The opinion of Muslim scholars about the Bahai Faith and its adherents        

Dr. Mohammed Alam Qurayshi

Over the years, I have had the opportunity to meet up with and discuss with Muslim scholars about the Bahai Faith and to benefit from their views about it. At the same time, I have met many people, who harbour doubts about the Faith and its connection with Islam. Are Bahais Muslims? Is it permissble to marry a Bahai? What are their beliefs? These are amongst the most common questions raised by ordinary Muslims about the Bahai Faith.

The process of study about the Faith and its history is an ongoing one on www.thebahaitruth.com. However some of the questions raised have to be answered through the medium of Islamic law - the Shariah. Hence I thought it best to bring forth some of the judgements (fatwas) of learned Islamic scholars on this matter. This is what they have to say.

" The prominent Muslim scholar, Sheikh Muhammad Iqbal Nadvi, Imam of Calgary Mosque, Alberta, Canada, and Former Professor at King Saud University, Riyad, Saudi Arabia, states the following:

"The Baha'is are not considered to be under the category of "Muslims", and they even declare themselves to be followers of another religion. Therefore, it is not allowed to get married to a Baha'i woman or man or to share inheritance with them. The reason is that the founder of the Baha'i faith, Bahullah, considers himself to be a Prophet, and the book he wrote was considered by him as a divinely revealed one."

" As regards the Baha'i sect and their faith and dogmas, Sheikh `Atiyyah Saqr, former head of Al-Azhar Fatwa Committee, issued the following fatwa:

"Whosoever converts from Islam to Baha'iyyah is an apostate; his/her marriage will be invalid, even if he is married to a Baha'i just like himself."

" The respected Mufti Ebrahim Desai states,

"A person who believes in the Bahai faith leaves the fold of Islam."

(Fatawa Mahmoodiya vol.16 pg.66)

The above compilation of fatwas is only indicative and not exhaustive. However they are sufficient to establish that:

The Bahai Faith is a separate movement which has not connection whatsoever with Islam.

If a Muslim accepts the Bahai Faith, he is considered to have given up Islam and is thus an apostate in the eyes of other Muslims.

Marrying a Bahai or giving one's son/daughter or brother/sister in marriage to a Bahai is not permitted. If he is already married to a Bahai, his marriage is void.

Written by:

 Dr. Mohammed Alam Qurayshi