1. n.d.. Tablet on Interpretation of Sacred Scripture (Lawh-i-Ta'wíl). Bahá'u'lláh, Juan Cole, trans. . Tablet on "the legitimacy of figurative scripture interpretation." Translations.
2. n.d.. Inheritance: Extracts from Four Tablets by Abdu'l-Bahá Concerning the Question of. Abdu'l-Bahá, Universal House of Justice, Research Department, comp. . Compilations.
3. n.d.. Capital Punishment and Amnesty International. Universal House of Justice. Letter from the House to Amnesty International on the death penalty. UHJ-letters.
4. 2025-07. Bahá'í Sacred Writings. Bahá'u'lláh, Abdu'l-Bahá, Bahá'í World Centre, comp. . A comprehensive collection of selections from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh and the Writings and utterances of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, representing the range of the Bahá’í teachings. Writings.
5. 2024. Ruhi Book 6: Notes. Ehsan Bayat, ed. These notes for Ruhi Book 6 explore the spiritual principles and practical approaches to teaching the Bahá’í Faith, emphasizing personal and collective efforts, unity, consultation, systematic planning, capacity building, and fostering community growth. Study.
6. 2023-07. Non-Governmental Perspective on the Relative Effectiveness of Multilateral and Bilateral Measures to Combat Hate Speech, A: An Analysis of Tools Deployed in Response to Religious Hate Speech in Iran. Bani Dugal, Morten Bergsmo, ed, Kishan Manocha, ed. . International Human Rights framework; Iran's obligations under international law; history of Bahá'í persecution; connections between media, propaganda, and violence; reactions and responses to hate speech from the United Nations and the global community. Articles.
7. 2023-06. Báb on the Rights of Women, The. Siyamak Zabihi-Moghaddam. Statements of the Báb on issues such as mutʿah and tahlíl marriages, polygyny, bridal consent, divorce and spousal relations, and their significance for the rights of women in Muslim juridical opinions and social customs. Link to article (offsite). Articles.
8. 2022-05-16. Progressive Revelation: A Brief Circumstantial/Historical Contextualization. Mehdi Wolf. Progressive revelation must be understood in the context of the twin purposes of a divine Manifestation, as well as the prevailing historical circumstances. The varying attitudes to law and science are used as test cases. Presentations.
9. 2022. Réflexions intimes sur le Kitáb-i-Aqdas. Pierre Daoust. Un petit recueil de réflexions; une sorte de voyage dans un domaine aux multiples paysages, qui donnera l'envie à d'autres de lire le Kitáb-i-Aqdas et d'être eux aussi touchés par sa profondeur, sa sagesse, et sa beauté. Books.
10. 2022. Kitáb-i-Aqdas: le plus saint livre. Bahá'u'lláh, Pierre Daoust, trans. . Révision de la traduction française du Kitáb-i-Aqdas (ed. MEB, 2014); voir Avant-propos. Books.
11. 2022. Reis naar het Hart van de Qur'án: Het Heilige Boek van de islam voor hen die nadenken (door een niet-moslim). David Russell Garcia, Kees Poolman, trans. . Een overzicht van de Koran en zijn thema's: islam versus het christendom; wetten, geestelijke en sociale principes; heilige oorlog en vechten; redenen achter de reputatie van de islam als een oorlogsreligie; apocalypse. Books.
12. 2022. Two Parts of the Law of God, The: The Essential and the Secondary Teachings of the True Religion of God, and Counterfeit Doctrines. Peter Terry, comp. Four compilations on themes related to the progressive revelation of the religion of God; essential vs. secondary teachings; counterfeit doctrines of the false religion of man. Compilations-personal.
13. 2021-11-02. Bahá'í Law. Roshan Danesh. Bahá'í law in its historical, cultural, social, religious, political, and legal contexts, within processes and discourses of social change and legal revitalization within Islamic societies; responses to modernity, colonization, and justice movements. Video.
14. 2021-05-08. Reading Reality in Times of Crisis: 'Abdu'l-Bahá and the Great War. Amin E. Egea. How ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s analysis of the crises of His time was profoundly distinct from contemporaneous “progressive” movements and thinkers. Articles.
15. 2021. List of Articles by John Hatcher on BahaiTeachings.org. John S. Hatcher. List of online essays and articles by Dr. John Hatcher. Bibliographies.
16. 2021. Light of the World: Selected Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá. Abdu'l-Bahá. Tablets of ‘Abdul-Bahá describing aspects of the life of Bahá’u’lláh including the tribulations He suffered, events in His homeland, the purpose and greatness of His Cause, and the nature and significance of His Covenant. Writings.
17. 2021. Inheritance Laws of the Baha'i Community and Gender Equality. Sarthak Sharma. Examination of whether the Bahá'í Faith's teachings on gender-justice and equality are reflected in its inheritance laws and the Kitab-i-Aqdas; scholarly articles on this subject; comparison with Islamic provisions and law. Articles.
18. 2020. گام به گام با اُم الکتاب دور بهائی کتاب اقدس (Step by Step through the Mother Book of the Bahá'í Faith, The Kitáb-i-Aqdas). Iman Motlagh Arani. A topical overview of central laws and ethical teachings, arranged for accessibility and reference. Books.
19. 2019-09. Worldview and the Laws of the Bayán. Nader Saiedi. Explores the Persian Bayán's spiritual worldview and laws through four talks, offering insights into the Báb's Dispensation. Audio.
20. 2019-03-10. Relationship between two statements of Bahá'u'lláh regarding the calculation of Ḥuqúqu'lláh. Universal House of Justice. About the relationship between paragraph 97 of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas (fraction) and “Questions and Answers”, number 8 (minimum threshold). UHJ-letters.
21. 2019. Ten Commandments, The: A Baha'i Perspective. Marco Oliveira. Overview of the history and theology of the Ten Commandments. Like Christianity and Islam, the Bahá’í Faith inherited and expanded the moral values exposed in the Ten Commandments. Presentations.
22. 2019. Twofold Mission, A: Some Distinctive Characteristics of the Person and Teachings of the Báb. Elham Afnan. Some features of the Bab's life and Writings highlighting the rare combination of qualities that have come to be associated with him. Articles.
23. 2018/2025. Additional Tablets, Extracts and Talks. Abdu'l-Bahá, Bahá'í World Centre, trans. . 216 selections, last updated 2025. Writings.
24. 2018/2024. Additional Tablets and Extracts from Tablets Revealed by Bahá'u'lláh. Bahá'u'lláh, Bahá'í World Centre, trans. . 85 selections, last updated August 2024. Writings.
25. 2018/2020. Laws Abrogated by Bahá'u'lláh. Anonymous, comp. Laws abolished from previous religions and from the Bayán. Compilations-personal.
26. 2018-05-03. 35 Common Objections to the Bahá'í Faith. Bridging Beliefs. Responses to common critiques of, doubts about, and objections to the Bahá'í Faith and against religion in general. Transcripts.
27. 2018-01-21. Resurrection and the World to Come. Bahá'u'lláh, William F. McCants, trans. . Extract from the Lawh-i-Yusuf (Tablet of Joseph), explaining the meaning of 'paradise', 'hellfire', 'resurrection', and similar terms. Translations.
28. 2018. Power and the Bahá'í community. Moojan Momen. While Bahá'í social teachings may have sounded new and exciting a century ago, that is no longer the case today. The problem the world faces is not in the principles that would lead to a better society, but in their application. Articles.
29. 2017-2020. List of Articles by Nader Saiedi on BahaiTeachings.org. Nader Saiedi. Links to 40 essays about Baha'i teachings on spiritual unity, justice, freedom, democracy, and global peace, critiquing materialism, nationalism, and advocating societal reform. Essays.
30. 2017. Themes in the Study of Bahá'u'lláh's Kitáb-i-Aqdas: Emerging Approaches to Scholarship on Bahá'í Law. Roshan Danesh. Review of what emergent scholarship has thus far accomplished relating to the study of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas and Bahá'í law; suggested core themes and approaches; directions which future study of this topic might encompass. Articles.
31. 2016. Tablet on the Right of the People (Lawh-i haqq al-nas). Bahá'u'lláh, Keven Brown, trans. . On some situations relating to a person’s private rights, in this case theft and debt, with a larger meditation on the spiritual rights a person earns through righteous deeds, and God’s promise to reward good deeds and punish the wrong. Translations.
32. 2016. Fire and Light in the Báb's Tablet Proclaiming to be the Qá'im. Nader Saiedi. Audio.
33. 2015-09. Persian Bayán: Thematic Analysis and Summary. Peter Terry. A detailed overview of this lengthy text of The Báb, which outlines elements of Bábí law, discussion of religious concepts, and the glorification of "He whom God shall make manifest." Articles-unpublished.
34. 2015 Fall. Wittgensteinian Language-Games in an Indo-Persian Dialogue on the World Religions. Juan Cole. Reflections on Bahá'u'lláh's theology of previous religions and Ludwig Wittgenstein’s concept of "language games"; Hinduism, India, and 19th-century Iranian culture; Manakji’s questions about Hinduism and Zoroastrianism. Articles.
35. 2015. Shoghi Effendi's Translation of Terms Related to Law in Bahá'í Scripture. Moojan Momen. Patterns in the Guardian's translation of terms related to the word law; different Arabic/Persian words translated as "law"; quotations in which Shoghi Effendi translated each word in some other way. Articles.
