Is the Bahai Faith a religion?

Dr. Mohammed Alam Qurayshi

An important element to establish the truthfulness and divine origin of any religion is to examine the prophecies made by their leaders.

The importance of prophecies is derived from the fact that Prophets (or Manifestations of God, as the Bahais call them) are sent by God. God, the Almighty, is Knower of All things. Since our knowledge is limited to the present and the past, God makes known the future to His appointed ones as a sign of their truthfulness. So while predictions can go wrong, prophecies are true and bound to happen. Thus, the foretelling by Prophets are prophecies, and any wrong forecasting is a manifest proof to establish the falsehood of the claimant.

Quranic verses and Prophetic traditions are exemplary evidences of prophecies, which the Bahais also acknowledge.

My intention, here, is not to scrutinize all the Bahai teachings and convert this article to an argument of academic interest. But my objective is to present to you an honest case and let you examine the Bahai Faith.

Leadership has always been a a key issue in the Bahai Faith, and its importance is emphasized by Abdul Baha

"In each cycle the guardian and holy souls have been twelve. So Jacob had twelve sons; in the time of Moses there were heads or chiefs of the tribes; in the time of Christ there were twelve Apostles; and in the time of Mohammad there were twelve Imams. But in this glorious manifestation there are twenty-four, double the number of all the others, for the greatness of this manifestation requires it."

Some Answered Questions, Chapter 11: Commentary on the Eleventh Chapter of the Revelation of St. John, page 29-30

"O my loving friends! After the passing away of this wronged one, turn unto Shoghi Effendi as he is the sign of God, the chosen branch, the Guardian of the Cause of God, he unto whom all the Aghsan, the Afnan, the Hands of the Cause of God and His loved ones must turn."

Will and Testament of Abdu’l Baha, page 11

So far so good, but what about the remaining?

The Will and Testament continues

"He (Shoghi) is the Interpreter of the Word of God and after him will succeed the first-born of his lineal descendents."

Will and Testament of Abdu’l Baha, page 11

And lo! Shoghi died without children. God guided mankind and proved Abdul Baha a liar.

The Bahai Faith is anything other than a faith. Had there been any truth in it, the statements of Abdul Baha would have been established. God never breaks His promise. He would keep His Word had He made it. And thus, God in His Own unique way showed mankind that the Bahai Faith is not His Word. The truth was manifested and the Bahai Faith falsified.

Dear readers, Abdul Baha played a trick, he was blind about the unseen future. How will he show you the way, who himself is lost?

O Bahais open your eyes to the truth.

"Now have come to you, from your Lord, proofs (to open your eyes): if any will see, it will be for (the good of) his own soul; if any will be blind, it will be to his own (harm): I am not (here) to watch over your doings." (Holy Quran)

Written by:

 Dr. Mohammed Alam Qurayshi