Who Can Justify These Linguisitc Mistakes of Bab and Bahaullah?

How Can Someone Who is Helpless in Learning Another Language but His Mother Tongue, Order Other People to Learn Many Languages?

The Bab and Bahaullah wrote many of their works in Arabic but since this wasn’t their mother tongue, their Arabic works have a fair amount of etymological and syntactical errors. We have showed in Chapter 4 some of the grammatical errors Bahaullah had made in the book of Iqan that were subsequently fixed. Since this topic is fairly advanced and only suitable for a special audience, we will only mention a few of the more obvious errors here that can be understood with little explanation and without delving into Arabic linguistics.

a- Using non-Arabic characters and words in Arabic sentences
Arabic and Farsi share almost the exact same alphabet. The only difference between them are four characters that exist in Farsi but not in Arabic: p, ch, g, zh. Interestingly enough, the Bab wrote in the Arabic Bayan:

If possible acquire all the writings of the Point (meaning the Bab) even if they are in printed form (not hand-written).
(Bab, Arabic Bayan, unit 9, chap. 10)

The Farsi word for print is chap. The characters ‘ch’ and ‘p’ used in this word do not exist in Arabic. The Bab used this Persian word with non-existent characters in an Arabic sentence. This is while the Arabic word for printing is tab`, which he could have been easily used!

A similar fallacy can be seen in the works of Bahaullah. In a tablet addressed to Pope Pius IX he says:
O Pope! Rend the veils asunder. He Who is the Lord of Lords is come overshadowed with clouds, and the decree hath been fulfilled by God.
(Bahaullah, The Summons of the Lord of Hosts, p. 54-55)

The Farsi word for Pope is Pap. The Arabic word is al-Baba. Bahaullah has used the Farsi word with non-existent Arabic characters in the Arabic sentence. Here is an image of what he has written:

(For the original Arabic sentence see Bahaullah, Athar-i Qalam-i A`la, vol. 1, no. 1, p. 33)

The errors in these works were so obvious that the Bab decided to justify them in one of his writings:
Finding errors in diacritics (‘irab), recitation (qira’at), and linguistics of the Arabic [works] is invalid, because the linguistic laws are derived from these verses and not (the opposite) where the verses are based on these (laws). There is no doubt that the owner of these verses (meaning himself) has denied having any knowledge about these (linguistic) laws.
(The Bab, Farsi Bayan, unit 2, chap. 1)

What the Bab is saying here boils down to this: Any mistakes you find in my words and any inconsistencies with the Arabic language are due to your own ignorance. From now own, Arabic language laws and linguistics must be updated to become in conformity with my words!

As we mentioned earlier, Bahaullah had made the exact same justification when he was questioned about the errors in his writings and the writings of the Bab:
Say, oh you ignorant man; look at the words of God using His Eyes so that you may realize they are free of the allusions and the grammatical conventions of the people for He possesses the knowledge of the worlds. Say, if the words of God were revealed based on your grammatical conventions and (the laws) that are with you, then they would be like your words, oh group of people who are veiled (from the truth).
(Bahaullah, Majmu`iy-i alwah-i mubarak-ih, p. 71)

You and your kind have said that the words of the Great Bab and the Most Complete Remembrance are wrong and not in conformance with the grammatical conventions of the people. You still haven’t understood that the divine revealed words are the yardstick for all and what is lower than it cannot be a yardstick. Every grammatical convention that is not in accordance with the divine verses has no credibility.
(Bahaullah, Majmu`iy-i alwah-i mubarak-ih, p. 78)

These words are senseless. According to Bahaullah the criterion for the truth is he and only he. Reason, knowledge, language and everything imaginable are to be measured by his words even though his words are unscientific, illogical, unreasonable, and in many cases simply wrong. He uses similar reasoning in the Aqdas:

Say: O leaders of religion! (In the Arabic version of the Aqdas, the words used are ya ma`shar al-`ulama which translates to “O group of scholars.” This has been translated to “O leaders of religion,” in the official Bahai version) Weigh not the Book of God with such standards and sciences as are current amongst you, for the Book itself is the unerring Balance established amongst men. In this most perfect Balance whatsoever the peoples and kindreds of the earth possess must be weighed, while the measure of its weight should be tested according to its own standard, did ye but know it.
(Bahaullah, The Kitabi Aqdas, p. 56)

b- Using Meaningless Arabic Words and Phrases
The use of meaningless words and Arabic phrases is especially apparent in the works of the Bab. For instance the Bab says:

The water of life (semen) is pure and you have been created from it. You must taltufanna [!] your bodies from it so that you may have great pleasure.
(The Bab, Arabic Bayan, unit 5, chap. 15)

The underlined word is totally meaningless in this context and does not make sense. We will not refer to any more examples of this kind. We will simply mention a quote from Professor John Walbridge of Indiana University:

