{"id":511,"date":"2015-02-26T14:58:12","date_gmt":"2015-02-26T14:58:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/azmi.co\/cust\/ngba-wp\/?page_id=511"},"modified":"2024-04-30T21:03:34","modified_gmt":"2024-04-30T21:03:34","slug":"bahais-bahaullah","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/nogodbutallah.org\/?page_id=511","title":{"rendered":"Bahai’s & Baha’ullah"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/span><\/p>\n

In the name of All\u0101h,<\/span>
\nthe Beneficent, the Merciful.<\/span>
\nPeace and Blessings of All\u0101h on Mohammad.<\/span>
\nDEDICATED TO<\/span>
\nAll\u0101h\u2013the Glorious and the High,<\/span>
\nLord of the worlds<\/span>
\nAND TO<\/span>
\nMohammad\u2013who brought the world<\/span>
\nto our feet and eternity to our arms.<\/span>
\n*<\/span><\/p>\n

BAHAISM\/BAHA\u2019ULLAH<\/span><\/p>\n

All\u0101h, God, says in His Qur\u2019an 2:106: \u201cWhatever message We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, We bring one better<\/span><\/i> than it or one like<\/span> <\/i>it.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Thus, a religion and Book that claims to supersede Islam and the Qur\u2019an must possess doctrines that are morally, socially, intellectually, and spiritually superior to, or equal with, Islam and the Qur\u2019an.
\nSince Bahais claim that Islam and the Qur\u2019an has been replaced with the Bahai Faith and Aqdas, Bahais must produce their proofs that the Bahai Faith and the Aqdas is superior to, or equal with, Islam and the Qur\u2019an in all facets of life \u2013moral, social, intellectual and spiritual: it must equal or surpass the Qur\u2019an in style, prophecies and scientific pronouncements.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

~~~<\/span><\/p>\n

The Bahais have a book titled Proofs From The Holy Qur\u2019an\u2013Regarding the Advent of Baha-\u2019u\u2019llah<\/i> by Prof. Dr. Sabir Afaqi (Ph.D.) (1993), which contains verses of the Qur\u2019an that they say are proofs of the Divine messengership of Baha\u2019ullah. However, verses, and even part of verses, are either used out of context or given an interpretation to accord with their belief.\u00a0<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0 This book is skillfully executed. Those who are not conversant with the Qur\u2019an and the teachings of Islam can very easily go astray.
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 It is suggested that readers of the Prof\u2019s. book (Proofs From The Holy Qur\u2019an<\/i>) compare these verses with the explanations given by Muslim translators of the Qur\u2019an. Muhammad Ali\u2019s translation \u2013a King Solomon\u2019s mine of knowledge\u2013 as he has given a background on verses, time of revelation of chapters, as well as explanation of Arabic terms; the collecting of the Qur\u2019an and its authenticity, and a refutation of critics.<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0 This is an invitation to Bahais also, to compare Prof. Sabir Afaqi\u2019s Qur\u2019anic quotes with Muhammad Ali\u2019s.<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>Muhammad Ali\u2019s translation of the Qur\u2019an with text, notes, and commentaries can be viewed online:\u00a0 www.muslim.org<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0 The following presentation is more than enough to dispel the claim of Baha\u2019ullah and the Bahais.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

~<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Before analyzing Prof. Afaqi\u2019s book, a few brief points.<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0 Bahais claim that Baha\u2019ullah is a \u201cManifestation of God.\u201d But Prophets of God are not \u201cManifestation\u201d of God; they are representatives<\/i> of God.\u00a0<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0 To say that Baha\u2019ullah is a \u201cManifestation of God\u201d is the same as saying that God manifests or incarnates Himself as Baha\u2019ullah or that God came as Baha\u2019ullah (which is similar to Christian\u2019s claim that God came as Jesus); which is contrary to the teaching of Islam \u2013on which Baha\u2019ullah based his claim to Divine messengership\u2013 and which may even be blasphemy. All\u0101h does not incarnate\u2013(Qur\u2019an 42:51. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Bahais claim to Divine Dispensation is based mainly on three points: (1) That the door to messengership is not closed with the Prophet Mohammad. (2) Belief in the Hidden Imam<\/i>.\u00a0 (3) That Islam is only for a period of 1260 years. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 (1) Citing Qur\u2019an 33:40 where All\u0101h says that Mohammad is the Seal of the Prophets, Bahais claim that whereas All\u0101h has closed the station of prophet-hood, the station of messengership is still open. (This is discussed fully later).<\/span> Briefly:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Prophethood is the first station of Divine messengership. A prophet is not necessarily a messenger, but a messenger is necessarily a prophet also\u2013i.e. a person can be a prophet without being a messenger but he cannot be a messenger without first being a prophet. Thus whereas a prophet has only one position \u2013prophethood<\/i>\u2013 a messenger has two positions \u2013prophethood<\/i>, and messengership <\/i>in which he is given a Book.\u00a0<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0 In analogy, one must first enter the front door (prophethood)<\/span><\/i> of a house to get into the bedroom (messengership)<\/span><\/i>.<\/span> If the front door (prophethood)<\/i> is closed he cannot get into the bedroom (messengership)<\/i>.<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0 Thus, by closing the door to prophethood, All\u0101h the Wise has effectively closed the door to Messengership also. Seal of Prophethood is also seal of messengership!\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

To lure uninformed Muslims, Bahais say that in accepting Bahaism the Muslim is not giving up his faith in All\u0101h, the Prophet Mohammad and the Qur\u2019an. But this is a fallacy. This is only in theory.
\nThe naked truth is, as noted above, Bahais claim that Baha’ullah is a “Manifestation” of God, which is a gross contradiction of Islam because does not take form. Also, w<\/span>her<\/span>eas the Islamic belief in All\u0101h incorporates belief also in the Angels of All\u0101h and in the literal Resurrection and Day of Judgment. Bahai\u2019s do not believe in literal angels and Resurrection and Judgment. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

-To follow Baha\u2019ullah instead of Mohammad Muslims will be replacing the best<\/span><\/span> <\/i><\/strong>exemplar\u2013and in all facets of life: the best cannot be surpassed\u2013 and the light-giving sun\u2013 there is no brilliance that can out-glory the sun.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

-In shelving the Qur\u2019an and taking up the Bahai\u2019s Aqdas <\/i>\u2013a book \u201ccompiled\u201d by man and \u201cwritten in poor Arabic\u201d\u2013 Muslims will be giving up the inimitable Book that neither man nor jinn can replicate; the Book of all truth; the Book that gives success; the Book that is the <\/span>best<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/strong> Divine Message; the Book that is the ultimate in matters moral, social, intellectual and spiritual; the all-encompassing Book that is the Ruler by which all other religions and are measured. <\/span>(A religion\/book that claims to supersede Islam\/Qur\u2019an must have doctrines that are superior to Islam\/Qur\u2019an.\u00a0 <\/span>Islam is superior to all other religions<\/span><\/a>).\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

-In abandoning the rites and ceremonies of Islam for pilgrimage to the graves of the Bab and Baha\u2019ullah, Muslims will be abandoning the Adhan <\/i>\u2013this magnificent call extolling the Greatness, Glory and Grandeur of All\u0101h\u2013 and its five daily Prayers \u2013the Divine-instituted regimentation that purifies and gives moral, social and spiritual ascendancy\u2013; abandoning Fasting<\/i> in the month of Ramadan, which is for All\u0101h; abandoning the Hajj <\/i>and its homage to Abraham, Lady Hajra, and their son, Ishmael\u2013including the momentous animal sacrifice that All\u0101h has left for future generations and which was practiced by the Prophet Mohammad\u2013 and most of all will be discarding this duty that we owe to All\u0101h.
\nAlso, in abandoning the rites and ceremonies of Islam for pilgrimage to the graves of the Bab and Baha\u2019ullah, Muslims will be abandoning the religion of Abraham\u2013Bahai\u2019s do not practice circumcision which is the sacred and everlasting covenant between All\u0101h, God, and Abraham, and the bedrock of the three great prophets, Moses, Jesus, and Mohammad, and all who profess to be the followers of Abraham and believers in All\u0101h, God.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 (2) Bahais believe in the alleged Hidden Imam. <\/i>\u00a0While Islam teaches the coming of Reformers<\/i> (to call those who have lapsed from the practice of Islam). Bahai\u2019s belief in the Bab (Gateway) to the Hidden Imam, <\/i>is based on \u201cIranian Shiah tradition;\u201d it is NOT <\/span><\/i><\/strong>an Islamic teaching. Thus, Bahai\u2019s cannot then base this advent of the Bab\/Baha\u2019ullah <\/i>on the teaching of Islam when there is NO <\/span><\/i><\/strong>such teaching in Islam \u2013this alone obliterates the Bahai\u2019s claim to Divine messengership. Secondly, whereas the Bab (and Baha\u2019ullah) was born in the nineteenth century, according to Shi\u2019ah beliefs this Hidden Imam <\/i>\u2013Muhammad al-Mahdi\u00a0was born in 873 and \u201cLiving in Occultation\u201d (being now over 1100 years old).\u00a0 Thus, not only does the Bahais claim have no basis in Islam, it also has no basis in Shiism \u2013this demolishes the Bahai\u2019s claim on two fronts. Again, whereas the mission of this alleged \u201cHidden Imam<\/i>\u201d or \u201cTwelfth Imam\u201d will be subordinated to the teachings of the Prophet Mohammad, according to Bahais Baha\u2019ullah was given a new book and a new religion \u2013thus, this is a third front on which the Bahais claim is demolished)<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 The Bab (Mirza \u2018Ali Mohammad, 1819 or 1820\u20131850) had even claimed to be the Imam himself; and had also taken other titles. But his followers \u201csuppress all his titles except Bab\u201d and considered him only as a fore-runner of Baha\u2019ullah:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLate in his active period, \u2018Ali Mohammad had abandoned the title Bab and considered himself no longer merely the \u201cgateway\u201d to the expected 12th imam (imam-mahdi)<\/i>, but to be the imam<\/i> himself, or the qa\u2019im.<\/i> Later he declared himself the nuqtah <\/i>(\u201cpoint\u201d), and finally an actual divine manifestation. Among his followers, Babis and later Azalis, he is known as noqtey-e ula<\/i> (\u201cprimal point\u201d), hazrat-e a\u2019la<\/i> (\u201csupreme presence\u201d), jamal-e mobarak<\/i> (\u201cblessed perfec-tion\u201d), and even haqq ta\u2019ala<\/i> (\u201ctruth almighty\u201d). The Bahais<\/span><\/i> assign him the position of a forerunner of Baha Ullah \u2013the founder of the Baha\u2019i Faith\u2013 but they suppressed all his titles except Bab.\u201d1<\/span><\/sup> <\/span><\/p>\n

(3) That the period of Islam was for a period of only 1260 years. (This is dealt in full later on). Briefly, it is not reasonable:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>-that since All\u0101h completed His favor to mankind, perfected his religion and chosen Islam for us, that He, this infallible and All- knowing God, would later think His perfected \u00a0 religion imperfect; His completed favor incomplete<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0-that Islam \u2013submission to Him\u2013 is not truly the natural religion of man, and not His chosen and universal religion, but would give as the natural religion of man and as His universal religion, a religion named after a man and named by man himself<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 -that (as Baha\u2019ullah has abrogated the Islamic prayers) the Adhan \u2013this magnificent call to prayer to His worship five times daily extolling His Greatness, Glory, and Grandeur; and which is recited into the ears of the new-born that the only presence greater than himself\/herself is his\/her Creator\u2013 and the Fatihah, the quintessence of His Qur\u2019an, and the recitation of His Qur\u2019an, which conveys unsurpassed expressions of His Majesty are all \u00a0\u00a0 now redundant:superseded by the inferior and human-formulated incantations of Baha\u2019ullah and Bahais.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 -that His Book of all truth \u2013His Qur\u2019an\u2013 His all-inclusive Book that is the ultimate in moral, social, intellectual and spiritual excellence is lacking; and that a year really does not have twelve months but nine-teen, as Bahaism teaches; would change fasting to 19 days instead of 29-30, and that a month does not actually have 29-30 days but 19, as Bahaism teaches; and that the moon is no longer useful in computing the months (seeing that the month now consists of only nineteen days)<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 -that the Islamic form of prayer which distinguishes between Muslims \u2013the best nation (Qur\u2019an 2:143; 3:109)\u2013 and non-Muslims are now replaced by a man-formulated form and format. (Since the Muslims\u2019 format of prayer distinguishes Muslims from non-Muslims, and as Bahais format of prayer is different from Muslims\u2019 then Bahais are just like the rest of other religionists)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 -that this inimitable Qur\u2019an is not really the best Message, that it does not really contain all truth, but that He has now given, as the superior book, the Aqdas revealed in \u201cpoor Arabic\u201d and which can be easily duplicated<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 -that He no longer decrees Islam to prevail over all other religions but has now decreed Bahaism \u2013a man-made religion\u2013 to prevail over all others<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 -that Mohammad is not really the best exemplar and light-giving sun but that Baha\u2019ullah \u2013a man who seized religious leadership and confers title upon himself\u2013 is the new role model and guide<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 -that Hajj is no longer a duty man owe to Him; and that the Ka\u2019ba (the first House of worship) and Makkah is no longer the international place of worship and pilgrimage and spiritual center; but He now, 1200 years later, has chosen as the center of pilgrimage the shrines of Bab and Baha\u2019ullah, in Haifa and Akka.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0The reason why no prophet before the Prophet Mohammad gave the name of a religion was because none was given to them by Allah, God; and seeing that their mission was not the last as they prophesy the coming another great teacher; and that Divine favors to man was not yet completed and religion was not yet perfected. Religion was perfected and Divine favors to man was completed through the Prophet Mohammad:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis day have I perfected <\/span><\/i>for you<\/span>
\nyour religion and completed <\/span><\/i>My favor<\/span>
\nto you and chosen for you Islam <\/span><\/i><\/span>
\nas a religion.\u201d<\/span>
\n(Qur\u2019an 5:3)<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 The Prophet Mohammad came both to the Arabs who were yet to receive Divine Guidance\u2013(Qur\u2019an 28:46; 32:3; 34:44; 36:6), and to all mankind\u2013(Qur\u2019an 7:158; 13:7; 21:107; 34:28). <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 <\/i><\/strong>As All\u0101h, God, has perfected religion, united all nations of the world and closed the office of Prophethood, to say that Allah would send another prophet after the Prophet Mohammad, such an act would not only negate the status of the Prophethood of Mohammad as being the last Prophet to come but would indicate the imperfection of religion and the incompleteness of Allah\u2019s favor and guidance. This would amount to an absurdity, for it would deny the Omniscience of Allah God. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Through Mohammad, All\u0101h perfected religion, completed His favors to mankind, and gave us the Book in which nothing is omitted. It would be absurd, to say the least, that All\u0101h would call a set of laws perfect that would become redundant within a number of years.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Whereas man perfecting of an affair is limited to his knowledge of the day and is therefore subject to improvement, Allah God, having all knowledge of all things, His perfecting<\/i> of an affair cannot be improved upon. His perfecting our religion, there is no need for another Law.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 For Baha\u2019ullah (or any other) to claim to bring a new Law from God when God has already perfected religion and completed His favor and chosen for us Islam as religion is to deny God His Omniscience.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 All\u0101h has given us a world prophet\u2013Mohammad;<\/i><\/strong> a world Book\u2013Qur\u2019an<\/i><\/strong>; a world religion\u2013Islam<\/i><\/strong>; and a world language\u2013Arabic<\/i><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 The Review of Religions<\/i>, June 1984, American Edition, carries two articles on the Bahai Faith by A.R. Mughal, and Fazal Dean, respectively. Mr. Dean also lists nine (9) teachings of the Bahais. A<\/span>ccording to this article:\u00a0<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It is said that the Shia\u2019s belief in the advent of the \u201cultimate Imam\u201d had spawned \u201cinnumerable Babs and Baha Ullahs\u201d \u201cduring the last 1000 years.\u201d One such claimant was Ali Muhammad Bab \u201cthe founder of the Babi and Bahai cults.\u201d And that Baha\u2019ullah, a disciple of the Bab, \u201cturned against Subhi Azal,\u201d the named successor of the Bab, and \u201cpublicly proclaimed himself to be the successor of the Bab.\u201d (Prophets of God do not have to seize position from anyone). <\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

Since the focus of the Babi and Bahai religions is the belief that \u201cthe Holy Qur\u2019an\u00a0 no longer\u00a0 meets\u00a0 the needs of\u00a0 the human society in the present age,\u201d Baha\u2019ullah, to meet this deficiency, \u201ccompiled a book called Aqdas,<\/i>\u201d which is \u201cwritten in poor Arabic.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 (The last [or 9th<\/sup>.] teaching noted by Mr. Dean, states):\u00a0 \u201cThe followers of Ali Mohammed Bab look upon all those who do not believe in the Bab as untouchables worthy to be put to death.\u00a0 (Nuqtatul Kaf, Muqadama 5.)\u00a0 Abdul Baha, the successor of Baha Ullah, supports the above statements of the Bayan by saying:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Bab enjoins that the necks of all those who do not believe in him should be broken, that they should be wiped out of existence with a general massacre, and that all other books should be burned, so as to leave nothing of them. The sacred buildings of the world should also all be demolished, and nothing left except what is of our religion.\u201d (Makateeb<\/i>, vol. 2, page 266).\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 The Bab may have had \u201ccharm and force\u201d of \u201cpersonality\u201d and may have had the \u201cextraordinary capacity to reveal the meaning of the most abstruse passages in the Qur\u2019an,\u201d as William S. Hatcher and J. Douglas Martin wrote,2<\/span> <\/sup>but nowhere in the Qur\u2019an would he find Allah enjoining such actions (as that noted above) against those of His servants who do not believe in Him.
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0In fact, not only does Allah tell us that there is no compulsion in religion\u2013(Qur\u2019an 2:256), but that if He did not repel some people by others shrines would have been destroyed\u2013(Qur\u2019an 22:40).
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 And what are these \u201cabstruse passages in the Qur\u2019an\u201d whose meanings the Bab revealed? Please detail them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Jessyca Russell Gaver wrote that while Baha\u2019ullah was in prison, \u201ca heavenly Angel appeared in a vision\u201d to him.3<\/span><\/sup> But Hatcher and Martin say: \u201cBaha\u2019u\u2019llah and \u2018Abdu\u2019l-Baha taught that\u2026There is no hierarchy of demons, angels, and archangels\u2026they are seen as symbolic of varying stages of human development, imperfection being demonic and spirituality being angelic.\u201d4<\/span><\/sup>
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 An Angel cannot appear to Baha\u2019ullah when Baha\u2019ullah says there are no angels.
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0It is rather confounding that Bahais do not believe in literal angels yet they claim to believe in the Qur\u2019an, which All\u0101h says was brought to the Prophet Mohammad by the Angel Gabriel. And as Ms. Gaver wrote that the Angel Gabriel went to Zoroaster \u201cand it was this same Angel Gabriel who came to Muhammad in the Cave.\u201d<\/span>4A<\/span><\/sup>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

Again, (Ms.) Gaver says (on p. 57) that this \u201cheavenly Angel\u201d told Baha\u2019ullah that Baha\u2019ullah was \u201cthe Glory of God upon this earth.\u201d But Hatcher and Martin say in their book (p. 30) that the title \u201cGlory\u201d (of Glory of God) was chosen by Baha\u2019ullah himself:<\/span> \u201cFor himself, Mirza Husayn \u2018Ali chose the title Baha<\/span> (Splendor, or Glory).\u201d That, \u201cTo Baha, the Bab sent an extraordinary document\u2026.It contained over three hundred brief verses, all consisting of derivatives of the word \u201cBaha,\u201d including the title Baha\u2019u\u2019llah, \u201cGlory of God;\u201d\u201d and, \u201cIt was by the name Baha-\u2019u\u2019llah that Mirza Husayn \u2018Ali became known to his Babi associates and to history.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Here we have a non-existent \u201cangel\u201d telling Baha\u2019-ullah that he is the \u201cGlory of God;\u201d which \u201cGlory\u201d he \u201cchose\u201d for \u201chimself,\u201d and which name \u201cBaha\u2019ullah\u201d (Glory of God) he was sent by the Bab. <\/span><\/p>\n

(All\u0101h says that there are angels and the Prophet Mohammad acknowledges Gabriel\u2019s presence. Who then will you believe All\u0101h and His noble Messenger or Bahai\u2019s and Baha\u2019ullah \u2013a self-appointed prophet who seizes position and confers title upon himself?
\n<\/span>\u00a0 It is amusing that God would choose as \u201cGlory of God\u201d\u2013Baha\u2019ullah<\/i>\u2013 the man who denies His Angels and changes his year from 12 months to 19 \u2013Qur\u2019an 9:36).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Bahais also dabble in the Bible. Trying to fit Baha\u2019ullah into Biblical pronouncements.
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 One of the claims advanced by Bahais is that God\u2019s covenant with Abraham includes Abraham\u2019s descend-ants through his third wife, Keturah\u2013(Gen. 25:1). Even if Keturah was<\/i> Persian and Baha\u2019ullah did<\/i> descend through Keturah this covenant with Abraham was made expressly through his wives Hagar and Sarah\u2013through Ishmael and Isaac\u2013 and way long before Keturah appeared on the scene. All\u0101h, God, not only sent angels to Hagar about the birth of Ishmael, and to Abraham about the birth of Isaac, He even named Hagar\u2019s son Ishmael\u2013(Gen. 16:11).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Keturah was only incidental in Abraham\u2019s life.
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0As already noted, the everlasting covenant between Abraham and God is that of circumcision. <\/span>Bahais do NOT<\/i><\/strong> practice circumcision.
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 Notably, the Persians\/Parsi had a Divine messenger, Zoroaster (628. B.C.); whom Islam honors as a prophet of All\u0101h. (See ZOROASTRIANISM).\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

~~~<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Now for an examination of Prof. Dr. Sabir Afaqi\u2019s book\u00a0 on verses of the Qur\u2019an that he claims are Proofs From The Holy Qur\u2019an\u2013(Regarding the Advent of Baha\u2019u\u2019llah)<\/i>. While not all of the Prof\u2019s. entry is commented on, the response in this presentation is sufficient to debunk the Prof\u2019s. claim.
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 Page numbers in \u201cred\u201d<\/span> indicate the page number of Professor Afaqi\u2019s book Proofs From The Holy Qur\u2019an <\/i>from which the reference(s) is taken.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. (p. 28). <\/span>To justify that Baha\u2019ullah\u2019s book, Aqdas<\/i>, is a Divinely revealed book,Prof. Afaqi wrote: \u201cGod Himself declares in the Holy Qur\u2019an that the revealing of Books has been a practice of God (Sunnat\u2019u\u2019llah) and that He does not change His practice\u201d (It is also the practice of God to progressively give what is equal or superior, not what is inferior\u2013Qur\u2019an 2:106.\u00a0 And the Aqdas is starkly inferior to the Qur\u2019an).<\/span><\/i> And he quotes Qur\u2019an 48:23 which says, \u201c(Such has been) the practice of All\u0101h already in the past; no change wilt thou find in the practice of All\u0101h.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 That it was the practice of God to reveal books does not mean He will reveal books (or send messengers) steadily to the end of time. After the Qur\u2019an (and Mohammad) in which His favors was completed to mankind; is the best message; and is comprehensive and all-encompassing there is no need for All\u0101h to send another prophet or to give another book; much less a book that is inferior to the Qur\u2019an.
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 However. This verse is not about Allah giving Books, as the Prof. claims. The Prof. has used this verse out of context. <\/span><\/p>\n

(This is the kind of lame-duck argument [and deception?] the Prof. employs. And he sprinkles an Arabic term here and there \u2013as \u201cSunnat\u2019-u\u2019llah\u201d in the verse under discussion\u2013 obviously to impress and to give force to his claim). <\/span><\/p>\n

As the text shows, the disbelievers who fight the messengers of All\u0101h will find no protector or helper, \u201c(Such has been) the practice of Allah already in the past\u201d(not to help such disbelievers). Here are the three verses:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cAnd if those who disbelieve fight with you, they will certainly turn (their) backs, then they will find no protector nor helper.\u00a0 (Such has been) the practice of Allah already in the past;<\/span> no change wilt thou find in the practice of Allah<\/i>. And it is He Who held back their hands from you and your hands from them in the valley of Makkah after He had given you victory over them. \u2026.\u201d\u2013(48:22-24).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Islam, \u201cperfected\u201d by All\u0101h, could not be replaced by Bahaiism. Whereas the Laws for those individual peoples suited their times they were not meant for the entire world and for all times; as Islam and the Qur\u2019an are meant.\u00a0 It is only in the Qur\u2019an and through Islam and the Prophet Mohammad that All\u0101h has declared the \u2018perfection\u2019 of religion\u2013the way of life<\/i>\u2013and the \u2018completion\u2019 of His favors to mankind. It would be absurd to interpret that All\u0101h would call a set of laws (way of life) \u2018perfect\u2019 which would become redundant within a number of years.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Whereas man perfecting of an affair is limited to his know-ledge of the day and is therefore subject to improvement, Allah God, having all knowledge of all things, His perfecting<\/i> of an affair cannot be improved upon. Thus, His perfecting our religion there is no need for another Law. This is made clear by the statement of All\u0101h to the idolaters (and all mankind): \u201cIn what announcement (message) after<\/i> this (the Qur\u2019an) will they then believe?\u201d\u2013(Qur\u2019an 7:185; 77:50).
\n<\/span><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 If each and every past Scripture was for all time, All\u0101h would not now require all mankind to follow the Qur\u2019an.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

2. (pp. 34-36).<\/span> Qur\u2019an 2:75, 4:46; 5:14; and 5:44 (5:41) which show that words of the Bible were \u201caltered\u201d and that Christians \u201cneglected a portion\u201d of their \u201ccove-nant\u201d with God.<\/span>\u00a0Prof. Afaqi wrote:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cIt can not be proved by any of these verses in the Qur\u2019an which deal with the subject of \u2018Change in the Books\u2019 (i.e. Tahrif). It can not be proved by any of these verses that the people had changed the actual text of their Scripture. Rather they point out that the people used to misinterpret the Holy text.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCan the Muslims produce even a single version of the original Text of the Books which were changed? No. Then how can they prove their claim? The Bible was, after all, a Book which was not confined in the Arab towns of Mecca and Medina. It was spread all over the continents in thousands. How was it possible to change the text of it in all of its copies throughout the world? Therefore it is proved that the Qur\u2019an does not say that the Bible\u2019s Text was altered but it refers to the wrong interpretations of some of its verses.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThus in the light of the above four verses it has been proved that the Muslim belief regarding change of the Text of the past Books is not valid.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThat the Israelites did not preserve their sacred books in their purity is a constant charge laid by the Holy Qur\u2019an against Jews. In fact, the alteration and corruption of the various books of the Bible is now proved beyond all doubt\u201d\u2013(comm. 115; ref. Qur\u2019an 2:75)\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 While today the Bible may be said to be \u201cspread all over the continents\u201d and is in every Jewish and Christian home, it is doubtful that this was so two thousand years ago. Then, the Bible may have been in the care of the priests only.
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 Even if the Bible was worldwide two thousand years ago does this mean that it cannot be altered? Even today, changes are made in the Bible, as Ahmed Deedat has shown in his booklet Is the Bible God\u2019s Word?<\/i> For example, the word \u201cVIRGIN\u201d in Isaiah 7:14 has been replaced with the phrase \u201ca young woman\u201d in the RSV Bible; the word \u201cBEGOTTEN\u201d of \u201cbegotten son\u201d of John 3:16, has been \u201cexcised;\u201d the verse of 1-John 5:7 which speaks of the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost (the Trinity) \u201chas also been scrapped from the RSV\u201d Bible; and the verses of Mark 16:19 and Luke 24:51 which refer to the Ascension of Jesus were \u201cexpunged\u201d but later \u201crestored to the text.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Christian authorities themselves have recognized that there are alterations even regarding the virgin birth theory as asserted in\u00a0 Luke 1:34-35, and concluded that: \u201cRemoval of verses 34-35, which contain the only reference to virgin birth, as interpolations, is justified;\u201d and \u201cRealizing the position that the relevant verses regarding the virgin birth in both Matthew and Luke are forgeries, the compilers of the Encyclopaedia Biblica<\/i> were compelled to come to the only possible conclusion that: The virgin birth disappears from the source altogether.\u201d (For details see JESUS-BIRTH).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Even at the present, some new Bibles do not contain certain books, such as The Maccabees, <\/i>as was present in past versions. And Khwaja Nazir Ahmad has shown in his revealing book Jesus in Heaven on Earth<\/i> many incidences of tampering in the Bible..
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0As the older copies of these altered texts suffer the ravages of time the new ones with the alteration(s) gain prevalence. Future generations may never become aware of these alterations.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 While the Qur\u2019an makes clear that in which the people differ\u2013(Qur\u2019an 16:64), Mohammad did not come \u201cbecause the people of the past had altered the words of the Holy Books.\u201d Mohammad came to call the Arabs, who, until then had not received any prophet, to God\u2013(Qur\u2019an 28:46; 32:3; 34:44; 36:6), to perfect religion and complete All\u0101h\u2019s favor to man\u2013(Qur\u2019an 5:3), and to unite all mankind under one Divine system\u2013(Qur\u2019an 7:158; 13:7; 21:107; 34:28). <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 A fifth verse of the Qur\u2019an that exposes the humanness of past Scriptures says:\u00a0 \u201cWoe! Then to those who WRITE<\/span><\/i> the Book with their hands THEN SAY<\/span><\/i>, This is from Allah.\u2026\u201d\u2013(Qur\u2019an 2:79).<\/span> Muhammad Ali comments: <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe alteration and corruption of the Bible, the Old as well as the New Testament, spoken of in v. 75 and repeated here, is now an established fact. That the alteration spoken of in v. 75 was an alteration of the words of the text (and not a misinterpretation of the <\/i>\u201cHoly Texts,\u201d as Prof. Afaqi says<\/i>) is made manifest here: \u201cThey write the Book with their hands then say: This is from All\u00e5h\u201d. These alterations they effected for their own selfish ends. \u201cThat they may take for it a small price\u201d. I give below a few quotations from Rev. Dummelow, which prove the alteration of the Bible text beyond all doubt: \u201cOn close examination, however, it must be admitted that the Pentateuch reveals many features inconsistent with the traditional view that in its present form it is the work of Moses. For instance, it may be safely granted that Moses did not write the account of his own death in Dt. 34. The statement in Dt. 1:1 that Moses spoke these words beyond Jordan is evidently made from the standpoint of one living in Canaan, which Moses never did….Other passages which can with difficulty be ascribed to him are Ex. 6:26, 27; 11:3; 16:35, 36; Lv. 18:24\u201328; Nu. 12:3; Dt. 2:12\u201d (Bible Commentary, p. xxiv). And again: \u201cA careful examination has led many scholars to the conviction that the writings of Moses formed only the rough material or purport of the material, and that in its present form it is not the work of one man, but a compilation made from previously existing documents\u201d (p. xxvi). Still again: \u201cSimilarly in the legislative portions of these books we find apparent contradictions and these not in minor or insignificant details, but in fundamental enactments\u201d (p. xxvi). The text of the New Testament is still more unreliable. The same author says: \u201cTo begin with, the writers of the Gospels report in Greek … the sayings of Jesus Christ, who for the most part probably spoke Aramaic…Not even in later centuries do we find that scrupulous regard for the sacred text which marked the transmission of the Old Testament. A copyist would sometimes put in not what was in the text, but what he thought out to be in it. He would trust a fickle memory, or he would even make the text accord with the views of the school to which he belonged\u201d (p. xvi).\u201d (Muhammad Ali\u2019s translation of the Qur\u2019an can be viewed online: www.muslim.org<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Here are four more instances of alteration of the texts of the Bible: <\/span><\/p>\n

