Was the Bab - 'Imam Mahdi'?
        Let us now examine whether the Bab really was the Prophesied Imam Mahdi as he claimed to be. You must have read the Prophecies relating to Imam Mahdi in the `What Islam says page'. Please go back and read them if you haven't already. However we present to you a summary of the events relating to the appearance of Imam Mahdi according to those Hadiths.
He will-
1. Be from the Family of Prophet (SAW) and descend from Hussain (RA), son of Fatima (RA);
2. Appear at the end of time;
3. Appear when earth is filled with injustice and tyranny and believers are severely oppressed;
4. Appear when a severe earthquake will occur and green grass will grow (presumably in Arabia);
5. Fill the earth with justice and equity;
6. Spread brotherhood, equity and devotion among Muslims;
7. Rule over Muslim community, according to Hadith, for seven or nine years;
8. Live and act with the qualities of the holy Prophet (SAW).

Lets examine these prophecies one by one.

Ruler of the Muslims?
        Here Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) tells us that Imam Mahdi ( or the guided one ) will be the ruler of the Muslims of the world and will bring them under one rule. Now the Bab, when he visited Makkah to perform Umrah, declared that he was Imam Mahdi. This caused many Islamic scholars of the time to severely criticize him. This conflict even led to clashes between the two sides. He spent most of his life in prison cells in Iran & was even executed later in 1850. I suppose he forget to tell them that he was their leader & the Iranians mistakenly killed the man who has been Prophesied by the Prophet to be the leader of the Muslims. So do you believe that he was the Imam Mahdi who is supposed to rule over the Muslims for a period of seven years?. This is certainly a cock & bull story.
        This Imam Mahdi will also spread brotherhood, equity and devotion. It has been Prophesied that he will rule the world. But our Bab, unfortunately never even got to rule Iran!. Imam Mahdi will rule the world according to the Prophet's sunnah. But our Bab, like Bahaullah, wrote his own books.

End of time?
        The Prophecies clearly tell us that he will make his appearance when the judgement day is close by. But unfortunately for the Bab, its been nearly been 150 years after his death and there has been no judgement day. Also as stated earlier, the Dajjal (anti christ) will make his appearance first. Where is he?. All these questions only end up raising more questions.

As you can see clearly, the Bab & Bahaullah both fail terribly when it comes to the anti christ. According to Shoghi Effandi in his book, `World order of Bahaullah' page 105 writes-

"Had Muhammed, the Apostle of God, attained this Day," Baha'u'llah writes in a Tablet revealed on the eve of His banishment to the penal colony of Akka, "He would have exclaimed: `I have truly recognized Thee, O Thou the Desire of the Divine Messengers!'

        Prophet Muhammed all through his mission has warned us about the Anti Christ and how Jesus Christ will finally come in and kill him. And Bahaullah & the Bab, who claim to be the Christ & Imam Mahdi don't know anything about the anti Christ!. How strange.
 

Resurrection Day
        The resurrection day constitutes an important belief of not only Muslims, but Christians and Jews as well. It is one of the main articles of faith. Also known as the judgement day, it will occur at the end of time when everyone will be raised up from the dead and will be questioned about their deeds. They will be in front of their lord and no one will escape. Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) & the Qur'an describe this day with great detail. Everyone will be called to account for their deeds. Those who spent their life according to Allah's instructions will have nothing to worry about. They will live in heaven forever, but those who engaged in mischief will pay the price heavily. They are the people who will burn in hell fire forever. This is the day judgement day according to Islam.

        Now coming to the Bahai resurrection day, they believe that the coming of Bahaullah heralded the day of judgement. So in other words, the judgement day according to the Bahais is over!. Infact it is almost been 150 years since the Bahai judgement day!. This is the Bahai belief. The Bahais want to tell us that the Judgement day that one third of the Qur'an describes, took place 150 years ago & we failed to notice. The Qur'an says that on the day of judgement, all those who died will be resurrected from the dead and accounted for their deeds. But the Bahais claim that the Qur'an states that only metaphorically and not literally. They claim that the resurrection is spiritual & that  mankind will become Bahais. This may sound amusing to some if not all Muslims, but we will go into a detailed study just for the sake of our Bahai brothers. Lets begin with quoting a few verses of the Qur'an-

        Here we see that Almighty Allah is telling us that we shall all be gathered on the day of judgement to account for our deeds. Look at the verse in which Allah tells us that the female child who was buried alive by her parents will be raised up and asked for what crime she was killed. The resurrection here isin't metaphorical as the Bahais claim.