The Aqdas is written in a lofty and austere Arabic with little rhetorical ornamentation, a style somewhat similar to that of the Qur’an. As is usual in Bahaullah’s Arabic, there are some deviations from Arabic norms reflecting Persian usage. There are occasional grammatical innovations but many fewer than in the Arabic writings of the Bab.
(This is part of an article authored in 1999 and titled Kitab-i Aqdas, the Most Holy Book. It was intended for possible inclusion in The Bahai Encyclopedia: http://bahai-library.com/walbridge_encyclopedia_kitab_aqdas (retrieved 12/2/2014))

Professor Walbridge is clearly stating the works of the Bab have even more mistakes in them than the works of Bahaullah. He solves the problem of the errors in the writings of these figures by stating these errors are simply innovations or deviations from Arabic norms. Is it really that hard to see that these obvious mistakes were made because neither the Bab nor Bahaullah had sufficient knowledge about the Arabic language?

Bahai Principle: Removal of All Prejudices – Contradictions

1. Removing All Prejudice or Prohibition of Meeting with Non-Bahais
Abdul Baha: Have no prejudice and show no hatred towards any religion.

Bahaullah and Abdul Baha: Keep away from non-Bahais and do not socialize with them.

“Keep aloof from the scent of ignorant prejudice, enmity, vulgar hatred, and sexual, national and religious delusions, for they are all against God’s religion and His satisfaction and will deprive mankind of God’s graces . . . do not have the slightest hatred towards anyone from any nation, religion, tribe, sex, or land, rather show utmost compassion and friendship,” Riyaz Qadimi, Gulzar-i ta`alim Bahai, pp. 366-367.

“Do not socialize with those who deny God (meaning non-Bahais) and his signs and keep away from their kind,” Abd al-Hamid Ishraq Khawari, Ma’idiy-i asimani, vol. 8, p. 39; “In it incumbent on ever soul to keep away from the wicked breath of the polytheists (deniers of Bahaism),” Abd al-Hamid Ishraq Khawari, Ma’idiy-i asimani, vol. 8, p. 39; “Know that God has forbidden his friends from meeting with the polytheists (deniers of Bahaism) and hypocrites,” Abd al-Hamid Ishraq Khawari, Ma’idiy-i asimani, vol. 4, p. 280. for more quotes refer to chapter 2.

2. Having No Prejudice or Considering All Non-Bahais Ignorant and Unreasonable?
Abdul Baha: Religious prejudice destroys the foundations of humanity.

Bahaullah: Only Bahais are knowledgeable and reasonable and non-Bahais are ignorant and lack reason.

“The fifth Bahai principle is that sexual prejudice, religious prejudice, spiritual prejudice, national prejudice, and political prejudice are the destroyers of human foundations,” `Abdu’l-Baha, Khatabat (Tehran), vol. 2, p. 147.

“From now on nobody is to be called knowledgeable, except those who have decorated themselves with the garment of this New Affair (meaning those who have become Bahais),” Bahaullah, Badi`, p. 138-139; “If today, someone grasps all of the knowledge on earth but stops at the word ‘yes’ (meaning does not become a Bahai), the Lord will not pay attention to him (ladi l-Haqq madhkur na) and he will be considered as the most ignorant amongst the people,” Bahaullah, Iqtidarat wa chand lauh digar, p. 111; “The general criterion is what we mentioned and any soul who has success in it, meaning recognizes and realizes the Sunrise of Manifestation (meaning himself), will be mentioned in the Divine Book as someone who possesses reason or else he will be (mentioned as) ignorant even if he himself thinks that his reason equals that of the whole world,” `Abd al-Hamid Ishraq Khawari, Ma’idiy-i asimani, vol. 7, p. 160; “No one has denied or will deny what has been revealed by the Ancient Pen (meaning himself) in this Most Great Manifestation regarding society, unity, manners, rites, and being occupied with what has benefits for the people, except that he completely lacks reason,” Bahaullah, Iqtidarat wa chand lauh digar, p. 168.

3. Removing Prejudice or Claiming Each Baha’i worth More than a Million Non-Bahais?
Abdul Baha: People must not regard themselves superior to others.

Bahaullah: “My friends are the pearls of [this] order and all others are earthly pebbles . . . a single one of these (Bahais) is more precious than a million others (non-Bahais),”

“One of Bahaullah’s teachings is mutual aid between humans. This aid is much greater than equality. It means that not only one must not see himself superior to others; rather, he must sacrifice his life and belongings for other people,” `Abdu’l-Baha, Makatib (Egypt), vol. 3, p. 107.

Abd al-Hamid Ishraq Khawari, Ma’idiy-i asimani, vol. 4, p. 353.

