I responded to Yusuf as follows:
Quote:
Dear Yusuf:
I'm pleased that you found the material I sent informative.� I don't believe that there is any disagreement between us.� "Knowledge is a single point, but the ignorant have multiplied it." (a Hadith, attributed to the Prophet Muhammad.)� In other words, when we strip away the non-essentials, we will find that we are all standing in the same place.� We are all creatures of the One Creator, all with the capacity to reflect the attributes and qualities of God, and to strive ever forward in acquiring these attributes throughout all the worlds of God.
I do not know Arabic, although Baha'u'llah has said that He would please Him greatly if that language were learned by the peoples of the world.� I'm a little too far in years to try to learn that incredible language.� Baha'u'llah revealed His Message in both Arabic and Persian, although His essential teachings and laws were revealed in Arabic, and it will no doubt become a world language sometime in the future.� Therefore, I do not know what Assalamu alaykum means, although I assume it means something to do with peace.
Thank you for listening to us and to the Baha'i position and viewpoint in response to your questions.
With warm regards in the pathway of the Beloved,
Gata
End quote
I don't know whether he would feel being pressured if I shared more information with him. However, I am hopeful that he will respond again and then I could relate something more that would convince him that we are not in disagreement. Perhaps it's best to leave it for now and leave it in the hands of God, who, if Yusuf is sincere, will certainly inspire him to delve further into the Baha'i writings.
The Light Verse you mentioned below is very dear to me, especially in light of its deep meanings as enunciated by the beloved Guardian at the inception of the 10 Year Plan. I wrote a little paper on that verse because I wanted so to understand its meaning, and did some study. Dear Jonah Winters placed it on his bahai-library.org site. It is not scholarly in any way (I have no titles or degrees), and I offered to share it with Yusuf, but because he did not take me up on the offer, I will leave it for now.
Again, deepest thanks to you for taking the time to respond to my plea for assistance. I'm sure that you are so very busy. I shall treasure your insights and understanding always.
Warmest greetings,
Shirley Macias
In a message dated 9/25/2003 3:42:29 PM US Mountain Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
My dear Shirley Macias
Your Moslem friend with a pure heart wrote:
<<Shirley Macias
Assalamu alaykum (if I may)
Thank you, sister, for the detailed reply from your scholar.
It was both heartfelt and informative.
Although there are certainly matters about which you and I will simply agree
to disagree, I realize that your faith is your business, and not mine, and I
look forward to discussing interfaith issues with you further.
The peace and blessings of the One God be with you.
xxxx >>
The point I wish to reply to and continue with is this that he wrote:
***there are certainly matters about which you and I will simply agree to
disagree, I realize that your faith is your business, and not mine,***
Please tell him that in truth if only we were to delve deeper we do not
disagree.
1] How can one possibly disagree with this blessed and eternal verse? Please
tell him that Baha'is revere and accept this verse for all time:
***God is the light of the Heavens and of the Earth. His Light is like a
niche in which is a lamp - the lamp encased in glass - the glass, as it
were, a
glistening star. From a blessed tree it is lighted, the olive neither of the
East nor of the West, whose oil would well nigh shine out, even though fire
touched it not! It is light upon light. God guideth whom He will to His
light, and God setteth forth parables to men, for God knoweth all things.
Snip..
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