"[56.47] And they used to say: What! when we die and have become dust and bones, shall we then indeed be raised? [56.48] Or our fathers of yore? [56.49] Say: The first and the last, SO. Shall most surely be gathered together for the appointed hour of a known day.

Allah Almighty affirms in the above verse that the first and the last  of humanity ( meaning everyone who was born )will be resurrected. I want to ask the Bahais- "When did all this happen in the 19th century?".
 

"[23.12] And certainly We created man of an extract of clay, [23.13] Then We made him a small seed in a firm resting place (the womb of the mother) , [23.14] Then We made the seed a clot, then We made the clot a lump of flesh, then We made (in) the lump of flesh bones, then We clothed the bones with flesh, then We caused it to grow into another creation, so blessed be Allah, the best of the creators. [23.15] Then after that (i.e. your life) you will most surely die. [23.16] Then surely on the day of Judgement you shall be raised.".
 
 
 
 

"[6:29-32] And they say: "There is nothing except our life on this earth, and never shall we be raised up again. "If thou couldst but see when they are confronted with their Lord! He will say: "Is not this the truth?" They will say: "Yea, by our Lord!" He will say: "Taste ye then the penalty, because ye rejected Faith." Lost indeed are they who treat it as a falsehood that they must meet God,- until on a sudden the hour is on them, and they say: "Ah! woe unto us that we took no thought of it"; for they bear their burdens on their backs, and evil indeed are the burdens that they bear"
 

"[11.96] And certainly We sent Moses with Our communications and a clear authority, [11.97] To Pharaoh and his chiefs, but they followed the bidding of Pharaoh, and Pharaoh's bidding was not right directing. [11.98] He shall lead his people on the resurrection day, and bring them down to the fire; and evil the place to which they are brought. [11.99] And they are overtaken by curse in this (world), and on the resurrection day, evil the gift which shall be given. [11.100] This is an account of (the fate of) the towns which We relate to you; of them are some that stand and (others) mown down."
 

      Here we clearly read that resurrection is not metaphorical but REAL in every possible sense. Allah says in the above verse that Pharaoh and his people will also be resurrected. I want to ask the Bahais - "When was the Pharaoh raised up from the dead in the 19th century?" This surely is a warning from Allah to the Bahais.
 

Here is another good one-

"[22.55] And those who disbelieve shall not cease to be in doubt concerning it until the hour overtakes them suddenly, or there comes on them the chastisement of a destructive day. [22.56] The kingdom on that day shall be Allah's; He will judge between them; so those who believe and do good will be in gardens of bliss. [22.57] And (as for) those who disbelieve in and reject Our communications, these it is who shall have a disgraceful chastisement"
 
 

"[32.29] Say: On the day of judgement the faith of those who (now) disbelieve will not profit them, nor will they be given a respite."
 
 

"[14.31] Say to My servants who believe that they should keep up prayer and spend out of what We have given them secretly and openly BEFORE THE coming of the day in which there shall be no bartering nor mutual befriending."
 
 

"[6:158] They do not wait aught but that the angels should come to them, or that your Lord should come, or that some of the signs of your Lord (of the coming Day of Judgement) should come. On the day when some of the signs of your Lord shall come, ITS FAITH SHALL NOT PROFIT A SOUL WHICH DID NOT BELIEVE BEFORE, or earn good through its faith. Say: Wait; we too are waiting."
 
 

 The Qur'an says here that belief on the day of judgement will prove useless and will not be accepted. Now the Bahais claim that the coming of Bahaullah was the judgement day. Now what is the use of a new religion, a new Prophet and a new book, when after all belief will not be accepted from the unbelievers on that day?. The above verse really separates the water from the milk. This is enough for the guidance of any Bahai, if he is true to himself that is. Lets now examine a verse which is quoting Abraham (PBUH)-

"Who gives me food and drink,

"And when I am ill, it is He Who cures me;

"Who will cause me to die, and then to life (again);

"And who, I hope, will forgive me my faults on the day of Judgement.

