Was Baha'u'llah a Prophet or Imposter?

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Baha’ism is among the youngest religions in the world. Founded in around 1863, it developed in Iran from the break away sect of shia called Babism. Its founder Mirza Hussian Ali Nuri declared himself a Prophet as a fulfilment of a prophecy of the founder of Babism. Today Baha’ism has around five million followers, its texts have been translated into 350 odd languages. It has 150 national assemblies and 20,000 local spiritual assemblies. It is a self-consciously universal religion as it perceives humanity as one and the different religions as manifestations of the same divinity. The Lotus temple in New Delhi is one of their major places of worship, although the chief three are located in present-day Israel, it has established itself firmly around the world. But the big question still remains 'Was Baha’u’llah really a prophet?' especially when Islam declared Prophet Muhammed ( PBUH ) the last messenger of God more than 1200 years before Baha’u’llah. Due to this it has entered into a conflict with Islam.

Transcript of Was Baha'u'llah a Prophet or Imposter?

Was Bahaullah a Prophet or Imposter ?

(Mirza Husayn Ali Nari aka Bahaullah)

"The (passport) photo found on page 83 of William Miller's book (Bahai Faith: its History and Teachings) IS a portrait of Baha'u'llah" (The Universal House of Justice in a published letter to a believer March 30,1980)

Introduction Bahaism is among the youngest religions in the world. Founded in around 1863, it developed in Iran from the break away sect of shia called Babism. Its founder Mirza Hussian Ali Nuri declared himself a Prophet as a fulfilment of a prophecy of the founder of Babism. Today Bahaism has around five million followers, its texts have been translated into 350 odd languages. It has 150 national assemblies and 20,000 local spiritual assemblies. It is a self-consciously universal religion as it perceives humanity as one and the different religions as manifestations of the same divinity. The Lotus temple in New Delhi is one of their major places of worship, although the chief three are located in present-day Israel, it has established itself firmly around the world. But the big question still remains 'Was Bahaullah really a prophet?' especially when Islam declared Prophet Muhammed ( PBUH ) the last messenger of God more than 1200 years before Bahaullah. Due to this it has entered into a conflict with Islam.

Thus in the following pages we are going to cover a wide variety of topics from history to fundamental beliefs of the Bahais & from philosophy to sects in the religion & try to answer the fundamental question - 'Was Bahaullah really a Prophet of God ?'

Note : This site is for the layman just as much as it is for the religious experts of Islam & Bahaism. Most sites of this kind try to overload the reader with comparative religion, verses, philosophies, etc. which may be confusing to the layman. So we have made an earnest attempt to present more facts that are of sober nature & points which invite more thought & reasoning rather than making the reader to withstand strong blasts of comparative religion. We hope readers from all religions & sects will find these pages informative.

Topic wise Index

1. A glance at history 2. What the Bahais claim 3. What Islam says 4. Scientific statements in Islamic & Bahai scriptures 5. The Acid test 6. The Acid test 2 7. The status of Bahaullah in Bahaism 8. The final word

A glance at the history of Bahaism Bahaism traces its roots back to a shia sect called Babism. Babism was founded by Mirza Ali Mohammed. He was born in a house of a trader in Shiraz in Iran. During a journey to Karbala, he met Syed Kazim Rashti & was greatly influenced by him. After Syed Kazim Rashti's death in 1844, Ali Mohammed & Haji Mohammed Karim Khan appointed themselves as his successors. On may 23 of the same year Mirza Ali Muhammed declared himself as the 'Bab'. Bab in Arabic means gate. He was able to quickly gather 18 followers & sent them to different places in Iran for the work of propagation of his sect. He himself went to Makkah Al Mukkaramah to perform Haj. According to reports this is where proclaimed himself as Imam Mahdi. Due to this, the Islamic scholars severely criticized him & this led to clashes between the two. He was arrested, but he escaped only to be caught soon after. He was put to death on 9th of July 1850. His followers hid his body somewhere in the outskirts of Teheran & was later sent to Acca in Palestine.

During his lifetime, Mirza Ali Muhammed had appointed A man named Mirza Yahya as his successor. He was given the title of Subhe Azal, meaning 'everlasting morning'. This Mirza Yahya was also the Step brother of Mirza Hussain Ali Nuri ( photo in page 1 ). Yahya was also given Ali Muhammed's personal belongings & the clear authority to explain & comment on Ali Muhammed's writings. Despite of this clear instructions of Ali Muhammed regarding his successor, many other people arose for the claim of successor ship of Ali Muhammed. Mirza Abdullah from Tabriz in Iran was one of them. But soon he was drowned in a river by some Bahais. Soon after Yahya went into recluse & made Nuri the supreme leader of the Babis.

In 1852, the Babis were making plans to assassinate the Shah of Persia. Their plans were discovered & strict measures were adopted to capture them. Yahya managed to escape but Nuri was captured. He was released due to the intervention of the Russian embassy & both he & his brother, Yahya fled to Baghdad. Here they spent 12 long years. During these 12 years serious disputes between Nuri & other Babi leaders began to surface & as a result Nuri left for Turkey. The government of Turkey was alarmed due to his activities and close connections with Britain & Russia. He was sent to Istanbul & he stayed there for 4 years. It is here that he declared himself to be the real successor of Mirza Ali Muhammed.

Note : He did this despite clear instructions from Mirza Ali Muhammed that Yahya was his successor.

Yahya & his 18 companions were outraged & travelled to Istanbul to bring Nuri back to his senses. As a result a severe division among the Babis broke out & they began to kill each other openly. At this critical juncture the government intervened & separated the two. It sent Yahya & his family to Cyprus & Nuri along with his family to Palestine. The followers of Yahya came to be known as Azalis after the Azal in his title & the followers of Nuri came to be known as Bahais. He named himself 'Bahaullah'. The Azalis continued to follow the Bayan, written by Ali Muhammed, whereas the Nuri made many changes & alterations in the earlier teachings, which were accepted readily. Later he even extended contacts with Russian Czar, Queen Victoria, Napoleon, the Pope, etc. He praised the Russian Government when it sentenced two Iranians who were charged with the murder of two Bahais to death. He justified it by presenting two 'divine inspirations' in this regard. He later died in may 1892.

After his death, his eldest son, Abbas Effandi succeeded him. He claimed that he was the successor in the wake of continuation of revelation. But many people point out that Bahaullah himself had stated in his book ' Al Aqdas' that anyone who claimed divine

A picture of Abbas Effandi 'Abdul Baha'

inspiration before the completion of 1000 years of Bahaism was a liar. Nevertheless, Abbas quickly overcame these allegations & attained the title of Abdul Baha. He was later conferred the title of 'SIR' by the British government. He died on the 28th of november 1921.

A photo of Shoghi Effandi Rabbani

He was succeeded by his grandson Shoghi Effandi Rabbani. He wrote many books in several languages. He expired in 1957 in London.

The 32 Bahais he had appointed during his lifetime took control & established 'The universal house of justice' in an attempt to solve Bahai problems. It has its headquarters in Mount Carmel in Israel.

