A Study of Baha’u’llah’s Kitab-i-Iqan, The Book of Certitude

 

Exercise Questions from the Book of Certitude

 

  1. What is a prerequisite for the seeker of true understanding?

 

  1. What station has been destined for the peoples of the world?

 

  1. What should not be taken as a standard for the recognition of the Prophets of God?

 

  1. In a brief sentence Baha’u’llah enjoins us to: “Consider the past.” What aspect of history is He referring to?

 

  1. In developing a line of reasoning, Baha’u’llah begins by referring to a series of historical facts. He then asks the reader to “verify this truth”. What method does He suggest for us to verify the truth of His statements about these facts?

 

  1. It is stated that “Not one single Manifestation of Holiness hath appeared but He was afflicted by the denials, the repudiation, and the vehement opposition of the people around Him”. Select three Manifestations of God and give detail historical accounts of this opposition pointing out the similarities.

 

  1. What is the traditional (i.e. orthodox or fundamentalist) explanation in Christian thought of the opposition that was meted out to Jesus? Are there significant differences in this explanation between various church denominations?

 

  1. What is the Surah of Hud? “Ponder awhile those holy words, and, with utter detachment, stive to grasp their meaning.” Now comment on the result! (If you do not have access to a copy of the Quran, you can miss this question). Select a few (say 5) of the verses (there are 123) from this Surah that would suffice for the purpose of this discussion.

 

  1. Who are the “children of negation”?

 

  1. What is the effect “the more closely you observe the denials of those who have opposed the Manifestations of divine attributes”?

 

  1. Regarding Noah, how should we understand the term “nine hundred and fifty years”?

 

  1. By repeating the accounts of the prophets of the past, is Baha’u’llah confirming their historical accuracy or is the point something else?

 

  1. How do you explain the non-fulfillment of the divine promises? Why would God put Noah in such an awkward position?

 

  1. Discuss the Quranic verse “Do men think when they say ‘We believe’ they shall be let alone and not be put to proof” both historically and from personal experience.

 

  1. How long did prophet Hud live “according to the sayings of men”?

 

  1. It is clear that Baha’u’llah does not discuss the historical accuracy of the details of these accounts. However He continues to use these as the basis for His arguments. What should we learn from this approach?

 

  1. Who is “the Friend of God”?

 

  1. What is meant by the “episode of the fire”?

 

  1. Complete this sentence: “…no earthly water can quench the flame of __________ _________, nor mortal blasts extinguish the lamp of ___________  ___________.

 

  1. Cite verses from the Quran to prove to a Muslim that all the Prophets have been opposed by the people.

 

  1. It is stated that “Whatever in days gone by hath been the cause of the denial and opposition of those people hath now led to the perversity of the people of this age.” Discuss the basis of this argument.  Is it reasonable to doubt this argument?

 

  1. Provide one reason why the proofs and testimonies of each one of the Prophets must have been complete.

 

  1. Among the reasons for the denial by the people are “… petty-mindedness of such souls as tread the valley of arrogance and pride, are lost in the wilds of remoteness, [and] walk in the ways of their idle fancy, …”. State one other reason for such denials. 

 

  1. What are the two reasons why the “Leaders of religion, in every age, have hindered their people from attaining the shores of eternal salvation…”?

 

  1. In condemning the leaders of religion, they are described as “they that have occupied the seats of authority and learning”. Comment on this phrase in the light of the Baha’i administrative structure.

 

  1. Who knows the true meaning of the words of God?

 

  1. Complete this sentence: “It is obvious and manifest that the ________ _________ of the utterances of the Birds of Eternity is revealed to none except those that manifest the Eternal Being, and the melodies of the Nightingale of Holiness can reach no ear save that of the ___________ __ ___ ___________ _________.

 

  1. List three of the objections of the people of Israel against Jesus.

 

  1. What Baha’i teachings about Jesus can we derive from the statement that “…Israel…therefore, remained deprived of recognizing the beauty of Jesus and of beholding the face of God.”

 

  1. “In unfolding these mysteries, We have, in Our former Tablets which were addressed to a friend in the melodious language of Hijaz, cited a few of the verses revealed unto the Prophets of old.” What is the language of Hijaz? Which specific Tablet may this be a reference to?

