The writings of Bahá’u’lláh comprise about 100 volumes, including books such as the Kitáb-i-Aqdas (the Most Holy Book) and many thousands of letters or ‘tablets’ to individuals. Bahá’u’lláh’s son, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, also wrote several books and letters, and many of his talks and conversations have been written down. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s writings, as well as those of his father, are regarded by Bahá’ís as scripture. They are read at Bahá’í meetings and in the Houses of Worship, alongside the sacred texts of other religions. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s successor, Shoghi Effendi, translated many of the texts of the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá into English. Shoghi Effendi also wrote a book of Bahá’í history, and many of his letters have been collected together in book form.
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Several Bábís were arrested after the assassination attempt on the Shah of Persia, and held in the Siyah-Chal prison in Tehran. Their spirits undaunted, they proclaimed their trust in God by chanting and singing.
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During his exile in Istanbul, Edirne and Akka, Bahá’u’lláh wrote letters to several religious and secular leaders, including Pope Pius IX and many of the heads of state of the leading Middle Eastern and Western powers. He put forward his claim to be the representative of God on earth, and called on the monarchs and religious leaders of the world to abandon their arms race and make moves towards peace. These letters are known collectively as The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh. |
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This short prayer reads as follows: “Is there any Remover of difficulties save God? Say: Praised be God! He is God! All are His servants, and all abide by His bidding!”
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Laura Clifford Barney, an American Bahá’í, visited ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Haifa on various occasions between 1904 and 1906, and asked him questions on several subjects. The topics covered include detailed explanations of Christian subjects, the nature of God, Prophets of God, evolution, the soul, immortality, fate, free will, healing, the non-existence of evil, and reincarnation. The book was published, in English, in 1908.
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Shoghi Effendi, who was appointed the Guardian of the worldwide Bahá’í community after the death of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, helped to explain the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh. He also wrote about the early history of the Bábí and Bahá’í faiths. His books and letters are read with great reverence and respect by Bahá’ís, but they are not regarded as scripture.
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The Kitáb-i Íqán was written in January 1861 for an uncle of the Báb who had never become a Bábi. Bahá’u’lláh asked him what was preventing him from believing in the mission of his nephew, and set out to prove the truth of the Báb’s status as a messenger of God.
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Bahá’u’lláh wrote these works for two prominent Sufis. The Seven Valleys describes the journey of the soul as it progresses through seven stages towards the object of its existence. The Four Valleys describes four modes of progress for the soul. |