Chapter 16
---------------
Reference
is made to the "Temple Mount" in the Most Holy Book,
though it's not part of the Holy Texts, like the Aqsa Mosque. Last updated: December 4th, 2024.
In passage 1, as part of the notes in the Most Holy Book (Kitab-i-Aqdas), it states that the Aqsa Mosque, "has become identified with the Temple
Mount in Jerusalem", which is widely viewed as the Jewish/Zionist position regarding the Aqsa Mosque and plaza. Israel took control of the territory from Jordan, through military force, following the Six-Day War
in 1967. The notes also acknowledge that the Aqsa Mosque is referred to
in the Quran (the reference is shown in passages #2). The Aqsa Mosque
is also referred to by Baha'u'llah in the Surih of the Temple, an
important tablet (passage 3). As indicated in passages #4, all of
Muhammad and Baha'u'llah's actions are ordained by God. The Quran's
designation of the Aqsa Mosque as a Holy Place, also affirmed by
Baha'u'llah in passage 3, takes precedence over any claims by followers
of various sects of Judaism (who reject the divinity of Jesus and Muhammad, Independent Prophets whose coming is foretold in the Old Testament and foretold in the New Testament). The latter Manifestation of God takes precedence over the former, and is the Return and the Resurrection
with respect to former Manifestations of God. Likewise, in the Kitab-i-Iqan, Muhammad is reported to have said, "I am all the Prophets" [including Moses, David, Solomon, Jesus, and so on]. In light of these divine
teachings, there's no justification in inserting a reference to the "Temple
Mount" in the Most Holy Book, which was revealed in the 19th century, long before the State of Israel existed. The insertion of the words, "[the Aqsa Mosque] has become identified with the Temple Mount in Jerusalem", can
be viewed as using the Most Holy Book to lend credence to an errant
claim by various sects of Judaism (who have not recognised any Manifestation of God in over
2,000 years, and who are condemned in the Bible, the Quran, and the Baha'i Holy Texts). In passage 6 (article) it states, "PLO urge journalists: Don't use term 'Temple Mount'".
1)
116. O Emperor of Austria! He Who is the Dayspring of God's Light dwelt
in the prison of 'Akká at the time when thou didst set forth to visit
the Aqsa Mosque. # 85
Francis Joseph (Franz Josef, 1830-1916),
Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary, made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem
in 1869. While in the Holy Land he failed to take the opportunity to
inquire about Bahá'u'lláh Who at that time was a prisoner in 'Akká
(Acre). The Aqsa Mosque, literally, the "Most Distant" Mosque, is
referred to in the Qur'án, and has become identified with the Temple
Mount in Jerusalem.
-- Notes, The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 215
"According to Jan Turek and John Carman [at this Wikipedia Temple Mount link], in modern usage, the term Temple
Mount can potentially imply support for Israeli control of the site."
"In part, the issue is one of the technical interpretations of WAC
Statutes which require WAC to adhere to UN and UNESCO principles of
Human Rights and official languages: whether the latter extends to
adoption of UNESCO names for things and places is less clear. But it
goes further than this: the names applied to places are also
indications of claims of ownership and stakeholder status. Since WAC is
also bound to defy the forcible occupation of territory and the
oppression of peoples, to recognise ‘Temple Mount’ as a legitimate
title is potentially to recognise Israeli claims and therefore
implicitly offer support for Israeli occupation of Jerusalem in
defiance of international condemnation."
2)
1. Glory to (Allah) Who did take His Servant for Journey by night from the Sacred Mosque to the Farthest Mosque [Aqsa Mosque],
whose precincts We did Bless -- in order that We might show him some of
Our Signs: for He is the One Who heareth and seeth (all things).
-- The Qur'an (Yusuf Ali translation), Surah 17
THE CHAPTER OF THE NIGHT JOURNEY
(XVII. Mecca.)
IN the name of the merciful and compassionate God. Celebrated be the
praises of Him who took His servant a journey by night from the Sacred
Mosque to the Remote Mosque [Aqsa Mosque], the precinct of which we have blessed, to show him of our signs! verily, He both hears and looks.
-- The Qur'an (E.H. Palmer translation), Sura 17 - The Night Journey
SURA XVII (17) - THE NIGHT JOURNEY - Mecca - 111 verses (LXVII - 164)
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Glory be to Him who carried his servant by night from the sacred temple
of Mecca to the temple [Aqsa Mosque] that is more remote, whose precinct we have blessed,
that we might shew him of our signs! for He is the Hearer, the Seer.