 

  1. What analogy does Baha’u’llah use to explain the “mysteries of distinction and unity” among the Manifestations of holiness?

 

  1. Why do the Manifestations at times call themselves by different names?

 

  1. Find those passages in which Baha’u’llah speaks of the importance of, or the effect of his words in the Kitab-i-Iqan. Collect these passages in a separate file, so that you can make your own compilation of these passages.

 

  1. Baghdad is also known in Islamic literature as the “Abode of Peace”. The Arabic words for this phrase are also the name of a city in Africa. What is this phrase?

 

  1. Baha’u’llah refers to His own words as food and bread (also to tree, and fruit, and elsewhere to rain, sunshine, ocean, etc.). Can you find and quote similar statements from the Bible and the Quran?

 

  1. So early in His revelation Baha’u’llah urges the reader to “[m]ake haste, O my brother, that while there is yet time our lips may taste of the immortal draught…” and warns that “[t]he day will surely come when the Nightingale of Paradise will have winged its flight away from its earthly abode unto its heavenly nest.” Why is there such a sense of urgency? Can you cite similar urgent calls in the Writings of Shoghi Effendi and the statements of the Universal House of Justice?

 

  1. “This is My counsel unto thee and unto the beloved of God. Whosoever wisheth, let him turn thereunto; whosoever wisheth, let him turn away. God, verily, is independent of him and of that which he may see and witness.” Discuss the effects of this teaching on the way the Baha’i Faith will propagate and compare and contrast it with the patterns of growth in the past religions.

 

  1. Paragraph 24 occupies a central role in part one of the Iqan. Why?

 

  1. Quoting from the Bible to prove a point was most uncommon among the Muslims. Discuss this unusual strategy of Baha’u’llah.

 

  1. In paragraph 25 to whom does the title “the King of glory” refer to?

 

Questions formulated by Debbie Dadgar for Paragraphs 25-50:

 

1.  To what do the words, "Immediately after the oppression of those days" refer?

 

2.  When is such a condition witnessed?  (refer to No.1)

 

3.  Why is "oppression" an essential feature of every Revelation?

 

4.  Give some interpretations of the term"sun(s)" as used in the Holy Scriptures.

 

5.  Give some interpretations of "moon" as used in the Holy Scriptures.

 

6.  Give some interpretations of "stars" as used in the Holy Scriptures.

 

7.  What is the meaning of, "When the heaven shall be cloven asunder"?

 

8.  What is the meaning of "changing of the earth"?

 

9.  Explain the Biblical verse, "...the sun shall be darkened and the moon shall not give her light, and the star shall fall from heaven".

 

10.  Discuss knowledge which is praiseworthy and knowledge that hath "...sprung forth from veiled and obscured minds."

 

 

Questions formulated by Godfrey Mhetu for Paragraphs 51-75:

 

1. "The breeze of the bounty of the King of creation hath caused even the physical earth to be changed.."  What changes have taken place unto the physical earth as a result of the Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh?

 

2. Many a time Bahá'u'lláh says: "..ponder..",  "..reflect upon..." or "meditate upon..." a particular statement or subject under discussion. As a student of His Writings, do you really act as bidden? And if so, have you witnessed the effects? Please share your experiences with the group.

 

3. Why is Jerusalem designated as the "holy city"? Describe its (Jerusalem the capital of Israel) significance in the world's spiritual history and its spiritual symbolism. What is the new Jerusalem?

 

4. Bahá'u'lláh refrained from mentioning the unseemly words uttered by the Jews that made Muhammad alter the law of  the Qiblih from Jerusalem to Mecca. What could the words have been?

 

5. How can the "eye of justice" be opened?

 

6. Summarise in simple language paragraph 64 starting, "Great God!" ending with "..to the throne of justice."

 

7. What is "the morning breeze" that "was blowing out of the Sheba of the Eternal."?

 

8. What is "It" referred to in this paragraph? (note the capitalized I)

 

9. What is the visible heaven and the invisible heaven?

 

10. "In every instance, He hath given the term "heaven" a special meaning, the significance of which is revealed to none save those that have been initiated into the divine mysteries, and have drunk from the chalice of immortal life." Who are "..those that have been initiated into the divine mysteries, and have drunk from the chalice of immortal life."?