(i) Prof. \u2018Abdul Ahad Dawud (the former Rev. David Benjamin Keldani) in his book Muhammad in the Bible,<\/i> has noted that the Jews \u201cefface the name \u201cIshmael\u201d from the second, sixth, and seventh verses of the twenty-second chapter of the Book of Genesis\u201d and \u201cinsert in its place \u201cIsaac.\u201d\u201d <\/span>(For full quote see <\/span>Ishmael and Paul<\/span><\/a>. <\/span>It is doubtful that a man of God would \u201cefface\u201d Ishmael\u2019s name and insert a false name, and promote this as the Word of God).<\/span><\/p>\n

(ii) In the Gospel of John 8:5 the Jews told Jesus that Moses taught that the adulterer\/ adulteress is to be stoned<\/i><\/strong> to death. Muhammad Ali has pointed out in his The Religion of Islam <\/i>that,\u00a0 \u201cThat the present Torah does not give stoning as the punishment for adultery is clear proof that the text has been altered. The Gospels show that such was the punishment up to the time of Jesus.\u201d (p. 732).\u00a0 <\/span>(It is doubtful that one who alters the command of God would go to heaven).<\/span><\/p>\n

(iii) Khwaja Kamal-ud-Din points out: \u201cThe concluding eleven verses of St. Mark\u2013(16:9-20)\u2013 and the well-known verse of St. Matthew\u2013(28:19)\u2013 speaking of the Son and the Father and the Holy Ghost, are forgeries, an admitted addition to the ancient MSS [manuscripts].\u201d\u00a0\u00a0(For full quote see Bible corrupt & obsolete<\/span><\/a>. It is doubtful that a man of God would make forgeries in a Book of God).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

(iv) Muhammad Ali notes: \u201cCommenting on the well-known confession of Christ, \u201cWhy callest thou me good, (Mk. 10:18) Dummelow says that in the Revised Version of Matthew, Christ\u2019s reply is, \u201cWhy askest thou me concerning that which is good\u201d; and adds: \u201cThe author of Matthew\u2026.altered the text slightly, to prevent the reader from supposing that Christ denied that He was good.\u201d (The Religion of Islam<\/i>, p. 212, f\/n<\/i>).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>(It is doubtful that the \u201cson of God\u201d or God, as some Christians believe Jesus to be, would take kindly to one who changed his words. Perhaps less kindly to those who knowingly adhere to such falsehood).<\/span><\/p>\n

Shrewdly, Prof. Afaqi quotes Qur\u2019an 2:75, 4:46; 5:14; and 5:44 (5:41) where an argument could be forced to support his belief. But did not quote the verses\u2013Qur\u2019an 2:79 noted above and 3:77 noted below\u2013that show clearly that the Bible\u2013Old Testament and New\u2013were altered and even man-scripted.
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0In Qur\u2019an 3:77 All\u0101h informs us:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd there is certainly a party of them
\n<\/span>who lie about the Book that you may
\n<\/span>consider it to be (a part) of the Book
\n<\/span>while it is not (a part) of the Book;
\n<\/span>and they say, It is from All\u0101h,
\n<\/span>while it is not from All\u0101h;
\n<\/span>and they forge a lie against
\n<\/span>All\u0101h while they know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Writing the Book with their hands\u2013Qur\u2019an 2:79\u2013does not mean only the changing of words and of writing part(s) of a text but also include entire books such as those written by Paul and others, which form part of the New Testament, and are being pressed on as the \u201cWord of God.\u201d
\n<\/span>\u00a0Clearly, the preceding presentation proves that it is not only a misrepresentation of the Biblical text, but corruption of it, and fabricating text in the name of God.
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0While All\u0101h did not send Prophet Muhammad \u201cbecause the people of the past had altered the words of the Holy Books,\u201d Muslims can (and have) \u201cprove their claim\u201d that past Scriptures were \u201caltered.\u201d
\n<\/span>Man can alter Scriptures and deceive, <\/span><\/i><\/strong><\/span>man cannot alter decrees of God!<\/span><\/i><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

3.<\/span> (p. 37).<\/span> \u00a0To support his claim that Baha\u2019ullah was not a false prophet the Prof. quotes Qur\u2019an 69: 44-47 where All\u0101h says: \u201cAnd if the apostle were to invent any sayings in Our name, We should\u2026.cut off the artery of his heart\u201d\u2013(Qur\u2019an 69:44-47).
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0That Baha\u2019ullah\u2019s artery was not cut off is no proof that he was a Divine messenger. The verse clearly states that this was only applicable to an <\/span>\u201capostle\u201d<\/span><\/i> of All\u0101h. And as Baha\u2019ullah was <\/span>no \u201capostle\u201d<\/span><\/i> of All\u0101h this verse is not applicable to him \u2013he can make any claims he likes\u2013 and thus no need to \u201ccut off the artery of his heart.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

4.<\/span> (pp. 38-39).<\/span>\u00a0 Prof, Afaqi states: \u201cAll the religions, from Adam to Baha\u2019ullah, were revealed by God. Therefore each one of them is \u2018Islam\u2019. The Holy Qur\u2019an, itself, refers to the religions revealed by Moses, Abraham and Jesus as Islam (prophets did not \u201creveal\u201d religion: they taught religion\/ Islam which was revealed by All\u0101h):<\/span><\/i>and he quotes Qur\u2019an 22:78 as proof.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

(While no religion is named Mohammadanism, after Mohammad). <\/span><\/i>He proceeds: \u201cLike many religions of the past, which were called after the names of their Great Founders, the Bahai Faith also derives its name from the Name of its Founder\u2013Baha\u2019ullah.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

(This is the literary acrobatics Bahai\u2019s employ to snare the uneducated and the uninformed).<\/span><\/p>\n

Islam is not \u201cfounded\u201d by anyone or named after anyone; Islam was chosen, and named, by All\u0101h through the Prophet Mohammad for all mankind for all time\u2013this is why prophets before Mohammad did not give the name of a religion to follow; as All\u0101h\u2019s favor to man was not yet completed.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

And as this same religion, Islam, was given to all prophets down to Mohammad why was it changed back from Islam to a person\u2019s name \u2013why isn\u2019t the Bahai\u2019s religion also named Islam?<\/span> And if Baha\u2019ullah \u2013whose real name is Mirza Husayn \u2018Ali\u2013 is one of the \u201cGreat Founders\u201d of religion why is his religion not named Mirzaism or Husaynism or \u2018Alism? <\/span>\u2013much like Zoroastrianism which was named after Zoroaster, Judaism after Judah, Buddhism after Buddha, and Christianity after Christ. <\/span><\/p>\n

The seekers of truth are two \u2013those who seek truth for the truth and those who seek truth to distort truth.<\/span> Those who seek truth for the truth will have peace. Those who seek truth to distort truth will have their disease increased \u2013they will stray further.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Prof. lures Muslims further: \u201cIt is worth clarifying that when a Muslim becomes a Baha\u2019i, he is not required to give up his faith in the Unity of God, in the validity of the station of Muhammad, the Prophet of God, or in the Holy Qur\u2019an.\u201d
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0But this is a fallacy. This is only in theory. The naked truth is<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 -Whereas the Islamic belief in All\u0101h incorporates belief also in the Angels of All\u0101h and in the literal Resurrection and Day of Judgment. Bahai\u2019s do not believe in literal angels and Resurrection and Judgment. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 -To follow Baha\u2019ullah instead of Mohammad Muslims will be replacing the best <\/span><\/span><\/i>exemplar\u2013and in all facets of life: the best cannot be surpassed\u2013and the light-giving sun\u2013there is no brilliance that can out-glory the sun.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

-In shelving the Qur\u2019an and taking up the Bahai\u2019s Aqdas<\/i>\u2013a book \u201ccompiled\u201d by man and \u201cwritten in poor Arabic\u201d\u2013Muslims will be giving up the inimitable Book that neither man nor jinn can replicate; the Book of all truth; the Book that gives success; the Book that is the best <\/span><\/span><\/i>Divine Message; the Book that is the ultimate in matters moral, social, intellectual and spiritual; the all-encompassing Book that is the Ruler by which all other religions and are measured. (A religion\/book that claims to supersede Islam\/Qur\u2019an must have doctrines that are superior to Islam\/Qur\u2019an).\u00a0 <\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

-In abandoning the rites and ceremonies of Islam for pilgrimage to the graves of the Bab and Baha\u2019ullah, Muslims will be trading the Adhan <\/i>\u2013this magnificent call extolling the Greatness, Glory and Grandeur of All\u0101h\u2013 and its five daily Prayers \u2013the Divine-instituted regimentation that purifies and gives moral, social and spiritual ascendancy\u2013; Fasting<\/i> in the month of Ramadan, which is for All\u0101h; the Hajj <\/i>and its homage to Abraham, Lady Hajra, and their son, Ishmael; and most of all will be discarding this duty that we owe to All\u0101h. Also, in abandoning the rites and ceremonies of Islam for pilgrimage to the graves of the Bab and Baha\u2019ullah, Muslims will be abandoning the religion of Abraham \u2013Bahai\u2019s do not practice circumcision<\/span> which is the sacred and everlasting covenant between All\u0101h, God, and Abraham, and the bedrock of the three great prophets, Moses, Jesus, and Mohammad, and all who profess to be the followers of Abraham and believers in All\u0101h, God.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Thus, in relegating Islam to the bin of yesteryear for the religion of a self-appointed prophet who confers title upon himself and his poorly scripted book, Muslims will be discarding the Divine Force that brought the world to our feet and eternity to our arms. Giving up Islam for Bahaism (or any other religion) is like trading the best of meal for an inferior one. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Pity those Muslims who were deluded into believing that in following Bahaism they were not giving up their \u201cfaith in the Unity of God, in the validity of the station of Muhammad, the Prophet of God, or in the Holy Qur\u2019an.\u201d
\n<\/span>\u00a0 In Bahaism the Unity of All\u0101h, prophethood of Mohammad and the Qur\u2019an\u201d is mere lip service.<\/span><\/p>\n

Since Bahais cannot prove Bahaism\/Baha\u2019ullahism to be superior to Islam why don\u2019t Bahais become Muslims? No sane individual would settle for an inferior product when he has a choice for the better one, and for free.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

5. (p. 40). <\/span>Prof. Afaqi asserts that Baha\u2019ullah is \u201cThe Promised One Who was to come in the Last Day,\u201d the one foretold in various Scriptures: \u201cIn the Book of Zoroaster He is named as \u2018Shah Bahram\u2019; Lord Krishna mentions His name as \u2018Kalki Avatara\u2019; He has been mentioned in the Old Testament as the \u2018Lord of the Hosts\u2019; in the New Testament, He is called \u2018the Son of Man\u2019, Lord Buddha calls Him as \u2018Amit-Bha\u2019 and in the Holy Qur\u2019an He is referred to as the \u2018Greatest News\u2019 (Naba\u2019-I\u2019Azim).\u201d\u00a0 (Why not apply all these prophecies to Guru Nanak or Mirza Ghulam Ahmad?) <\/span><\/span>\u00a0\u201cTherefore the advent of Baha\u2019u\u2019llah is the second coming of Christ.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Baha\u2019ullah could not be the one foretold by all the prophets when the prophecies such as the Shiloh,<\/i> Himada, That Prophet <\/i>spoken of by Moses, the Comforter<\/i>, Maitreya Buddha<\/i>, the Mamah Rishi<\/i>, the Bright sun <\/i>of the Gayatri Mantra<\/i> of Hinduism; etc; could not have been fulfilled by any other than Mohammad.\u00a0<\/span>(Abdul Haque Vidyarthi has dealt at length with this topic in his two-volume work Muhammad in World Scriptures<\/i>. For some of these prophecies see MOHAMMAD). <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Baha\u2019ullah could not be the one foretold by all the prophets.\u00a0 All\u0101h, God, says that Jesus gave the good news of the coming of Ahmad<\/span><\/span><\/i>\u2013 not <\/i><\/span>Baha\u2019ullah or Mirza Husayn\u2013 which is one of the names of the Prophet Mohammad\u2013Qur\u2019an 61:6.
\n<\/span>Neither could Baha\u2019ullah be the <\/span>Kalki Avatar<\/i> mentioned in Hinduism. Among other distinctions, it is said that the Kalki Avatar<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0(1) would be the last messenger\/prophet from God for the whole world. Which is in agreement with the Qur\u2019anic teaching that Mohammad is the last Prophet\/Messenger, as explained by the Prophet; and that he is a guide for the whole world.\u00a0<\/i>Since Bahais believe messengership\/ prophethood lasts for only a thousand years till the coming of another \u201cManifestation of God,\u201d Baha\u2019ullah could not be this Kalki Avatar<\/i>, who is to be \u201cLAST\u201d messenger, when Baha\u2019ullah\u2019s alleged ministry is only for a thousand years.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 (2) The names of his (Kalki Avatar\u2019s<\/i>) father and mother are given as \u201cVISHNUBHAGAT\u201d and \u201cSUMAANI\u201dwhich means \u201cSlave of God\u201d and \u201cPeace or calmness,\u201d respectively. And which meanings are the same as the names Abdullah and Aamenah, the parents of Prophet Mohammad.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 (3) He would be the most honest and truthful person in the region. Even his enemies honored the Prophet for his truthfulness and honesty.\u00a0 <\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 <\/i>(4) He would belong to an honorable clan. The Prophet Mohammad belonged to the Quraish, an honorable clan. \u00a0<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 <\/i>(5) He would receive Divine instruction in a cave. The Prophet Mohammad received the call to Prophethood while meditating in a cave in Mount Hira.\u00a0<\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 (6) He would be born on the 12th<\/sup> of a month. The Prophet Mohammad was born on the twelfth of the month of Rabi-ul-Awwal, the third month of the Islamic calendar. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 (7) He would be an \u201cexcellent horse rider and a swordsman\u201d \u2013which the Prophet Mohammad was.\u00a0<\/i>And as \u201cthe real days of horses and swords have gone and present time is that of guns and missiles,\u201d \u201cit would be foolish on the part of those who still expect Kalki Avatar<\/span>,who should be an excellent rider and swordsman to come.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

(Taken from a circular bearing the identity Riyaadh ul Jannah, Zil Hijjah 1413\/ Muharram 1414<\/i>, Volume 2 No 7\/8; detailing ten (10) prophecies identifying this Kalki Avatar; from a book Kalki Avatar<\/i> by Pandit Vedaprakash Upadhiai).\u00a0<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Regarding Prof. Afaqi\u2019s assertion that the Naba \u2018al-Azim<\/i> (announcement or great news) relates to Baha-\u2019ullah. This announcement or great news (chapter 78 of the Qur\u2019an) is not a prophecy.
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 Even on the surface this claim of the Bahai\u2019s is humorous; the first three verses state: \u201cOf what do they ask one another? Of the tremendous announcement. About which they differ.\u201d
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0 It is absurd to cerebrate that the Idolaters would be asking about, or differing over, a prophet a thousand years in the future.\u00a0 Yusuf Ali notes in his commentary 5889:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGreat News<\/i>: usually understood to mean the News or Message of the Resurrection or the Hereafter, about which there were various schools of thought among the Jews and Christians and other nations\u2026… <\/span>
\nGreat News<\/i> may also be translated Great Message<\/i> or a Message Supreme,<\/i> as I have translated at xxxviii. 67. In that case it would refer to the Qur’an, or the Message of Revelation, or the Message of the Holy Prophet, about which there was great contention in those days. As this Message also lays great stress on the Day of Judgment and the Resurrection, the practical result by either mode of interpretation amounts to the same.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0(See also Muhammad Ali commentaries. His translation of the Qur\u2019an can be viewed online: www.muslim.org<\/span><\/a>). <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 This \u201ctremendous announcement\u201d or \u201cGreat News\u201d is related to the Hereafter as verses 21-23, and the rest of the concluding verses to verse 30 show that the subject matter of the opening verses 1-5 of this topic deals with the Hereafter. The people did not believe in the Hereafter, and it is about this that they were questioning and differing.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Jesus foretold the coming of the Comforter, Mohammad, also known as the \u201cSpirit of truth,\u201d who will guide us into \u201call truth\u201d\u2013(John 14:16; 16:13). Since the Comforter, Mohammad, guided us into \u201cALL\u201d truth,*<\/span> there is no \u201ctruth\u201d remaining for Baha\u2019ullah to bring.\u00a0\u00a0 *<\/span>(God explaining \u201call things\u201d to Moses, as mentioned in the Qur\u2019an\u20136:154; 7:145, is not to be confused with \u201call truth.\u201d \u201cAll things\u201d in the case of Moses only means that God explained everything regarding that which was given to Moses, which was for Moses\u2019 people and for that period of time.\u00a0 Whereas \u201call truth\u201d means that no \u201ctruth\u201d was left out).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 All\u0101h says that He will guard this Qur\u2019an from corruption\u2013(Qur\u2019an 15:9).\u00a0 There are thousands of Muslims who know the Qur\u2019an from memory. How many Bahai\u2019s are there who know their Aqdas<\/i> and Bayan <\/i>from memory?
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0It seems then that the only purpose for which All\u0101h would guard this Qur\u2019an from corruption is because it is meant to \u201cabide forever\u201d as guidance to all man. Thus, there is no need for Baha\u2019ullah or any other messenger \u2013past or future!<\/span><\/p>\n

6.<\/span> (pp. 40-45)<\/span> Prof. Afaqi notes: \u201cIn the Islamic Holy Traditions (Hadith) the Promised One is called the \u2018Messiah\u2019; and he claims that \u201cthe advent of Baha-\u2019u\u2019llah is the second coming of Christ.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

(Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, 1835-1908, also claims to be this Promised One. His claim can be viewed as credulous as he, rightly, according to the tradition of the Prophet Mohammad, subordinated his mission to that of the Prophet Mohammad).
\n<\/span>Commenting on chapter 18 of the Qur\u2019an, Muhammad Ali notes: \u201cThe Holy Prophet is reported to have said:\u00a0 He who remembers the first ten verses of the chapter entitled the \u201cCave\u201d is protected from the tribulation of Dajjal (Antichrist) (Muslim 6:42). Shi\u2019bah mentions the last ten verses of The Cave<\/i> instead of the first ten (Abu Dawud, 36:12).
\nNow in the first and last sections of this chapter the Christian doctrine of the divinity of Jesus is condemned. In the first section a warning is given to those who say Allah has taken to Himself a son<\/i> (v.4), in the last two to those who take My servants for Protecting\u00a0 Friends<\/i> (v. 102), and this doctrine, the doctrine of sonship and of the Divinity of a servant of God, is the basic doctrine of the Christian religion. Moreover in the concluding ten verses, a true description of the occupation of the Christian nations is given in the words whose labour is lost in this world\u2019s life<\/i> (v. 104). The Holy Qur\u2019an does not speak of the appearance of Dajjal, or Antichrist, anywhere, but the Prophet\u2019s saying quoted above plainly shows that the Dajjal of the Hadith is the same as the upholders of the erroneous Christian doctrine of the sonship and divinity of Jesus Christ. Christianity, in its present form, being opposed to the true teachings of Christ, is thus the only Antichrist known to the Qur\u2019an. It may be added that Dajjal signifies one who conceals the truth with falsehood<\/i>, or a liar<\/i> or a great deceiver <\/i>(LL\u2013Arabic English Lexicon by Edward William Lane)\u201d\u2013(M. Ali, Qur\u2019anic comm. 1478). <\/span><\/p>\n

Regarding the Hadith which speak of Jesus\u2019 return to kill the Dajjal<\/i> at \u2018Lud\u2019, Kaukab Siddique in his booklet Dajjal <\/i>says: \u201cI suspect these narratives are fabrications owing to a number of reasons.\u201d He lists seven (7) reasons (pp. 28-30). Briefly, they are:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 1. \u201cthe sections on iman<\/i><\/strong> (faith) in the books of hadith do not mention belief in the return of Jesus in any way. Two verses in the Qur\u2019an have been interpreted to mean that Jesus will return but these are farfetched interpretations. Faith has to be clearly stated because it makes the difference between heaven and hell: it is not a function of interpretations.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 2. That Jesus\u2019 return \u201cto affirm the teachings of Muhammad\u201d compromises Mohammad as being the \u201cseal of the prophets.\u201d (As religion was perfected through Mohammad no prophet, old or new, is needed to affirm the Qur\u2019an. Only Reformers, as the Prophet says, will come)<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 3. \u201cImam Bukhari does not accept the hadith about Jesus returning to kill Dajjal<\/i><\/strong>.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 4. Abu Huraira\u2019s narration in Bukhari about the return of Jesus \u201cdoes not refer to Jesus killing Dajjal<\/i><\/strong>. A hadith from only one companion on a matter of faith is open to question in any case. Abu Huraira made some mistakes in hadith narration which were criticized by Hazrat \u2018Ayesha.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

(Ency. Britannica, <\/i>Vol. 9, p. 949, notes that, <\/i>\u201cthe Jewish convert, Ka\u2019b al-Ahbar brought much of the Isra\u2019iliyat<\/i> [things Jewish] into Islamic tradition.\u201d\u00a0<\/i>Thus it is possible that Christian reverts to Islam had infused Christian teachings into Islam).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 5. Muslim<\/i> (another compiler of Traditions of the Prophet Mohammad) and other compilers have hadith about Jesus \u201creturning to slay Dajjal<\/i><\/strong>;\u201d<\/i><\/strong> the descriptions of Jesus \u201care taken verbatim from a hadith in Bukhari\u2019s sahih in which Prophet Muhammad saw Jesus in a dream and then saw Dajjal<\/strong><\/i>. Bukhari narrated only the dream, which does not include Jesus going on to kill Dajjal<\/i><\/strong>. The other collectors seem to have interpolated the dream sequence into the story of Jesus killing Dajjal<\/i><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 6.\u00a0 \u201cWhere the narrative in Muslim and others begins about Jesus killing Dajjal<\/i><\/strong>, it is in a longer narrative about dajjal<\/i><\/strong>. By the time the narrative reaches the story of Jesus, it is no longer clear that those are the words of Prophet Muhammad and not of some other (unnamed) narrator. The words: \u201cthe Prophet then said\u201d do not appear anywhere near Muslim\u2019s narrative about the return of Jesus.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 7. \u201cIn a way Imam Muslim\u2019s own narrations about Jesus, (peace be on him) contradict his other narrations, which I have quoted above, on how to deal with Dajjal<\/i><\/strong>.\u00a0 Muslims are told to \u201ccontend\u201d with him and to remember (verses 1-10 of) sura al-Kahf. Here waiting for Jesus is simply left out.\u00a0 When we turn to sura al-Kahf, Jesus\u2019 sonship is rejected.\u00a0 This is where God the most eloquent could have told us to wait for Jesus\u2019 return, but there is no such hint.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 The Traditions of the Prophet Mohammad is pregnant with sayings on this metaphorical Jesus and Dajjal. From these descriptions it is obvious that Dajjal is not a person but an unjust system. According to the Traditions Dajjal would be \u201cone-eyed;\u201d \u201cwill have two flowing streams with him, one seemingly white and the other seemingly bursting with flames;\u201d between his eyes will be written the word \u201ckafir\u201d (disbeliever); he will travel over the land \u201clike the rain shower which is being swept forth by a blowing gale behind it;\u201d and most important, Dajjal cannot be \u201ckilled,\u201d in the literal sense of the word. Thus, Dajjal or \u201cthe great Deceiver\u201d is not a person \u2013a being cannot have two streams with him. Dajjal is an unjust (one-eyed)<\/i> system, unGodly (disbeliever)<\/i>, having the power to dominate, and to control (travel through the land like the rain),<\/i> its allies are rewarded with \u201criches and prosperity\u201d (the white stream)<\/i> and its \u201copponents\u201d are visited with death and destruction (the stream of flames)<\/i>. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Since Dajjal is a system and not an individual, he cannot be killed by physical methods. But he can<\/i> be killed. A system can only be killed by another system. All\u0101h, God, through the Prophet Mohammad, has given us this system\u2013Islam. <\/span><\/i><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 We combat Dajjal with abstinence from intoxicants; immorality; injustice; deception; and by following and propagating Islam, developing self-sufficiency in agriculture; industry; and military, as Allah says, speaking about the idolaters and the future enemies of Islam, \u201cmake ready for them whatever force you can;\u201d not for offense, but for defense\u2013(Qur\u2019an 8:59-60). <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And that Baha\u2019ullah in no way relates to this metaphorical Jesus; for example, it is related that Jesus will pronounce Talbiya in the valley of Rauha: \u201cIbn Maryam (Jesus Christ) would certainly pronounce Talbiya for Hajj or for \u2018Umra or for both (simultaneously as a Qarin) in the valley of Rauha (which \u201cis situated at a distance of sixty miles from Medina on the way to Mecca\u201d\u2013(Muslim Vol. 2, # 2877, and f\/n). Did Baha\u2019ullah pronounce Talbiya in Rauha? And in a dream the Prophet saw Jesus making tawaf (circumambulating the Ka\u2019bah)\u2013(Bokhari, Vol. 9, # 128, 153).<\/span> Whether this is interpreted literally or not, did Baha\u2019ullah, as a Muslim and alleged Divine messenger, undertake the pilgrimage to Makkah?<\/span> Also, the Prophet Mohammad says that the people of the tribe of Tamim would stand firm against the Dajjal\u2013(Bokhari Vol. 3, # 719). Was Baha\u2019ullah ever confronted by the people of Tamim?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 How to recognize this second Jesus? The Prophet is reported to have said: \u201cWhen you see him, recognize him: a man of medium height, reddish fair (? hair),<\/i> wearing two light yellow garments \u2026He will fight the people for the cause of Islam\u2026The Muslims will pray over him\u201d\u2013(Abu Dawud, Vol. II, p. 1203, # 4310).\u00a0 Was Baha\u2019ullah of \u201cmedium height, reddish hair\u201d and\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cwearing two light yellow garments\u201d? Did he \u201cfight the people for the cause of Islam\u201d (or for Bahaism)?<\/span>\u00a0 Clearly Muslims did not\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cpray over\u201d Baha\u2019ullah, not at his funeral and certainly not now.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Not withstanding the above, we will proceed to investigate the Prof\u2019s. claim that Baha\u2019ullah was foretold in the Traditions of the Prophet.
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0The Prof. also notes eleven things that the Hadith states that this second Jesus will accomplish: bring justice and order; break the cross; abolish jihad; gather the five daily prayers (into three); abrogate jizya and kharaj; promote Islam and reject all other religions; will be alive for forty years; will kill Dajjal; will descend near near Masjid at Damascus; will defeat Dajjal at Lud; and will institute one Kalima for the whole world.
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 The Traditions of the Prophet Mohammad tells us that Jesus will shortly descend as a just ruler, will break cross, kill pig, abolish Jizya\u2013(Bokhari Vol. 3, # 425; 656; Vol. 4, # 657).
\n<\/span>(While the following is not to minimize these sayings they are to be viewed in the light of the Qur\u2019an, which supersedes all other sources of guidance).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 (1)\u00a0 The Promised One Will<\/i> Bring Justice and Order:<\/i><\/span> \u201cBaha\u2019ullah appeared as a judge to settle the disputes between the nations and as a \u2018Hakam\u2019 to maintain order in the society.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

(We do not need a metaphorical Jesus in the 19th<\/sup> century to do what the physical Mohammad did in the 7th<\/sup> century. Mohammad, through the Qur\u2019an, brought justice and order to the world 1400 years ago.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Interestingly, the Prophet Mohammad is reported as having said that when Jesus returns \u201che will judge people by the Law of the Qur\u2019an<\/span><\/i> and not by the law of the Gospel (Fateh-ul-Bari page 304 and 305 Vol.7).\u201d\u2013(Bokhari Vol, 4, # 658) How then can Bahais claim that Islam\/Qur\u2019an is replaced with the Aqdas\/Baha-\u2019ullah\/ Bahaism?). <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 (2) The Promised One Will<\/i> Break the Cross<\/i>:<\/span>\u00a0 \u201cWhen a Christian embraces the Cause of Baha\u2019ullah (? Not cause of God?)<\/span><\/i>he no longer uses the sign of cross as a religious symbol. Thus Baha\u2019ullah has broken the cross and has established the Oneness of God and His creatures.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

(And if the Bahai becomes a Christian a new cross will be made? If the Christian becomes a Jew or Muslim or Sikh the cross is also broken and the Oneness of God and creatures established. <\/span><\/p>\n

That Jesus would return to \u201cbreak the cross, kill the pig and abolish the Jizya tax\u201d\u2013(Bokhari Vol. 3, # 656). Killing the pig and breaking the cross are metaphors meaning to expose uncleanness and falsehood in religion, the Prophet Mohammad did these 1400 years ago. Research has established the Qur\u2019anic truth that belief in son of God is paganism\u2013Qur\u2019an 9:30.<\/span> See CHRISTIANITY\u2013SOURCES OF). <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (3) The Promised One Will Abolish Jihad:<\/i><\/span>\u00a0\u201cBaha\u2019ullah has forbidden all sorts of war. He taught disarmament and has exhorted human beings to relinquish all prejudices and to establish peace.\u201d (So did Mohammad 1400 years ago. Have the people heed them?)\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

