Skip to content

The Biography, Claims and Writings of Bahā’-Allāh (1817-1892 CE).

Baha'i Basmala

Stephen N. Lambden UC Merced.

IN PROGRESS

Last substantially updated 27-02-2023.

Mirza `Abbas Nuri = Mirza Buzurg (d. 1255/1839), Father of Baha'-Allah.

الواح القلم الأعلی من حضرت  بهاء اللّه 

Biographical and Bibliographical Overviews and Literary Sources.

BIOGRAPHY

A seal of Baha'-Allah

BIBLIOGRAPHY

CLAIMS AND TITLES

 

The Persian years of the Bābī period

(1844-1852)

Tehran : Some statements of Baha'-Allah about Tehran. PDf.

 رَشْح  عَمَاء

The Iraq period: Baghdad and beyond.

1852-1863)

Baghdad's old university

THE TABLET OF ALL FOOD

THE SURAT AL-KIFAYA (SURAH OF THE SUFFICIENCY).

 قصيده عز ورقائيه 

 

SELECT ALCHEMICAL NOTES AND SCRIPTURAL TABLETS

Mary the Copt (Maria al-Qibtiyya) مارية القبطية‎‎.... and  `The Emerald Tablet'

لوح الحق

لوح الرحمة

SELECT EARLY POETICAL WORKS OF BAHA'-ALLAH

ساقی از غيب بقا

  • Saqi az Ghayb-i Baqa ("The Cupbearer of the Invisible Eternity")
  • PDf. Mss. and printed editions of the original text
  • Some further Poetical works of Baha'-Allah.
  • PDf. Mss. and printed editions of the original text
  • INBMC 36: 455. Saqi az ghayb-i baqa_INBMC-36.pdf
  • The Persian Ghazal Poem commencing  عشق از سدره اعلی آمد  ("From the Most Elevated Lote-Tree..."). 
  • The poem Baz av-u biddih Jami. Introduction.
  • PDf. Mss. and printed editions of the original text
  • The poem Baz av-u biddih Jami. Translation.
  • Az Bagh-i ilahi ("From the Divine Garden"). Text and Introduction
  • PDf. Mss. and printed editions of the original text
  • Az Bagh-i ilahi ("From the Divine Garden"). Translation and Commentary.

THE SEVEN AND FOUR VALLEYS

هفت وادی‎‎ Haft vādī (The Seven Valleys)

چهار وادی‎‎  Chahar vādī (The Four Valleys)

هُوَ

The Tablet of the Holy Mariner Lawh-i Mallah al-Quds.

Baha'i Basmala

SURAT AL-SABR (THE SURAH OF PATIENCE).

 

THE ESSENCE OF THE MYSTERIES AND THE BOOK OF CERTITUDE

THE KITAB-I IQAN

The opening basmala of the Kitāb-i īqān

رضوان

The History of the Riḍwān ("Contentment","Beatitude", "Paradise") Festival and of Islamic and Babi-Baha'i Scriptural Writings associated therewith.

The Lawh-i Ridwan al-`adl (The Ridwan of Justice).

The Lawh-i Ridwan al-Iqrar (The Ridwan of the Enthronement).

Further Ridwan Scriptural Tablets and Notes.

 

The Constantinople [Istanbul] period

(1863)

The Mathnavi-yi Mubrak (The Blessed Mathnavi), a Persian mathnavi poem in 318 verses, was probably written in Baghdad or Constantinople in 1863. This work is referred to in the Adrianople-Edirne period  1283/1866-7 Persian book, the  Kitab-i badi` of Baha'-Allah (see below). It was apparently written for  Ḥājī Siyyid `Alī Akbar-i Dahajī. TB3.  Constaniople,1863.

Mīrzā  Husayn Isfahani  Mishkīn Qalam

LAWH-I NAQUS (TALET OF THE BELL [CLAPPER BOARD].

LAWH-I HAWDAJ (THE TABLET OF THE HOWDAH)

LAWH-I SHAMS-I JAMAL-I ILAHI (THE TABLET OF THE SUN OF THE DIVINE BEAUTY).