36. 2015. Reflections on the Structure of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Some. Roshan Danesh. While the Kitab-i-Aqdas might seem unstructured, lacking apparent logical or discernible order, there is meaning to be found in its organization — particularly the first 19 paragraphs: the pivotal constructs of Bahá’í spiritual and social teachings. Articles.
37. 2014-11. Badí' (Bahá'í) Calendar: An Introduction, The. Moojan Momen. Summary of the nature of Bahá'í calendar, the way the Badí' calendar works, and the reason for the 2014 revisions inaugurated by the Universal House of Justice. Essays.
38. 2014-07-10. Regarding the Implementation of the Badi` Calendar. Universal House of Justice. Message to the Bahá’ís of the world on the updated calendar of Bahá'í holy days. Includes a table of Bahá’í Dates 172 to 221 B.E., and a letter to an individual explaining the date of the astronomical new moon in Islamic and Bahá'í calendars. UHJ-documents.
39. 2014. Reflections on the Concept of Law in the Bahá'í Faith, Some. Roshan Danesh. The concept of law in the Bahá’í Faith; its early Islamic context; the nature of legal language and discourse in Bahá’u’lláh’s writings. Religious law, rooted in conscious knowledge and the dynamics of love, rejects rigid and legalistic rules. Articles.
40. 2013-04-22. Views on Homosexuality. Universal House of Justice. On the need to overcome material nature including homosexuality; Bahá’ís not to judge or impose values and to treat those with a homosexual orientation sympathetically; no possibility for House to change Bahá’í marriage as between man and woman UHJ-letters.
41. 2013-04-19. Challenges for Bahá'í Youth in a Western Way of Life. Universal House of Justice. Difficulties young people might face in upholding Bahá'í ideals and standards of behaviour in the context of Western culture and sexual mores. UHJ-letters.
42. 2011-09. Fast, Bahá'í (March 2-20). Christopher Buck. Encyclopedia.
43. 2011. Women in the works of the Bab and in the Babi Movement. Moojan Momen. Brief excerpt, with link to article offsite. Encyclopedia.
44. 2011. Prophets of Mahabad, and Nature of Creation: The Two Questions of Manakji Limji Hataria. Susan Maneck. Discussion of Baha’u’llah’s letters to Manakji Hataria as found in the Tabernacle of Unity, compiled from an email discussion group archive; the context of the questions and their answers against the background of Ishraqi philosophy. Essays.
45. 2010-12-14. Gender in Babi and Bahá'í Law. Siyamak Zabihi-Moghaddam. Audio.
46. 2009-2019. Lists of Articles. Brent Poirier. Lists of 126 articles at the author's six blog websites. Essays.
47. 2008. Laws of the Bayán reflected in The Kitáb-i-Aqdas. Ahang Rabbani, comp. List of 32 laws from the Báb's Persian Bayán or the Arabic Bayán which also appear in Bahá'u'lláh's book of laws. Resources.
48. 2008. Gate of the Heart: Understanding the Writings of the Bab (contents and index only). Nader Saiedi. A lengthy, detailed examination of the context, chronology, and content of the writings of the Báb. (Link to document, offsite; only the contents and index are on this site, for keyword searching.) Excerpts.
49. 2007-04. Huqúqu'lláh: The Right of God. Bahá'u'lláh, Abdu'l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi, Universal House of Justice, Universal House of Justice, Research Department, comp. . Compilations.
50. 2007. Introduction to the Lawh-i Haqqu'n-Nas, An. Jean-Marc Lepain, Peter Terry, trans. . Summary of the tablet Lawh-i Haqqu’n-Nas, Tablet of the "Right of the People," on the metaphorical character of this world. Articles.
51. 2007. All Abide by His Bidding: The Universal Law of God. Peter Terry. On the liberty of the individual vis-à-vis the laws of God guiding people to making the "right" choices. Essays.
52. 2007. Hidden Gifts: Finding Blessings in the Struggles of Life. Brian Kurzius. Compilation of Bahá'í texts on the purpose of problems and tests in our lives. Introductory.
53. 2005. One Common Faith. Universal House of Justice. Examines humanity’s spiritual crisis, critiques materialism and religious division, and affirms religion as a progressive, unifying force essential for moral development and global civilization. UHJ-documents.
54. 2004-06-06. Obligatory Prayer, Ablutions, and Repetition of the Greatest Name. Universal House of Justice. On recitation of the specific verses associated with the performance of ablutions for the medium Obligatory Prayer. Includes compilation of references regarding repetition of the Greatest Name 95 times per a Day. UHJ-letters.
55. 2004. Bahá'í Ethics: Answers to 55 Questions Submitted by Arthur Dobrin. Dianne Bradford, Fiona Missaghian, Udo Schaefer, Robert Stockman, Jonah Winters, comp. . Answers to questions submitted in preparation for a source book in religious ethics for a college course at Hofstra University, New York, fall 2001. Essays.
56. 2004. Internationalism and Divine Law: A Baha'i Perspective. Roshan Danesh. On the internationalism motif in Bahá'í political and legal thought; the place of divine legal claims in contemporary debates about models of world order; religion as a unifying force; concept of divine law in both Persian and Islamic history. Articles.
57. 2003-10. Voyage to the Heart of the Koran: The Holy Book of Islám for Thinking Minds (By a Non-Muslim). David Russell Garcia. A lengthy overview of the Qur'án and its themes for a Bahá'í audience; holy war and fighting; reasons behind Islám's reputation as a war-like religion; theology of Islám vs. Christianity; laws and admonitions; spiritual and social principles; apocalypse. Books.
58. 2003-07. Paradox of Protest in a Culture of Contest, The. Michael Karlberg. In our culture, political and legal institutions are structured as contests and reform is characterized as protest. This leads to injustice and unsustainability. Bahá'í models of elections and decision-making offer a practical alternative. Articles.
59. 2003. Perspectives on the Inseparable Twin Duties Prescribed in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. Eamonn Moane. Religions differ in the balance of faith versus good works, the grace of God versus human strivings, and the scheme of salvation. To Bahá'ís, recognizing the Prophet and obedience to his laws are equal duties. For salvation, faith surpasses deeds. Articles.
60. 2003. Introduction to Bahá'í Law, An: Doctrinal Foundations, Principles and Structures. Udo Schaefer. A pioneering look at Bahá'í law both in general and in detail, the foundations and principles of which can only be understood within their theological context. Articles.
61. 2003. Protecting the Human Family: Humanitarian Intervention, International Law, and Bahá'í Principles. Brian D. Lepard. The moral and legal problems raised by the use of military force to aid human rights victims. Relevant Bahá’í ethical principles and how these might assist us to reform existing international law to better protect all members of the human family. Articles.
62. 2003. Post-Quranic Religion Between Apostasy and Public Order, A: Egyptian Muftis and Courts on the Legal Status of the Baha'i Faith. Johanna Pink. On how Egypt has adapted and responded to the Bahá'í Faith; legal issues for Muslim jurists and the courts; personal and employment status of Bahá'ís in Egypt; issues raised by a post-Quranic religious minority. Articles.
63. 2002. Kitáb-i-Aqdas as a Lens with which to Examine some of the Dilemmas of Modernity, The. Betsy Omidvaran. Contrast between the Aqdas - the source of laws of future society - and issues of the modern world as it had evolved up to the 19th century. Discussion of Houses of Worship, universal language, financial principles, justice, the Covenant, and unity. Articles.
64. 2002. Kitab-i-Aqdas Questions and Concordances. Habib Riazati. The Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh and their relationship to selected passages in The Aqdas; New Laws That Abrogate the Laws of Former Dispensations; Correlation of Paragraphs, Notes, and Questions and Answers of the Aqdas; sample questions. Study.
65. 2002. Mystical Dimensions of the Bahá'í Administrative Order, The. Kavian Sadeghzade Milani. The Bahá'i Administrative Order can be seen as a mystical entity, and there are some parallels between it and Sufism. For Bahá'is the encounter with the Administrative Order is critical to the mystical path. Articles.
66. 2001-09-02. Reason and the Bahá'í Writings: The Use and Misuse of Logic and Persuasion. Ian Kluge. How to study the Bahá'í Writings through the use of logic. Articles-unpublished.
67. 2001-04-04. Withdrawal from the Faith. Universal House of Justice. UHJ-letters.
68. 2001-04. Universal House of Justice and the Principles of Jurisprudence. Abdu'l-Bahá, Universal House of Justice, trans. . Authorized translation of an excerpt of a tablet on "the wisdom of referring certain important laws to the House of Justice." Translations.
69. 2001-02-08. Applicability of the Laws and Ordinances of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. Universal House of Justice. List of laws and ordinances of the Aqdas not yet universally applied (as of 2001). UHJ-letters.
70. 2001. Tablet on Interpretation of Sacred Scripture (Lawh-i-Ta'wíl). Bahá'u'lláh, Mehran Ghasempour, trans. . An undated tablet from the Akka period on the interpretation of sacred scripture, with references to previous Tablets revealed after the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Asl-i-Kullu’l-Khayr (Words of Wisdom) and Lawh-i-Maqsúd (Tablet of Maqsúd). Translations.