What the Bahais claim Please note: All the Bahai beliefs are impossible to be expressed in a single page. So we recommend about.com's page on Bahaism, as it has one of the most exhaustive content on Bahaism. Here is the link. Note that this is important part of the study, as many of the references in this site are from that source. http://Bahai.about.com/religion/Bahai/mbody.htm

Steps to the shrine of the `Bab'

Basic beliefs We now move forward to the Bahai beliefs. The basic beliefs of the Bahai faith are that all the religions be they Islam, Christianity, Hinduism or even the barbaric tribes of Africa, all of them are from the same divine source. Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Solomon, David, Muhammed ( PBUT ), Krishna, Buddha, etc. were all Prophets, the latest in the line being Bahaullah. When they are asked to explain the presence of contradictions between various faiths, they simply state that contradictions are due to misinterpretations of various texts. They claim that the religions of all the Prophets were the same ( submission to one God ) the only differences were in the laws governing daily life. Hence the law of Bahaullah also has various differences when compared to Muhammed ( PBUH ). But the biggest difference comes from their denial of Muhammed ( PBUH ) as the last Prophet.

Detailed discussion of each & every Bahai claim is available on pg 5 The Acid test.

Bahaullah's claims During his life time, Bahaullah made numerous claims. Here is a list of claims he made about himself.

1. The Bahai faith claims that the coming of the Bab & Bahaullah heralded the Judgement day, spoken of in the Qur'an & the ` coming of the lord'. As the christians claim that Jesus Christ ( PBUH ) was the son of God, Bahaullah actually claimed that he was the was the father himself who had come! ( god forbid ). In the proclamation of Bahaullah pg 27 ( & also 84, 85, 93 ), he clearly writes about himself - "He, verily, is come with His Kingdom, and all the atoms cry aloud: `Lo! The Lord is come in His great majesty!' He Who is the Father is come". In the kitab Al Aqdas, the muslims are told that `the merciful god has come with clear arguments'. It is also stated that he was the `nabi-e-azeem' meaning great news. He even attributed the resurrection day mentioned in the Qur'an to mean his appearance.

2. Though the Bab had very clearly stated that Mirza Yahya was his successor. The Bab also predicted Yahya's appearance in the Bayan ( the Babi holy book ) in chapter 17 stating the phrase `Man Yazharahullaho' ( the one whom god will manifest ). But strangely Bahaullah claimed the title for himself.

3. He claimed that he was the Christ incarnate which the Christian & the Islamic scriptures are supposed to have prophesied.

4. He claimed that he was Imam Mahdi as stated by Prophet Muhammed ( PBUH ).

Note that the Bab also made the very same claims.

5. He claimed that he was the reincarnation of Buddha talked of in the Buddhist scriptures.

6 He claimed that he was the next avatar of Krishna.

7. He claimed that he was the nuqta or the converging point of all the previous Prophets.

The house of Bahaullah in Palestine.

This is not all. His followers & companions also made numerous claims.

1. Mulla Hussain Bushrui, the first person to accept the Bab called himself 'Bab-ul-Bab' (Gate of the Gate).

Before continuing, it would be appropriate to discuss here the meaning of 'Raj'at'. This word means to return, and in Islamic terms, it means that a group of persons of all times who were extremely oppressed, or were extremely evil oppressors, would come back to life before the Day of Judgement, and the oppressed one would have an opportunity to seek his revenge from the oppressor. This concept is found not only in Quran, but also in Islamic traditions.

2. Haji Mohammed Ali claimed to be the Raj'at of Holy Prophet (PBUH).

3. Qurratul Ayn, Tahera Qazvini claimed to be the Raj'at of Janabe Fatematuz Zahra (PBUH). (Reference: Nuqtatul Qaaf by Mirza Jani, Page 14)

4. Bushrui claimed to be the Raj'at of Hussain (PBUH), the grandson of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) (Nuqtatul Qaaf, Page 253)

5. Seven years after the claim of Bab, Baseer claimed to be the Raj'at of Hasan (PBUH), the grandson of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).

Excerpts from Imran's page

Please note: All the Bahai beliefs are impossible to be expressed in a single page. So we recommend about.com's page on Bahaism, as it has one of the most exhaustive content on Bahaism. Here is the link. Note that this is important part of the study, as many of the references in this site are from that source. http://Bahai.about.com/religion/Bahai/mbody.htm

Scientific statements or blunders ? A pre-requisite

Scientific compliance is a pre-requisite for any scripture claiming to be the word of God. The Quran has over 1000 verses dealing with various scientific phenomenon. Various topics like embryological processes, the water cycle, several geological facts are discussed in a great detail in the Quran. All these maintain perfect harmony with modern scientific discoveries. For people interested in learning more we recommend you to read `The Bible, the Quran & modern science' by Dr Maurice Bucalle.

But here we are going to discuss only the verses of the Bahai scriptures, which the Bahais claim are modern scientific statements.

Astronomy Bahaullah claimed that `every star had planets revolving round it & every planet had life' ! This is what he has to say -

"Thou hast, moreover, asked Me concerning the nature of the celestial spheres...Know thou that every fixed star hath its own planets, and every planet its own creatures, whose number no man can compute."

(Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, fifth printing 1971)

SETI is spending billions of dollars on research on their search for extrateristrial life, but are yet to find any trace of life. But as you see in the above verse, Bahaullah is clearly telling us that every planet has life. This is obviously untrue. Beside this obvious blunder, there are also some other statements in the above verse which raise questions about the credibility of Bahaullah. According to modern astronomical data, there are many stars which donot have planets revolving around them. But Bah'ullah seems to be emphatic in stating that every star has several planets, which is not true. Also here he uses the phrase `fixed star'. But today science tells us that all stars are rotating as well as revolving around some point in their respective galaxies. As you can see not even a single statement in this verse is compatible with modern science. And this verse is supposed to have come from God.!

2. Bahaullah claims that copper, in a span of 70 years would be converted to gold!

64 For instance, consider the substance of copper. Were it to be protected in its own mine from becoming solidified, it would, within the space of seventy years, attain to the state of gold. There are some, however, who maintain that copper itself is gold, which by becoming solidified is in a diseased condition, and hath not therefore reached its own state. 65 Be that as it may, the real elixir will, in one instant, cause the substance of copper to attain the state of gold, and will traverse the seventy-year stages in a single moment. Could this gold be called copper? Could it be claimed that it hath not attained the state of gold, whilst the touch-stone is at hand to assay it and distinguish it from copper?

kitab Al Iqan

This above verse is sure to amuse alchemist of today. Copper turning to gold?.

Moving on to Abdul Baha, he is considered infallible by the Bahais. His statements are believed to be accurate. Bahaullah appointed him as his successor & had this to say about him-

"We have sent Him down in the form of a human temple. Blest and sanctified be God Who createth whatsoever He willeth through His inviolable, His infallible decree."

His successor & grandson Shoghi Effandi , while defending some controversial claims to historical knowledge made by Abdul Baha said-

"Historians cannot be sure Socrates did not visit the Holy Land. But believing as we do that `Abdu'l-Bah had an intuitive knowledge quite different from our own, we accept His authority on this matter...."

This sufficiently proves that Bahais consider him infallible.

Answered questions by Dr Abdul Baha?

Here are some alleged scientific statements that Dr Abdul Baha had to say. See for yourselves.

1. Abdul Baha states that eyesite is due to the blackness of the pupil, which is supposed to attract sunlight!.

According to Abdul Baha, in his book, `Some answered questions', eyesite is due to the blackness of the pupil. This black colour is supposed to attract sunlight & enable us to see.

"...it is known that the pupil of the eye is black so as to attract the rays of the sun, for if it were another color - that is uniformly white - it would not attract the rays of the sun"

Here he also states that if it were of any other colour, it would not have attracted sunlight & hence we wouldn't be able to see. This is clearly untrue. Light is generally reflected by white objects and absorbed by black objects. but it is totally untrue to claim that eyesite is due to our black pupils & it wouldn't be possible if it were any other colour. Some animals like flies have red pupils and they aren't blind.

