Writings by subject
List of Books the Writings Encourage Us 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.
Books recommended in the Writings[edit]
| Category | Book | Reading instruction | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overview of Literature | Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era | "read and read over again"1 | An introduction-though may be surpassed in future |
| Proofs | Kitáb-i-Íqán | "read and read over again"1 | |
| Proofs | Some Answered Questions | "read and read over again"1 | |
| Proofs | Qur'án/Islám | Needed for understanding but not mastery2 | |
| Proofs | Bible | Needed for understanding3 | |
| Proofs | A collection of Proofs about Bahá'u'lláh to be made | "memorize"4 | |
| Proofs | Works of Mírzá Abu'l-Fadl and other believers (articles written to demonstrate the truth of this Faith) | Read5 | |
| Theology/Basic Teachings | Gleanings | "mastery"6 | Especially "those who are actively engaged in teaching the Cause" |
| Theology/Basic Teachings | Talks of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (Promulgation of Universal Peace, Paris Talks, `Abdu'l-Bahá in London) | Study and "become thoroughly familiar with the language used and the example set"7 | Original in Persian is not obtainable for 'Abdu'l-Bahá in London and some of the other talks |
| History | Dawn-Breakers | "mastery"6, "read...over and over again"8 | use for comfort, teaching, arts, pilgrimage9 |
| History | God Passes By | "mastery"6 | |
| History | Traveler’s Narrative | Work is praised10 | |
| History | Promised Day is Come | "part of the primary literature of the Faith"11 | |
| History | History of the Intellectual Development of Europe | Referenced regarding the contributions of Islám to civilization (Secret of Divine Civilization, pp. 93-94) | |
| Central Figures, Covenants, and Stations | Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh: “Book of My Covenant” | "thorough knowledge as well as a full understanding"12 | |
| Central Figures, Covenants, and Stations | Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh: Súriy-i-Ghusn | Read13 | Not published in Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh, but is a Tablet of Bahá'u'lláh |
| Central Figures, Covenants, and Stations | World Order of Bahá'u'lláh: Dispensation of Bahá'u'lláh | Study14 | |
| Central Figures, Covenants, and Stations | Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahá | Study14 | |
| Morality/Character | Hidden Words | "memorize"15 | Recite in morning and evening, and apply |
| Morality/Character | Advent of Divine Justice | "part of the primary literature of the Faith"11 | Character education work for youth |
| Morality/Character | 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? | "mastery"6, 16 | |
| Laws | Kitáb-i-Aqdas | Read17 | |
| World Order and Economy | World Order of Bahá'u'lláh | "part of the primary literature of the Faith"11 | |
| World Order and Economy | Prosperity of Humankind | Needed for understanding18 | |
| World Order and Economy | Secret of Divine Civilization | Work is praised19 | |
| Spiritual Sustenance | Prayers and Meditations | "help deepen, more than any other publication, the spirit of faith in the friends"20 | |
| Spiritual Sustenance | Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá | Read21 | To be read at Feast |
| Spiritual Sustenance | A selection of prayers | "commit to memory"22 | |
| Teaching Goals and Methods | Tablets of the Divine Plan | Read23 | (as noted by National Spiritual Assembly as relevant to the time, toward unlocking teaching potential) |
| Teaching Goals and Methods | Advent of Divine Justice | Read23 | In conjunction with Tablets of the Divine Plan |
| Teaching Goals and Methods | Citadel of Faith | Read23 | In conjunction with Tablets of the Divine Plan; specifically sections “America in Time of World Peril”, “Challenging Requirements of the Present Hour” |
Quotation sources[edit]
1
"Books such as the Íqán, Some Answered Questions, the Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, Nabíl’s Narrative and Dr. Esslemont’s book should be read and read over again by every soul who desires to serve the Movement or considers himself an active member of the group."
- (On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Importance of Deepening Our Knowledge and Understanding of the Faith, no. 109)
2
“Shoghi Effendi wishes me also to express his deepfelt appreciation of your intention to study the Qur’án. The knowledge of this revealed holy Book is, indeed, indispensable to every Bahá’í who wishes to adequately understand the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh. And in view of that the Guardian has been invariably encouraging the friends to make as thorough a study of this Book as possible, particularly in their summer schools.”
- (On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Importance of Deepening Our Knowledge and Understanding of the Faith, no. 122)
"The Qur'án should be to some extent studied by the Bahá'ís but they certainly need not seek to acquire a mastery over it, which would take years, unless they really want to."
- (On behalf of? Shoghi Effendi, Unfolding Destiny, pp. 453-454)
See also Need to study the Qur'án.
3
"The Bahá’is must be informed as to the contents of the Old and New Testaments."
