The Kitab-i-Aqdas

by Bahá'u'lláh

In 1953 Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the Baha’i Faith, included as one of the goals of his Ten Year Plan the preparation of a Synopsis and Codification of the Laws and Ordinances of the Kitab-i-Aqdas as an essential prelude to its translation. He himself worked on the codification, but had not finished it when he died in 1957. The task was continued on the basis of his work, and the resulting volume was released in 1973. That publication included, in addition to the Synopsis and Codification itself and explanatory notes, a compilation of the passages from the Kitab-i-Aqdas which had already been translated by Shoghi Effendi and published in various books. The Synopsis and Codification covered the text of both the Kitab-i-Aqdas and the Questions and Answers which constitutes an appendix to the Aqdas. In 1986 the Universal House of Justice decided that the time had come when the preparation of an English translation of the complete text of the Most Holy Book was both possible and essential and made its accomplishment a goal of the Six Year Plan 1986-1992. Its publication in English will be followed by translations in other languages. It has been recognized that the Kitab-i-Aqdas, being Sacred Scripture, should be presented in a form which can be read with ease and inspiration, uncluttered with the footnotes and index numbers that are common in scholarly texts. Nonetheless, to assist the reader in following the flow of the text and its changing themes, paragraph divisions have been added—such divisions not being common in works of Arabic literature—and these paragraphs have then been numbered for ease of access and indexing, as well as for uniformity of reference in all the languages in which the work will be published.

Following the text of the Aqdas is a brief compilation of Writings of Baha’u’llah which are supplementary to the Most Holy Book, and a translation of the Questions and Answers published here for the first time.
About the Author

Genres: Religion, Baha I, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Theology, Scripture, Philosophy

363 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Persian religious leader Bahaullah, originally Mirza Huseyn Ali, a follower of the Bab, founded the Baha'i in 1863.

Baha'i, the word, signifies a follower of Bahaullah, which means the "splendor of God" in Persian.

Bahá'u'lláh, a member of the great patrician family, endowed with wealth and vast estates, ably traced lineage to the ruling dynasties of imperial past. Bahá'u'lláh turned his back on the position at court, which these advantages offered; people knew his generosity and kindliness, which made him deeply loved among his countrymen.

The religious revolution caused much social upheaval, and Bahá'u'lláh announced support for the message, so his privileged position survived not long. After the execution, authorities unleashed the the waves of violence unleashed upon the Bábis; Bahá'u'lláh, engulfed, suffered the loss of all his worldly endowments, and imprisonment, torture, and a series of banishment subjected him. In the first banishment to Baghdad, he in 1863 announced that God promised his coming as the one divine messenger.

From Baghdad, people sent Bahá'u'lláh to Constantinople, to Adrianople, and finally to Acre in the Holy Land, where he arrived as a prisoner in 1868. From Adrianople and later from Acre, Bahá'u'lláh addressed a series of letters among the most remarkable documents in religious history to the rulers of his day. They proclaimed the coming unification of humanity and the emergence of a world civilization. They called upon the monarchs, emperors, and presidents of the 19th century to reconcile their differences, to curtail their armaments, and to devote their energies to the establishment of universal peace.

Bahá'u'lláh passed away at Bahji, just north of Acre, and people buried his body. His teachings already began to spread beyond the confines of the Middle East and brought the world community, focused on the point of his shrine today.

Reviews

[Chloë]

Who am I to rate the Word of God.

[Amany · Rating 4 out of 5]

i gave it 4 starts just cause it's so damn funny =))=))

مبدئيا هو نصه تقريبا كلام ملوش اى معنى ولا هدف انا اعتقدت ان دى ممكن تكون ترجمة مثلا بالتالى اسلوبها سيئ وبعدين اتضح ان هو ده النص الاصلى وهو اصلا بالعربى ..!
النص التانى عباره عن ارشادات وتعليمات بطريقه ال manuals
وحجات شبه النصايح اللى كانت بتتكتب فى ضهر الكراريس بتاعت ابتدائى من عينة اغسل يديك قبل الاكل وبعده =))

النص المفهوم تلاتربعه يا مصطلحات يا اساليب شبه كلام القرآن والربع التانى تحابيش من الانجيل على شويه كلام مبتكر ملوش معنى برضه