2. Existence of ether This was a theory of scientists of the nineteenth century believed in. They believed in the existence of a subtle fluid in which all that existed was embedded in. But this theory has been thoroughly rejected now. This is what Abdul Baha has to say about ether.

"If we wish to deny everything that is not sensible, then we must deny the realities which unquestionably exist. For example, ethereal matter is not sensible, THOUGH IT HAS AN UNDOUBTED EXISTENCE . The power of attraction is not sensible, though it certainly exists. From what do we affirm these existences? From their signs. THUS THIS LIGHT IS THE VIBRATION OF THAT ETHEREAL MATTER, AND FROM THIS VIBRATION WE INFER THE EXISTENCE OF ETHER.

This clearly shows Abdul Baha belived in the existence of ether, which has been disproved today.

3. Atoms are indestructible Scientific philosophy has demonstrated that a simple element is indestructible, eternal. The soul, not being a composition of elements, is, in character, as a simple element, and therefore cannot cease to exist. -Paris talks Here the simple means `not composed'. Here Abdul Baha says that a simple element or atom is indestructible. But in nuclear reactors, atom bombs, etc atoms are continually broken down. Infact, Einstein showed that matter can even be converted to energy.

In the above examples we see how infalliable Abdul Baha & Bahaullah really are. We would like our readers to ponder over these points

The Acid test Here we present you with a thorough study in a sincere attemt to separate the gold from the brass.

The question of the finality of Muhammed's ( PBUH ) prophethood You must have read the various hadiths in the `what islam says' page. However, the Bahais claim that the Hadith are not protected as the Qur'an & the Bahais argue that they have suffered the same fate as the Gospels of Jesus ( PBUH ). So lets go directly to the verse of the Qur'an dealing with finality. The Bahais differ with Muslims when it comes to this verse. Bahais claim that the `seal of the Prophets' does not mean that Muhammed ( PBUH ) will be the final prophet, but only that he is the last of the great Prophets & all future Prophets will bear his seal. So lets us now examine this verse & try to come up with a solution to this arguement.

" O people! Muhammed is not the father of any of your men, but he is the messenger of Allah, And the seal of the Prophets: And Allah has full knowledge of all things"

- Al Qur'an Surah 33 Al Ahzab verse 40

This verse was revealed in the fifth ruku or paragraph of the Surah Al Ahzab. In this ruku Allah answers all those hypocrites who had raised objections and had resorted to slander & mischief in respect of the marriage of Prophet Muhammed ( PBUH ) with Zainab ( RA ). These hypocrites argued that Zainab was the wife of Zaid, an adopted son of the Prophet ( PBUH ) & due to the connection she was the Prophet's daughter in law. So after her divorce from Zaid he had taken his own daughter in law as his wife.

In refutation of the charge it was affirmed by the almighty, " Muhammed is not the father of any of your men..." therby making it very clear that the man whose divorced wife was taken into wedlock by the Prophet being not his real son, the marriage, therefore did not violate anything.

The arguement of their second charge was that "admitted that the adopted son was not his real son and thus it was lawful for him to marry the divorced spouse, but where was the compulsion for the Prophet ( PBUH ) to do so?". Allah subhan wa ta'ala answers this charge " But verily he is the messenger of Allah". The message was that it was Allah's mandate to the Holy Prophet Muhammed ( PBUH ) to wipe out all the unnecessary taboos of the pagan customs of the time & declare them lawful.

In order to lay emphasis on this point, Allah observes `and he is the seal of the prophets' or in other words the `last of the prophets', which means that no messenger not even a Prophet will be sent to carry out reforms in the sphere of law which might have been omitted. The phrase used in the place of is `seal of the prophets' is `khatam Al Nabiyyin'. In Arabic lexicon and linguistic usage `khatam' means to affix seal, to close, to come to an end, and to carry something to its ultimate end. For example-

1. Khatam Al kitab means `the letter has been enclosed and sealed so that it is finally secured.

2. khatam 'ala al qaib means `The heart has been sealed so that it cannot percieve anything new nor can it forswear what it has already imbibed'.

3. Khatam kulli Mashrubin means the final taste that is left in the mouth when the drink is over

4. Khatam-i-Qur'an means the closing verses of the Qur'an

5. Khatim ul Akhiruhum means `The last man in the tribe'

For all these reasons all linguistic commentators agree that khatam Al nabiyyin literally means `The last in the line of the Prophets' The dictionary meaning of the word `khatam' does not refer to the post office stamp which is afiixed on an outgoing stamp like the Bahais claim, but its literal meaning is the seal which put on the envelope to secure its contents.

So for the above reasons there is absolutely no scope left for the Bahai arguement that all the future Prophets will attain Prophethood by Prophet Muhammed's seal alone. If indeed the term does mean what the Bahais claim, then certainly the term is out of place in the context in which it has been revealed. Moreover, when the term is changed with this meaning it distorts the whole purpose of the revealed verse. The Bahai interpretation bears no connection with the context whatsoever, not the least even. If the interpretation was true then the unbeleivers may have argued with Prophet Muhammed ( PBUH )- "There is no need for you to abolish all customs by yourself. Just leave it to your successor". If this is the case then Bahaullah might have also left out many things!.

The second coming of Jesus Christ ( PBUH ) Bahaullah declared during his lifetime that he was the Christ incarnate that the Christian and the Islamic scriptures are supposed to have prophesiced. The Bahais unanimously declare that a Prophet always fulfills prophecies of previous Prophets and messengers. A visit to Bahai websites will see a avalange of verses from various scriptures relating to Prophecies, which the Bab and Bahaullah are supposed to have fullfilled. One of the prominant being the fullfillment of prophecies relating to the second coming of the Christ. Now you must have read the Islamic Prophecies of his return in the `What Islam says' page. If you have not already read them we recommend you to do so. Here are some points we come to know about his return through the prophecies.

1. He is a man of medium height and moderate complexion inclined to the red and white colors and of lank hair;

2. He will descend among Muslims, near the White Eastern Minaret of Damascus, Syria, clad in two yellow sheets (dyed with saffron), while leaning on the shoulders of two angels;

3. He will pray behind Imam Mahdi;

4.He will fight with, chase, and kills Dajjal (the Anti-Christ) at the gate of Ludd;

5. Messiah will rule justly according to the Laws of Islam and not Gospel;

6. People of the Book will accept him as a Messenger of Allah(SWT) and will embrace Islam (Quran 4:159); subsequently, Cross (Christianity) and Jizyah tax (on non-Muslims) will be abolished;

7. He will encounter attack of Gog and Magog and will be victorious;

8. Islam and justice will rule, oppression will be eliminated, and no fighting (War) will be needed (will be abolished);

9. Everyone will be well off and hatred, jealousy, and grudge will disappear;

10. Messiah will perform Hajj and/or Umra;

11. He will get married, remain married for 19 years before his death and have children;

12. He will die after living on earth for 40 years and will be buried in a grave next to the holy Prophet(SAW). His advent is a sign for the closeness of the day of Judgment (Quran, 43:61);

13. Afterwards, all believers will die before the advent of the day of Judgment and the other prophecies will take place.

14. The Promised Messiah is none other than Hazrat Isa bin Maryam( PBUH ) (Jesus);

Let us now examine whether, Bahaullah fits into any of these Prophecies.

Where is the Dajjal ( anti Christ )? The first thing that comes to our mind when hearing the return of Jesus Christ ( PBUH ) is the Masih Dajjal (otherwise known as the Anti Christ). This is a man that Prophet Muhammed ( PBUH ) and all the previous Prophets have repeatedly warned their people about. According to authentic hadith, the anti christ is supposed to appear before the coming of Jesus ( PBUH ). The coming of the anti christ will mean the greatest test for the believers of the time. Prophet Muhammed tells us that there will be no worse test for the believers than the coming of the dajjal.