(Armed jihad is a requirement to end persecution, occupation and usurpation so long as the condition prevails. The Qur\u2019an is for all times to the Resurrection\/Judgment).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 (4) The Promised One Will Gather the Muslims Five Daily Prayers:<\/i><\/span> \u201cBaha\u2019ullah has ordained three obligatory prayers and thus He has gathered together the obligatory prayers.\u201d (So if any other claimant should gather the Muslims\u2019 five prayers, and preach peace to mankind abolish jihad and convert a Christian, all these prophecies would apply to him also).<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

All\u0101h enjoined the daily prayers at fixed the times\u2013(Qur\u2019an 4:103); and the Prophet, through instructions from the Angel Gabriel\u2013(Bokhari Vol; 1 # 500; Vol; 4 # 444) instituted the format and timings of these five daily prayers; and which prayers are for our moral and spiritual progress. It is preposterous then that anyone but All\u0101h or His Messenger, Mohammad, can abrogate them. And what format and glori-fication have Baha\u2019ullah formulated; and that can surpass what the Prophet Mohammad instituted? All\u0101h tells us that the Prophet Mohammad is the best exemplar \u2013as Moham-mad is the best<\/span> exemplar neither Baha\u2019ullah nor any other surpass or supersede him. The best<\/span> cannot be superseded. All\u0101h gives what is equal to, or better than, the previous; not what is inferior).<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 (5) The Promised One Will Abrogate Jizya and Kharaj:<\/i><\/span> It is rather intriguing that the Tradition would prophesy that the Promised One would abolish the Kharaj when the Qur\u2019an makes no mention of kharaj and there was no kharaj during the time of the Prophet Mohammad. And when the kharaj was a tax on Muslims<\/span><\/i>.<\/span> Muhammad Ali explains that \u201cjizya<\/i>, which was originally a tribute paid by a subject state, took the form of a poll-tax later on in the time of \u2018Umar; and the word was also applied to the land-tax which was levied on Muslim owners of agricultural land<\/span><\/i>.<\/span> The jurists<\/i><\/strong>, however, made a distinction between the poll-tax and the land-tax by giving then name of kharaj <\/i><\/strong>to the latter.\u201d (The Religion of Islam<\/i>, p. 559. emphasis\/color added.)
\n<\/span>(The jizya <\/i>which is an injunction from All\u0101h to collect from non-Muslim subjects cannot be abolished, so .long as such condition exists. <\/span><\/p>\n

It is a contradiction for the Prophet to foretell the advent of a messenger who would annul the Qur\u2019an and the last four pillars of Islam\u2013prayer, zakaat, fasting, and hajj\u2013 and change Allah\u2019s religion from Islam to Bahai Faith<\/i>\u2013a man-named religion and even without any Divine significance\u2013 seeing that the Qur\u2019an perfected religion; Islam is the natural religion of man; and no prophet\/apostle would come after him.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

Regarding Jesus abolishing the \u201cJizya,\u201d the explanatory note<\/i> to this saying of the Prophet\u2013(Bokhari Vol. 3, # 656)\u2013states: \u201cThe Jizya (which) is a tax imposed on non-Muslims who would keep their own religion rather than embrace Islam, will not be accepted by Jesus (peace be on him), but all people will be required to embrace Islam and there will be no other alternative.\u201d (And how does the Editor knows this? It is a Muslim\u2019s right to differ with any man below the Prophet Mohammad).<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

If \u201call people will be required to embrace Islam and there will be no other alternative,\u201d this would be compulsion. But All\u0101h says that there is no compulsion in religion\u2013(Qur\u2019an 2:256; 6:107; 9:6; 10:99-100; 17:7; 18: 6, 29; 42:15; 50:45; 76:3; 109:1-6); and in 10:99 He says:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd if thy Lord had pleased, all those
\n<\/span>who are in the earth would have believed.
\n<\/span>Wilt thou then force men till they are believers?<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 (6) The Promised One Will Promote Islam, Reject all other Religions:<\/i><\/span> Prof. Afaqi wrote that \u201ctaking the literary meaning of Islam, the Bahai Faith is Islam today. <\/i><\/strong>(Islam \u2013peace and submission to All\u0101h\u2013has no literary<\/span> meaning: Islam is the way of life \u2013social, moral, intellectual and spiritual\u2013 prescribed by Allah for man).<\/span><\/i> Therefore the Bahai Faith is uniting all the diverse religions and their followers into one universal religion \u2013into one Faith. Thus a new nation is being created.\u201d (Bahais may be creating a new nation but it certainly has no Divine foundation. All\u0101h, through the Prophet Mohammad gave us the universal religion 1400 years ago). <\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

(It is amusing to claim that the Prophet Mohammad would declare that a future messenger of All\u0101h would abrogate the Qur\u2019an when he clearly states that after him no prophet\/ messenger will come and no new religion will be born. Be it literary <\/i><\/strong>Islam or otherwise. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Bahais cannot create a new nation based on Divine revelation seeing that All\u0101h declares that Muslims are the best nation\u2013(Qur\u2019an 2:143; 3:109). And when the followers (who followed the pure teachings) of those prophets before Mohammad were also Muslims.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bahais cannot be promoting Islam when All\u0101h chose the name Islam<\/i><\/strong> for all mankind and the name of Bahai\u2019s religion is Bahai Faith <\/i><\/strong>\u2013a man-named religion, named after a man, and after a man who confers Divine title upon himself\u2013 and when All\u0101h has perfected religion and completed His favor through Islam<\/i><\/strong> as given to the Prophet Mohammad. The Divinely instituted Islam <\/i><\/strong>is the universal religion!) \u00a0<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 (7) The Promised One Will Be Alive for Forty Years: <\/i><\/span>\u201cHe (Baha\u2019ullah) remained alive for forty years after the declaration of His Mission.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

(Whereas Mirza Ghulam Ahmad\u20131835-1908\u2013lived only eighteen years after claiming to be \u201cthe Mahdi and the Promised Messiah\u201d Mirza\u2019s claim is more credible than\u00a0 Baha\u2019ullah\u2019s, as Mirza did not claim to bring a new book or religion but that his mission was of \u201ca role of complete subordination to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Followers of Mirza cites \u201cthe following Hadith reported by Hazrat Imam Baaqar Muhammad bin Ali (r.a) which is a prophecy about the Mahdi of the latter days: <\/span><\/p>\n

For our Mahdi there are two signs which have never appeared before since the creation of the heavens and the earth, namely the moon will be eclipsed on the first night in Ramadhan and the sun will be eclipsed on the middle day of Ramadhan; and these signs have not appeared since God created the heavens and the earth.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ahmadis point out that: \u201cHe (Mirza) presented many divine signs that appeared in support of his claim. Among these, the solar and lunar eclipses, both occurring in the month of Ramadhan, 1894 A.D., based on the afore-mentioned grand prophecy of the Prophet of Islam (pbuh), thirteen centuries ago.\u201d\u00a0 And that:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u201cIn exact accord with the prophecy of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), an eclipse of the moon occurred on the 13th<\/sup> of Ramadhan, 1311 Hijra (Islamic calendar), which was March 21, 1894 A.D., and the eclipse of the sun occurred on the 28th<\/sup> of the same month of Ramadhan, i.e., April 6, 1894. This phenomenon was visible in the eastern hemisphere of the earth. The same phenomenon was repeated in the western hemisphere in the following year when, on March 11, and 26, 1895 A.D., lunar and solar eclipses, respectively, occurred again at the same appointed dates of the month of Ramadhan.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Like Bahais who claim to have large followers of their religion, the followers of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad \u201cis an organized and dynamic community of over ten million Ahmadi Muslims living in more than 135 countries of the world\u2026.actively engaged in the peaceful propagation of the true message of Islam which is destined to solve the contem-porary problems of mankind.\u201d \u2013(Dr. Saleemur Rahman, Sheikh Abdul Hadi, A Unique Pair of Eclipses,<\/i> pp. 3, 5, 6, 10-11). <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 (8) The Promised One Will Kill the Dajjal<\/i>.<\/span> \u00a0<\/i><\/strong>The Prof. wrote: \u201cThe embodiments of vice and deceit, the opposers of the Truth e.g. Nasiri\u2019d Din Shah, Mirza Aqasi and Yahya Azal were the \u2018Dajjal\u2019 of this age.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

(If Nasiri\u2019d-Din Shah, Mirza Aqasi and Yahya Azal were the Dajjals of Baha\u2019ullahs\u2019s age, this means there would be other Dajjals of other ages or other times also. And which Dajjals would require more comings of Christ, such as a third, and fourth, etc., and other comings of a Promised One of all Ages<\/i> to defeat these Dajjals. But there are no such 3rd<\/sup> and 4th<\/sup> coming of Christ, or of a Promised One of all Ages<\/i> that has been prophesied to come. Who then will kill these Dajjals of later times?\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Nasiri\u2019d-Din Shah is said to have expelled Baha\u2019ullah and his followers from Persia because of an assassination attempt on the Shah\u2019s life, which was in revenge for the \u201cexecution\u201d of the Bab. (Though it is said that Baha\u2019ullah was unaware of this plot to assassinate).<\/span>\u00a0<\/i>And in Turkey, Yahya Azal and his \u201csupporters provoked the Turkish government into exiling Baha\u2019Allah to \u2018Akka.\u201d5<\/span>\u00a0 <\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n

Nations which protect their societies against \u201cbarbarities\u201d and against conflicts between foreign factions on their soils cannot be called Dajjal (Antichrist\/Deceiver<\/i>).
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0Antichrist <\/i>is one who teaches doctrines that are \u201copposed\u201d to the teachings of Christ. As Muslims do not teach Antichrist doctrines (or oppose the true teachings of Christ), Nasiri\u2019d-Din Shah (and any Muslim) could not be called <\/span>Antichrist (Dajjal).\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Prof. Afaqi also wrote that Yahya Azal \u201cdied a shameful death\u201d in \u2018Afeeq, Syria.
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0The tradition may say that \u201cthe \u2018Dajjal\u2019 will be defeated in \u2018Afeeq\u2019\u201d and Yahya Azal may have <\/span>died <\/span><\/i>in \u2018Afeeq but as noted, Dajjal is a system, not a person that can be physically killed; and admittedly, as the Prof. states, Yahya Azal <\/span>died:<\/span><\/i> he was <\/span>not<\/span><\/i> killed by Baha\u2019ullah. Someone dying is not a victory of defeat.\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 (9) The Promised One Will Descend near the White Minaret facing Damascus:<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 The saying of the Prophet Mohammad regarding this event states: \u201cThen Jesus son of Mary will descend <\/i><\/strong>at the white minaret to the east of Damascus. He will then catch him (Dajjal) up at the gate of Ludd and kill him\u201d\u2013(Abu Dawud, Vol. II, p. 1202, # 4307)\u00a0<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Clearly, this \u201cdescend\u201d of the Tradition is alluding to an aerial descent (to come down from the sky). Whereas Baha\u2019ullah \u201cdisembarked\u201d from a ship<\/span>. Also this Tradition is speaking about a mosque with a white minaret east of Damascus in Syria<\/i><\/strong>.<\/i><\/strong> Not<\/span><\/i> about a mosque in Akka, Palestine<\/i><\/strong>.<\/i><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Also, it is stated that Jesus will catch up to Dajjal in Ludd (\u201ca city near Jerusalem). did Baha\u2019ullah catch up with Dajjal \u2013the alleged Nasiri\u2019d Din Shah, Mirza Aqasi and Yahya Azal \u2013at Jerusalem and kill him? Obviously not.<\/span> (See item 8 above).\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 (10) The Promised One Will Defeat Dajjal at Lud:<\/i><\/span>\u00a0<\/i> Prof. Afaqi stated: \u201cBaha\u2019ullah has passed through this place called \u2018LUD\u2019 \u2026.All his enemies were defeated. Even the king of Iran and Sultan of Turkey could not defeat His purpose or cause Him any harm.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

(As noted above, dajjal is a system, not a person that can be physically killed. Baha\u2019ullah passing through Lud and leaving his enemies behind is not <\/span><\/i>\u201ckilling of the \u2018dajjal\u2019.\u00a0\u00a0
\n<\/i><\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 As noted above, Nasiri\u2019d-Din Shah is said to have expelled Baha\u2019ullah and his followers from Persia because of an assassination attempt on the Shah\u2019s life and the Turkish government was provoked into exiling Baha\u2019ullah to \u2018Akka.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is rather strange that the rulers of Iran and Turkey would want to \u201cdefeat\u201d or \u201charm\u201d Baha\u2019ullah, yet they only exiled him when they had all opportunity and power to \u201charm\u201d him.<\/span> These leaders may not have shared Baha\u2019ullah\u2019s enthusiasm in his claim to Divine messengership, but if anything it can be fairly said that Baha\u2019ullah owed his life to these leaders \u2013first for being allowed to leave Persia, and second, for being given sanctuary in Turkey and being made to leave with his life.
\n<\/span><\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0And, as explained, these leaders being Muslims cannot <\/span><\/i>be \u2018dajjals\u2019.
\n<\/span>\u00a0 Baha\u2019ullah\u2019s exile cannot be compared to the Prophet Mohammad\u2019s exile from Makkah. Unlike the Babi\u2019s\/Bahais, the followers of the Prophet did not commit any \u201cbarbarities\u201d against others. An attempt was made on the Prophet\u2019s life; and he and his followers were pursued Moreover, the Prophet Mohammad was destined to return to Makkah. Baha\u2019ullah died in Palestine).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 (11) (The Promised One Will institute) A Single Kalima:<\/i><\/span> Prof. Afaqi states: \u201cThe Bahai\u2019s throughout the world have a single goal and mission i.e. the establishment of the oneness of mankind. \u2018Abdu\u2019l-Baha Himself testifies that if there was a \u2018Kalima\u2019 for the Baha\u2019is it would be, \u201cconsort with the people of all religions in utmost spirituality and unity.\u201d\u201d (Does this include consorting with Voodooism?)\u00a0 <\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 It is confounding that All\u0101h would replace Mohammad with Baha\u2019ullah and not give Baha\u2019ullah a universal kalimah.<\/i> <\/span><\/p>\n

(Mohammad established the \u201coneness of mankind\u201d more than 1400 years ago. And He gave us the one universal kalimah<\/i>\u2013There is no God but All\u0101h, Mohammad is the Messenger of All\u0101h)<\/i>. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 There is no consorting<\/i> between Truth and Falsehood! \u2018Abdu\u2019l-Baha and Bahai\u2019s may advocate it but All\u0101h makes it crystal clear: <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd mix not up truth with falsehood,
\n<\/span>nor hide the truth while you know\u201d
\n<\/span>(Qur\u2019an 2:42; 3:71).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Considering that Divine purpose is to guide man into truth and goodness it is incomprehensible that God or His prophet or a disciple of his prophet would recommend mixing truth with falsehood.
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 Notably, whereas \u2018Abdul Baha advocates consorting with all religions. \u00a0As noted at the beginning:\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe followers of Ali Mohammed Bab look upon all those who do not believe in the Bab as untouchables worthy to be put to death.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 And \u2018Abdul Baha, the successor of Baha-\u2019ullah, supports the above statements of the Bayan by saying:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThe Bab enjoins that the necks of all those who do not believe in him should be broken, that they should be wiped out of existence with a general massacre, and that all other books should be burned, so as to leave nothing of them. The sacred buildings of the world should also all be demolished, and nothing left except what is of our religion.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0(Nuqtatul Kaf, Muqadama 5. <\/span>Makateeb<\/i>, vol. 2, page 266; respectively).\u201d <\/span>(The Review of Religions<\/i>, June 1984, American Edition).<\/span><\/p>\n

7. (p. 46).<\/span>\u00a0 Regarding the Day of Resurrection. The Prof. states regarding the soul at the time of a person\u2019s death that: \u201cIt (the soul) receives its reward or punishment immediately<\/i><\/strong> after its separation from the body and does not <\/i><\/strong>have to wait for a day of judgment, as normally believed by Muslims.\u201d (Italics\/emphasis added).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 That the soul does not receive its reward\/punishment immediately after death, but that there is a Day of Judgment when all mankind<\/span><\/i> of all times<\/i> are gathered together,<\/i><\/span>\u00a0<\/i>as All\u0101h says, is referred to in many places of the Qur\u2019an. The following are a few examples:<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span>(Please pay attention to the underlined words, which show a plurality of number and pronoun).<\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd everyone has a goal to which he
\n<\/span>turns (himself)\u2026..
\n<\/span>Wherever you are, Allah will bring
\n<\/span>you <\/span>all together<\/span><\/i>\u201d
\n<\/span>(Qur\u2019an 2:48)<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 (W<\/strong><\/i>e <\/strong>could not all<\/span> <\/i>be brought together<\/strong> <\/i>if we are judged and dispensed with individually as we die).<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026. and know that you will be
\n<\/span>gathered together<\/span><\/i> to Him\u201d
\n<\/span>(Qur\u2019an 2:203)<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe (Allah) will certainly gather you
\n<\/span><\/i><\/span>\u00a0together<\/span><\/i> on the Resurrection day<\/span><\/i>,
\n<\/span>there is no doubt in it\u201d
\n<\/span>(Qur\u2019an 4:87; 6:12)<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd on the day<\/span><\/i> when He will
\n<\/span>gather them all together<\/span><\/i>\u201d
\n<\/span>(Qur\u2019an6:129).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOn the day when the earth will be
\n<\/span><\/i><\/span>\u00a0changed into a different earth,
\n<\/span><\/i><\/span>\u00a0and the heavens (as well)<\/span><\/i>,
\n<\/span>and <\/span>they<\/span><\/i> (the rebels) will come forth to Allah,
\n<\/span>….And thou wilt see the guilty on
\n<\/span>that day <\/span>linked together<\/span><\/i>\u2026.\u201d
\n<\/span>(Qur\u2019an 14:48, 49, 51)<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd says man: When I am dead,
\n<\/span><\/i><\/span>shall I truly be brought forth alive?
\n<\/span>\u2026.We shall certainly gather them together
\n<\/span><\/i><\/span>and the devils, then shall We bring <\/span>them
\n<\/span><\/i>around hell on their<\/span><\/i> knees\u201d
\n<\/span>\u00a0 (Qur\u2019an 19:66-68)<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt is but a single cry, when lo!
\n<\/span>they are all<\/span><\/i> brought before Us.
\n<\/span>So this day<\/span><\/i> no soul is wronged in aught;
\n<\/span>….Surely the <\/span>owners<\/span><\/i> of the Garden are
\n<\/span>on that day<\/span><\/i> in a happy occupation.
\n<\/span>(As for the) <\/span>Guilty ones<\/span><\/i> (it will be said to them)
\n<\/span>\u2026.Enter it this day<\/span><\/i> because you disbelieved.
\n<\/span>That day<\/span><\/i> we shall seal their<\/span><\/i> mouths,
\n<\/span>and <\/span>their<\/span><\/i> hands will speak to Us,
\n<\/span>and their<\/span><\/i> feet will bear witness as to
\n<\/span>what <\/span>they<\/span><\/i> earned\u201d
\n<\/span>(Qur\u2019an 36:53-55; 59, 63-64).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd the day<\/span><\/i> when the enemies of Allah
\n<\/span>are gathered<\/span><\/i> to the Fire,
\n<\/span>\u00a0they<\/span> <\/i>will be formed into groups<\/span><\/i>.
\n<\/span>Until when <\/span>they<\/span><\/i> come to it,
\n<\/span>their<\/span><\/i> ears and their<\/span><\/i> eyes and their<\/span><\/i> skins
\n<\/span>will bear witness against <\/span>them
\n<\/span><\/i>as to what they<\/span><\/i> did.\u201d
\n<\/span>(Qur\u2019an 41:19-20)<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026.And We shall gather them together
\n<\/span><\/i><\/span>on the day of Resurrection
\n<\/span><\/i>\u00a0on their faces<\/span><\/i> \u2026.
\n<\/span>We make <\/span>them<\/span><\/i> burn the more.\u2026.
\n<\/span>because they<\/span><\/i> disbelieve in Our messages\u2026..\u201d
\n<\/span>(Qur\u2019an 17:97-98).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026. When is the day of Resurrection<\/span><\/i>?
\n<\/span>So when the sight is confused,
\n<\/span>And the moon becomes dark,<\/span>*
\n<\/span>And the sun and the moon are brought together \u2013
\n<\/span>Man will say on that day<\/span><\/i>: Whither to flee?
\n<\/span>\u2026.With thy Lord on that day<\/span><\/i> is the place of rest.
\n<\/span>Man will <\/span>that day<\/span><\/i> be informed of what
\n<\/span>he sent before and what he put off\u201d
\n<\/span>(Qur\u2019an 75:6-13)<\/span><\/p>\n

*<\/span>(The darkening of the moon and the joining of the sun and the moon together could not be taken to mean an eclipse. Man has seen several eclipses without the result-ant panic behavior. S. Bashir-Ud-Din Mahmood has explained that: \u201ctidal forces keep the moon drifting away from the Earth. … Eventually, the Earth will not be able to hold the Moon, and then it will fall in the Sun\u201d (Doomsday and Life after Death<\/i>, p. 134).\u00a0<\/i><\/span>The universe was not created to last forever\u2013(Qur\u2019an 46:3).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Even if all the verses of the Qur\u2019an dealing with the Resurrection and Judgment were of metaphorical meanings yet this would not make Baha\u2019ullah Divine messenger. Moreover, a religion or book that claims to supersede Islam and the Qur\u2019an must have doctrines that are superior in all matters of life \u2013moral, social, intellectual and spiritual\u2013 than those espoused by Islam\/Qur\u2019an. And there is no religion or Scripture on the surface of this earth that can be shown to be superior to Islam and the Qur\u2019an.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

8. (pp. 54-55). <\/span>Recalling that in the preceding the Prof. Afaqi notes that Qiyamah<\/i> means Resurrection,<\/i> he defines Yumu\u2019l-Hashr<\/i> as \u201cthe day of gathering,\u201d and states: \u201cThe term \u2018Qiyamah\u2019 and \u2018Hashr\u2019 are the same.\u201d And regarding the literal resurrection of the dead he wrote that: \u00a0\u201c\u2026the belief that physical bodies will come out of their physical graves is neither logical nor can be proved by the verses of the Qur\u2019an. On the contrary the Qur\u2019an proclaims that all the physical things \u2013the earth, the sun, the moon, the stars, animals, vegetations and men\u2013 will remain safe on the day of Qiyamah. They will not face annihilation. Rather a Manifestation of God will raise His Call from this very earth and that will be the Yumu\u2019l-Khuruj.\u201d \u00a0\u00a0
\n<\/span><\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0But All\u0101h tells us that there is<\/span><\/i><\/strong> a literal Resurrection of the dead:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTherein (the earth) shall you live<\/span>,
\n<\/i><\/strong><\/span>and therein shall you <\/span>die<\/span>;
\n<\/i><\/strong>and THEREFROM SHALL YOU
\n<\/i><\/strong><\/span>BE RAISED<\/span><\/i><\/strong>
\n<\/strong>(Qur\u2019an 7:25).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFrom it (earth) We created <\/i><\/strong>you, and into it
\n<\/span>We shall <\/span>return <\/i><\/strong>you, and
\n<\/span>FROM IT RAISE<\/span> YOU A SECOND<\/span> TIME\u201d<\/i><\/strong>
\n<\/strong><\/span>(Qur\u2019an 20: 55).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDoes man think that We shall not gather his bones?
\n<\/span>Yea, We are powerful to make complete
\n<\/span><\/i><\/strong><\/span>\u00a0his whole Make<\/span><\/i><\/strong>\u201d
\n<\/strong><\/span>(Qur\u2019an 75:3-4).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026Then He causes him to die,
\n<\/span>then assigns to him a grave,*
\n<\/span><\/span>Then, when He will,
\n<\/i><\/span>He raises him to life again<\/span><\/i><\/strong>.\u201d
\n<\/i><\/strong><\/span>(Qur\u2019an 80:17-22)<\/span><\/p>\n

*<\/span>(Given that some are lost at sea, burned to ashes, eaten by wild animals etc, grave is not the hole in the ground, it is the state between physical death and the resurrection, where every being is assigned this \u201cgrave\u201d\u2013Qur\u2019an 80:21. However, regardless of the manner of death and disposal our physical remains return to the earth. Souls are kept until the Resurrection in a place with a barrier called Barzakh<\/i>\u2013(Qur\u2019an 23:99-100).\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cOn the day<\/span><\/i><\/strong> when We say to hell:
\n<\/span>Art thou filled up?
\n<\/span>And it will say: Are there any more?\u201d
\n<\/span>(Qur\u2019an 50:30)<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd among His signs is this,
\n<\/span>the heaven and earth stand
\n<\/span>by His command;
\n<\/span>\u00a0then when He calls*<\/span> you,
\n<\/span>by <\/span>a single call<\/span><\/i>, from the <\/span>earth<\/span><\/span><\/i>,
\n<\/span>\u00a0behold, ye come forth\u201d
\n<\/span><\/span>(Qur\u2019an 30:25).<\/span><\/p>\n

*<\/span>(This verse could not refer to the call of a \u201cManifestation of God\u201d as Prof. Afaqi opines. It can only mean the last day<\/span><\/i> pertaining to the Day of Judgment, when all <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/strong>will come forth when All\u0101h calls<\/span><\/i>.<\/span> For, not everyone accepts God when He calls on us through His prophets; but everyone has to come forth when He calls on us on the Day of Judgment after the Resurrection \u2013we will not have a choice then! <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 In verse 24 of this chapter [30] All\u0101h calls on us to ponder how He gives life to the earth after its death. Likewise, in verse 25 He informs us that just as he gives life to the dead earth He will give life to man after his death:\u00a0 \u201cThen when He (Allah) calls you \u2013from the earth\u2013 lo! You come forth\u201d). <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Qur\u2019an 50:41-42 which states: \u201cAnd listen for the Day when the caller will call out from a place quite near,\u2013The Day when they will hear a (mighty) blast in (very) truth; that will be the day of resurrection (Yumu\u2019l-Khuruj),\u201d is also about the literal Resurrection.<\/span><\/p>\n

Section 2, verse 30 of chapter 50 begins with, on the day when All\u0101h will ask Hell if she was filled to capacity and Hell will reply if there are more to come. Verses 31-35 mentions that the doers of good while be brought near to the Garden. Verses 36-37 mentions, as reminder to the Idolaters, about past populations that were destroyed. In verse 38 All\u0101h calls attention to His effortless creation of the heavens and earth; alluding that dealing with the rejecters of Islam is a far simpler matter than creating the heavens; the next verse gives credence to this view as in verses 39-40 All\u0101h instructs the Prophet Mohammad: \u201cSo bear with what they (the Idolaters) say, and celebrate the praise of thy Lord before the rising of the sun and before the setting. And glorify Him in the night and after prostration.\u201d Then come the verses of 40-41 which Prof. Afaqi quoted out of context (as usual): \u201cAnd listen <\/i><\/strong>on the day when the crier<\/i><\/strong> cries from a near place \u2013The day when they <\/i><\/strong>hear the cry in truth<\/i><\/strong>. That is the day of coming forth<\/i><\/strong>.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 Clearly this \u201clisten\u201d<\/i> to the day is directed to the Prophet; \u201ccrier\u201d<\/i> is the angel who will sound the trumpet on the Resurrection; \u201cthey\u201d<\/i> are the Idolaters; the \u201ccry in truth\u201d<\/i> is their realization of the truth of the Qur\u2019anic Message; and \u201cday of coming forth\u201d<\/i> is the Resurrection when this \u201ctruth\u201d will dawn upon them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0The remaining verses (43-45) of this chapter (50) reinforce this submission.<\/span><\/p>\n

In verse 43 All\u0101h says in admonition: \u201cSurely We give life and cause to die, and to Us is the eventual coming\u2013\u201d<\/span> Which is a connection to the previous verse speaking of the \u201cday of coming forth.\u201d The next verse (44), which is paren-thetical to verse 43 \u201cand to Us is the eventual coming,\u201d states: \u201cThe day when the earth cleaves asunder from them, <\/i><\/strong>hastening forth. This is a gathering easy<\/i><\/strong> to Us.\u201d<\/span> Clearly, \u201cthem\u201d<\/i> is referring to the Idolaters during the time of the Prophet and not to would-be followers of Baha\u2019ullah 1260 years into the future. And that this is a \u201cgathering easy\u201d could hardly be about All\u0101h gathering people at the time of Baha\u2019ullah, but that it is about gathering at the time of the Resurrection.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

Verse 45 sums it all beautifully that all these verses refer to the advent of the Prophet Mohammad. The chapter closes with these words: \u201cWe know best what they say, and thou art not one to compel them. So remind by means of the Qur\u2019an him who fears My warning.\u201d<\/span> No comment is necessary. Here are the verses from 39-45 together:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSo bear with what they say, and celebrate the praise of thy Lord before the rising of the sun and before the setting.
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 And glorify Him in the night and after prostration.
\n<\/span>\u00a0 And listen on the day when the crier cries from a near place\u2013<\/span>The day when they hear the cry in truth. That is the day of coming forth.
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0Surely We give life and cause to die, and to Us is the eventual coming\u2013<\/span>The day when the earth cleaves asunder from them, hastening forth. This is a gathering easy to Us.
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 We know best what they say, and thou art not one to compel them. So remind by means of the Qur\u2019an him who fears My warning.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 That there is a literal destruction of the world is further evidenced by the statement of Allah that on that Day everything \u201cthat can be in commotion, will be in commotion, followed by oft-repeated (commotions)\u201d\u2013(Qur\u2019an 79:6-7).<\/span> And: \u201cAll<\/span><\/i> <\/strong>that is on earth will perish<\/span><\/i>:<\/strong> But will abide (for ever), the Face of thy Lord,\u2013Full of Majesty, Bounty and Honour\u201d\u2013(Qur\u2019an 55:26-27). <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 The Prophet Mohammad is reported to have said that on the Day of Judgment we will see All\u0101h, God, just as we have no difficulty in seeing the sun and the moon on a clear day and night, respectively\u2013(Bokhari Vol. 6, # 105;\u00a0 Vol. 9, # 532, 532(b); and that he will be given permission to intercede for sinners\u2013(Bokhari Vol. 6, #3; Vol. 8,\u00a0 #\u2019s 570, 571; Vol. 9 # 600)\u2013which seems to be in agreement with the Qur\u2019an\u00a0 19:87; 43:86. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Strangely, whereas Prof. Afaqi states on page 46: \u201cIt (the soul) receives it its reward or punishment immediately after its separation from the body<\/i><\/strong> and does not have to wait for a day of judgment, as normally believed by the Muslims;\u201d five pages over, on page 51, commenting on al-Mizan<\/i>*<\/span> (the Balance), he wrote: \u00a0\u201cThe Word of God is, actually, the Balance of justice which is set on the Day of Qiyamah<\/i><\/strong> (Judgment). The acts which conform to the Word of God become the cause of salvation<\/i>. The deeds which are not according to that Word invite punishments<\/i>.\u201d
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 A glaring contradiction. The soul cannot be given reward or punishment \u201cimmediately\u201d<\/i><\/strong> after death when salvation or punishment is given by All\u0101h on the Day of Judgment.
\n<\/i><\/strong><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0*<\/span>(Qur\u2019an 7:8, 9; 23:102; 42:17; 55:7-9; 57:25).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 To restate. Even if all the verses of the Qur\u2019an dealing with the Resurrection and Judgment were of metaphorical meanings yet this would not make Baha\u2019ullah Divine messenger. Moreover, a religion or book that claims to supersede Islam and the Qur\u2019an must have doctrines that are superior in all matters of life \u2013moral, social, intellectual and spiritual\u2013 than those espoused by Islam\/Qur\u2019an. And there is no religion or Scripture on the surface of this earth that can be shown to be superior to Islam and the Qur\u2019an.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

