Module #2

Writings of Bahá’u’lláh
	Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings, Kitab-i-Aqdas, 	Hidden Words Tablets of Tarázát (Ornaments), Kalimát (Words of Paradise), Tajalliyyát 	(Effulgences), Ishráqát (Splendours), and Bishárát (Glad Tidings),

The understanding of His words and the comprehension of the utterances of the Birds of Heaven are in no wise dependent upon human learning. They depend solely upon purity of heart, chastity of soul, and freedom of spirit. This is evidenced by those who, today, though without a single letter of the accepted standards of learning, are occupying the loftiest seats of knowledge; and the garden of their hearts is adorned, through the showers of divine grace, with the roses of wisdom and the tulips of understanding. Well is it with the sincere in heart for their share of the light of a mighty Day!”
Bahá’u’lláh, Kitab-i-Iqan, p. 211

OBJECTIVES:

	1)	What authors are included in the corpus of the Bahá’í Sacred Writings?  {The Báb, Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá , and Shoghi Effendi}

	2)	Into how many languages are the Sacred Writings translated? (more than 1,000}

	3)	What volume did Bahá’u’lláh write in 1891 adressed to Shaykh Muhammad-Taqí that summarizes all of His major works and teachings? {Epistle to the Son of the Wolf}

	4)	Who was the Son of the Wolf ? {Shaykh Muhammad-Taqi, known as Aqá Najafí, 			the son of Shaykh  Muhammad-Báqir, who was stigmatized by Bahá’u’lláh as the 'Wolf'. Aqá Najafí was an opponent of the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh, evil-minded and vicious. He collaborated with his father in the policy of murdering the Bahá’ís, and created the great upheavals against the Bahá’ís in Isfahan and Yazd.}

	5)	Who is Mírzá Aqá Ján and Siyyid Husayn-i-Yazdí?  {one of the amanuensis or secretary’s for Bahá’u’lláh and the Báb}

	6)	What volume of 1873 reveals the laws and ordinances of Bahá’u’lláh’s Dispensation? {Kitab-i-Aqdas}

	7)	What is a “marvelous collection of gem-like utterances”? {The Hidden Words.  It was Revealed by Bahá’u’lláh in Baghdád in 1858.  The book consists of 71 passages in Arabic and 82 in Farsi.}

	8)	What Tablet of 6 passages teaches us about friendliness, fellowship, good character, trustworthiness, appreciation of arts, truthfullness and accuracy? {Tarázát}

	9)	What Tablet of 11 passages exhorts us to show justice, wisdom, unity and moderation, describes the Universal House of Justice and condemms weapons?  {Kalimát}

	10)	What Tablet of 4 passages discusses the - knowledge of God through His Manifestation; steadfastness through His wisdom; arts that profit mankind; and recognition of the Divinity of the Manifestation? {Tajalliyyát - revealed in honor of Ustád ‘Alí Akbar, a martyr of Yazd}

	11)	What Tablet to a coppersmith revealed answers about supreme infallibility?  {Ishráqát- revealed in honor of Jalíl-i-Khu’í}

	12)	What Tablet of 15 passages discusses the abolition of holy war, monastic seclusion, and confession of sin; statements on auxiliary language, the Lesser Peace, work as worship, and the role of the Universal House of Justice?  {Bishárát - revealed in Akká}

QUOTES: 

“The Great Being saith: Human utterance is an essence which aspireth to exert its influence and needeth moderation. As to its influence, this is conditional upon refinement which in turn is dependent upon hearts which are detached and pure. As to its moderation, this hath to be combined with tact and wisdom as prescribed in the Holy Scriptures and Tablets.”
{Bahá’u’lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 172}

“...From amongst all mankind hath He chosen you, and your eyes have been opened to the light of guidance and your ears attuned to the music of the Company above; and blessed by abounding grace, your hearts and souls have been born into new life. Thank ye and praise ye God that the hand of infinite bestowals hath set upon your heads this gem-studded crown, this crown whose lustrous jewels will forever flash and sparkle down all the reaches of time.

“To thank Him for this, make ye a mighty effort, and choose for yourselves a noble goal. Through the power of faith, obey ye the teachings of God, and let all your actions conform to His laws. Read ye The Hidden Words, ponder the inner meanings thereof, act in accord therewith. Read, with close attention, the Tablets of Tarazat (Ornaments), Kalimat (Words of Paradise), Tajalliyyat (Effulgences), Ishraqat (Splendours), and Bisharat (Glad Tidings), and rise up. as ye are bidden in the heavenly teachings. Thus may each one of you be even as a candle casting its light, the centre of attraction wherever people come together; and from you, as from a bed of flowers, may sweet scents be shed.