71. 2001. Family Law in Iran. Sen McGlinn. Detailed overview of 20th-century Iranian laws regarding marriage, divorce, marriage rights and duties, dowry, and inheritance. Contains passing mentions of the Bahá'í Faith. Articles-unpublished.
72. 2000-09-27. Obligatory Prayer and Fasting, The Importance of. Bahá'u'lláh, Abdu'l-Bahá, Universal House of Justice, Research Department, comp. . Compilations.
73. 2000-08. Notes on Bahá'í Proofs Based on the Qur'an, Some. National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Central and East Africa, comp. Compilation by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Central and East Africa Compilations-NSA.
74. 2000-05. Oracion Obligatoria y el Ayuno, La Importancia de la. Bahá'u'lláh, Abdu'l-Bahá, Universal House of Justice, Research Department, comp. . Compilations.
75. 2000-02-23. Application of Bahá'í Laws. Universal House of Justice. On the application of Bahá’í law and how its procedures differ from civil law, with discussion of the examples of Huququ'llah, obligatory prayer, and fasting. UHJ-letters.
76. 2000. Kitáb-i-Aqdas (Most Holy Book): Questions and Concordances. Habib Riazati. Study questions, categorized cross-references to the Aqdas and its notes and "Questions and Answers," topical concordances, and other research materials. Study.
77. 2000. Reproduction and other Biological Subjects. Shoghi Effendi, Universal House of Justice, Universal House of Justice, Research Department, comp. . Embryology; reproduction; biology; genetic engineering Compilations.
78. 2000. Making the Crooked Straight: A Contribution to Baha'i Apologetics [excerpt]. Udo Schaefer, Nicola Towfigh, Ulrich Gollmer, Geraldine Schuckelt, trans. . Front- and back-matter of the book only: Contents, Preface, Introduction, Conclusion, Bibliography, Index. Books.
79. 1999-12-28. Laws of the Kitab-i-Aqdas, Further Application of. Universal House of Justice. Announcement to the Bahá'í world that all elements of the laws dealing with obligatory prayer and fasting are now applicable. UHJ-letters.
80. 1999. Kitab-i Aqdas, the Most Holy Book. John Walbridge. Encyclopedia.
81. 1998-08-27. Role of the Universal House of Justice: Interpretation and Elucidation. Universal House of Justice. On the regarding the role of the Universal House of Justice and its "interpretative function." UHJ-letters.
82. 1998-02. What is Baha'u'llah's Message to the Sufis?. Roberta Law. Nature of Sufism and Bahá'u'lláh's teachings for the Sufi community, especially as contained in the Seven Valleys. Essays.
83. 1998. Biographies of Jamal-i-Burujirdi. Adib Taherzadeh, Dariush Lamie, Juan Cole. Three short biographies of about the man who asked to be exempt from the laws of the Aqdas. Biographies.
84. 1998. Parallels Between Islamic and Baha'i laws and Constitutional Principles. Afshin A. Khavari. The roles of Sunnah, Hadith, and Ijtihad in Islamic constitutional law, and the development of the Bahá'í legal order and its unique approach to law-making. Articles-unpublished.
85. 1998. Extracts from Letters Written by or on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi Regarding the Absence of Clergy in the Baha'i Faith. Shoghi Effendi. Compilation included with a memorandum from the House of Justice from 1998/02/11 regarding the abolition of the priesthood. Compilations.
86. 1997-10. Law and International Order: Proceedings of the First European Bahá'í Conference on Law and International Order: Review. Joshua Lincoln. Review of conference proceedings, highlighting Bahá'í law, governance, human rights, and future perspectives. Reviews.
87. 1997. In A Blue Haze: Smoking and Baha'i Ethics. Udo Schaefer. Smoking as a focus of this first attempt to define certain aspects of Bahá'í ethics. Books.
88. 1997. Commentary on the Kitab-i Aqdas, verse one. Sen McGlinn. Meanings why recognition of God and his Manifestations are the first two laws of the Aqdas. Essays.
89. 1997. Deconstructing and Reconstructing the Shari'a: Babi and Baha'i Solutions to the Problem of Immutability. Denis MacEoin. Ways in which the Bab and Bahá'u'lláh adopted and changed the Islamic shari`a in their own, new codes of law. Articles-unpublished.
90. 1997. Behold the Man: Baha'u'llah on the Life of Jesus. Juan Cole. Bahá'u'lláh's lessons from the Judeo-Christian experience for founding a new, post-Islamic religion; invoking Christ to illuminate contemporary situations within Babi-Bahá'í history; implications for his relations with Middle Eastern Christians. Articles.
91. 1996-07-01. Wills and Inheritance. Universal House of Justice. Five questions about the writing of Bahá'í wills. Includes a list of which laws are not at present binding upon the friends in the western world, and a compilation of "Extracts from Four Tablets by Abdu'l-Bahá Concerning the Question of Inheritance." UHJ-letters.
92. 1996-06-27. Monogamy, Sexual Equality, Marital Equality, and the Supreme Tribunal. Universal House of Justice. Questions about monogamy, the Supreme Tribunal, and the Bahá'í concept of equality of the sexes in light of some Bahá'í laws and history which appear to undermine it UHJ-letters.
93. 1996. Crime and Punishment: Bahá'í Perspectives for a Future Criminal Law. Udo Schaefer. There is a moral crisis at the present time due to the decline of religion. The Bahá'í teachings uphold the principles of divine justice, individual responsibility, moral education, and the fear of God. Articles.
94. 1996. Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1963-1986: Third Epoch of the Formative Age. Universal House of Justice, Geoffrey W. Marks, comp. . Books.
95. 1996. Concept of Divine Law, The. Mehrdad K. Meshgin. The changing impact of divine law on society; legal principles current in Europe are derived largely from the works on jurisprudence and the legal decision of Muslim theologians; Bahá'u'lláh's social teachings offer flexibility to address new concerns. Articles.
96. 1996. Universality of the Laws of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, The. Bijan Samali. The laws of the Aqdas focus on the individual; are applicable to everyone; facilitate the realisation of the oneness of human race; ensure the equality of the sexes; are adaptable to cultural diversities; and call for the elimination of all prejudices. Articles.
97. 1996. Death Penalty, The: Australian Legal Institutions vs the Bahá'í Faith?. Roger Le Lievre. The Bahá'í teachings accept the application of the death penalty as a punishment for murder as an expression of retributive justice. Articles.
98. 1996. Mission of the Báb, The: Retrospective 1844-1994. Douglas Martin. The revelation of the Báb in the context of its impact on the Western writers of the period and its subsequent influence. Articles.
99. 1996. Bahá'u'lláh's Teachings on Spiritual Reality. Paul Lample, comp. The quest for spirituality, the spiritual life, material and spiritual reality, the progress of the soul and humanity’s spiritual education. Introductory.
100. 1995-06-25. Legislative Responsibilities of the Universal House of Justice Regarding Obligatory Prayers, Guardian's Statement on. Universal House of Justice. Brief note about which aspects of obligatory prayer the House may one day legislate on. UHJ-letters.
101. 1995-05. Obedience. Darius K. Shahrokh. The meanings of infallibility, obedience to Bahá'u'lláh, the covenant of God with humanity, and the paradox of law being the instrument of liberation, not limitation. Audio.
102. 1995-04. Choice Wine: The Kitab-i Aqdas and the Development of Bahá'í Law. Anthony Lee. The Kitab-i Aqdas was not intended to establish a new law code (shari'a) similar to the one known to 19th century Muslim jurisprudence, but rather to discard that approach to law in favor of a more organic promulgation of ethical principles. Articles-unpublished.
103. 1995. Because Baha'u'llah said so: Dealing with a non-starter in moral reasoning. Arash Abizadeh. Discusses a popular but misleading versus more philosophically responsible approaches to revelation. Articles.
104. 1995. Shi`i Islam. Moojan Momen. Overview of Shi'a Islam, including a section on its relations to the Bahá'í Faith. Encyclopedia.
105. 1995. Law and Order: Warwick Leaflets. Warwick Bahá'í Bookshop. Essays.
106. 1995. Family and the Future, The: Legal Perspectives. P. E. Ringwood. Legal action and institutions must be developed which are positive, constructive and linked with community education and resources to improve the quality of family life; we must not forget that all life has a spiritual perspective. Essays.
107. 1995. Affirmative Action and the Jurisprudence of Equitable Inclusion: Towards a New Consensus on Gender and Race Relations. Steven Gonzales. The principle of equity and the Bahá’í emphasis on unity in diversity as a basis for considering Affirmative Action in relationship to remedying past injustices to women and minorities. Articles.
108. 1995. Tablet to Mirza Abu'l-Fadl Concerning the Questions of Manakji Limji Hataria: Baha'u'llah on Hinduism and Zoroastrianism. Bahá'u'lláh, Juan Cole, trans. . Introduction to, article about, and translation of the Tablet to Maneckji. Translations.
109. 1995. Quranic Roots of Some Legal and Theological Terms of the Kitáb-i Aqdas Regarding Women and Homosexual Relations, The. Kamran Ekbal. Interpretations and etymologies of Arabic terms for prostitution, virginity, dowry, menstruation, sodomy, pederasty, uncleanliness, and adultery. Articles-unpublished.
110. 1995. Comparative Lives of the Founders of the World Religions. Moojan Momen. Table comparing the lives of the Founders of the world's religions. Resources.
111. 1994. Inheritance. Seena Fazel. The apparent contradiction between sexual equality and the unequal inheritance laws contained in the Aqdas. Essays.
