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closeOn Faith: Check the scriptures for hidden words of faith
Dr. Chris Gilbert
guest columnist
Baha’is are often asked if we follow the Bible or some other Book of God. There are two simple answers to this question, and both are, “Yes!”
The Baha’i Faith is based on the knowledge that all the manifestations of God come from one source, and each brings updated teachings from that source relevant to the ages in which they appear.
Whether these God-inspired words are written down or pass verbally from one generation to another, the teachings are meant to last until the next manifestation, or teacher, arrives.
This renewal cycles about every thousand years or so.
Since all these spiritual and social teachings come from one God, and all His teachers are one, to follow the Bible or Torah or Koran or Baghavita in the fellowship of the Christian or Jewish or Muslim or Hindu or Baha’i Faith is to live the same words from that one source.
So, in that regard, for Baha’is, all of the great books of the great faiths are important to understand universal spirituality.
But that doesn’t mean Baha’is don’t have specific Books of Faith, as well. In fact, unlike all the past manifestations, the books of the Baha’i Faith were actually written or dictated directly from the Divine Teacher, who founded the Baha’i Faith, Baha’u’llah.
One of those books is the rarest treasure, titled “The Hidden Words.”
“The Hidden Words,” which is available to anyone on the planet, Baha’i or not, has been called, “a treasury of divine mysteries.” To read and ponder its contents is too open the secrets of life and live with happiness in perilous times.
To quote Abdul-Baha, Baha’u’llah’s son who inherited the task of spreading these words to the world after Baha’u’llah passed away in the late 1800s:
“Bahá’u’lláh has revoiced and re-established the quintessence of the teachings of all the Prophets, setting aside the accessories and purifying religion from human interpretation. He has written a book entitled the Hidden Words. The preface announces that it contains the essences of the words of the Prophets of the past, clothed in the garment of brevity, for the teaching and spiritual guidance of the people of the world.
“Read it that you may understand the true foundations of religion and reflect upon the inspiration of the Messengers of God. It is light upon light.”
While it might be said that there are a host of Baha’i books and writings that form the foundation of our teachings, “The Hidden Words stands out as a charter for the salvation of the human soul ... (and) shines as a beacon of light to men lost in the world of darkness and materialism; it gives light to their eyes, enabling them to see the path to their Lord. It also warns them of the many pitfalls on their way and extends a helping hand at every turn” (Adib Taherzadeh).
Don’t let all the Persian names hold you back. Like Rumi or Khalil Gibran, or a host of great authors and poets from the Middle East, their philosophy has that wonderful power of transporting any reader to a place of transformation.
Perhaps you are now asking yourself why these words are called “hidden” if they are available to anyone? They hide in the sense that mankind does not yet have the widespread knowledge or a developed appreciation of them or Baha’u’llah. His appearance here was meant as a renewal of Faith, and these and other words He brings are meant to bring greater meaning to the mysteries that envelope our spiritual lives.
In fact, Abdul-Baha again highlights the true station of Baha’u’llah’s Hidden Words.
“In this present age the world of humanity is afflicted with severe sicknesses and grave disorders which threaten death. Therefore, Bahá’u’lláh has appeared. He is the real Physician, bringing divine remedy and healing to the world of man. He has brought teachings for all ailments — the Hidden Words.
“These Holy Words and teachings are the remedy for the body politic, the divine prescription and real cure for the disorders which afflict the world.”
This is an invitation for health that everyone might read in such perilous times.