I don't know neither Arabic nor Persian, my brother. Do you have knowledge of those languages?
O my God, O Forgiver of sins and Dispeller of afflictions!
O Thou Who art the Pardoner, the Merciful!
I raise my suppliant hands to Thee,
tearfully beseeching the court of Thy divine Essence to forgive,
through Thy grace and clemency,
Thy handmaiden who hath ascended unto the seat of truth.
Cause her, O Lord, to be overshadowed by the clouds of Thy bounty and favor,
immerse her in the ocean of Thy forgiveness and pardon,
and enable her to enter that sanctified abode, Thy heavenly Paradise.
Thou art, verily, the Mighty, the Compassionate, the Generous, the Merciful.
Why the Qur'an is cited in Baha'i Writings:
Respect for all Revealed Scriptures:
The Baha'i Faith holds that all the great religions of the world, including Islam, are part of a progressive revelation. According to Baha'i teachings, each Manifestation of God (like Moses, Jesus, Muhammad, and Baha'u'llah) brings guidance suited to the time and place, but all share the same underlying truth.
Therefore, Baha'u'llah, the founder of the Baha'i Faith, often quotes from the Qur'an as well as from other scriptures to affirm the continuity of divine revelation.
Specific References to the Qur'an:
Baha'u'llah, in His writings, frequently refers to verses from the Qur'an to highlight key spiritual truths or to show how His own revelation fulfills the promises and prophecies found in earlier scriptures, including the Qur'an.
For example, He often refers to the idea of the return of the Mahdi (the guided one in Islamic belief) and the Second Coming of Christ, which are themes deeply rooted in the Qur'an, and He claims that His own advent fulfills these prophecies.
Baha'u'llah and the Qur'an:
Baha'u'llah specifically addressed the Qur'an in a number of His works, including "The Kitáb-i-Aqdas" and "The Hidden Words". He acknowledged the Qur'an's spiritual authority and, in many cases, used Qur'anic verses to explain or elaborate on His own teachings.
For instance, the Qur'anic concept of the "Seal of the Prophets" (the belief that Muhammad is the final prophet in Islam) is interpreted in the Baha'i Faith as referring to the completion of the Islamic cycle, which is then followed by the advent of the next Manifestation of God, Baha'u'llah.
Examples of Qur'anic Citations in Baha'i Writings:
The Qur'anic Prophecy of the Return of the Mahdi:
Baha'u'llah claims to fulfill the Qur'anic prophecy of the Mahdi (the guided one), who is expected to return to lead the faithful in the end times. Baha'u'llah, in His writings, frequently references verses from the Qur'an that speak of the coming of a new Messenger in the future.
Qur'anic References to "The Paraclete" or "Spirit of Truth":
Baha'is interpret the Qur'anic verse (and the corresponding Christian passage) about the coming of the "Spirit of Truth" (John 16:13 and Qur'an 61:6) as a prophecy of Baha'u'llah. He is considered the Spirit of Truth promised by Jesus in the Gospels and referenced in the Qur'an.
The Qur'anic Concept of God's Unity (Tawhid):
The concept of Tawhid (the oneness of God) is central to the Qur'an and is also a foundational belief in the Baha'i Faith. Baha'u'llah reiterates this doctrine in His writings, emphasizing the unity of God and the unity of all His Messengers.
Specific Quotes from Baha'i Writings Referencing the Qur'an:
Baha'u'llah’s Explanation of Prophecy Fulfillment:
In "The Kitáb-i-Aqdas" (the Most Holy Book of the Baha'i Faith), Baha'u'llah refers to Islamic prophecies and Qur'anic verses, explaining that He is the fulfillment of the awaited Mahdi and the return of Christ.
Baha'u'llah on the "Spirit of Truth" (Paraclete):
“The Paraclete is none other than Baha'u'llah, the Spirit of Truth, whose advent was foretold by Jesus Christ.” (Baha'u'llah, "The Kitáb-i-Aqdas" and "The Book of Certitude")
References to Prophecies of the Future Prophet:
Baha'u'llah cites the Qur'anic verse Surah 61:6 (which refers to the coming of a prophet after Muhammad) and applies it to His own mission. This verse is seen by Baha'is as a prophecy of the coming of Baha'u'llah.
This correct?
J.