4. Removing Prejudice or Depriving Non-Bahais from Their Share of Inheritance?
Abdul Baha: All people have equal rights.

Bahaullah: Non-Bahais do not inherit from their Bahai parents.

“There is equality between people and complete brotherhood. Justice implies that the rights of humankind be protected and preserved and all have equal rights,” Abd al-Hamid Ishraq Khawari, Payam-i malakut, p. 30.

“Bahaullah states that non-Bahais have no right to inherit from their Bahai parents or relatives,” Bahaullah, The Kitabi Aqdas, p. 184.

5. Removing All Prejudice or Calling Non-Bahais Animals
Abdul Baha: The truth can only be exposed when all religions remove prejudice.

Bahaullah: Non-Bahais are animals.

“The follower of Moses must put aside prejudice, the Christian must put aside prejudice, and the Buddhist must put aside prejudice. Not until this is performed will it be possible to expose the truth . . . [no one] should have prejudice,” Abd al-Hamid Ishraq Khawari, Payam-i malakut, p.18.

“Today, according to the decree of the Point of Bayan (meaning the Bab), those individuals who turn away from this Novel Affair (meaning Bahaism) are deprived of the garb of being called and described [as humans?] and are assembled and mentioned as animals in the presence of God,” Bahaullah, Badi`, p. 213; “Do not see the polytheists (deniers of Bahaism) but as earthworms and their sounds but the buzzing of flies,” Bahaullah, Athar-i Qalam-i A`la, vol. 1, no. 20, p. 183; “O group of polytheists (deniers of Bahaism), if you take pride in your name remaining amongst the animals or being mentioned amongst the livestock, then take pride in that for you are worthy of it,” Bahaullah, Athar-i Qalam-i A`la, vol. 2, no. 81, p. 452; “Oh you donkeys! Whatever God says is the truth and will not become void by the words of the polytheists (deniers of Bahaism),” Bahaullah, Badi`, p. 174; “When the one who turned away from God halted (in accepting me) and fell off the path, in that moment his body left the garb of humanness and appeared and became visible in the skin of animals. Sanctified is He who changes the beings how he likes,” Bahaullah, Badi`, p. 110.

6. Removing All Prejudice or Calling Non-Bahais Bastards
Abdul Baha: “This century, is the century of progress. These prejudices are unjustified. These are rooted in ignorance.”

Bahaullah: Non-Bahais are Bastards .

Abd al-Hamid Ishraq Khawari, Payam-i malakut, p. 25.

“Whoever denies this apparent exalted luminous grace (meaning Bahaism), it is worthy that he asks his state from his mother and he will soon be returned to the bottom of hell,” Abd al-Hamid Ishraq Khawari, Ma’idiy-i asimani, vol. 4, pp. 355 and Abd al-Hamid Ishraq Khawari, Ganj-i shaygan, p. 78; “Whoever has the enmity of this servant (meaning Bahaullah) in his heart, certainly Satan has entered their mother’s bed,” Abd al-Hamid Ishraq Khawari, Ganj-i shaygan, p. 79.

7. Removing All Prejudice or Saying Non-Bahais Are like Dry Wood That Are Only Worthy of Fire?
Abdul Baha: We act to remove prejudice but others just talk.

Bahaullah: Non-Bahais are like dry wood that are only worthy of fire.

“To reach the goal of (removing prejudice) we strive . . . but others just talk,” Abd al-Hamid Ishraq Khawari, Payam-i malakut, p. 99.

“Anyone who has a garden will not allow the dry trees to remain in the garden and will definitely cut them and throw them in fire, for dry wood is only worthy of fire. Thus, O inhabitants of my orchard, protect yourselves from the wicked poisonous breath and void breeze which is socializing with the polytheists (deniers of Bahaism) and the unaware (ghafil),” Abd al-Hamid Ishraq Khawari, Ma’idiy-i asimani, vol. 8, p. 39.

8. Removing Prejudice or Depriving of All Graces, Those Who View Non-Bahais as Humans?
Abdul Baha: People must not regard themselves superior to others.

Bahaullah: Whoever call my deniers humans, will be deprived of all of God’s graces.

“One of Bahaullah’s teachings is mutual aid between humans. This aid is much greater than equality. It means that not only one must not see himself superior to others; rather, he must sacrifice his life and belongings for other people,” `Abdu’l-Baha, Makatib (Egypt), vol. 3, p. 107.

“From this day, any individual that mentions as human a single person from those who deny me—whether that [denier] has a high or low stature—they will be excluded from all of (God’s) Merciful Graces, let alone trying to prove [those deniers] have dignity or stature,” Bahaullah, Badi`, p. 140.

9. Removing Racial Prejudice or Calling All Black Africans Irrational Savages?
Abdul Baha: Prejudice destroys the foundations of humanity.

