The Bahai Doubt

The Bahais claim that this tradition is a fulfillment of the prophecy of the Mahdi since Bab and Bahaullah were separated by 2 years in BIRTH. Shoghi Effendi has also made this inference by quoting the above tradition in Dawn Breakers.

Our response - The Shiah Viewpoint

1. The tradition is from Imam Ali and clearly indicates the difference of two years in the age of the Holy Prophet and Imam Ali. Allamah Majlisi (the compiler of Beharul Anwar) in the same footnote mentions that the age of the Holy Prophet was 66 and that of Imam Ali at the time of his martyrdom was 64. It is an acknowledged fact that the Holy Prophet and Imam Ali at their time of their DEATH were apart in age by 2 years.

2. So if this tradition were to be applicable to Bab and Bahaullah as the measures are different - one is about being separated by 2 years in birth - the other is being separated by 2 years in age. In fact the measure of being separated by age does not apply to Bab and Bahaullah for the difference in their ages was more than 2 years (Bab died early, while Bahaullah lived much longer).

3. Secondly, nowhere does the tradition mention that it is a prophecy for the Mahdi. Even Allamah Majlisi clarifies that it is an explanation to the difference in the ages of the Holy Prophet and Imam Ali so that the tradition may not be misinterpreted.

4. Thirdly, what could be the reason that the Bahais are happy to acknowledge one tradition from amongst thousands in Beharul Anwar and that too which appears in the footnote of volume 38. I urge the Bahais to refer to volume 51, 52 and 53 of Behar which are about the prophecies about the Mahdi wherein one will find traditions about the Mahdi from 11 Imams and the Holy Prophet of Islam. I have quoted these traditions extensively on my web site. One can also refer to the section of the Bab v/s the Mahdi of Islam which uses traditions from Behar to raise questions about the credibility of the claims of the Bab.

5. It seems ironical that one tradition which may "appear" remotely appealing to the Bahais is quoted in all their books including Dawn Breakers. Yet when the issue of traditions is brought up, we are told that traditions could be wrong or altered.

Conclusion

Secondly, the Bahais should clarify which traditions are acceptable to them and which are not. Having a half-baked and an extremely selective approach does not help anybody. If they have any criteria for selecting traditions, it should be made clear to all.