9. (p. 77).<\/span> Prof. Afaqi quotes (out of context as usual) Qur\u2019an 57:9 which states: \u201cHe is the One Who sends to His servants <\/i>manifest signs, that He may lead you from the depths of darkness into the light, and verily All\u0101h is to you most kind and merciful.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 And he illuminates Baha\u2019ullah as one of these servants of All\u0101h, stating: \u201cToday God\u2019s light for the people of the world is the Faith revealed by Baha\u2019ullah.<\/i>\u201d (At least the Prof. got this right \u2013it is the Faith revealed by Baha\u2019ullah<\/i> not <\/span><\/i><\/strong>by All\u0101h. Emphasis added).
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0Firstly, the word <\/span>servants <\/i>(plural) in the verse is incorrect; it is servant (singular).
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 Secondly. This verse does not refer to prophets of God in general, but exclusively to the Prophet Mohammad. As verses 57:7-10 show, All\u0101h is addressing the disbelievers who were opposed to the Prophet Mohammad, as well as those who professed belief in All\u0101h but are reluctant to take part in the practical aspects of this belief. Here are the verses:\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBelieve in All\u0101h and His Messenger
\n<\/span>and spend of that whereof he has
\n<\/span>made you heirs\u2026
\n<\/span>And what reason have you that you
\n<\/span>believe not in Allah?
\n<\/span>And the Messenger (Mohammad)
\n<\/span>\u00a0invites you to believe in your Lord, and He
\n<\/span>has indeed accepted your covenants,
\n<\/span>if you are believers.
\n<\/span>He it is Who sends down clear
\n<\/span>\u00a0messages to His servant,
\n<\/span>that He may bring you forth
\n<\/span>from darkness into light\u2026.
\n<\/span>And what reason have you that
\n<\/span>You spend not in All\u0101h\u2019s way\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 While it is not uncommon for All\u0101h to have a prophet prophesy the coming of another prophet; after the \u201clight-giving sun,\u201d Mohammad\u2013(Qur\u2019an 33:46)\u2013no other servant from All\u0101h is required \u2013there is no light that can out-brilliant the sun. And as the Qur\u2019an is the ultimate Divine Revelation no Scripture can supersede it.<\/span>\u00a0 What is there in Baba\u2019ullah\u2019s Aqdas<\/i> that is superior to All\u0101h\u2019s Qur\u2019an?
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0Mohammad it is who delivered mankind from darkness and led him to light 1400 years ago. This light is ever-present for any who wishes to step into its brilliance!<\/span><\/p>\n

10. (p. 81).<\/span> All\u0101h says that if the Qur\u2019an was from another source than Him \u201cthey would surely have found therein much discrepancy\u201d\u2013(Qur\u2019an 4:82).
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0To which Prof. Afaqi states: \u201cBaha\u2019ullah has revealed more than 100 volumes of Holy Writings\u2026.However, one can find no contradiction, defect of \u2018discrepancy\u2019 in His Words, Thoughts and Laws. This is yet another evidence of the validity of His Mission.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 The Qur\u2019an is not a Book of commentaries. Nor is it a Book merely of praises to All\u0101h. The Qur\u2019an gives us laws for our social, moral, and spiritual living; it gives us ideas for our intellectual development \u2013it reveals to us scientific ideas that gave us progress in such fields as biology, physics, chemistry, geology, geography, astronomy, and meteorology\u2013; it reveals to us truths such as no man was aware of in the seventh century \u2013that the body of Pharaoh did not perish in the sea, and that belief in sonship of God was an imitation of paganism\u2013(Qur\u2019an 10:92; 9:30, respectively); it has given prophecies that has already been fulfilled \u2013such as the victory to the Prophet Mohammad at the battle of Badr, the dominance of Islam over all<\/span><\/i><\/strong> other religions, the Prophet\u2019s return to Makkah after his exile, the Persian\u2019s defeat at the hands of the Romans, and the defeat of the Makkan Allies; it has given \u201cevery kind of parable\u201d and \u201csimilitude\u201d\u2013(Qur\u2019an 30:58; 39:27), and \u201cevery kind of description\u201d\u2013(Qur\u2019an 17:89; 18:54); and has explained \u201call things\u201d\u2013(Qur\u2019an 6:38; 16:89); that Allah will protect it (the Qur\u2019an) from being altered. And it has declared its Divine uniqueness in the statement that no one can produce even one chapter like it\u2013(Qur\u2019an 2:23; 10:38).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 A book that claims to be from God and which even claims to supersede the Qur\u2019an, must equal the claims of the Qur\u2019an; must provide knowledge to surpass those of the Qur\u2019an, and must also offer the challenge for others to equal it.
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0Do the Bahais scriptures equal these claims of the Qur\u2019an; meet these requirements of providing knowledge, and can it offer this challenge for others to equal it? Show your proofs!<\/span><\/p>\n

11. (87). <\/span>The Prof. wrote: \u201c\u201cShow us the straight way Siratu\u2019l-Mustaqim\u201d\u2013(Qur\u2019an 1:6).
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0Now the question arises \u2018What is the straight way?\u2019 The Qur\u2019an answers:\u00a0<\/span>\u201cSay: \u2018Verily, my Lord hath guided me to a Way that is straight, -a religion of right,-the Path (trod) by Abraham\u2026\u2019\u201d (Qur\u2019an, 6:161).
\n<\/span>In the above-mentioned verse \u2018the straight way\u2019 is referred to as \u2018a religion from God\u2019. (And the perfected religion from God is Islam).<\/span><\/i> Is it not clear that the Muslims are also subject to the same situation of rise and fall which met other nations in the past? (Muslims may be subject to \u201cfall\u201d due to their lapse from following the Qur\u2019an. But Islam, the religion formulated by All\u0101h the Omniscient, cannot be subjected to a \u201cfall.\u201d When Muslims return to the Qur\u2019an they will again rise \u2013the Qur\u2019an gives success\u2013Qur\u2019an 20:1-2). <\/span><\/i>All the nations, including the Muslims, were given a fixed period. After that fixed period or appointed hour, another Manifestation of God was to come to guide them. Therefore, this prayer was revealed by God for the Muslims that they might say it until the appointed hour and would not go astray by rejecting the \u2018straight way\u2019 laid before them by the next advent. No wonder that this prayer lies in the very beginning of the Holy Qur\u2019an.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0<\/i><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

It is preposterous to project that Muslims are to say this prayer for 1400 years until Baha\u2019ullah appears, when the Qur\u2019an is complete guidance in all facets of life \u2013moral, social, intellectual, and spiritual.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Since All\u0101h has already guided us in the \u201cStraight Way\u201d \u2013the right religion, His chosen religion, Islam\u2013 \u00a0there is no need for another \u201cManifestation of God\u201d to guide us. There can be only one straight Way for the world. There can be only one \u2018right religion\u2019 for the world.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Since the Path trod by Abraham is Islam and since the Divine, and everlasting, covenant of Abraham and God is that of circumcision, Bahaism\/Baha\u2019ullahism could not be the \u2018Straight Way\u2019 and the \u2018right religion\u2019 when Bahais do not observe this fundamental and everlasting Divine covenant of circumcision. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 \u201c\u201cShow us the straight way Siratu\u2019l-Mustaqim.\u201d Sura Fatihah <\/i>\u2013the Opening Chapter of the Qur\u2019an\u2013 is, as commented by Muhammad Ali, the \u201cquintessence of the Qur\u2019an;\u201d no prayer is complete without its recitation and it is the first chapter to be recited in prayer. In this prayer Muslims glorify and praise All\u0101h, declare worship of Him alone, beseech His help, and seek His bounties and guidance. Which guidance is the Qur\u2019an. In respect to this particular verse, \u201cShow us the straight way Siratu\u2019l-Mustaqim,\u201d Muslims are seeking All\u0101h\u2019s guidance to keep us from falling into the errors of the Jews and Christians who are the Maghdub<\/i> and Dallin <\/i>\u2013the ones on whom is wrath and who has gone astray respectively. (See next item).\u00a0<\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0 It is foolishness to assert that this is a prayer for a future \u201cManifestation of God.\u201d (For Muhammad Ali\u2019s translation of the Qur\u2019an: www.muslim.org<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

12. (pp. 87-88). <\/span>Prof. Afaqi continues: \u201cLet\u2019s review another verse:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd (Jesus) shall be a sign (for the coming of) the Hour (of Judgment): therefore have no doubt about the Hour but follow ye Me: this is the Straight Way.\u201d Qur\u2019an, 43:61).<\/span><\/p>\n

In this verse the Christ has been referred to as a \u2018sign\u2019 and \u2018standard\u2019 for the \u2018appointed Hour\u2019, i.e. the time of the Advent of Baha\u2019ullah. And this has been called as the \u2018straight way\u2019. In the following verse, God Himself explains the nature of the \u2018straight way\u2019:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace, those whose (portion) is not wrath (Maghdub) and who go not astray, (dallin).\u201d (Quran: 1:7) \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 It is clear that the Muslims are made to pray for guidance towards the \u2018way\u2019 of the people on whom God will reveal a new Book. By the term \u2018grace\u2019 or \u2018favor\u2019, a revelation of God is meant:\u00a0 (And isn\u2019t the Qur\u2019an a revelation from God?)<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe (Jesus) was no more than a servant; We granted Our favour to Him, and We made him an example to the Children of Israel.\u201d (Qur\u2019an, 43:59) <\/span><\/p>\n

The Jews, who had rejected Christ, were called \u2018the cursed ones (Maghdud)\u2019. And the Christians, who rejected Prophet Muhammad, were termed as those astray (Dallin)\u2019. The Muslims have been warned in this prayer that they should not follow in the footsteps of these people. And they should not remain deprived of the favours from God, i.e. they should not reject Baha-\u2019ullah.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

(This is the skillful manner in which verses of the Qur\u2019an are manipulated to confuse and lead astray).
\n<\/span>Muslims could hardly be said to have been \u201cdeprived of the favours from God.\u201d Muslims have received the favors from All\u0101h more than a thousand years before Baha\u2019ullah was born). <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Taking from the bottom up. Jews were not called \u2018Maghdub\u2019 because they rejected Christ \u2013Atheists, Hindus, Buddhists, and others also reject Christ\u2013 but because they broke their covenant with All\u0101h, God.
\n<\/span>\u00a0Christians were not called \u2018Dallin\u2019 because they rejected Mohammad \u2013Atheists, Hindus, Buddhists, and others also reject Mohammad\u2013 but because they deify Christ.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Regarding the verse: \u201cAnd (Jesus) shall be a sign (for the coming of) the Hour (of Judgment): therefore have no doubt about the Hour but follow ye Me: this is the Straight Way\u201d\u2013 (Qur\u2019an, 43:61); and the Prof\u2019s. fanciful claim that \u201cIn this verse the Christ has been referred to as a \u2018sign\u2019 and \u2018standard\u2019 for the \u2018appointed Hour\u2019, i.e. the time of the Advent of Baha\u2019ullah. And this has been called as the \u2018straight way\u2019.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 The bracketed words in this Qur\u2019anic verse are those of the translator\u2019s opinion; they are not part of the Qur\u2019anic text. This alone demolishes the Prof\u2019s. claim that this verse is about the coming of Baha\u2019ullah. This verse has been translated by Yusuf Ali, Muhammad Ali, and Malik Ghulam Farid, thusly:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

And (Jesus) shall be <\/strong>A Sign (for the coming of) the hour (of judgment): So have no doubt about the (Hour), but follow ye *<\/span>Me; this is a Straight Way. <\/em>(Yusuf Ali). *<\/span>(Upper case \u2018M\u2019<\/em> seems to be a misprint).
\n<\/span>And this (revelation)<\/strong> is<\/strong> surely knowledge of the Hour, so have no doubt about it and<\/em> follow me. This<\/em> is the right path.\u00a0 (Mu<\/em>hammad\u00a0Ali).<\/span>
\n<\/span>But, verily, he was <\/strong>a sign of the Hour. So entertain no doubt about it, but follow me. This is the right path<\/em>. <\/em>\u00a0(Ghulam Farid).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Which is the correct translation? Ghulam Farid says that \u201cthe pronoun \u201chu\u201d<\/i> in \u201cinna hu\u201d <\/i>(of the Arabic text) may refer either to Jesus or to the Qur\u2019an.\u201d But how to know which one the Qur\u2019an is referring to? To know what the verse is referring to, we have to investigate the subject matter of this section (section 6).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Section 6 of chapter 43 begins with the verse: \u201cWhen (Jesus) the son of Mary is held up as an example<\/span><\/i>,<\/strong> behold, thy people raise a clamour thereat (in ridicule)!\u201d (Qur\u2019an 43:57). <\/span>(<\/span>Yusuf <\/span>Ali. Ghulam Farid and Muhammad Ali are in agreement; except that the verse begins with \u201cAnd\u201d \u2013\u201cAnd when Jesus\u2026.is held up\u201d). <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 While Jesus seems to be the subject of this section he is not <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/strong>the subject. He is only used as an example, as noted in the verse. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 For, as the people opposed Jesus, similarly the Prophet Mohammad is opposed. And that the prophecies that Jesus made regarding the coming of another Comforter\/Ahmad\u2013(John 14:16; Qur\u2019an 61:6)\u00a0 and that the kingdom of God shall be taken from the Jews and given to another nation \u2013(Matt. 21:43) were now being manifested with the advent of the Prophet Mohammad and the Qur\u2019an; (that this was the Hour marking the end of prophethood to the Jews, so \u201cfollow me,(Mohammad), this is a straight way\u201d<\/span><\/i>\u201343:61).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 The topic of this section is about the Qur\u2019anic revelation as noted by the italicized words in the above verse (43:61) in which the Prophet is commissioned to tell the disbelievers, \u201cfollow ye me; this is a straight way.\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/i>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 (a) In Yusuf Ali\u2019s translation there is no correlation between \u2018Jesus shall be a Sign of the coming of the Hour\u2019<\/i> and \u201cfollow ye me; this is a straight way\u2019<\/i>. That \u201cJesus SHALL BE<\/strong> a Sign\u201d is speaking about the future, whereas \u201cfollow ye me; THIS IS<\/strong> a straight way\u201d<\/i> is speaking about the present.<\/span><\/strong> People cannot be expected to follow me (Mohammad) using a future event<\/i> (the return of Jesus) as proof of his mission.<\/span><\/p>\n

(b) But in Muhammad Ali\u2019s translation there is agreement between the statements that \u201cTHIS REVELATION<\/strong> is surely knowledge of the Hour\u201d (when prophethood to the Jews would end, and which is now ended) so \u201cfollow me. THIS IS<\/strong> the right path.\u201d<\/i>\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

(c) And also in Ghulam Farid\u2019s translation there is agreement between the statements that \u201che (Jesus) WAS <\/strong>a sign\u201d (ending prophethood to the Jews) and \u201cfollow me<\/i> THIS IS<\/i><\/strong> the right path<\/i>.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 It is poor cerebrating to say that Muslims would have to wait a thousand years into the future for the arrival of Baha\u2019ullah to be given the \u2018Straight Way\u2019 when All\u0101h already gave Mohammad the \u2018Straight Way.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

13. (p.89).<\/span> Prof. Afaqi quotes Qur\u2019an 2:28, \u201cHow can you reject the Faith in All\u0101h? Seeing that ye were without life, and He gave you life. Then will He cause you to die, and will again bring you to life, and again to Him will you return.\u201d\u00a0 And he postulates that the life and death in the verse is referring to \u201cspiritual \u2018life\u2019 and \u2018death.\u2019\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 He wrote: \u201cIn this verse, God addresses the people present at the time of the revelation of the Qur\u2019an and tells them that they can in no way reject God, i.e. His Manifestation (But Jews and Christians of Arabia did<\/span> <\/strong>reject Mohammad),<\/span><\/i> because He had bestowed upon them, through His Prophet and Holy Qur\u2019an, a new life after they had become spiritually dead. God also fore-tells that the Muslims will also die by becoming incredulous in Faith (in what way have Muslims become incredulous<\/span> in Faith?)<\/span><\/i>,<\/span> slack in deeds and divided in their collective life. However He assures that this death will not be a final one. God will, through Baha\u2019ullah, give new life to the Muslims and other people (But the verse does not mention other people. If Muslims met their spiritual death by abandoning the Qur\u2019an, what need do they have of Baha\u2019ullah in order to regain spiritual life? all they need do is return to the Qur\u2019an, which the ultimate in Divine guidance)<\/span><\/i>.<\/span> Then they will worship God and follow His guidance and become a new nation (From day one Muslims still worship God, follow the Qur\u2019an and is one nation \u2013i.e. Observe the Unity of All\u0101h, Prayer, Charity, Fasting and Hajj; and are only divided on the interpretation of secondary matters; and difference of opinion among Muslims, according to the Prophet Mohammad, is a blessing).<\/span><\/i>\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 In verse under discussion, All\u0101h says \u201cHe gave you life. Then will He cause you to die<\/i>,\u201d and the Prof. states that God \u201chad bestowed upon\u201d Muslims \u201ca new life after they had become spiritually dead\u201d and that \u201cGod also foretells that the Muslims will also die by becoming incredulous in Faith.\u201d Thus, according to the Prof. it is God Who will cause the Muslims to die spiritually after He had given them spiritual life. But it is preposterous to entertain that God causes people to become \u201cspiritually\u201d dead when God is for goodness and His purpose is to bring man into \u201cspiritual\u201d life. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Again. All\u0101h says that He gave us life Then will He cause you to die, \u201cand will again bring you to life, and again to Him will you return.\u201d<\/i> If All\u0101h \u201cagain bringing\u201d us to life is about His giving us spiritual life through Baha\u2019ullah, as the Prof. contends, of what need then of All\u0101h saying, \u201cAND<\/strong> again to Him will\u201d we return?\u2013it would be obvious that since we are returned to \u201cspiritual\u201d life\u2013to Him\u2013through Baha\u2019ullah that we, automatically already returned to Him: return to All\u0101h, God, is intrinsic in religious spirituality. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 That this verse is about the physical death is made clearer in the concluding words of the verse that again to Him\/Allah will you return: <\/i>which means we were without life \u2013we were dead, non-existent \u2013then He gave us life \u2013brought us into existence\u2013 then He will cause us to die \u2013to return to lifelessness or non-existence\u2013 and again will bring us to life\u2013 raise us on the Day of Resurrection\u2013 then we will return to Him \u2013meet Him on the Day of Judgment to account for our deeds.. \u00a0\u00a0<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

14. (p. 93)<\/span> All\u0101h says in Qur\u2019an 6:133-134: \u201cThy Lord is self-sufficient, full of mercy, if it were His will, He could destroy you, and in your place appoint whom He will as your successors, as He raised you up from the posterity of other peoples. All that hath been promised unto you will come to pass; nor can ye frustrate it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 To which Prof. Afaqi states: \u201cIn this verse God warns the Muslims that they should not think that they are last nation and that no other nation can succeed them. He confirms that His material as well as spiritual bounties and mercies have always descended upon people and will continue to descend in the future.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 It is thoughtlessness to assert that this statement is directed against the Muslims.
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0While Jesus told the Jews that the kingdom of God shall be taken from them and given to another people\u2013(Matt. 21:43). Muslims had not broken any covenant\u2013faith, prayer, charity, fasting, hajj<\/span>\u2013(and still has not)<\/i>,<\/span> they had not kill any prophets of God <\/span>(and still has not)<\/span><\/i>,<\/span> they had not \u201ctampered\u201d with the Revelation from God <\/span>(and still has not)<\/span><\/i> for All\u0101h, God, to tell them, while the Qur\u2019an was still being revealed, that a new nation will be raised up to replace Muslims just as the Muslims have been raised from past nations. Such a conclusion is ridiculous.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 While All\u0101h without doubt, has the power to replace any nation with another, these verses (6:133-134) do not refer to the Muslims. They refer to the disbelievers \u2013those who opposed the mission of the Prophet Mohammad. (See also Qur\u2019an 14:19 and 35:16).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 All\u0101h would not be saying to the Muslims who have accepted Him that ye cannot frustrate<\/i> My promise. It would be absurd to inject this meaning into the verse.\u00a0 By accepting All\u0101h and His Prophet, Muslims could not be frustrating <\/i>Allah\u2019s promise. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Neither would Allah destroy the Muslims who had accepted His Message. Such statements could only be directed against those who oppose Allah and His Prophet, Mohammad.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 It would be foolish to entertain that Allah would have postponed the revelation of the Qur\u2019an till 1200 years later (to Baha-\u2019ullah).\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 To recount the Prof. that \u201cIn this verse God warns the Muslims that they should not think that they are last nation and that no other nation can succeed them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Islam, as taught by the Prophet Mohammad is not a national religion \u2013as other prophets came to a specific nation. And as Muslims \u2013Believers in All\u0101h and Mohammad\u2013 comprising of\u00a0 people of all races and colors are the best nation (Qur\u2019an 2:43; 3:109), then, by being the best<\/span><\/i><\/strong>,<\/span> by virtue of following the best <\/span><\/i><\/strong>Message, the Qur\u2019an, and as the best<\/span><\/i><\/strong> cannot be superseded, Muslims are <\/span><\/i><\/strong>the last nation.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Whereas individual nations (or populations) have an end, the Muslims \u2013which comprises of all nations and colors and is not restricted to any particular nation or race \u2013so long as they follow the Qur\u2019an, can never have an end.\u00a0\u00a0 (See also next item).<\/span><\/p>\n

15. (p. 94).<\/span> In His Qur\u2019an 7:34-35 All\u0101h reveals: \u201cTo every people is a term appointed; when their term is reached, not an hour can they cause delay, nor (an hour) can they advance. O Children of Adam, when-ever there come to you apostles from amongst you, rehearsing My signs unto you \u2013those who are righteous and mend (their lives) on them shall be no fear nor shall they grieve.\u201d
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0Prof. Afaqi attempts to promote Baha\u2019ullah as one of the \u201capostles\u201d mentioned in this Qur\u2019anic verse.<\/span><\/p>\n

(Since the advent of the Prophet Mohammad, there are two claimants to Divine messenger-ship, Baha\u2019ullah and Guru Nanak. And both of them teach doctrines that are conflicting to the other, as well as conflicting with the teachings of Islam. Which of these two claimants then are Muslims to follow, Baha\u2019ullah or Guru Nanak? And if a dozen claimants to apostleship should arise with new [and differing] \u201claws of God,\u201d in which one of the twelve shall we believe?)<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 While it is true that nations die and others rise in their places, the Law of God does not change. Moreover, that God would change His Law from submission<\/i> to Him (Islam)<\/i> to Bahaism<\/i>, a man-made adoption. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Muslims can not have an \u201cend\u201d when those who submit to All\u0101h regardless of whatever period of time, are named as Muslims<\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 The \u201cmessengers\u201d mentioned in the Qur\u2019anic verses (7:34-35) does not refer to messengers in the primary sense of the word, i.e.<\/i> they are not<\/span><\/i> book-bearing messengers. These are messengers in the secondary sense of the word \u2013as the king\u2019s servant in the story of Joseph is mentioned as \u201cmessenger\u201d (rasul<\/i>)\u2013(Qur\u2019an 12:50); and as angels are mentioned as \u201cmessengers\u201d (rasul<\/i>)\u2013(Qur\u2019an 22:75; 35:1). These \u201cmessengers\u201d of Qur\u2019an 7:34-35 would not be heralders of a new law (or religion)<\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Every Muslim is a messenger of Allah: Mohammad being the World Prophet and final Prophet to come, subsequent messengers could only be the Reformers <\/i>who will rise up among Muslims, as mentioned by the Prophet, and the Muslim missionaries who would propagate the Qur\u2019anic message to the world. <\/span><\/p>\n

16.<\/span> (p. 97)<\/span> Qur\u2019an 17:1 tells of the Prophet\u2019s journey (Isra)<\/i> to Jerusalem; whose precincts All\u0101h had blessed that \u201cWe might show him of Our Signs.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Prof. Afaqi wrote that \u201cGod had taken Prophet Muhammad to the Al-Aqsa and had shown Him the precincts of that Mosque i.e. the regions of \u2018Akka and Haifa. Thus in this verse of the Holy Qur\u2019an, God says that how He had shown to prophet Muhammad the places where Baha\u2019ullah lived the last twenty-five years of His earthly life. The shrine of the Bab is also situated in this very region on Mount Carmel.\u201d (And how many graves of others are there at Mount Carmel that All\u0101h showed Prophet Mohammad?)<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/i><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 It is rather strange that God would take Mohammad to Jerusalem to show him the precincts of \u2018Akka and Haifa, which are some seventy (70) miles away from Jerusalem, instead of taking him to Mount Carmel in Haifa. (This is like wanting to show someone Niagara Falls and dropping him off at Hamilton. Binoculars and telescopes were not yet invented).<\/span><\/i><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 The Isra <\/i>of the Prophet Mohammad is of a spiritual significance. There is no spiritual significance in God taking the Prophet Mohammad to Jerusalem to show him the future central quarters and graves of the Bahai Faith in \u2018Akka and Haifa.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 The Prophet Mohammad being carried to the Temple at Jerusalem, as Muhammad Ali commented on this verse (17:1), \u201csignified that he would also inherit the blessings of the Israelite prophets.\u201d Which is in accordance with the prophecy of Jacob and the teaching of Jesus Christ: \u201cThe Sceptre\u201d \u201cnor a law-giver\u201d (prophet) shall depart from Judah until the coming of \u201cShiloh\u201d (who, as noted, is the Prophet Mohammad)<\/i>\u2013(Gen. 49:10); and: \u201cThe kingdom of God shall be taken from you (Jews), and given to a nation (the Muslims) bringing forth the fruits thereof\u201d\u2013(Matt. 21:43).\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 The Isra <\/i>is the first stage of the Prophet Mohammad\u2019s journey \u2013Miraj<\/i>\u2013 to the Heavens\u2013(Qur\u2019an 17:60).
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 The Signs that All\u0101h showed the Prophet Mohammad was not the future burial spots of the Bab and Baha\u2019ullah but of the Heavens. (See Bokhari Vol. 4, # 429; Vol. 9, # 608).<\/span><\/p>\n

17. (p.99).<\/span> \u00a0\u201cIf it were Our Will, We could take away that which We have sent thee by inspiration, then wouldst thou find none to plead the affairs in that matter as against Us\u201d\u2013(Qur\u2019an 17:86).\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Whether the verse begins with \u201cIf it were Our Will\u201d or \u201cWhen it were Our Will\u201d is irrelevant. This verse could not mean \u201cwhen the Promised Day is come and a new universal Age is begun, then, O Muhammad, We will lift up that which We have sent to you (i.e. the Holy Qur\u2019an). There is no doubt in it.\u201d \u2026Hence the last part of the verse under review means\u2013O Muslims! at that time you will not be in a position to do anything against Us,\u201d as the Prof. dogmatized.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 As the context shows, this statement is directed against the disbelievers who were questioning revelation\u2013verses 85-93.
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0The claim that God is saying to the Muslims that at that time Muslims will not be in a position to do anything against God is senseless. <\/span>Is any man in a position at any time to do anything against God?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Muslims, having accepted All\u0101h as the Creator and Sustainer and cognizant of His Power and Greatness could hardly be said that they will oppose Allah, so that Allah should warn them that they will not be in a position to do anything against Him.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Muslims do not have to wait for Allah to send a \u201cManifestation of God\u201d twelve hundred years after the revelation of the Qur\u2019an to \u201clift up\u201d the Qur\u2019an, when Allah has already declared that it is a Book of Wisdom, and Guidance, and has explained all things, and that Mohammad is the best exemplar for us; and when Muslims, using the pronouncements on such topics as Biology, Geology, Astronomy, Meteorology, etc; in the Qur\u2019an, became, for centuries, masters in the field of scientific learning.
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0 The Qur\u2019an is already \u201clift up;\u201d Muslims are already \u201clift up.\u201d
\n<\/span>It is Bahais that need to be \u201clift up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

18. (pp. 101-102).<\/span> Prof. Afaqi quotes Qur\u2019an 17:4-7 and 17:104 which says of the Children of Israel \u201cthat twice would they do mischief on the earth,\u201d and that \u201cwhen the second of the warnings came<\/span><\/i> to pass, We shall gather you together in a mingled crowd.\u201d And he states:\u00a0 \u201cIn these verses the Jews have been given a glad tiding that when the second promise will come to pass (i.e. the promise of the advent of a Messenger of God) they will be gathered in the Land of Israel in huge numbers;\u201d the Jews coming to \u201cthe Holy Land in 1948,\u201d were in accord with \u201cthe advent of Baha\u2019u\u2019llah;\u201d thus \u201cthe prophecies of the Qur\u2019an and the Bible were fulfilled.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

(Like many other Muslim countries, Palestine was part of the Muslim Khilafat <\/i>(Union) (the Ottoman Empire) based in Turkey. \u201cIn 1915, Great Britain encouraged the Arabs to join with her against Turkey, promising them independence after the war,\u201d as noted by Ismail Zayid in his Palestine\u2013A Stolen Heritage<\/i>; but after Turkey was defeated the British proved treacherous, making what was known as the Sykes-Picot agreement in which Britain, France and Russia would carve up between themselves \u201cthe Arab countries and part of Turkey.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 To capitalize on Jewish influence in the Bolshevik party and keep Russia on Britain\u2019s side in the war, Arthur Balfour, British foreign secretary, in November 1917, informed Lord Rothschild, a British Jew and banker, that: \u201cHis Majesty\u2019s Government views with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people\u2026\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

