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Study of Baha’u’llah’s Kitab-i-Iqan, The Book of Certitude
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August-December 2002
[An early draft of this study guide and material was originally prepared for a structured course at the Campus Association for Baha’i Studies at the University of British Columbia, 1994. It was subsequently taught at the University of the Witwatersrand Baha’i Association, Johannesburg, 1999. F.A.]
The promise of an abiding peace:
"Indeed if an avowed
follower of Baha'u'llah were to immerse himself in, and fathom the depths of, the ocean of these heavenly teachings,
and with utmost care and attention deduce from each of them the subtle
mysteries and consummate wisdom that lie enshrined therein, such a person's
life, materially, intellectually and spiritually, will be safe from toil and
trouble, and unaffected by setbacks and perils, or any sadness or
despondency"
Shoghi Effendi, cited in The Importance of Deepening Our Knowledge and Understanding of the Faith, pp.20.
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Introduction to the Kitab-i-Iqan
1) The second most important work of Baha'u'llah.
Bahá'u'lláh revealed approximately 15,000 tablets over a forty-year period. About 350 tablets have been named and some information exists on about 120 of them in English. A handful are fully translated into English. Kitab-i-Iqan ranks as the second most important work of Bahá'u'lláh and it is His primary theological work. The fact that His most important work is His book of laws perhaps tells something about the precedence of “order” over “belief”.
2) Revealed towards the end of Baha’u’llah’s stay in Baghdad (probably 15-17 January 1861) in answer to questions posed by Haji Mirza Siyyid Muhammad, the Bab's maternal uncle, who supported his Nephew, but who did not believe in Him - probably due to the gradual revelation of the station of the Bab
3) A lengthy epistle revealed within two days and two nights.
4) Initially known as Risaliy-i-Khal, was later designated by Baha'u'llah as the Kitab-i-Iqan, The Book of Certitude. The original copy delivered to its recipient was in the hand-writing of Abdu’l-Baha (who was 17) with minor additions in Baha’u’llah’s own hand writing in the margins.
5) Circumstances of its revelation: Prodding by the 17 year old Áqá Mírzá Núru'd-Dín, decision to travel to Iraq, meeting with Hájí Siyyid Javád-i-Karbilá'í, and attaining the presence of Baha’u’llah (see The Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh). Baha’u’llah’s own description of the circumstances in a Tablet to Ibn-i-Asdaq.
6) It was the most widely circulated tablet of Baha'u'llah in early days, and probably the first Baha’i book ever to be published (in circa 1882 in Bombay). Its majesty being universally recognized, rumors were spread that it was written by Mirza Yahya!
7) Daniel "closed up and sealed the books till the time of the end"; Iqan opened the seal. It sheds luster on the Holy Scriptures of the past.
8) It completes the Persian Bayan, which should have 19 units (vahids) each consisting of 19 chapters (babs), but only has 9 units and the last one is also made of only 10 chapters. In common structure with the Bayan, each of its sections begin with a brief summary in Arabic, followed by an extended exposition in Persian, ending with a statement of the purpose being the recognition of the Promised one of the Bayan.
9) Central theme is "the changeless Faith of God".
10) “Well may it be claimed that of all the books revealed by the Author of the Bahá'í Revelation, this book alone, by sweeping away the age-long barriers that have so insurmountably separated the great religions of the world, has laid down a broad and unassailable foundation for the complete and permanent reconciliation of their followers.” (Shoghi Effendi)
11) "Foremost among the priceless treasures cast forth from the billowing ocean of Baha'u'llah's Revelation ranks the Kitab-i-Iqan...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 Baha'i literature, except the Kitab-i-Aqdas, Baha'u'llah's Most Holy Book."
12) "...this book of unsurpassed pre-eminence among the writings of the author of the Baha'i revelation."
13) The Kitab-i-Iqan is its own teacher and its own guide as it is its own reward.