 

 

Questions formulated by Njuru Ng'ang'a for Paragraphs 76-101:

 

1. What are the two types of knowledge?  What are the characteristics and results of each?

 

2. What is the prime requisite of 'he that treadeth the snow-white path and followeth in the footsteps of the Crimson Pillar'?

 

3. What is meant by the term "clouds" in the statement, "The Son of man shall 'come in the clouds of heaven'"?

 

4. What is the effect of these "clouds"?

 

5. Why have the adherents of Jesus refused to acknowledge, even until now, the truth of those manifestations of Holiness that have since the days of Jesus been made manifest?  What has been the consequence of such refusal on their part?

 

6. What would be the problem with the signs of the manifestation of God appearing, in every age, in accordance with the exact text of established traditions?

 

7. Why have objections and differences persisted in every age about the signs that accompany the appearance of the manifestation of God?

 

8. What is meant by "perverting the text of the word of God?"

 

 

Questions formulated by Martin Konstant for Paragraphs 102-125:

 

1) In your own words, explore the connection between truthfullness / honesty / integrity / trustworthiness being foundation virtues AND the power given to those Who are the Luminaries of truth - - "that They manifest and vindicate the words 'God doeth whatsoever He willeth and ordaineth whatever He pleaseth' AND the time each Manifestation of God spends alone just prior to His Revelation when, in the case of Jesus, He wrestled with the devil.

 

2) Why is it so important for Bahá'u'lláh to stress the unkowable essence of God? - Write out the words of the Long Obligatory Prayer wherein each supplicant daily affirms this reality.

 

3) Christians will sometimes ask if you agree that Jesus is God (that Mary is the mother of God). How would you answer them based on this section of Kitáb-I-Íqán?

 

4) What signs have you - during your years of spiritual growth as a Bahá'í - experienced; "In the world and within your self"? What conclusions have you drawn with regard to your future spiritual path?

 

5) What does the dictionary say about 'ponder'? - - How do you ponder with your heart?

 

6) Doom sayers and other pessimists sometimes doubt that this civilisation will survive.  --  Based on this section of the Kitáb-I-Íqän, how would you reassure them?

 

7) Show that the Manifestations of God are all equal but different.

 

8) For what reasons did the generation living at the time of Muhammad, the Messenger of God, persecute Him and His followers? Do you think the same reasons apply now?

 

9) Why did the voice of the angel Gabriel suggest to Muhammad that He find a hole in the earth or a ladder into heaven?

 

10) What is the single verse with which Muhammad - the Daystar of Truth - hath sundered light from darkness? What else does this verse do? Have you ever used it when teaching the Cause?

 

11) The Trumpet Blast mentioned in this section. How many in our time? Explain your answer and explain resurrection as it applies today. Your explanation should be as if you are teaching a seeker.

 

12) Who does "abject beetle" and "bat of darkness" refer to. What particular problem does the bat of darkness have? - Isn't there a Biblical prophecy something like - many shall die at the brightness of His coming?

 

13) You know of prophecies that "Every eye shall see Him in a moment" or "Every knee shall bend before Him" or similar? Do you think that the vision being described in these prophecies might be of the reaction to those around the Blessed Beauty at the time when He revealed Himself in the Garden of Ridvan, and that many of those present were already believers because they had recognised Him through the words of the Kitáb-I-Iqän? After all, Bahá'u'lláh recognised the Báb based on a page of the revealed word. If you had been in that vicinity at that time, do you think you would have recognised Bahá'u'lláh based on reading of the Kitáb-I-Iqán? What words of this section might have convinced you that He was more than simply a learned holy man, that He was the Promised One?

 

 

Questions formulated by Nancy Oloro for Paragraphs 102-125:

 

1. Why have the mysteries of the Cause of God been revealed and the gems of divine wisdom bestowed upon us?

 

2.  Who manifest and vindicate the reality of these holy words: "Verily God doeth whatsoever He willeth, and ordaineth whatsoever He pleaseth."?