But Britain reneged on her promise. The result was Jewish \u201cterrorism\u201d directed against the British. Eventually, the British gave up its mandate over Palestine.<\/span><\/p>\n

Shortly \u201cafter 1945\u201d the American Government, under President Harry Truman, took the lead in the creation of a Jewish State in Palestine. Ismail Zayid notes<\/i>: \u201cSumner Welles affirmed: \u201cBy direct order of the White House, every form of pressure, direct or indirect, was brought to bear by American officials upon those countries outside the Moslem world, that were known to be either uncertain or opposed to Partition.\u201d\u201d And <\/i>\u201cJames Forrestal, then U.S. Secretary of Defense, wrote: \u201cThe methods that had been used to bring coercion and duress on other nations in the General Assembly bordered closely on scandal.\u201d\u201d6<\/span><\/sup> (No Court of Justice would view as one\u2019s legal property an item that is acquired through \u201cpressure\u201d and\/or \u201ccoercion and duress\u201d).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 U.S. President, Harry Truman (and the UN) <\/i>is not God or prophet of God. In fact, Ahmed Deedat notes in his Arabs and Israel\u2013Conflict or Conciliation<\/i>, that when Truman was asked by one reporter about his haste in recognizing the Jewish state, as to \u201cWhat was all the hurry for? Do you not know that there are more than a hundred million Arabs there, who would be offended by us?\u201d Truman replied \u201cThere are no Arabs in my constituency.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 No devotee of God would entertain that God would replace one people with another to satisfy man\u2019s political agenda.
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 It is doubtful that a devout person would attribute the Jewish acquisition of 20th<\/sup> century Palestine to Divine orchestration. After all the Palestinians were not of \u201cwickedness\u201d as the \u201cchildren of Anak\u201d*<\/span>were, to be dispossessed of their homes, lands, and country, and herded into tragic refugee camps by God to make provision for the Jewish people. Moreover, through American diplomatic thuggery at the UN.\u00a0\u00a0*<\/span><\/i>(Deut. 9:4, 2).
\n\u00a0 \u00a0Jews could not be promised a \u201creturn\u201d when they are required to be Muslims\u2013to follow the Prophet Mohammad.<\/span>
\nFor details on this topic see<\/span> Palestine \u2013 gift to Jews or Muslims?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

That<\/span>\u00a0All\u0101h says that the Jews would twice \u201cdo mischief on the earth\u201d\u2013(Qur\u2019an 17:4).\u00a0 After the first warning \u2013Jerusalem was destroyed by the Babylonians in the 6th<\/sup> century BC\u2013 <\/i>Allah gave the Jews prosperity\u2013(Qur\u2019an 17:6). After the second warning \u2013Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD\u2013 <\/i>Allah says: \u201cIt may be that your Lord will have mercy on you. And if you return (to mischief), We will return to punishment\u201d\u2013(Qur\u2019an 17:7-8.
\n\u00a0 \u00a0Jews did <\/i>return to mischief: violating their agreement of mutual protection with the Prophet Mohammad by siding with the enemies; and feigning conversion to Islam to create dissension among Muslims\u2013Qur\u2019an 3:71. For 20th<\/sup> Century Jewish \u201cmischief\u201d read Prof. Noam Chomsky, Pirates and Emperors, Old and New, International Terrorism in the Real World<\/i>, pub; by Between the Lines, Toronto, Canada; and obtainable at a library.
\n\u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong><\/span>On All\u0101h\u2019s decree that <\/span>\u201cIt may be that your Lord will have mercy on you. And if you return (to mischief), We will return to punishment\u201d Muhammad Ali notes: <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis relates to the advent of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, when the Israelites were again given a chance to reform, but they are told that if they return to mischief they will again be punished. When the Holy Prophet came to Madinah, the Jews were at first in a conciliatory mood, but their enmity increased day by day, until they joined hands with the enemies of Islam, devising plans to take his very life. The result was that they were swept out of Arabia, while their lot in all other countries of the world has always been one of hard trials and severe afflictions, and spiritually the Jewish religion has no future.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Prof. Afaqi\u2019s quote that after the second warning Allah \u201cshall gather\u201d (future tense) the Jews in a \u201cmingled crowd\u201d is incorrect.
\n<\/span><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 In His Qur\u2019an 17:104, Allah instructed the Children of Israel to dwell in the Promise Land: \u201cbut when the latter promise <\/i><\/strong>came, We gathered you together in a mingled crowd.\u201d
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0This \u201clatter promise\u201d does not mean that Allah will have Jews inhabit the Holy Land a second time. Jews were not to be gathered at a future date after the ministry of the Prophet Mohammad, as in 1948.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 Allah Already \u201cgathered\u201d<\/i> (past tense)<\/i> them, before 1948. Jews were in a \u201cmingled crowd\u201d \u2013Arabs, Africans, Armenians, Persians\u2013 in pre-Islamic Arabia. Jews can only be \u2018gathered together in a mingled crowd\u2019 if they are among non-Jewish peoples, and are under dominion; not if they are in an entity of their own and have dominion over others \u2013\u201cmingled crowd\u201d cannot mean the twelve Jewish tribes living together: if so, Jews were already \u201cmingled\u201d when they left Egypt and occupied Palestine under Joshua. Also, a Jew could hardly identify himself tribally: they may all now be of the same tribe. Arthur Koestler convincingly theorized in his book The Thirteenth Tribe <\/i>that present day Jewry may not be Biblical Jews but descendants of the Khazar, an 8th century Turkish tribe, that converted to Judaism. The twelve Jewish tribes living together is not a \u201cmingled crowd\u201d: they are collectively one unit termed \u201cChildren of Israel.\u201d<\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 This \u201clatter promise\u201d as commented on by Muhammad Ali, refers to \u201cthe promise given to Moses for the raising up of another prophet like him. This is corroborated by what is said in the next verse about the revelation of the Qur\u2019an, which came with truth, i.e. in fulfillment of a true promise\u201d:\u00a0 \u201cAnd with truth have We revealed it, and with truth did it come. And We have not sent thee (Mohammad) but as a giver of good news and as a warner\u201d\u2013(Qur\u2019an 17:105).\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 When a document is completed or the term of a thing is ended, it is idiomatically referred to as being \u201crolled up\u201d or \u201cgathered.\u201d All\u0101h \u201crolling up\u201d\/\u201cgathering\u201d Jews means their term in spiritual leadership has come to an end, which \u201crolling up\u201d\/\u201cgathering\u201d finds resonance in the prophecy of the prophet Jacob that kingship and prophethood shall pass from the Israelites to another people; Moses\u2019 saying that Jews are to follow the prophet like him;\u00a0 Jesus\u2019 sayings that the kingdom of God shall be taken from the Jews and given to another people, and Jerusalem would cease to be the focus of Divine worship\u2013(Gen. 49:10; Deut; 18:18-19; Matt. 21:43; John 4:21). <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 That All\u0101h would then dispossess the believing Palestinians and give their land to Jews who are \u201cstiffnecked,\u201d \u201crebellious,\u201d have lost the kingdom of God; and most of whom are \u201cfaithless,\u201d \u201ctreacherous,\u201d \u201ctransgressors,\u201d on whom His \u201ccurse\u201d is upon, and has declared to subject to \u201csevere torment\u201d to the Resurrection<\/span> is not only hilarious but must be the biggest joke of creation!\u2013(Ex. 33:3; Deut. 9:7; 31: 27; Isaiah 65:2; Matt. 21:43. Qur\u2019an 2:88; 2:100; 5:13; 5:81; 2:88; 7:167). <\/span><\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/i><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

If it be argued that these pronouncements against Jews were applicable only to Jews of ancient times, the claim that God gave us this land would also now be redundant. Such argument would also deny the prophecy of Jesus that the kingdom of God shall be taken from the Jews and given to another people.<\/span><\/p>\n

19.<\/span>\u00a0 (pp. 102-103).<\/span> The Prof. also attempts to wrap Baha\u2019ullah in the shroud of Gog and Magog mentioned in the Qur\u2019an.
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 All\u0101h reveals in Qur\u2019an 18:99: \u201cOn that day We shall leave them to surge like waves on one another, then the trumpet shall be blown, and We shall collect them all together.\u201d And in Qur\u2019an 21:96-97 that: \u201cUntil the (tribes of) Gog and Magog are let through (their barrier) and they swiftly swarm from every hill. Then will the true promise draw nigh. Then behold! The eyes of the unbelievers will fixedly stare in horror\u201d \u201cAh\u201d we were indeed heedless of this: Nay we truly did wrong!\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Prof. Afaqi lists the wars of the period 1806 and 1848 \u2013Russia, France, Sweden, Turkey, Hungary, and Iran\u2013 and notes that the Bab and Baha\u2019ullah announced their missions 1844 and 1863 respectively. And he concludes that these Qur\u2019anic verses heralded the advent of Baha\u2019ullah.
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 In support to his claim the Prof. quotes (out of context)<\/span> Qur\u2019an 21:103: \u201cBut the angels will meet them (and say) \u2018this is your Day that ye were promised.\u2019\u201d
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0(But this \u201cDay that ye were promised\u201d refers to the inmates of Paradise as verses 98-103 show).
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908) was also of this period; why not apply these Qur\u2019anic injunctions and historical events to him?<\/span><\/p>\n

As noted, the ending of Qur\u2019an 21:97 above says \u201cThen will the true promise draw nigh. Then behold! The eyes of the unbelievers will fixedly stare in horror\u201d \u201cAh\u201d we were indeed heedless of this: Nay we truly did wrong!\u201d<\/span> \u00a0<\/i>If this is a prophecy about Baha\u2019ullah and, clearly, as the unbelievers realized their wrong why did they all not accept Baha\u2019ullah? On the contrary, as is evident, except for a few ignorant or misguided souls, Russia, France, Turkey, Sweden and Iran are anything but devotees of Baha\u2019ullah.
\n<\/span>(Muhammad Ali has explained these verses on Gog and Magog at length\u2013Qur\u2019an 18:83-101 and 21:96-97. See his translation of the Qur\u2019an online: www.muslim.org<\/span><\/a>)<\/span><\/p>\n

20.\u00a0 (pp. 103-105).<\/span> All\u0101h says in Qur\u2019an 18:109 and 31:27 that if all the seas were ink, with seven more added to it, and if all the trees were pens they would all be exhausted without being able to write the words of All\u0101h.
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 To this the Prof. postulates: \u201cSome may say that by these verses it is meant that the words, with which we praise God, will not be exhausted, but this is a mistake. In these verses the term \u2018words of Allah\u2019 is used which is quite different from the words which we praise Him. Our words of praises are not the \u2018Words of All\u0101h\u2019 but the words of His servants.\u201d (The words of praise in the Qur\u2019an are<\/span> the Words of All\u0101h).
\n<\/span><\/i><\/span>\u00a0 And as usual he quotes irrelevant verses to satisfy his view-point and: \u201cHence it is proved that the above-quoted verse refers to those words of God which are to be revealed during the coming billions of years through the chosen Manifestations of God.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0But these verses of Qur\u2019an 18:109 and 31:27 serves as a refutation to the Christian doctrine that Jesus is \u201cthe<\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/strong> Word of All\u0101h: whereas in fact the Words of All\u0101h are so numerous that if all the seas were ink, with seven more added to it, and if all the trees were pens they would all be exhausted without being able to write the words of All\u0101h. In fact, as Muhammad Ali rightly points out, \u201cevery thing created is a Word of God, according to the Holy Qur\u2019an, and things created know no end.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Through Mohammad, All\u0101h perfected religion, completed His favors to mankind, and gave us the Book in which nothing is omitted. It would be absurd, to say the least, that All\u0101h would call a set of laws perfect that would become redundant within a number of years.
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0Whereas man perfecting of an affair is limited to his knowledge of the day and is therefore subject to improvement, <\/span>Allah God, having all knowledge of all things, His perfecting<\/i> of an affair cannot be improved upon. His perfecting our religion, there is no need for another Law. Even for \u201cbillions of years\u201d to come.
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 For Baha\u2019ullah (or any other) to claim to bring a new Law from God when God has already perfected religion and completed His favor and chosen for us Islam as religion is to deny God His Omniscience.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

21.<\/span> (pp. 106-107). <\/span>All\u0101h reveals in His Qur\u2019an 21:104: \u201cThe Day when We shall roll up the heaven as a recorder rolleth up a written scroll. As We began the first creation We shall repeat it, a promise We have undertaken; truly shall We fulfill it.\u201d
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 And the Prof. wrote: \u201cThe above verse prophesies the collapse of old spiritual, religious and administrative systems\u2026.God explains just as He had initiated a new creation through Muhammad, He will again initiate a new creation through another of His Manifestations, Baha\u2019ullah.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 All\u0101h says \u201cAs We began the first creation<\/i><\/strong> We shall repeat it.<\/i><\/strong>\u201d All\u0101h is speaking about the first creation<\/i> of man which the Prof. interprets to mean a \u201creligious and administrative system(s).\u201d
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 This verse is referring to the Day of Resurrection. We are created \u201cbare-footed, naked and uncircumcised\u201d and this is what will be repeated. As the Prophet Muhammad, the foremost authority on the Qur\u2019an<\/span><\/i>,<\/span> explained the words \u201cAs We began the first creation, We shall reproduce it\u201d:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou (people) will be gathered before Allah (on the Day of Resurrection) bare-footed, naked and uncircumcised.\u201d (The Prophet Mohammad then recited): \u2018As We began the first creation, We shall repeat it.<\/span><\/i> (It is) a promise We have undertaken and truly We shall do it\u2019\u2013<\/strong>(Bokhari Vol. 6, #264. Also Vol. 8 # 533. And # 534 where \u2018Aisha, the Prophet\u2019s wife, inquires about us being raised naked; \u2018Aisha said):\u00a0 \u201cO Allah\u2019s Apostle! Will the men and the women look at each other?\u00a0 He said, \u201cThe situation will be too hard for them to pay attention to that.\u201d\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 All\u0101h rolling up the heavens like a scroll is not about the termination of the Prophethood (of Mohammad) and the ushering in of a new Dispensation (Baha\u2019ullah). The Qur’anic Message is to the Day of Judgment.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

22. (p. 107).<\/span> All\u0101h says in His Qur\u2019an 22:17: \u201cThose who believe (in the Qur\u2019an), those who follow the Jewish (scriptures) and the Sabeans, Christians, Magians and Polytheists \u2013All\u0101h will judge between them on the Day of Judgment.\u201d
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0Prof. Afaqi comments: \u201cThe Holy Qur\u2019an has divided the people, according to their belief and religion, into six major categories \u2013Muslims, Jews, Sabeans, Christians, Zoroastrians and the Polytheists (Hindus, Buddhists etc.). Throughout the centuries the followers of these religions and ideologues have been fighting amongst themselves. The religious leaders have created and nourished such bigotry and narrow-mindedness that each one of them calls the others as infidels. <\/span>(Where is the bigotry and narrow-mindedness in Islam\/Qur\u2019an\/Prophet\/ Mohammad?\u00a0 It is not Islam or the Qur\u2019an that needs to be changed it is the people).<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 It is misleading to say that the Qur\u2019an\/Allah has \u201cdivided the people, according to their belief and religion,\u201d when All\u0101h said that mankind is one nation\u2013(Qur\u2019an 2:213; 4:1; 10:19; 21:92; 23:52; 49:13); has given all people rites and ceremonies\u2013(Qur\u2019an 22:67; 22:34); and the one common message that there is no God but He\u2013(Qur\u2019an 20:14; 21:25; 28:88).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 By straying from the one common Message given to them, the people have divided themselves. Whereas Muslims observes the Purity of Godhead \u2013that He is One and Only; the Eternal Absolute; He begets not, nor is begotten; there is none like Him; He incarnates not; and He is Just<\/i>\u2013<\/span> Jews ascribes injustice to God that they are His \u201cchosen people\u201d to the exclusion of others; Sabeans worship angles along with God; Christians ascribe partners to God as well injustice to Him in saying that God had the innocent Jesus killed for sinners; Hindus introduced polytheism, karma and reincarnation; and, contrary to the teachings of Zoroaster, Magians believe in two Creators \u2013one of Light and one of Darkness.<\/span><\/p>\n

These people call themselves as such just as the followers of Baha\u2019ullah call themselves Bahais<\/i>. Muslims are the only people who follow the religion named after the Divine purpose \u2013peace, and submission to God\u2013 Islam <\/i><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 In this verse, as Muhammad Ali explains: \u201cIt is implied that differences in religious beliefs do not call for punishment in this life; these will be decided on the day of Judgment. Punishment in this life is brought upon those who work mischief and transgress all limits in doing evil.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Prof. Afaqi continued: \u201cGod has promised that He will settle their disputes, on the day of the advent of his next Manifestaion, through His teachings of peace, love, unity and amity. And these peoples will become one people.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 What is there in the teaching of Bahaism\/Aqdas on \u201cpeace, love, unity and amity\u201d of mankind that surpasses that of Islam\/Qur\u2019an? What is there in the teaching of Bahaism\/Aqdas that brought material benefit to man that surpasses that of Islam\/Qur\u2019an?
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0Mohammad it was who, fourteen hundred years ago, gave mankind the master-print for \u201cpeace, love, unity and amity,\u201d as well as moral, social, intellectual, and spiritual ascendancy<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

23. (p. 108).<\/span> Prof. Afaqi quotes part of Qur\u2019an 27:60: \u201cWho has created the heavens and the earth, and who sends down rain from the sky, then with it, We cause to grow well-planted orchards full of beauty and delight (Bahjah).\u201d
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 After acknowledging the literal import of the verse, the Prof., trying to manipulate it to accommodate Bahaism, wrote: \u201cHowever if we take its meaning as an allegory it will mean that \u2013It is God Who raises up the sky of religion and creates the earth of Faith. (Does this make sense?) <\/span><\/i>It is He Who sends down from the heaven of His Will the rain of His Revelation and from it He causes the gardens of the \u2018Bahji\u2019 (Beauty and delight) to grow.
\n<\/span>\u2018Bahji\u2019 is the place, about three miles from Akka, where Bahai lived as a prisoner\u2026.He is buried at this holy spot which is now surrounded by a beautiful, enchanting and fragrant garden. In the above-quoted verse the same garden has been referred to and is being praised.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This is how Bahaism is propagated: verses are tailored to suit Baha\u2019ullah. This verse cannot be metaphorically praising the Bahai\u2019s garden when the verse is of literal import.
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 It is doubtful that this place was named Bahji at the time of the Revelation of the Qur\u2019an. So if some other Iranian should claim Divine messengership, concoct a \u201cDivine\u201d book, and name some place Bahji this Qur\u2019anic verse would be applicable to him also.
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0Why force an allegorical meaning onto this verse when it is not?
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0Here are the relevant verses to this topic, part of which the Prof., for obvious reason, did not include. Allah reveals in Qur\u2019an 27:59-60:\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSay: Praise be to Allah and peace
\n<\/span>on His servants whom He has chosen!
\n<\/span>Is Allah better, or what they
\n<\/span>associate (with Him)?
\n<\/span>\u201cOr<\/span><\/i><\/strong>, Who created the heavens and the earth,
\n<\/span><\/span>and sends down for you water from the cloud?
\n<\/span>Then We cause to grow thereby
\n<\/span>beautiful gardens\u2013it is not possible for
\n<\/span>you to make the trees thereof to grow.
\n<\/span>Is there a god with Allah?
\n<\/span>Nay, they are a people who deviate!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Evidently this statement is not allegorical, but of literal import. It is used in argument against the disbelievers to show the superiority of Allah over their false gods.
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0The Qur\u2019anic \u2018Bahji\u2019 has no bearing to the history of Baha\u2019ullah. Literal or allegorical!<\/span><\/p>\n

24. (p.108). <\/span>In Qur\u2019an 28:85 All\u0101h promises the Prophet Mohammad: \u201cVerily He Who ordained the Qur\u2019an for thee, will bring thee back to the place of return, say: \u2018my lord knows best who it is that brings true guidance, and who is in manifest error.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Without fail, Prof. Afaqi, diametrically opposed to the Prophet Mohammad\u2019s teachings, and even to reasoning, uses this verse to promote Baha\u2019ullahism. He speculates: \u201cIn the above-quoted verse it is foretold that the Muslims will reach their point of return. It (If) they will accept and believe in the Promised One (meaning Baha\u2019ullah) they will be guided. Otherwise, they will live as those who are in manifest error.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

From a point of reason, the Prophet\u2019s \u201cplace of return\u201d could only be the \u201cplace\u201d which he was forced to migrate from \u2013Makkah. Thus, this verse is a prophecy about his eventual return to Makkah; which is history.
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 From a point of Tradition, Bokhari records this verse as referring to the Prophet\u2019s return to Makkah\u2013(Bokhari, (229 Chapter), # 296). <\/span><\/p>\n

Muhammad Ali explains the word ma\u2019ad<\/i> of this verse under discussion: \u201cThe word ma\u2018ad <\/i>means the ultimate place of one\u2019s returning <\/i>(from \u2018ada<\/i>, meaning he returned<\/i>) (LL). The word ma\u2018ad <\/i>here has been taken to mean Makkah according to an interpretation given by I\u2018Ab, and T accepts this interpretation, because the conquest of it was promised to the Prophet, so that it was the place to which he would return. But Makkah is really called ma\u2018ad<\/i>, or Place of Return, because the pilgrims return to it (LL). According to some this verse was revealed on the Prophet\u2019s departure from Makkah, i.e., on his way to Madinah. It contains a clear promise of the Prophet being brought back to the city from which he was now being expelled.\u201d (Muhammad Ali\u2019s translation of the Qur\u2019an can be viewed online: www.muslim.org<\/span><\/a>). For a listing of prophecies see <\/span>Qur\u2019an-prophecies<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

To support his argument that Qur\u2019an 28:85 foretells that \u201cMuslims will reach their point of return,\u201d Prof. Afaqi states: \u201cThis same law of the beginning and the end is also explained in this verse:\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cIt is All\u0101h Who begins creation; then repeats it; then shall ye be brought back to Him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 All\u0101h creating, and repeating creation, and of our return to Him, means that Allah originated <\/span><\/i>the creation of man, then repeats this creation of man through the process of procreation<\/span><\/i>,<\/span> and after that we will die and \u201cbe brought back to Him\u201d<\/span> in the Hereafter. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 As this entire section (section 2) of chapter 30 verses 11-19 show, this topic deals with the rejecters of Allah and the Hereafter, when \u201cthe guilty will despair\u201d and would have no \u201cintercessors from among their associate gods,\u201d and on \u201cthat day they will be separated\u201d from each other; that the believers in Allah \u201cwill be made happy in a garden\u201d: \u201cAnd as for those who disbelieved and rejected Our messages and the meeting of the Hereafter<\/span><\/i>, they will be brought to chastisement\u201d\u2013(vs. 16). <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Verse 11 of 30:11 that Allah \u201cWho begins creation; then repeats it; then shall ye be brought back to Him,\u201d could not be a foretelling that Muslims will reach their \u201cpoint of return\u201d \u2013the Hereafter<\/i> is not exclusive to Muslims: all<\/span><\/i> will<\/span> return to the Hereafter<\/i>\u2013 nor can it be a spiritual resurrection<\/i> because the Hereafter is attainable only after physical<\/i> death.<\/span><\/p>\n

25. (p. 109).<\/span> Qur\u2019an 32:5 All\u0101h revealed: \u201cHe directeth the ordinances from heaven to the earth, in the end it ascendeth unto Him in a Day, whereof the measure is a thousand years of your reckoning.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Prof. Afaqi opines:\u00a0 \u201cIt refers to the Revelation of the Holy Qur\u2019an. By heaven is meant \u201cthe heaven of the Will of God\u201d.\u00a0 The period of directing of the ordinances from the heaven to the earth is 260 years. \u2026.After that comes the period of Islam and that of the decline of the Muslim nation \u2013(this is patent non-sense! The Muslim nation cannot be decreed by All\u0101h to suffer \u201cdecline\u201d seeing that the Qur\u2019an gives success: Qur\u2019an 20:1-2; 24:55; 29:45; 33:3; 13:31; 45:19. While Muslims\u00a0\u00a0 may suffer a decline the Islamic Kingdom of All\u0101h can never suffer decline. Whenever Muslims return to the practice of Islam Muslims will again\u00a0<\/i>be successful. Muslims are destined to be successful, victorious, and triumphant)\u2013 <\/span>which is, according to this verse, one thousand years. Thus the total period of Islam is 1260 years. Siyyid \u2018Ali Muhammad\u2019, the Bab, declared his mission as the Promised One, the Mihdi and the Lord of the Age, on the fifth day of Jamadin\u2019l-Avval in the year 1260 (Islamic). Thus God has fulfilled another of His promise.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

(Intriguingly, whereas here the Prof. claims that the Bab <\/i>is the \u201cPromised One, the Mihdi and Lord of the Age,\u201d on p. 40 of his book (as noted in item #5) he claims that Baha\u2019ullah<\/i> is \u201cThe Promised One Who was to come in the Last Day,\u201d that \u201cthe advent of Baha\u2019u\u2019llah is the second coming of Christ\u201d). <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Islam, peace and submission to All\u0101h and the nature in which man is created can never be replaced.<\/span><\/i> All\u0101h ordering the Affair from the heaven to the earth is not a prophecy about the replacement of Islam; it is about Muslims lapsing from the practice of Islam. Muhammad Ali notes that after its initial success Islam (though in actuality it is Muslims):<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cwill receive a set-back for a thousand years. As regards the period of its firmness, we are told in a Hadith\u2013(saying of the Prophet Mohammad)\u2013 that it will retain its purity for three centuries:\u00a0 ‘The best of the generations is my generation, then those who follow them, then those who follow them, then after them will come people who will pride themselves in abundance of wealth and love plumpness\u201d (Tirmidhi 31:39). According to another hadith: \u201cThere will come a people in which there is no good” (KU. VI, 2068). The words of another are: “A crooked way \u2013they are not of me nor am I of them\u201d (KU. VI, 2073).\u00a0 That there is a prophecy here is shown by the next verse (verse 6), which says, such is the Knower of the unseen and the seen<\/i>.\u00a0 Thus we have here a prophecy relating to the future of Islam\u2026. That the cause would go on advancing for three centuries is made clear by the Prophet’s saying. After that the cause of Islam would be chequered and it would have its set-backs, which would continue for a thousand years. The limitation of the period of chequering shows clearly that, after that, the advancement of Islam will again be as unhampered as it was in its early stages in the time of the Prophet and after him.\u201d (Comm. 1959). <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 The period of Islam could not be for \u201cone thousand years\u201d when Allah has perfected and chosen Islam for mankind\u2013(Qur\u2019an 5:3); Islam is to prevail over all religions\u2013(Qur\u2019an 9:33); the religion with All\u0101h is Islam\u2013(Qur\u2019an 3:18); to die only as Muslims\u2013(Qur\u2019an 3:101); and when no other religion but Islam is acceptable to Allah\u2013(Qur\u2019an 3:84). This religion of Islam cannot be limited to a \u201ctotal period\u201d of \u201c1260 years.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 It is clear that the above verse (32:5) has no relation with the advent of a new prophet. If it be argued that a Reformer was required for this revival of Muslims, that Reformer\u2019s action would be subjective to that of the Prophet Mohammad\u2019s, not separated. No prophet, whether old or new, will come. <\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

26. (pp. 109-110).<\/span> All\u0101h reveals in His Qur\u2019an 33:7: \u201cAnd remember We took from the prophets their covenant, as (We did) from thee, from Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus, the son of Mary, We took from them a solemn covenant.\u201d
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 To which Prof. Afaqi asserts: \u201cGod has taken a solemn covenant, through their respective Prophets, that they should not hesitate to accept Baha\u2019ullah.\u201d
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 To fortify his claim he quotes Qur\u2019an 3:81 where All\u0101h reveals: \u201cBehold! All\u0101h took the covenant of the Prophets, saying: I give you a Book and Wisdom; then comes to you an apostle confirming what is with you; do ye believe in him and render him help. All\u0101h said, \u2018do ye agree, and take my covenant as binding on you?\u2019 They said, \u2018we agree.\u2019 He said, \u2018then bear witness, and I am with you among the witnesses.\u2019\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 As All\u0101h reveals in Qur\u2019an 3:81 only one personality was foretold through the Ages by all the prophets. And as Abdul Haque Vidyarthi and Prof. \u2018Abdul Ahad Dawud (the former Reverend David Benjamin Keldani) have shown in their respective books, Muhammad in World Scriptures<\/i> and Muhammad in the Bible,<\/i> this individual that was promised is none other than the Prophet Mohammad. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 And as religion was perfected and God\u2019s favor to man was completed through the Prophet Mohammad \u2013through the Qur\u2019an and Islam\u2013 then as the Prophet Mohammad rightly said that no prophet will come after him and no new religion will be born;<\/span> that only a Reformer will be raised every century to call those back who have lapsed from the practice of Islam. These Reformers functions would be subordinated to the teachings of the Qur\u2019an, which is the best Message and contains \u201call truth.\u201d\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 With regards to the Qur\u2019an 33:7 quoted by the Prof. \u201cAnd remember We took from the prophets their covenant, as (We did) from thee, from Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus, the son of Mary, We took from them a solemn covenant.\u201d Muhammad Ali explains: <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/i>\u201cThe covenant referred to here is generally supposed to be in relation to the delivery of the message with which the prophets are entrusted. But see 3:81, where the making of a covenant with the prophets is spoken of, and that covenant is, with regard to the advent of the Holy Prophet, referred to in Acts 3:21 and elsewhere; for a full discussion on which see 3:81a<\/i>. The covenant spoken of as having been made with the Holy Prophet evidently refers to the Prophet\u2019s verifying all previous revelation. Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus are specially mentioned by name on account of their importance.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