Hadhrat Imraan bin Husain (R.A.) relates that, "I heard Rasulullah (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) saying: "Since the birth of Adam (A.S.) till the advent of Qiyamah there is no fitnah (evil, test) much greater that of Dajjal."

The Dajjal will claim to be a Prophet and will eventually claim divinity. He will cause great pain to the believers. His main followers will be the jews, who will think that he is the promised Prophet. He will perform great miracles & decieve many people. He will try to annhialate the believers under Imam Mahdi ( detailed study of Imam Mahdi is discussed later ) altogether. It is at this critical juncture that Jesus ( PBUH ) will descend. He will be the one who will chase & ultimately kill the dajjal.

The Bahais cannot escape just by claiming, like always, that Prophet Muhammed ( PBUH ) & all the previous messengers were speaking metaphorically, as the dajjal is real and Prophet Muhammed ( PBUH ) has described him in great detail.

Ubadah bin Saamit (R.A.) once said, "I have explained Dajjal to you but I fear that you might not have understood. Maseeh Dajjal will be short, and his legs will be crooked. The hair on his head will be extremely twisted. He will have one eye (with which he can see, and this is the protruding eye about which other ahadeeth inform us) while his other eye will be totally flat. It will neither be deep (in its socket) nor protruding.

If you still have any doubt regarding him then remember that your Sustainer (Rabb) is not one-eyed. (Because Dajjal will eventually claim to be Allah). In a lengthy Hadith narrated by Abu Saeed (R.A.), Rasulullah (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) is reported to have said: "Dajjal will come but it will be prohibited and impossible for him to enter Madina. He will set up camp in a barren land outside Madina. One person who will be the best of persons will confront him by saying: "I bear witness that you are the very Dajjal about whom Rasulullah (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) has informed us."

Here, even a person with the least knowledge of english language can understand that Prophet Muhammed is talking about a real person and not a metaphor. Other hadiths also inform us that-

1. He will emerge between Shaam and Iraq, and his emergence will become known when he is in Isfahaan at a place called Yahudea. 2. The Yahudis (Jews) of Isfahaan will be his main followers. 3. Apart from having mainly Yahudi followers, he will have a great number of women followers as well. 4. He will have with him fire and water, but in reality the fire will be cold water while that what appears to be cold water will in reality be a blazing fire. 5. Those who obey him will enter "his Jannat" while those who disobey him will enter "his Jahannam." 6. There will be a thick fingernail-like object in his left eye. 7. The letters "Kaa" "Faa" "Raa" will appear on his forehead and will be deciphered by all Mu'mineen regardless of them being literate or not. 8. He will have a wheatish complexion. 9. He will travel at great speeds and his means of conveyance will be a gigantic mule. It is said that he will play beautiful music which will attract the music lovers. 10. Dajjal will lay claim to prophethood. 11. He will then lay claim to Divinity. 12. He will perform unusual feats. 13. He will travel the entire world. He will send down rains upon those who believe in him, which in turn will cause good crops to grow, trees to bear fruit and cattle to grow fat. 14. He will cause drought to those who disbelieve in him, resulting in starvation and hardship for them. 15. During those trying times the Mu'mineen will satiate their hunger through the recitation of Subhanallah and La'ilaha Ilallahu. 16. The hidden treasures will spill forth at his command. He will stay on this Earth for a period of forty days; the length of the first day will be one year, the second day will be equal to one month, the third day will be equal to a week and the remaining days will be normal. 17. He will be unable to enter Makkah because the Malaikah will be guarding the Holy City and nor will he be able to enter Madina because there will be Malaikah guarding each of the seven entrances to Madina; From Madina he will proceed towards Shaam where Imaam Mahdi will be stationed. 18. Finally Isa (A.S.) will descend from the heavens and pursue him and eventually kill him at present day Lydda (Baad Lud).

From the above points it is obviously evident to anyone that the Dajjal is for real and not metaphorically spoken of. Now the question arises that if the appearence of Bahaullah was really the second coming of Christ as he claimed to be, where is the anti christ?. He must have surely appeared before Bahaullah appeared. Are the Bahai interpreters & experts going to tell us that the man regarding whom Prophet Muhammed ( PBUH ) has repeatedly warned us about just forgot to appear?. This surely cannot happen. And what about the Dajjal being chased & finally killed by Jesus ( PBUH )?. Bahaullah just has no answer to our problem. I am sure many Bahais are coming across these prophecies for the first time. There just isint any explanation to these shortcomings of Bahaullah. It is very strange that the allegedly prophecised Bahaullah doesn't fulfil the prophecy, which is indeed the highlight of the return of the Christ! (PBUH).

War hasnt disappeared, it has intensified! This point is something which every Bahai should seriously think about. According to prophecies of Prophet Muhammed (PBUH), the coming of Jesus Christ ( PBUH ) will herald an era of total peace. War will be unknown. Jealousy, hatred and grudge will be long gone. Islam & justice will be firmly established. Now, if Bahaullah was truly the second coming of Jesus Christ (PBUH), then why hasnt this happened?. On the contrary war, oppression & racism have reached an all time high after the death of Bahaullah!. Everybody knows that the rise of Nazi Germany & Hitler was after the death of Bahaullah. The two great world wars, ended in mass destruction & death of people & property. Millions died in Japan after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima & Nagasaki. The policy of aparthied in South Africa was one of the sickest ever. The wars in Chechnia, Bosnia, Afganisthan, Vietnam, the gulf war, etc were one of the most brutal in the history of humankind. In fact more people died in the twentieth century than in any other century. And Bahaullah and the Bahais want to tell us that he was the peace maker promised to us by the Holy Prophet (PBUH)?. Thats strange enough.

He will be Jesus (PBUH) & not anyone else

This is something which will totally knock Bahaullah off the list of the candidates for Jesus Christ. The person who will return will be Jesus Christ himself and not his incarnation or any such thing. This is what Jesus had to say about his return. This is very similar to what Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) said.

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves." (Jesus-Bible-Mathew 7:15.10)

"Watch that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many." (Jesus-Bible-Mark 13:6)

"And many false prophets will come and deceive many people" (Jesus-Bible-Mathew 24:11)

[Luke 21:8] And he said, "Take heed that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name, saying, `I am he!' and, `The time is at hand!' Do not go after them.

Please note that this is exactly what Bahaullah said. He said that his coming heralded the day of judgement. Here is what the real Christ will be like

Jesus Christ said in the New Testament (Mathew 24:23-27): "At that (end) time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'There he is!' do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to DECEIVE EVEN THE ELECT - IF THAT WERE POSSIBLE. See, I have told you ahead of time. "So if anyone tells you, 'There he is, out in the desert,' do not go out; or, 'Here he is, in the inner rooms,' do not believe it. FOR AS LIGHTNING THAT COMES FROM THE EAST IS VISIBLE EVEN IN THE WEST, SO WILL BE THE COMING OF THE SON OF MAN"

And what is more astonishing about Bahaullah is that he claimed to be the Christ who has been Prophecised several times by the Prophet. He is supposed to be the sign for the day of judgement, the establisher of world peace, he will be the on who will kill the anti christ, the one who will bring the world under one rule, etc. And the world just failed to notice?. Bahaullah is recognised by hardly 10% of the world's population. And you claim that he was the Christ?. A man who spent most of his life in prison is the messiah?. Very strange.