اظرف المقاطع :
قد حرّم عليكم
تقبيل الايادي في الكتاب هذا ما نهيتم عنه من
لدن ربّكم العزيز الحكّام

قد كتب عليكم تقليم الاظفار
والدّخول في مآء يحيط هياكلكم في كلّ
اسبوع

قد حكم الله دفن
الاموات في البلّور أو الاحجار الممتنعة او
الاخشاب الصّلبة اللّطيفة ووضع الخواتيم
المنقوشة في اصابعهم انّه لهو المقدّر العليم


كتب
عليكم تجديد اسباب البيت بعد انقضآء
تسع عشرة سنة كذلك قضي الامر من لدن
عليم خبير


انّ
عدّة الشّهور تسعة عشر شهراً في
كتاب الله قد زيّن اوّلها بهذا الاسم
المهيمن على العالمين


اغسلوا ارجلكم كلّ يوم في الصّيف
وفي الشّتآء كلّ ثلثة ايّام مرّة واحدة

حرّم عليكم الميسر
والافيون اجتنبوا يا معشر الخلق ولا تكوننّ من
المتجاوزين

قد حرّم
عليكم شرب الافيون انّا نهيناكم عن ذلك نهياً
عظيماً في الكتاب والّذي شرب انّه ليس منّي


بس بشكل عام يعنى هو كتاب مسالم مش بتاع قتال وكفار وكلام من ده على غير المعتاد من الكتب الدينيه

[Hameed Muhammadian · Rating 1 out of 5]

خرافات وخربشات وطلامس شيطانية..
عجبا كيف تنطلي هذه التخاريف على كل عاقل.
الحمد لله على القرآن وسنة المصطفى صلى الله عليه وسلم..

[Simo Ibourki · Rating 5 out of 5]

الكتاب الأقدس يشبه كثيرا القرآن في شكله رغم أنه مكتوب بلغة عربية غريبة (لكنها مفهومة في غالب الأحيان).

ما أثارني في هذا الكتاب هو تخفيفه للحدود الإسلامية فمثلا عوض الجلد في الإسلام، عقوبة الزاني في البهائية هي أداء مبلغ مالي كما ذكر الله في الآية 49
"قد حكم الله لكل زان و زانية دية مسلّمة إلى بيت العدل و هي تسعة مثاقيل من الذهب"، كذلك في السرقة حيث العقوبة هي النفي عوض قطع الأيادي حيث ذكر في الآية 45 "قد كتب على السارق النفي و الحبس و في الثالث فاجعلوا في جبينه علامة يعرف بها"

الكتاب الأقدس يحث الناس على احترام الأديان في الآية 144 حيث يقول الله "عاشروا مع الأديان بالروح و الريحان ليوجدوا منكم عرف الرحمن" و عدم الاتجاه إلى العنف إلا في حالة الدفاع عن النفس في الآية 159 "حرم عليكم حمل آلات الحرب إلا حين الضرورة"
حرر أيضا الكتاب الأقدس اللباس حيث قال في الآية 159 كذلك "و أحل لكم الحرير قد رفع الله عنكم الحد في اللباس و اللحى"، و حرر العبيد في قوله في الآية 72 "قد حرم عليكم بيع الإماء و الغلمان ليس لعبد أن يشتري عبدا" هناك أيضا غياب الصلاة الجماعية و الإمام.

إذا سافرنا عبر الزمن إلى المستقبل سنجد أن الإسلام سيصبح بهائية إذا نجحت فعلا الجهود الإصلاحية التي ستدفعه للتصالح مع الواقع الحالي.

[Tricia Hague-Blackford · Rating 5 out of 5]

The new spiritual laws from God for a new age in man's spiritual evolution. A must read for anyone really interested in the future world according to Baha'u'llah, Prophet Founder of the Baha'i Faith, and God's Messenger for today.

