With reference to your question concerning the Sabaean and
Hindu religions: there is nothing in the Teachings that could help us in
ascertaining which one of these two Faiths is older. Neither history seems to
be able to provide a definite answer to this question. The records concerning
the origin of these religions are not sufficiently detailed and reliable to
offer any conclusive evidence on this point.
(From a letter dated 9 November
1940 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; included in
a Memorandum from the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice
dated 6 August 1996)
