The Baha'i Studies Listserv Hi Dean, The enemies of 'Abdu'l-Bahá blamed Him for modify/abrogated this law of Bahá'u'lláh. But the Master said He didn't change it, He denied it. Best, Hasan
________________________________ De: Dean Betts <fdbe...@mindspring.com> Para: Baha'i Studies <bahai-st@list.jccc.edu> Enviado: Martes, 25 de septiembre, 2012 7:33 P.M. Asunto: Re: Bigamy permitted in bahá'í writings? The Baha'i Studies Listserv Dear Hasan, The following passages from Notes to Kitab-i-Aqdas should clarify this subject. Dean B. While the text of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas appears to permit bigamy, Bahá'u'lláh counsels that tranquillity and contentment derive from monogamy. In another Tablet, He underlines the importance of the individual's acting in such a way as to "bring comfort to himself and to his partner". Abdu'l-Bahá, the authorized Interpreter of the Bahá'í Writings, states that in the text of the Aqdas monogamy is in effect enjoined. He elaborates this theme in a number of Tablets, including the following: 206 Know thou that polygamy is not permitted under the law of God, for contentment with one wife hath been clearly stipulated. Taking a second wife is made dependent upon equity and justice being upheld between the two wives, under all conditions. However, observance of justice and equity towards two wives is utterly impossible. The fact that bigamy has been made dependent upon an impossible condition is clear proof of its absolute prohibition. Therefore it is not permissible for a man to have more than one wife. Polygamy is a very ancient practice among the majority of humanity. The introduction of monogamy has been only gradually accomplished by the Manifestations of God. Jesus, for example, did not prohibit polygamy, but abolished divorce except in the case of fornication; Muhammad limited the number of wives to four, but making plurality of wives contingent on justice, and reintroducing permission for divorce; Bahá'u'lláh, Who was revealing His Teachings in the milieu of a Muslim society, introduced the question of monogamy gradually in accordance with the principles of wisdom and the progressive unfoldment of His purpose. The fact that He left His followers with an infallible Interpreter of His Writings enabled Him to outwardly permit two wives in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas but uphold a condition that enabled 'Abdu'l-Bahá to elucidate later that the intention of the law was to enforce monogamy. (Baha'u'llah, The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 205) Dear Hasan, >My understanding is that the writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha have the same effect as >legislation, as do the writings of Shoghi Effendi. >'Abdu'l-Baha has written that a man may two wives only if >Greetings, >Dean B. > >----- Original Message ----- >>From: Hasan Elías >>To: Baha'i Studies >>Sent: Tuesday, September 25, 2012 1:14 AM >>Subject: Bigamy permitted in bahá'í writings? >> >> >>The Baha'i Studies Listserv >>Hi all, >> >> >>I have read in recently posts of two other lists the following: >> * Bahá'u'lláh in the Kitáb al-Aqdas permits bigamy and never changed >> this to monogamy, also never legislated again on this issue >> >> * 'Abdu'l-Bahá has never legislated or abrogated the permission of this >> law >> >> * Shoghi Effendi said that Bahá'u'lláh prescribes monogamy in the Kitáb >> al-Aqdas (!) >> >> >> >>Could anyone explain to me how we can put this together without falling into >>contradictions? >> >> >>If Bahá'u'lláh permits bigamy, then, why and how the actual bahá'í law >>prescribes monogamy and forbids bigamy? >> >> >>Also, if a muslim take 4 wives, it is ok because it is based on the Qur'án, >>then why it is bad for a bahá'í to take 2 wives if he is based on the Kitáb >>al-Aqdas, if nobody has the right to abrogate a law of Bahá'u'lláh? >> >> >>These are basic questions. >> >> >>Thanks to all, >> >> >>Hasan __________________________________________________ You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:arch...@mail-archive.com Unsubscribe: send a blank email to mailto:leave-666950-27401.54f46e81b66496c9909bcdc2f7987...@list.jccc.edu Subscribe: send subscribe bahai-st in the message body to ly...@list.jccc.edu Or subscribe: http://list.jccc.edu:8080/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=bahai-st Baha'i Studies is available through the following: Mail - mailto:bahai-st@list.jccc.edu Web - http://list.jccc.edu:8080/read/?forum=bahai-st News (on-campus only) - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.net New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/bahai-st@list.jccc.edu
