Course:Meetings for teaching/Past covenants

The Bahá'í Writings insist that new believers come to accept both the primacy of Petter and the legitimacy of the institution of the Imamate

Essential prerequisite of admittance into the Bahá'í Faith is to accept legitimacy of the Imamate and the primacy of St. Peter

"Indeed, the essential prerequisites of admittance into the Bahá'í fold of Jews, Zoroastrians, Hindus, Buddhists, and the followers of other ancient faiths, as well as of agnostics and even atheists, is the wholehearted and unqualified acceptance by them all of the divine origin of both Islám and Christianity, of the Prophetic functions of both Muhammad and Jesus Christ, of the legitimacy of the institution of the Imamate, and of the primacy of St. Peter, the Prince of the Apostles. Such are the central, the solid, the incontrovertible principles that constitute the bedrock of Bahá'í belief, which the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh is proud to acknowledge, which its teachers proclaim, which its apologists defend, which its literature disseminates, which its summer schools expound, and which the rank and file of its followers attest by both word and deed."

(Shoghi Effendi, Promised Day Is Come, par. 270)

Primacy of Peter

This content may be of particular relevance to Protestants who have accepted Christ but have not acknowledged the primacy of Peter. However, it also speaks to the rightness of the Reformation which may be of relevance to certain Catholics who fail to see the reason for its being.

Primacy of Peter is upheld and defended

"As to the position of Christianity, let it be stated without any hesitation or equivocation...that the reality of the mystery of the Immaculacy of the Virgin Mary is confessed, and the primacy of Peter, the Prince of the Apostles, is upheld and defended..."

(Shoghi Effendi, Promised Day Is Come, par. 269)

Peter was the shining moon among stars of guidance despite seeming to be no more than a fisherman; he arsoe with resolve to spread the signs of God

"Simon Cephas,[The original name of Peter.] who was the shining moon amongst those stars of guidance, was to outward seeming no more than a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee. And yet, because he arose with fixed resolve and the utmost vigour to spread the signs of God and gather together the righteous, the light of his servitude shone with such brilliance above the horizon of existence that the very sun and moon were left bewildered, and circled, moth-like, around that resplendent candle."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Light of the World, par. 35-4)

From Peter's mouth "the mysteries of wisdom and of utterance" flowed out

"His mother is described as "that veiled and immortal, that most beauteous, countenance," and the station of her Son eulogized as a "station which hath been exalted above the imaginings of all that dwell on earth," whilst Peter is recognized as one whom God has caused "the mysteries of wisdom and of utterance to flow out of his mouth.""

(Shoghi Effendi, Promised Day Is Come, par. 269)

Element of truth to organization of Church; primacy of Peter and his right to succession were established by Jesus though only orally and not explicitly or definitely

"...There is certainly an element of truth at the basis of the organization of the Christian Church. For instance, the primacy of Peter and his right to succession after Jesus have been established by the latter, though only orally and not in an explicit and definite language. The real reason why Christ did not make some explicit statement regarding His succession is not known, and cannot be known. For how can we, poor humans, claim to unravel the mysteries of God's mind and purpose, and to grasp the inscrutable dispensations of His providence. The utmost we can do is to give some explanations, but these must necessarily fail to give the fundamental reason to the problem we seek to solve."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, December 28, 1936, in Lights of Guidance, no. 542)

The statement "Thou art Peter and upon this rock..." establishes primacy of Peter and principle of succession but has been read into too much by Catholics

"Now with regard to your questions. First concerning the statement of Jesus Christ "Thou art Peter and upon this rock...": this saying of Jesus establishes beyond any doubt the primacy of Peter and also the principle of succession, but is not explicit enough regarding the nature and functioning of the Church itself. The Catholics have read too much into that statement, and derived from it certain conclusions which are quite unjustifiable."

(From a letter dated 7 September1938 written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, at https://bahai-library.com/uhj_apostle_paul )

The Covenant of Christ (and Muhammad) presaged the Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh and is of relevance today in underscoring the greatness and importance of the Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh.

One oral statement led to Christ's Apostles submitting to it, yet Bahá'u'lláh has in His own hand, explicitly enjoined allegiance (in the Successorship)

"Christ—may my soul be a sacrifice to Him—addressed but one statement to Peter, which He did not even write down in His own hand, and it was this: “Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church.”97 Although this is one statement—not of such note—and although it was orally reported and not recorded by the Pen of Christ, yet all His Apostles submitted to it humbly and faithfully."

"Now the Blessed Beauty hath—in His own hand, inscribed by the Pen of the Most High, and in explicit terms—emphatically enjoined allegiance and obedience upon all."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Light of the World, par. 57-2)

In examining the Primacy of Peter, it is of interest to consider early followers like Paul or Arius who contrasted with Peter on occasion.