[Nouru-éddine · Rating 2 out of 5]

لست هنا أقيم مقدسات الآخرين أو أصبغ مسحة ولو قليلة من تقليل من شأنها، لكن كما ينحو المعظم في قراءتهم للنصوص المقدسة على أنها نصوص يمكن للبشر قراءتها بغض النظر عن مصدرها الميتافيزيقي أو الإيمان بقدسيتها أو لا - فإن هذا الأقدس لم أشعر معه بأي حركة عقلية أو اهتزاز روحاني، فلغته على رغم إصرار البهاء على كتابته بالعربية، وهي ليست لغته الأم، جافة شديدة الجفاء، حتى أن لغة التوراة كانت أكثر لينًا وشاعرية في بعض المواضع، مثلاً هاكم مقطع عجيب مثل هذا صــ٩٦:
"إياكم أن تقربوا خزائن حمامات العجم، من قصدها وجد رائحتها المنتنة قبل وروده فيها، تجنبوا يا قوم ولا تكونن من الصاغرين. إنه يشبه بالصديد والغسلين أن أنتم من العارفين. وكذلك حياضهم المنتنة اتركوها وكونوا من المقدسين. إنا أردنا أن نراكم مظاهر الفردوس في الأرض، ليتضوع منكم ما تفرح به أفئدة المقربين." الأقدس ١٠٦
حتى لو تم التغاضي عن التفاصيل العجيبة، فإن اللغة شديدة الخشونة والجفاف رغم عدم ترجمة النص عن أصل، ومحاولة إجبار النص على أخذ صبغة دينية باستعارة واضحة شديدة الفجاجة من القرآن الكريم، لكن دون أدنى أثر في سمعي كقارئ.

***

كأنها نسخة بارودية من الإسلام، فمن أغرب العبارات كذلك:

"قد حرم عليكم تقبيل الأيادي في الكتاب هذا ما نهيتم عنه من لدن ربكم العزيز الحكام."
"قد كتب عليكم تقليم الأظافر والدخول في ماء يحيط هياكلكم في كل أسبوع."
"إن عدة الشهور تسعة عشر شهرًا في كتاب الله قد زين أولها بهذا الاسم المهيمن على العالمين."
"اغسلوا أرجلكم كل يوم في الصيف وفي الشتاء كل ثلاثة أيام مرة واحدة."
"حرم عليكم الميسر والأفيون اجتنبوا يا معشر الخلق ولا تكونن من المتجاوزين."
"قد حرم عليكم شرب الأفيون إنا نهيناكم عن ذلك نهيًا عظيمًا في الكتاب والذي شرب أنه ليس مني."

***

على رغم كل ذلك لم تذكر كلمة واحدة عن التقل أو الانتقام أو العدائية تجاه أي قوم من الأقوام عكس التوراة التي تناصب الأممين العداء. إلا أن أسلوبه لغويًا لا يحمل أية صبغة ميتافيزيقية بل قائمة من الإرشادات الاجتماعية الجافة في تسلسل غريب ومنفر مع استخدام لوازم لفظية في تكرار مجحف مثل تعبيره الأثير الروح والريحان..إلخ علاوة على نسخ صدر آيات القرآن كما هي دون أية معالجة تذكر.

الشيء الإيجابي الذي يحسب لهذا الكتاب هو اعترافه بكل الديانات وعدم مناصبته العداء لأي جنسية عرقية أو مذهب ديني مختلف عنه علاوة على الوضوح الفج في عباراته حد التبسط في استخدام تعبيرات عامية مثل "على شان" بدلاً عن "لأجل" وتخفيف الهمزات.

***

::تساؤلات؟::
=-=-=-=-=
١- لماذا انتشرت البهائية في أوروبا وفلسطين وشيكاغو؟ ولماذا لا يتم طباعة كتب الشيرازي الباب وكل الكتب المتوفرة هي بالإنجليزية للدارسين فقط؟

٢- لماذا تم اعتماد اللغة العربية لكتب الإيقان والبيان والأقدس، على رغم الدعوة القوية لتوحيد اللغات والأديان؟ بينما كان من الممكن كتابته بلغة الإسبرانتو وتقديم دليل واقعي على صحة التوحيد اللغوي والديني للبشر؟ ولماذا العربية وليست أية لغة أخرى؟

٣- لماذا الكتب مخفية، ولا تظهر على المواقع الإلكترونية إلا الدعاءات والأنشطة والفعاليات، كأنها منظمة اجتماعية مدنية غير حكومية؟ المقصد، إن كان الدين هو شيء ميتافيزيقي، أين هي الميتافيزيقية في البهائية؟!

