Chapter 6
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Conflicting translations of the Imamate in the Kitab-i-Iqan, one of Baha'u'llah's major works. Last updated: 2024/02/23.
In passage 1, "imamat" (the
Imamate, the Holy Imams) are named Manifestations of God. Passage 2 from the Kitab-i-Iqan appears to be based on the same original
text, but does not use the words "deity", "successorship" or "imamat" like the
first passage (instead using "Lordship", "Guardianship" and "Apostleship"); omitting (obscuring) the station of the Holy Imams as
Manifestations of God, and also obscuring the fact that successors to the
Independent Prophet can also be Manifestations of God (as
Dependent/Lesser Prophets, one of the two classes of Prophets). Passage 2 is not a faithful translation of an important passage in one of Baha'u'llah's major works. It may also constitute interpolation.
1)
At this time the breeze of God is wafted and the spirit of God hath
surrounded. The pen is withheld from motion and the tongue hath ceased
utterance. Briefly: In this station the declaration of divinity and the
like have appeared from them, while in the station of messengership
they have declared prophethood. Likewise in every station they have
made a declaration expedient thereto and have attributed all these to
themselves; (declarations) concerning the world of command, the world
of creation, the worlds of divinity, and the worlds of phenomena.
Therefore whatever they may say and claim, including divinity, deity,
prophethood, messengership, successorship, imamat or servitude is true
and without doubt. Consequently these proven statements should be
reflected upon, that no one may be overtaken in the sayings of the
Manifestations of the Invisible and Dawning-places of Holiness.
-- Bahá'u'lláh, Bahá'í scriptures, p. 48
2)
In this day the breeze of God is wafted, and His Spirit hath pervaded
all things. Such is the outpouring of His grace that the pen is stilled
and the tongue is speechless.
By virtue of this station, they have claimed for themselves the Voice
of Divinity and the like, whilst by virtue of their station of
Messengership, they have declared themselves the Messengers of God. In
every instance they have voiced an utterance that would conform to the
requirements of the occasion, and have ascribed all these declarations
to Themselves, declarations ranging from the realm of divine Revelation
to the realm of creation, and from the domain of Divinity even unto the
domain of earthly existence. Thus it is that whatsoever be their
utterance, whether it pertain to the realm of Divinity, Lordship,
Prophethood, Messengership, Guardianship, Apostleship or Servitude, all
is true, beyond the shadow of a doubt. Therefore, these sayings which
We have quoted in support of Our argument must be attentively
considered, that the divergent utterances of the Manifestations of the
Unseen and Daysprings of Holiness may cease to agitate the soul and
perplex the mind.
-- Baha'u'llah, The Kitab-i-Iqan, p. 180
Whoso interpreteth what hath been sent down from the heaven of Revelation, and altereth its evident meaning, he, verily, is of them that have perverted the Sublime Word of God, and is of the lost ones in the Lucid Book.
-- Baha'u'llah, The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 57
Take heed lest ye alter or pervert the text of the Word of God. Walk ye in the fear of God, and be numbered with the righteous.
-- Baha'u'llah, Surih of the Temple, The Summons of the Lord of Hosts, p. 18
3)
The Holy Qur'án hath testified that true Faith is recognition of divine unity and confession to both the Prophet [recognition of Muhammad, the Independent Prophet, the Manifestation of God] and the Imámate [recognition of the Holy Imams, the Dependent/Lesser Prophets of Muhammad, the Manifestations of God].
He who attaineth unto both hath fulfilled his faith. A true believer is
the one who does not reject any matter pertaining to Us, for God
Himself hath dilated His Breast such that He may accept all. He will
not doubt or be mistrustful. He who cavileth why and wherefore becometh
a disbeliever. We are, verily, the Cause of God![15]
-- Imam Ali, The Sermon of Ma'rifat bin-Nurániyyat (Recognition with Luminousness). Translation by K. Fananapazir.
References on the Face of God, which includes Imam Ali, Muhammad's successor.
References on the Proof of God, which includes Imam Ali, Muhammad's successor.
References on the Cord of God, which includes Imam Ali, Muhammad's successor.
References on the Prophethood of the Holy Imams.
References on the Successorship of the Holy Imams.
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