The Babi-Bahai Faith

Improved Essays
Definition of heaven and hell, purpose in life, and human nature has always been a main theme in the religious writings throughout the history. The Babi-Bahai Faith has also addressed the phenomenon of hell and heaven. Bab specifically talks about this issue in his Persian Bayan and Kitabu’l-Asma. In the book of Persian Bayan, he explains the idea of perfection and beautification of the world. He says that whoever has power over anything, he must elevate it to its “uttermost perfection” (Saiedi, Excerpts From Persian Bayan 4:11). Moving towards that perfection which is placed within each creature is interpreted as heaven for that creature. If one does not try to use his inner potentials to achieve his perfection, he would be held accountable. …show more content…
Words and concepts such as heart (inner essence), human spirit, and mirror are used extensively in both Sufi and Babi-Baha’i writings. In addition, explanation of concepts such as knowledge of God, divine presence, and reflection of divine attribute is also present in the writings of both Al-Ghazali and Bab. However, the interpretation of those concepts by Bab and Al-Ghazali distinguishes Sufism and Babi-Baha’i Faith. Al-Ghazali and Bab have different views towards the human nature and in general, nature and essence of all creatures. For example, both Al-Ghazali and Bab explain the human nature and his true inner essence, however, Bab also spiritualizes human beings and everything else in the world. Bab did not believe that the differences among people or among animals make them inferior or superior to one another. The Babi-Bahai Faith is based on the concept of unity in diversity. Thus, the differences between creatures are interpreted as different aspects of beauty and reflection of God. The Babi-Bahai Faith as oppose to Sufism seems to be more compatible with the modern and progressive ideas. It also seems that spiritually, Bab interpreted the Quranic and Islamic traditions and laws in a more acceptable way compared to Al-Ghazali. Even though Al-Ghazali gives a more insightful interpretation of Islam compared to the Muslim clerics of his time, but Bab takes this one step further and elevates the Islamic ideas to a higher state creating a new

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