And in his commentary on 3:81 which states: \u201cBehold! All\u0101h took the covenant of the Prophets, saying: I give you a Book and Wisdom; then comes to you an apostle confirming what is with you; do ye believe in him and render him help. All\u0101h said, \u2018do ye agree, and take my covenant as binding on you?\u2019 They said, \u2018we agree.\u2019 He said, \u2018then bear witness, and I am with you among the witnesses,\u2019\u201d Muhammad Ali notes:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMith\u00e5q al-nabiyyin <\/i>means literally the covenant of the prophets<\/i>, and may therefore signify either the covenant of the prophets with All\u0101h <\/i>or the covenant of the prophets with their people<\/i>. As the words that follow are plainly addressed to the people, the Jews and the Christians being particularly addressed in the last two verses, I adopt the latter interpretation, and therefore translate the words as meaning a covenant through the prophets<\/i>. According to Kf: When All\u0101h made the covenant which the prophets confirmed with their peoples<\/i>. Both Moses and Jesus specially laid an obligation on their people to accept the prophet about whom they prophesied. Thus, through Moses, Almighty God had warned the Israelites, after promising them \u201ca prophet from among their brethren like unto thee\u201d, that \u201cWhosoever will not hearken unto My words which he shall speak in My name, I will require of him\u201d (Deut. 18:19). And Jesus was equally emphatic when, prophesying the advent of the Comforter, he added: \u201cHe will guide you into all truth; for he shall not speak of himself, but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak\u201d (John 16:13). As a matter of fact the Prophet had his advent foretold by all the prophets of the world. The New Testament bears testimony to this: \u201cWhom the heaven must receive until the time of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began<\/i>. For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me: him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you\u201d (Acts 3:21, 22). The covenant referred to was made through each prophet separately as he appeared in the world. And just as all the prophets foretold the advent of the Prophet Muhammad and laid an obligation upon their people to accept him, so the Prophet Muhammad also taught his followers to believe in all the prophets that had appeared among different people in different ages, and this is stated in what follows. The truth of the first statement that all prophets foretold the advent of the Prophet Muhammad is borne out by the second statement that that Prophet would bear testimony to the truth of all the prophets of the world.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Regarding the prophet foretold by Moses. Baha\u2019ullah is in no way like Moses; but the Prophet Mohammad is, as stated by All\u0101h in the Qur\u2019an 73:15. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Regarding the Comforter foretold by Jesus\u2013(John 14:16-17; 15:26-27; 16:7, 13.\u00a0 Baha\u2019ullah is in no way this Comforter; but the Prophet Mohammad is, as stated by All\u0101h in the Qur\u2019an 61:6. And in this verse Jesus gave the name of the Prophet \u2013Ahmad being another name of the Prophet Mohammad. And by no stretch of the Arabic or English language can Mirza Husayn Ali \u2013the real name of Baha\u2019ullah\u2013 be made into Ahmad.<\/span><\/p>\n

Regarding this prophecy of Jesus about the Comforter, Malik Ghulam Farid notes in his commentary:
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u201cThe above prophecy in the Gospel of John closely resembles the prophecy mentioned in the verse under comment (Qur\u2019an 61:6) except that instead of Ahmad the name stated therein (in the Gospel) is Paraclete. Christian writers challenge the correctness of the Qur\u2019anic version of the prophecy, basing their contention on this difference of the two names, irrespective of the otherwise identical features of the biblical and Qur\u2019anic versions. <\/span><\/span>(These Christians should contend about the cardinal doctrines they follow that has no Divine foundation, no prophetic foundation, no logical foundation, and are repugnant to reason). <\/span><\/i>In fact, Jesus spoke both Aramaic and Hebrew. Aramaic was his mother tongue and Hebrew his religious language. The present biblical version is the translation of Aramaic and Hebrew into Greek. A translation naturally can-not fully convey the beauty of the original text. Their limitations are reflected in their works. The Greek language has another word, i.e.<\/i> Periklutos, with a similar meaning as Ahmad in Arabic. Jack Finegan, the renowned Christian theologian, in his book, \u201cThe Archaeology of World Religions,\u201d says: \u2018Where in Greek the word Parakletos (Comforter) is very similar to Periklutos (renowned), the latter word being the meaning of the names Ahmad and Muhammad.\u2019 Moreover, \u201cThe Damascus Document\u201d, a scripture discovered towards the end of the nineteenth century in Ezra synagogue, Old Cairo (p. 2), described Jesus as having foretold the advent of a \u201cHoly Spirit,\u201d named Emeth: And by His Messiah, He has made them know His Holy Spirit. For it is he who is Emeth, i.e. the Truthful One, and in accordance with His name are also theirs<\/i>\u2026 \u201cEmeth\u201d in Hebrew means \u201cthe Truth\u201d, or \u201cthe Truthful One and a person of constant goodness\u201d (Strachan\u2019s Fourth Gospel, p. 141). This word was interpreted by the Jews as \u201cGod\u2019s Seal.\u201d Naturally, though Jesus must have used the name Ahmad, the phonetic resemblance bet-ween the two words (Ahmad and Emeth) led later writers to substitute \u201cEmeth\u201d for Ahmad, its Hebrew synonym. Thus the prophecy mentioned in the verse applies to the Holy Prophet.\u201d\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span> \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

27. (pp. 110-111).<\/span> All\u0101h says, \u201cMohammad is the Seal of the prophets\u201d\u2013(Qur\u2019an 33:40).
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0Bahais claim that whereas this verse put an end to \u2018Prophethood\u2019 (Nabi), the door to \u2018Messengership\u2019 (Rasul) was still open. In other words no prophet can come but messengers can come. Claiming that this \u201cSeal\u201d means that Mohammad is the last prophet to come, but <\/span>not <\/span><\/i><\/strong>the last messenger to come.
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 Prof. Afaqi states: \u201cThis proves the Bahai belief that Muhammad was not the last of the \u2018Apostles\u2019 but the last of the \u2018Prophets\u2019.\u201d
\n<\/span>(Then we should also accept Guru Nanak as apostle of God; and any other claimant to Divine apostleship).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 But in his last sermon to Muslims, the Prophet Mohammad said: \u201cNO<\/span><\/i>\u00a0 PROPHET\u00a0 OR\u00a0 APOSTLE<\/span><\/i>\u00a0\u00a0 WILL\u00a0 COME\u00a0 AFTER\u00a0 ME\u00a0 AND\u00a0 NO<\/span><\/i>\u00a0 NEW\u00a0 FAITH\u00a0 WILL\u00a0 BE\u00a0 BORN!\u201d<\/span> This seems to be an explanation of him being the \u201cSeal of the prophets\u201d\u2013(Qur\u2019an 33:40).
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 <\/i>When a document or an affair is \u201csealed\u201d there can be no adding to it.\u00a0 Any such addition would negate its status. <\/i>Since Mohammad is the \u201cSeal\u201d of the prophets; and since Mohammad advised that after him \u201cNO prophet OR Apostle<\/span><\/i>\u201d will come and \u201cNO new faith\u201d will be born, Baha\u2019ullah\/Bahai\u2019s cannot base his claim to Apostleship on the teachings of Islam and to be the bringer of a new Book and a new religion.
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 Clearly, from the above declaration by the Prophet, Bahaism is not a Divine institution but a human fabrication.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Another saying of the Prophet is: \u201cThe Israelis used to be ruled by and guided by prophets: Whenever a prophet died, another would take over his place. There will be NO PROPHET AFTER ME<\/span><\/i><\/strong>, but there will be Caliphs<\/i> who will increase in number\u201d\u2013(Bokhari Vol. 4, # 661).
\n<\/span>\u00a0 And yet again, \u201cthe Prophet said \u201cthere will be in my community\u201d, i.e., among the Muslims, \u201cmen who will be spoken to (by God), though they will <\/span>NOT <\/span><\/span><\/i><\/strong>be prophets\u201d (B. 62:6). According to another version of the same hadith, such people are given the name <\/span>muhaddath <\/i>(B. 62:6).\u201d (M. Ali Qur\u2019anic comm. 1994).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 All\u0101h did not say that the Qur\u2019an is khatam-al-kitab<\/i> (seal\/last of the Books). However, since nothing is omitted from the Qur\u2019an and it explains all things; is the best Message and through it Allah\u2019s favor to us is completed, and is for all mankind, reason alone would dictate that no other Book is to come. Thus the Qur\u2019an is the khatam-al-kitab<\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 All\u0101h did not say that Islam is khatam-ad-deen<\/i>, but since it is the only religion chosen by Allah, is perfected, and no other religion is acceptable to Allah, reason alone would dictate that Islam is khatam-ad-deen\u2013<\/i>seal\/last religion (to be born).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 That All\u0101h did not say that Mohammad is khatam-ar-rasul<\/i> is no argument about him not being the last of the Messengers<\/i>. Since he brought the best Message and the perfect religion, saw fulfillment of God\u2019s favors and is the best \u201cexemplar;\u201d coupled with the fact that he explicitly stated: \u201cNo prophet or Apostle will come after me and no new faith will be born,\u201d<\/span> Allah does not have to say that Mohammad is khatam-ar-rasul<\/i> for him to be the last of the Messengers. Reason would dictate that he is not only the last Prophet but also the last Messenger. <\/span>(Though there will be Reformers to call those who have lapsed from practicing Islam\u2013<\/span>Abu Dawud<\/i> 36:1. See also Bokhari Vol. 4, # 661).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Regarding the Bahai\u2019s argument that whereas the door of prophethood is closed but the door of messengership is still open.
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0Prophethood is the first station of Divine messengership: a prophet is not necessarily a messenger, but a messenger is necessarily a prophet also.\u00a0 In analogy, one must first enter the front door <\/span>(prophethood)<\/i> of a house to get into the bedroom <\/span>(messengership)<\/i>. If the front door <\/span>(prophethood)<\/i> is closed he cannot get into the bedroom <\/span>(messengership)<\/i>.
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 Thus, by closing the door to prophethood, All\u0101h the Wise has effectively closed the door to Messengership also. Seal of Prophethood is also seal of messengership!\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The above evidences \u2013Qur\u2019anic, Prophet\u2019s tradition and reasoning\u2013 have shown that the train of prophetic revelations reached its terminus with the advent of the Prophet Mohammad. As nothing is omitted from the Qur\u2019an, there is no need for another religion(s), or prophet(s).
\n<\/span>\u00a0 As All\u0101h, God, has perfected religion, united all nations of the world and closed the office of Prophethood, to say that Allah would send another prophet after the Prophet Mohammad, such an act would not only negate the status of the Prophethood of Mohammad as being the last Prophet to come but would indicate the imperfection of religion and the incompleteness of Allah\u2019s favor and guidance. This would amount to an absurdity, for it would deny the Omni-science of Allah God. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 After Mohammad, any claim to Divine messengership on Islamic teachings is without foundation.
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0Mohammad came to the Arabs and to unite the world under one Law \u2013the Qur\u2019an.\u00a0 With the advent of Mohammad all people having now receive Divine guidance, this office of prophethood\/ messengership is forever closed. There is no need for another prophet\/ messenger to come.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

(As stated. That Baha\u2019ullah\u2019s life-vein was not severed \u2013as Allah promised to the prophet who invented a saying in His name [Qur\u2019an 69:44-46]\u2013 does not mean that he was a prophet of All\u0101h. Since he was not a prophet he could say anything without fear of having his life-vein severed, as this promise of Allah was only for prophet[s] who invented sayings).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Naba\u2019i-Azim dealt with in item # 5.<\/span><\/p>\n

28. (p.112)\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Prof. Afaqi quotes Qur\u2019an 39:68: \u201cThe trumpet will be sounded, when all that are in the heavens and the earth will swoon except such as it will please All\u0101h (to exempt) then will a second one be sounded, when behold, they will be standing and looking.\u201d
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Prof. is of the view that \u201cThe declaration of a Manifestation of God is called the \u2018sounding of the trumpet\u2019. \u2026The above-quoted verse prophesies the advent of two Manifestations of God, after Muhammad.\u201d And he attributes these two Manifestations of God to be the Bab and Baha\u2019ullah.
\n<\/span>(How many angels and jinns in the heavens did \u201cfaint\u201d when the Bab and Baha\u2019ullah blew their trumpets?)<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Whereas \u2018sounding of the trumpet\u2019 can also mean a \u201cspiritual\u201d resurrection \u2013the destruction of the old order\u2013 the sounding of the trumpet in this verse (39:68) as the context shows is the Day of Resurrection (of the Day of Judgment). Verses 69-70 make this abundantly clear as it states that after the blowing of the trumpet the Light of All\u0101h will illuminate the earth. Here are the two verses together:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe trumpet will be sounded,
\n<\/span>when all that are in the heavens and
\n<\/span>the earth will swoon except such as
\n<\/span>it will please All\u0101h (to exempt)
\n<\/span>then will a second one be sounded, when
\n<\/span>behold, they will be standing and looking.
\n<\/span>And the earth beams with the light
\n<\/span>of its Lord, and the Book is laid down,
\n<\/span>and the prophets and the witnesses are
\n<\/span><\/span>brought up,<\/span> and judgment is given between
\n<\/span><\/span>them <\/span>with justice, and they are not wronged.
\n<\/span>And <\/span>every soul<\/span> is <\/span>paid back fully
\n<\/span>for what it did\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 That this Qur\u2019an 39:68 is about the Resurrection is corroborated by the Prophet Mohammad. He is reported as having said in comment to this verse: \u201cI will be the first to raise my head after the second <\/span>blowing of the trumpet and I will see Moses hanging (on) the Throne, and I will not know whether he had been in that state all the time or after the blowing of the trumpet.\u201d (Bokhari, Vol. 6, (254 Chapter), # 337).
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 The order of Islam can never be destroyed: to destroy Islam All\u0101h will be destroying the system of submission to Him<\/i>.
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0In requiring all past nations to follow Mohammad, All\u0101h did not \u201cdestroy\u201d their systems \u2013which were also Islam\u2013 All\u0101h replaced their Scriptures with what is the best\u2013 the Qur\u2019an.
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 Can Bahais prove that Bahaism is superior to Islam? Produce your proofs!<\/span><\/p>\n

29. (p.113)<\/span> As noted in the preceding, All\u0101h reveals: \u201cAnd the earth will shine with the glory of its Lord, and the book will be set up, and the prophets <\/span><\/i>and the witnesses will be brought forward and a just decision pronounced between them, and they will not be wronged\u201d\u2013(Qur\u2019an 39: 69).
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0According to Prof. Afaqi: \u201cIn this verse, the advent of Baha\u2019ullah (Glory of the Lord), the revelation of a new Book, presence of witnesses and pronouncements of the judgment, have been foretold.\u201d (The Prof. left out mention of the \u201cprophets\u201d).<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

The explanation in the previous item has debunked the Prof\u2019s. claim. As shown this verse deals with the Day of Judgment, when the earth will shine with the light of God and our Book (of deeds) will be presented to us, and when our limbs*<\/span> and our prophets will bear witness, and God will render justice. On this day, as verse 70 says: \u201cevery soul is paid back fully for what it did.\u201d
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span>EVERY<\/span><\/i> soul cannot be \u201cpaid back fully for what it did\u201d if the topic is about the advent of Baha\u2019ullah; <\/span>EVERY<\/span><\/i> soul was <\/span>not<\/span> <\/i>present at the advent of Baha\u2019ullah <\/span>(millions having already died before his coming)<\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n

*<\/span>(Our limbs will bear witness against us\u2013Qur\u2019an 24:24; 36:65; 41:20-22. Even in this life our limbs bear witness against us \u2013fingerprints, DNA. Even a stone will be witness\u2013Joshua 24:27; and a heap\u2013Genesis 31: 48, 52).\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

30. (p.114)\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Prof. Afaqi quotes Qur\u2019an 40:11 (out of context, as usual) which states: \u201cThey will say: \u2018Our Lord twice hast Thou made us without life, and twice hast Thou given us life. Now have we recognized our sins, is there any way out (Of this).\u2019\u201d\u201d
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0And (as usual) he gave his own interpretation to accord with Baha\u2019ullah, that: \u201cIt signifies that the people were dead at the time of the advent of Muhammad. Islam made them alive. When they died again Baha\u2019ullah restored them to life, for the second time, through His revelation<\/span>. (How did Muslims die? And if their death was because they abandoned the teachings of Mohammad, why not return to this teaching, and back to life given by Mohammad?).<\/i><\/span> Thus they received two deaths and two lives. This verse does not concern with physical death or life.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Thus, according to Prof. Afaqi, if an unbeliever (being in spiritual death) should accept Moses (given spiritual life) should later abandon the Old Testament (return to spiritual death), and \u00a0later accept Jesus (given spiritual life) then abandon the Gospels (return to spiritual death), then accept Mohammad (return to spiritual life) then abandon the Qur\u2019an (return to spiritual death), then accept Baha\u2019ullah (return to spiritual life) then abandon the Aqdas (return to spiritual death), then\u2026\u2026\u2026This individual would have at least five \u201cdeaths\u201d and five \u201clifes.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Notably, the verse says \u201c<\/span>twice hast Thou (All\u0101h) made us without life,\u201d and the Prof. states that this is about \u201cspiritual\u201d death. Thus the Prof. is claiming that All\u0101h, God, caused Muslims to have \u201cspiritual\u201d death. This is blasphemy!<\/span><\/i><\/strong> All\u0101h God does not lure man into disbelief or decay! <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Contrary to the Prof. This verse is about the physical death and life.\u00a0 Every person is given two deaths and two lifes\u2013(Qur\u2019an 2:28; 22:66; 30:40; 40:11; 45:26). Our non-existence is our first state of \u201cdeath\u201d and our demise from this world is our second \u201cdeath\u201d \u2013giving two deaths\u2013 and our present life is one \u201clife\u201d and our raising at the Resurrection is our second life \u2013giving two lifes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 As pointed out the Prof. has used this verse (40:11) out of context. As 40:10-12 show this verse (of 40:11) is about the two physical <\/span><\/i>deaths and lifes. All\u0101h is relating that on the Day of Judgment the disbelievers, realizing the truth of All\u0101h\u2019s Message and the Resurrection, will hate themselves more for their disbelief than they then hated All\u0101h when His Message was rehearsed to them; and they would be seeking His forgiveness for their disbelief. Here are the three verses:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Unbelievers will be addressed:
\n<\/span><\/span>\u201cGreater was the aversion of Allah to you
\n<\/span>than (is) your aversion to yourselves,
\n<\/span><\/span>seeing that ye were called to the Faith
\n<\/span>and you used to refuse.\u201d
\n<\/span><\/span>They will say: \u201cOur Lord! Twice hast
\n<\/span>Thou made us without life (i.e. gave us death),
\n<\/i><\/span><\/span>and twice hast Thou given us life!
\n<\/span>Now have we recognized our sins:
\n<\/span><\/span>is there any way out (of this)?\u201d
\n<\/span>(The answer will be:) \u201cThis is because,
\n<\/span><\/span>when All\u0101h was invoked as the Only
\n<\/span>(object of worship), ye did reject Faith,
\n<\/span><\/span>but when partners were joined to Him,
\n<\/span>ye believed! The Command is with All\u0101h,
\n<\/span><\/span>Most High, Most Great!\u201d
\n<\/span>(Qur\u2019an 40:10-12)<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 And in the next verse All\u0101h calls to our attention that Divine revelation is spiritual sustenance much as the rain is physical sustenance: \u201cHe it is Who shows you His Signs, and sendeth down sustenance for you from the sky: but only those receive admonition who turn (to God).\u201d
\n<\/span>(Elsewhere in the Qur\u2019an All\u0101h gives the analogy that as He causes the rain to bring the dead earth to life likewise He will resurrect the human dead\u2013(Qur\u2019an; 22:5-6; 30:50; 50:1-11).<\/span><\/p>\n

31.<\/span> (p. 116). <\/span>Page after page the Prof. quotes verses or parts thereof out of context and wraps them around Baha\u2019ullah. Here is more proof. He wrote: \u201cGod has always chosen a central city for the advent of His messengers. Hence He says: <\/span>\u201cNor was the Lord to destroy a population until He had sent to its centre an Apostle, rehearsing to them Our verses\u201d. (Qur\u2019an 2859). <\/span>Thus He sent Muhammad to the \u2018mother of the cities\u2019, Mecca:\u00a0<\/span>\u201cThus We have sent by inspiration to thee an Arabic Qur\u2019an; that thou mayest warn the Mother of Cities and all around her<\/i><\/strong>.\u201d(Qur\u2019an 42:7). (Italics\/emphasis added).
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0Similarly God has chosen Baghdad <\/span>(where did God say this?)<\/span><\/i>,<\/span> the \u2018mother of Iraq\u2019, which is the central city of Arabia, Persia, Turkey and Egypt and the metropolis of Islamic art, culture, and religion, for the advent of Baha\u2019ullah.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

(Mohammad was raised for the people of Arabia and, as All\u0101h says in the verse, all those around her<\/span><\/i>,<\/span> which includes Iraq and the entire Middle-east; and which places the Prophet and his followers missionized. The Prophet Mohammad was sent also to the entire world.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

The verse says that these prophets were raised from among their own people<\/span><\/i>. Mirza Husayn Ali \u2013Baha\u2019ullah\u2013 was not<\/span> <\/i><\/strong>of the people of Iraq\/Arab: he was Persian. The prophet Zoroaster, which Islam accepts, was Persian.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe reason why Makkah is called umm al-qarra<\/i> [\u201cMother of the towns\u201d or Mother of the Cities] is not only that it was both the political and spiritual centre of Arabia, but also because it was destined to be the universal spiritual centre\u2013 the real mother of the whole world.\u201d (M. Ali, Qur’anic comm. 799).
\n<\/span>What is the spiritual significance of Baghdad being called \u201cmother of Iraq\u201d?)<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 (The Prof. cont\u2019d). \u201cIn 1863 Baha\u2019ullah proclaimed His Mission in the city of Baghdad. He claimed that He was the Promised One of all religions (Mirza Ghulam Ahmad\u20131835-1908\u2013also claims to be the Promised One; and he has some ten million followers. And Haille Selassie \u20131892-1975\u2013 is honored as \u201cGod incarnate\u201d).<\/span><\/i> Thus 21st April, 1863 (the day of the declaration of Baha\u2019ullah) is the day of exodus for all the nations\u2026.On that very day the earth and heaven of the past religions, beliefs and old system were rent asunder. Since that day new treasures of knowledge and actions were opened and new revolutions began to shake the earth, and resurrection of the nations took place. (Islam and Muslims revolutionize and resurrect the nations 1200 years before Baha\u2019ullah was born. We are still eating fruits from the trees of science sown by Muslims).<\/span><\/i> The Holy Qur\u2019an terms the life of the vegetable kingdom as \u2018spring\u2019 and that of men as \u2018Exodus\u2019:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd We give life therewith to land that is dead; thus will be the resurrection (exodus).\u201d (Qur\u2019an 50:11).\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 As stated, the Prof. has taken Qur\u2019an 50:11 out of context. He has quoted part of the verse and which verse is not about the advent of any messenger or spiritual resurrection.
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0One of the main topics of the Qur\u2019anic Message deals with the Resurrection of the literal dead. Verses 2-3 show that the disbelievers doubted the physical Resurrection of the dead: <\/span>\u201cBut they wonder that there has come to them a warner from among themselves. So the Unbelievers say: \u201cThis is a wonderful thing! What! When we die and become dust, (shall we live again?) That is a (sort of) return far (from our understanding).\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 In verses 6-10 All\u0101h questions them that if they do not look to the heavens and observe its flawless creation; and to the earth and its produces which He sends: \u201cAs sustenance for (His) servants;\u2013and We give life therewith to land that is dead: thus will be the Resurrection\u201d\u2013(Qur\u2019an 50:11).
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0All\u0101h is answering the doubters of the Resurrection that just as how they see the flawless creations and life is given to a land that is dead, likewise He will raise them from the dead.
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0See also Qur\u2019an 75:3-4: \u201cDoes man think that We shall not gather his bones? Yea. We are able to put together in perfect order the very tips of his fingers.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

32. (pp.118-119). <\/span>All\u0101h reveals in Qur\u2019an 52:1-4: (there is a difference in wording between the Prof\u2019s. rendering and Muhammad Ali\u2019s. Muhammad Ali\u2019s wording is done in red. The reason for this will be shown).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cBy the mount Tur;\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0By the Mountain!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 By a decree inscribed;\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0And a Book written<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In a scroll unfolded;\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0on unfolded vellum!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 By the much-frequented fane;\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And the frequented House.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 By the Canopy raised High;\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And the elevated canopy,<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And by the ocean filled with\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0And the swollen sea!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 swell;\u2013Verily the Doom of\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0The chastisement of thy<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 thy Lord will indeed come\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Lord will surely come to<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 to pass;\u2013there is none can\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0pass\u2013there is none to <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 avert it.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 avert it.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 The Prof. explains these five elements to be: (1) (Tur) mount Sinai; (2) (decree) Old Testament; (3) (much-frequented fane) Temple of Solomon (though Muhammad Ali, correctly, interprets it as tabernacle of Moses)<\/span>; (4) (the canopy) the Ka\u2019bah; and (5) (the ocean) the Mediterranean sea (correctly, the Red sea). <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Regarding this \u201cocean filled with swell\u201d (or the swollen sea) <\/span>the Prof. wrote: \u201cthe ocean is the Mediterranean sea. \u2018Akka is situated on the banks of this sea. Thus God swear by a Holy Mountain, a Holy Book, a Holy Temple, a Holy Point of Adoration and a Holy Sea (a Holy Sea \u2013how did this sea became Holy? Why did God not swear by \u2018Akka or Mount Carmel where Baha\u2019ullah was, as in the case of Moses \u2013Mt. Tur\u2013 and Mohammad \u2013Makkah?)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 (Whereas the first four elements of the verse had Divine worship associated with them so that they can be called \u201cHoly\u201d the Mediterranean sea has no Divine worship associated with it for it to be called \u201cHoly.\u201d
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0Moreover, All\u0101h is not \u201cswearing\u201d by these \u201cHoly\u201d places; nor are they mentioned with regards to any \u201cHoliness.\u201d These verses show a parallel between Moses and Mohammad; as is explained by Muhammad Ali):<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe first six verses draw attention to a set of parallel facts in the revelations of Moses and Muhammad<\/i><\/strong> (peace and blessings of All\u0101h be on them!). The mount in the one case is Mt. Sinai,<\/i><\/strong> and in the other the mount Hira,<\/i><\/strong> the Book stands for the Torah <\/i><\/strong>in the one case and the Qur\u2019an<\/i><\/strong> in the other; the House that is frequented and the elevated canopy refer, on the one hand, to the tabernacle raised by Moses<\/i><\/strong> for the Israelites as a sacred place, where they worshipped God and offered sacrifices, and on the other to the Sacred House at Makkah<\/i><\/strong>, which was to be the center of the Muslims of all nations, all countries, and all ages, and where they were to offer sacrifices. The swollen sea represents the sea which brought destruction to Pharaoh and his hosts, while the Holy Prophet\u2019s enemies are told in the next verse that the punishment of their Lord would as surely overtake them on land as it overtook the enemies of Moses in the swollen sea.<\/span><\/i> But note that the word <\/span>bahr <\/i><\/span>signifies <\/span>land <\/i><\/span>as well as <\/span>sea<\/i><\/span>, and this word occurring in a saying of the Holy Prophet is explained as meaning their <\/span>city<\/i><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>and <\/span>land <\/i><\/span>(N). The whole passage draws attention to the close similarity of the revelations of Moses and the Holy Prophet, and warns the dis-believers that their power will be brought to naught, as it was in the case of Pharaoh. Here again we have the Prophet\u2019s likeness to Moses spoken of in a very early revelation.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/strong><\/span> (Emphasis\/color added).<\/span><\/p>\n

(For other references to the Prophet Mohammad being like Moses see Qur<\/span>\u2019an 46:10; 73:15. And Yusuf Ali and Muhammad Ali\u2019s commentaries). And Deut; 18:18-19 and 33:2 of the Bible. Muhammad Ali\u2019s translation of the Qur\u2019an can be viewed online: www.muslim.org<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 God already warned all people\u2013(Qur\u2019an 10:47; 16:36; 35:24). The last people that needed to be warned were the Arabs; who were warned by the Prophet Mohammad. The Prophet Mohammad united all nations under the universal law of the Qur\u2019an\/Islam. Thus as there is no other people that needs to be warned, and as All\u0101h has given mankind a universal law there is no need for any other \u201cManifestation of God.\u201d
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0As stated. A religion that claims to supersede Islam must give teachings that are superior to that of Islam in matters moral, social, intellectual and spiritual. Let the Bahais produce their proofs that Bahaism\/Aqdas is superior to Islam\/Qur\u2019an. <\/span>Islam is\u00a0superior to all\u00a0other religions.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

33. (p.120).<\/span> Qur\u2019an 56:60-61. All\u0101h changing our forms and creating what we know not is, as the context shows, about the forms we will have in the Hereafter.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Qur\u2019an 47:38. All\u0101h saying \u201c\u2026if ye turn back (from the path), He will substitute in your stead another people; then they would not be like you.\u201d
\n<\/span>(How does this refer to Baha’ullah? Sikhs<\/i>, followers of Guru Nanak, and Rastafarians,<\/i> followers of Haille Selassie, are also not like Muslims; why not follow these?) <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 In this verse as the context shows All\u0101h is admonishing those who profess to be Muslims not to be \u201cniggardly\u201d and to spend in the way of All\u0101h; and if they \u201cturn back\u201d He will replace them with another people. Not that He will bring a different Book and replace Mohammad.
\n<\/span>\u00a0 Notably, Muslims did <\/span>not <\/i><\/strong>\u201cturn back.\u201d Still have not!<\/span><\/p>\n

As pointed out, page after page the Prof. has taken verses, and parts thereof, of the Qur\u2019an out of context and attempts to fit Baha\u2019ullah and Bahaism into them. The reader is urged to compare these Qur\u2019anic references of the Prof. with the context from which they are taken. Again, Muhammad Ali\u2019s translation of the Qur\u2019an can be viewed online: www.muslim.org<\/a>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

