Selections from the Writings of the Báb
Encyclopedia
Selections from the Writings of the Báb is a book of excerpts from notable works of the Báb
, the forerunner-Prophet of the Bahá'í Faith
. It was compiled and published in 1976 by the Universal House of Justice
.
Before this publication, an authentic comprehensive selection of the Báb's writings had not been available to the Bahá'ís of the West
. The Báb's writings were reviewed by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice, and the selected passages were translated by Habib Taherzadeh, with the assistance of a translating committee.
). It is also known as Ahsan al-Qisas (The Best of Stories) and Qayyúmu'l-Asmá' (Maintainer of the Divine Names).
The work is structured like the Qur'an
itself and divided into 111 chapters each with 42 verses. In addition, each chapter is headed by some combination of mysterious disconnected letters. None of these features had until this time occurred outside of the Qur'an in Islamic literature—at least they had not been used together in a single work. To have done so would have indicated to the reader that the author was claiming revelation.
The Qayyúmu'l-Asmá' was the first scriptural work of the Báb
. The first chapter was written for Mullá Husayn
, the first to believe in the Báb's claims, on the same day that the Báb proclaimed himself. Mullá Husayn had requested that Siyyid Kázim write a commentary on the Surih of Joseph
, but Siyyid Kázim responded that the Promised One would reveal the commentary to him "unasked". (Balyuzi, p. 20)
On their meeting in Shiraz
, the Báb began to write the commentary. Mullá Husayn reported:
Táhirih
translated the Qayyúmu'l-Asmá' into Persian.
. Although he started it, it was left unfinished at his death, with instructions left that He whom God shall make manifest
would complete it, or appoint someone to complete it.
would come. He told them to be sincere in their allegiance to the Promised Beloved, and warned them not to let anything, not even the Bayán, keep them from recognizing him.
- The Báb
(Compilations, Bahá'í Prayers, p. 28, or Bahá'í Prayers, Bahá'í Publications Australia, p. 100 #54)
Báb
Siyyid `Alí Muḥammad Shírází was the founder of Bábism, and one of three central figures of the Bahá'í Faith. He was a merchant from Shíráz, Persia, who at the age of twenty-four claimed to be the promised Qá'im . After his declaration he took the title of Báb meaning "Gate"...
, the forerunner-Prophet of the Bahá'í Faith
Bahá'í Faith
The Bahá'í Faith is a monotheistic religion founded by Bahá'u'lláh in 19th-century Persia, emphasizing the spiritual unity of all humankind. There are an estimated five to six million Bahá'ís around the world in more than 200 countries and territories....
. It was compiled and published in 1976 by the Universal House of Justice
Universal House of Justice
The Universal House of Justice is the supreme governing institution of the Bahá'í Faith. It is a legislative institution with the authority to supplement and apply the laws of Bahá'u'lláh, the founder of the Bahá'í Faith, and exercises a judicial function as the highest appellate institution in the...
.
Before this publication, an authentic comprehensive selection of the Báb's writings had not been available to the Bahá'ís of the West
Western world
The Western world, also known as the West and the Occident , is a term referring to the countries of Western Europe , the countries of the Americas, as well all countries of Northern and Central Europe, Australia and New Zealand...
. The Báb's writings were reviewed by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice, and the selected passages were translated by Habib Taherzadeh, with the assistance of a translating committee.
Qayyúmu'l-Asmá'
This composition in Arabic is known by the title Tafsir surat Yusuf (Commentary on the Surih of JosephYusuf (sura)
Sura Yusuf is the 12th sura of the Qur'an, with 111 ayat. It is a Makkan sura. This sura tells the story of Prophet Yusuf, who is also known as Joseph in English by way of the Bible or Torah....
). It is also known as Ahsan al-Qisas (The Best of Stories) and Qayyúmu'l-Asmá' (Maintainer of the Divine Names).
The work is structured like the Qur'an
Qur'an
The Quran , also transliterated Qur'an, Koran, Alcoran, Qur’ān, Coran, Kuran, and al-Qur’ān, is the central religious text of Islam, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God . It is regarded widely as the finest piece of literature in the Arabic language...
itself and divided into 111 chapters each with 42 verses. In addition, each chapter is headed by some combination of mysterious disconnected letters. None of these features had until this time occurred outside of the Qur'an in Islamic literature—at least they had not been used together in a single work. To have done so would have indicated to the reader that the author was claiming revelation.
