The Babi and Baha'i Religion — Page 81
THE B Ā B Ī AND BAH Ā ’ Ī RELIGION 81 The fact is that by the word A yah in this sentence is meant not the Holy Qur’an, but the previous Sharias and Scriptures. Use of the word in this sense is quite established in the Arabic language and usage; it is fairly common in this sense in the Holy Qur’an itself. The verse which goes before very clearly points to the fact that this is the meaning in which it has been used here. Allah says therein: "Those who disbelieve from among the People of the Book, or from among those who associate gods with Allah, desire not that any good should be sent down to you from your Lord; but Allah chooses for His mercy whomsoever He pleases" 102. This passage which precedes the verse in question shows very clearly that here an objection has been met which was raised by the People of the Book and those who associate gods with Allah, namely, if they accepted the Holy Qar’an they would have to hold that the previous Scriptures had been abandoned and abrogated. Allah has replied to this objection by saying He chooses for His favour whomsoever He pleases, and for reasons best known to Him in His wisdom He had selected another people to become the bearers of another Book and another Law, to say the least, which was better than the one that was entrusted to them. The People of the Book, Jews and Christians, and those who associate gods with Allah, have here 102 The Qur’an 2:106. [Publisher]