34. (pp. 122-126).<\/span> The Qur\u2019an 81:1-13 lists 12 events, which Prof. Afaqi claims are prophecies about the advent of Baha\u2019ullah. But these are twelve signs marking the Doomsday: \u00a0<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

i. When the sun is folded: <\/strong>\u00a0This statement is about the literal death of the sun.\u00a0 S. Bashir-Ud-Din Mahmood in his book Doomsday and Life after Death<\/i> notes that \u201cscience considers the Doomsday of the Earth as an accepted reality.\u201d (p. 113). (Perhaps it is for this reason that man is spending billions of dollars to colonize other planets).
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0After the sun has burnt itself out it \u201cwill start to contract under its own weight\u2026slowly fading and cooling to end its career as a black dwarf star.\u201d (Paul Davies, <\/span>God and the New Physics<\/i>, p. 201). <\/span>\u00a0The folding up of the sun (i.e. of it losing its light) is to be compared with it becoming a \u201cblack dwarf star.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

ii. When stars are dust coloured:<\/strong> At the \u201ccollapse\u201d of the sun \u201cAlmost all the stars we now see would either be so dim as to be invisible or appear as faint points in a sea of blackness.\u201d (James Trefil, The Dark Side of the Universe<\/i>, p. 190).<\/span><\/p>\n

iii. When mountains vanish: <\/strong>This is a literal happening. Allah reveals in the Qur\u2019an that the mountains would become like \u201cwool,\u201d and would be made to pass away, and would be carried away as dust\u2013(Qur\u2019an 70:9; 101:5; 18:47; 77:10); that the earth will be made barren, and will be leveled\u2013(18:8; 18:47); that the earth\u2019s crust will burst\u2013(99:2-3). <\/span><\/p>\n

iv. When pregnant she-camels are abandoned:<\/strong> (Though they are still used as transportation in some parts) the camel may have been \u201cdiscarded as a means of transportation\u201d due to the invention of the engine. But they are very much a source of food \u2013meat and milk\u2013and their hides and wool are in demand in the garment industry. Moreover, the verse specifically says \u201cpregnant she-camels,\u201d<\/span> which shows that this time of its abandonment is because of a matter of tribulation rather than the luxury of the automobile. Thus the verse could only mean the Doomsday, when this valuable animal, which would soon be bringing another source of income into the world, would be abandoned.\u00a0 (p. 123).<\/span><\/p>\n

v. When wild beasts are gathered together: <\/strong>\u00a0Zoological gardens may first have been established in the 19th<\/sup> century, but this gathering of beasts is not the intermingling of preys and predators \u2013these wild beasts in the zoos are caged in their own quarters.
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0It is said that animals have an acute sense of impending danger. At the arrival of the Dooms-day, they, in their desperation for a safe sanctuary from this mutual destruction, all sense of enmity between them would be tail-matter. Each would see the other as a source of strength and protection. In fact they would consider their very survival to depend upon the well being of the other.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

vi. When oceans boil over: <\/strong>This boiling of the oceans could hardly be caused by the 19th<\/sup> century fuel-burning steam ships ploughing the oceans \u201cday and night.\u201d
\n<\/span>(Heat from steam ships causing the ocean to \u201cboil day and night\u201d? Perhaps the pupils and teachers of Physics would rise to the task of calculating the millions of degrees of heat that would be required to cause the oceans to \u201cboil\u201d).
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 Allah reveals in the Qur\u2019an that near the end of time the heaven will be as \u201cred hide\u201d\u2013(55:37) and as \u201cmolten copper\u201d\u2013(70:8). As already noted, as the sun burns itself out, it \u201cwill appear to fill half the sky. At that time, the oceans will boil and any life left here will perish.\u201d\u00a0 James Trefil, The Dark Side of the Universe<\/i>, (p. 190).
\n<\/span>\u00a0 As the sun burns itself out it \u201cmay have become so distended that the inner planets will have been engulfed, the Earth\u2019s atmosphere stripped away and the solid rocks melted or even vaporized.\u201d And in its final \u201cphase\u201d \u201cthe sun\u2019s central temperature will have risen steadily towards a billion degrees.\u201d (Paul Davies, God and the New Physics<\/i>, pp. 200, 201).
\n<\/span>\u00a0 Such tremendous heat radiating to the earth would certainly make the oceans \u201cboil over,\u201d leaving them as \u201cdry pits.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

vii. When souls are sorted out:<\/strong>\u00a0 this sorting out of the souls is the separating of the doers of good from the doers of evil on the Day of Judgment.<\/span><\/p>\n

viii. When the females question why she was buried alive:<\/strong> This burying alive is not about denying women equality of rights.\u00a0 Mohammad, more than 1400 years ago gave Woman \u201cequality of rights.\u201d
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0In pre-Islamic Arabia it was a \u201ccommon practice\u201d for the Arabs to bury their daughters alive. On the Day of Judgment she will be questioned (as a witness against the one who buried her, if she knew) \u201cfor what sin she was killed\u201d\u2013Qur\u2019an 81:8-9).<\/span><\/p>\n

ix. When books are spread: <\/strong>These are our books of deeds, which will be presented to us on the Day of Judgment.
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0The recorders of our deeds must not be taken to mean actual beings with pen and pad sitting on our shoulders. Today man can transmit tons of data from one end of the world to the other through the air; can load hundreds if not thousands of bits of information on the head of a pin and on computer chips; and can program his VCR to receive and record pictures and sounds from miles away. Consider how much more sophisticated the transmitting and recording system of All\u0101h, God, the Creator, must be.<\/span><\/p>\n

x. When the covering of heaven is removed:<\/strong>\u00a0 Twentieth century man may have discovered \u00a0<\/i>\u201csecrets\u201d of outer space, but as he discovers,\u00a0<\/i>the more baffling and mysterious the heaven becomes to him. In this respect the heavens will always be \u201ccovered\u201d to man. \u00a0<\/i>The universe\u00a0<\/i>\u201cwe learn about in school\u201d \u201cis by no means the only universe which the human mind is able to imagine,\u201d\u00a0<\/i>wrote Trefil\u2013(The Dark Side of the Universe, <\/i>p. 8).
\n<\/i><\/span>This removal of the covering of heaven is that there will no longer be the mystery as to Who God is. Allah reveals to us in the Qur\u2019an\u00a0\u00a0 \u201c\u2026Everything will perish but He. \u2026and to Him you will be brought back\u201d\u2013(Qur\u2019an 28:88).<\/span> And Prophet Mohammad is reported as saying that on the Day of Resurrection we will see Allah as we see the \u201csun at midday\u201d and as we see the full moon when it is bright.\u2013(Bokhari Vol. 6, # 105; Vol. 9, #\u2019s 532, 532(b). <\/span><\/p>\n

xi. When the blazing fire is kindled to fierce heat: <\/strong>While there is hell (from wars) in this life, and conflicts within nations, the fire mentioned in this verse is the fire of Hell; which is for the sinners.\u00a0 The next verse speaks of the Garden for the dutiful\u2013(Qur\u2019an 81:13).<\/span><\/p>\n

xii. When the garden is brought near:\u00a0 <\/strong>Bringing near of the Garden is the dutiful receiving their reward.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 That these 12 signs (Qur\u2019an 81:1-12) are about the Doomsday and the Resurrection (and not prophecies about Baha’ullah)<\/span><\/em> is further corroborated by verse 14 which says, then \u201cEvery soul will know what it has prepared.\u201d
\n<\/span><\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0EVERY soul could not be said to \u201cknow what it has prepared\u201d if it refers to the coming of Baha\u2019ullah, <\/span>because EVERY soul was not<\/span><\/i> present at the coming of Baha\u2019ullah. In fact, at no time was EVERY soul present at the coming of any messenger.<\/span> But EVERY soul could only be present on the Day of Resurrection and Judgment.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

35. (pp. 128-129).<\/span> It is true that Mohammad came in a tribal age, but it is preposterous to say that All\u0101h had wished to keep the nations \u201cseparated\u201d till the coming of Baha\u2019ullah, when Allah declared that Mohammad was a mercy and a guide to all mankind\u2013(Qur\u2019an 7:158; 13:7; 21:107; 34:28), and instructed Muslims to be missionaries\u2013(Qur\u2019an 3:103); and Mohammad invited foreign rulers to accept Islam. Allah instructs Mohammad to:\u00a0 \u201cSay: O mankind, surely I am the Messenger of Allah to you all\u2026\u201d\u2013<\/strong>(Qur\u2019an 7:158).
\n<\/span><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 Mohammad united mankind 1400 years ago, under one faith\u2013Islam! <\/span>Mohammad, 1400 years ago, removed all distinctions of class and color and status as he taught, through the Qur\u2019an, that one is better than the other only through his faith in All\u0101h and good deeds!<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

36. (pp. 129-132). <\/span>All\u0101h reveals in His Qur\u2019an 99:1-5:\u00a0 \u201cWhen the earth is shaken to her (utmost) and the earth throws up her burdens and man cries: \u2018what is the matter with her?\u2019 On that Day will she declare her tidings; for that thy Lord will have given her inspiration.\u201d
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0Prof. Afaqi opines that these verses \u201cis another of the glad tidings of the advent of Baha\u2019u\u2019allah.\u201d And he lists earthquakes around the world \u2013in reference to the <\/span>earth throwing up her burdens<\/i> as stated in the verse\u2013 and material progress such as the mining of petroleum, gas, gold, etc; \u2013in reference to the earth declaring her tidings; as proof of his claim.
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 But these verses are about the Day of Resurrection and Judgment as is clearly stated in the continuing verses, from 6-8:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOn that day men will come forth
\n<\/span><\/span>in sundry bodies that they may be
\n<\/span>shown their works.
\n<\/span>So he does an atom\u2019s weight of
\n<\/span>good will see it.
\n<\/span>And he who does an atom\u2019s weight
\n<\/span>of evil will see it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 On the \u201cadvent of Baha\u2019ullah\u201d men did not come forth in sundry bodies that they may be shown their works; <\/span>and they did not see their atom\u2019s weight of good and evil.
\n<\/i><\/span><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 The earthquakes and discoveries of the 18th<\/sup> to 20th<\/sup> centuries could also be applied to the advent of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad and Haille Selassie.<\/span><\/p>\n

37. (pp. 140-141).<\/span> The Qur\u2019an 74:26-31 mentions that there are nineteen keepers over hell. <\/span>These nineteen could hardly be about the Bab and the eighteen who first accepted him, as the Prof. states.<\/span>(If All\u0101h had said that there are 15 or 17 or 21 keepers over hell perhaps the Prof. would have omitted or added on Bahai faithfuls to accord with the verse).\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Significantly, this statement as the verse says is a \u201cparable\u201d or \u201csymbol,\u201d it is not <\/i>a prophecy.\u00a0 A parable or symbol is an unreal story that illustrates a moral or principle. Whereas a prophecy is a future event. Therefore to apply this parable or symbol to mean the advent of the Bab and eighteen Babi faithful is most fanciful. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 These nineteen as the verse says are \u201cwardens (or guardians) of <\/span><\/span><\/i>the fire\u201d.\u00a0 They are not<\/span> \u201cupon it\u201d or to \u201cprotect\u201d anyone from it. Wardens (or guards) at a prison are there to ensure that prisoners receive the dictates of magistracy. It is not the warden\u2019s duty to \u201cprotect\u201d outsiders from becoming prisoners. Thus, these wardens of the hell fire, whatever their number is, are to ensure that the inmates receive the decree of their Lord\u2013i.e. the wrath of hell.\u00a0 They are not there to \u201cprotect\u201d anyone from<\/span><\/i> the wrath of hell.\u201d Further, as the text shows this verse is about the hell in the Hereafter, it is not about \u201cdestruction, warfare and hatred\u201d on earth.<\/span><\/p>\n

38. (pp. 141-144).<\/span> In His Qur\u2019an 74:32-37 All\u0101h swears by the Moon, the Night, and the Dawn. Prof, Afaqi weaves these symbols around Bahai personalities as proofs of Baha\u2019ullah\u2019s claim to be Divine messenger.
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0But in fact, as the verses 35-38 reveal, All\u0101h has called to our attention that as these phenomena in nature are immutable facts of life just as well it is a fact, a warning to man that: \u201cTo him among you who will go forward or will remain behind. Every soul is held in pledge for what it earns.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 In Qur\u2019an 84:16-19 All\u0101h swears by the Sunset, the Night, and the Moon \u201cThat you shall certainly ascend to one state after another.\u201d
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0Prof. Afaqi fits Bahai figures into the molds of these natural phenomena. And he concludes: \u201cAs the days and the nights follow each other and the caravans of life march forward, revelations from God also follow each other to guide the successive generations of mankind. Nations rise and fall one after another and thus mankind marches forward towards its destiny.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

But, as noted above, All\u0101h is calling to our attention that as these phenomena in nature are immutable facts of life just as well it is a fact \u201cThat you <\/i><\/strong>shall certainly ascend to one state after another.\u201d The question is who is this you <\/span><\/i>that the verse is referring? This you<\/span> <\/i>is not referring to mankind; this you <\/i>is referring to the Prophet Mohammad: it is the Prophet who will ascend to one state after another. This is made clear in the hadith which states:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c(335) CHAPTER. The statement of All\u0101h,
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 The Glorious and The High:-
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u2018You shall surely travel from stage to stage
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (in this life and in the Hereafter)\u2026.(84:19).
\n<\/span>(Please note that the bracketed words \u201cin this life and in the Hereafter\u201d are those of the commentator, not of the Qur\u2019anic text).
\n<\/span>\u201cNarrated Ibn Abbas (All\u0101h be pleased with him) (as regards the verse):-
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u2018You shall certainly travel from stage to
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0stage (in this life and in the Hereafter)
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (It means) from one state to another.
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 That concerns your Prophet<\/span><\/i> (peace
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/i><\/strong>and blessings of All\u0101h be upon him).
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (Bokhari, Vol. 6, 355 Chapter; # 464).\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 The Prophet traveling from stage to stage refers to his gradual success to eventual kingship. Muhammad Ali notes about this verse: \u201cThe commentators also explain this verse as being a prophecy of the ultimate triumph of Islam.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Prof. Afaqi notes Qur\u2019an 85:1-4: \u201cBy the Sky, the Zodiacal Signs; By the promised Day; By one that witnesses, and the subject of the witness;\u2013Woe to the makers of the pit.\u201d
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 He comments: \u201cGod promises by four things that those who will remain in the pit of heedlessness will be punished. And, as usual, the Prof. tries to manipulate these Qur\u2019anic injunctions to satisfy Bahai\u2019s belief.
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0But these verses are not predictions; they are reflecting on past persecutors of the devotees of God \u2013Nimrod\u2019s persecution of Abraham; \u201cChristians by Dhu Nawas, a king of Yaman, who was of the Jewish religion;\u201d \u201cNebuchadnezzar\u2019s casting Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego into the fiery furnace: (Daniel 3:19-21)\u201d<\/span>*<\/span>\u2013and of the Idolatrous Arabs persecution of the Prophet and Muslims.
\n*<\/span>(See Yusuf Ali and Muhammad Ali commentaries on these verses).<\/span><\/p>\n

Significantly, Prof. Afaqi only quotes four verses. But to get an insight into the meaning subsequent verses (up to at least verse 10) need to be included. Here are the verses as translated by Yusuf Ali: <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBy the Sky, (displaying) the Zodiac Signs;
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 By the promised Day (of Judgment);
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 By one that witnesses, and the subject
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 of the witness;\u2013
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Woe to the makers of the pit (of fire),
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Fire supplied (abundantly) with Fuel:
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Behold! They sat over against the (fire),
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And they witnessed (All) that they were
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Doing <\/span>against the Believers.
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And they ill-treated them for no other
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0reason than <\/span>that they believed in God.
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Exalted in Power, Worthy of all praise.
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Him to Whom belongs\u2026\u2026
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Those who persecute (or draw into temptation)
\nthe Believers, men and women,
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And do not turn in repentance, will have
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The penalty of Hell;
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 They will have the penalty of the Burning Fire.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Clearly there is no prophecy in this statement about the advent of any prophet. A synopsis of the above may be given thus:<\/span><\/p>\n

All\u0101h is warning that by the Sky and the stars; by the promised Day (of Judgment); by the one (Prophet Mohammad) that witnesses, and the subject of the witness (i.e.<\/i> the Unity of All\u0101h); woe to the makers of the pit of fire (i.e.<\/i> those who persecute and war against the faithful); they plot and persecute and relish over the sufferings they have inflicted onto their victims; knowing well that they were unjust, punishing them for no other reason than that they believed in All\u0101h. Violators who do not repent will end up in Hell.<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

39. (p.144). <\/span>All\u0101h reveals: \u201cBy the daybreak! And the ten nights! And the Even and the odd! And the night when it departs! Truly this is an oath for men of understanding\u201d\u2013(Qur\u2019an 89:1-5).
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0After forcing his own whimsical interpretation on these verses, Prof. Afaqi contends that \u201c\u2018ten nights and the even and odd\u2019 is meant 1260 years. 260 years is the period of the establishment of the Faith of Islam and 1000 years after that. Thus it has been mentioned in another verse:\u00a0<\/span>\u201cHe rules affairs (Amr) from the heavens to the earth: in the end will (affairs) go up to Him, on a Day, the space whereof will be a thousand years of your reckoning.\u201d (Qur\u2019an, 32:5).\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 But, according to an account taken from the book of Ibn Kathir, \u201cAl-Fajr is referred to the Dawn prayer for the Eid; that the words \u2018Layalil Ashr\u2019 are the ten nights of Zul-Hijjah, that the word Al-Shafa is the day of sacrifice, and that \u201cAl-Witr\u201d is referred to the 9th<\/sup> day (of the day) of Arafat.
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 In this respect, it is reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of All\u0101h be on him; and who is the foremost authority on the Qur\u2019an)<\/span> said: Narrated by Jabir that the Prophet said: \u201cIndeed, the ten are the ten (days) of Al-Adha (sacrifice), the odd (witr) is the day of Arafa, and the shafa (even) is the day of Sacrifice.\u201d<\/i> Nisai.\u201d*
\n<\/span><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0*<\/span>(Material taken from an Eid-ul-Adha<\/i> sermon).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 Regarding the Prof\u2019s. quote of Qur\u2019an 32:5 in support of his fanciful theory that Islam is only for 1260 years; this is dealt with on p.109, (item #25).<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

40. (p. 145).<\/span> Qur\u2019an 97:1-5 \u2013\u201cLailatul Qadr\u201d<\/i> \u2013\u201cNight of Power\u201d or \u201cThe Night of Majesty,\u201d in which Allah says \u201cSurely We revealed <\/span><\/span><\/i>it on the Night of Majesty (or Power),\u201d and that this night \u201cis better than a thousand months\u201d (or literally 83 years 4 months).
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0Clearly, this verse is not a prophecy about the Bab. But speaks about a thing that was <\/span>already \u201crevealed\u201d<\/span>\u2013the Qur\u2019an.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Consider, if you were born without sight and one day you begin to see, would you not say that this is the best day of your life \u2013that this day is better than a thousand days, or a thousand months, or a thousand years? You may even want to make a yearly celebration of this day that you received light.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBetter than a thousand months\u201d is an expression denoting a grand moment. The revelation of the Qur\u2019an commenced in the month of Ramadan. This Qur\u2019an comprises of the teachings of past scriptures that are applicable to all time and supersedes all other scriptures, and through it Allah God perfected man\u2019s religion and completed His favors to us; then this night on which this Message was revealed is better than all the ages of man \u2013seeing that God\u2019s Message to man was in its completion stage (like the blind man finally being made complete by receiving light).\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Allah God has given to Muslims this \u201cNight of Majesty\u201d of the Revelation of the Qur\u2019an, to be a reminder of His mercy, and blessings to us; (much like prophet Abraham\u2019s intended great sacrifice of his then only son, Ishmael, and Lady Hagar\u2019s traversing the hills of Safa and Marwa are commemorated today by Muslims to reflect on the blessings and the mercy of God to these pious souls).\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Those who commemorate this \u201cNight of Majesty\u201d in prayers and thanksgiving to Allah God for having been given this Grand Qur\u2019an, the angels and the Spirit descend to bring \u201cpeace\u201d to these devotees and to strengthen<\/span> them with the Spirit (as Allah God sends the Spirit on whom He wills \u2013Qur\u2019an 40:15; 58:22).\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

(Interestingly, the Prof. says [on pp. 146-147]): \u201cAngels are unseen creatures which possess the faculties of human thought and deeds and believe in the advent of the Truth,\u201d but as already noted, Baha\u2019ullah says \u201cThere is no hierarchy of demons, angels, and archangels.\u201d A glaring contradiction).\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

41.<\/span> (p. 148).<\/span> In Qur\u2019an 41:44 All\u0101h reveals: \u201cAnd if<\/span><\/i> We had made it a Qur\u2019an in a foreign<\/span><\/i> tongue, they would have said: Why have not its messages been made clear? What! a foreign <\/span><\/i>(tongue) and an Arab!\u2026\u201d
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0Meaning, <\/span>if<\/span> <\/i>Allah God had revealed the Qur\u2019an in a language other than Arabic, the disbelievers would have argued why was the Qur\u2019an not revealed in their own (Arabic) language so that they could understand it; and how could God give an Arab prophet a revelation in a foreign tongue, when their language is Arabic.<\/span><\/p>\n

(Even if the word A\u2019jami is taken as \u201cPersian,\u201d the verse would have read: \u201cAnd if<\/span><\/i> We had made it a Qur\u2019an in Persian (language), they would have said:\u00a0 Why have not its messages been made clear? What! (a Book in Persian) and an Arab (whose language is not Persian!\u201d). <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 The word lau<\/i> means \u201cif\u201d.a<\/span><\/sup> And \u201cif\u201d suits the text, as the verse is speaking about the Qur\u2019an at the time of its revelation (i.e. the 7th<\/sup> century), and not in some distant future, \u201cwhen.\u201d The verse does not \u201cforetold\u201d that the Qur\u2019an would be part Arabic and part Persian. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 The word \u2018Ajami\u2013 \u2018ain, jeem, meem, ya (read right to left <\/i>\u064a<\/span>\u00a0<\/i>\u0645<\/span>\u00a0<\/i>\u062c<\/span>\u00a0<\/i>\u0639<\/span>) means Persian; and \u2018Ajam \u2013\u2018ain, jeem, meem (<\/i>\u0639 \u062c \u0645 <\/span>\u00a0<\/i>\u00a0( <\/span>means \u201cForeigners. sp<\/i>. Persians.\u201db<\/span><\/sup> *<\/span> But the word in the Qur\u2019an is a<\/span><\/i><\/strong>\u2019Ajami <\/i>\u2013alif,<\/i><\/strong> \u2018ain, jeem, meem, ya<\/i> ( \u0639\u00a0 \u062c \u00a0\u0645\u00a0 \u064a<\/span>\u00a0<\/i>\u00a0( \u0627<\/span>\u2013it has an alif<\/i><\/strong> (\u0627 <\/span>\u00a0) at the beginning, which makes the word \u201cForeigner\u201d or foreign (in the sense of one being a non-Arab<\/i>). <\/span><\/p>\n

Reason alone would dictate that whereas a book may occasionally be interspersed with foreign words, it is doubtful that any sane individual would write a book with its text in two languages, \u201cmixed,\u201d for his readership.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

It is not reasonable that All\u0101h would reveal a Book in Arabic and Persian to an Arabic-speaking people, which would cause confusion. Or that All\u0101h would again reveal the Qur\u2019an 1260 years in the future in a mixture of Arabic and Persian with its verses not \u201cexplained in detail\u201d when the Qur\u2019an is here now with its verses clear and \u201cexplained in detail\u201d\u2013(Qur\u2019an 26:2; 41:3).\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

The Bahai\u2019s Bayan<\/i> can not be a Persian version of the Qur\u2019an when teachings contradict the Qur\u2019an. They should be the same.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 Baha\u2019ullah may have written his Al-Bayan<\/i> in \u201cboth Arabic & Persian\u201d but he was not <\/span><\/i><\/strong>fulfilling any prophecy of the Qur\u2019an. <\/span><\/p>\n

*<\/span> (a<\/span> <\/sup>\u201cif\u201d, b<\/span> <\/sup>\u201cForeigners. sp<\/i>. Persians\u201d \u2013John Wortabet and Harvey Porter, English\u2013Arabic and Arabic\u2013English Dictionary, <\/i>1991. See also Qur\u2019an 16:103 and 26:198 where this word A\u2019jami \u2013\u201cforeign\u201d\u2013is used).<\/span><\/p>\n

(P.152<\/span>). That \u201c20,000 people offered their lives\u201d in support of Baha\u2019ullah is no proof that Baha\u2019ullah was a Divine messenger \u2013the inimitable Qur\u2019an is the proof of Mohammad\u2019s Messengership. There were perhaps many that may have believed in Hitler and gave their lives in support of his cause. Do Bahais believe that Hitler was a Divine messenger?
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 Christians believe that Jesus is the son of God and that he died for the sins of the world, and gave their lives in support of this belief. Do Bahais believe that Jesus is the son of God and that he died for the sins of the world? If they do believe this, they do not need Baha\u2019ullah).<\/span><\/p>\n

42. (p. 151) <\/span>Prof. Afaqi quotes (a mistranslation) Qur\u2019an 90:1-4 in which All\u0101h reveals: \u201cI swear by this city, and thou art as indweller of this city, and (by) the father and son\u2026.Verily we have created man into toil and struggle.\u201d
\n<\/span>\u00a0And the Prof. claims: \u201cBy father in this verse, is meant Baha\u2019u\u2019llah and \u2018Abdu\u2019l-Baha is referred to as son.\u201d
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 However, as pointed out the Prof\u2019s. rendering of the verse is a mistranslation; and also his interpretation that this verse is about Baha\u2019ullah and his son is fanciful. This father and son are Abraham and Ishmael.
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0Muhammad Ali explains:<\/span><\/p>\n

1a. <\/i>By this City <\/i>is meant Makkah (B. 65:xc). Thousands of years before, Abraham had prayed for a city to be raised in that wilderness where he had left one branch of his descend-ants (14:37), and for a Prophet to be raised among them (2:129); see 2:124a<\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n

2a. <\/i>The words are parenthetical. Hill <\/i>is an infinitive noun, and signifies the same as halal<\/i>, meaning in a state which is the opposite of haram<\/i>, and hence it signifies free from obligation or responsibility with respect to a thing<\/i>. English translators have generally adopt-ed a different translation: And thou a dweller in this land <\/i>(Palmer); and thou residest in this territory <\/i>(Sale); the soil on which thou dost dwell <\/i>(Rodwell); which is wrong, because halla<\/i>, as meaning nazala<\/i>, i.e., he alighted<\/i>, or abode<\/i>, or lodged in a place<\/i>, has its infinitive hulul <\/i>or hull <\/i>(LL) and not ill<\/i>, which is the word occurring here. Some commentators have also been led into this error. The significance which I adopt is in accordance with the true significance of the word hill<\/i>, for you say anta fi hill-in min kadha<\/i>, meaning thou art free from obligation or responsibility with respect to such a thing<\/i>. The statement in this case is prophetical, indicating that the Prophet would be made free from obligation in respect to the sacredness of the territory of Makkah, being allowed to enter it by force (Bd), as he did at the conquest of Makkah, to which, in fact, the words refer. There is also a saying of the Holy Prophet in support of this: \u201cAnd even I was made free from obligation with respect to it only for an hour of the day\u201d (B. 64:55).<\/span><\/p>\n

3a. <\/i>The great begetter <\/i>is none other than Abraham, the progenitor of the Arabs, and by he whom he begot <\/i>is meant either Ishmael, who assisted Abraham in raising the foundations of the Sacred House at Makkah, or the Holy Prophet himself, who was the object of Abraham\u2019s prayer.<\/span><\/p>\n

4a. Kabad <\/i>means distress <\/i>or difculty<\/i>. We are here told that the advancement of man, even physically<\/i>, lies along a path of hard struggle. Every conquest that man has made has been the result of suffering on his part. The same is the case in the sphere of the spiritual advance-ment of man. Abraham suffered great hardships in the cause of Truth; and so must the Prophet now, in order to bring about a spiritual awakening in the world. It is only a long and hard struggle on the part of certain benefactors of humanity that makes man\u2019s advancement possible, physically as well as spiritually.\u201d (Muhammad Ali\u2019s translation of the Qur\u2019an can be viewed online: www.Muslim.org<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

43.<\/span> (p. 154).<\/span> Qur\u2019an 55:46-48 says: \u201cAnd for him who fears the station of his lord, there will be two gardens \u2013 then which of the favours of your lord will ye deny, (these gardens) are of Afnans<\/span>.<\/i>\u201d (Prof. Afaqi\u2019s rendering).
\n<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0The Prof. states: \u201cGod has promised in these verses that He will give them, who believe in the Bab and Baha\u2019u\u2019llah, two gardens. These gardens will be of the Afnans. Two springs will flow through them and all the fruit will be of two types. <\/span>This prophecy is regarding the two Bahai gardens on Mount Carmel.\u2026.<\/span>In the Bahai terminology the male descendants of Baha\u2019u\u2019llah are called the \u2018Aghsan\u2019 and the relatives of the Bab are called as \u2018Afnan\u2019.\u2026<\/span>Both the Bahai gardens on Mount Carmel were planned and grown by the tireless labours of Shoghi Effendi. Therefore the Qur\u2019an names them as the \u2018gardens of Afnan\u2019.\u201d\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

If the Bahai gardens at Mount Carmel are given the name \u201cgardens of the Afnans\u201d because the relatives of the Babs, who planted these gardens, are called Afnans<\/i>, then if the relatives of some Iranian person living in Africa or in South America or in Jerusalem who are also called Afnans<\/i> should cultivate two gardens by a mountain then the above Qur\u2019anic verse would be applicable to them also.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Afnan <\/i>means branch<\/i> or variety<\/i>. It is not a proper noun, it simply means \u201cvarieties,\u201d and which speaks of Gardens having \u201cvarieties\u201d \u2013\u201cpairs of every fruit\u201d (verses 46-52). When viewed in its context,\u00a0 this (section 3 of chapter 55) shows that it is about the rewards of Paradise; and verse 46 continues on to verse 76 which describes these rewards of Paradise that includes \u201cpairs of every fruit,\u201d \u201cbeds, whose inner coverings are of silk brocade,\u201d and (maidens) \u201crestraining their glances, whom no man nor jinni has touched.\u201d
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0It is doubtful that the two Bahai gardens on Mount Carmel have these \u201cpairs of every fruit,\u201d \u201cbeds, whose inner coverings are of silk brocade,\u201d and \u201cmaidens\u201d mentioned in the Qur\u2019an.<\/span><\/p>\n

Significantly, the Qur\u2019anic descriptions of paradise are figurative; All\u0101h says: \u201cSo no soul knows what refreshment of the eyes is hidden for them: a reward for what they did\u201d\u2013(Qur\u2019an 32:17. Bokhari, Vol; 6, # 302, 303).
\n\u00a0 \u00a0Thus, Bahai\u2019s are planting Paradise\u2019s metaphorical gardens literally here on earth (in Haifa, Palestine); and using falsehood to lure ignorant ones to fertilize them.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Comments on statements (by Bahais)<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

(1) We read in Jessyca Russell Gaver\u2019s The Bahai Faith<\/i>, (p.11): \u201cIf the purpose of every revealed religion is considered, then that of Judaism was to teach concepts of divine law, Christianity to teach a relationship between God, man, and salvation, Islam to teach submission to the Will of God, and the Baha’is feel their Faith is here to bring unity to mankind and to demonstrate the unity of all the divine prophets and religions.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Bahai\u2019s can feel whatever they like \u2013feeling is not fact.
\n<\/span><\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0Any person with an understanding of the Bible knows that \u201csalvation\u201d and \u201csubmission to God\u201d is inherent in the Judaic \u201cconcepts of divine law,\u201d that \u201cdivine law\u201d and \u201csubmission to God\u201d is inherent in Jesus\u2019 \u201csalvation,\u201d and the Qur\u2019an \u2013which not only confirms the teachings of Moses and Jesus but enhances them\u2013 is \u201cdivine law,\u201d \u201csalvation,\u201d and \u201csubmission to God.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Salvation is achieved only through
\n<\/span>submission to the law of God
\n<\/span>(Matt. 19:16-19; Exod. 20:13; Deut. 6:1-25.
\n<\/span>Qur\u2019an 3:132, 179; 4:13; 33:35)<\/span><\/p>\n

