Permission to break moral prohibitions, resulting in improper conduct

During the Bábí dispensation, when the Báb proclaimed the independence of his new law and spoke of kasr-i-ḥudúd ("breaking of bounds/limits"), a number of early Bábís misinterpreted this concept as permission to break moral prohibitions, resulting in improper conduct (a‘mál-i-shanī‘ih).

(عبدالحميد اشراق خاورى - تقريرات دربارۀ کتاب مستطاب اقدس)
Page 22 of PDF file
https://bahai-library.com/bahailib/70.pdf

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over time the Báb changed His mind about what station He actually held.

Reconciling the apparent differences in the claims made by the Báb has been a matter of puzzlement to some scholars. Although some have found continuity in the Báb’s claims, others have assumed that the different stations the Báb attributed to Himself at various times reflect an alteration or evolution of consciousness on His part—indicating, in effect, that over time the Báb changed His mind about what station He actually held.

(Gate of the Heart by Nader Saiedi)

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Legal Departments in the Baha'i Administration

A Legal Department was set up in 1977 to work on pending legal matters, and to advise the Spiritual Assemblies on legal matters. Individuals such as Sam Nadarajah had also been contributed their services in 1977. In 1978, the services of Christopher Reginald were employed. In the 1980’s, a few Bahá’í youths graduated as lawyers, and they then served in a legal capacity.

(Jewel Among Nation by A. Manisegaran, 2003)

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Gathering every single drop of water from the Bab's bath pool as a sacred blessing

During the Báb's transfer through Urmia, Governor Malek Qásim Mírzá attempted to test Him by providing an unruly, untamable horse for His trip to the local bathhouse. Although secretly warned of the danger by a servant, the Báb calmly approached, petted, and mounted the horse, which instantly became submissive, prompting the amazed crowd to rush forward to kiss His stirrup. Deeply impressed, the governor walked on foot alongside the Báb as He rode to the bathhouse. When the Báb finished His bath and rode back amidst loud cries of praise, devoted townspeople rushed into the building and gathered every single drop of water from the bath's pool as a sacred blessing.

(Ayyam-i-Tis‘ih by Abdu'l Hamid Ishraq Khavari)

https://notebook.google.com/notebook/4c0ff5cf-e471-427c-9344-d16bfabc0994

When the Báb visited the public bathhouse in Urmia, enthusiastic followers gathered the water from the bath's reservoir to drink for healing and blessings, and even used their handkerchiefs to soak up the remaining moisture at the bottom of the bath.

(Tarikh-i Zuhur al-Haqq, Vol. 1 by Asadu'llah Fadil Mazandarani)

https://bahai-library.com/mazandarani_tarikh_zuhur_haqq

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Throwing an infant under Baha's path as a sacrifice

During Bahá'u'lláh's departure from His house in Baghdad to the Ridván garden, the surrounding crowd exhibited intense emotional reverence. In one extreme instance, a prominent Persian woman pushed through the crowd and threw her infant child onto the ground in front of Bahá'u'lláh's feet, believing she was offering her child as a literal devotion or sacrifice.

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In a dramatic expression of overwhelming zeal and sorrow, a follower brought an instrument to take his own life while circumambulating the sacred Shrine three times, and would have succeeded had bystanders not intervened to stop him.

(Ayyam-i-Tis‘ih by Abdu'l Hamid Ishraq Khavari)

https://notebook.google.com/notebook/4c0ff5cf-e471-427c-9344-d16bfabc0994

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Many Tablets revealed and dispatched without being checked and reviewed by Baha'u'llah

Many Tablets were revealed and dispatched in their original form without being checked and reviewed. Consequently, as bidden, they were again read out in the Holy Presence, and brought into conformity with the grammatical conventions of the people...

(Bahá’u’lláh - The Kitáb-i-Aqdas - The Most Holy Book)

https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/kitab-i-aqdas/kitab-i-aqdas.xhtml#516043926

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Spit in the Bab's face and curse him, and you will be released from these bonds.

At this point Sayyid Ḥusayn became frightened and sought repentance and pardon.They told him: “Spit in the Bāb’s face and curse him, and you will be released from these bonds.” He did so and was released. Later, however, in the capital, he again joined Sulaymān Khān, son of Yaḥyā Khān, and was killed during the Bābī disturbances, as will be related in its proper place.

(Mīrzā Muḥammad Taqī Khān Lisān al-Mulk Sipihr’s (d. 1880 CE) official Qājār account of the death of the Bāb in Nāṣikh al-tawārīkh (The Abrogator of the histories))

https://wahidazal66.substack.com/p/mirza-muhammad-taqi-khan-lisan-al

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The Baha'i narrative of the execution of the Bab is absent from the earliest historical sources.

The widely propagated Baha'i narrative of the execution of the Bab involving 750 musketeers arranged in three successive ranks of 250 is completely absent from the earliest historical sources. The official Qajar account simply mentions "a body of soldiers" from the Christian regiment, while the early Babi account mentions a "company" or "group" firing simultaneously.