- ('Abdu'l-Bahá, Star of the West, vol. 22, issue 9, p. 266)
See also Bible to be studied.
4
"It is very good to memorize the logical points and proofs of the Holy Books. Those proofs and evidences which establish the fact that Bahá'u'lláh is the fulfillment of the Promises of the Holy Books. These proofs ought to be collected and memorized. As soon as someone will ask you-What are your proofs?-you may cry out at the top of your voice and say: "Here they are!"
- ('Abdu'l-Bahá, Star of the West, vol. 3, no. 11, in Importance of Deepening Our Knowledge and Understanding of the Faith, no. 64)
5
"Thou didst ask as to acquiring knowledge: read thou the Books and Tablets of God, and the articles written to demonstrate the truth of this Faith. Included among them are the Íqán, which hath been translated into English, the works of Mírzá Abu'l-Fadl, and those of some others among the believers. In the days to come a great number of holy Tablets and other sacred writings will be translated, and thou shouldst read these as well."
6
"...as to what subjects within the Faith you should concentrate on he feels that the young Bahá'ís should gain a mastery of such books as the 'Gleanings', 'The Dawn-Breakers', 'God Passes By', the 'Iqan', 'Some Answered Questions' and the more important Tablets. All aspects of the Faith should be deeply studied - and in England they need to know more about the Administration."
- (On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 4 May 1946, to an individual believer, in Importance of Deepening our Knowledge and Understanding of the Faith, no. 143)
See also Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh#On the need to read.
7
"He would advise you among other books to study the Talks of `Abdu'l-Bahá, as His method of approaching the mind of the public cannot be surpassed."
- (From a letter dated 21 October 1943 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, in Importance of Deepening our Knowledge and Understanding of the Faith, no. 137)
"The Bahá'í youth must be taught how to teach the Cause of God. Their knowledge of the fundamentals of the Faith must be deepened and the standard of their education in science and literature enhanced. They must become thoroughly familiar with the language used and the example set by `Abdu'l-Bahá in His public addresses throughout the West. They must also be acquainted with those essential prerequisites of teaching as recorded in the Holy Books and Tablets."
- (Shoghi Effendi, from a letter dated 9 June 1925 to the Spiritual Assembly of the East, in Importance of Deepening our Knowledge and Understanding of the Faith, no. 73)
8
"Books such as..."The Dawn-Breakers" should be mastered by every Bahá’í. They should read these books over and over again."
- (On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Importance of Deepening Our Knowledge and Understanding of the Faith, no. 106)
9
"Feel impelled appeal entire body American believers to henceforth regard Nabíl’s soul-stirring Narrative as essential adjunct to reconstructed Teaching program, as unchallengeable textbook in their Summer Schools, as source of inspiration in all literary and artistic pursuits, as an invaluable companion in times of leisure, as indispensable preliminary to future pilgrimage to Bahá’u’lláh’s native land, and as unfailing instrument to allay distress and resist attacks of critical, disillusioned humanity."
- (Shoghi Effendi, cablegram dated June 21, 1932, This Decisive Hour, sec. 2.1; also in Messages to America 1932-1946, p. 1)
10
"As to the Epistles, The Mysterious Forces of Civilization and the Traveler's Narrative: Verily, they are the important epistles which vivify and civilize the souls and educate them with the best virtues and the best of politics. Therefore, attach ye to them great importance, and ye, O ye who are noble, do not waste your time in discussions that are useless and from which no benefit can be obtained; it is encumbent upon ye to elevate the Word of God and to spread the fragrances of God."
- ('Abdu'l-Bahá, Star of the West, Volume 10, Issue 6, p. 108)
See also Traveler's Narrative.
11
“The collected messages of Shoghi Effendi to the American community published in such well-read and familiar titles as 'Bahá'í Administration', 'The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh', 'The Advent of Divine Justice', 'Messages to America', 'The Promised Day is Come' and 'Citadel of Faith', form part of the primary literature of the Faith.”
- (From a letter dated 1 October 1987 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to a Bahá'í Publishing Trust, quoted in the compilation “Studying the Writings of Shoghi Effendi”, no. 15)
12
“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)
13
"Therefore, you must read the Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh. You must read the Tablet of the Branch and regard that which He has so clearly stated. Beware! Beware! lest anyone should speak from the authority of his own thoughts or create a new thing out of himself."
14
"He was also very glad to see that the believers are studying the Covenant of the Master. For in the Master's Will and Testament are enshrined the principles underlying the World Order, and unless the believers fully grasp the greatness, functions, and purpose of the institutions outlined in that Testament (and elaborated by the Guardian in his book "The Dispensation of Bahá'u'lláh") they will not be able to properly function as Bahá'ís individually or collectively. The German friends need to acquire a profound understanding of the Bahá'í Administrative Order to enable them to function as a Community, according to Bahá'í laws, and to protect them from tests and the attacks of the enemies of the Faith...."
