Sacred Writings
The sacred writings of Bahá’u’lláh reveal the divinely inspired teachings at the heart of the Bahá’í Faith. These texts were recorded and authenticated at the time they were revealed.
The quantity of writings produced by Bahá’u’lláh is vast—His collected works would amount to more than 100 volumes.
Some works speak in lofty and beautiful prose. Some are direct statements on morality and ethics. Others are mystical and poetic works. Many are letters, or “tablets,” to individuals.
Bahá’u’lláh wrote in both Arabic and Persian. His central texts as well as selections from His writings have been translated into more than 800 languages. The principal works of Bahá’u’lláh that have been translated and published in English include:
The Kitáb-i-Aqdas (The Most Holy Book)
The book of laws and institutions that Bahá’u’lláh has prescribed for a future world society.
The Kitáb-i-Íqán (The Book of Certitude)
The principal doctrinal book, which explains the concept of the oneness of religion, the nature of humanity, and the purpose of life.
Verses of guidance and comfort that form the ethical core of Bahá’u’lláh’s message.
The Summons of the Lord of Hosts
A collection of letters that Bahá’u’lláh wrote to the world leaders of the time.
Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh
A compilation of representative passages on a wide variety of subjects, such as spiritual evolution, justice, peace, harmony between the races and peoples of the world, and the transformation of society.
A compilation of prayers and texts for meditation.
The Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys
The best known of Bahá’u’lláh’s mystical writings, this work traces the stages of the soul’s journey toward union with its Creator.
Other sacred writings
In addition to the writings of Bahá’u’lláh, Bahá’ís also recognize as divine scripture the writings of His Herald, the Báb. Some of these writings have been translated and published in Selections from the Writings of the Báb.
Commentaries on the sacred texts by Bahá’u’lláh and the Báb can be found in the writings of Bahá’u’lláh’s appointed successor, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. These books include:
- Foundations of World Unity
- Paris Talks
- The Secret of Divine Civilization
- Some Answered Questions
- The Promulgation of Universal Peace
- Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha
Other commentaries can be found in the works of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s successor, Shoghi Effendi.
These books can be ordered online through the Bahá’í Distribution Service(link is external).
Visit the Bahá’í Reference Library to view selected writings by Bahá’u’lláh and the other central figures of the Bahá’í Faith.
“Be generous in prosperity, and thankful in adversity. Be worthy of the trust of thy neighbor, and look upon him with a bright and friendly face. Be a treasure to the poor, an admonisher to the rich, an answerer of the cry of the needy, a preserver of the sanctity of thy pledge. ”
“That one indeed is a man who, today, dedicateth himself to the service of the entire human race. The Great Being saith: Blessed and happy is he that ariseth to promote the best interests of the peoples and kindreds of the earth. It is not for him to pride himself who loveth his own country, but rather for him who loveth the whole world. The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.”
“The betterment of the world can be accomplished through pure and goodly deeds and through commendable and seemly conduct.”