This is a work in progress. More links will later be added to make it easier to access the Bahá'í Writings from this page and also cross-linking the History and Writings pages on this website.
Where should I start?
Writings of Bahá'u'lláh
Writings of The Báb
Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá
Writings of Shoghi Effendi (the Guardian)
Writings of The Universal House of Justice
Statements from various Bahá'í Communities -
International and American Bahá'í Communities
Compilations by various Bahá'ís - These are
collections of Writings on specific interesting topics.
Obtaining Bahá'í LiteratureThis is a guide to Bahá'í Writings concentrating mostly on that which is available on internet. Bahá'í Scripture is comprised of the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh and 'Abdu'l-Bahá. Other related writings by Shoghi Effendi are invaluable to gaining an understanding the religion's history and significance, the meaning of the Scriptures, and the application of the Principles. The Universal House of Justice has itself, or commissioned on its behalf, a number of messages of general interest to all peoples in addition to releasing specific addresses to Bahá'í communities. The Writings of the Báb technically belong to the religion preceding the Bahá'í Faith and is most correctly called Bábí Scripture.
Here are some suggestions: Try an introductory book like The Bahá'í Faith, The Emerging Global Religion by Hatcher and Martin (not yet on internet), or Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era by J. E. Esslemont (570KB). Thief in the Night by William Sears is an interesting exploration of Christian prophecies.
The Promise of World Peace by the Universal House of Justice is relatively short but very thought provoking. It is addressed to the peoples of the world. That includes everyone who hits on this web page! This is worthy of a slow, thoughtful read. A truly profound work.
If you want to read the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, try Gleanings, and the Book of Certitude. This will give you a good sense of His Writings and an understanding of the Islamic heritage. The Book of Certitude also cites a number of Biblical references.
From 'Abdu'l-Bahá, start with Some Answered Questions. Then try Promulgation of Universal Peace - as you read it, look at how 'Abdu'l-Bahá related the Teachings to His audience and how clear, yet kind, He was with His approach.
Although english was his fourth language, Shoghi Effendi is one of the great writers of the twentieth century, although I'm sure he would vehemently disagree. God Passes By will give you a detailed history of the Faith. World Order of Bahá'u'lláh will give you an understanding of the significance of the Bahá'í Revelation.
The statement on Bahá'u'lláh (104KB) by the Bahá'í International Community is relatively short but packed with useful information.
You may download Bahá'í Writings, borrow or order them. There are some fantastic, yet free, research tools such as Bahá'í Ocean available for download. This comprises an instant searchable comprehensive Bahá'í library.
The Most Holy Book (Kitáb-i-Aqdas) - Bahá'u'lláh's "Charter of His New World Order" in which He sets forth the Laws of God for this Age and ordains the necessary institutions through which the integrity and unity of His Faith can alone be safeguarded. Revealed in early 1873 while in 'Akká.
The Book of Certitude (Kitáb-i-Iqán) - Written by Bahá'u'lláh in 1861 in honor of the Báb's maternal uncle and in response to his questions. Shoghi Effendi calls this the most important Book next to the Most Holy Book. Part one deals with the reasons for man's opposition to the Prophets of God, the signs of the return of Christ and interpretation of symbolic terms. Part two deals with the nature of God and His Manifestations, Their sovereignty, Proofs of the Báb's Revelation, and the anticipation of His Own Revelation.
The Hidden Words of Bahá'u'lláh - Revealed on the banks of the Tigris about 1858 A.D., this is a marvelous collection of short verses ideal for meditation. Bahá'u'lláh describes these as "the inner essence" of the revelations of the Prophets, clothed in "the garment of brevity".
Proclamation of Bahá'u'lláh - Compilation of the letters to the kings and rulers of the world, published by the Universal House of Justice in commemoration of the centenary of the declaration of Bahá'u'lláh. Contains His summons to the kings and rulers and religious leaders of the world and His announcement to humanity.
Epistle to the Son of the Wolf - Addressed to a priest in Isfahán called the "Son of the Wolf" (whose father sent two of the great martyrs to their deaths), this work is intended as a presentation of Bahá'u'lláh's Faith to humanity. Shoghi Effendi, in God Passes By, tells us that Bahá'u'lláh "quotes some of the most characteristic and celebrated passages of His own Writings". This was Bahá'u'lláh's last work (1892 A.D.). Bahá'u'lláh proclaims Who He is, why He has come, affirms that God is the source of His revelation, gives proofs of His station and outlines His general teachings and directives.
Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh -
Compilation of Writings selected by Shoghi Effendi intending to "convey
the spirit of Bahá'u'lláh's life and teachings". It can
be considered in five parts:
1. proclaims this age as the "Day of God"
2. "the Manifestation of God and the significance of the
Manifestation in representing the attributes of God"
3. concerning the soul and immortality
4. "spiritual aspects of World Order and the Most Great Peace"
5. "duties of the individual and the spiritual meaning of life".
Prayers and Meditations - Revealed by Bahá'u'lláh. This volume contains nearly two hundred prayers which, according to Horace Holley, "reveal the infinite bounty of God's purpose for man - spiritual understanding, steadfastness, unity, immortality, capacity for human service, awareness of the providential nature of this age when all things are made new".
The Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys - Revealed around 1856 after Bahá'u'lláh's return from two years of isolation in Sulaymáníyyih, this is a masterpiece of mystical composition. The theme is the journey of the soul from this world to the realms of nearness to God. The Four Valleys is a separate work which explains the four ways in which the Unseen is seen, the four stages of the human heart and the four kinds of mystic wayfarers seeking the Intended One.
Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh Revealed After the Kitáb-i-Aqdas - This contains some celebrated works of Bahá'u'lláh including the Tablet of Carmel, The Most Holy Tablet (also known as the Tablet to the Christians), Glad Tidings, Tablet of the World, and Book of the Covenant - 16 in all.
Gems of Divine Mysteries (Javáhiru'l-Asrár) - This was translated recently and published in 2002. This lengthy epistle, written in Arabic by Bahá'u'lláh during his exile in Baghdád, has central themes of transformation (i.e. in response to a seeker), the cause of rejection of the Prophets of God, the danger of a literal reading of scripture, the meaning of the signs and portents of the Bible concerning the Promised One, and more.
The Summons of the Lord of Hosts - This was translated
recently and published in 2002. This is a collection of five tablets, the
first of which is also broken into five parts. These tablets were addressed
to the most powerful rulers of the world of the time, ranging in dates from
approximately 1864 to 1869 while Bahá'u'lláh dwelt in
Adrianople and the early years of His imprisonment in 'Akká. The
first work, the weighty Suríh of the Temple, had portions addressed
to Pope Pius IX, Napoleon III, Czar Alexander II, Queen Victoria and Násiri'd-Din
Sháh. The delivery of the message to Násiri'd-Din Sháh
cost the life of the seventeen year old youth (Badí'). Included is
the Suríh of the Kings in which Bahá'u'lláh for the
first time addressed the entire company of monarchs from the East and West.
Selections from the Writings of The Báb - Sampling
of a variety of Writings from the Forerunner of Bahá'u'lláh.
'Abdu'l-Bahá in London - Collection of talks given by 'Abdu'l-Bahá in London during the autumn of 1911. The talks deal with a wide range of topics.
Foundations of World Unity - Selections from public addresses during 'Abdu'l-Bahá's journey through Europe and America (1911-1912) and from letters written to friends in the West answering questions on the theme of world unity and universal peace.
Memorials of the Faithful - A labor of love by 'Abdu'l-Bahá in remembrance of the faithful ones who expended their lives in the path of Bahá'u'lláh.This is filled with soul-stirring stories of the early Bahá'ís.
Paris Talks - Collection of talks given by 'Abdu'l-Bahá in Paris also during the autumn of 1911. The talks deal with a wide range of topics, especially the fundamental principles of the Bahá'í Faith. Also incorporates some later addresses (up to 1913) and letters.
Promulgation of Universal Peace - Collection of 139 talks given by 'Abdu'l-Bahá in the United States and Canada from April through December of 1912. The talks deal with a wide range of topics, especially the fundamental principles of the Bahá'í Faith. The addresses are given to a very wide range of audiences. This contains something for everyone.
Some Answered Questions - A very important work. While
'Abdu'l-Bahá was confined to the city of 'Akká by the
Turkish government, Laura Clifford Barney posed questions, recorded
answers and took steps to ensure the accuracy of the result. These
interviews took place from 1904-1906. This is arranged in five parts:
1. On the influence of the Prophets in the evolution of humanity
2. Some Christian Subjects
3. On the powers and conditions of the Manifestation of God
4. On the origin, powers and conditions of man
5. Miscellaneous Subjects.
The Secret of Divine Civilization - A treatise on the true nature of civilization and a blueprint for "the future reorganization of the world". Although originally addressed to the rulers and the peoples of Persia, this is a timeless work emphasizing the spiritual basis of civilization.
Selected Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá - Compilation of 237 letters, mostly to the early believers of the east and west. Published to "increase the fervor" of Bahá'ís and to "add to their perception of that wondrous harmony of the human and divine".
Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá - Three volumes of letters. The translations are not up to the extremely high standard of Selected Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá. The volumes were originally published between 1909 and 1916. Contains a very wide range of topics.