٤- البهاء نفسه عجز عن ضم أخاه في ملكوت السماحة والتوحيد الديني وهما تحت راية دين واحد ولغة واحدة، وتآمر على رفيق آخر له اسمه أسد الله التبريزي ثم قتله، أين الدعاية للحب والسلام وتوحيد العالم، وأين يمكنك أن تكون مسلمًا بهائيًا أو يهوديًا بهائيًا أو مسيحيًا بهائيًا؟

٥- كيف يفهم هذا التناقض حيث تفتح البهائية ملكوت الله لجميع الأديان، ثم نقرأ في كتاب الأقدس: "والذي أعرض عن هذا الأمر (أي الدين البهائي) أنه من أصحاب السعير."؟! أهي إضافة ميتافيزيقية فحسب؟ ظاهرية؟

٦-"قد حرمت عليكم أزواج آبائكم إنا نستحي أن نذكر حكم الغلمان." الأقدس الفقرة ٢٥٣ وهو سكوت غريب وحياد أعجب، هل كان البهاء قد فهم ولاشك المزاج الأوروبي الأمريكي فآثر المهادنة؟ أم أنه آثر السلامة ونسخ كل العبارات ذات الجدل العدائي؟ وإن كان كذلك فلماذا تردد وسكت؟ لماذا استحى؟ مم استحى؟!

٧- إذا كانت إيران هدمت بيت الشيرازي والعراق هدمت بيت البهاء، فإلام الحج يكون الآن؟

[Yasser Almulla]

يعجز لساني عن الكلام🤣

[Carlos Arboleda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The renewed Law. Inside find the Onness and Unity of God and Religion, Elimination of Prejudice of all types, Equality of the Genders, Independent investigation of Truth, Means to an end to the Disparities between rich and poor, Universal Equal Education, UNity of NAtions and Governments...

[Gayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Kitab'i'Aqdas is The most Holy Book for Baha'is. Baha'u'llah has set forth the laws that will be used "to build anew the whole world". Some are implemented now and some will be for the future of mankind.

[for-much-deliberation ... · Rating 5 out of 5]

Writings of the Prophet Baha'u'llah, a record of God's spiritual laws...

[Linda Conklin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a difficult read if you don't know much about the Baha'i faith. I'm glad I read it, though. I may go back through it from time to time.

[Johannes Stark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Complex, difficult to interpret, highly recommendable.

[Zach · Rating 2 out of 5]

another swing and a miss on this quest ;/

[Jared Woods · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I initially encountered the Baháʼí Faith, an intense wave of excitement was attached to it. Look at this! A belief whose foundational perspectives are acutely congruent with mine! In particular, it was the understanding that every religion is identical and we can (or even should!) unify them as one.

This ideological meeting point brought eager questions. How snug could my thoughts sit within Baháʼí Faith? Was I, indeed, a Baháʼí all along? To find out, I spent many years dabbing at the knowledge of their history, prophet(s), and teachings. But in 2024, I took the proper plunge by reading their most central text, the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, picking apart the aspects I adored, as well as those I did not adore quite so much. Like every spiritual journey, it is a long one for both the religion and myself, and so I appreciate anyone dedicating themselves to this article as we start from the start.

Islam is the start! Baháʼí Faith is essentially an Abrahamic Religion (i.e. worships the exclusive monotheistic Yahweh/Allah God), so it makes sense that it continues from the most recent faith from the major trilogy. May we never forget that Islam, too, reveres numerous prophets from the Judaism timeline onwards, which includes plenty you may have heard of, such as Adam, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and, of course, their divine founder, Muhammad; peace be upon him.

After Muhammad's passing (632 CE), Islam fractured as to who was the rightful Islamic successor. Two main groups dominated the conversation: Shia Islam and Sunni Islam. Sunni is the most popular (85–90% of adherents), and therefore, there is a high chance that the majority of Muslims you've met subscribe to that domination. But it is the Shia branch where we are headed.