112. 1994. Kitab-i-Aqdas, The: Bahá'í Law, Legitimacy, and World Order. Martha L. Schweitz. On the Kitáb-i-Aqdas from the perspective of contemporary secular national and international law; its institution-building provisions as a Charter for future world civilization; relationship between law and principle; transformation of international law. Articles.
113. 1994. "On Human Origins: A Bahá'í Perspective," by Craig Loehle: Response to Commentary. Keven Brown. Reviews.
114. 1994. Rituals in Babism and Baha'ism. Denis MacEoin. On practices of prayer, invocations, talismans, jewelry, fasting, purity, birth, death, marriage, festivals, pilgrimage, and Feast. Includes 26 appendices with texts and translations. Books.
115. 1994. Kitab-i-Aqdas, The: The Causality Principle in the World of Being. William S. Hatcher. On the overall philosophical framework of the Bahá’í Faith to understand the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, which is the articulation of some of the most basic laws of spiritual reality. Articles.
116. 1993. Kitab-i-Aqdas: Its Place in Bahá'í literature. Bahá'í World Centre Office of Public Information. Offers a broad introduction to the Aqdas and its themes. Essays.
117. 1993. Balance hath been Appointed, The: Some Thoughts on the Publication of the Kitab-i-Aqdas. Udo Schaefer. Significances of the Aqdas and the possible impact of its publication (1992) upon its Western audience. Articles.
118. 1993. Exemption. Bahíyyih Nakhjavání. Thoughts on Bahá'u'lláh's meaning in "exempting" women from certain Bahá'í obligations, especially pilgrimage. Essays.
119. 1992-02-23. Goddess Religion, Ancient. Universal House of Justice. Ancient goddess religions and the role of the feminine in theology. UHJ-letters.
120. 1992. Kitáb-i-Aqdas. Bahá'u'lláh. Full authoritative English translation of Baháʼu'lláh's book of laws, along with clarifying texts and detailed explanatory notes. Writings.
121. 1992. Immanence and Transcendence in Theophanic Symbolism. Michael W. Sours. Bahá'u'lláh uses symbols to depict theophanies — the appearance of God and the divine in the realm of creation — such as "angel," "fire," and the prophets' claims to be incarnating the "face" or "voice" of God; these convey the transcendence of God. Articles.
122. 1991-12-09. Violation of Bahá'í and Civil Law. Universal House of Justice. The role of spiritual assemblies in regulating behavior of Bahá'ís, the role of institutions in upholding of Bahá’í law, removal of administrative rights, and treatment of Bahá'ís convicted of a criminal offense. UHJ-letters.
123. 1991-06-20. Secret of Divine Civilization Translation, Capital Punishment, and Other Questions. Universal House of Justice. On the capitalization of pronouns, reference to "we Muslims," works of Abdu'l-Bahá revealed during the time of Bahá'u'lláh, the first person to recognize Bahá'u'lláh, and designer of the temple in Ishqabad. Includes a compilation on capital punishment. UHJ-letters.
124. 1991-01-02. Obligatory Prayers and Ablutions. Universal House of Justice, Bahá'u'lláh, Abdu'l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi. Letter from the House on missing prayers due to ailment, an insecure environment, or an inability to speak. Followed by a brief compilation. UHJ-letters.
125. 1991. Maid of Heaven, the Image of Sophia, and the Logos, The: Personification of the Spirit of God in Scripture and Sacred Literature. Michael W. Sours. The Logos in Christianity and the Maiden for Bahá'u'lláh can be equated as one and the same eternal reality; the divine image of wisdom in Proverbs; Sophia and Logos are combined in the feminine personification of the Most Great Spirit. Articles.
126. 1990. Hinduism and the Bahá'í Faith. Moojan Momen. An attempt to explore the relationship between Hinduism and the Bahá'í Faith and to explain the Bahá'í Faith to those who are from a Hindu background. Books.
127. 1989-10-06. Special Report on Baha'i Burial vs. Maori Custom. National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of New Zealand. Special report about reconciling Bahá'í burial laws with local maori customs where they conflict; includes guidance from the Universal House of Justice. NSA-letters.
128. 1989-08-25. John the Baptist and Interpretation. Universal House of Justice, Research Department. Various questions about the the Bahá’í position on John the Baptist, his station and teaching, and the function of interpretation. UHJ-letters.
129. 1989. Bahá'í Shrines. John Walbridge. Encyclopedia.
130. 1988-06-05. Legislating on Morality. Universal House of Justice. Discusses approaches to moral guidance, including the roles of general principles, individual judgment, and the question of how detailed rules should be. UHJ-letters.
131. 1988-05-31. Women on the Universal House of Justice. Universal House of Justice. Response to a paper presented at a Bahá'í Studies conference which raised the possibility that women could one day be eligible for membership on the Universal House of Justice. UHJ-letters.
132. 1988. Perceiving Differences: A Look at Gender and Equality. Mark Brush. Observations on what Richard DeNovellis' "Personality Type Preference Indicator" tests show about ages and genders; laws of nature vs. laws of God. Articles.
133. 1988. Lights of Guidance: A Bahá'í Reference File. Bahá'u'lláh, Abdu'l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi, Universal House of Justice, Helen Bassett Hornby, comp. . The classic Bahá'í reference book. This is its first online edition. Compilations-personal.
134. 1987. Question of Gender, A: A Forum on the Status of Men in Bahá'í Law. Susan Maneck (published as Susan Stiles Maneck), Baharieh Rouhani Ma'ani, R. Jackson Armstrong-Ingram, Anthony Lee. Six authors address issues of theology, sociology, law, inheritance, equality, the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, marriage, and feminism raised by John and Linda Walbridge's article "Bahá'í Laws on the Status of Men" (World Order 1984). Articles.
135. 1986. Forces of Our Time, The. Hooper Dunbar. Excerpt from a talk presented at the "Prepare for Peace" conference, Long Beach, California, August 1985. Talks.
136. 1975. Mystical Dimensions of Islam. Annemarie Schimmel. Detailed history of Sufism and its thought, Islamic theosophy, and Persian and Turkish mystical poetry. Book includes no mention of the Bahá'í Faith, but is quite relevant. Books.
137. 1974-06-09. Laws from the Kitab-i-Aqdas Not Yet Binding. Universal House of Justice. Which laws of the Kitab-i-Aqdas are and are not currently (as of 1974) binding upon Western believers. UHJ-documents.
138. 1974. Six Lessons on Bahá'í Law: A Deepening Course for Bahá'ís. John B. Cornell, comp, Beatrice Rinde, comp. Principles of the Faith; justice and mercy; laws for the individual vs society; jurisdiction; civil law. Books.
139. 1973. Synopsis and Codification of the Laws and Ordinances of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. Bahá'u'lláh, Shoghi Effendi, Shoghi Effendi, trans. . Original 1973 version, different than the version incorporated in the 1992 English translation of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. Writings.
140. 1971. Institute on Islam. Peter J. Khan. Transcription of tape #7 which deals with prophecies in the Qur'an, and recordings of a one-weekend group class on Islam in Davenport, Iowa. Audio.
141. 1968. Persia. Richard N. Frye. Excerpt from a book on the history of Iran. Includes mention of Bahá'í schools in the early twentieth century. Excerpts.
142. 1956. Notes on Words of the Guardian. Virginia Orbison. Ten pages of notes, preserved as an appendix to Orbison's lengthy manuscript "Diary of a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Made by Virginia Orbison, January 15 to February 11". Pilgrims.
143. 1950/1973. Principles of Bahá'í Administration. Bahá'u'lláh, Abdu'l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United Kingdom, comp. . A guide to procedure in the life and organic activity of the Bahá'í community, prepared from three main sources by the National Spiritual Assembly of the United Kingdom: Bahá'í Administration, Bahá'í Procedure, and Bahá'í Community. Compilations-NSA.
144. 1947/1963. Bahá'í Community, The: A Summary of Its Organization and Laws. Abdu'l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States, comp. . An early manual and compilation on Bahá'í administration, community, and laws. Compilations-NSA.
145. 1941. Introduction to a Study of the Qur'án: With Additional References from Several Bahá'í Texts. National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States. A study guide to the Qur'an, consisting of lists of topics and verses by the "Study Outline Committee." Study.
146. 1939. Heart of the Gospel: The Bible and the Bahá'í Faith. George Townshend. Using only the text of the Bible, Townshend provides a new reading of Scripture as a guidebook for those who seek a universal view of religion and the contemporary world. Books.
147. 1931. Kitáb-i-Íqán: The Book of Certitude. Bahá'u'lláh, Shoghi Effendi, trans. . Major theological work by Baháʼu'lláh, written prior to his declaration of mission. Writings.
148. 1915-06-24. 'Abdu'l-Bahá in the Holy Land answers questions of Dr. Edward C. Getsinger in 1915. Edward C. Getsinger, comp. The importance of humility, spiritual guidance, unity, and self-sacrifice over rigid adherence to law; the dangers of envy and ambition, true authority in the Faith is characterized by humility and service, not personal ambition. Pilgrims.

