Tablet available at https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/days-remembrance/6#124370249 , https://bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/tablets-bahaullah/#r=tb_en-15 , https://bahai-library.com/writings/bahaullah/tb/13.html , https://bahai-library.com/compilation_days_remembrance#sec32
Overviews/Study Outlines[edit]
See http://home.connection.com/~~watler/Bahaullah/Ahd.htm which is based off of the authoritative God Passes By, pp. 237-240
The items might be summarized even further as follows (a sequential and thematic outline since the sequence follows thematic groupings):
- Purpose of Unity/Exalting man’s character/station (par. 1-4)
- Rulers/Non-political (par. 5-7)
- Aghsán (including appointment of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá)/Afnán (par. 8-13)
- Recap for all? (par. 14)
Need to Read[edit]
Full understanding of "Book of My Covenant" called for (along with the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahá and the Dispensation of Bahá'u'lláh)[edit]
“He feels, indeed, that the time has come for the German believers to acquire a thorough knowledge as well as a full understanding of such important Tablets as Bahá’u’lláh’s “Book of My Covenant” and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Will and Testament, both of which constitute the very bedrock upon which the entire administrative system of the Faith has been raised and established. As to the “Dispensation of Bahá'u'lláh” it also constitutes an invaluable supplement to these afore-mentioned Tablets.”
- (On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 10 January 1935, The Importance of Deepening Our Knowledge and Understanding of the Faith, no. 123)
Background[edit]
"The "Kitáb-i-`Ahd" is, as you know, Bahá'u'lláh's "Book of Covenant". It is entirely written in His own handwriting. And in the light of the objections raised by some of the believers concerning the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, it is highly significant to note that this Book of Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh bears neither signature, nor seal, nor any date. It was shown to the believers, and was read in their presence nine days after Bahá'u'lláh's ascension. The manuscript was in the possession of 'Abdu'l-Bahá all through His ministry, and after His passing it was found enclosed in His own will. These two precious documents, namely the book of Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh and the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahá have both been carefully preserved and are now in the possession of the Guardian...."
On its publishing[edit]
[edit]
"In connection with the "Kitáb-i-`Ahd", the Guardian thinks it preferable that it should be published in a separate booklet, and that the "Tablet of the Branch" and the "Lawh-i-Aqdas", both of which have been rather poorly translated from the original, should not be included in it."
- (On behalf of the Guardian, Light of Divine Guidance, vol. I, p. 65)
"Crimson Book" (once referred to as "the Red Epistle") refers to the Kitáb-i-'Ahd, the Book of the Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh[edit]
"In reply to the question in your recent letter to the beloved Guardian, the Red Epistle is the Book of the Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh - called also "Kitáb-i-'Ahd"."
"Unfortunately it would seem that the knowledge 'which could largely eliminate fear' has not been disclosed or identified by Bahá'u'lláh, so we do not know what it is.
"However, what Bahá'u'lláh did not elaborate but what He meant by the 'world' recorded in the Crimson Book was the power of the Covenant.
"The 'Crimson Book' refers to the Book of His Covenant, and the reference above means the power for unity which the Covenant possesses and radiates. On page 238 of 'God Passes By' you will find the cross-reference to the 'Crimson Book' and the 'Epistle to the Son of the Wolf.'"
- (On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Directives from the Guardian, p. 17)
Bahá'u'lláh revealed in the Crimson Book that which is conducive to the advancement of mankind[edit]
"Whilst in the Prison of Akká, We revealed in the Crimson Book that which is conducive to the advancement of mankind and to the reconstruction of the world. The utterances set forth therein by the Pen of the Lord of creation include the following which constitute the fundamental principles for the administration of the affairs of men:...
- (Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh, Lawh-i-Dunyá, p. 89)