Other details

There are also several other details which have been ignored by the Bahais. For example

Jesus will descend to the earth beside a white minaret in Damascus. Bahaullah has never been to Damascus.

He is supposed to rule the world by the laws of the Qur'an and not the Gospel. But sadly our Bahaullah had to write his own books.

Bahaullah never performed Haj or Umrah in his lifetime.

He is supposed to be buried next to the grave of Prophet Muhammed (PBUH). But Bahaullah is buried in Akka.

He is supposed to encounter the attack of Gog & Magog and defeat them. Where were they during Bahaullah's lifetime?

Any logically thinking man should agree that Bahaullah is far from being the Prophecised Messiah. However, many of the Bahais are sure to claim that these Prophecies are metaphorical. (If there is only something in religion which is not metaphorical).

Please click on continue and continue with our acid test section.

Was the Bab - 'Imam Mahdi'? Let us now examine whether the Bab really was the Prophesied Imam Mahdi as he claimed to be. You must have read the Prophecies relating to Imam Mahdi in the `What Islam says page'. Please go back and read them if you haven't already. However we present to you a summary of the events relating to the appearance of Imam Mahdi according to those Hadiths. He will- 1. Be from the Family of Prophet (SAW) and descend from Hussain (RA), son of Fatima (RA); 2. Appear at the end of time; 3. Appear when earth is filled with injustice and tyranny and believers are severely oppressed; 4. Appear when a severe earthquake will occur and green grass will grow (presumably in Arabia); 5. Fill the earth with justice and equity; 6. Spread brotherhood, equity and devotion among Muslims; 7. Rule over Muslim community, according to Hadith, for seven or nine years; 8. Live and act with the qualities of the holy Prophet (SAW).

Lets examine these prophecies one by one.

Ruler of the Muslims? Here Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) tells us that Imam Mahdi ( or the guided one ) will be the ruler of the Muslims of the world and will bring them under one rule. Now the Bab, when he visited Makkah to perform Umrah, declared that he was Imam Mahdi. This caused many Islamic scholars of the time to severely criticize him. This conflict even led to clashes between the two sides. He spent most of his life in prison cells in Iran & was even executed later in 1850. I suppose he forget to tell them that he was their leader & the Iranians mistakenly killed the man who has been Prophesied by the Prophet to be the leader of the Muslims. So do you believe that he was the Imam Mahdi who is supposed to rule over the Muslims for a period of seven years?. This is certainly a cock & bull story. This Imam Mahdi will also spread brotherhood, equity and devotion. It has been Prophesied that he will rule the world. But our Bab, unfortunately never even got to rule Iran!. Imam Mahdi will rule the world according to the Prophet's sunnah. But our Bab, like Bahaullah, wrote his own books.

End of time? The Prophecies clearly tell us that he will make his appearance when the judgement day is close by. But unfortunately for the Bab, its been nearly been 150 years after his death and there has been no judgement day. Also as stated earlier, the Dajjal (anti christ) will make his appearance first. Where is he?. All these questions only end up raising more questions.

As you can see clearly, the Bab & Bahaullah both fail terribly when it comes to the anti christ. According to Shoghi Effandi in his book, `World order of Bahaullah' page 105 writes-

"Had Muhammed, the Apostle of God, attained this Day," Baha'u'llah writes in a Tablet revealed on the eve of His banishment to the penal colony of Akka, "He would have exclaimed: `I have truly recognized Thee, O Thou the Desire of the Divine Messengers!'

Prophet Muhammed all through his mission has warned us about the Anti Christ and how Jesus Christ will finally come in and kill him. And Bahaullah & the Bab, who claim to be the Christ & Imam Mahdi don't know anything about the anti Christ!. How strange.

Resurrection Day The resurrection day constitutes an important belief of not only Muslims, but Christians and Jews as well. It is one of the main articles of faith. Also known as the judgement day, it will occur at the end of time when everyone will be raised up from the dead and will be questioned about their deeds. They will be in front of their lord and no one will escape. Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) & the Qur'an describe this day with great detail. Everyone will be called to account for their deeds. Those who spent their life according to Allah's instructions will have nothing to worry about. They will live in heaven forever, but those who engaged in mischief will pay the price heavily. They are the people who will burn in hell fire forever. This is the day judgement day according to Islam.

Now coming to the Bahai resurrection day, they believe that the coming of Bahaullah heralded the day of judgement. So in other words, the judgement day according to the Bahais is over!. Infact it is almost been 150 years since the Bahai judgement day!. This is the Bahai belief. The Bahais want to tell us that the Judgement day that one third of the Qur'an describes, took place 150 years ago & we failed to notice. The Qur'an says that on the day of judgement, all those who died will be resurrected from the dead and accounted for their deeds. But the Bahais claim that the Qur'an states that only metaphorically and not literally. They claim that the resurrection is spiritual & that mankind will become Bahais. This may sound amusing to some if not all Muslims, but we will go into a detailed study just for the sake of our Bahai brothers. Lets begin with quoting a few verses of the Qur'an-

Quran: surah infitar (82)

1.When the Sky is Cleft Asunder

2. When the stars are scattered

3.When the Oceans are suffered to burst forth

4.And when the Graves are turned upside down

5.THEN shall each soul KNOW what it has sent forward and kept back...

13. As for the righteous they will be in Bliss

14.And the Wicked will be in the Fire

15.WHICH THEY WILL ENTER ON THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT

16. And they will not be able to keep away from it

17. And what will explain to you the Day of Judgement?

18.Yet again, what will explain to you the Day of Judgement?

19.IT WILL BE A DAY WHEN NO SOUL SHALL HAVE POWER TO DO ANYTHING FOR ANOTHER FOR ON THAT DAY THE COMMAND IS WHOLLY GOD'S

Qur'an Surah Takwir (81)

1. When the sun is folded up

2.When the stars lose their lustre

3.When the mountains vanish (like a mirage)

4.When the she-camels, ten months with young, are left untended

5. When the wild-beasts are herded together (in human habitations)

6. When the oceans boil over with a swell

7.When the souls are sorted out (being joined, like with like)

8.When the female infant buried alive, is questioned-

9. For what crime she was killed

10. When the scrolls are laid open

11.When the World on High is unveiled

12.When the Blazing Fire is kindled to a fierce heat

13. And when paradise is brought near

14.Then shall EVERY soul KNOW WHAT it has put forward!!!!

Qur'an Surah Mutaffifin (83)

4. Do they not think that they will be called to ACCOUNT?

5.On a Mighty Day

6. A Day when ALL mankind will stand before Lord of the Universe?

Here we see that Almighty Allah is telling us that we shall all be gathered on the day of judgement to account for our deeds. Look at the verse in which Allah tells us that the female child who was buried alive by her parents will be raised up and asked for what crime she was killed. The resurrection here isin't metaphorical as the Bahais claim.

"[56.47] And they used to say: What! when we die and have become dust and bones, shall we then indeed be raised? [56.48] Or our fathers of yore? [56.49] Say: The first and the last, SO. Shall most surely be gathered together for the appointed hour of a known day.

Allah Almighty affirms in the above verse that the first and the last of humanity ( meaning everyone who was born )will be resurrected. I want to ask the Bahais- "When did all this happen in the 19th century?".

"[23.12] And certainly We created man of an extract of clay, [23.13] Then We made him a small seed in a firm resting place (the womb of the mother) , [23.14] Then We made the seed a clot, then We made the clot a lump of flesh, then We made (in) the lump of flesh bones, then We clothed the bones with flesh, then We caused it to grow into another creation, so blessed be Allah, the best of the creators. [23.15] Then after that (i.e. your life) you will most surely die. [23.16] Then surely on the day of Judgement you shall be raised.".