 

3. Explore the meaning of the following quotations: "There is no distinction whatsoever between Thee and Them; except that they are Thy servants, and are created of Thee." And, "I am He, Himself, and He is I, Myself."

 

4. Among all created things, what has man been invested with and singled out for?

 

5. How do the Prophets of God, His well-favoured, His holy and chosen Messengers differ?  What quotation from the Quran makes reference to this?

 

6. Who is the Dove of Eternity and what does the Dove of Eternity say concerning the peoples of the world? 

 

7. How does Bahá'u'lláh respond to the following question: "Why is it that the sovereignty of the Qá'im, affirmed in the text of recorded traditions, and handed down by the shinning stars of the Muhammadan Dispensation, hath not in the least been made manifest."?

 

8. Bahá'u'lláh says that the terms 'sovereignty', 'wealth', 'life', 'death', 'judgement', and 'resurrection' spoken of by the scriptures of old are not what this generation hath conceived and vainly imagined.  What is meant by sovereignty?

 

9. What did the Voice of Gabriel, calling from the Sadratúl-Munahá say?  What is the significance of this verse?

 

10. What is the intended meaning of the terms 'life' and 'death' spoken of in the scriptures.  And what is the result of peoples failure to grasp the meaning of these words?

 

11. 'When the light of Quranic Revelation was kindled within the chamber of Muhammad's holy heart, He passed upon the people the verdict of the Last Day, the verdict of resurrection, of judgement, of life, and of death.'  Explain what this means.

 

12. Memorise paragraph 102 and recite it to a friend.

 

 

Questions formulated by Olia Lopez for Paragraphs 151-175:

 

 1.  In paragraph 154 (p.145)  we read:  ....  "It is surely evident that he can in no wise be regarded as possessed of true knowledge."

What is considered as 'true knowledge'?  Based on your definitions, should one then pursue the limited and material learning, sometimes spending several years to obtain a degree?  How would you relate the material learning to the divine learning?

 

2.  Again in paragraph 155 (p.147)  "To seek evidence, when the Proof hath been established is but an unseemly act, and to be busied with the pursuit of knowledge when the Object of all learning hath been attained is truly blameworthy."

 

3. What could be God's criteria for attaining knowledge at each age?

 

4. How might you convince a Muslim, a Jew or a Christian of the following?: "No distinction do We make between any of His Messengers?"  paragraph 161, (p.152)  Each believer of these Faiths consider their manifestation to be the 'only' one.  For example, His Holiness Jesus is the only son of God, and as such beyond comparison with the rest.

 

5. Look at paragraph 162, (p.155), at the end it states:  "Verily we found our fathers with a faith, and verily, in their footsteps we follow."  There are many individuals who use the above statement from Qur'an.  How would you persuade them to think otherwise?

 

6. In another line of the same paragraph; 162, (p.155)  He states that: "...and so passionately devoted to the observance of their customs and laws, that he would have preferred to suffer death rather than violate one letter of those superstitious forms and manners current amongst his people." Do you find any one example that might come to your mind considering your culture, be it African, Persian, American, etc. that you can share with all?

 

7. In paragraph 164, (p.156), He mentions that: "It is evident that nothing short of this mystic transformation could cause such spirit and behaviour, so utterly unlike their previous habits and manners, to be made manifest in the world of being."  Why maybe the word 'mystic' and not 'spiritual' was selected in this context?  What is the difference between mystic and spiritual?

 

8. It is mentioned :  "the real elixir will, in one instant, cause the substance of copper to attain the state of gold, ......."  What is the 'real elixir'? paragraph 166, p.157.

 

9. Do you have any ideas on why the phrase:  ' Seal of the Prophets', deprived many of attaining the shores of certitude during the manifestation of His Holiness Muhammad?  Paragraph 172, p.162.  Are there similar phrases within the Jewish and Christian Faiths that have stirred such a problem?  Give one example.

 

10. In paragraph 174, p.163-164 it is stated that: 'How ethereal and lofty is this station, unto which even Gabriel, unshepherded, can never attain, and the Bird of Heaven, unassisted, can never reach!'   What is meant by the Bird of Heaven?

