The Bahá'í Faith refers to what are commonly called Prophets as Manifestations of God, or simply Manifestations who are directly linked with the concept of Progressive revelation. Not all the individuals who would be called prophets in other religions are known as Manifestations of God, some are called lesser prophets, who receive their revelations from the Manifestations of God.
Definition[edit]
Bahá'ís believe in a single, imperishable God, the creator of all things, including all the creatures and forces in the universe.[1] Though inaccessible directly, God is nevertheless seen as conscious of his creation, with a mind, will and purpose. Bahá'ís believe that God expresses this will at all times and in many ways, including through a series of divine messengers referred to as Manifestations of God or sometimes divine educators.[2] In expressing God's intent, these Manifestations are seen to establish religion in the world. Thus they are seen as an intermediary between God and humanity.
The Manifestations of God are not seen as an incarnation of God, but they are also not seen as an ordinary mortal. Instead, the Bahá'í concept of the Manifestation of God emphasizes simultaneously the humanity of that intermediary and the divinity in the way they show forth the will, knowledge and attributes of God; thus they have both human and divine stations. Among other religions, this view most closely resembles the Christian view of Christ, as well as the Shi'a understanding of the Messengers and Imams. The Manifestations of God act as pure mirrors that reflect the attributes of God onto this material world.
According to `Abdu'l-Bahá, the divine Manifestations of God must be distinguished above any other person in every aspect and qualification, in order that they can effectively train and educate people.[3] In another place he says, "the essential requirement and qualification of Prophethood is the training and guidance of the people."[4]
In essence, the Manifestations of God are seen as Divine Educators, who are raised up by God with the purpose of uplifting mankind and expressing His will. In expressing God's intent, these Manifestations are seen to establish religion in the world and each one brings a book, and reveals teachings and laws according to the time and place which they appear.
Bahá'u'lláh referred to several historical figures as Manifestations. They include Adam, Noah, Zoroaster, Krishna, Abraham, Moses, Buddha, Jesus and Muhammad. The Báb, as well as himself, were included in this definition. Thus religious history is interpreted as a series of dispensations, where each Manifestation brings a somewhat broader and more advanced revelation, suited for the time and place in which it was expressed.
Further Reading in the Bahá'í Writings[edit]
Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh[edit]
"XX. Know thou of a certainty that the Unseen can in no wise incarnate His Essence and reveal it unto men. He is, and hath ever been, immensely exalted beyond all that can either be recounted or perceived. From His retreat of glory His voice is ever proclaiming: "Verily, I am God; there is none other God besides Me, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. I have manifested Myself unto men, and have sent down Him Who is the Day Spring of the signs of My Revelation. Through Him I have caused all creation to testify that there is none other God except Him, the Incomparable, the All-Informed, the All-Wise." He Who is everlastingly hidden from the eyes of men can never be known except through His Manifestation, and His Manifestation can adduce no greater proof of the truth of His Mission than the proof of His own Person."
(Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 49)
Lights of Guidance[edit]
"1553. Bahá'u'lláh is not God -- But through him we can know God
"As regards your question: Bahá'u'lláh is, of course, not God and not the Creator; but through Him we can know God, and because of this position of Divine Intermediary, in a sense, He is all (or the other Prophets) we can never know of that Infinite Essence which is God. Therefore, we address ourselves in prayer and thought to Him or through Him to that Infinite Essence behind and beyond Him."
(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, June 4, 1951)
(Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 471)
References[edit]
- ↑ "The Bahá'í Faith". Britannica Book of the Year. Chicago: Encyclopaedia Britannica. 1988. ISBN 0-85229-486-7.
- ↑ Hutter, Manfred (2005). "Bahā'īs". In Ed. Lindsay Jones. Encyclopedia of Religion. 2 (2nd ed. ed.). Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA. pp. p737-740. ISBN 0-02-865733-0.
- ↑ `Abdu'l-Bahá (1972). Foundations of World Unity. Wilmette, Illinois, USA: Bahá'í Publishing Trust. pp. pp. 111. ISBN 0-87743-018-7.
{{cite book}}:|pages=has extra text (help) - ↑ `Abdu'l-Bahá (1982) [1912]. The Promulgation of Universal Peace (Hardcover ed.). Wilmette, Illinois, USA: Bahá'í Publishing Trust. pp. pp. 411. ISBN 0-87743-172-8.
{{cite book}}:|pages=has extra text (help)