"[6:29-32] And they say: "There is nothing except our life on this earth, and never shall we be raised up again. "If thou couldst but see when they are confronted with their Lord! He will say: "Is not this the truth?" They will say: "Yea, by our Lord!" He will say: "Taste ye then the penalty, because ye rejected Faith." Lost indeed are they who treat it as a falsehood that they must meet God,- until on a sudden the hour is on them, and they say: "Ah! woe unto us that we took no thought of it"; for they bear their burdens on their backs, and evil indeed are the burdens that they bear"

"[11.96] And certainly We sent Moses with Our communications and a clear authority, [11.97] To Pharaoh and his chiefs, but they followed the bidding of Pharaoh, and Pharaoh's bidding was not right directing. [11.98] He shall lead his people on the resurrection day, and bring them down to the fire; and evil the place to which they are brought. [11.99] And they are overtaken by curse in this (world), and on the resurrection day, evil the gift which shall be given. [11.100] This is an account of (the fate of) the towns which We relate to you; of them are some that stand and (others) mown down."

Here we clearly read that resurrection is not metaphorical but REAL in every possible sense. Allah says in the above verse that Pharaoh and his people will also be resurrected. I want to ask the Bahais - "When was the Pharaoh raised up from the dead in the 19th century?" This surely is a warning from Allah to the Bahais.

Here is another good one-

"[22.55] And those who disbelieve shall not cease to be in doubt concerning it until the hour overtakes them suddenly, or there comes on them the chastisement of a destructive day. [22.56] The kingdom on that day shall be Allah's; He will judge between them; so those who believe and do good will be in gardens of bliss. [22.57] And (as for) those who disbelieve in and reject Our communications, these it is who shall have a disgraceful chastisement"

"[32.29] Say: On the day of judgement the faith of those who (now) disbelieve will not profit them, nor will they be given a respite."

"[14.31] Say to My servants who believe that they should keep up prayer and spend out of what We have given them secretly and openly BEFORE THE coming of the day in which there shall be no bartering nor mutual befriending."

"[6:158] They do not wait aught but that the angels should come to them, or that your Lord should come, or that some of the signs of your Lord (of the coming Day of Judgement) should come. On the day when some of the signs of your Lord shall come, ITS FAITH SHALL NOT PROFIT A SOUL WHICH DID NOT BELIEVE BEFORE, or earn good through its faith. Say: Wait; we too are waiting."

The Qur'an says here that belief on the day of judgement will prove useless and will not be accepted. Now the Bahais claim that the coming of Bahaullah was the judgement day. Now what is the use of a new religion, a new Prophet and a new book, when after all belief will not be accepted from the unbelievers on that day?. The above verse really separates the water from the milk. This is enough for the guidance of any Bahai, if he is true to himself that is. Lets now examine a verse which is quoting Abraham (PBUH)-

"Who gives me food and drink,

"And when I am ill, it is He Who cures me;

"Who will cause me to die, and then to life (again);

"And who, I hope, will forgive me my faults on the day of Judgement.

"O my Lord! bestow wisdom on me, and join me with the righteous;

"Grant me honourable mention on the tongue of truth among the latest (generations);

"Make me one of the inheritors of the Garden of Bliss;

"Forgive my father, for that he is among those astray;

"And let me not be in disgrace on the Day when (men) will be raised up;-

"The Day whereon neither wealth nor sons will avail,

"But only he (will prosper) that brings to God a sound heart;

"To the righteous, the Garden will be brought near,

"And to those straying in Evil, the Fire will be placed in full view;

"And it shall be said to them: 'Where are the (gods) ye worshipped-

"'Besides God? Can they help you or help themselves?'

"Then they will be thrown headlong into the (Fire),- they and those straying in Evil,

"And the whole hosts of Iblis (satan) together.

Just see how Abraham (PBUH) speaks about his own resurrection. He also makes it very clear that the righteous people with their good deeds will be sent to heaven and the satan and his companions & the unbelievers will burn in hell fire for ever. Or even examine these following verses for further proof.-

{[2:259] "Or take the similitude (of the resurrection) of one who passed by a hamlet, all in ruins to its roofs. He said: "Oh! how shall God bring it ever to life, after this its death?" but God caused him to die for a hundred years, then raised him up again. He said: "How long didst thou tarry thus?" He said: Perhaps a day or part of a day." He said: "Nay, thou hast tarried thus a hundred years; but look at thy food and thy drink; they show no signs of age; and look at thy donkey: And that We may make of thee a sign unto the people, Look further at the bones, how We bring them together and clothe them with flesh." When this was shown clearly to him, he said: "I know that God hath power over all things."

[2:260] Behold! Abraham said: "My Lord! Show me how Thou givest life to the dead." He said: "Dost thou not then believe?" He said: "Yea! but to satisfy My own undertaking." He said: "Take four birds; Tame them to turn to thee; put a portion of their bodies on every hill and call to them: They will come to thee (Flying) with speed. Then know that God is Exalted in Power, Wise."

Just look at these above verses and see how clear Allah makes his point. The resurrection is real and not metaphorical.

"[33.44] Their greetings on the day that they meet Him (on the day of Judgement) shall be, Salaam (meaning peace) , and He has prepared for them an honourable reward."

Here is another important point. Bahaullah taught his followers to greet each other with the word `Allahu Abha' meaning God is glorious, but in the above verse of the Qur'an, Allah tells us that the believers on the day of judgement will meet their Lord with the words salaam'.

* [Ya Sin 36:52-76] They will say: "Ah! Woe unto us! Who hath raised us up from our beds of repose?"... (A voice will say:) "This is what (God) Most Gracious had promised. And true was the word of the apostles!" It will be no more than a single Blast, when lo! they will all be brought up before Us! Then, on that Day, not a soul will be wronged in the least, and ye shall but be repaid the meeds of your past Deeds. Verily the Companions of the Garden shall that Day have joy in all that they do; They and their associates will be in groves of (cool) shade, reclining on Thrones (of dignity); (Every) fruit (enjoyment) will be there for them; they shall have whatever they call for; "Peace!" - a word (of salutation) from a Lord Most Merciful! "

Here Allah says that it will be very clear to the unbelievers that they have been risen from the dead.

So my dear Bahai brothers & sisters you can only count the number of verses that I have mentioned here in which Allah tells us in the simplest possible manner that the resurrection day will witness the resurrection of all the people who were born & died. They will be accounted for their deeds and will accordingly be sent to heaven or hell.

Heaven & Hell The Bahais totally disbelieve in the existence of Heaven & hell. They believe that heaven and hell are merely states of being close or far away from God. Like always they say that the Qur'an is only metaphorically talking about the existence of heaven & hell. If there is really no punishment from God then we might as well do whatever we want. We are already as far away from God as we can get. Hitler, for example killed millions of people and never believed in God. If there is no punishment for him in the hereafter and only that he will stay far from God, what difference does it make to him. Absolutely nothing. The same goes for the other dictators as well. Then if there is really no punishment in the hereafter, as the Bahais claim, then its better to enjoy life in every way we can. There would be no need to stay away from bad deeds at all. As you can see this would make the call for staying away from bad deeds unnecessary. If that would be true then the world would come to an end. But such a thing can never be possible. The Qur'an makes the existence of heaven & hell very clear. I'll let you decide what is metaphorical and what is not.