Christ's Covenant lasted for 800 years based on a report of His disciples, while in this Age, Bahá'u'lláh revealed it in His own pen

"Were one to consider the events of the previous cycles, the attempts to break the Covenant in this Dispensation are of no importance whatsoever. Sometime after Christ, Arius, the Patriarch of Alexandria, founded a new sect. He was an orator, articulate of speech and a very audacious and powerful person who succeeded in bringing one and a half million people under his influence. He even secured the allegiance of the Emperor Constantine. But since he deviated from the Covenant of Christ, at the end he faded away and perished. This Covenant was based on the words addressed to Peter, “Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church.”105 And though these words attributed to Christ are based only on the report of some of His disciples, nevertheless Christian unity was preserved for eight hundred years through this implicit Covenant.

"Now there existeth an explicit Covenant. It is not a mere verbal report. It hath been revealed by the Supreme Pen, Who openly addresseth the Covenant-breakers at its outset..."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Light of the World, par. 64-3-4)

Despite disputes between St. Peter and St. Paul (and primacy of St. Peter), they are both highly praised

"It is also undeniable that St. Peter had to face many problems in his own lifetime. On page 145 of The World Order of Baha'u'llah, the Guardian writes:

Could Peter, the admitted chief of the Apostles, or the Imam Ali, the cousin and legitimate successor of the Prophet, produce in support of the primacy with which both had been invested written and explicit affirmations from Christ and Muhammad that could have silenced those who either among their contemporaries or in a later age have repudiated their authority and, by their action, precipitated the schisms that persist until the present day?

"That St. Paul on occasion disputed with St. Peter is seen from St. Paul's own words in the Epistle to the Galatians, 2:11-14. It is also St. Paul who mentions early divisions among the Christians, which he endeavours to heal, in I Corinthians 1:11-13. St. Peter's attitude to St. Paul appears in II Peter 3:15-18.

"In considering the relationship between St. Peter and St. Paul, one needs to bear in mind all of these various factors. High praise in accorded to them both in the Baha'i Writings. A particularly pertinent statement by 'Abdu'l-Baha appears on page 223 of the new publication Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha:[4]

"One's conduct must be like the conduct of Paul, and one's faith similar to that of Peter."

(25 February 1980 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual)

(Memorandum from the Research Department, 22 February 1998, at https://bahai-library.com/uhj_apostle_paul )

Accepting the Primacy of Peter raises the question about the Bahá'í attitude toward the Papacy. Accepting his primacy does not mean denying the injustices done by many popes.

Certain popes contrasted greatly with Christ (in terms of opulence, executions, wars, and opposition to knowledge)

"Moreover, let us measure the deeds of certain popes against the religion of Christ. Christ, hungry and destitute, subsisted on the herbs of the wilderness and would not consent to see any heart saddened. The pope rides in a gilded carriage and passes his days in the utmost majesty, occupied with such pleasures and pursuits as to surpass the opulence and self-indulgence of all the kings of the earth.

"Christ did not harm anyone, but certain popes put many innocent souls to death. Refer to the history books. How much blood have the popes spilled merely to secure their temporal authority! How many thousands of servants of humanity, among them learned men who had discovered the mysteries of the universe, have they tortured, imprisoned, and slain, all for mere differences of opinion! How vehemently have they opposed the truth!

"Consider the admonitions of Christ and investigate the customs and conduct of the popes: Is there any resemblance between the admonitions of the former and the administration of the latter? We do not like to find fault, but the pages of the history of the Vatican are indeed astounding. Our meaning is that the instructions of Christ are one thing and the conduct of the papal government is quite another: They do not agree in the slightest. See how many Protestants have been slain by order of the popes, what wrongs and cruelties have been countenanced, what tortures and punishments have been inflicted! Can the sweet fragrances of Christ be at all inhaled from these actions? No, by the righteousness of God! Such people did not obey Christ, while Saint Barbara, whose portrait is before us, obeyed Him, walked in His path, and acted upon His admonitions.

"Among the popes there have indeed been some blessed souls who followed in the footsteps of Christ, particularly in the early centuries of the Christian era when earthly means were lacking and heaven-sent trials were severe. But when the means of temporal sovereignty were secured, and worldly honour and prosperity were obtained, the papal government entirely forgot Christ and occupied itself with earthly dominion and grandeur, with material comforts and luxuries. It put people to death, opposed the diffusion of learning, persecuted men of science, obstructed the light of knowledge, and gave the order to slay and to pillage. Thousands of people, men of science and learning and innocent souls, perished in the prisons of Rome. With such ways and deeds, how can the claim of the vicarship of Christ be accepted?