Shia Islam talks of their "Imams" as the line of individuals who supervise the community and interpret the Quran since the Prophet. There have been 12 official Imams, concluding with Muhammad al-Mahdi, who died around 874 CE. Unfortunately, he did not submit an heir, and this caused even greater confusion as people searched and argued over who the rightful leader was. To heighten matters, there was an additional prediction that in the mid-1800s, the Mahdi would return. This figure is supposed to appear at the End of Times, ridding the world of evil before Jesus' Second Coming.

So, when the 1800s rolled along, the anticipation of change vibrated across Islamic nations. And it just so happened that in 1819, a baby was born in Iran, now known as The Báb. Once he came of age, he announced himself as the modern Imam and, later, even the Mahdi himself! Big claims! He founded the Bábism religion in 1844, and everyone welcomed their new prophet with open arms.

Kidding!

While his following spread fast and wide, the hostility from traditional Muslims was fierce, with many murdered on both sides. The Báb was put on trial, and yet, surprisingly, was not executed, which suggests some reluctance from the Persian Empire to kill a potential legit holy leader. Even if they did not believe, they believed enough! Instead, they imprisoned The Báb, where he authored The Bayán, the most crucial text of the Bábi Faith (Bábism). This book is part of what has been called an impossible amount of writings attributed to the man, all of which appear to be heavily inspired by Sufism (Islamic mysticism).

That Lamb Prophecy

The Báb taught many things, but perhaps his most well-known theory is about the Manifestations of God. These were the prophets of each religion, summoned by the Lord to realign the spirituality of the era. In this way, every faith was not only correct but was identical in that these were messengers of the same God's word, offering revised education for a modern era (with The Báb as the most up-to-date).

One could rightfully point out that this was what Islam had already said about Judaism and Christianity. However, Bábism was even more inclusive, and devotees have placed Krishna, Gautama Buddha, and The Great Peacemaker of Native America on equal podiums. The details check out, as each taught indistinguishable rules. Love one another. Give with compassion. Do unto others as you'd like done unto yourself. Have some belief in a metaphysical reality bigger than us. Find your way to God through prayer or meditation. These are far from conflicting proposals.

The Bábism ambition was to merge every religion under one umbrella to achieve world harmony. Of course, all it managed to do was create further division through yet another religion. Furthermore, as the self-proclaimed most recent development of God's voice, The Báb obviously declared himself as the most correct, so everyone needed to follow him above the others. Such an approach always works, if you speak sarcasm.

In 1850, management had enough, and they ordered the execution of The Báb after all. What's fascinating is that, while the details differ, it is historically agreed that The Báb faced a firing squad and not a bullet hit him. Again, that is not a folklore tale; it is an absolute fact, one that the Báb followers rightfully use as proof of his elevated status. Then again, perhaps the men behind the guns intentionally missed? Each not wanting to be cosmically responsible for killing the legit Mahdi? Still, whatever it was, it wasn't enough to stop the second round, which got the death done.

Now, before The Báb died, he spoke of the next Manifestation of God, who was not only going to be far superior to The Báb but was also expected to arrive very soon. In the meantime, a man named Subh-i-Azal took over Bábism, and while he was considered a holy dude (eventually starting his own religion called Azali), it was his younger brother, Baháʼu'lláh, who seizes this story (much to Subh-i-Azal's dismay, but that's a whole different plotline).

Baháʼu'lláh was born in 1817, Iran. He was a passionate follower of Bábism and, like many of his comrades, found himself imprisoned for these beliefs. During incarceration, he received revelations that he was, in fact, The Báb's next prophesied Manifestation of God. In 1863, he went public with his new religion, which offered some minor tweaks to Bábism. And it was known as... Baháʼí Faith! Finally!

One teaching Baháʼu'lláh doubled down on was that of unification, not only with God and religion but with humanity as well. He claimed that the Manifestation of God's duty was to diagnose the spiritual disease of the current age and then prescribe the cure. In his eyes, our prominent problem was the disconnection of the One Human Being Family, be it through racism, sexism, nationalism, or economic disparity. Baháʼu'lláh also strongly supported science, believing that this field was imperative to advancing spirituality, and the two must be reconciled. Perhaps his most famous quote (and one of my favourites) is:

"Religion without science is superstition. Science without religion is materialism." - Bahá'u'lláh

I agree! Along with this, Bahá'u'lláh had some interest in numerology, declaring nine as the holiest number. It makes some sense, as nine is technically the highest digit; you start combining them after that. For this reason, nine represents completeness and is found everywhere within the Faith. Their symbol is a nine-pointed star. Their buildings must have nine entrances, nine pathways, and nine gardens. If there's a number, it's nine.

