Is It Style? pg. 40-43
In the Suriy-i-Haykal (Surih of the Temple) revealed in ‘Akká, Bahá’u’lláh states that in this Dispensation the verses of God have been revealed in nine different styles or categories. A well-known Bahá’í scholar, Jinab-i-Fadil-i-Mazindarani, after careful study of the Writings, has enumerated these styles as follows:(14) 43
1. Tablets with the tone of command and authority.
2. Those with the tone of servitude, meekness and supplication.
3. Writings dealing with interpretation of the old Scriptures,
religious beliefs and doctrines of the past.
4. Writings in which laws and ordinances have been enjoined
for this age and laws of the past abrogated.
5. Mystical Writings.
6. Tablets concerning matters of government and world
order, and those addressed to the kings.
7. Tablets dealing with subjects of learning and knowledge,
divine philosophy, mysteries of creation, medicine, alchemy,
etc.
8. Tablets exhorting men to education, goodly character and
divine virtues.
9. Tablets dealing with social teachings.
First, I love the fact there are nine of these, never fails! Second, this list is very interesting and important because it can help clarify why many believers suspected that certain tablets were not in Bahá’u’lláh’s own words, that his amanuensis Mirza Aqa Jan had written segments of some tablets in his own style and words. This is untrue however, as ‘Abdu’l-Bahá clearly states:
“Not one word has originated from this servant. Every word was revealed from the Kingdom of God — my Lord, yours, and the Lord of all who are in the heavens and on earth. Always, after obtaining permission, I would, in His most holy and exalted presence, read the letters which were addressed to this servant. He would then direct me to take my pen and write the answer which, from the beginning to end, was revealed by His blessed tongue. This practice was not limited to this servant alone. Many times has the Tongue of Grandeur revealed in the words of His companions or those believers who came from abroad what amounts to a mighty book for all the world… I was only a servant recording His words in His presence…”
The list of Bahá’u’lláh’s writing styles can be a solid and profound proof of this phenomena, where Bahá’u’lláh was so rapidly revealing, that the tone and purpose of each sentence or even word, could completely transform instantly. What is amazing to me is that even though his tone could fluctuate from authoritative to humility to instructional all in the same paragraph or sentence, he still makes every single point clear and concise and he begins and ends flawlessly. We could continue to study the true meanings of ONE word endlessly.
