Hello, I have been a baha'i for 2 years now yet i have one question that i cant answer throughout this journey, in bible jesus calls god his father in lots of verses yet in Quran god says thay claimed god had a son how mistaken they are. I can understand that religions essence are same yet practices mag differ yet this one is such a big controversy. Curious for answer ty
Answer:
Hi,
Allah'u'Abha!
Thank you for reaching out with your thoughtful question. The apparent divergence in how Jesus is described in the Bible and the Quran, particularly concerning the concept of God having a son, is indeed a significant theological distinction between Christianity and Islam. Baha'u'llah, the founder of the Baha'i Faith addresses this issue, shedding light on the spiritual and symbolic nature of such descriptions.
The confusion, as Baha'u'llah elucidates, often arises from interpreting Jesus as God's literal son rather than understanding the symbolism behind the term "Son of God." This distinction is crucial in discerning the spiritual truths conveyed through religious teachings. Baha'u'llah delves into this subject in works such as "The Wine of Astonishment" and "The Book of Certitude" (Kitab-i-Iqan). The Kitab-i-Iqan, in particular, explores the profound nature of God, emphasizing His unknowable essence and transcending any human attributes.
As per the teachings of Baha'u'llah – "God, the unknowable Essence, the divine Being, is immensely exalted beyond every human attribute, such as corporeal existence, ascent and descent, egress and regress. Far be it from His glory that human tongue should adequately recount His praise, or that human heart comprehends His fathomless mystery."
It is essential to recognize that God, in the Baha'i understanding, is beyond any anthropomorphic description. God is not a physical entity, and the language used in religious texts, including metaphors about familial relationships, aims to convey spiritual truths in terms that people can comprehend.
The compilation, "Nature of God," provides additional insights into this topic, offering a collection of extracts from Baha'i writings that delve into the nature of God. You can explore these passages to further deepen your understanding.
In essence, the Baha'i perspective affirms the oneness of God and recognizes the manifestations of God, including Jesus, as symbolic representations of divine attributes rather than literal progeny. Understanding the spiritual symbolism behind such terms helps reconcile the apparent differences in religious scriptures. If you have further questions or would like to explore this topic more deeply, feel free to continue the conversation.
Hope that answers your question. Do write back in case of any questions.
Regards,
Team Free Baha'is
Reference : The Caravan Vol 7 Edition 6