Perhaps because of this, but most likely because of other things, the immediate reaction to Baháʼí Faith was mixed. On the one hand, the vast majority of Bábís quickly accepted Bahá'u'lláh's word and made the conversion. Accordingly, Bábism hardly exists anymore, even if some old-school devotees hang around. On the other hand, the religious authorities didn't like these statements, and they imprisoned Bahá'u'lláh in now-Israel for the rest of his life, at first in a jail in 'Akká, but then in the lovely Mansion of Bahjí. After a brief illness, he died in 1892 at age 74. He was buried right by his mansion in the Shrine of Baháʼu'lláh, a sacred pilgrimage spot for Baháʼís.

As one would expect, Bahá'u'lláh wrote a wealth of content during his life, but the Kitáb-i-Aqdas (1873) is the central Baháʼí Faith text as its name literally translates to "The Most Holy Book." Within it, we find short verses covering various principles, including ethics, prophecies, and instructions for the Baháʼí institutions. However, above everything else, it is a collection of laws and practices that followers must obey. The whole thing is a quick read with only 190 passages, but the Baháʼís have fleshed out modern editions with prayers, FAQs, and additional notes, which, to be fair, I would've been completely lost without.

There is a lot to love about the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. By its very design, Baháʼí Faith is a religion of progression, so their rendition of "God" is better suited to our current age. For starters, this supreme being is far less aggressive and pessimistic about our world than the one you'd find in The Quran and definitely The Torah. There's positivity and forgiveness in this book that softens the strict rules to favour guidelines intended to be gradually implemented across the globe. What's more (and something I appreciate) is that there are no clergy to Baháʼí Faith. The route between you and God is a two-way path without intermediatory spiritual police claiming higher levels than yourself. This type of liberal dogma goes a long way in Baháʼí Faith's attempt to include everyone within their boundaries.

That noted, Baháʼí Faith is not as broad-minded as people may think, including me when I first embarked on this study. While it does its best to knead out sexism, it still has a mile to go, as this book certainly prefers the male over the female. God's He/Him pronouns are one example. Inheritance laws, another.

An even stickier position is its absolute forbidding of homosexuality. Such a stance has caused major rifts in the Western world, and the Faith has tried multiple ways around it. Using what they call "sympathetic disapproval," they at least won't treat the gay community with prejudice, nor will they attempt to change them. However, Baháʼí Faith members are not allowed to promote same-sex marriage, and if one cannot "overcome the affliction" of homosexuality, they must remain celibate. Of course, this is a far kinder attitude than every previous Abrahamic religion, but let's also remember that the Kitáb-i-Aqdas was written in 1873. That's nearly a millennia-and-a-quarter after The Quran. If indeed you are a prophet of inclusivity, you should have prophecised that this demographic was about to expand beyond anything containable.

While we're comparing religious texts, I'd like to highlight my position as someone who has read both The Quran and The Bible. As mentioned (and as it's well known), these holy books hold immense intolerance and fierce consequences for those who deny their words. We can find relief in the fact that the Kitáb-i-Aqdas is almost entirely void of such hatred. However, in that same development, it loses so much more. Take The Bible, delivering its profound Jewish/Christian teachings through rich allegorical narratives. Or take The Quran, with its creamy poetic flows that immerse the reader in layers of complex meaning. These pieces continue to bewilder students today as we debate interpretations without ever finding the depths of the symbolic offerings. Meanwhile, The Kitáb-i-Aqdas, the "Most Holy Book," has none of this. There are no esoterics hidden between the lines, no effort required for the study, and consequently, the enigmatic qualities that make its predecessors so special are non-existent.

