Bahaism and Its Claims: A Study of the Religion Promulgated by Baha Ullah and Abdul BahaWilson, Samuel Graham
Religion
Bahaism and Its Claims: A Study of the Religion Promulgated by Baha Ullah and Abdul Baha
Wilson, Samuel Graham
Bahai Faith -- Controversial literature
HE (BAHA) IS GOD, _the worshipped one of all_."
Prayer, therefore, is no longer to be in the name nor for the sake of
Jesus Christ but in the "Greatest Name," _i. e._, Baha Ullah's, "at the
mention of which the people before the Houris fall down," "the Name of
Him who is Ruler over what was and is."[251] This name is graven on the
breastpins of Bahais, and as a monogram on rings, with two stars
alongside it, one of which represents the Bab and the other Abdul Baha.
This charm is to be buried with the body. A rosary of ninety-five beads
is used daily by the worshipper in saying the "Greatest name" 5×19
times. Allahu Abha is also to be said at the beginning of a meal or of
any business, or as a greeting, just as the Moslems say, "Bism ullah"
(In the name of God) or "Peace be to you." The figure 9, the sum of the
letters of Baha, is also a talisman.
Pilgrimage is considered meritorious and has been popular among American
as well as Persian Bahais, though Baha says:[252] "Visiting the tombs of
the dead is not necessary, it is better to give the money to the House
of Justice." The chief shrine is the tomb of Baha Ullah and of the
Bab[253] at Acca. There have been published accounts of a score of
American women and of some men who have obtained permission and entered,
as it were, through "the gate of heaven" and "paid their vows unto the
Most High." But not the least attraction was Abdul Baha, "the king in
his beauty." The pilgrim first does obeisance to him. This is an
ecstatic, hysteric event. Mrs. True, "perfectly intoxicated with the
realization," kissed his hand.[254] Another lady sat at his feet with
her head on his knee. Another, when she entered his presence, held out
her arms, crying: "My Lord, my Lord,"[255] and rushing forward, fell on
her knees, sobbing.[256] Another narrative says[257] that Abbas greeted
them, "clasped each one in a loving embrace," anointed each one with the
attar of roses. "Some of the believers kissed his hand." Of her good-bye
this lady says, "I held his hand a long time." Even Mr. Horace Holley,
author of "The Modern Social Religion," writes,[258] "This was he. My
whole body underwent a shock. My heart leaped, my knees weakened, a
thrill of acute receptive feeling flowed from head to foot.... From
sheer happiness I wanted to cry." Another man, L. G. Gregory, a negro,
writes: "My knee bent reverently before him." When Abdul Baha says: "I
am glad to see you," the pilgrims thrill at such wondrous words! "His
heavenly smile" gives them happiness! His trite platitudes are written
down beside the midnight lamp, for the delectation of similar dupes.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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