Caliphate
Caliphate a man-made institution, though partly derived from the teachings of Muhammad (unlike the Baha'i system which is based on the teachings of the Prophet)[edit]
"He thinks your question is well put: what the Guardian was referring to was the theocratic systems, such as the Catholic Church and the Caliphate, which are not divinely given as systems, but man-made, and yet, being partly derived from the teachings of Christ and Muhammad are in a sense theocracies. The Baha'i theocracy, on the contrary, is both divinely ordained as a system and, of course, based on the teachings of the Prophet Himself."
- (On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 30 September 1949, to an individual believer, at https://bahai-library.com/uhj_theocracy )
The prior might of the Caliphate demonstrates Islam's ability to unite[edit]
"Likewise, when the Arabian tribes were in a state of rancor and strife, engaged in shedding one another's blood, plundering one another's property, imprisoning one another's wives and children and leading a warlike life in the peninsula of Arabia, and when no solitary soul enjoyed composure nor a single tribe was at ease, at such a time Muhammad appeared. He gathered, reconciled, united and cemented the different tribes so that all strife and warfare vanished from among them. The Arabian nation developed to such a degree that they founded the sovereignty of Andalusia [Spain] and established the mighty Caliphate."
Abú Bakr's succession to the Caliphate due to mere words "with us" spoken by Muhammad[edit]
"At the time of Muhammad's migration to Medina under divine protection, Abú Bakr, was with Him. He said to Abú Bakr, `Be not afraid, God is with us.' These very words became afterwards the cause of his succession to the Caliphate because the word `with us' included him also. Many proofs and arguments based on these words have been advanced. The value of this bounty [value and greatness of the travels of 'Abdu'l-Baha], too, is not known now."
To-dos for this page[edit]
- Add other quotations about fall of Caliphate and usurpation of 'Ali's rightful authority by Umar but also positive reference by 'Abdu'l-Baha in Chapter 7 of Some Answered Questions regarding a decree of 'Umar.