I am sure that Baháʼís will argue this is the point: it's simplified to reach a wider audience of understanding and, in that way, is superior. But for me, I am into this game for the cosmology, the otherwordly philosophy, the unpicking of the Universe's source code. Instead, we have essentially a compilation of legalities that is so yawny textbook that the resonance of the spirit in spirituality has been evaporated. Truthfully, not since The Satanic Bible have I felt such a distinct lack of emotional enlightenment in a so-called "Sacred Text." I understand that there are other Baháʼu'lláh articles that rub shoulders with Neoplatanism/Sufism, but this specific "Most Holy Book" sounded like a man who was making shit up as he went. Moreover, he was decidedly uninspired as he did so.

I guess with all religions, you're faced with a figure announcing themselves to be "The One," but unlike the obvious comparisons, I am uncertain why I must listen to this dude. What were his miracles? What makes his philosophy more impressive than, say, mine (Janthopoyism)? And as his words droned on and on, and as I felt less and less drawn to him, and as I struggled more and more with his self-celebration, I realised that Bahá'u'lláh was just another guy with a god complex, claiming himself on par with Jesus or Muhammad. And, I mean, to be fair, maybe he was. And, to be even fairer, if he wasn't, his ideologies were still largely wonderful. Yet such a declaration of superiority does not sit well in our current age. Heck, it was a tall order in 1873, too!

How I see it now is that Baháʼí Faith was a successful hijack of Bábism, and even Bábism was little more than an expansion pack on Islam. Consequently, while I disagree with the ongoing oppression of the Baháʼí Faith in Islamic nations, I can completely rationalise why it is happening. Its country of origin, Iran, recognises and protects non-Muslim religions such as Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. Baháʼí Faith complains that this is unfair, and yet, when you analyse their statements, they are in direct blasphemy of the Islamic religion. Almost the entire Kitáb-i-Aqdas is about altering the laws of the Quran, going so far as to change the direction of prayer from Mecca to the Shrine of Baháʼu'lláh. What audacity! This is further aggravated by the fact that they've hardly earned these authoritative powers. Granted, with a reported 8 million Bahá'ís worldwide, it's an impressive medium-sized religion growing faster than any other. But to explicitly challenge the holy text of 1.9 billion Muslims is something you better have a solid argument for. Of which, Bahá'í Faith does not.

Still, one has to admire Baháʼí Faith for the same reasons stated above. With their valiant attempts at global harmony, they also encounter grand opposition from extremely unforgiving religious groups, yet persevered until they globally blossomed. Bahá'u'lláh's son, Abdu'l-Bahá, helped spread the Faith to Europe and the United States, where it thrived. Perhaps the most notable Baháʼí is Rainn Wilson (Dwight Schrute in The Office). He is very open about his dedication to the religion, often partaking in promotional materials to circulate the word. In a way, he is like Tom Cruise in his associated theology.

Another possible explanation behind Baháʼí Faith capturing the world's imagination is their Houses of Worship. These are architectural masterpieces that you can freely visit on every continent (bar Antarctica). As of 2024, eight are in existence, with many more planned. I have personally walked into four of these facilities, and let me assure you that there is a tangible energy hugged within these buildings that stand as some of the most gorgeous constructions I've had the pleasure—especially the ones in New Delhi, India, and Santiago, Chile.

During these visits and throughout my research for this analysis, I was fortunate enough to converse with numerous Baháʼís. And what I observed was that they each exuded a certain contentment, smiling at me through the peaceful demeanours of holy people who knew something I did not. I have said a lot about Baháʼí Faith above, not all of it favourable, but I feel that my experience with these followers conquers everything else. And while I am satisfied to move on with my spiritual quest without the Baháʼí label, I want my final thought to be one of admiration for a religion that pushes for reconciliation more than any that came before. God knows that is what the world needs right now.

[Kolya · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Book of Laws for the Baha'i Faith. The youngest of the world's major religions at only 179 years (in 2022CE). "Think not that We have revealed unto you a mere code of laws. Nay, rather, We have unsealed the choice Wine with the fingers of might and power. To this beareth witness that which the Pen of Revelation hath revealed. Meditate upon this, O men of insight!" & "Say: From My laws the sweet-smelling savour of My garment can be smelled, and by their aid the standards of Victory will be planted upon the highest peaks. The Tongue of My power hath, from the heaven of My omnipotent glory, addressed to My creation these words: "Observe My commandments, for the love of My beauty." Happy is the lover that hath inhaled the divine fragrance of his Best-Beloved from these words, laden with the perfume of a grace which no tongue can  21  describe. By My life! He who hath drunk the choice wine of fairness from the hands of My bountiful favour will circle around My commandments that shine above the Dayspring of My creation" (Baha'u'llah, The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 20). Are among my favorite passages.

