Among the utterances that foreshadow a new Law and a new
Revelation are the passages in the “Prayer of Nudbih”: “Where is He Who is
preserved to renew the ordinances and laws? Where is He Who hath the authority
to transform the Faith and the followers thereof?” He hath, likewise, revealed
in the Zíyárat: [Visiting Tablet revealed by ‘Alí] “Peace be upon the Truth
made new.” Abú-‘Abdi’lláh, questioned concerning the character of the Mihdí,
answered saying: “He will perform that which Muhammad, the Messenger of God,
hath performed, and will demolish whatever hath been before Him even as the
Messenger of God hath demolished the ways of those that preceded Him.” …
In the “Aválím,” an authoritative and well-known book, it is
recorded: “A Youth from Baní-Háshim shall be made manifest, Who will reveal a
new Book and promulgate a new law;” then follow these words: “Most of His
enemies will be the divines.” In another passage, it is related of Sádiq, son
of Muḥammad, that he spoke the following: “There shall appear a Youth from
Baní-Háshim, Who will bid the people plight fealty unto Him. His Book will be a
new Book, unto which He shall summon the people to pledge their faith. Stern is
His Revelation unto the Arab. If ye hear about Him, hasten unto Him.”…
In “Arbá’in” it is recorded: “Out of Baní-Háshim there shall
come forth a Youth Who shall reveal new laws. He shall summon the people unto
Him, but none will heed His call. Most of His enemies will be the divines. His
bidding they will not obey, but will protest saying: ‘This is contrary to that
which hath been handed down unto us by the Imáms of the Faith.’”
- Baha’u’llah (‘The Kitab-i-Iqan’)