"O my Lord! bestow wisdom on me, and join me with the righteous;

"Grant me honourable mention on the tongue of truth among the latest (generations);

"Make me one of the inheritors of the Garden of Bliss;

"Forgive my father, for that he is among those astray;

"And let me not be in disgrace on the Day when (men) will be raised up;-

"The Day whereon neither wealth nor sons will avail,

"But only he (will prosper) that brings to God a sound heart;

"To the righteous, the Garden will be brought near,

"And to those straying in Evil, the Fire will be placed in full view;

"And it shall be said to them: 'Where are the (gods) ye worshipped-

"'Besides God? Can they help you or help themselves?'

"Then they will be thrown headlong into the (Fire),- they and those straying in Evil,

"And the whole hosts of Iblis (satan) together.

        Just see how Abraham (PBUH) speaks about his own resurrection. He also makes it very clear that the righteous people with their good deeds will be sent to heaven and the satan and his companions & the unbelievers will burn in hell fire for ever. Or even examine these following verses for further proof.-
 

{[2:259] "Or take the similitude (of the resurrection) of one who passed by a hamlet, all in ruins to its roofs. He said: "Oh! how shall God bring it ever to life, after this its death?" but God caused him to die for a hundred years, then raised him up again. He said: "How long didst thou tarry thus?" He said: Perhaps a day or part of a day." He said: "Nay, thou hast tarried thus a hundred years; but look at thy food and thy drink; they show no signs of age; and look at thy donkey: And that We may make of thee a sign unto the people, Look further at the bones, how We bring them together and clothe them with flesh." When this was shown clearly to him, he said: "I know that God hath power over all things."
 
 

[2:260] Behold! Abraham said: "My Lord! Show me how Thou givest life to the dead." He said: "Dost thou not then believe?" He said: "Yea! but to satisfy My own undertaking." He said: "Take four birds; Tame them to turn to thee; put a portion of their bodies on every hill and call to them: They will come to thee (Flying) with speed. Then know that God is Exalted in Power, Wise."

Just look at these above verses and see how clear Allah makes his point. The resurrection is real and not metaphorical.

"[33.44] Their greetings on the day that they meet Him (on the day of Judgement) shall be, Salaam (meaning peace) , and He has prepared for them an honourable reward."

Here is another important point. Bahaullah taught his followers to greet each other with the word `Allahu Abha' meaning God is glorious, but in the above verse of the Qur'an, Allah tells us that the believers on the day of judgement will meet their Lord with the words salaam'.
 

* [Ya Sin 36:52-76] They will say: "Ah! Woe unto us! Who hath raised us up
from our beds of repose?"... (A voice will say:) "This is what (God) Most
Gracious had promised. And true was the word of the apostles!" It will be no
more than a single Blast, when lo! they will all be brought up before Us!
Then, on that Day, not a soul will be wronged in the least, and ye shall but
be repaid the meeds of your past Deeds. Verily the Companions of the Garden
shall that Day have joy in all that they do; They and their associates will
be in groves of (cool) shade, reclining on Thrones (of dignity); (Every)
fruit (enjoyment) will be there for them; they shall have whatever they call
for; "Peace!" - a word (of salutation) from a Lord Most Merciful! "

        Here Allah says that it will be very clear to the unbelievers that they have been risen from the dead.

So my dear Bahai brothers & sisters you can only count the number of verses that I have mentioned here in which Allah tells us in the simplest possible manner that the resurrection day will witness the resurrection of all the people who were born & died. They will be accounted for their deeds and will accordingly be sent to heaven or hell.
 

Heaven & Hell
        The Bahais totally disbelieve in the existence of Heaven & hell. They believe that heaven and hell are merely states of being close or far away from God. Like always they say that the Qur'an is only metaphorically talking about the existence of heaven & hell. If there is really no punishment from God then we might as well do whatever we want. We are already as far away from God as we can get. Hitler, for example killed millions of people and never believed in God. If there is no punishment for him in the hereafter and only that he will stay far from God, what difference does it make to him. Absolutely nothing. The same goes for the other dictators as well. Then if there is really no punishment in the hereafter, as the Bahais claim, then its better to enjoy life in every way we can. There would be no need to stay away from bad deeds at all. As you can see this would make the call for staying away from bad deeds unnecessary. If that would be true then the world would come to an end. But such a thing can never be possible. The Qur'an makes the existence of heaven & hell very clear. I'll let you decide what is metaphorical and what is not.