[Aaron Zaremsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have had some very close Baháʼí friends my whole life so wanted to honor them and read the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, which I enjoyed doing. From someone who has become slightly jaded from (very old) religious texts and the Abrahamic faiths, the Kitáb-i-Aqdas was quite refreshing for me, as it immediately and clearly illustrated much clearer moral principles and guidance.

The book and its contents are much more progressive with their morals - respect for women and other groups of people, how to live one's life properly, and such. The book provides some clear principles for living a good life and being a good person and citizen.

The only issue (and I think this is just how religion is) is that it still does not condone same-sex marriage, which is surprising for such an otherwise progressive religious text. I suppose religion and same-sex marriage will always be at odds with each other, which is sad.

Other than that, I heartily enjoyed the book, and appreciated the clear moral guidance in provided. Best wishes to my Baháʼí friends on following their chosen path.

[Marti Martinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the 100th Anniversary of the 1912 speeches in DC of Abdul Baha, the grandson of the Bahai founder, the DC Bahai group gave this to me for giving them a tour of Universalist National Memorial Church (UNMC) in DC. The precursor to UNMC was the Universalist Church of Our Father, the only church where Abdul Baha spoke. They also brought dozens of hats, gloves, scarfs, and jackets for us to distribute. A Catholic priest I know once told me, "Bahai? Oh, my! You WANT to have those people as neighbors!"

The book, however, only spoke to me in 2 places.

(page 92) Be not the cause of grief, much less of discord and strife.

(page 200) If it is not possible for a family to educate all the children, preference is to be accorded to daughters, since, through educated mothers, the benefits of knowledge can be most effectively and rapidly diffused throughout society.

I will, however, treasure and respect this gift in the spirit in which it was given to me.

[Jordan Swaim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bahaullah has some interesting takes on organized religion. His interpretation is a for more egalitarian, democratic, if not a "progressive" doctrine. There are no clergy in Bahai'ism and every major decision is based off of an equal vote by all its adherents. This all seems to be however, not that interesting as he is clearly more or less a product of the enlightenment, I can almost hear a whisper of the modern urbanite who claims, "I am spiritual, but not religious" in the pages of the text.

The author also feels the need to constantly insist that he is sent from God, and that he is a prophet for the new era, which feels rather cultish, if not insecure. Not only that, the Aqdas is filled with meaningless religious jargon, this reminds me of many modern "intellectuals" who like to say many things without saying anything at all.

These writings are sorely lacking in the deeply human questions as brought up by Jesus, the intellectualism of St. Paul, or the highly practical and timeless principles of Lao Tzu.

Overall, not very stimulating.

[Donald Yoon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much is lost in translation. It is unfortunate there are multiple translators trying to match style. They should not have used shakespearean/ Biblical style english. Someone could make a much better translation. There is a lot of good stuff on here though for the patient.

[Alexandre CABON · Rating 5 out of 5]

Foundation of the new world order

[Yomna Saber · Rating 1 out of 5]

لا أتخيل أبدا أن شخصا عاقلا ممكن أن يتخذ هذه الديانة عقيدة له طواعية ... من أكثر الكتب السطحية التي قرأتها في حياتي بصرف النظر عن تصنيفه ككتاب ديني مقدس ... حقيقي صدمة

[Meriem Isabelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful 🌺

[Rebecca Strouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Most Holy Book, full of mysteries. Each reading brings new understanding.

[Dr. Faris El-Gwely · Rating 1 out of 5]

بعيداً عن محتوى الكتاب وقدسيته لأتباع بهاء الله، كما أنني لست متخصصاً في علم اللغة، لكن اللغة الركيكة التي كُتب بها ذلك الكتاب لا ترقى أن تكون في إحدى الكتب المقدسة، فما بال وجودها في "الأقدس"!