Tablets of the Divine Plan - Shoghi Effendi, in God Passes By, calls these Tablets the "mandate" and the "supreme charter for teaching". The 14 Tablets to the Bahá'ís of the United States, Canada and Greenland were revealed in 1916 and 1917 as a direct consequence of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's visit to America. The Great War interrupted their deliver to America. The last of them were unveiled during the first Convention of the Covenant in New York City in 1919. Although the likes of Martha Root and the Dunnes immediately responded to this call, the full implementation began with Shoghi Effendi in 1937-1944 (the first Seven Year Plan). The world-wide teaching work for this entire century has been guided by this lofty charter.
A Travelers Narrative - A moving narrative recounting events in the life of the Báb and His followers. One of the first books written for the public during Bahá'u'lláh's lifetime.
Will and Testament - 'Abdu'l-Bahá's "Charter
of a future world civilization" that called into being, outlined the
features of, and set in motion the processes of the Bahá'í
administrative order. Shoghi Effendi says this document "is
indispensable for a complete understanding" of the spirit, mission,
and future of the Bahá'í Cause.
The Advent of Divine Justice - Shoghi Effendi's celebrated letter of 1938 to the Bahá'ís of the United States and Canada in which he sets forth the spiritual prerequisites for success in every activity.
Arohanui - Letters and telegrams from Shoghi Effendi to New Zealand. Arohanui is a Maori word which in this context has one meaning "that love which binds a community together".
Bahá'í Administration - Contains letters from the Guardian to the National Spiritual Assembly or to believers in America from 1922-1932. This work deals with overcoming problems existing among the older religious bodies: allaying traditional suspicion and strife, overcoming historical differences, creating the means of mutual cooperation and fellowship for world peace, the method of Bahá'í Administration.
Citadel of Faith - Messages to America, 1947-1957. "Careful study of these communications will impart to the reader a profound understanding of the unique character of the mission conferred upon the American Bahá'í Community, not only in foreign fields but on its own home front, and will reveal to the individual members of that favored community a new vision of the nature of that spiritual primacy which is their birthright."...Paul Haney
Directives from the Guardian - 130 topics of general interest to Bahá'ís covering such items as: Bahá'í life, prayer, politics, feasts, meetings, teaching, etc.
Dawn of a New Day - Messages to India 1923-1957.
God Passes By - A history of the first 100 years of the Bahá'í Dispensation. The first period (1844-1853) centers around the gentle Báb. The second period (1853-1892) revolves around Bahá'u'lláh, awesome in the majesty of His strength, power and glory. The third period (1892-1921) revolves around the vibrant personality of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, mysterious in essence, unique in station, astoundingly potent in both the charm and strength of His character. The fourth period (1921-1944) is motivated by the forces radiating from the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, i.e. the founding of the Administrative Order of the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh. Masterful work first published in 1944.
High Endeavours - Messages to Alaska.
Japan Will Turn Ablaze - Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Letters of Shoghi Effendi and the Universal House of Justice, and Historical Notes About Japan.
Lights of Divine Guidance Volume 1 - Collection of letters from the Guardian to the German and Austrian Bahá'í communities from 1922 to 1957.
Lights of Divine Guidance Volume 2 - Collection of letters from the Guardian to the German and Austrian Bahá'í communities from 1922 to 1957.
Letters from the Guardian to Australia and New Zealand - 1923 - 1957.
Messages to America - Selected letters and cablegrams addressed to the Bahá'ís of North America 1932-1946
Messages to the Bahá'í World - 1950 - 1957.
Messages to Canada - 1923 - 1957.
Promised Day is Come - Written in 1941, this 121 page letter explains the reasons for the world's present moral and social chaos and offers assurance that God has not abandoned humanity. All are reminded of their duty to accept the Manifestation of God for this age and work towards bringing about the new world order.
Unfolding Destiny - Messages to the Bahá'í Community of the British Isles. Contains over 800 letters and cables covering 1922-1957.
World Order of Bahá'u'lláh - These letters
from the Guardian comprise perhaps his most significant letters to the
world. They provide a clear vision of the relation between the Bahá'í
community and the process of social evolution under the Dispensation of
Bahá'u'lláh. It establishes the Bahá'í
Administrative Order as the nucleus and pattern of the emerging world
civilization. It discloses the full degree to which Bahá'u'lláh's
Message applies to the entire world. A must read for Bahá'ís.
Promise of World Peace -
Addressed to the peoples of the world in 1985 from the Universal House of
Justice, this document discusses the inevitability of world peace as the
next step in the evolution of mankind. (44k)
If you have any comments or suggestions regarding this page, please contact J. Thomas Pawlowski.
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