The Word of Bahá'u'lláh
A Journey of Revelation
Bahá'u'lláh’s ministry stands out in history for two reasons: the immense suffering He endured and the vastness of His teachings. His life was a mix of opposites – glory and oppression, light and darkness. Though His days were marked by hardship, His teachings radiated hope, offering a light to a world steeped in ignorance.
Bahá'u'lláh's revelations over the course of 40 years released powerful spiritual forces meant to uplift humanity and usher in a new era of unity and justice, often referred to as the "Kingdom of God on Earth." The medium for this transformation was His word, not drawn from conventional learning but flowing from divine inspiration.
Knowledge Without Formal Education
In 19th-century Persia, where Bahá'u'lláh lived, most people were uneducated and blindly followed the religious authorities. Scholars of the time focused on Islamic theology, law, and the Arabic language, which was considered a mark of intellectual prestige. Clergy often used complex and ornate Arabic in their sermons to impress people, who, despite not understanding much of it, were in awe of their eloquence. A man’s intelligence was often judged by his mastery of Arabic.
Bahá'u'lláh, although from a noble background, received only a basic education, which was common for men of His class. His father was an esteemed calligrapher, and Bahá'u'lláh also excelled in this art. He married Ásíyih Khánum, a woman of noble descent, at 19, and they had seven children, though only three survived.
Despite His limited schooling, Bahá'u'lláh impressed many with His profound understanding of complex religious matters. He would discuss deep and intricate topics with scholars, astonishing them with His knowledge. This showed that true divine insight doesn’t come from studying in schools; rather, it is a gift from God. Many prophets, like Moses, Christ, and Muhammad, were not scholars. Similarly, Bahá'u'lláh and the Báb, though having basic education, were blessed with knowledge that transcended formal learning.
In one of His writings, Bahá'u'lláh explained that His knowledge was not learned from men but came from God, revealed to Him while He was in a deep, spiritual state. His mission, as He described, was a result of divine will, not human effort.
The Nature of Divine Revelation
The relationship between God and His chosen messengers, like Bahá'u'lláh, is mysterious and beyond human comprehension. What we do know comes from the words of Bahá'u'lláh Himself. Divine revelation, which is a connection between God and His messengers, brings forth the Word of God. This Word has both an inner spiritual reality and an outer, human expression. The inner spirit of these teachings is limitless, while the outer form, shaped by the culture and language of the prophet, has its boundaries.
Bahá'u'lláh’s teachings, revealed in Persian and Arabic, reflect His background. While He did not study Arabic extensively, His writings in both Persian and Arabic are considered masterpieces. His eloquence and literary style are celebrated by scholars. More than just beautiful words, Bahá'u'lláh's writings introduced new concepts and terms that expanded our understanding of spiritual truths.
The Revelation Process
Bahá'u'lláh’s writings, often called Tablets, were revealed in both Persian and Arabic. These writings, whether composed in majestic Arabic or soulful Persian, flow with an unmatched beauty and authority. His writings were not the result of research or meditation but a direct revelation, often pouring out so rapidly that His secretary struggled to keep up. Unlike human authors who labor over their drafts, Bahá'u'lláh’s words came effortlessly and with such force that they filled hundreds of volumes.
One remarkable feature of Bahá'u'lláh’s revelation is its speed. Muhammad’s revelations, for example, spanned 23 years and resulted in the Qur'án's 6,300 verses. Bahá'u'lláh, however, could reveal the equivalent of 1,000 verses in a single hour. His outpouring of divine words was so vast that it would have filled over 100 volumes if fully compiled.
Scribes and Transcribers of the Word
Many of Bahá'u'lláh’s followers dedicated their lives to transcribing His words. One of the key figures in this task was Mírzá Áqá Ján, who served as Bahá'u'lláh’s secretary for nearly 40 years. Though uneducated, Mírzá Áqá Ján became completely devoted to Bahá'u'lláh, recording His words whenever revelation flowed. Despite his later betrayal of Bahá'u'lláh after His passing, during Bahá'u'lláh’s life, Mírzá Áqá Ján diligently served as His amanuensis.
Among other dedicated scribes was Mullá Zaynu'l-'Ábidín, a former Islamic scholar who became a staunch supporter of Bahá'u'lláh. He meticulously copied many of Bahá'u'lláh’s most important writings, and his transcripts are considered reliable. Another scribe, Mishkín-Qalam, was renowned for his artistic calligraphy. Like Zaynu'l-'Ábidín, he was deeply committed to Bahá'u'lláh and spent much of his life transcribing His teachings.
The process of transcription was no simple task. Bahá'u'lláh’s revelations often came in such rapid succession that even a team of scribes could barely keep up. Despite this, these individuals dedicated themselves to ensuring that the Word of God was accurately recorded and shared with others.
Witnessing the Power of Revelation
Though the act of revelation was typically private, a few followers were allowed to witness it. One such person, Hájí Mírzá Haydar-'Alí, described his experience of being in Bahá'u'lláh’s presence during a revelation. He recounted feeling as though the very walls and air around him were infused with life, joy, and light. This awe-inspiring atmosphere was a reflection of the powerful spiritual forces at play during Bahá'u'lláh’s revelations.
The experience of witnessing Bahá'u'lláh in the midst of revelation left a lasting impression on those fortunate enough to be present. His followers described the radiance and glory that emanated from Him during these moments, affirming the divine source of His teachings.
Authenticity of the Bahá'í Scriptures
Unlike previous religious dispensations, where the words of prophets were often not recorded until later, Bahá'u'lláh’s revelations were documented as they occurred. This ensured that the integrity of His teachings was preserved. Many of the circumstances surrounding the revelation of specific Tablets were also recorded by His companions, further solidifying the authenticity of the Bahá'í scriptures.
Conclusion
Bahá'u'lláh’s revelation represents a monumental outpouring of divine guidance for humanity. His teachings, recorded with precision and devotion by His followers, have provided a spiritual framework for the unity and progress of mankind. Despite the hardships He faced, Bahá'u'lláh’s words continue to inspire and uplift people around the world, calling all to a higher standard of love, justice, and understanding.
Inspired from the Revelation of Baha'u'llah by Adib Taherzadeh
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