As evidenced by the Qur\u2019an, Islam has united mankind and demonstrated the \u201cunity of all the divine prophets and religions\u201d over 1400 years ago.
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0Bahais claim that Islam \u2013which is perfected and in which nothing is omitted that is necessary for our moral, social, intellectual and spiritual living\u2013 teaches only \u201csubmission to the Will of God\u201d is without basis.<\/span><\/p>\n

(2) On pages 80-81, (Ms) Gaver states: \u201cNor was Muhammad able to leave His directions so firmly phrased as to prevent the splitting of the Faith of Islam into so many sects when He had passed on. Bahaullah, however, was specific.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

There are no sects \u2013each having different cardinal doctrines\u2013 in Islam. Only schools of thought.
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 Muslims of all schools of thought, wherever in the world, adhere to the same five components of Islam\u2013Unity of God, Prayer, Charity, Fasting, and Pilgrimage. They believe in the one Qur\u2019an and the same Prophet. They face the same station for worship \u2013the Ka\u2019ba; believe in all the prophets and books revealed to them; in the angels of Allah; the Resurrection and Day of Judgment; Hell and Heaven.
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 Muslims differ on secondary matters. This difference does not \u201csplit\u201d the Faith of Islam. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Muslims, in general, do not fight \u201cendless wars\u201d because of difference in their schools of thought; though it is true that some Muslims kill one another (against the command of All\u0101h and His Prophet)<\/span>\u00a0<\/i>because of difference in their schools of thought. However, these many schools of thought in no way diminish or affect the magnificence or superiority of Islam. In fact, the Prophet Mohammad is reported to have said that difference among his followers is a blessing. It may be said that difference of opinion can be an impetus to progress, (if not a major impetus). <\/span><\/p>\n

On this same matter of \u201cdivision into sects,\u201d Hatcher and Martin state in their book The Bahai Faith<\/i>\u2013The Emerging Global Religion<\/i>, (pp. 50-51):
\n\u201cBaha\u2019ullah established a \u201cCovenant\u201d\u2026with his followers\u2026(that) named his eldest son, \u2018Abdu\u2019l-Baha, as the sole authoritative interpreter of his teachings and the source of authority in all affairs of the faith\u2026. Baha\u2019u\u2019llah also took particular care to assure that the Baha\u2019i community would gradually become accustomed, during his own life time, to the role he intended \u2018Abdu\u2019l-Baha to play after his passing.\u201d<\/i> (Nepotism? Monarchy in the Divine system?)<\/span><\/i> (Emphasis added).<\/span><\/p>\n

This seems to say that every question in all matters of religion affecting man for the next thousand years has already been answered by \u2018Abdul Baha since 1921, the year of his death. \u2018Abdul Baha has already given instructions on such matters as organ donor and organ transplant; cloning, genetic manipulation, genetic engineering of species that are a cross between human and animals, euthanasia, surrogate motherhood, human sperm donorship and ovum marketing, stem-cell manufacturing, etc.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Prof. Afaqi in his Proofs From The Holy Qur\u2019an <\/i>(p. 152) wrote of \u2018Abdul Baha: <\/span>\u201cAll His Words, His actions, His judgments and His interpretations are infallibly right, but only because Baha\u2019u\u2019llah Has Willed it so.\u201d <\/span>It is incredible that one human can \u201cWill\u201d infallibility onto another. And that people of intelligence subscribe to such ascription.<\/span><\/p>\n

Whether religious or secular, blind obedience to human infallibility<\/i> can be the death-knell of intellect\/reason. Such ideology in power could put \u201can embargo on freedom of thought.\u201d
\nHistory has shown us that human religious infallibility (i.e.<\/i> man taking his interpretation of Scripture to be infallible) sent \u201cGalileo to prison,\u201d and \u201cBruno to the stake;\u201d saw the \u201cmurder of Hypatia, the renowned commentator on Plato;\u201d and had Vanini\u2019s tongue pulled out with \u201cpincers\u201d before he was \u201cburnt\u201d alive.9
\n<\/span><\/sup><\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0Praise and thanks be to All\u0101h and peace and honors on His noble Messenger, Mohammad, for Muslims <\/span>ijtihad and Ijma<\/i> (personal, and consensus of opinion), and tolerance of <\/span>difference of opinion<\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n

William S. Hatcher and J. Douglas Martin in their book The Bahai Faith<\/i> The Emerging Global Religion<\/i>, state:
\n<\/span>(a) \u201c\u2026.the Qur\u2019an designates only Judaism, Christianity, and Islam itself as divinely inspired, Baha’is believe that all religions are integral parts of one divine plan.\u201d (p. 3).<\/span>
\n(Does this include Rastafarianism? Are Karma and reincarnation, God incarnate, inherited sin and vicarious atonement \u201cintegral parts of one divine plan\u201d? Produce your proofs!)<\/i> <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

This is poor rationale.
\n<\/span>Since All\u0101h, as He revealed in His Qur\u2019an, that He raised messengers among all nations, and He calls on Muslims to believe in all His prophets and the revelations given to them, it is absurd to claim that the Qur\u2019an restricts divineness only to \u201cJudaism, Christianity and Islam.\u201d (Not to be confused with Church doctrines \u2013Divinity of Jesus, inherited sin and vicarious atonement\u2013<\/span> that are passing under the name of Jesus, and Jews claim to be\u00a0 God\u2019s \u201cchosen\u201d people to the exclusion of others).
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0Wonder which Qur\u2019an these Bahai\u2019s have read.<\/span><\/p>\n

(b) The above writers state: \u201cThe Babis were…precluded from proclaiming the Babi dispensation through the use of the sword, as the prophet Muhammad had permitted his followers to do…\u201d (p.14).<\/span><\/p>\n

It was All\u0101h, not Mohammad, Who instituted the noble jihad.
\n<\/i><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 The Prophet Mohammad did not permit Muslims to proclaim Islam \u201cthrough the use of the sword.\u201d There is not one single instance in the Prophet\u2019s history where he made anyone to revert to Islam at the point of a sword. It was not Muhammad\u2019s duty to get people to accept his teachings. His duty was only to preach the Message\u2013(Qur\u2019an 13:40; 24:54). <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere is no compulsion in religion\u201d
\n<\/span><\/i><\/span>(Qur\u2019an 2:256; 6:107; 9:6; 10:99-100; 17:7;
\n18:6, 29; 42:15; 50:45; 76:3; 109:1-6)<\/span><\/p>\n

Prophet Mohammad took up the sword to stem the storm of persecution. Anyone who would not take up the sword in defense against occupation and persecution, preferring to be slaughtered, is denying himself his God-given right\u2013(Qur\u2019an 2:190,191, 193, 217; 22:39-40).
\n<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0Even Jesus, the \u2018Prince of peace,\u2019 knew there were times when, instead of turning the other cheek, he had to stiffen the neck and brandish the blade: \u201che that hath no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one\u201d\u2013(Luke 22:36). \u201cBut those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me\u201d\u2013(Luke 19:27).\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHistory makes it clear, however, that the legend of fanatical Muslims sweeping through the world and forcing Islam at the point of the sword upon conquered races is one of the most fantastically absurd myths that historians have ever repeated.\u201d10<\/span><\/sup> <\/span><\/p>\n

The only sword that is the cause of Islam\u2019s dominance is the \u201csword of intellect.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

(3) On page 15, Hatcher and Martin say: \u201cJust as early Christians had to free themselves from the laws and ordinances of the Torah, so were the Babis called upon to free themselves from the requirements of the Islamic Shari\u2019ah.\u201d\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

It is strange that Babis would be called \u201cto free themselves from the requirements of the Islamic Shari’ah\u201d when, as they acknowledged, the Shari\u2019ah is from God. Since one frees himself\/ herself from bondage, Bahai\u2019s are implying that the Laws of God are bondage to man, as opposed to it being guidance for his social, moral, intellectual and spiritual upliftment. <\/span><\/p>\n

Jesus came to preach to the Jews\u2013(Matt. 15:24; 18:11; 10:5-6); not to free anyone \u201cfrom the laws and ordinances of the Torah.\u201d Jesus came to uphold the law: \u201cThink not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill\u201d\u2013(Matt. 5:17).<\/span> He instructed his people to observe the bidding of the Scribes and the Pharisees because they \u201csit in Moses\u2019 seat\u201d\u2013(Matt. 23:2-3); and this<\/i> is upholding the \u201claws and ordinances of the Torah.\u201d The Torah is not a bondage to the Jews. The laws of God are not a harm to man, so that he needs to free himself from it.<\/span><\/p>\n

There is no law, religious or secular, other than the Qur\u2019anic law that is more equitable and workable for the benefit of man’s social, moral, intellectual, and spiritual upliftment. Those who strive against it are ignorant of its magnificence.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

(4) On pages 14, 15, 21-22, Hatcher and Martin recount that: \u201cTahirih\u2026one of the most gifted poets of Persia,\u201d \u201cappeared at one of the sessions of the conference without the veil required by Muslim tradition. Her action… further aroused the antagonism of orthodox Muslims.\u201d \u201cAdvised that she had been condemned to death, Tahirih said to her jailer: \u201cYou can kill me as soon as you like, but you cannot stop the emancipation of women.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Culture must not be confused with religion. Islam does not require the Muslim woman to cover her face. If (Ms.) Tahirih viewed the head-covering <\/i>as a mark of subjugation, Islam had not yet entered her heart.\u00a0 (See Hijab\/head covering<\/span>).<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 If (Ms.) Tahirih meant emancipation from the suppression of the male members of her community, she was probably right. But if she meant emancipation from Islam, it is obvious she was ignorant of Islam (which ignorance may have been the result of the suppression by the men-folk of her community).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Allah is a Just God.\u00a0 He will not discriminate against Woman because of her form and physiology \u2013a form and physiology He gave her; a form and physiology of which she had no choice. In fact, if form and physiology is the measure of superiority, Woman is superior to Man \u2013she having carried man, gave birth to him and nursed him. Three degrees of excellence and superiority that Man have yet to acquire. Women even have a fourth degree of excellence over men\u2013cloning! Whereas the male sperm can be dispensed with in duplicating the being, the female\u2019s ovum is necessary to develop the clone.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Since Man and Woman were created from the same essence\u2013(Qur\u2019an 4:1), and instilled with the same laws\u2013 such as the five senses and susceptibilities to hunger and disease\u2013 one cannot be superior to the other. How then does Islam oppress women?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 We are to give reverence to the womb that bore us (not to the loins that emitted us)\u2013(4:1). And Prophet Mohammad says paradise lies at the feet of mothers\u2019 (not at the feet of fathers\u2019). How then does Islam oppress women?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Men and women are garments to the other\u2013(Qur\u2019an 2:187). Garments protect, comfort, beautify, and conceal the body\u2019s imperfections. Since men and women are to protect, comfort, beautify, and keep each other\u2019s flaws private; how then does Islam oppress women?\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Men and women are friends one of another\u2013(Qur\u2019an 9:71). Friends do not oppress one another: friends liberate one another. How then does Islam oppress women? (Women and men are to be chaste and dutiful).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Women have rights similar to those against her\u2013(Qur\u2019an 2:228). People who have mutual rights cannot oppress. How then does Islam oppress women?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Allah has put love and compassion between man and woman, and that man may find peace of mind in her\u2013(Qur\u2019an 7:189; 30:21). The man who abuses his wife, causes her distress or puts her under duress cannot find love and compassion and comfort in her. How then does Islam oppress women?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 <\/i>Mohammad emancipated Woman over fourteen hundred years ago. Islam extricated woman from the bog of hopelessness and degradation in which she was mired and sat her aloft on the throne of honor.\u00a0 The head-covering<\/i> in no way diminishes the Muslim woman, be it physically, socially, morally, spiritually, or intellectually. (The Muslim man who subjugates the Muslim woman has no assent from Islam).<\/span><\/p>\n

Significantly, whereas the critics of Islam charge that Islam discriminates against women and that the hijab<\/i> is a symbol of the Muslim woman\u2019s subservience; Islam requires that:
\n<\/span>-men give a gift to their brides even though she may be wealthier than he is
\n<\/span>-men maintain their wives even though she may have a mountain of money
\n<\/span>-men be circumcised and women not
\n<\/span>-men shave their heads at the Hajj and women not<\/span><\/p>\n

yet no critic of Islam has charged that Islam discriminates against men; or that Islam teaches hatred of men; or that Islam favors women over men; or that these are symbols of the Muslim man\u2019s subservience to women.<\/span><\/p>\n

Interestingly, whereas All\u0101h reveals in His Qur\u2019an 2:228 that women have rights similar to those against her He did not say that men have\u00a0 rights similar as those against him; thus, arguably, women would seem to have more rights on men than men have on women.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

(5) Hatcher and Martin wrote: \u201cThe multiplicity of languages that characterizes the modern world is a major impediment to world unity\u2026.This linguistic chauvinism frequently leads to conflict.
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 It is therefore not surprising that Baha\u2019u\u2019llah’s prescription for the unification of humankind included the adoption of a universal auxiliary language.\u201d (p. 95).<\/span><\/p>\n

(In His Qur\u2019an 30:22 All\u0101h says that He gave man diversity of languages as one of His signs of creation and Bahai\u2019s are condemning this gift from All\u0101h as a \u201cmajor impediment to world unity.\u201d And Bahai\u2019s claim that they believe in All\u0101h, Prophet Mohammad, and the Qur\u2019an).<\/span><\/p>\n

Mankind already has an \u201cauxiliary language.\u201d Through His universal religion, Islam<\/span><\/i>,<\/span> His universal Prophet, Mohammad<\/span><\/i>,<\/span> and His universal Revelation, the Qur\u2019an<\/span><\/i>,<\/span> Allah has given us a universal language, Arabic<\/i>.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

It would seem that there are more conflicts and more wars fought between peoples who share the same language, and even the same religion. <\/span><\/p>\n

Any effort to foster peace and unity, on whatever scale, is commendable, but it is not a \u201cmultiplicity of languages\u201d that is a \u201cmajor impediment to world unity,\u201d but man\u2019s parasitic deportment. There can be no unity when there is no peace. There can be no peace when there is no justice. There can be no justice when there are those dedicated to living off the blood of others.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is not language that is a prerequisite to world unity (or world peace); it is not even religion, for this would exclude the atheists; but it is when the rights of man are not denied, and when man gives to others the rights he demands for himself \u2013the exacting of one\u2019s rights is diametrically equal to the instituting of the rights of others. These are some of the pre-requisites to world unity (or world peace). <\/span><\/p>\n

All\u0101h tells us: \u201cAnd let not hatred of a people\u2026. incite you to transgress. And help one another in righteousness and piety, and help not<\/span> <\/i><\/strong>one another in sin and aggression\u201d\u2013(Qur\u2019an 5:2):<\/span>
\n\u201cThe principle laid down here as to uprightness of conduct in dealing even with those whom one hates is laudable, and the international code of modern world stands sorely in need of such a principle of uprightness. Requiring equal treatment for all nations \u2013for those whom we hate and for those whom we love\u2013 Islam alone can serve as an international law.\u201d11<\/span><\/sup> <\/span><\/p>\n

(6) On pages 181-182, writing about the literacy rate of the Bahai community in Iran, Hatcher and Martin state: \u201cthe community has reached a point where its members represent an important percentage of the educated class in present-day Iran, although they number only about 300,000 in that country. In a country where the literacy rate has hovered under 40 percent, the Baha’i community has enjoyed a literacy rate of over 90 percent.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This is commendable of the Bahais. But this lack of literacy among Muslims (whether in Iran or elsewhere) should not be if Muslims were following the teachings of Islam. One of the central themes of Islam is the seeking of knowledge. Allah encourages us, through the Prophet Mohammad, to pray: \u201c\u2026and say: My Lord, increase me in knowledge\u201d\u2013(Qur’an 20:114).<\/span> But one cannot acquire knowledge by only praying for it, he\/she must take to the books and to the lab.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 And the Honorable Messenger of All\u0101h advised Muslims to seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave; to go even to China if need be to acquire knowledge. It is incumbent on both male and female to seek knowledge. The superiority of the learned scholar over the pious worshipper is like the superiority of the (full) moon over the stars, says the noble Prophet of All\u0101h.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 And \u201cThe Muslim capitals\u201d as noted by Muhammad Husayn Haykal, \u201cwere all capitals of science, knowledge, art, and Industry. This felicity continued until the Muslims changed their view of Islam, denied its noble principles, violated the brotherhood of the faithful, and forgot that man\u2019s faith is never complete until he has desired for his fellow man what he desires for himself.\u201d12
\n<\/span><\/sup><\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 Early Muslims adhered to this prescription of Islam and within a century ruthless and backward camel-drivers were sitting on the thrones of Caesars. This throne of excellence is ever-present for Muslims to ascend:\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

Muslims are destined to be successful. The Qur\u2019an gives success: \u201cO man, We have not revealed the Qur\u2019an to thee that thou mayest be unsuccessful\u201d\u2013(20:1-2).<\/span> This throne of excellence is ever available for Muslims to ascend: \u201cAll\u0101h has promised to those of you who believe and do good that He will surely make them rulers\u201d\u2013(Qur\u2019an 24:55).<\/span><\/span><\/span> \u00a0(See <\/span>Islam-sectism among Muslims<\/span>).<\/span><\/a>
\n~~~<\/span><\/p>\n

The foregoing has clearly proven that Baha\u2019ullah and Bahaism have no foundation in Islam\/Qur\u2019an.
\n<\/span>\u00a0 All\u0101h will not call on us to account for what we do in ignorance, but when knowledge comes to us what reason can we have for not accepting and following it?
\n<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In conclusion of his book Prof. Afaqi quotes Qur\u2019an 5:16:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhereby All\u0101h guideth him who seeketh
\n<\/span>His good pleasure unto paths of peace.
\n<\/span>He bringeth them out of darkness unto
\n<\/span>light by His decree, and guideth them
\n<\/span>unto Straight Path.\u201d
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Mindfully, Prof. Afaqi and Bahai\u2019s will seek the guidance of All\u0101h to bring them out of the darkness and misunderstanding in which they are mired and into the light of the Straight Path of His eternal religion, Islam.
\n<\/span><\/i><\/strong>Ameen!<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/i><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

I testify there is no God but All\u0101h
\n<\/span><\/span>\u00a0and I testify Mohammad is the
\n<\/span><\/span>\u00a0servant and Messenger of All\u0101h!
\n************************************<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

A LIST OF SOME OF THE TOPICS ON THIS SITE:
\n<\/span><\/span><\/span>-Al \u2018Aqsa \u2013 Temple Mount or Mosque Mount?<\/a><\/span>
\n–All\u0101h a different God from Yahweh<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>
\n-All\u0101h-cut Mohammad\u2019s aorta<\/span><\/span><\/a>
\n-Answering WikiIslam-1<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>
\n-\u2018Aisha & Mohammad<\/a><\/span><\/span>
\n–\u2018Aisha\u2019s marriage-9 or 19?<\/a>
\n–Atheism, Creation or Evolution<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/span>–Baha\u2019is & Baha\u2019ullah<\/a>
\n<\/span>–<\/span>Bible corrupt & obsolete<\/a>
\n–Black Stone at Ka\u2019bah is paganism<\/span><\/span><\/a>
\n–Buddhism & Buddha<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>
\n–Christianity dupes people<\/a>
\n–Christianity-is paganism<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>
\n–Christianity-enemy to knowledge<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>
\n–<\/span>Christianity-man made to live forever<\/a><\/span>
\n<\/span><\/span>-Christianity-subjugates women<\/a><\/span>
\n–Christians of Najran & Prophet Mohammad<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>
\n–Christians-drinking deadly thing<\/a><\/span>
\n–Christians-eating cakes of human dung<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

–Fasting-reasons & benefits<\/span><\/span><\/a>
\n<\/span><\/span>–Hafsa scandal<\/span><\/span><\/a>
\n–<\/span>Hajj\/pilgrimage<\/a>
\n–<\/span>Heaven\/Paradise<\/a>
\n<\/span>-Hell<\/a>
\n<\/span><\/span>–Hadith & Salah-why believe in<\/span><\/span><\/a>
\n–Hijab\/head covering<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

–<\/span><\/span>Hinduism-Bhagavad Gita, Krishna, Yoga, Society For Krishna Consciousness<\/a>
\n–<\/span>Hinduism-Karma and Reincarnation & Women<\/a>
\n–<\/span>Hinduism\u2013Swami Dayananda Saraswati (on the Qur\u2019an)<\/a>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>–Islam-adoption<\/a><\/span><\/span>
\n-Islam-adultery & flogging<\/a><\/span>
\n–Islam-amputation, dismemberment<\/a><\/span>
\n–Islam-apostasy<\/a><\/span>
\n–Islam-blasphemy<\/a>
\n–<\/span>Islam-child custody<\/a>
\n–<\/span>Islam-concubinage<\/a>
\n<\/span>–<\/span>Islam-divorce<\/a>
\n–<\/span>Islam-dowry\/mahr payment for sex<\/a>
\n–<\/span>Islam-homosexuals & lesbians<\/a><\/span>
\n–<\/span>Islam-honor killing<\/a>
\n<\/span>–<\/span>Islam-intolerance<\/a>
\n<\/span>–<\/span>Islam-Jihad & Jihad Watch<\/a>
\n–<\/span>Islam -jizya<\/a>
\n–<\/span>Islam-kill non-Muslims<\/a>
\n<\/span>–<\/span>Islam-liberated women<\/a>
\n<\/span><\/span>–Islam-polygamy<\/a>
\n<\/span>–<\/span>Islam-Religion of the sword<\/a>
\n<\/span>–<\/span>Islam-Shari\u2019ah<\/a>
\n–<\/span>Islam-slaves\/slavery<\/a>
\n–<\/span>Islam-stoning<\/a><\/span><\/span>
\n–<\/span>Islam-wife beating<\/a><\/p>\n

–Jehovah\u2019s Witnesses<\/span><\/span><\/a>
\n<\/span>-Jesus as God<\/span><\/span><\/a>
\n<\/span>–Jesus and the adulteress<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>
\n–<\/span>Jesus or Mohammad-best system<\/a>
\n–<\/span>Jesus or Mohammad-greatest, Pastor Dr. James Mc Donald<\/a>
\n<\/span><\/span>–Jesus-1000-year rule<\/a>
\n–<\/span>Jesus-18 missing years from the Gospels\u00a0<\/a><\/span><\/span>
\n–Jesus-a Muslim taught Islam<\/a>
\n<\/span>–Jesus-Comforter<\/span><\/span><\/a>
\n<\/span><\/span>–<\/span>Jesus-for God so loved the world<\/a>
\n<\/span><\/span>–Jesus-foretold
\n<\/a><\/span>–<\/span>Jesus-had s-x with his mother<\/a>
\n–<\/span>Jesus-he that seen me has seen the Father<\/a>
\n<\/span>–<\/span>Jesus-I and my Father are one<\/a>
\n–<\/span>Jesus-inherited sin, crucifixion, ascension<\/a>
\n–Jesus-liberates women<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>
\n–Jesus-like David<\/a>
\n–Jesus-like Moses<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

–Jesus-Mariolatry<\/a><\/span>
\n–Jesus-no man cometh to the Father<\/a><\/span>
\n–Jesus-no peace and joy<\/a><\/span>
\n–Jesus-only for Jews<\/a><\/span>
\n–Jesus-only name on earth<\/a><\/span>
\n–Jesus-only perfect man<\/a>
\n–Jesus-preparing mansions in heaven<\/a>
\n–Jesus-Prince of peace<\/a>
\n<\/span>–Jesus-Pagan Passion Play<\/span><\/span><\/a>
\n<\/span>–Jesus-second coming<\/a><\/span><\/span>
\n–Jesus-seen in dreams<\/a><\/span>
\n–Jesus-resurrection & life<\/a><\/span>
\n–Jesus-Son of G<\/a>od
\n–Jesus-son of man (Barnasha)<\/a><\/span>
\n–Jesus-the three wise men<\/a>
\n<\/span>–Jesus-the way, truth, life<\/a><\/p>\n

–<\/span>Judaism-no future<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>
\n–Ka\u2019bah-House of\u00a0God\u2019s Glory<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>
\n–Makkah-the new Jerusalem<\/a><\/span>
\n–Miracles<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>
<\/span>
\n<\/span>–<\/span>Mohammad allows man to suck woman\u2019s breast<\/a>
\n–<\/span>Mohammad and Thighing<\/a>
\n–<\/span>Mohammad\u2013beats \u2018Aisha, encourages wife-beating<\/a>
\n<\/span><\/span>–Mohammad-and Abi Sarh<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>
\n–Mohammad-and Moulood<\/a>
\n–Mohammad-camel urine<\/a><\/span>
\n–Mohammad-camel urine<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>
\n–Mohammad-Hafsa scandal (& Mary)<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>
\n–Mohammad-Jews & raiding parties<\/a>
\n<\/span>-Mohammad-Juwairiyyah<\/a>
\n–<\/span>Mohammad-killed opponents<\/a><\/span><\/span>
\n–Mohammad-rapist, pedophile, looter, cripple<\/a>
\n–<\/span>Mohammad-Rayhana<\/a>
\n–<\/span>Mohammad-Safiyyah<\/a>
\n–Mohammad-Umm Qirfa<\/span><\/span><\/a>
\n–Mohammad-wrote the Qur\u2019an<\/a><\/span><\/span>
\n–Mohammad-Zainab scandal<\/a><\/p>\n

–Muslim Feminists<\/span><\/span><\/a>
\n<\/span>-Palestine \u2013 gift to Jews or Muslims?<\/a><\/p>\n

–Qur\u2019an<\/a>
\n–Qur\u2019an is perfectly preserved<\/a>
\n–Qur\u2019an-abrogation & collecting<\/a>
\n–Qur\u2019an\u2013a Book of contradictions and lies<\/a>
\n–Qur\u2019an\u2013contradictions in Qur\u2019an<\/a>
\n-Qur’an-Controversial verses in the Qur\u2019an<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>
\n–Qur\u2019an-109 verses of Qur\u2019an about war<\/a>
\n–Qur\u2019an-borrowed from Bible<\/a>
\n–Qur\u2019an-comments & errors<\/a>
\n–Qur\u2019an-evil verses<\/a>
\n<\/span>–Qur\u2019an-goat ate page; 127 verses and verse on stoning lost<\/a><\/span>
\n–<\/a>Qur\u2019an-prophecies<\/a><\/span>
\n–Qur\u2019an-Satanic verses<\/a><\/span>
\n–Qur\u2019an-science<\/a><\/span>
\n–Qur\u2019an-wrong on semen production<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

–Sikhism<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>
\n–Swami Dayananda Saraswati (on the Qur\u2019an)<\/a><\/p>\n

–<\/span>The End of faith-Sam Harris<\/a>
\n–<\/span>The Trouble with Islam-Irshad Manji<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span>-Vegetarianism<\/a>
\n–Which son to sacrifice Isaac or Ishmael<\/span><\/span> (<\/span><\/span>Ishmael and Paul)<\/a>.<\/span><\/span>
\n–Why I am not a Muslim-Ibn Warraq<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/span>
\n–Woman\u2019s inheritance-half of man\u2019s<\/a>
\n–Woman\u2019s testimony-half of man\u2019s
\n–<\/a>Women in Pre-Islamic Egypt<\/a>
\n–<\/span>Zainab scandal<\/a><\/span><\/span>
\n–Zoroastrianism (Parsis)<\/a>
\n<\/span><\/span>***************************************************<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

NOTES<\/span><\/p>\n

1<\/span>.\u00a0 \u00a0See Ency. Brit;<\/i> 15th<\/sup> Edn; Vol. I, Art. the Bab<\/i>, pp. 704- Emphasis\/color added.<\/span><\/p>\n

2.<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0Hatcher, William S, and Martin, Douglas J, The Bahai Faith\u2013The Emerging Global Religion<\/i>, Harper and Row, 1984; p. 7<\/span><\/p>\n

3.<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0Gaver, Jessyca Russell, The Bahai Faith-Dawn of a New Day,<\/i>\u00a0 Hawthorn Books, Inc., 1967; p. 57.<\/span><\/p>\n

4.<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0Hatcher, William S, and Martin, Douglas J, The Bahai Faith-The\u00a0 Emerging Global Religion, <\/i>p. 121.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

4A.<\/span>Gaver, Jessyca Russell, The Bahai Faith-Dawn of a New Day,<\/i> Hawthorn Books, Inc., 1967; p. 57.<\/span><\/p>\n

5.<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0Ency, Brit; <\/i>15th<\/sup> Ed; Vol. 2. p. 588.\u00a0<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

6.<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0Zayid, Ismail, Palestine<\/i>\u2013A Stolen Heritage<\/i>, p. (See Ency. Brit<\/i>; 15th<\/sup> Edn. Vol. I, Balfour, Arthur James; & Vol. 17, p. 957e).\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

7A.<\/span> Khwaja Kamal-ud-Din, Introduction to the Study of the Holy Qur\u2019an<\/i>, p. 67.<\/span><\/p>\n

8.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0Ali, Muhammad Ali, Qur\u2019anic comm; 1415.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

9.<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0Kamal-ud-Din, Khwaja, Open Letters to The Bishops of Salisbury and London, <\/i>pp. 46, 47<\/span><\/p>\n

10.<\/span>\u00a0 O\u2019Leary, De Lacy, “Islam at the Crossroads” London, 1923, p. Quoted in Prof. K. S. Ramakrishna Rao, Muhummed The Prophet Of Islam<\/i>, p. 32.<\/span><\/p>\n

11.<\/span>\u00a0 Ali, Muhammad, Qur\u2019anic comm. 660.<\/span><\/p>\n

12.<\/span>\u00a0 Haykal, M. H., The Life of Muhammad<\/i>, p. 589.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-511","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nogodbutallah.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/511","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nogodbutallah.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nogodbutallah.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nogodbutallah.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nogodbutallah.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=511"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/nogodbutallah.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/511\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6859,"href":"https:\/\/nogodbutallah.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/511\/revisions\/6859"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nogodbutallah.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=511"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}