THE AFNAN - FAMILY OF THE BAB - ALL PERIODS (1852-1892).

  • Scriptural Tablets of Baha'-Allah to  the Afnan family of the Bab and to leading members of the Babi religion.
  • Khadijah-Sultan Begum, Wife of the Bab from 1258/1842 (b. Shiraz, 1822-d. Sept. 15th, 1300/1882).
  • Hajji Mirza Sayyid Muhammad, Khal Akbar ("The Greatest Maternal Uncle") (c. 1798-d. Shiraz, 1876). The recipient of the Kitab-i iqan in c. 1861 (see above).
  • Hajji Mirza Sayyid `Ali Afnan, Khal-i A`zam (The Most Great Maternal Uncle). One of the seven martyrs of Tehran (d. 1850).
  • Hajji Mirza Hasan `Ali Afnan (d. Yazd, c. 187?). Youngest maternal uncle of the Bab.
  • Hajji Mirza Sayyid Hasan (d. 1892), known as the Great Afnan, Afnan-i Kabir.
  • Hajji Mirza Muhammad Taqi, Vakil al-Dawlih (b. Shiraz, c.1839- d. Haifa, 30th August, 1911), involved in the building of the Mashriq al-Adhkar in Ishqabad. A  merchant in Yazd for an extended period. See Soli Shahvar in Encyc. Iranica  (2016) :
  • Aqa Mirza Aqa, Nur al-Din Afnan (1842-1905), his mother was a sister of Khadijah Begum (1811-1882), wife of the Bab. 

 

The Adrianople [Edirne] period

(1863-1868)

- LAWH-I ZUHUR -

THE TABLET OF THE DIVINE THEOPHANY

Lawh-i Baha' (The Tablet of Baha' "Splendour").

Surat al-Bayan (The Surah of the Exposition).

The Arabic and Persian Tablets for persons named Ahmad ("The Most Praised").

لوح تقى

The Scriptural Tablets for Pilgrimage to Shiraz and Baghdad.

Shaykh Salman Hindiyani

 إِذْ أَرْسَلْنَا إِلَيْهِمُ اثْنَيْنِ فَكَذَّبُوهُمَا فَعَزَّزْنَا بِثَالِثٍ

Lawh-i `Abd al-Razzāq al-Kashānī,

The  Lawḥ-i qabl az Ādam (Tablet regarding the Pre-Islamic Era).

The West Gailean or `Akka = Acre period

(1868-1892)

TO THE KINGS, RULERS AND RELIGIOUS LEADERS (c.1867-1873).

Like the Prophet Muhammad (d. 632 CE) and his near contemporary, the Bab (d.1850 CE), Baha'-Allah wrote to several of the kings, rulers, and religious leaders of his day, sometimes individually as well as collectively. These communications began in the Constantinople and late Edirne period (c. 1863-7) and continued until at least c. 1873, five years into the Acre period.

Individually+ :

