Re: Questions (Aqdas)
gpoirier (gpoirier@acca.nmsu.edu)
Thu, Apr 20 1995 16:24:18 GMT
> I am interested in the format and provenance of the questions attached
> to the Kitab-i-Aqdas.
>
> 1. I presume that these questions were submitted by petitioners over
> a number of years. Is this correct?
In the Muslim religion during the 19th century, the greatest figures were
known as "Mujtahids." I believe this term is not used today, and the
term today is "ayatollah," which means "the sign of God." In any case,
my understanding is that these great figures are authorized in Islam to
combine the functions of priest and religious judge. They not only
interpret the word and comment on it, they supplement it with minor laws
that are unstated in the Text itself.
Several mujtahids became Baha'is during the days of Baha'u'llah; one of
them was titled "Zaynu'l-Muqarrabin." His first name was "Zayn." My
understanding is that since Zayn was familiar with the kinds of issues
that arose in connection with the interpretation and application of
Muhammad's laws to everyday life, Baha'u'llah invited Zayn to ask Him
questions related to application of Baha'u'llah's own laws. This is my
understanding of the origin of the Tablet of the Questions and Answers
which is an appendix to the Kitab-i-Aqdas.
> 2. Do the answers come directly from Baha'u'llah, or were they written
> by Abdu'l-Baha in his office as interpreter of the writings? (In other words,
> I understand that during most of the time of Baha'u'lla's residence in
> Carmel, Abdu'l-Baha handled the daily operations of the organization and
> this included meeting with petitioners. Correct?)
Abdu'l-Baha handled the meetings with public officials and inquirers, to
free Baha'u'llah's time to spend with the Baha'is, and to spend His time
writing the Tablets.
However, during the time of the revelation of the Aqdas, there were not
many meetings. This Book was revealed during the first five years of
Baha'u'llah's incarceration in the prison city of Akka -- literally the
Alcatraz of the Turkish empire at that time -- the ends of the earth.
While Baha'u'llah spent only 2+ years in a "cell," He remained under
house arrest within the walls of the prison city of Akka, and was moved
to a succession of three houses during seven years. During this time,
there was very little meeting going on between Baha'u'llah and anybody
else. However, my understanding is that not a single word of the
Kitab-i-Aqdas, nor of any others of Baha'u'llah's Tablets, was written by
'Abdu'l-Baha, who would have considered it blasphemy to insert His own
words into a Revelation that came through His Father.
> 3.Baha'u'llah must have been asked more than 103 questions. By
> whom was this selection made, and on what grounds?
Perhaps some of the other friends can answer this. I know that
Zaynu'l-Muqarrabin's relatives live in the West; one of his descendants
works in the Computer department at the Baha'i National Center in
Wilmette, and his name is slightly changed to "Mogharrabi." By the way,
the origin of that name is interesting (please feel free to correct me.)
I was told that in Persia, most people needed a special dispensation to
enter the presence of the Shah; however, there were some who were so
trustworthy that *they* could decide when to enter the Shah's presence
themselves; and these were known as the "Muqarrabin," those who may enter
the presence of the Shah. Baha'u'llah gave this title to Zayn, as a sign
of his acceptance.
---
gpoirier <gpoirier@acca.nmsu.edu>