"The Holy See has consistently opposed the expansion of knowledge, to such a degree that in Europe it has come to be held that religion is the enemy of science and that science is the destroyer of the foundations of religion. Whereas the religion of God is the promoter of truth, the establisher of science and learning, the supporter of knowledge, the civilizer of the human race, the discoverer of the secrets of existence, and the enlightener of the horizons of the world. How then could it oppose knowledge? God forbid! On the contrary, in the sight of God knowledge is the greatest human virtue and the noblest human perfection. To oppose knowledge is pure ignorance, and he who abhors knowledge and learning is not a human being but a mindless animal. For knowledge is light, life, felicity, perfection, and beauty, and causes the soul to draw nigh to the divine threshold. It is the honour and glory of the human realm and the greatest of God’s bounties. Knowledge is identical to guidance, and ignorance is the essence of error."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, Chapter 34, 5-9)

Also of relevance is our attitude toward the Reformation which challenged the Catholic Church.

The Reformation Was a Challenge to Man-Made Organization of the Church

"What contribution the Reformation did really make was to seriously challenge, and partly undermine, the edifice which the Fathers of the Church had themselves reared, and to discard and demonstrate the purely human origin of the elaborate doctrines, ceremonies and institutions which they had devised. The Reformation was a right challenge to the man-made organization of the Church, and as such was a step in advance. In its origins, it was a reflection of the new spirit which Islam had released, and a God-sent punishment to those who had refused to embrace its truth."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, December 28, 1936, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1653)

Truth of the Imamate

This section should be of particular relevance to Sunni Muslims who accept the truth brought by Muhammad but reject His successors. The section also be of relevance to Shí'ah Muslims as well, however, as the Bahá'í Writings speak against some of the extremes by that sect as well even while accepting the authority of the Imáms in whom they believe.

Past cycles had 12 holy souls including twelve Imáms in the time of Muhammad

"In each cycle the guardians and holy souls have been twelve....in the time of Muhammad there were twelve Imáms"

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, p. 57)

The Imams had unqualified infallibility in their laws and institutions from the Manifestation

"The guidance vouchsafed to the Imams regarding the laws and institutions of Islam was absolute and unqualified. Their infallibility was derived directly from the Manifestation."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, July 30, 1941, quoted in Lights of Guidance, no. 1665, p. 497)

The Imáms recognized by the Bahá'í Faith

The authority of the Imáms had been usurped early on in Islamic history.

The Khalifs disregarded the Prophet's oral statements regarding Alí's appointment, immediately after the Prophet's death

"Ali's appointment was clear to the Khalifs, who actually disregarded the Prophet's oral statements.

"The usurpation occurred immediately after the Prophet's death.

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, July 30, 1941, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1665)

Given that Bahá'u'lláh is seen by Bahá'ís as the return of Imám Husayn, it is helpful to consider his station in particular.

Proofs of the validity of the Imamate (and the precedence of Husayn over Ali) for Baha'is

"The Bab's descent from the Imam Husayn is no doubt a proof of the validity of the Imamate. According to Nabil the dream the Bab had made him first conscious of His Revelation.

"The precedence of the name Husayn over Ali does establish the greatness of Imam Husayn.

"Imam Husayn has, as attested by the Iqan, been endowed with special grace and power among the Imams, hence the mystical reference to Baha'u'llah as the return of Imam Husayn, meaning the Revelation in Baha'u'llah of those attributes with which Imam Husayn had been specifically endowed.

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, July 30, 1941, quoted in Lights of Guidance, no. 1665, p. 497)

Identification of Bahá'u'lláh with Imam Husayn is with his Cause and not his station (nor is He his reincarnation)

"The names of those cited in Bahá'u'lláh's prayer in the Dispensation are quite correct as you have them.

"The Prophets 'regarded as One and the same person' include the Lesser Prophets as well, and not merely Those Who bring a 'Book'. The station is different, but they are Prophets and Their nature thus different from that of ours.

"In the prayer mentioned above Bahá'u'lláh identifies Himself with Imam Husayn. This does not make him a Prophet, but his position was very unique, and we know Bahá'u'lláh claims to be the 'return' of the Imam Husayn. He, in other words, identifies His Spirit with these Holy Souls gone before; that does not, of course, make Him in any way their reincarnation. Nor does it mean all of them were Prophets.

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, February 8, 1949, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1673)

Another Imám of particular significance is the 12th Imám who is awaited by Shí'ahs as being in Occultation or hiding. Bahá'ís believe this Imám died as a child but his followers kept up hope for His "hiding" until the new Age—which Bahá'ís believe the Báb fulfilled.

