The Difference Between the Baha'i Faith and Islam

Baha’i News – The relationship between the Baha’i Faith and Islam, from a Baha’i perspective, is viewed as a continuation and evolution within a successive chain of Divine Revelations, all of which aimed to educate and unify humanity. Baha’is do not view Islam as a religion that contradicts their own, but rather as a preceding and sacred chapter in a single book of continuous Divine Revelation, and as an essential part of humanity’s spiritual heritage. This understanding is based on the pivotal Baha’i principle known as “Progressive Revelation,” which affirms that God, in His infinite love, sends His Messengers (Manifestations of His Cause) to humanity throughout the ages, each with a message suited to the needs and degree of maturity of society in its time.

The Baha’i Faith, which emerged in the mid-19th century in Persia (present-day Iran), presents itself not as a replacement for previous religions, but as their culmination and a completion of their purposes. From this standpoint, Islam and all its sublime teachings are respected, and Muhammad (peace be upon him) is recognized as a Prophet and a Manifestation of God. This report will address the fundamental differences between the Baha’i Faith and Islam from a Baha’i perspective, based on the teachings and writings of the Baha’i Faith itself, which offer a unique vision of the relationship between religions and emphasize their inherent unity despite the external differences in their manifestations and the evolution of their laws.

Progressive Revelation: Islam as a Fundamental Stage, Not the End of Prophethood

The principle of Progressive Revelation is considered the cornerstone of the Baha’i Faith, and this constitutes the fundamental difference in the view of Islam. While Muslims believe that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the “Seal of the Prophets” and that the Quran is the last heavenly book, Baha’is believe that God does not cease sending His Messengers to humanity. Rather, the process of revelation is a continuous, unending process, through which “Manifestations of God’s Cause” (Manifestations of God) such as Abraham, Moses, Buddha, Zoroaster, Christ, Muhammad, and the Báb (the founder of the Bábí Faith who paved the way for the Baha’i Faith), and then Baháʼu’lláh (the founder of the Baha’i Faith), manifest themselves.

From this perspective, Baha’is do not diminish the prophethood of Muhammad or the sanctity of the Quran; rather, they consider them the pinnacle of a great divine revelation that came to complete previous messages and offer humanity teachings suited to its stage of maturity at that time. However, Baha’is believe that humanity has surpassed that stage and entered a new era that requires a new message and broader guidance to achieve global unity and peace. For this reason, they view the appearance of the Báb and Baháʼu’lláh as a necessary continuation of the chain of revelation, in response to the needs of the modern age.

Baha’i Source: Baháʼu’lláh, in the book “The Kitáb-i-Íqán,” clarifies the concept of Progressive Revelation and how each Divine Manifestation brings a message that is compatible with humanity’s capacity for comprehension and application, aiming to achieve a higher goal, which is world unity.

Founders of Religions and Sacred Writings

Founders: Muslims believe that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the Seal of the Prophets and Messengers, and he brought the comprehensive message of Islam. Baha’is, on the other hand, believe that Baháʼu’lláh is the latest and greatest Manifestation of God’s Cause, and he brought the Baha’i Faith. The Báb (original name Ali Muhammad Shirazi) is also considered the Herald of the Baha’i Faith and holds a prophetic status within the Baha’i perspective, having paved the way for the advent of Baháʼu’lláh.

Sacred Books: The sacred book in Islam is the Holy Quran, believed to be the word of God revealed to Prophet Muhammad. In the Baha’i Faith, the most holy book is “The Kitáb-i-Aqdas,” written by Baháʼu’lláh. In addition, there are many other writings by Baháʼu’lláh, the Báb, and `Abdu’l-Bahá (Baháʼu’lláh’s son and the Center of His Covenant), all of which constitute the essence of Baha’i sacred texts. Baha’is believe that these writings expand upon and complete the teachings of previous heavenly books, including the Quran, to offer solutions to the challenges of the modern age.