“Raise ye a clamour like unto a roaring sea; like a prodigal cloud, rain down the grace of heaven. Lift up. your voices and sing out the songs of the Abha Realm. Quench ye the fires of war, lift high the banners of peace, work for the oneness of humankind and remember that religion is the channel of love unto all peoples. Be ye aware that the children of men are sheep. of God and He their loving Shepherd, that He careth tenderly for all His sheep. and maketh them to feed in His own green pastures of grace and giveth them to drink from the wellspring of life. Such is the way of the Lord. Such are His bestowals. Such, from among His teachings, is His precept of the oneness of mankind.” 
{‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Selections of the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, pp. 36-37}

“Call out to Zion, O Carmel, and announce the joyful tidings: He that was hidden from mortal eyes is come! His all-conquering sovereignty is manifest; His all-encompassing splendour is revealed. Beware lest thou hesitate or halt. Hasten forth and circumambulate the City of God that hath descended from heaven, the celestial Kaaba round which have circled in adoration the favoured of God, the pure in heart, and the company of the most exalted angels. Oh, how I long to announce unto every spot on the surface of the earth, and to carry to each one of its cities, the glad-tidings of this Revelation--a Revelation to which the heart of Sinai hath been attracted, and in whose name the Burning Bush is calling: "Unto God, the Lord of Lords, belong the kingdoms of earth and heaven." Verily this is the Day in which both land and sea rejoice at this announcement, the Day for which have been laid up. those things which God, through a bounty beyond the ken of mortal mind or heart, hath destined for revelation. Ere long will God sail His Ark upon thee, and will manifest the people of Baha who have been mentioned in the Book of Names.”
{Bahá’u’lláh, Tablet of Carmel, paragraph #4; see Module #2 for definitions of the words}

RECOMMENDED READINGS:

	Old Testament, New Testament, Qur’an
	“Bahá’u’lláh - King of Glory” by Balyuzi
	“The Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh” volumes 1- 4 by Adib Tahirzideh
	Brilliant Star Magazine
	The major Works of Bahá’u’lláh translated in English
	Epistle to the Son of the Wolf (Lawh-i-Ibn-i-Dhi’b), 1891
	Gleanings of Bahá’u’lláh
	Hidden Words (Kalimát-i-Maknúnih), 1856
	Kitab-i-Aqdas ( Most Holy Book ), 1873
	Kitab-i-Iqan (Book of Certitiude), 1862
	Prayer Book
	Prayers & Meditation
	Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh
	Seven Valley  (Haft-Vádí ), 1856
	Four Valley (Chihár-Vádi), 1856
	Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh

AUTHENTICITY OF SOME WELL-KNOWN 
PRAYERS & 'TABLETS'

Research Department of House of Justice
Source: American Bahá’í Sept 27, 1992

From time to time the National Spiritual Assembly receives letters from Bahá’ís or local Spiritual Assemblies about the authenticity of certain prayers or "tablets" that are circulated in typed form.

The Research Department of the Universal House of Justice is asked to check these writings for authenticity. The following works that commonly circulate in the Bahá’í community are not authentic:

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"Fourth Dimensional Consciousness" and other instructions to Marie Watson. This so-called tablet from 'Abdu’l-Bahá is erroneous; Shoghi Effendi has stated that it is not a work by 'Abdu’l-Bahá.

"O God! Give me knowledge, faith and love. ...": This prayer was written by Ibrahim Kheiralla, a Covenant-breaker; he attributed it, however, to Bahá’u’lláh.

"Hold Thou my right arm, O God! and dwell continually with me. Guide me to the fountain of Thy knowledge and encircle me with Thy glory. ..." Another prayer written by Ibrahim Kheiralla and attributed by him to Bahá’u’lláh.

The Significance of the Greatest Name, beginning "Ya Baha'u'l-Abha! The cry that renovates the soul...on that cry are all the cries of the Universe sounded." The Research Department has not been able to find, either in English or Persian, such statements attributed to 'Abdu’l-Bahá.

The Marriage Tablet, beginning "The bond that unites hearts most perfectly is loyalty..." This is not a tablet at all, but is an unauthenticated record by Ahmad Sohrab of a talk by 'Abdu’l-Bahá. The friends may use it, but it should be made clear that this is not Bahá’í scripture.

"There is a power in this Cause, a mysterious power, far, far beyond the ken of men and angels. ..." This passage is from Ahmad Sohrab's diary and should be considered as interesting material, but not as scripture.

"O Lord! Open Thou the door, provide the means..." This is a free translation of part of a prayer revealed by 'Abdu’l-Bahá to the friends in Tehran, incomplete and, unfortunately, even erroneous.

"O God! Make me a teacher in Thy Cause..." This prayer cannot be confirmed as authentic as no original has been found.
"O our God! We beg of Thee...that Thou wilt guide us always...and that we may ever be strong and fully prepared to render instant, exact and complete obedience." This prayer cannot be confirmed as authentic as no original has been found.

