oft-times moisten the gardens of their hearts until
they gained incomparable freshness and beauty. The holy fragrance of
Thy divine unity was diffused far and wide, shedding its sweet savours
over the entire world, causing the regions of the earth to be redolent
with perfume.
Raise up then, O Spirit of
Purity, souls who, like those sanctified beings, will become free and
pure, Will adorn the world of being with a new raiment and a wondrous
robe, will seek no one else but Thee, tread no path except the path of
Thy good-pleasure and will speak of naught but the mysteries of Thy
Cause.
-- Compilations, Fire and Light.
Raise up, I implore Thee, O my God, as helpers to this Revelation such
as shall be counted worthy of Thy name and of Thy sovereignty, that
they may remember me among Thy creatures, and hoist the ensigns of Thy victory in Thy land.
-- Baha'u'llah, Prayers and Meditations by Baha'u'llah, p. 155
5)
XXIV. Beware, O believers in the Unity of God, lest ye be tempted to
make any distinction between any of the Manifestations of His Cause, or
to discriminate against the signs that have accompanied and proclaimed
their Revelation. This indeed is the true meaning of Divine Unity, if
ye be of them that apprehend and believe this truth. Be ye assured,
moreover, that the works and acts of each and every one of these
Manifestations of God, nay whatever pertaineth unto them, and
whatsoever they may manifest in the future, are all ordained by God,
and are a reflection of His Will and Purpose. Whoso maketh the
slightest possible difference between their persons, their words, their
messages, their acts and manners, hath indeed disbelieved in God, hath
repudiated His signs, and betrayed the Cause of His Messengers.
--Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 59
6)
I testify, O Thou Who art the Lord of the whole creation, and the
Desire of whosoever hath sought Thee, that, amidst Thy creatures, They [the Manifestations of God]
resemble the sun which no matter how often it riseth and setteth is
still the one and the same sun. Whoso maketh any distinction between
any of Them hath truly failed to attain the ultimate purpose, and to
reach the highest goal, and hath been deprived of the mysteries of
unity and of the lights of sanctity and oneness. I testify, moreover,
that Thou hast decreed that none on the face of the earth should equal
Them, and none of Thy creatures be able to be compared with any of
Them, in order that Thine own singleness and peerlessness might be
recognized and established.
-- Bahá'u'lláh, Prayers and Meditations, p. 50-51
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