Traditions regarding the Imam Muhammad, and his abode in the city of Jábulqá, should not be understood literally

"All that thou hast heard regarding Muhammad the son of Hasan[34] - may the souls of all that are immersed in the oceans of the spirit be offered up for His sake - is true beyond the shadow of a doubt, and we all verily bear allegiance unto Him. But the Imáms of the Faith have fixed His abode in the city of Jábulqá,[35] which they have depicted in strange and marvellous signs. To interpret this city according to the literal meaning of the tradition would indeed prove impossible, nor can such a city ever be found. Wert thou to search the uttermost corners of the earth, nay probe its length and breadth for as long as God's eternity hath lasted and His sovereignty will endure, thou wouldst never find a city such as they have described, for the entirety of the earth could neither contain nor encompass it. If thou wouldst lead Me unto this city, I could assuredly lead thee unto this holy Being, Whom the people have conceived according to what they possess and not to that which pertaineth unto Him! Since this is not in thy power, thou hast no recourse but to interpret symbolically the accounts and traditions that have been reported from these luminous souls. And as such an interpretation is needed for the traditions pertaining to the aforementioned city, so too is it required for this holy Being. When thou hast understood this interpretation, thou shalt no longer stand in need of "transformation" or aught else.

"Know then that, inasmuch as all the Prophets are but one and the same soul, spirit, name, and attribute, thou must likewise see them all as bearing the name Muhammad and as being the son of Hasan, as having appeared from the Jábulqá of God's power and from the Jábulsá of His mercy. For by Jábulqá is meant none other than the treasure-houses of eternity in the all-highest heaven and the cities of the unseen in the supernal realm. We bear witness that Muhammad, the son of Hasan, was indeed in Jábulqá and appeared therefrom. Likewise, He Whom God shall make manifest abideth in that city until such time as God will have established Him upon the seat of His sovereignty. We, verily, acknowledge this truth and bear allegiance unto each and every one of them. We have chosen here to be brief in our elucidation of the meanings of Jábulqá, but if thou be of them that truly believe, thou shalt indeed comprehend all the true meanings of the mysteries enshrined within these Tablets."

[34] The twelfth Imám, Muhammad al-Mahdí, the son of Hasan al-'Askarí. [35] According to Shí'ih traditions, the twin cities of Jábulqá and Jábulsá are the dwelling place of the Hidden Imám (the Promised One), whence He will appear on the Day of Resurrection.

(Bahá'u'lláh, Gems of Divine Mysteries, pp. 36-38)

Despite this reverence for the Imáms, Bahá'ís believe that the Shí'ahs went to certain extremes in their beliefs.

An excessive attention by the followers of Shí'ih Islám upon the mere "revealers of the potency of His Word" (and thus joining partners with God)—as opposed to the Manifestation Who is God's mouthpiece—caused the early joy and fervor of its faith to be dulled and its followers to become weakened/ashamed/fearful

"Behold, O Muhammad, how the sayings and doings of the followers of Shí'ih Islám have dulled the joy and fervor of its early days, and tarnished the pristine brilliancy of its light. In its primitive days, whilst they still adhered to the precepts associated with the name of their Prophet, the Lord of mankind, their career was marked by an unbroken chain of victories and triumphs. As they gradually strayed from the path of their Ideal Leader and Master, as they turned away from the Light of God and corrupted the principle of His Divine unity, and as they increasingly centered their attention upon them who were only the revealers of the potency of His Word, their power was turned into weakness, their glory into shame, their courage into fear. Thou dost witness to what a pass they have come. Behold, how they have joined partners with Him Who is the Focal-Point of Divine unity. Behold how their evil doings have hindered them from recognizing, in the Day of Resurrection, the Word of Truth, exalted be His glory. We cherish the hope that this people will henceforth shield themselves from vain hopes and idle fancies, and will attain to a true understanding of the meaning of Divine unity.

"The Person of the Manifestation hath ever been the representative and mouthpiece of God. He, in truth, is the Day Spring of God's most excellent Titles, and the Dawning-Place of His exalted Attributes. If any be set up by His side as peers, if they be regarded as identical with His Person, how can it, then, be maintained that the Divine Being is One and Incomparable, that His Essence is indivisible and peerless? Meditate on that which We have, through the power of truth, revealed unto thee, and be thou of them that comprehend its meaning."

(Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings, sec. 28)

Also, despite speaking of the great calamity of the usurpation of the Imám 'Alí's authority, the Bahá'í Writings concede that there was nevertheless some good which came from the Caliphate.

The prior might of the Caliphate demonstrates Islam's ability to unite

"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."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Mahmúd's Diary, May 12, 1912)

Abú Bakr's succession to the Caliphate due to mere words "with us" spoken by Muhammad

"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."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Mahmúd's Diary, September 4, 1912)

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