"O God! For the sake of Thy love I will leave everything and wander in the deserts and over the mountains..." This prayer cannot be confirmed as authentic as no original has been found.

"My strength is the assistance of the Blessed Perfection. ..." From the pilgrim's notes of Julia Grundy, Ten Days in the Light of 'Akka, p.63.

"Fill Thou, O God, our home with harmony and happiness, with laughter and delight..." Attributed to 'Abdu’l-Bahá, but in fact it is three short supplications that appear on pages 147 and 148 of "The Mission of Bahá’u’lláh" by the Hand of the Cause of God George Townshend.

 	Laws Not Presently Binding Upon the Western Believers

The Universal House of Justice
Letter dated June 9, 1974 
to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the Iceland

“It has become apparent from a number of questions we have received that many believers are not clear which are those laws already binding upon the Bahá'ís in the West. We therefore feel it is timely to clarify the situation and the simplest way is to state those laws listed in the Synopsis and Codification of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas which are not at present binding upon the friends in the western world. For ease of reference we give the numbers of the sections listed.

 IV.A.(4)(c) The law regarding the exemption from obligatory prayer granted to women in their courses.

 IV.A.(10) The law concerning ablutions, with the exception of the ablutions required for the Medium Obligatory Prayer which are described in Section CLXXXII of Prayers and Meditations and are required for the recitation of that prayer.

 IV.A.(12) The law concerning actions to be taken in place of an Obligatory Prayer missed on account of insecure conditions.

 IV.B.(5)(a) The definition of travelers for the purpose of exemption from fasting. Instead of these definitions the believers in the West should observe the following guidance given by the beloved Guardian's secretary on his behalf: 'Travelers are exempt from fasting, but if they do want to fast while they are traveling, they are free to do so. You are exempt the whole period of your travel, not just the hours you are in a train or car, etc. . . '

 IV.B.(5)(f) The law regarding the exemption from fasting granted to women in their courses.

 IV.C.(1)(i) The laws governing betrothal.

 IV.C.(1)(j) The law concerning the payment of a dowry by the groom to the bride on marriage.

 IV.C.(1)(l) and (m)
 The laws concerning the traveling of a husband away from his wife.

 IV.C.(1)(n) and (o)
 The laws relating to the virginity of the wife.

 IV.C.(2)(b) That part of the divorce law relating to fines payable to the House of Justice.

 IV.C.(3) The law of inheritance. This is normally covered by civil laws of intestacy at the present time.

 IV.D.(1)(a) The law of pilgrimage.

 IV.D.(1)(d) The law of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkár is gradually being put into effect.

 IV.D.(1)(f) The Bahá'í Festivals are being celebrated by the western friends on their anniversaries in the Gregorian Calendar until such time as the Universal House of Justice deems it desirable to pass supplementary legislation necessary for the full implementation of the Badí' Calendar.

 IV.D.(1)(j) The age of maturity applies only to Bahá'í religious duties as yet. On other matters it is subject to the civil law of each country. The age of administrative maturity in the Bahá'í community has, for the time being, been fixed at 21.

 IV.D.(1)(k) For the burial of the dead the only requirements now binding in the West are to bury the body (not to cremate it), not to carry it more than a distance of one hour's journey from the place of death, and to say the Prayer for the Dead if the deceased is a believer over the age of 15.

 IV.D.(1)(p) The law of tithes.

 IV.D.(1)(q) The law concerning the repetition of the Greatest Name 95 times a day.

 IV.D.(l)(r) The law concerning the hunting of animals.

 IV.D.(1)(t), (u), (v) and (w)
 The laws relating to the finding of lost property, the disposition of treasure trove, the disposal of objects held in trust and compensation for manslaughter are all designed for a future state of society. These matters are usually covered by the civil law of each country.

 IV.D.(1)(y)(xiv), (xv), (xvi) and (xvii)
 Arson, adultery, murder and theft are all forbidden to Bahá'ís, but the punishments prescribed for them in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas are designed for a future state of society. Such matters are usually covered by the civil laws of each country.

 IV.D.(1)(y)(xxv), (xxx), (xxxi) and (xxxii)
 The laws prohibiting the use of the type of pools which used to be found in Persian baths, the plunging of one's hand in food, the shaving of one's head and the growth of men's hair below the lobe of the ear.

All the exhortations, listed in section IV.D.(3) are applicable universally at the present time insofar as it is possible for the friends to implement them; for example, the exhortation to teach one's children to chant the Holy Verses in the Mashriqu'l-Adhkár can be literally carried out only on a limited scale at the present time, but the friends should, nevertheless, teach their children the Holy Writings as far as possible.”