Question – Do Baha’ism Believe in Sheykhieh?

Question

Do Baha’ism Believe in Sheykhieh?

First Answer

If we take a look at Báb and Bahá’u’lláh history, we clearly notice that the foundation of Bábism and in relation to it Baha’ism is rooted deeply in believing Sheykhieh. This comes from the fact that Shaykh Ahmad al-Ahsa’i (the leader of Sheykhieh) said that there should be some divine men between people and the occult Imam; this is completely opposite to the orders of twelve Imams.

His student Sayyid Kazim Rashti completed Shaykh Ahmad’s speech after him and called this man as the fourth pillar of faith. Many such as Siyyid `Ali Muhammad Shirázi was his student. Rashti commanded by his will to find the fourth pillar of faith or Báb (the Gate). After his death many of his students claimed as being Báb but no one was successful except Siyyid `Ali Muhammad Shirázi.

Siyyid `Ali Muhammad Shirázi (known as Báb) was one of Sayyid Kazim students who introduced himself as Báb (the Gate of twelve Imams of Shias) which means intermediate between Imam Zaman and the people. While Báb’s successor was Subh-i-Azal, Husayn-Ali Núri (nicknamed Bahá’u’lláh) took power and introduced himself as the successor of Báb. He then called himself a new prophet and at the end as Divine [1].

While Bahá’u’lláh in the book Ma’idih-yi-Asmani says: “From the beginning of Islam until now, we have just two shining lights: Shaykh2 and Sayyid” [3-4], the question is that if Baha’ism and Bahá’u’lláh believes so deeply in Shaykh Ahmad al-Ahsa’i and Sayyid Kazim Rashti, why should not they obey all of their teachings?

These two leaders of Sheykhieh expressed their deep belief in obeying Islam and they pretended to be honored to be servants of Imam Zaman and his followers. Sayyid Kazim Rashti said the religion of Muhammad will be permanent until the end of the world [5].

Whenever Shaykhi leaders accepted prophethood of Prophet Muhammad, how Bahá’u’lláh claims as new prophet?

Another issue is that the head of Bábism and Baha’ism is severely condemned by the third leader of Sheykhieh ‘Haj Karim Khan Kermani’ [6].

Finally let us bring a piece of Báb’s writing: “O Remnant of God, I am wholly sacrificed to Thee; I am content with curses in Thy 5 way; I crave naught but to be slain in Thy love; and God the Supreme sufficeth as an Eternal Protection.” [7]

References:

1. There is no God except me imprisoned (Athar-i Qalam-i A`la, Volume 1, Kitab-i-Mubin, Item 39: al-A`zam al-A`zam: لا اله الّا انا المسجون الفرید).[↩]
2. Shaykh Ahmad al-Ahsa’i[↩]
3. Sayyid Kazim Rashti[↩]
4. ‘Abdu’l-Hamíd Ishráq-Khávari; Ma’idih-yi-Asmani; Volume 4, Page 134. To see the original page in Persian, CLICK HERE.[↩]
5. Majmu’at al-Rasa’il (Sayyid Kazim Rashti[↩]
6. Haj Karim Khan Kermani; Meteoroid Shot in Rejection of Báb. (Original title: تیر شهاب فی الرد علی الباب[↩]
7. `Abdu’l-Bahá; A Traveler’s Narrative; Pages 4-5. To see the original page in Persian, CLICK HERE.[↩]