For more details check "The Execution of the Bāb in Early Bābī and Qājār Sources" A Short Comparative Source-Critical Analysis of the two early accounts of Nāṣikh al-tawārīkh and Nuqṭat’ul-kāf by Wahid Azal

https://wahidazal66.substack.com/p/the-execution-of-the-bab-in-early

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‘Abdu’l-Bahá immediately chastened His attendant by slapping him hard in the face in front of the Governor.

Soon after the arrival of Bahá’u’lláh and His party in ‘Akká the Governor visited the barracks for inspection. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, accompanied by a few believers, went to see him. But the Governor was discourteous and spoke to them in a provocative manner. He threatened to cut the supply of bread if one of the prisoners went missing and then ordered them back to their room. One of the Master’s attendants could not bear to remain silent after such insulting treatment. He retorted with rage and hurled back at the Governor some offensive remarks.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá immediately chastened His attendant by slapping him hard in the face in front of the Governor and ordering him to return to his room.

(Vignettes from the Life of ‘Abdul-Baha - Collected and edited by Annamarie Honnold)

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Abdul Baha spent a few days in the French Alps...

In 1911 the Master spent a few quiet days in the French Alps, presumably to rest, before continuing to London.

(Vignettes from the Life of ‘Abdul-Baha - Collected and edited by Annamarie Honnold)

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How Muslims and Baha'is treat their covenant-breakers?

It is related of Shaykh Mahmúd of ‘Akká that he ‘hated the Bahá’ís. While many of his fellow-townsmen had gradually come to realize how very wrong they had been and were speaking of the prisoners in terms of appreciation and praise, Shaykh Mahmúd remained adamant in his hatred. One day he was present at a gathering where people were talking of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as a good man, a remarkable man. The Shaykh could bear it no longer and stormed out, saying that he would show up this ‘Abbás Effendi for what He was. In blazing anger he rushed to the mosque, where he knew ‘Abdu’l-Bahá could be found at that hour, and laid violent hands upon Him. The Master looked at the Shaykh with that serenity and dignity which only He could command, and reminded him of what the Prophet Muhammad had said: “Be generous to the guest, even should he be an infidel.”

Shaykh Mahmúd turned away. His wrath had left him. So had his hate.

(Vignettes from the Life of ‘Abdul-Baha - Collected and edited by Annamarie Honnold)

Sometime after I [Ruhi Afnan] was 'expelled' from the Cause and after the Bab’s shrine on Mount Carmel had been completed, a club of university graduates - chaired by an old friend of my sister's - invited me to talk about the Cause. This I was honoured to do and at the appointed date spoke at that meeting. However, upon leaving the hall, Mr. Mohammad Baha'i and Mr. Mansour, who, at that time worked at the house of Abdul Baha (and were in the service of Shoghi Effendi) came forward, spat in my face and slapping me in the face said 'You are an enemy of the Cause and you give talks about it!?'

http://www.abdulbahasfamily.org/documents/Ruhi-Afnan-1970-letter.pdf

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Covenant-Breakers gave away the garments and personal effects of Bahá’u’lláh to government functionaries

There was a time when the Covenant-Breakers ‘gave away the garments and personal effects of Bahá’u’lláh to government functionaries, to serve as chattels of bribery and to provide as well the means of humiliating ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. At their instigation the Deputy-Governor of Haifa would, whilst visiting ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, ostentatiously wear Bahá’u’lláh’s cloak and brazenly use His spectacles. Before long this man was dismissed from his post and fell on evil days. Then he went to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and begged His forgiveness. He had acted, he said, in the manner he did, because he was prompted by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s own relatives. The Master showed him utmost kindness and generosity...’

(Vignettes from the Life of ‘Abdul-Baha - Collected and edited by Annamarie Honnold)

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They will now be punished

“America,” he said, “is no longer even actively quarreling. They are passively stagnant.” This is why, he said, that he asked them to disperse — so that they may become alive again and not wither. They will now be punished, he told a pilgrim, both materially and spiritually if they do not disperse. Those who now fail to respond to the summons of the Crusade will suffer both materially and spiritually. Those who do not respond to the commander, he said, will feel this double suffering.

(First and Last Meeting with Shoghi Effendi - William Sears, April 1, 1954)

https://bahai-library.com/pilgrim_accounts_collection_files/html/1954,%20William%20Sears%20-%20First%20and%20Last%20Meeting%20with%20Shoghi%20Effendi%20-%20Part%20II.html

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Baha'u'llah sold off the properties without Azal's consent

The Bab explicitly appointed Subh-i-Azal (Mirza Yahya) as his deputy and successor in 1850, leaving behind a sealed will and testament declaring that no new Manifestation would appear for at least 2000 years. Baha'u'llah violated this appointment by proclaiming himself to be "He Whom God Shall Make Manifest" only a few years after the Bab's death. This was a direct betrayal of the Bab's explicit instructions and a deliberate attempt to seize leadership of the Babi community for personal ambition.

