A closer study of the text of the decision will, however, reveal the fact
that coupled with this strong denunciation is the positive assertion of a
truth which the recognized opponents of the Baha'i Faith in other
Muhammadan countries have up to the present time either sedulously ignored
or maliciously endeavored to disprove. Not content with this harsh and
unjustifiable repudiation of the so-called menacing and heretical
doctrines of the adherents of the Baha'i Faith, they proceed in a formal
manner to declare in the text of that very decision their belief, that the
Baha'i Faith is a "new religion," "entirely independent" and, by reason of
the magnitude of its claim and the character of its "laws, principles and
beliefs," worthy to be reckoned as one of the established religious
systems of the world. Quoting various passages judiciously gleaned from a
number of Baha'i sacred Books as an evidence to their splendid testimony,
they proceed in a notable statement to deduce the fact that henceforth it
shall be regarded as impossible for the followers of such a Faith to be
designated as Muslim, just as it would be incorrect and erroneous to call
a Muhammadan either Christian or Jew.
It cannot be denied that in the course of the inevitable developments of
this present situation the resident Baha'is of Egypt, originally belonging
to the Muslim Faith, will be placed in a most humiliating and embarrassing
position. They, however, cannot but rejoice in the knowledge that whereas
in various Muhammadan countries and particularly in Persia the
overwhelming majority of the leaders of Islam are utterly opposed to any
form of declaration that would facilitate the universal recognition of the
Cause, the authorized heads of their co-religionists in one of the most
advanced communities in the Muhammadan world have, of their own
initiative, published to the world a document that may justly be termed as
the first chapter of liberty emancipating the Baha'i Faith from the
fetters of orthodox Islam. And in order to insure the complete rupture of
Baha'i official relations with Muslim Courts they lay down in unmistakable
terms the condition that under no circumstances can the marriage of those
Baha'is who have been required to divorce their Muslim wives be renewed by
the Muslim Court unless and until the husbands formally recant their faith
by solemnly declaring that the Qur'an is the "last" Book of God revealed
to man, that no law can abrogate the Prophet's Law, no faith can succeed
His Faith, no revelation can claim to fulfill His Revelation.
While unwavering in their belief in the Divine station of the Author of
the Qur'an and profoundly convinced of the necessity and worldwide
influence of His Divine mission, Baha'is in every land stand undeterred
and unabashed in the face of the strong condemnation pronounced against
their brethren in Egypt. Indeed, they together with their fellow-workers
in all Muslim countries welcome with gladness and pride every opportunity
for further emancipation that they may set forth in a truer light the
sublime mission of Baha'u'llah.
In the face of such an outspoken and challenging declaration, the Baha'i
of the West cannot but feel the deepest sympathy with their Egyptian
brethren who, for the sake of our beloved Cause and its deliverance, have
to face all the embarrassments and vexations which the severance of
old-established ties must necessarily entail. They will, however, most
certainly expect every staunch and loyal believer in the Faith who resides
in that land to refrain in view of the grave warning uttered expressly by
our opponents, from any practice that would in any manner constitute in
the eyes of a critical and vigilant enemy a repudiation of the fundamental
beliefs of the people of Baha. They will most assuredly, whenever the
moment is opportune, step forth with eager hearts to offer every support
in their power to their fellow-workers who, with stout hearts and
irreproachable loyalty, will continue to hold aloft the standard of God's
struggling Faith. They will not fail to come to the rescue of those who
with joyous confidence will endure to the very end such vicissitudes as
this New Day of God, now in its birth-throes, must needs suffer and
surmount.