  • Lawḥ-i `Abd al-Azīz wa wukala  ("Tablet to `Abd al-Azīz and his ministers"). Constantinople, 1863. Introduction.  Text currently lost, unavailable.
  • The Lawh-i Nasir al-Din Shah of Qajar Persia. c. 1867-8. Introduction.
  • Mss. and Persian (+Arabic) text of the Lawh-i Nasir al-Din Shah. PDf.
  • Annotated Translation(s) of the Lawh-i Nasir al-Din Shah.
  • Notes and Commentary on the Lawh-i Nasir al-Din Shah.
  • Tablets to `Ali Paşa [Pasha] Muhammad Amin (b.  Istanbul, 1815 -d. Bebek,1871),  Grand Vizir of Ottoman Empire. c. 1868.
  • The Surat al-Ra'is سورة الرئيس‎  or `Tablet of the Premier (Chief) is addressed to `Ali Paşa [Pasha] and dates to  August 1868 just prior to the exile precipitated arrival of Baha'-Allah and his companions in Gallipoli en route to Acre. This Arabic text is in honour of Haji Muhammad Isma'il Kashani, entitled Dhabih (The One Intended for Sacrifice) and Anis (The Intimate Companion). Introduction.
  • Mss. and printed editions of the original text of the Surat al-Ra'is.  PDf. S-Ra'is-Ar-Mam.pdf
  • Translations and Commentary upon the Surat al-Ra'is (Tablet for the Premier-Leader). 
  • Lawh-i [Keçecizade Mehmed] Fu'ad Pasha (b. Istanbul, 1815-d. Nice, France, 12th Feb. 1869), Turkish Foreign Minister (1850s and 1860s)  + Grand Vizier (1861-3+1863-6). Also known as the Lawh-i Kaf Za (K-Z = Kazim Samandar). c. 1869-70. Introduction.
  • Mss. and The Arabic text of the Lawh-i [Keçecizade Mehmed] Fu'ad Pasha. PDf.
  • Translations of the Lawh-i [Keçecizade Mehmed] Fu'ad Pasha.
  • The Lawh-i Ra'is ("Tablet to the Premier-Leader") is a Persian scriptural Tablet composed in late 1868 or 9. Introduction.
  • PDf. Mss. and printed editions of the original text of the Lawh-i Ra'is.  PDf. L-Ra'is-Per-Mam.pdf
  • Translations and Commentary upon the Lawh-i Ra'is (Tablet for the Premier-Leader). 
  • Lawḥ-i. Pāp (Tablet to the Pope Pius IX) c. 1869. The Tablet to the Giovanni Maria Mastai-Ferretti, Pope Pius IX (born May 13, 1792Senigallia, Papal States; reigned 16 June 1846 - d. Vatican City, Feb 7th, 1878). Beatified September 3, 2000. Introduction. See Below...
  • PDf. Mss. and printed editions of the original Arabic text of the  Lawḥ-i. Pāp (Tablet to the Pope Pius IX). PDf.
  • Translations and Commentary upon the  Lawḥ-i. Pāp (Tablet to the Pope Pius IX). See below
  • Lawh-i Napuliyun I (The First Tablet to Napolean III `Emperor of the French [France]'; 1808- d. Chislehurst, UK, 9th Jan. 1873). c.1867-8. Probably late Edirne period. Introduction.
  • PDf. Mss. and printed editions of the original Arabic text of the Lawh-i Napuliyun I (The First Tablet to Napolean III). PDf.
  • Translations and Commentary upon the Lawh-i Napuliyun I (The First Tablet to Napolean III.
  • Lawh-i Napuliyun II (The Second Tablet to Napolean III, `Emperor of the French [France]'; 1808- d. Chislehurst, UK, 9th Jan. 1873).  Probably early Acre period.
  • PDf. Mss. and printed editions of the original Arabic text of the Lawh-i Napuliyun II (The Second Tablet to Napolean III). PDf.
  • Translations and Commentary upon the Lawh-i Napuliyun II (The Second Tablet to Napolean III).
  • Lawḥ-i. Malik-i Rūs.  = The Tablet to the Czar of Russia Nicolaevitch Alexander II (b. Moscow, XXXX;  r. 2nd March 1855 – 13th March 1881).
  • PDf. Mss. and printed editions of the original text Arabic text of the Lawḥ-i. Malik-i Rūs (The Tablet to the Czar of Russia Nicolaevitch Alexander II). PDf.
  • Translations and Commentary upon the  Lawḥ-i Malik-i Rūs (The Tablet to the Czar of Russia Nicolaevitch Alexander II).

The Tablet to Queen [Alexandrina] Victoria

  • Lawḥ-i Vikturiya = The Tablet to Queen [Alexandrina] Victoria (24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901), Queen from 1837 and later Empress of India. c. 1869. Introduction.
  • PDf. Mss. and printed editions of the original Arabic text of the  Lawḥ-i Vikturiya = The Tablet to Queen [Alexandrina] Victoria. PDf.
  • Translations and Commentary upon the  Lawḥ-i Vikturiya = The Tablet to Queen [Alexandrina] Victoria.

