get better
acquainted with the Sacred Scriptures of Islam. In this way, there will
gradually appear some distinguished Baha'is who will be so well versed in
the teachings of Islam as to be able to guide the believers in their study
of that religion."

172: QUR'AN, SURIHS OF THE

"It is certainly most difficult to thoroughly grasp all the Surihs of the
Qur'an, as it requires a detailed knowledge of the social, religious and
historical background of Arabia at the time of the appearance of the
Prophet. The believers can not possibly hope, therefore, to understand the
Surihs after the first or even second or third reading. They have to study
them again and again, ponder over their meaning, with the help of certain
commentaries and explanatory notes as found, for instance, in the
admirable translation made by SALE, endeavor to acquire as clear and
correct understanding of their meaning and import as possible. This is
naturally a slow process, but future generations of believers will
certainly come to grasp it. For the present, the Guardian agrees, that it
would be easier and more helpful to study the Book according to subjects,
and note verse by verse and also in the light of the Bab, Baha'u'llah and
'Abdu'l-Baha's interpretation which throw such floods of light on the
whole of the Qur'an."

173: RELIGIOUS ASSOCIATIONS, NON-BAHA'I

"Concerning membership in non-Baha'i religious associations, the Guardian
wishes to re-emphasize the general principle already laid down in his
communications to your Assembly and also to the individual believers that
no Baha'i who wishes to be a whole hearted and sincere upholder of the
distinguishing principles of the Cause can accept full membership in any
non-Baha'i ecclesiastical organization. For such an act would necessarily
imply only a partial acceptance of the Teachings and Laws of the Faith,
and an incomplete recognition of its independent status, and would thus be
tantamount to an act of disloyalty to the verities it enshrines. For it is
only too obvious that in most of its fundamental assumptions the Cause of
Baha'u'llah is completely at variance with outworn creeds, ceremonies, and
institutions. To be a Baha'i and at the same time accept membership in
another religious body is simply an act of contradiction that no sincere
and logically-minded person can possibly accept. To follow Baha'u'llah
does not mean accepting some of His teachings and rejecting the rest