44:51-56 "As to the righteous they will be in a position of security. Among Gardens and springs. Dressed in fine silk and in rich brocade they will face each other. And We shall wed them to spouses with beautiful, big and lustrous eyes. Then can they call for every kind of fruit in peace and security. Nor will they there taste death except the first death and He will preserve them from the punishment of the blazing Fire"

52:17-28 "As to the righteous they will be in Gardens and in happiness. Enjoying the bliss which their Lord has bestowed on them, and their Lord shall deliver them from the punishment of the Fire. To them will be said: Eat and drink ye, with profit and health because of you good deeds. They will recline with ease upon couches arranged in ranks and We shall wed them to spouses with beautiful big and lustrous eyes. And those who believe and whose family follow them in faith - to them shall We reunite with their families. Nor shall We deprive them of the fruit of aught of their works. Yet is each individual in pledge for his deeds. And We shall bestow on them of fruit and meat anything they shall desire. They shall there exchange with another, a cup of drink free from vanity and sin. Round about them will serve youths as pearls well guarded. They will advance to each other, engaging in mutual inquiry. They will say, 'Aforetime We were not without fear for the sake of our people. But God has been good to us and has delivered us from the punishment of the scorching Wind (Hell). Truly we did call unto Him from of old and truly it is He, the beneficent, the Merciful!'"

55:46-78 "But for such as fear the time when they will stand before the Judgement seat of their Lord, there will be two gardens. Then which of the favours of your Lord will you deny? Abounding in branches. Then which of the favours of your Lord will you deny? In them each will be two springs flowing free. Then which of the favours of your Lord will you deny? In them will be fruits of every kind - two and two. Then which of the favours of your Lord will you deny? They will recline in carpets whose inner linings will be of rich brocade; the fruit of the gardens will be near and easy of reach. Then which of the favours of your Lord will you deny? In them will be spouses chaste, restraining their glances, whom no human or Jinn before them has touched. Then which of the favours of your Lord will you deny? Like unto rubies and coral. Then which of the favours of your Lord will you deny? Is there any reward for goodness other than goodness ? Then which of the favours of your Lord will you deny? And besides these two there will be two other gardens. Then which of the favours of your Lord will you deny? Dark green in colour (from plentiful watering) Then which of the favours of your Lord will you deny? In them each will be two springs pouring forth water in continuos abundance. Then which of the favours of your Lord will you deny? In them will be fruits and dates and pomegranates. Then which of the favours of your Lord will you deny? In them will be fair spouses, good, beautiful. Then which of the favours of your Lord will you deny? Spouses restrained (as to their glances) in goodly pavilions. Then which of the favours of your Lord will you deny? Whom no human or jinn before them has touched. Then which of the favours of your Lord will you deny? Reclining on green cushions and rich carpets of beauty. Then which of the favours of your Lord will you deny? Blessed be the name of thy Lord, Full of Majesty, bounty and Honour."
 

These are some of the countless number of verses in the Holy Qur'an dealing with the nature of heaven. Allah makes it very clear that those who will be successful in the afterlife will be sent to heaven. There they will be reunited with their families, they will have all kinds of delicious foodstuffs, beautiful gardens, etc. And they will reside in there for eternity.

        Prophet Muhammed's ascension to the heavens also known as miraj is well known. Muhammed (PBUH) clearly says that he had been to heaven physically and even met other Prophets like Moses, Jesus, Yahya, etc. (PBUT). Do the Bahais want to reject Prophet Muhammed's experience as metaphorical also?. Here is a Hadith describing the kauthar. This sufficiently proves the existence of heaven.

Narrated Anas bin Malik: The Prophet said: "While I was walking in Paradise (on the night of Ascesnsion/Mi'raj), I saw a river, on the two banks of which there were tents made of hollow pearls. I asked, "What is this, O Gabriel?' He said, 'That is the lake of Kauthar (mentioned in the Qur'an) which Your Lord has given to you.' Behold! Its scent or its mud was sharp smelling musk!"
 