1. 1873-02-00 —
   Bahá'u'lláh completed the revelation of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas in the southeast corner room of the house of `Údí Khammár. [BBD132; BKG351; DH46; GPB213; RB3:275; SA248; BBS145]
   • See A Description of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas by Shoghi Effendi.
   • There is evidence to suggest that at least some of the work was written earlier as confirmed by the book's reference to the fall of Napoleon III in 1870 and there is further evidence to suggest that parts of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas were revealed as early as 1868. [SA16–17, 248]
   • For the significance of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas see BKG351–3, BW15:87–91, GPB213–15 and RB3:275–399.
   • For analyses of its significance, content and application, see RB3:275–399 and SA248–52.
2. 1873-02-02 —
   The revelation of the obligatory prayers.

   "Many of the laws of the Báb...are carefully designed in a way that testifies that the advent of Him Whom God shall make manifest was impending....The Báb never revealed the words of the (obligatory) prayer itself, thus making the implementation of this law dependent on the arrival of the Promised One." [GH366]

   The original Bahá'í obligatory prayer, mentioned in the Kitab-i-Aqdas, involved nine cycles of movement starting with a bow (rak`ah) and was to be said morning, noon, and afternoon. It probably called for three rak`ahs at each time. Bahá'u'lláh revealed the text but did not release it in order to avoid provoking conflict with Muslims. (This prayer was one of the documents in the cases taken by `Abdu'l-Bahá's brothers shortly after the passing of Bahá'u'lláh.) Some time later, after the writing of the Kitab-i-Aqdas but before that of its supplement Questions and Answers, Bahá'u'lláh wrote a second set of obligatory prayers which are in use today. Three alternative forms were provided: a very short prayer to be said between noon and sunset; a somewhat longer prayer to be said in the morning, the afternoon, and the evening; and a long prayer to be said once during twenty-four hours. [Prayer and Worship by John Walbridge]

