The Babi and Baha'i Religion — Page 82
THE B Ā B Ī AND BAH Ā ’ Ī RELIGION 82 been invited to study the Holy Qur’an and see for themselves if it was not better than the Scriptures or stories in their hands. After a study in this light, if they found that the Qur’an was a better Book, it was undoubtedly their duty to yield belief to it. The verse in question, thus, only means that with the coming of the Holy Qur’an all previous sharias had been abrogated by this new Book and new Law. When does a new Law come? This verse, moreover, clearly lays down the prin- ciple as to when and under what kind of circum- stances a new Scripture and a new Law is sent down by Allah. This, we are told, happens in two cases: (a) when a sharia specifically meant for catering to the needs of a particular group of humanity, outlives the time of its utility and needs to be replaced; (b) or when a previous sharia no longer remains in its pure and original form, having suffered through human interference from one cause or another; (c) or when a previous sharia, owing to some limitation to which it is subject, no longer can suffice for the changed needs of changed situation. In any of these cases a new sharia will come, and it will be better than the one it replaces, or in any case will be as good as the one which had suffered from human interference.