 

4:56 "Those who reject Our signs We shall cast them into the Fire. As often as their skins are roasted through We shall change them for fresh skins that they may taste the punishment for God is Exalted in Power, Wise"

14:17-17 "In front of such a one is Hell and he is given for drink boiling fetid water. In gulps will he will sip it but never will he be near swallowing it down his throat when death will come to him from every quarter yet will he not die and in front of him will be punishment unrelenting"

14:49-51 "And you will see the sinners that day bound together in chains. Their garments of liquid pitch and their faces covered with fire. That God may reward each soul according to its fruits and verily God is swift in calling to account"

22:19 "...but those who deny their Lord for them will be cut out a garment of Fire and over their heads will be poured out boiling water and with it will be melted what is within their bellies as well as their skins. In addition there will be maces of iron to punish them. Every time they wish to get away therefrom they will be forced back in and (it will be said) 'Taste you the punishment of burning!'"

37:62-68 "Is that (reward of heaven) better entertainment of the tree of Zaqqum? For We truly made it as a trial for the wrong-doers. For it is a tree that springs out of the bottom of Hell-Fire. The shoots of its fruit stalks are like the heads of devils. Truly they will eat thereof and fill their bellies with it. Then on top of that they will be given a mixture made of boiling water. Thus shall their return be to the Blazing Fire"

38:56-58 "Hell! they shall burn therein an evil bed indeed! Yes such! Then shall they taste it - a boiling fluid and a fluid dark, murky, and intensely cold! And other penalties of a similar kind to match them!"

44:43-43-50 "Verily of the tree of Zaqqum! will be the food of the sinful. Like molten brass it will boil within their insides. Like the boiling of scalding water. (a voice will cry) seize you him and drag him into the midst of the blazing Fire! Then pour over his head the punishment of boiling water. 'Taste you this. Truly you are mighty and full of honour ? Truly this is what you used to doubt?"

56:41-57 "The companions of the left hand and who will be the companions of the left hand? They will be in the midst of a fierce blast of fire and in boiling water. And in the shades of thick black smoke. Neither cool nor refreshing. For that they used to be indulged before that in sinful luxury. And they persisted obstinately in wickedness supreme! And they used to say 'What! when we die and become dust and bones shall we then indeed be raised up again? We and our ancestors?' Say : 'Yes, those of the ancients and those of the future. ALL WILL CERTAINLY BE gathered together for the meeting appointed for a Day well known (Day of Judgement). Then will you truly - O you that go wrong and the deny the truth - you will surely taste of the tree of Zaqqum. Then will you fill your insides with it. And drink boiling water on top of it. Indeed you shall drink like diseased camels raging with thirst. Such will be their entertainment on the Day of Requital! It is WE who have created you O man then why will you not admit this truth?'"

        These are just a few verses of the holy Qur'an dealing with hell. This sufficiently proves the existence of hell & that people who engaged in evil deeds will be cast here & will be physically tortured.
 
 

Everything is not metaphorical
        The word `metaphorical' is the most common word used by the Bahais. Whichever verse of any scripture is not compatible with the Bahai beliefs is supposed to be only metaphorically stated. One wonders why the Bahais don't apply this to their own religion. For example- Prophet Muhammed is said to have called himself the last of the Prophets only metaphorically, Jesus Christ's return is also supposed to be metaphorical, etc. Similarly, Bahaullah might also be only metaphorically saying that he was a Prophet. He might not really be a Prophet. The Bab might have only metaphorically claimed to be Imam Mahdi and not meant it literally. Bahaullah might have claimed to be the second coming of Christ only metaphorically & not literally. If you can say the former why cant you believe the latter?
 

        So as you can see what the reality of the claims of the Bab & Bahaullah really is. There is much more to the story than what the Bahai interpreters claim. We have proved that Bahaullah being the Christ & Bab's claim to be the Mahdi is a far cry. It has to be accepted that people who claim to be some one they aren't cannot be Prophets of God. Because that would make them liars. And liars cannot be Prophets. This is my simple deductive logic.

Please do e mail me with your comments & suggestions or if you want me to add something to these pages. The author can be contacted at rihan@mantramail.com