   • See Entering into Obligatory Prayer: Introduction and Commentary by Ismael Velasco.
   • See as well the message from the Universal House of Justice message of 28 November 2000 with commentary from Ismael Vlasco, Peter Terry and Michael Sours.
3. 1887-10-27 —
   "When Bahá'u'lláh revealed the Kitáb-i-Aqdas He withheld the publication of certain laws. These included the text of the Obligatory Prayers. In one of His Tablets Bahá'u'lláh orders His amanuensis, Mírzá Áqá Ján, to send a copy of the Obligatory Prayers to Persia as a favour to Mullá 'Alí-Akbar who had asked for them. He confirms that the Obligatory Prayers had been revealed a few years earlier." [RoB4p299-300]
   • (It) "was shared with Hand of the Cause Alí Akbar SháhMírzádeh Hajji Akhund in the Lawh-i Bishárát-i 'Uzma (Tablet of the Most Great Glad-tidings), and thus diffused among the community. [Kitáb-i-Aqdas: the Obligatory Prayers Notes by the Universal House of Justice, Ismael Velasco, Peter Terry, Michael Sours]
   • See Kitáb-i-Aqdas: Tablet Study Outline .
4. 1903-00-00 —
   The passing of Mullá Zaynu'l-'Ábidín, surnamed Zaynu'l-Muqarrabín (the Ornament of the Near Ones) in 'Akká. He is sometimes referred to as Jináb-i-Zayn (The Excellent Zayn), or Harfu'z-Zá (the Letter Z). He was born in the month of Rajab, in one of the villages of Najafábád near Isfahán to a family of Muslim clerics in May 1818. He had first heard of the Báb's claim while on pilgrimage in Karbilá in 1844 and became a believer in 1851. He met Bahá'u'lláh in Baghdád after His return from Kurdistán in 1856. He was among the believers who were exiled from Baghdád in July of 1868 and under his leadership and guidance the believers in Mosul became a model community. He was invited by Bahá'u'lláh to come to 'Akká in Sep-Oct 1885 and shortly after that Baha'u'lláh asked that the community in Mosul be abandoned. [EB274-276; MoF150-154; TN412-425]