See also Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahá#Need to read and study and Dispensation of Bahá'u'lláh.
15
“We should memorize “The Hidden Words”, follow the exhortations of the Incomparable Lord, and conduct ourselves in a manner which befitteth our servitude at the threshold of the One True God.”
See also Hidden Words#On the need to read, memorize, and live up to them.
16
"Read ye "The Hidden Words", ponder the inner meanings thereof, act in accord therewith. Read, with close attention, the Tablets of Tarázát (Ornaments), Kalimát (Words of Paradise), Tajallíyyát (Effulgences), Ishráqát (Splendours), and Bishárát (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."
17
""Blessed the man", He [Bahá'u'lláh], moreover, has stated, "who will read it, and ponder the verses sent down in it by God, the Lord of Power, the Almighty. Say, O men! Take hold of it with the hand of resignation... By My life! It hath been sent down in a manner that amazeth the minds of men. Verily, it is My weightiest testimony unto all people, and the proof of the All-Merciful unto all who are in heaven and all who are on earth.""
- (Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By, p. 216; also in Kitáb-i-Aqdas, p. 16)
18
"In view of the intensive attention being given to the issues of social and economic development since the Earth Summit in Brazil, we requested the Bahá’í International Community's Office of Public Information to prepare a statement on the concept of global prosperity in the context of the Bahá’í Teachings. This statement is now ready for distribution. We are therefore very pleased to send each of you herewith a copy of The Prosperity of Humankind and to commend it to your use as you pursue activities that enable you to interact with governments, organizations, and people everywhere.[1] Our confident hope is that the statement will assist you to foster understanding of this important topic among the members of your communities and thus vitalize their contribution to the constructive social processes at work throughout the planet."
19
"...The Secret of Divine Civilization (The Mysterious Forces of Civilization), `Abdu'l-Bahá's outstanding contribution to the future reorganization of the world..."
See also Secret of Divine Civilization.
20
“He is indeed pleased to know that the book of “Prayers and Meditations” by Bahá’u’lláh has been out in time to enable the friends to read it during the Fast, and he has every hope that the perusal of such a precious volume will help to deepen, more than any other publication, the spirit of devotion and faith in the friends, and thus charge them with all the spiritual power they require for the accomplishment of their tremendous duties towards the Cause.”
- (On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Directives from the Guardian, p. 59)
21
"This Feast was established by His Highness the Bab, to occur once in nineteen days. Likewise, the Blessed Perfection [Baha’o’llah] hath commanded, encourage and reiterated it. Therefore, it hath the utmost importance. Undoubtedly you must give the greatest attention to its establishment and raise it to the highest point of importance, so that it may become continual and constant. The believers of God must assemble and associate with each other in the utmost love, joy and fragrance. They must conduct themselves (in these Feasts) with the greatest dignity and consideration, chant divine verses, peruse instructive articles, read the Tablets of Abdul-Baha, encourage and inspire each other with love for the whole human race, invoke God with perfect joy and fragrance, sing the verses, glorifications and praises of the Self-subsistent Lord and deliver eloquent speeches."
22
"In their efforts to achieve this purpose they must...commit to memory certain of its exhortations and prayers."
23
“In the arena of teaching, your indispensable terms of reference and the unerring resource to which you have ready access are the Master’s Tablets of the Divine Plan. They invest your community with extraordinary powers shared by your sister community in Canada. It is in reacquainting the American friends with the special mission, both at home and abroad, assigned to them in these seminal and timeless documents, and in relating their contents to current conditions that you will find the key to the revitalization of the teaching work and the winning of outstanding victories on the home front. In this effort you will be powerfully aided by the explanations provided in the letters of our dear Guardian, such as “The Advent of Divine Justice,” “The Challenging Requirements of the Present Hour,” [in Citadel of Faith, p. 4] “American Bahá’ís in time of World Peril.” [in Citadel of Faith, p. 122] We have every confidence that, together with the Continental Counsellors and the Auxiliary Board members, you can discover the way further to release the enormous energies of the friends and to intensify the zeal which they have so splendidly displayed in the teaching field on so many occasions in the past.”
- (Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, May 19, 1994)
See also Tablets of the Divine Plan.
Books recommended by Shoghi Effendi or the House for different purposes[edit]
Proofs[edit]
History[edit]
- Cry from the Heart (martyrs in Írán)
- Táhirih by Martha Root
- To Move the World (Louis Gregory) (esp. re: race relations)
To-dos for this page[edit]
- See pilgrimage reading sheet for others
- Add sources for last section