 

11. How do we explain the terms:  'first' and 'last' to a seeker of truth in relation to the manifestation that they believe in.  Paragraph 174, p.163.

 

Questions formulated by Nancy Oloro for Paragraphs 176-200:

 

1.  What did the divines do in their day whenever the Manifestations of Holiness were revealed? 

 

2.  What are the 'veils of glory'?

 

3.  What do the following verses mean?

'I was with a thousand Adams, the interval between each and the next Adam was fifty thousand years,  and to each one of these I declared the Successorship conferred upon my father.' and

'I have fought one thousand battles in the path of God, the least and most insignificant of which was like the battle of Khaybar, in which battle my father fought and contended against the infidels'.

 

4.  What is meant by 'Resurrection' and 'Attainment unto the divine Presence'?

 

5.  For how many years since the dawn of the Muhammadan Dispensation did the blind and the ignoble people recite their Quran and yet failed to grasp one letter of that Book? 

 

6.  What is the purpose of reading the Scriptures and holy books in every age?

 

7.  What should we do when we fail to comprehend a certain argument?

 

8.  What does this mean: 'Let the future disclose the hour when the Brides of inner meaning will, as decreed by the Will of God, hasten forth, unveiled, out of their mystic mansions, and manifest themselves in the ancient realm of being.'?

 

9.  What are the two stations of the Luminaries arising from the Daysprings of eternal holiness?

 

10.  Explain the meaning of the second station.

 

11.  When the Manifestations are viewed in the light of Their second station, what do they manifest?

 

12.  Baha'u'llah urges us to ponder the words uttered by the Luminaries of Truth, and if their significance is not grasped, we shoudl seek enlightenment from the Trustees of the depositories of Knowledge.  Who are the 'Trustees of the depositories of Knowledge'?

 

13.  Name one instance why Muhammad was denied as an ignorant man.

 

 

Questions formulated by Auntieclare Nisar for Paragraphs 201-225:

 

1. How can we define knowledge ,in the light of the Kitab-i-iqan explanation ?

 

2. "....lillies of ancient wisdom can blossom nowhere except in the city of a stainless heart ..." what is our understanding of the stainless heart?

 

3. ''......On our neck we still bear the scar of chains...."During what episode did Baha'u'llah get scars on His blessed neck .(what happened exactly during this time.?

 

4. "... There is neither a thing green nor sere but it is noted in the unerring Book..."what understanding springs in our heart as regards this quote (paragraph 210.)

 

5. Paragraph 212 ,talks of us seeking enlightenment from the "illumined in heart "whom do we think these persons are ?

 

6. Paragraph 212 ...what ,where can we find the treasures of Divine mysteries?

 

7. What is the primary obligation when we intend to take on the path of search ?

 

8. What should we do at the dawn of everyday when we intend to take the step of search ?

 

9. From paragraph 217, kindly pick 5 most of your cherished desires, from the benefits of the true seeker ?(those that you would love to posses and ponder on how you can be the recipient of the same )

 

 

Questions formulated by Karen Worth for Paragraphs 201-225:

 

1.  What is knowledge and where does it come from?

2.  Who was Haji Mirza Karim Khan?

3.  What type of knowledge did he possess that we should avoid possessing?

4.  What was the Miraj and how can we come to understand its mysteries?

5.  What is the "most grievous of all veils"?

6.  What does Baha'u'llah say about Karim and divine knowledge?

7.  Ponder Baha'u'llah's discussion of Karim and his spiritual condition.  What implications may this have for our own spiritual journey?

8.  What are the conditions of the true seeker?  Contemplate your own spiritual journey and the steps you took (are taking) to facilitate your search.

9.  What is the blessing to be enjoyed if we "maketh efforts for Us."?

10. What is the City of Certitude?

11. How can the seeker attain and enter the "City of Certitude"?  What will he find there?

12. How often will the city be renewed and re-adorned?

13. What are the names of some of the Cities?

14. What are "hidden and treasured within these cities"?

15. In light of Baha'u'llah's exposition on the Cities, what might our response be to the Word in our daily lives and in teaching the Faith?

16. What were Muhammad's twin mighty testimonies?

17. Muhammad testifies that the Qur'an is the . . . ?

 

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