   Jináb-i-Zaynu'l-Muqarrabín was well versed in Islamic jurisprudence. After the revelation of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, he was authorized to submit questions concerning the laws. The treatise, titled Questions and Answers, an appendix to the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, is a compilation he made of Bahá'u'lláh's answers to questions concerning the laws of the Most Holy Book. It took more than two decades for "Questions and Answers" to be published in Persian and much longer to be published in English and other languages. [KA9]

   • See Some Answered Questions" and Its Compiler by Baharieh Rouhani Ma'ani published in Lights of Irfan, 18, pages 425-452. In this paper the author compares the similarities and differences of Questions and Answers and Some Answered Questions.
   • For an image Zaynu'l-Muqarrabín see Picture Gallery (miniature by Ethel Rosenberg). This image can also been found in RoB1p78
   • He was named as one of the Apostles of Bahá'u'lláh.
5. 1935-10-01 — Shoghi Effendi wrote to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States and Canada stating that the laws of fasting, obligatory prayer, the consent of parents before marriage, the avoidance of alcoholic drinks and monogamy should be regarded as universally applicable and binding. [CB313] iiiii
6. 1974-06-09 — In a letter to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Iceland, the Universal House of Justice reiterated the laws not yet binding on the Bahá'ís of the West in the Kitab-i-Aqdas. [9 June 1974]
7. 1992-04-21 — The announcement by the Universal House of Justice that the Law of Ḥuqúqu'lláh was to be in effect for the members of the entire world community. Prior to this time, it was only binding on the Eastern believers, regardless of where they lived. [Ridván Message, AWH106, 175, BW92–3:28, CBN Jan91 p2]

