Miller, a student of arabic, did all bahais a favor at the time by translating the most holy book of bahaullah into english, while the west was to have no access to. In 1873, bahaullah completed his most important work, the most holy book kitabiaqdas, written in the house of udi khammar, now part of the house of abbud. A new translation makes available bahaullahs most holy book in the secondmost widely spoken native language in the philippines. Bahaullah would live the remaining years of his life in the prison city and its surrounding area. These words of bahaullah summarize the bahai sense of world citizenship and commitment to stewardship of the earth. The kitabiiqan, the book of certitude, is one of the most important scriptural works in all of the religious history. Several are available in multiple editions, depending on your budget and intended recipient. Most holy book of bahai faith published in norwegian bwns.
The history of bahai explained in its historical, geographic and religious. It was created and is maintained under the auspices of the national spiritual assembly of the bahais of the united states, the ninemember elected governing body of the u. The kitabiaqdas or aqdas is the central book of the baha. The canonical texts are the writings of the bab, baha. Bahaullah reveals the kitabiaqdas the most holy book, the book of laws and ordinances of the bahai faith.
In this book is also found many more addresses to the rulers of the. It was also in akka where he later revealed his most holy book, the kitabiaqdas. Out of exile, a light to the world 150th anniversary of. Brief history of the bahai faith compiled by local spiritual assembly of the bahais of boise, idaho. A book of history and theology composed in america, in which gulpaygani gives a defense and exposition of the faith from a christian point of view. History of the bahai faith the bahai faith was founded in iran in the mid19th century by mirza hoseyn ali nuri, who is known as bahaullah, which in arabic. The first gladtidings which the mother book hath, in this most great revelation, imparted unto all the peoples of the world is that the law of holy war hath be. Rejoice with great joy at one time this sublime word was heard from the this is a tablet sent down by the allmerciful from the o my handmaiden, o my leaf. The bahai world news service is publishing a series of podcasts about the 150th anniversary of bahaullahs arrival in the holy land. Allah, in response to requests by the bahai community in iran for a new book of laws to accompany his new revelation, set down the aqdas alketab alaqdas, ketabe aqdas most holy book q. His resting place at bahji, just outside the old city of akka, is the holiest place in the world for bahais. It is one of the nine holy days of the year when work is suspended and children are exempted from attending school.
The bahai faith, the worlds newest independent global belief system, teaches the oneness of god, the unity of humanity and the essential harmony of religion. The bahai book known as the kitabiaqdas, the most holy book, has. Kitabi aqdas, the most holy book bahai library online. These two documents are the most sacred book of the covenant for the bahai faith and due to their most holy nature as the continuation of the everlasting covenant of god spoken of all throughout the bible, the fact that this covenant of christ the scroll is contained within the aqdas, is what makes the aqdas the most holy book, or the holy. Holy kitab i aqdas english holy kitab i aqdas arabic holy kitab i iqan english holy kitab i iqan arabic epistle to the son of the wolf. The progressive tradition of bahaullahs forgotten family behai, shua ullah, stetson, eric on. An introduction to the bahai faith the british library. For many years, until esslemonts bahaullah and the new era, it was a standard bahai textbook.
In 1844 siyyid ali mohammad, a shiite muslim, proclaimed that he was the bab, the gate, a special sort of interpreter of. He died in acre, israel in 1892, leaving abdulibaha as. The bahai faith began to take its present form in 1844 in iran. Sometimes considerable overlap between these forms can be observed in a particular text. The project is sponsored by the national spiritual assembly of the bahais of the uk.
The work was written in arabic under the arabic title alkitabu laqdas arabic. There are many holy books used by members of the bahai faith. A general survey of the history of the bahai faith, including a brief overview of main events in babi and bahai history. Bahaullah has set forth the laws that will be used to build anew the whole world. Bahaullah writes his most holy book the life of baha. The bahai religion has a short, but important history and learning it is necessary to understanding the bahai worldview. It grew out of the shiite branch of the muslim faith the faith was proclaimed by a.
The book outlines the essential laws and principles to be observed by his followers, lays the groundwork for bahai institutions, and articulates his vision for the development of human civilization. Bahaullah launched his prime ministry in 1863, declaring himself as a divine messenger and head of the bahai faith. The progressive tradition of bahaullahs forgotten family. These stories are personal recollections by the individuals concerned. Holy kitab i aqdas english holy kitab i iqan english epistle to the son of the wolf prayers and meditations by bahaullah pdf. More than sixty years later, it remains in the top ten of cited baha. The uk bahai histories project is collecting the stories of individual bahais who currently live in the uk, or have lived here in the past. The writings of the bab and bahaullah are regarded as divine revelation the writings of abdulbaha are recognised as sacred the scriptures of other faiths, which. The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens. He had a vision from god showing him gods will for humanity while imprisoned in tehran in 1852. Next, a series of themes that have developed throughout bahai history is.
This book tells the story of the bahai faith through the eyes of some of the. Uk bahai histories individual stories of uk bahais. Kalimatimaknunih the hidden words 1858 kitabiiqan the book of certitude, 1862 kitabiaqdas most holy book 1873 the kalimatimaknunih was written in 1858, the kitabiiqan in 1862 and the kitabiaqdas in 1873 by bahaullah along with more than 15,000 tablets and letters that have now been published into a book by. Every other book on this site is secondary to these.
Bahais believe in peace, justice, love, altruism and unity. Shoghi effendis only book, god passes by, is a central text covering the history of the faith from 1844 to 1944. Bahaullahs most important book is the book of laws, also called the most holy book kitabiaqdas, which was completed in the house of abbud around 1873. In 1873, while under house arrest in the old city of. The first duty prescribed by god for his servants is the recognition of him who is the dayspring of his revelation and the fountain of his laws, who representeth the godhead in both the kingdom of. Abdulbaha was one of the most outstanding, active and exemplary people in human spiritual history. The first duty prescribed by god for his servants is the recognition of him who is the dayspring of his revelation and the fountain of his laws, who representeth the godhead in both the kingdom of his. It is sometimes also referred to as the most holy book, the book of laws or the book of aqdas. This brief article is the introduction to the first of the podcast episodes. This promised second messenger of god was bahaullah, who was born to a wealthy, noble family in persia during the 19th century. A guide to the beliefs, practices, and history of the bahai faith worthington, frances on. A guide to the beliefs, practices, and history of the bahai faith. He grew to have more interest in helping the poor rather than having the wealth and prestige of this noble family.
Its persian name was kitabiaqdas, or in english, the most holy book. It grew out of the shiite branch of the muslim faith the faith was proclaimed by a young iranian, who called. Peter smith looks at the central features of the bahai faith, including its history, and the key beliefs, organisation and worldview of the bahai. The first duty prescribed by god for his servants is the recognition of him. It was supplemented by later writings and by bahaullahs replies to a series of questions posed by one of his secretaries. The bahai teachings promote the agreement of science and religion, the equality of the sexes and the elimination of. This is where he wrote his most important religious text. The bahai faith was founded in the mid19th century c. Bahai articles, books, translations, and historical materials. This book was the first comprehensive biography of this magnetic figure and perfect exemplar of bahai life, and remains the foremost source for subsequent accounts.
153 387 17 237 781 612 379 654 1036 1418 165 1344 1312 965 1445 821 733 980 1577 385 364 1424 1311 1225 301 1509 283 511 96 961 789 1060 963 1094 198 438 336 134 401