-- The Qur'an (Rodwell translation), SURA XVII (17) - THE NIGHT JOURNEY
3)
Again, consider the Mosque of Aqsa and the other places which We have
made sanctuaries unto the people in every land and region. The honour and distinction they enjoy is in no wise due to their own merit, but stemmeth from their relation to Our Manifestations, Whom We have appointed as the Daysprings of Our Revelation
amidst mankind, if ye be of them that understand. In this there lieth a
wisdom inscrutable to all save God. Inquire, that He may graciously
make plain unto you His purpose. His knowledge, verily, embraceth all
things. Detach yourselves, O
people, from the world and all its vanities, and heed not the call of
such as have disbelieved in God and joined partners with Him.
Arise above the horizon of utterance to extol and praise your Lord, the
All-Merciful. This is that which God hath purposed for you; well is it
with them who perceive it.
-- Baha'u'llah, The Surih of the Temple, The Summons of the Lord of Hosts, p. 48
4)
Consider thou and call to mind the time when Muhammad appeared. He
said, and His word is the truth: 'Pilgrimage to the House [1] is a
service due to God.' [2] And likewise are the daily prayer, fasting,
and the laws which shone forth above the horizon of the Book of God,
the Lord of the World and the true Educator of the peoples and kindreds
of the earth. It is incumbent
upon everyone to obey Him in whatsoever God hath ordained; and
whosoever denieth Him hath disbelieved in God, in His verses, in His
Messengers and in His Books. Were He to pronounce right to be wrong or
denial to be belief, He speaketh the truth as bidden by God. This is a
station wherein sins or trespasses neither exist nor are mentioned.
-- Baha'u'llah, Tablets of Baha'u'llah, p. 108
Know thou assuredly that the essence of all the Prophets of God is one
and the same. Their unity is absolute. God, the Creator, saith: There
is no distinction whatsoever among the Bearers of My Message.
-- Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 77
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.
-- Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 59
3:84. Say: "We believe in Allah, and in what has been revealed to us
and what was revealed to Abraham, Isma'il, Isaac, Jacob, and the
Tribes, and in (Books) given to Moses, Jesus, and the Prophets, from their Lord; we make no distinction between one and another among them, and to Allah do we bow our will (in Islam)."
3:85. If anyone
desires a religion other than Islam (submission to Allah), never will
it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of
those who have lost (all spiritual good).
3:86. How shall Allah guide those who reject faith after they accepted it and bore witness that the Messenger was true and that clear signs had come unto them? But Allah guides not a people unjust.
-- The Qur'an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surah 3
5)
Ponder that which befell Muhammad, the Seal of the Prophets, may the
life of all else be a sacrifice unto Him. How severe the afflictions
which the leaders of the Jewish people and of the idol-worshipers
caused to rain upon Him, Who is the sovereign Lord of all, in
consequence of His proclamation of the unity of God and of the truth of
His Message! By the righteousness of My Cause! My Pen groaneth, and all
created things weep with a great weeping, as a result of the woes He
suffered at the hands of them that have broken the Covenant of God,
violated His Testament, rejected His proofs, and disputed His signs.
-- Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 56
Say: O peoples of all faiths! Walk not in the ways of them that followed the Pharisees and thus veiled themselves from the Spirit [Jesus]. They truly have strayed and are in error. The Ancient Beauty is come in His Most Great Name, and He wisheth to admit all mankind into His most holy Kingdom. The pure
in heart behold the Kingdom of God manifest before His Face. Make haste
thereunto and follow not the infidel and the ungodly... Fear God, O ye
who are endued with insight.
-- Baha'u'llah, The Summons of the Lord of Hosts, p. 64
Thus have We built the Temple [Baha'u'llah, the Independent Prophet for this Dispensation; in fulfillment of Prophecies in the Dispensation of Moses, Prophecies in the Dispensation of Christ, Prophecies in the Dispensation of Muhammad, and Prophecies in the Dispensation of the Bab] with the hands of power and might, could ye but know it. This is the Temple
promised unto you in the Book. Draw ye nigh unto it. This is that which
profiteth you, could ye but comprehend it. Be fair, O peoples of the
earth! Which is preferable, this, or a temple which is built of clay?
Set your faces towards it. Thus have ye been commanded by God, the Help
in Peril, the Self-Subsisting. Follow ye His bidding, and praise ye
God, your Lord, for that which He hath bestowed upon you. He, verily,
is the Truth. No God is there but He. He revealeth what He pleaseth,
through His words "Be and it is".
-- Baha'u'llah, The Summons of the Lord of Hosts, p. 136
6)
PLO urge journalists: Don't use term 'Temple Mount'
Back to Table of Contents.