   In a letter to an individual dated 23 February 2000 the Universal House of Justice commented on the way the new law was introduced for universal application.

8. 1995-06-08 — The First European Baha'i Conference on Law and International Order was held in De Poort, the Netherlands. The Dr Àziz Navidi Memorial Lecture, The Theme of Service in the Evolving World Order of Bahá'u'lláh was delivered 9 June by Kiser Barnes.

   For the proceedings see Law and International Order: Proceedings of the First European Bahá'í Conference on Law and International Order and for a review of the book by Joshua Lincoln see Bahá'í Library Online.

9. 1999-12-28 —
   In a message from the Universal House of Justice addressed to the Bahá'ís of the world, some laws of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas which had not yet been universally applied were put into effect. Those were the laws that directly foster the devotional life of the individual and of the community which pertained to obligatory prayer, fasting and recitation of the Greatest Name ninety-five times a day.
   "The friends have long been familiar with the great importance which Bahá’u’lláh attaches to daily obligatory prayer and to the observance of the fast, but a number of aspects of the law, such as those concerning ablutions, traveling and the compensation for prayers missed, remained to be made universally applicable. This step is now taken. Thus all elements of the laws dealing with obligatory prayer and fasting are, without any exception, now applicable."
   • Those laws of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas that were not yet universally applicable were delineated in the message dated 8 February, 2001.
10. 2000-02-23 — In a message from the Department of the Secretariat to an individual, the Universal House of Justice explained the principle behind the application of Bahá'í law. [23 February 2000]
11. 2000-05-00 — Subsequent to the message of the Universal House of Justice of 28 December 1999 in which the laws of obligatory prayer, fasting and the recitation of the Greatest Name 95 times per day where made applicable to all believers, the compilation The Importance of Obligatory Prayer and Fasting was published. It was prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice with the purpose “to deepen their awareness of the blessings conferred by the laws which directly foster the devotional life of the individual and, thus, of the community.”

    In a letter to an individual dated 23 February 2000 the Universal House of Justice described these three laws as "a matter of conscience" in that they are not enforceable as are the laws of marriage. They also point out that, unlike most laws, "genuine ignorance of a law is acceptable as an excuse for not adhering to it'.

12. 2015-03-21 —
    The implementation of the Badí' Calendar on the first day of the tenth Váhid of the first Kull-i-Shay' of the Bahá'í Era.

    "Báb introduced the calendar and its broad pattern of periods and cycles, months and days. Bahá'u'lláh provided essential clarifications and additions. Aspects were elucidated by 'Abdu'l-Bahá, and arrangements for its adoption in the West were put in place at the direction of Shoghi Effendi, as described in the volumes of The Bahá'í World. Still, ambiguities surrounding some Islamic and Gregorian dates, as well as difficulties in the correlation of historical observances and astronomical events with explicit statements in the Text, left certain issues unresolved. When responding to questions concerning the calendar, both 'Abdu'l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi left these matters to the Universal House of Justice. Of its many features, three required clarification for the calendar's uniform application: the means for the determination of Naw-Rúz, the accommodation of the lunar character of the Twin Holy Birthdays within the solar year, and the fixing of the dates of the Holy Days within the Badí' calendar." [Message from the Universal House of Justice dated 10 July, 2014] (notes below extracted from the message)

    The Festival of Naw-Rúz: The birthplace of the Abhá Beauty, will be the spot on the earth that will serve as the standard for determining, by means of astronomical computations from reliable sources, the moment of the vernal equinox in the northern hemisphere and thereby the day of Naw-Rúz for the Bahá'í world.

    The Festivals of the Twin Birthdays: They will now be observed on the first and the second day following the occurrence of the eighth new moon after Naw-Rúz. This will result in the observance of the Twin Birthdays moving, year to year, within the months of Mashíyyat, 'Ilm, and Qudrat of the Badí' calendar, or from mid-October to mid-November according to the Gregorian calendar.

    The dates of the Holy Days are: Naw-Rúz, 1 Bahá; the Festival of Riḍván, 13 Jalál to 5 Jamál; the Declaration of the Báb, 8 'Aẓamat; the Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh, 13 'Aẓamat; the Martyrdom of the Báb, 17 Raḥmat; the Day of the Covenant, 4 Qawl; and the Ascension of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, 6 Qawl. These dates have been fixed within the solar calendar in accordance with explicit statements of Bahá'u'lláh, 'Abdu'l-Bahá, and Shoghi Effendi. [Message from the Universal House of Justice dated 10 July, 2014]

    • See Introduction to Badí' Calendar.

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