Kings and Rulers Collectively:

  • Sūrat al-mulūk (The Surah of the Kings).  سورة الملوك‎ . Introduction. c. 1868[-70?]. 
  • Mss and printed editions of the Arabic text(s) of the Sūrat al-mulūk (The Surah of the Kings). PDf.
  • Translations and Commentary upon the Sūrat al-mulūk (The Surah of the Kings).
  • Surat al-haykal (Surah of the Temple). A compilation by Baha'-Allah himself of five of his `Tablets to the Kings, Rulers and Religious Leaders' namely, [1] Pope Pius IX, [2] (Second Tablet to) Napoleon III, [3] The Czar Alexander II, [4] Queen Victoria, and [5] Nasir al-Din Shahof Qajar Persia. Several recensions from late c. 1867 - c. 1873. Introduction.
  • Mss and printed editions of the Arabic text of the Surat al-haykal (Surah of the Temple). PDf.
  • Translations and Commentary upon the Surat al-haykal (Surah of the Temple).

THE NINETEEN APOSTLES OF BAHA'-ALLAH.

  • Select Alwah (Scriptural Tablets) of Baha'-Allah to the nineteen persons reckoned his Apostles dating between c. 1852 and 1892 (all periods).

Mirza Musa (d.1887), Apostle 1

TO THE FOUR HANDS OF THE CAUSE OF GOD

  • An Introductory Note and Bibliography.

Alwah (Scriptural Tablets) of Baha'-Allah addressed to the four (or more) persons apointed by him as Ayadi-yi Amr Allah ("Hands of the Cause of God") dating to all Periods (1852-1892).

Alwah (Scriptural Tablets) of Baha'-Allah addressed to the four persons appointed by his son `Abd al-Baha' as Ayadi-yi Amr Allah ("Hands of the Cause of God") dating to all Periods (1852-1892).

SELECT FURTHER ALWAH, SCRIPTURAL TABLETS OF BAHA'-ALLAH

Select  titled and untitled Alwah (Scriptural Tablets) of Baha'-Allah to family members, companions and other Babi-Baha'i believers - c. 1852 and 1892 (all periods).

Hajji Mirza Haydar `Ali (d.1920).

To the Kirmani Shaykhi Leader

Hajji Mirza Muhammad Karim Khan Kirmani (d.1871).

THE TABLET OF MEDICINE

PDf.. Tibb.pdf

Asl-i hull al-khayr (`The Source of All Good').

بسيط الحقيقة

"The Basīṭ al-Haqīqa (Basis/Unicity/Simplicity of Reality) is all things /everything (kullu shay') but nothing in particular" (Mulla Sadra, al-Asfar VI:111).

  • The Reply  of the Bab to questions of Mīrzā Muhammad Sa`īd Zavarah on Basīt al-ḥaqīqa and other matters'  INBMC 69 : 418-437.
  • PDf. Mss. and printed editions of the original Arabic text of the above work of the Bab. 
  • Lawḥ-i Basīṭ al-Haqīqa  (The Tablet about Uncompounded Reality). Introduction
  • PDf. Mss. and printed editions of the original Arabic text of the Lawḥ-i Basīṭ al-Haqīqa.
  • Lawḥ-i Basīṭ al-Haqīqa (The Tablet about Uncompounded Reality). Translation and Commentary.

THE TABLET OF ETERNITY- LAWH-I BAQA'

Lawḥ-i  amvāj  (The Tablet of the Waves).

PDf. Mss. and printed editions of the original Arabic text of the Lawh-i amwaj.

THE KITAB-I AQDAS AND RELATED WRITINGS

al-Kitab al-aqdas = (Per.) Kitab-i aqdas (The Most Holy Book).

ﻟﻮﺡ ﺍﻟﺤﻜﻤﺔ

  • Lawh-i Hikmat (The Tablet of Wisdom), c. 1873-4. Introduction and notes on Mulla Muhammad-‘Ali, Nabil-i Qa’ini, Nabil-i Akbar (1829–1892).
  • PDf. Mss. and printed editions of the Lawh-i Hikmat (The Tablet of Wisdom). L-Hikmat-TBAA-Ar.pdf
  • Annotated Translation of the Lawh-i Hikmat (The Tablet of Wisdom).
  • Commentary upon the Lawh-i Hikmat (The Tablet of Wisdom), I - The Greek and other Philosophers.
  • Commentary upon the Lawh-i Hikmat (The Tablet of Wisdom), II.
  • Commentary upon the Lawh-i Hikmat (The Tablet of Wisdom), III.

