Kitáb-i-Íqán — §91
Persian source with Shoghi Effendi’s authorized English translation. Paragraph 91 of 291.
Source (Persian)
و اگر از ايشان سؤال شود از شرائط ظهور انبيای بعد که در کتب قبل است، از جمله آنها علامات ظهور و اشراق شمس محمّدی است چنانچه مذکور شد و بر حسب ظاهر هيچ يک ظاهر نشد، مع ذلک به چه دليل و برهان نصاری و امثال آنها را ردّ می نمائيد و حکم بر کفر آنها نموده ايد، چون عاجز از جواب می شوند تمسّک به اين نمايند که اين کتب تحريف شده و من عنداللّه نبوده و نيست و حال آنکه خود عبارات آيه شهادت می دهد بر اينکه من عنداللّه است. و مضمون همين آيه در قرآن هم موجود است، لو انتم تعرفون. براستی می گويم مقصود از تحريف را در اين مدّت ادراک ننمودهاند.
Shoghi Effendi Translation
Were they to be questioned concerning those signs that must needs herald the revelation and rise of the sun of the Muhammadan Dispensation, to which We have already referred, none of which have been literally fulfilled, and were it to be said to them: “Wherefore have ye rejected the claims advanced by Christians and the peoples of other faiths and regard them as infidels,” knowing not what answer to give, they will reply: “These Books have been corrupted and are not, and never have been, of God.” Reflect: the words of the verses themselves eloquently testify to the truth that they are of God. A similar verse hath been also revealed in the Qur’án, were ye of them that comprehend. Verily I say, throughout all this period they have utterly failed to comprehend what is meant by corrupting the text.
Translation Notes
کفر
literal: to disbelieve, reject; unbelief, ingratitude; to deny, to disbelieve, to reject
عاجز
literal: to be unable; to fail; to be exhausted; impotence; أعجاز (roots of trees/extremities) is Pattern II plural, distinct from ‘inability’ forms
