(Wikipedia, 2015).
The Baha'i faith has three main books :
· Kalimat-i-Maknunih (The Hidden Words – 1858) · Kitab-i-Iqan (The Book of Certitude, 1862) · Kitab-i-Aqdas (Most Holy Book -1873) The Kalimat-i-Maknunih was written in 1858, the Kitab-i-Iqan in 1862 and the Kitab-i-Aqdas in 1873 by Baha'u'llah along with more than 15,000 tablets and letters that have now been published into a book by his great grandson Shoghi Effendi called Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah. These books all consist of Baha'u'llah's message and rules for living a Baha'i life. The Bab's writings called the Bayan which is a book of holy laws that replaces laws in the Qur'an. It is a new revelation and includes new forms of rituals, prayers, fasting, pilgrimage and new forms of tithing. |
A book that consists of essential spiritual truths and ethical teachings from founders of all world religions. It is compiled of fifty two pages and is divided into two sections called Words from the Arabic and Words from the Persian. The Words from Arabic has 71 passages while Words from Persian has 82. The passages take the form of the voice of God speaking to the reader.
In the Arabic Hidden Words, it is reminded to remain and have a pure, kind and radiant heart and to love God and only God. Whereas the Persian Hidden Words is similar and described using metaphors of nature. The word of God is being compared to seeds of divine wisdom. The Kitab-i-Iqan has one of the greatest themes of Baha'u'llah's teachings which is the progressive nature of religion. It has answers to religious questions such as the purpose of life, the nature of humanity and the nature of God. Each messenger in the past has founded a great religion and every leader was chosen at the right time and right place.
Baha'u'llah produced the Kitab-i-Aqdas during his prison years in Akka which ended up being his most important work. The book is made up of rules for building a new world which everyone will come together under the law of God. It is supposed to be a guidebook for the future of humanity. It is 190 paragraphs long and specific rules that cover prayer, timings of prayers, and which prayers are obligatory. The Baha'i calendar is also mentioned along with social law that covers marriage, divorce and inheritance.
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