The Qayyúmu'l-Asmá' was the first scriptural work of the Báb
Báb
Siyyid `Alí Muḥammad Shírází was the founder of Bábism, and one of three central figures of the Bahá'í Faith. He was a merchant from Shíráz, Persia, who at the age of twenty-four claimed to be the promised Qá'im . After his declaration he took the title of Báb meaning "Gate"...
. The first chapter was written for Mullá Husayn
Mullá Husayn
Mullá Husayn-i Bushru'i , titled Jináb-i-Bábu'l-Báb , was a Persian religious figure, and the first Letter of the Living of the Bábí movement. He died at the Battle of Fort Shaykh Tabarsi, on February 2, 1849...
, the first to believe in the Báb's claims, on the same day that the Báb proclaimed himself. Mullá Husayn had requested that Siyyid Kázim write a commentary on the Surih of Joseph
Yusuf (sura)
Sura Yusuf is the 12th sura of the Qur'an, with 111 ayat. It is a Makkan sura. This sura tells the story of Prophet Yusuf, who is also known as Joseph in English by way of the Bible or Torah....
, but Siyyid Kázim responded that the Promised One would reveal the commentary to him "unasked". (Balyuzi, p. 20)
On their meeting in Shiraz
Shiraz, Iran
Shiraz is the sixth most populous city in Iran and is the capital of Fars Province, the city's 2009 population was 1,455,073. Shiraz is located in the southwest of Iran on the Roodkhaneye Khoshk seasonal river...
, the Báb began to write the commentary. Mullá Husayn reported:
Táhirih
Táhirih
Táhirih or Qurratu'l-`Ayn are both titles of Fátimih Baraghání , an influential poet and theologian of the Bábí Faith in Iran. Her life, influence and execution made her a key figure of the religion...
translated the Qayyúmu'l-Asmá' into Persian.
Persian Bayán
The Persian Bayán is one of the principal scriptural writings of the BábBáb
Siyyid `Alí Muḥammad Shírází was the founder of Bábism, and one of three central figures of the Bahá'í Faith. He was a merchant from Shíráz, Persia, who at the age of twenty-four claimed to be the promised Qá'im . After his declaration he took the title of Báb meaning "Gate"...
. Although he started it, it was left unfinished at his death, with instructions left that He whom God shall make manifest
He whom God shall make manifest
He whom God shall make manifest is a messianic figure in the religion of Babism. The messianic figure was repeatedly mentioned by the Báb, the founder of Babism, in his book, the Bayán. The Báb described the messianic figure as the origin of all divine attributes, and stated that his command was...
would complete it, or appoint someone to complete it.
Dalá'il-i-Sab'ih (The Seven Proofs)
The Seven Proofs is an apologia, written by the Báb, in defense of his claims. It was written during his time of incarceration in Mah-ku. It was during this time that the idea of a new prophetic dispensation took shape in the Báb's followers.Kitáb-i-Asmá' (The Book of Names)
The Kitáb-í-Asmá' is one of the most important works of the Báb. The book was initially written to keep his followers unified until the Promised OneHe whom God shall make manifest
He whom God shall make manifest is a messianic figure in the religion of Babism. The messianic figure was repeatedly mentioned by the Báb, the founder of Babism, in his book, the Bayán. The Báb described the messianic figure as the origin of all divine attributes, and stated that his command was...
would come. He told them to be sincere in their allegiance to the Promised Beloved, and warned them not to let anything, not even the Bayán, keep them from recognizing him.
Prayers and Meditations
I adjure Thee by Thy might, O my God! Let no harm beset me in times of tests, and in moments of heedlessness guide my steps aright through Thine inspiration. Thou art God, potent art Thou to do what Thou desirest. No one can withstand Thy Will or thwart Thy Purpose.- The Báb
(Compilations, Bahá'í Prayers, p. 28, or Bahá'í Prayers, Bahá'í Publications Australia, p. 100 #54)
External links
- Compendium on Selections from the Writings of the Báb
- Selections from the Writings of the Báb - Excerpts
- The Bayán - Wilmette Institute faculty notes
- Works of the Bab at H-Bahai Discussion Network