Lawḥ-i Maqṣud

Lawḥ-i Tarazat (The Tablet of "Ornaments")

Lawḥ-i Tajalliyat (The Tablet of "Effulgences")

Lawh-i Ishráqát (The Tablet of "Splendors").

 

The Lawh-i Burhan (The Tablet of the Proof).

The Surat al-Wafa' / Vafa (The Tablet of Fidelity) for Muhammad Husayn Shirazi, entitled Vafa.

The Lawh-i `Abd al-Wahhab. 

SCRIPTURAL TABLETS TO ZOROASTRIANS

Alwah (Scriptural Tablets) of Baha'-Allah to Zoroastrians or to Zoroastrian Converts to the Baha'i Religion

Hushang Mānekjī Limji Hataria

مانکجی لیمجی هاتریا

The Lawh-i Haft Pursish, The `Tablet of the Seven Questions'.

  • The Lawh-i haft Pursish  or `Tablet of the Seven Questions'. Introduction.
  •  PDf. Mss. and printed editions of the original Persian text of the Lawh-i haft pursish.
  • Translations of the original Persian text of the Lawh-i haft pursish.
  • Commentaries on Aspects of the Lawh-i haft pursish.

SCRIPTURAL TABLETS TO JEWS

Alwah (Scriptural Tablets) of Baha'-Allah to Jews or to Jewish Converts to the Baha'i Religion

Jewish Conversions to the Babi-Baha'i Religions.

Tablets of Baha'-Allah to Ḥakīm Lālih-zār or Mulla Eleazar and to his son Ḥakīm Āqā Jān and others of Hamadan and elsewhere.

SCRIPTURAL TABLETS (ALWAH) ADDRESSED TO CHRISTIANS.

Alwah (Scriptural Tablets) of Baha'-Allah to Christians or to Christian Converts to the Baha'i Religion.

THE TABLET FOR POPE PIUS IX.

Addressed to Giovanni Maria Mastai-Ferretti, Pope Pius IX (born May 13, 1792Senigallia, Papal States; reigned 16 June 1846 - d. Vatican City, Feb 7th, 1878). Beatified September 3, 2000.

THE TABLET FOR GEORG DAVID HARDEGG, THE LAWH-I HARTIK

THE MOST HOLY TABLET, LAWH-I AQDAS.

THE TABLET OF MOUNT CARMEL - ﻟﻮﺡ ﻛﺮﻣﻞ

THE LAWH-I BISHARAT    ﺒﺸﺎﺭﺍﺕ‎ ﻟﻮﺡ

SELECT SCRIPTURAL TABLETS (ALWAH) ADDRESSED TO   MUJTAHIDS, MAJOR `ULAMA' AND MUSLIMS IN GENERAL.

  •  

SELECT SCRIPTURAL TABLETS (ALWAH) ADDRESSED TO  FOLLOWERS OF THE BAB, BABIS AND TO AZALI BABI FOLLOWERS OF MIRZA YAHYA NURI.

SCRIPTURAL WRITINGS RELATING TO BAHA'I HOLY DAYS

SOME EXEGETICAL SCRIPTURAL WRITINGS OF VARIOUS DATES

Lawh-i Jawhar-i Hamd. The Tablet of the Quintessence of Laudation'.

Lawh-i Ta`wil (The Tablet regarding Exegesis-Interpretation)

SELECT ZIYARAT-NAMA (VISITATION SUPPLICATIONS).

SELECT PRAYERS, DEVOTIONAL WRITINGS AND MEDITATIONS 

of Bahā'-Allāh and `Abd al-Baha' - Various Datings

The Kitab-i `Ahd

The Book of the [My] Covenant,  c.1891-2 CE.

 

 

 

 

 

Back to top of page