Abdul Baha: The inhabitants of a land like Africa are all like wild savages and land-dwelling animals that lack common-sense and knowledge.

“The fifth Bahai principle is that sexual prejudice, religious prejudice, spiritual prejudice, national prejudice, and political prejudice are the destroyers of human foundations,” `Abdu’l-Baha, Khatabat (Tehran), vol. 2, p. 147.

“The inhabitants of a land like Africa are all like wild savages and land-dwelling animals that lack common-sense and knowledge and are all wild. There is not a single wise and civilized person among them,” `Abdu’l-Baha, Makatib (Egypt), vol. 1, pp. 331; “The wild tribes have no superiority over animals. For example what is the difference between African blacks and American blacks? The [black Africans] are cows that God has created with human faces. The [black Americans] are civilized, intelligent, and have culture . . .” `Abdu’l-Baha, Khatabat (Tehran), vol. 3, p. 48.

10. Having No Prejudice or Saying Turks Deserve Ridiculous Answers?
Abdul Baha: “In the presence of God there is no [such thing] as English, French, Turk, or Persian. To God they are all the same.”

Abdul Baha: Turks deserve ridiculous answers.

Abd al-Hamid Ishraq Khawari, Payam-i malakut, p. 45-46.

“When Djemal Pasha . . . reached Acre and asked to see me, I mounted a donkey and headed for his home. As soon as he saw me, he greeted me and sat me next to him and without hesitation said: “You are a corrupter of religion and that is why the government of Iran exiled you here . . .” I thought to myself that he is a Turk and I must give him a ridiculous and silencing answer,” Asad-Allah Fazil Mazandarani, Asrar al-athar khususi,vol. 3,p. 42-43.

11. Having No Prejudice or Praising the Most Prejudice Based Religion to Ever Exist?
Abdul Baha: Religious prejudice destroys the foundations of humanity.

The Bab: Destroy all non-Babi books. Massacre all non-Babis and destroy their monuments. Teaching non-Babi books is prohibited.

Bahaullah: “I [swear by] He who in His hand is my soul and my essence, a single letter from the Bayan is dearer to me than everything that is in the heavens and the earth.”

“The fifth Bahai principle is that sexual prejudice, religious prejudice, spiritual prejudice, national prejudice, and political prejudice are the destroyers of human foundations,” `Abdu’l-Baha, Khatabat (Tehran), vol. 2, p. 147.

The Bab, Farsi Bayan: “Chapter six of the sixth unit which is about destroying all books but those that have been written or will be written about this order (meaning the Bab’s creed)”; “The utterance of the [book or religion] of Bayan in the day of the appearance of his Highness A`la (meaning the Bab) was to behead, burn the books, destroy the monuments, and massacre [everyone] but those who believed [in the Bab’s religion] and verified it,” `Abdu’l-Baha, Makatib (Egypt: 1330 AH), vol. 2, p. 266.

“The utterance of the [book or religion] of Bayan in the day of the appearance of his Highness A`la (meaning the Bab) was to behead, burn the books, destroy the monuments, and massacre [everyone] but those who believed [in the Bab’s religion] and verified it,” `Abdu’l-Baha, Makatib (Egypt: 1330 AH), vol. 2, p. 266.

The Bab, Farsi Bayan: “The tenth chapter of the fourth unit which is about [the decree] that it is prohibited to teach any book but the book of Bayan.”

Asad-Allah Fazil Mazandarani, Asrar al-athar khususi, vol. 5, p. 333.

12. Removing All Prejudice or Discrimination between Men and Women?
Abdul Baha: All people have equal rights.

Bahaullah and Abdul Baha: Women are inferior to men, they take a smaller share of inheritance, and cannot be a member of the UHJ.

“There is equality between people and complete brotherhood. Justice implies that the rights of humankind be protected and preserved and all have equal rights,” Abd al-Hamid Ishraq Khawari, Payam-i malakut, p. 30.

“A woman’s question was referred to him who had asked why hasn’t God made any woman Prophets and why have all Divine Manifestations been men. He answered: ‘Although women and men share the same capacities and abilities, there is definitely no doubt that men are superior and stronger. Even in animals like pigeons, sparrows, peacocks, and other [birds] this advantage is visible,’” Mahmud Zaraqani, Bada’i` al-athar, vol. 1, p. 153.

The deceased’s property are split into 2520 portions. Out of these, 1080 are for the children, 390 for the wives, fathers 330, mothers 270, brothers 210, sisters 150, teachers 90 (Abd al-Hamid Ishraq Khawari, Ganjiniy-i Hudud wa ahkam, chap. 10, p. 117-119).

Abd al-Hamid Ishraq Khawari, Ganjiniy-i Hudud wa ahkam, chap. 27, p. 219.