44:51-56 "As to the righteous they will be in a position of security. Among Gardens and springs. Dressed in fine silk and in rich brocade they will face each other. And We shall wed them to spouses with beautiful, big and lustrous eyes. Then can they call for every kind of fruit in peace and security. Nor will they there taste death except the first death and He will preserve them from the punishment of the blazing Fire"

52:17-28 "As to the righteous they will be in Gardens and in happiness. Enjoying the bliss which their Lord has bestowed on them, and their Lord shall deliver them from the punishment of the Fire. To them will be said: Eat and drink ye, with profit and health because of you good deeds. They will recline with ease upon couches arranged in ranks and We shall wed them to spouses with beautiful big and lustrous eyes. And those who believe and whose family follow them in faith - to them shall We reunite with their families. Nor shall We deprive them of the fruit of aught of their works. Yet is each individual in pledge for his deeds. And We shall bestow on them of fruit and meat anything they shall desire. They shall there exchange with another, a cup of drink free from vanity and sin. Round about them will serve youths as pearls well guarded. They will advance to each other, engaging in mutual inquiry. They will say, 'Aforetime We were not without fear for the sake of our people. But God has been good to us and has delivered us from the punishment of the scorching Wind (Hell). Truly we did call unto Him from of old and truly it is He, the beneficent, the Merciful!'"

55:46-78 "But for such as fear the time when they will stand before the Judgement seat of their Lord, there will be two gardens. Then which of the favours of your Lord will you deny? Abounding in branches. Then which of the favours of your Lord will you deny? In them each will be two springs flowing free. Then which of the favours of your Lord will you deny? In them will be fruits of every kind - two and two. Then which of the favours of your Lord will you deny? They will recline in carpets whose inner linings will be of rich brocade; the fruit of the gardens will be near and easy of reach. Then which of the favours of your Lord will you deny? In them will be spouses chaste, restraining their glances, whom no human or Jinn before them has touched. Then which of the favours of your Lord will you deny? Like unto rubies and coral. Then which of the favours of your Lord will you deny? Is there any reward for goodness other than goodness ? Then which of the favours of your Lord will you deny? And besides these two there will be two other gardens. Then which of the favours of your Lord will you deny? Dark green in colour (from plentiful watering) Then which of the favours of your Lord will you deny? In them each will be two springs pouring forth water in continuos abundance. Then which of the favours of your Lord will you deny? In them will be fruits and dates and pomegranates. Then which of the favours of your Lord will you deny? In them will be fair spouses, good, beautiful. Then which of the favours of your Lord will you deny? Spouses restrained (as to their glances) in goodly pavilions. Then which of the favours of your Lord will you deny? Whom no human or jinn before them has touched. Then which of the favours of your Lord will you deny? Reclining on green cushions and rich carpets of beauty. Then which of the favours of your Lord will you deny? Blessed be the name of thy Lord, Full of Majesty, bounty and Honour."

These are some of the countless number of verses in the Holy Qur'an dealing with the nature of heaven. Allah makes it very clear that those who will be successful in the afterlife will be sent to heaven. There they will be reunited with their families, they will have all kinds of delicious foodstuffs, beautiful gardens, etc. And they will reside in there for eternity.

Prophet Muhammed's ascension to the heavens also known as miraj is well known. Muhammed (PBUH) clearly says that he had been to heaven physically and even met other Prophets like Moses, Jesus, Yahya, etc. (PBUT). Do the Bahais want to reject Prophet Muhammed's experience as metaphorical also?. Here is a Hadith describing the kauthar. This sufficiently proves the existence of heaven.

Narrated Anas bin Malik: The Prophet said: "While I was walking in Paradise (on the night of Ascesnsion/Mi'raj), I saw a river, on the two banks of which there were tents made of hollow pearls. I asked, "What is this, O Gabriel?' He said, 'That is the lake of Kauthar (mentioned in the Qur'an) which Your Lord has given to you.' Behold! Its scent or its mud was sharp smelling musk!"

4:56 "Those who reject Our signs We shall cast them into the Fire. As often as their skins are roasted through We shall change them for fresh skins that they may taste the punishment for God is Exalted in Power, Wise"

14:17-17 "In front of such a one is Hell and he is given for drink boiling fetid water. In gulps will he will sip it but never will he be near swallowing it down his throat when death will come to him from every quarter yet will he not die and in front of him will be punishment unrelenting"

14:49-51 "And you will see the sinners that day bound together in chains. Their garments of liquid pitch and their faces covered with fire. That God may reward each soul according to its fruits and verily God is swift in calling to account"

22:19 "...but those who deny their Lord for them will be cut out a garment of Fire and over their heads will be poured out boiling water and with it will be melted what is within their bellies as well as their skins. In addition there will be maces of iron to punish them. Every time they wish to get away therefrom they will be forced back in and (it will be said) 'Taste you the punishment of burning!'"

37:62-68 "Is that (reward of heaven) better entertainment of the tree of Zaqqum? For We truly made it as a trial for the wrong-doers. For it is a tree that springs out of the bottom of Hell-Fire. The shoots of its fruit stalks are like the heads of devils. Truly they will eat thereof and fill their bellies with it. Then on top of that they will be given a mixture made of boiling water. Thus shall their return be to the Blazing Fire"

38:56-58 "Hell! they shall burn therein an evil bed indeed! Yes such! Then shall they taste it - a boiling fluid and a fluid dark, murky, and intensely cold! And other penalties of a similar kind to match them!"

44:43-43-50 "Verily of the tree of Zaqqum! will be the food of the sinful. Like molten brass it will boil within their insides. Like the boiling of scalding water. (a voice will cry) seize you him and drag him into the midst of the blazing Fire! Then pour over his head the punishment of boiling water. 'Taste you this. Truly you are mighty and full of honour ? Truly this is what you used to doubt?"

56:41-57 "The companions of the left hand and who will be the companions of the left hand? They will be in the midst of a fierce blast of fire and in boiling water. And in the shades of thick black smoke. Neither cool nor refreshing. For that they used to be indulged before that in sinful luxury. And they persisted obstinately in wickedness supreme! And they used to say 'What! when we die and become dust and bones shall we then indeed be raised up again? We and our ancestors?' Say : 'Yes, those of the ancients and those of the future. ALL WILL CERTAINLY BE gathered together for the meeting appointed for a Day well known (Day of Judgement). Then will you truly - O you that go wrong and the deny the truth - you will surely taste of the tree of Zaqqum. Then will you fill your insides with it. And drink boiling water on top of it. Indeed you shall drink like diseased camels raging with thirst. Such will be their entertainment on the Day of Requital! It is WE who have created you O man then why will you not admit this truth?'"

These are just a few verses of the holy Qur'an dealing with hell. This sufficiently proves the existence of hell & that people who engaged in evil deeds will be cast here & will be physically tortured.

Everything is not metaphorical The word `metaphorical' is the most common word used by the Bahais. Whichever verse of any scripture is not compatible with the Bahai beliefs is supposed to be only metaphorically stated. One wonders why the Bahais don't apply this to their own religion. For example- Prophet Muhammed is said to have called himself the last of the Prophets only metaphorically, Jesus Christ's return is also supposed to be metaphorical, etc. Similarly, Bahaullah might also be only metaphorically saying that he was a Prophet. He might not really be a Prophet. The Bab might have only metaphorically claimed to be Imam Mahdi and not meant it literally. Bahaullah might have claimed to be the second coming of Christ only metaphorically & not literally. If you can say the former why cant you believe the latter?

