3.

Baha’u’llah and Peace:

Reconstruction of the Concept of Interpretation
– Dr. Nader Saiedi

Modern theories of Interpretation or Hermeneutics

1. From Classics to Social Action
2. Objective meaning, Subjective meaning, Unconscious meaning, Interactive meaning
The Bab on Hermeneutics
Shouldst thou abide in the land of Divinity, and recite this blessed Surih in the midst of
the Ocean of absolute Unity, beyond the Sea of Dominion, thou must know of a certainty that
verily all the letters of this Surih are but one single letter, and that all the differences of its words
and meanings turn unto the One Single Point. For verily this is the station of the heart and the
sanctuary of unity. God hath created its elements out of the one and only crystal water of
Kawthar. They are all fire, all air, all water, all dust, and all are the majestic identity, the
everlasting bestowal and the effulgent Kawthar. (Commentary on the Súrih of Kawthar)
Baha’u’llah and Interpretation
1. Supreme Interpretation
Know thou that the words of God and His Messengers possess meanings after meanings… None
knows their secrets save God the Mighty… Erelong their hidden meanings will be known to
anyone who ascends the heavens of nearness and purity, purifies his eyes by the remembrance of
God, and attains unto the sublime station where he bears witness, through the tongue deposited
in his inner heart, that there is none other God than Him, and that He is the One who has been
and there has not been anything with Him. It is at that moment that he discovers all meanings
and the hidden truth of all things. (Surih of Nush)
2. Covenant
The People of Bahá ought to be as wings for one another for all to soar in this spiritual atmosphere and
in the holy and luminous space, speak naught save what hath been ordained by God, … and be not
content with their own understanding of the meanings of the Words of God, inasmuch as none but God
knoweth the true meaning of His Words…

Whatever is not understood from the Holy Writings should be referred to the Wellspring of Divine
Revelation and its Source. The purpose is to prevent disunity among His friends concerning the meaning
of the Words of God, and make them realize that the Words of God are all revealed from a Single
Source, and all return unto Him…

In one passages it is mentioned that no one save God can know the meaning of divine words. There is no
doubt that this statement is the true word of God. For each one of the revealed letters brings forth in
each of the infinite worlds a specific effect, and produces specific meanings conforming to the
requirements of that world… Likewise, in another passage it is mentioned that all can understand the
verses of God, for were the people lack such capacity, the true evidence of the divine verses would not
be demonstrated. These two statements are apparently opposed to each other. However, it is manifest
to the people of kin sight and penetrating eyes that when it is mentioned that all can understand the
meanings this refers to the measure of their capacity and station, and not to the extent of the intrinsic
capacity and station of that which is revealed from God. (Kitab-i-Badi’, 403-6)

O People of the world! When the Mystic dove will have winged its flight from its Sanctuary of Praise and
sought its far-off goal, its hidden habitation, refer ye whatsoever ye understand not in the Book to Him
Who hath branched from this mighty Stock. (Aqdas, 174)

Interpretive Examples:
1. Tablet of Salman: Interpretation of Rumi’s Verse
Cole’s incorrect translation:
"Ibn `Arabi has written a lengthy commentary on this subject. Mystical philosophers and their
modern successors, such as Mulla Sadra Shirazi, Mulla Muhsin Fayd Kashani, and others, have
walked the road that Ibn`Arabi paved. But blessed are they who tread upon the crimson knoll on
the shore of this ocean, which revive by one of its waves all forms and shades in a manner not
imagined by the people."
(Ibn ‘Arabi has written a lengthy commentary on this subject. Mystical philosophers and their
modern successors, such as Sadra Shirazi, Fayd and others have walked on the moving ground of
Ibn Arabi’s streamlet. But blessed are they who tread upon the crimson hill on the shore of this
Ocean, which obliterates by a single wave of its waves those forms and shadows that are falsely
imagined by the people. All glory be to the one who bares his soul from all allusions and
standards and swims in this ocean and its depth, and attains the fish of the meanings and the
pearls of wisdom created within it)
2. Gems of Divine Mysteries, The Book of Certitude: Interpretation of the Gospel
3. Interpretation of the Commentary on Surih of Joseph
4. Interpretation of the Qur’an
A. Surih of Nush (Counsel of God): Friday
B. Interpretation of the Fragmentary Letters of the Qur’an
A-L-M: Reality of Muhammad, The Bab, year 1260, He is the First and the Last
C. Interpretation of the Qur’anic Surih of the Sun
Harmony of literal Interpretation and allegorical Interpretation
Sun, moon, day, night, heaven, earth, soul, Thamud
D. Seal of the Prophets
Qur’an 33:40: Muhammad is not the father of any one of your men, but he is the Messenger of God and
the Seal of the prophets.
Seal of prophets refer to the question of succession within Islam after prophet Muhammad.
All Prophets are one and therefore they are all the first and the last.
 Islam is the last stage of Prophecy to be followed by the age of fulfillment.

Qur’an 7: 34—35: Every nation hath its set time. And when their time is come, they shall not retard it an
hour; and they shall not advance it. O children of Adam! There shall come to you apostles from among
yourselves, rehearsing My signs to you; and whoso shall fear God and do good works, no fear shall be
upon them, neither shall they be put to grief.