Some Answered Questions

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Some
Answered
Questions
- 'Abdu'l Baha -

Collected and translated
from the Persian
by
Laura Clifford Barney

Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data

Abdul Baha, 1844-1921.
   Some answered questions.

   With new introd.
   Includes bibliographical references and index.
   1. Bahaism -- Doctrines. I. Barney, Laura Clifford.
II. Title.
BP360.A3813          297'.892           81-2467
ISBN 0-87743-162-0                       AACR2
ISBN 0-87743-163-9(pbk.)

The first edition of Some Answered Questions was published in
1908 by Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner & Co Ltd.
The first U.S. edition was published in 1918,
subsequent editions appearing in
1930, 1954, and 1981.

Cover Design by John Solarz
(not included in this hypertext version)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Publishers Foreword to 1964 Edition

Authors Preface to First Edition

Part 1

On the Influence of the Prophets In the Evolution of Humanity

Nature is Goverened by One Universal Law
Proofs and Evidences of the Existence of God
The Need of an Educator
Abraham
Moses
Christ
Muhammad
The Bab
Baha'u'llah
Traditional Proofs Exemplified from the Book of Daniel
Commentary on the Eleventh Chapter of the Revelation of St. John
Commentary on the Eleventh Chapter of Isaiah
Commentary on the Twelfth Chapter of the Revelation of St. John
Spiritual Proofs
True Wealth

Part 2

Some Christian Subjects

Outward Forms and Symbols Must Be Used to Convey Intellectual Conceptions
The Birth of Christ
The Greatness of Christ is Due to His Perfections
The Baptism of Christ
The Necessity of Baptism
The Symbolism of the Bread and Wine
Miracles
The Resurrection of Christ
The Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles
The Holy Spirit
The Second Coming of Christ and the Day of Judgement
The Trinity
Explanation of Verse Five, Chapter Seventeen, of the Gospel of St. John
Explanation of Verse Twenty-Two, Chapter Fifteen, of the First Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians
Adam and Eve
Explanation of Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit
Explanation of the Verse "For Many are Called but Few are Chosen"
The "Return" Spoken of by the Prophets
Peters Confession of Faith
Predestination

Part 3

On the Powers and Conditions of the Manifestations of God

The Five Aspects of Spirit
The Divinity Can Only be Comprehended through the Divine Manifestations
The Three Stations of the Divine Manifestations
The Human Condition and the Spiritual Condition of the Divine Manifestations
The Knowledge of the Divine Manifestations
The Universal Cycles
The Power and Influence of the Divine Manifestations
Explanation of the Rebukes Addressed by God to the Prophets
Explanation of the Verse of the Kitab-i-Aqdas, "There Is No Partner for Him Who Is the Dayspring of Revelation in His Most Great Infallibility"

Part 4

On the Origin, Powers, and Conditions of Man

Modification of the Species
The Universe is Without Beginning
The Difference Existing between Man and Animal
The Growth and Development of the Human Race
Spiritual Proofs of the Origin of Man
The Spirit and Mind of Man Have Existed from the Beginning
The Appearing of the Spirit in the Body
The Relation between God and the Creature
On the Proceeding of the Human Spirit from God
Soul, Spirit and Mind
The Physical Powers and the Intellectual Powers
The Causes of the Differences in the Characters of Men
The Degree of Knowlege Possessed by Man and the Divine Manifestations
Man's Knowledge of God
The Immortality of the Spirit (1)
The Immortality of the Spirit (2)
Perfections are Without Limit
The Progress of Man in the Other World
The State of Man and His Progress after Death
Explanation of a Verse in the Kitab-i-Aqdas
The Existence of the Rational Soul after the Death of the Body
Eternal Life and Entrance into the Kingdom of God
Fate
The Influence of the Stars
Free Will
Visions and Communication with Spirits
Healing by Spiritual Means
Healing by Material Means

Part 5

Miscellaneous Subjects

The Nonexistence of Evil
Two Kinds of Torment
The Justice and Mercy of God
The Right Method of Treating Criminals
Strikes
The Reality of the Exterior World
Real Preexistence
Reincarnation
Panthesim
The Four Methods of Aquiring Knowledge
The Necessity of Following the Teachings of the Divine Manifestations

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Publishers Foreword to the 1964 Edition

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In view of questions that have sometimes arisen concerning Some Answered Questions and how it came to be written, Laura Clifford Barney, the interloctor who obtained the answers from 'Abdu'l Baha, has made known to the publishers the following facts:

The talks between 'Abdu'l Baha and Laura Clifford Barney took place during the difficult years, 1904 - 1906, wheh He was confined to the city of 'Akka by the Turkish government and permitted to receive only a few visitors. At the time He was under constant threat of removal to a distant desert confinement.

As interloctor, Miss Barney arranged for one of 'Abdu'l Baha's sons-in-law, or for one of the three distinguished Persians of His secretariat of that period, to be present during the talks to insure accuracy in recording His replies to the questions asked Him. 'Abdu'l Baha later read the transcriptions, sometimes changing a word or a line with His reed pen. They were later translated into English by Miss Barney. The original Persian texts are today a part of the Baha'i archives of Haifa. For additional commentary on this work, refer to Shoghi Effendi's statements in God Passes By, pages 107, 260, 268, 305, and 383.

'Abdu'l Baha was finally freed in 1908 after the revolution in the Ottoman Empire and the overthrow of the Sultan. A few years later He traveled to Egypt, Europe and North America, welcoming persons of all religious faiths and classes, meeting outstanding personalities, and speaking before groups in temples, universities, religious centers and missions, as well as before friendly home gatherings.

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Author's Preface to the First Edition

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"I have given you my tired moments," were the words of 'Abdu'l Baha as He arose from table after answering one of my questions.

As it was on this day, so it continued; between the hours of work, His fatigue would find relief in renewed activity; occasionally He was able to speak at length; but often, even though the subject might require more time, He would be called away after a few moments; again, days and even weeks would pass, in which He had no opportunity of instructing me. But I could well be patient, for I had always before me the greater lesson -- the lesson of His personal life.

During my several visits to 'Akka, these answers were written down in Persian while 'Abdu'l Baha spoke, not with a view to publication, but simply that I might have them for future study. At first they had to be adapted to the verbal translation of the interpreter; and later when I had acquired a slight knowledge of Persian, to my limited vocabulary. This accounts for repetition of figures and phrases, for no one has a more extensive command of felicitous expressions than 'Abdu'l Baha. In these lessons He is the teacher adapting Himself to His pupil, and not the orater or poet.

This book presents only certain aspects of the Baha'i Faith, which is universal in its message and has for each questioner the answer suited to his special development and needs.

In my case the teachings were made simple, to correspond to my rudimentary knowledge, and are therefore in no way complete and exhaustive, as the Table of Contents may suggest -- the Table of Contents having been added merely to indicate the subjects treated of. But I believe that what has been so valuable to me may be of use to others, since all men, notwithstanding their differences, are united in their search for reality; and I have therefore asked 'Abdu'l Baha's permission to publish these talks.

Originally they were not given in any special order, but have now been roughly classified for the convenience of the reader. The Persian text has been closely followed, at times even to the detriment of the English, a few alterations being made in the translation merely where the literal rendering seemed too involved and obscure; and the interpolated words, required to make the meaning clearer, have not been indicated in any way in order to avoid the too frequent interruption of the thought by technical or explanatory signs. Also many of the Persian and Arabic names have been written in their simplest form without strictly adhering to a scientific system which would be confusing to the average reader.

- LAURA CLIFFORD BARNEY

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Advance to Part One