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Bahá'í literature

Encyclopedia : B : BA : BAH : Bahá'í literature

 

This article refers to the literature of the generally-recognized global Bahá'í community. See disambiguation for others.
Bahá'í literature, like much religious text, covers a variety of topics and forms, including scripture and inspiration, interpretation, history and biography, introduction and study materials, and apologia. Sometimes considerable overlap can be observed in a particular text.

Much of the early works of the religion were in the form of letters to individuals or communities. These are termed "Tablets" and have been collected into various folios by Bahá'í leaders over time. Today, the Universal House of Justice still uses letters as a primary method of communication.

Contents

Literary forms

Generally speaking, the literary form of a particular book can readily be determined by noting the author and/or title.

Scripture, inspiration and interpretation

Bahá'ís believe that the founders of the religion, The Báb and Bahá'u'lláh, received revelation directly from God. As such their works are considered divinely inspired. These works are often referred to as "revealed text".

`Abdu'l-Bahá was appointed by Bahá'u'lláh to be his successor and authorized to interpret the religion's "revealed text." The works of `Abdu'l-Bahá are therefore considered authoritative directives and interpretation. He, along with The Báb and Bahá'u'lláh, is considered one of the "Central Figures" of the religion.

Likewise Shoghi Effendi's interpretations and directives are considered authoritative, and are not considered to expand upon the "revealed text".

In the Bahá'í view, the Universal House of Justice does not have the position to authoritatively interpret the founders' works, or those of `Abdu'l-Bahá or Shoghi Effendi. However it is charged with addressing any question not addressed in those works. As such its directives are considered authoritative, as long as they are in force, and are often collected into compilations or folios.

A special category of works consist of the prayers of the Central Figures. These were often included in original letters and have been collected into various prayer books. Bahá'u'lláh's Prayers and Meditations is a significant volume. As Bahá'ís are to pray, meditate, and study sacred scripture daily, these books are common.

History and biography

Shoghi Effendi's only book, God Passes By, is a central text covering the history of the faith from 1844 to 1944. Nabil-Zarandi's Dawn Breakers covers the Bábí period extensively through to Bahá'u'lláh's banishment from Persia in 1853.

Ruhiyyih Rabbani's Ministry of the Custodians details the interregnum between Shoghi Effendi's death in 1957 and the election of the Universal House of Justice in 1963.

Other authors have revisited the early periods of the religion in the Middle East or addressed historical periods in other places. Some of these contain significant amounts of biographical data and can be considered as such. Notably Baluzi's and Taherzadeh's works have focused on the history and biographies of the central figures of the religion and their significant contemporaries.

Introduction and study materials

One of the earliest introductory texts available in English is Esslemont's Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era. This book, originally published in 1923, has undergone several revisions over time to update, correct, and clarify its contents.

Several other introductory texts are available. Hatcher & Martin's, Momen's and Smith's works are some examples.

Of considerable importance to the Bahá'í community world-wide is the Ruhi series of study materials inspired, and largely produced, by the Bahá'í community of Colombia. These books form the core texts used in "Study Circles" and "Training Institutes" by Bahá'í communities around the world. [link]

Apologia

Not a few of Bahá'u'lláh's works would classify as apologia. His Kitáb-i-Íqán (Book of Certitude) and Epistle to the Son of the Wolf are significant works in the area and address an Islamic audience. Both Nabíl-i-Akbar and Mírzá Abu'l-Fadl were noteworthy Islamic scholars during the time of Bahá'u'lláh who accepted the religion. Nabíl-i-Akbar was well versed in, and wrote on Islamic issues. Mírzá Abu'l-Fadl wrote extensively on both Christian and Islamic apologia, most notably in his book The Brilliant Proof.

`Abdu'l-Bahá's Some Answered Questions is his principle work of apologia and addresses Christian topics.

Townshend's Christ and Bahá'u'lláh and Schaeffer's Making the Crooked Straight are decidedly apologetic responses to Christian concerns.

Bibliography

For ease, the bibliography is sub-divided by author.

`Abdu'l-Bahá

Abu'l-Fadl Gulpáygání

Báb, The

Bahá'u'lláh

Balyuzi, H.M.

Central Figures: prayer books

Central Figures and Shoghi Effendi: compilations

The Universal House of Justice has prepared several compilations of extracts from the Central Figures and Shoghi Effendi.

Effendi, Shoghi

Esselmont, J.E.

Nabíl-i-Zarandí

Rabbani, Rúhíyyih

Sears, William

Taherzadeh, Adib

Townshend, George

Universal House of Justice and its agencies

These are original works of the Universal House of Justice and its agencies as distinct from compilations.

Others

Periodicals

External links

 

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