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

Importance of the Kitáb-i-Íqán
From Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh, by Adib Taherzadeh, vol. 1, chapter 10 (pages 160-162)

Perhaps it can be said that the Kitáb-i-Íqán was more widely disseminated among the early believers in Persia than any other Writing of Bahá'u'lláh. In those days the only way of making the Holy Writings available to the friends was by transcribing them. As new Tablets would arrive, the believers were most anxious to make copies for themselves. Copies of several of these Tablets were often assembled and bound as a book. There are many such volumes of handwritten compilations of the Tablets of the Báb, Bahá'u'lláh and 'Abdu'l-Bahá in the possession of Bahá'í families, who have inherited them from their forbears and to whom they are very precious.

There were also some individuals in Persia whose full-time occupation was the transcription of the Writings, and the believers used to obtain their copies from them. The Kitáb-i-Íqán was one of the items which kept these men transcribing for many years in order to cope with the demand.

From the literary point of view the Kitáb-i-Íqán can be regarded as an outstanding work in Persian literature. Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the Faith, who translated this book superbly into English has described it in these words:

Foremost among the priceless treasures cast forth from the billowing ocean of Bahá'u'lláh's Revelation ranks the Kitáb-i-Íqán... A model of Persian prose, of a style at once original, chaste and vigorous, and remarkably lucid, both cogent in argument and matchless in its irresistible eloquence, this Book, setting forth in outline the Grand Redemptive Scheme of God, occupies a position unequalled by any work in the entire range of Bahá'í literature, except the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Bahá'u'lláh's Most Holy Book. [10-5]

Until the Kitáb-i-Íqán was revealed, the significance of the Missions of all the Prophets of God, the purpose of Their Revelations and the true meaning of Their words had remained undisclosed. With the revelation of this book, the significance of the 'words' which according to Daniel were 'closed up and sealed till the time of the end' [10-6] became apparent. The 'seal' which Providence for thousands of years had placed upon the Holy Books of all religions was removed.

The Kitáb-i-Íqán is the best example of how to teach the Cause of God. Instead of explaining at once the proofs of the authenticity of the Message of the Báb, Bahá'u'lláh first speaks about other Prophets, portrays Their lives and Their sufferings, demonstrates the truth of Their Missions and describes the common features of Their Faiths. In this way He brings to the understanding of the reader the truth of his own religion and enables him to recognize the reality of his own Prophet. Having built this strong foundation He then, towards the end of the book, speaks of the Báb and His Message and applies to this new Revelation the standards He has applied in verifying the truth of other Prophets.

Since all the Manifestations of God derive Their authority from the same Source, it is therefore possible to know the latest Manifestation if one knows the qualities and attributes of One Who appeared in a former age.

The great majority of the followers of the world's religions, however, are taught to believe only in one Messenger of God. While sincere in their belief that their religion is true and divine in origin, they often have not recognized the reality of their own Prophet. There is a great deal of difference between having knowledge of a religion and knowing the reality of the Founder of one's Faith. For example, a man may possess a piece of gold and may know that it is precious, yet be unable to distinguish gold from brass. Such a man will fail to recognize a new piece of gold when he sees it.

Such is mankind's condition today. But should anyone recognize the reality of the Founder of his own religion, he will have no difficulty in accepting Bahá'u'lláh as the Manifestation of God for this age.

The Kitáb-i-Íqán has enabled a vast number of people from various backgrounds to understand the truth of their own religions, the first step towards believing in Bahá'u'lláh. This book has shed great lustre upon the Holy Books of past Dispensations. It has unfolded the pattern and disclosed the meaning of progressive revelation. It has laid down an enduring foundation for the ultimate unity of all past religions. It has served as a key with which the followers of Bahá'u'lláh have opened doors of knowledge hitherto unknown to man. It has become a fountain-head of inspiration for Bahá'í scholars and teachers who have since written volumes proving the authenticity of the Message of Bahá'u'lláh by rational and intellectual proofs or by interpretation of past Holy Scriptures. Indeed, this book has given a new vision to the Bahá'ís enabling them to unravel the mysteries of religion and teach their Faith with greater insight and knowledge.