The Grandeur of Islam and the magnificence of the Qur'ān: Islamic dimensions
of the Dalā'il-i Sab`ah (Seven Proofs) of the Bāb (d. 1850 CE) and the
Kitāb-i īqān (Book of Certitude) of Bahā'u'llāh (d. 1892 CE).
Stephen Lambden (Ohio
University).
With the now widespread negative attitudes towards the Islamic
religion and its founder Prophet Muhammad (d. 632 CE), it is fitting that
Baha'is remind themselves of the grandeur of Islam and the magnificence of
the Qur'ān. They have the duty of proclaiming the truth of Islam and
its Prophet communicator of the Arabic Qur'an. Babi-Baha'i sacred
writings celebrate the greatness of Islam and the exalted position of
Muhammad -- may the peace and blessings of God be upon him and his family!
Both the Bab (d. 1850 CE) and Baha'u'llah (d. 1892 CE), the 19th century
founders of two recent, closely religions were born Muslims in an Islamic
society. They spoke Persian, a key language of Islamic civilization, and
wrote thousands of scriptural verses in Arabic, the language of the Qur'ān
and most important Islamic language. In this presentation key Islamic
dimensions of the Dalā'il-i Sab`ah (Seven Proofs) of the Bāb and of the
Kitāb-i īqān (Book of Certitude) of Bahā'u'llāh will be highlighted and
analyzed. The nature and history of certain of the Qur'anic verses and
Islamic traditions cited in these works will be sketched as will aspects of
the often non-literal, hermeneutical orientation of their exegesis. Both the
Bab and Baha'u'llah claimed to communicate deeper dimensions of Islamic
truth and history.