So as you can see what the reality of the claims of the Bab & Bahaullah really is. There is much more to the story than what the Bahai interpreters claim. We have proved that Bahaullah being the Christ & Bab's claim to be the Mahdi is a far cry. It has to be accepted that people who claim to be some one they aren't cannot be Prophets of God. Because that would make them liars. And liars cannot be Prophets. This is my simple deductive logic.

Status of Bahaullah in Bahaism

In Islam, worship of Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) is one of the gravest sins you can commit. Muslims don't like being called 'Muhammeddans' as they belive that it gives the wrong impression that they worship the Holy Prophet (PBUH). Now ( some of the ) Bahais try to imitate this by telling others not to call their religion 'Bahaism' as they say it is same as calling Islam- Muhammedanism. They say that the right word for their religion is 'Bahai faith'. On the look of it everything looks fine. But one has to remember that all that glitters is not gold. Let us look at some of the facts and Bahai beliefs and decide whether it is the same as in the case of Islam or not.

Isin't Bahaullah considered to be a prophet by the Bahais?

Well, the answer is not that simple, we better let the Bahais answer this question for they themselves are very much confused about the station of Bahaullah. Sometimes he is spoken of as God himself & sometimes as a Prophet of God ( They both arent the same, are the? ). I will merely reproduce here a few of his writing and let the Bahais account for this.

Bahaullah initially claimed to be a Prophet beside the other hundred and one claims. But later on after he knew that he had enough following, he came up & claimed divinity. The following is the first so called revelation that Prophet part of Bahaullah is supposed to have recieved when he was in prison-

'During the days I lay in the prison of Teheran, though the galling weight of the chains and the stench-filled air allowed Me but little sleep, still in those infrequent moments of slumber I felt as if something flowed from the crown of My head over My breast, even as a mighty torrent that precipitateth itself upon the earth from the summit of a lofty mountain. Every limb of My body would, as a result, be set afire. At such moments My tongue recited what no man could bear to hear.

To the non Bahais who are new to the faith, Bahaullah is potrayed only as a Prophet. There are several websites on the net which try to prove to the world the prophethood of Bahaullah. Look for the urls in the links page. It is however strange that he is also considered as God ( astaghfirullah ). Here are a few quotations where Bahaullah declares his divinity.

1. "There is no God but I the Honoured , the Wise". - Kitab al Aqdas pg 43

2."Accept whatever is commanded by Baha (himself) the Lord of Eternity". -kitab al aqdas pg 144

3."All praise is for you O Bahaullah, the Creator of existence". -Al mubeen pg 34

4."Obey the commands of your Elevated, Splendorous God, Bahaullah -Al Mubeen pg 190

5."You Most beneficent Lord, Bahaullah", Al Mubeen 297

The truth is revealed!. In all the above verses Bahaullah is clearly claiming divinity for himself here.

The Bahais even turn towards the shrine of Bahaullah when they offer prayers. Just listen to this statement in the Badaae ul Asaar of Abdul Baha-

6. Bahaullah is unique, Incomparable. It is necessary for everyone to turn towards Bahaullah in his prayers.

Even more revealing is this statement of Bahaullah in a letter to his son Abdul Baha- 7. "This s a letter from Allah, the Honoured and the Wise (Bahaullah) to Allah the Gracious, the Aware (Abdul Baha)."

This statement really shocked me when I read it. But the one statements which is most hurting to a Muslim is in the Kitab ul Aqdas where Bahaullah writes-

"A lot of requests and supplications from my followers reached 'My' Arsh wherein they have asked many questions from me. Thereupon Baha has revealed Epistles upon them. there was a request for revealing the Ahkam (Laws). But due to some wisdom, I withheld My pen and did not accede to their requests. Having received innumerable such requests from them, I have now acceded to their requests so that their hearts may remain alive".

We have seen above that initially Bahaullah made less dramatic claims as he did'nt have the neccessary following. Only after his popularity & following grew did he publically declare himself divine. We must also note that his claims grew bolder as time passed.

The divine status of Bahaullah is a fact of Bahai faith which is cleverly hidden from the non Bahai. This is clearly a deceptive tactic used by the Bahais. But those people who hide these facts must remember that they cannot hide the truth forever. The truth really will be successful at the end putting an end to the falsehoods the people invent against Allah and his Prophets.As the Holy Qur'an states in Surah Al Anbiya-

Nay. We hurl the truth against falsehood, and it knocks out its brain, and behold, falsehood doth perish! Ah! woe be to you for the ( false ) things ye ascribe (to us).

Wilful misrepresentation of the Qur'an It is very common especially in their prophecy fulfilled pages that the Bahais quote the Qur'an & the Hadith. Their aim always remains to prove that Bab & Bahaullah fulfilled the prophecies mentioned theirin. People who come in contact with the Bahais already know this. But how far they go in proving their case is the question. Here is a classic example of how the Bahais have been wrongfully using the Qur'an & hadith by quoting them totally out of context.

Those who have visited about.com's page on Bahaism might have read this. A certain Mr. Kamran Hakim writes about the Prophecies of Islam which were supposed to be have been fulfilled by Bahaullah. He quotes verse 6 to verse 13 of surah Al Naziat as given below-

"One day, the disturbing trumpet-blast shall disturb it [the universe] which the second blast shall follow.... Verily, it will be but a single blast..."

and he concludes that the two blasts here are referring to the appearence of Bab and Bahaullah!!!. I think the Bahais will take any prophecy with the numeral- two and mould it and conclude that these are prophecies referring to Bahaullah. And also these verses have been quoted wrongly out of context. The actual verses are-

6.one day everything that can be in commotion will be in commotion 7.Followed by oft repeated (commotions) 8.Hearts that day will be in agitation 9.Cast down will be ( their owners ) eyes 10.They say: what! shall we indeed be returned to our former state? 12.They "It would in that case be a return without a loss!" 13.But verily, it will be but a single (compelling) cry

Now you can see clearly what god almighty is actually talking about. These verses are in no way referring to a coming of any human nor any beast, but the coming of the judgement day. Detailed discussion on the reality of the day of judgement can be found in the acid test page.

Muhammed (PBUH) the prophet After reading all that claims of divinity of Bahaullah here is a statement of our beloved Prophet Muhammed (PBUH)- "The man who worships Muhammed will die, but the man who worships Allah will live for ever." I would like the Bahais to seriously consider this statement of our beloved Prophet & compare it with Bahaullah's claims. I would like you to seriously think about all the things which we have presented here.

The final word

So after presenting all the facts we don't want to jump to conclusions. We believe that people who are sincerely searching the truth need no further explanations. As the holy Quran says- "Let there be no compulsion in religion, truth stands clear from error: whosoever rejects evil & believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy handhold, that never breaks. And Allah hearth & knoweth all things". ( 2:256 )

As for the others the Quran says- "Allah is the protector of those who have faith: From the depth of darkness He will lead them forth into light. Of those who reject faith the patrons are the evil ones: From light They will lead them forth Into the depth of darkness. They will be the companions of the fire, to dwell therin ( forever)" ( 2:257 )

After reading all these articles. Dont you think you have to thank the real God. Don't you think it is he who deserves to be truly worshipped and not any mortal who is just as much in need of God's help as you?. I would recommend the Bahais to read the Quran and get to know the real message of God, first hand & not through Bahai leaders & interpreters. One has to remember that this isin't a mock page nor is this a anti Bahai hate page. This page was designed with only one objective in mind. To help the Bahais separate fact from fiction & help them get to know the real word of God and his true Prophet (PBUH). We hope you found these articles informative. Please do write in to us for any suggestions. And remember the Choice is yours, until its too late...

http://www.angelfire.com/journal/baha/