The Babi and Baha'i Religion — Page 97
THE B Ā B Ī AND BAH Ā ’ Ī RELIGION 97 The misunderstanding, or difference of opinion in regard to the claim of Bah a ’ull a h has risen for two reasons. In the first place he never based his claim on grounds on which the Apostles and Messengers of Allah base their claims: he never made his claim openly and publicly, keeping back a portion of it even from his followers of the innermost circle. He also directed his followers that they should take care to keep their property, their movements and their beliefs secret from the outside people. Secondly the writings of Bah a ’ull a h, especially the book known as Aqdas , has never been published. This enables the Bah a ’ i s to change their stand and outlook whenever they consider such a change to be advantageous for them selves. Bah a ’ i s themselves admit this. "Generally speaking, due to the unavailability and scarcity of the books of the B a b, Bah a ’ull a h and Abdul Bah a ’, certain misunderstandings in regard to some historical sects and their teachings have sprung up" 142. Moreover, the attitude taken up by ‘Abdul Bah a ’ A fand i has caused misunderstandings to increase. In spite of the fact that the Islamic prayer in congrega- tion has been forbidden in the Bah a ’ i sharia, and the Islamic prayer itself has been abrogated, ‘Abdul Bah a ’ to the end of his life continued to offer his prayers in 142 Bah a ’ull a h Ki Ta ‘ l i m a t , page 2.