Core Teachings and Fundamental Principles: Points of Convergence and Differences in Emphasis

There are many principles that are similar in their essence across religions, but differ in their emphasis or details of application:

Oneness of God: Both are monotheistic religions that believe in the absolute oneness of God, Who has no partner or peer. This is the fundamental basis upon which both religions meet.
Oneness of Humankind: While Islam emphasizes equality among human beings and the abolition of racial differences, the Baha’i Faith places the oneness of humankind at the core of its teachings as a supreme goal and a realistic vision for the future of humanity. The diversity of races and cultures is viewed as a beauty that enriches unity, not a cause for division.
Equality of Men and Women: This principle is considered a fundamental pillar of the Baha’i Faith, where Baha’is believe in full equality in rights and duties between men and women, considering it an essential prerequisite for the advancement of civilization. While Islam emphasizes honoring women and their rights, there are different jurisprudential interpretations that may be understood as giving men some preference in certain aspects (such as guardianship or inheritance in some cases).
Harmony of Science and Religion: Baha’is believe that science and religion are two wings by which humanity soars to perfection, and that there can be no real contradiction between them because both are sources of truth. This principle is particularly emphasized in Baha’i teachings, and scientific research is encouraged.
Independent Investigation of Truth: Every Baha’i individual is urged to search for truth independently and not to blindly imitate, by using both intellect and heart.
Elimination of All Forms of Prejudice: Prejudice in all its forms, whether racial, religious, class, or national, is forbidden and considered an obstacle to the unity of humanity.
Establishment of World Peace: The ultimate goal of the Baha’i Faith is the establishment of lasting world peace, built on justice, unity, and harmony among nations.

Laws and Practices: Differences in Form, Unity in Purpose

There are clear differences in daily laws and practices between the two religions:

Prayer: Muslims have five obligatory prayers daily at specific times and facing a specific direction (Qiblah towards the Kaaba). Baha’is have one obligatory prayer daily (the Great Baha’i Prayer), and one of three forms can be chosen, performed facing a specific direction (Qiblah towards the Baha’i Shrine of Baháʼu’lláh in Bahjí, Acre).
Fasting: Muslims fast the entire month of Ramadan from dawn until sunset. Baha’is fast for 19 days in the month of `Alá’ (the last month of the Baha’i calendar) from sunrise until sunset, before the Naw-Rúz (Baha’i New Year).
Pilgrimage: Muslim pilgrimage is to the Kaaba in Mecca. Baha’i pilgrimage is to sacred houses in Shiraz (the Báb’s House) and Acre (Baháʼu’lláh’s House) in Israel.
Clergy: There is no professional clergy or priestly class in the Baha’i Faith. Religious affairs are administered through democratically elected institutions (Spiritual Assemblies). In Islam, there are religious scholars, imams, and shaykhs who have important spiritual and leadership roles.
Marriage and Divorce: Each religion has its own laws regarding marriage and divorce. In the Baha’i Faith, marriage is encouraged by the teachings, and divorce is highly discouraged and followed by a one-year waiting period.
Alcohol and Drugs: Both forbid the consumption of alcohol and drugs, but Baha’i teachings emphasize the absolute prohibition of these substances.
Work and Worship: In the Baha’i Faith, productive work performed in the spirit of service is regarded as worship.

Towards a Unified World

From a Baha’i perspective, Islam is not a competing or abrogated religion, but a golden link in the chain of Divine Revelation. It brought a great message to the world and shaped an Islamic civilization with profound contributions in all fields of life. The differences between the two religions are not viewed as a cause for animosity or division, but as a sign of the progressive evolution of God’s plan for humanity.

Baha’is believe that Baháʼu’lláh did not come to destroy what the Prophets before Him had built, but to erect upon it the edifice of global unity and lasting peace. The teachings of the Baha’i Faith seek to unite humanity from all religions and cultures under one canopy of unity in diversity, drawing lessons from the history of religions, including Islam, to advance humanity towards a new era of collective maturity.

Sources:
The Kitáb-i-Íqán, Baháʼu’lláh.
The Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Baháʼu’lláh.
Tablet of the Century,
`Abdu’l-Bahá. Selections from the Writings of Baháʼu’lláh.
The official website of the Baháʼí International Community.

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Article Author
Monir Irfani
Journalist and Translator
ABN Bahá’í News, Baha’i News Foundation
Contact: monir@abnnews.net

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