Interpolation of the Word of God
Interpolation of the Words is prohibited most emphatically in the Aqdas[edit]
"As regards the changing of the pronouns in the prayers of Bahá'u'lláh. Even though the change is not so important for it makes no alteration in an important aspect of the writings, yet it is counter to a basic principle mentioned by Bahá'u'lláh in the book of Aqdas. There he prohibits in most emphatic terms the interpolation of the Words. It would therefore be wrong to effect such modifications even though it is insignificant."
- (On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, letter to an individual, Messages to the Antipodes, p. 80)
Note on Aqdas[edit]
Note: Although the only apparent mention in the Aqdas (paragraph 105) does not directly criticize interpolation, in the context of criticizing false interpretations, it does criticize the perverting of the Word of God.
No deviation greater than interpolating the words of God (such as done by Mírzá Muhammad `Alí as testified by Mírzá Badí'u'lláh)[edit]
"What deviation can be greater than interpolating and falsifying the words and verses of the Sacred Text, even as testified and declared by Mírzá Badí'u'lláh! What deviation can be greater than calumniating the Center of the Covenant himself!"
"Adversities have waxed still more severe as they rose with unbearable cruelty to overpower and crush me, as they scattered far and wide their scrolls of doubt and in utter falsehood hurled their calumnies upon me. Not content with this, their chief, O my God, hath dared to interpolate Thy Book, to fraudulently alter Thy decisive Holy Text and falsify that which hath been revealed by Thy All-Glorious Pen. He did also maliciously insert that which Thou didst reveal for the one that hath wrought the most glaring cruelty upon Thee, disbelieved in Thee and denied Thy wondrous Signs, into what Thou didst reveal for this servant of Thine that hath been wronged in this world. All this he did that he might beguile the souls of men and breathe his evil whisperings into the hearts of Thy devoted ones. Thereunto did their second chief testify, confessing it in his own handwriting, setting thereupon his seal and spreading it throughout all regions. O my God! Could there be a more grievous injustice than this?"
- ('Abdu'l-Bahá, Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, pp. 17-18)
"Ye know well what the hands of the Center of Sedition, Mírzá Muhammad `Alí, and his associates have wrought. Among his doings, one of them is the corruption of the Sacred Text whereof ye are all aware, the Lord be praised, and know that it is evident, proven and confirmed by the testimony of his brother, Mírzá Badí'u'lláh, whose confession is written in his own handwriting, beareth his seal, is printed and spread abroad. This is but one of his misdeeds. Can a transgression be imagined more glaring than this, the interpolation of the Holy Text? Nay, by the righteousness of the Lord! His transgressions are writ and recorded in a leaflet by itself. Please God, ye will peruse it."
- ('Abdu'l-Bahá, Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, pp. 20-21)
