Writings by subject

List of Books the Writings Encourage Us to Read

Legend for list below

• ro Works the Writings enjoin should be read over and over and mastered.
• ra Works which are to be read (and applied)
• ru Works which are to be read, understood, and communicated (at the very least for those interested in the topic)

Unmarked works are recommended to be read, particularly in connection with those interested in the subject matter it covers.

Parenthetical works, however, are not specifically recommended or enjoined for believers to read.

Note that some recommending of works may only have been in the vein of encouraging some Bahá'ís of the time in their study, not necessarily that they were to become a part of Bahá'í canon. But they are all included here in the event it may be of interest for exploration. One can visit the page in question to see the actual "recommendation".

There will of course be overlap between the works below and is not a wholly complete list.

Overview of Literature

• (ro) Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era (introduction-though may be surpassed in future)

Proofs

• (ro) Kitáb-i-Íqán
• ro Some Answered Questions
• A Book should be created to compile the proofs (might read existing ones) for reference for those who ask for them
• (ru) Works of Mírzá Abu'l-Fadl and other believers
• (ru) Christ and Bahá'u'lláh
• (ru) Talks of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (Promulgation of Universal Peace, Paris Talks, `Abdu'l-Bahá in London–though original in Persian is not obtainable)
• (ru) Qur'án/Islám
• (ru) Bible

Theology/Basic Teachings

• (ro) Gleanings (use for teaching)

History

• (ro) Dawn-Breakers (use for comfort, teaching, arts, pilgrimage)
• (ro) God Passes By

• (Traveler’s Narrative)
• (Memorials of the Faithful)
• (Secret of Divine Civilization)
• Martha Root's book on Táhirih in reference to Táhirih
• (Promised Day is Come)

• History of the Intellectual Development of Europe (re: Islám)
• Cry from the Heart (martyrs in Írán)
• To Move the World (Louis Gregory) (esp. re: race relations)

On Central Figures, Covenants, and Stations

• (ru) “Book of My Covenant” (in Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh) (and Súriy-i-Ghusn)
• (ru) Dispensation of Bahá'u'lláh (included in World Order of Bahá'u'lláh)
• (ru) Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahá

Morality/Character

• ro Hidden Words (recite in morning and evening, and apply)
• (ru) Advent of Divine Justice (character education work for youth)
  • inspire them to follow Bahá'í way of life
  • morality, chastity esp. for youth
  • foster obedience to laws as against alcohol & drugs
  • on prejudice
  • moral rectitude in conduct (esp. for representatives of Faith)
• ro The Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh – Bishárát, Ishráqát, Tajallíyát, Tarázát, Kalímát-i-Firdawsíyyih & other important Tablets when they are published (Book of the Covenant), presumably the Most Holy Tablet and Tablet of Carmel, the Tablet of Wisdom, Tablet of the World?

Laws

• (ra) Kitáb-i-Aqdas

For Pilgrimage

• Dawn-Breakers, see pilgrimage reading sheet for others

World Order and Economy

• (ru) World Order of Bahá'u'lláh (includes Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh)
• (Turning Point for All Nations)
• (ru) Prosperity of Humankind
• (ru) Who's Writing the Future?
• (Foundations of World Unity--Talk on Cooperation)
• (Lights of Guidance, vol. iii. re: economic sections)

Spiritual Sustenance

• (ro) Prayers and Meditations
  • Listed as most important for development of youth
• Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá to be read at meetings *(Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá?)

Teaching Goals (and Methods)

• (ra)Tablets of the Divine Plan

(as noted by National Spiritual Assembly as relevant to the time, toward unlocking teaching potential) supplemented by:

• (ra) Advent of Divine Justice
• (ra) Citadel of Faith (“America in Time of World Peril”, “Challenging Requirements of the Present Hour”)
• Tablets (on teaching)

To-dos for this page

• (Note: need to show the Writings verifying the information in the legend on the need to read (e.g., over and over again) by linking to the corresponding page/quotations such as at https://bahai-library.com/zamir/sm -- e.g., on the proofs lead to https://bahai-library.com/zamir/sm/?9 or import its quotations here somehow)
• Might also separately categorize those merely recommended by the House in some context, those just recommended as part of Bahá'í literature, and those mentioned as part of the "primary literature" of the Bahá'í Faith