While Subh-i-Azal was preparing for exile, Baha'u'llah sold their father's properties and inheritance in Tehran without his consent, leaving Azal in severe financial hardship. Baha'u'llah then engaged in systematic character assassination, portraying Subh-i-Azal as "the living example of evil and greed," a "puppet," and a "liar." Baha'u'llah appropriated half of the government allowance (pension) intended for the Babi community and used his greater social influence to isolate Subh-i-Azal during their exiles in Baghdad, Istanbul, and Edirne.

Azali sources hold Baha'u'llah responsible for the deaths of prominent Babis who remained loyal to Subh-i-Azal, including the Bab's cousin Mirza Ali Akbar and the scholar Dayyan. Baha'u'llah sought to poison Subh-i-Azal during the conflict in Edirne and, after the Ottoman authorities separated the two brothers, several Azalis sent to Akka with Baha'u'llah were murdered soon after their arrival. This sustained campaign of marginalization forced Subh-i-Azal into a lonely, ascetic exile in Cyprus while Baha'u'llah's movement eclipsed the original Babi faith.

(Subhi Ezel Mirza Yahya ve Ezeliler, by Yasin İPEK, 2021, Kayseri Üniversitesi, Kayseri, Türkiye, Language : Turkish)

https://search.trdizin.gov.tr/en/yayin/detay/458910

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The Ignominious Defeat of the Decrepit Ottoman Empire and The Haifa Title-Deeds: Signed by the Son of the Arch-Breaker of Baha'u'llah's Covenant

Profiting from the freedom accorded the world center of the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh, ever since the ignominious defeat of the decrepit Ottoman empire during the war of 1914-18, the forces released through the inception of the stupendous Plan conceived by Him could now flow unchecked, under the beneficent influence of a sympathetic regime, into channels designed to disclose to the world at large the potencies with which that Plan had been endowed. The interment of 'Abdu'l-Bahá Himself within a vault of the Báb's mausoleum, enhancing still further the sacredness of that mountain; the installment of an electric plant, the first of its kind established in the city of Haifa, flooding with illumination the Grave of One Who, in His own words, had been denied even "a lighted lamp" in His fortress-prison in Adhirbayjan; the construction of three additional chambers adjoining His sepulcher, thereby completing 'Abdu'l-Bahá's plan for the first unit of that Edifice; the vast extension, despite the machinations of the Covenant-breakers, of the properties surrounding that resting-place, sweeping from the ridge of Carmel down to the Templar colony nestling at its foot, and representing assets estimated at no less than four hundred thousand pounds, together with the acquisition of four tracts of land, dedicated to the Bahá'í Shrines, and situated in the plain of 'Akká to the north, in the district of Beersheba to the south, and in the valley of the Jordan to the east, amounting to approximately six hundred acres; the opening of a series of terraces which, as designed by 'Abdu'l-Bahá, are to provide a direct approach to the Báb's Tomb from the city lying under its shadow; the beautification of its precincts through the laying out of parks and gardens, open daily to the public, and attracting tourists and residents alike to its gates -- these may be regarded as the initial evidences of the marvelous expansion of the international institutions and endowments of the Faith at its world center. Of particular significance, moreover, has been the exemption granted by the Palestine High Commissioner to the entire area of land surrounding and dedicated to the Shrine of the Báb, to the school property and the archives in its vicinity, to the Western pilgrim-house situated in its neighborhood, and to such historic sites as the Mansion in Bahji, the House of Bahá'u'lláh in 'Akká, and the garden of Ridvan to the east of that city; the establishment, as a result of two formal applications submitted to the civil authorities, of the Palestine Branches of the American and Indian National Spiritual Assemblies, as recognized religious societies in Palestine (to be followed, for purposes of internal consolidation, by a similar incorporation of the branches of other National Spiritual Assemblies throughout the Bahá'í world); and the transfer to the Branch of the American National Spiritual Assembly, through a series of no less than thirty transactions, of properties dedicated to the Tomb of the Báb, and approximating in their aggregate fifty thousand square meters, the majority of the title-deeds of which bear the signature of the son of the Arch-breaker of Bahá'u'lláh's Covenant in his capacity as Registrar of lands in Haifa.

Equally significant has been the founding on Mt. Carmel of two international Archives, the one adjoining the shrine of the Báb, the other in the immediate vicinity of the resting-place of the Greatest Holy Leaf, where, for the first time in Bahá'í history, priceless treasures, hitherto scattered and often hidden for safekeeping, have been collected and are now displayed to visiting pilgrims…. (God Passes By, p. 347)

Equally significant has been the founding on Mt. Carmel of two international Archives, the one adjoining the shrine of the Báb, the other in the immediate vicinity of the resting-place of the Greatest Holy Leaf, where, for the first time in Bahá'í history, priceless treasures, hitherto scattered and often hidden for safekeeping, have been collected and are now displayed to visiting pilgrims….(God Passes By, p. 347)

(Bahá'í Answers, compiled by Olivia Kelsey, 1947, APPROVED BY THE REVIEWING COMMITTEE OF THENATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA)

https://bahai-library.com/kelsey_bahai_answers

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