Bahai Library Online

Partial inventory: Best known Writings of Abdu'l-Bahá

see also best-known Writings of The Báb and Baha'u'lláh, and all inventory items by The Abdu'l-Bahá

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Alvah-i-Visaya (Will and Testament), Persian, 5820 words, dated "Early period"   • authorized transl. available AB00001
Lawh-i-'Ammih (Tablet to the Aunt), Arabic and Persian (mixed), 2740 words, dated "Early period" AB00025

Tablet written by 'Abdu'l-Bahá to His unfaithful aunt Shah Sultan Khanum, after the ascension of Bahá'u'lláh.

Lawh-i-Aflakiyyih (Tablet of the Celestial Spheres), Arabic, 3020 words, dated "Early period" AB00023

Treatise highlighting the intimate connection between physical and spiritual realities and laws. Opens with an exordium on the names and attributes of God, which move "in the firmament of perfection in descending and ascending arcs", and "in the orbits of sanctity and circles of glorification", occupying "spiritual spheres" which are "subtle", "fluid", and "vibrating". Explains that since motion is intrinsic to existence, and this motion must be governed that order and perfection may be maintained, a universal attractive force was brought into being between the "holy and resplendent suns" and their planets and satellites. Emphasizes that the creation of God has no limits. Clarifies that the preceding are "spiritual truths pertaining to the spiritual world" and that material truths can also be inferred from this, for "physical things are signs and imprints of spiritual things". Describes the interconnected and relative nature of "earthly" and "heavenly", "material" and "spiritual", "accidental" and "essential", "particular" and "universal", "foundation" and "structure". States, quoting a Hadith, that particular and universal realities in both the physical and spiritual realms are infinite. Explains that the divine grace is manifested according to capacity, both individually in the human reality and collectively in this new cycle: thus "in this most great manifestation ... the gates of revelation and discovery have been thrown wide open". Clarifies that it is not possible that God's grace should have appeared all at once, but that a gradual and progressive revelation is necessary. Warns that the knowledge and sciences of past ages are "superstitious fancies" compared to those realities which have become unveiled in this Revelation, and so all matters must be weighed in the balance of this Cause. Directs that all things be investigated "in a methodical and scientific way", and that conventional wisdom be rejected, in order "to discover the undisclosed verities and the hidden mysteries, which are concealed in the inmost heart of the universal realities". Reiterates that the discoveries and opinions of earlier philosophers, including those regarding the celestial spheres, were unsound, since it is only in this age that the mathematical sciences have been systematized. Defends the statements of the Prophets about the celestial spheres, that they merely referred to the orbits of the planets. Affirms that the planets move within a subtle, fluid and vibrating substrate, and that "the heavens are a restrained wave because a void is impossible and inconceivable". Rejects the notion that the celestial spheres are solid and glassy. Returns to the topic of the errors of the ancient philosophers, in relation to the orbit of the Earth around the sun: while Pythagoras, Plato and Aristarchus affirmed the correct theory, their opinions were based on presentiment and not on evidence; while most of the sages, including al-Farabi, followed the erroneous theory of Ptolemy (in contradiction to the explicit text of Qur'an 36:38). Reiterates that sound scientific theories are supported by logical proofs and careful observation, as well as being "in conformity with the principles of the universal themes expounded in the divine sciences". Praises the careful observations of Copernicus. Closes with a prayer in praise of God and this Day and asking for steadfastness.

Lawh-i-Du-Niday-i-Falah va Najah (Two Calls to Success and Prosperity), Arabic and Persian (mixed), 3040 words, dated "Early period"   • authorized transl. available AB00022
Lawh-i-Haft Sham' (Seven Candles), Persian, 930 words, dated "Early period"   • authorized transl. available AB00143
Lawh-i-Hizar Bayti (Tablet of the Thousand Verses), Arabic and Persian (mixed), 10300 words, dated "Early period" AB00005
Lawh-i-Shuhaday-i-Yazd va Isfahan (Tablet on the Martyrs of Yazd and Isfahan), Arabic and Persian (mixed), 5290 words, dated "Early period" AB00010
Madaniyyih (The Secret of Divine Civilization), Persian, 20800 words, dated "Early period"   • authorized transl. available AB00004

Treatise addressed anonymously to the entire Persian nation, outlining both the secular and the religious bases of true civilization. Identified by Shoghi Effendi as Abdu'l-Baha's "outstanding contribution to the future reorganization of the world." Presents a defense of Western-style modernization in the face of opposition to the Shah's reforms. Explores the qualities of the spiritually learned through the lens of an Islamic tradition that the learned "must guard himself, defend his faith, oppose his passions and obey the commandments of his Lord". Presents the essential outlines of the Lesser Peace. Argues that religion is the greatest instrument for achieving true civilization, but warns that it can be diverted to the wrong ends. Rejects the possibility of a secular morality based on an "innate sense of human dignity", since "self-love is kneaded into the very clay of man". Issues a call for education reform, borrowing from other cultures as necessary, to restore the ancient glory of Persia.

Maqaliy-i-Shakhs Sayyah (A Traveller's Narrative), Persian, 22000 words, dated "Early period" AB00003

"The ablest and most valuable presentation of the early history of the Faith and of its tenets." (Shoghi Effendi) Recounts events in the life of the Bab and in the lives of His followers and illustrates the character of the Baha'i revelation with numerous quotations from Baha'u'llah's Writings.

Siyasiyyih (The Art of Divine Polity - Treatise on Politics), Persian, 5110 words, dated "Early period" AB00011
Some Answered Questions #001 Nature is Governed by a Universal Law, Persian, 390 words, dated "Early period"   • authorized transl. available AB01029

The first of 84 chapters of the book "Some Answered Questions", a compilation of table talks of ʻAbdu'l-Bahá, collected by Laura Clifford Barney.

Tafsir-i-Kuntu Kanzan Makhfiyyan (Commentary on the Hadith of the Hidden Treasure), Arabic and Persian (mixed), 8270 words, dated "Early period" AB00006

Makatib v.2 p.55 mentions that this was written in Edirne; see also BMT.178. For brief commentary by Baha'u'llah see BH04769.

no title, Persian, 130 words, dated "Journeys to the West (1911-1913)" AB06441

First chapter of the book "'Abdu'l-Bahá in London".

Address to the Baha'is at Kinney home in New York, 1912-04-11, 320 words, dated "Journeys to the West (1911-1913)" ABU0970

First chapter of the book "The Promulgation of Universal Peace", a collection of 140 talks given during ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's 1912 visit to the United States and Canada.

The Duty of Kindness and Sympathy towards Strangers and Foreigners: Words spoken on 1911-10-16 in Paris, 450 words, dated "Journeys to the West (1911-1913)" ABU0653

First chapter of the book "Paris Talks", a collection of 59 talks given during ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's visit toParis in 1911 and 1912.

Lawh-i-'Ahd va Mithaq (Last Tablet to America), Arabic and Persian (mixed), 2840 words, dated "Late period" AB00024
Lawh-i-Dr Forel (Tablet to Dr Forel), Persian, 3770 words, dated "Late period"   • authorized transl. available AB00020
Lawh-i-Lahih (Tablet to the Hague), Arabic and Persian (mixed), 4540 words, dated "Late period"   • authorized transl. available AB00016
Tablet of the Divine Plan (Northeastern states I), Arabic and Persian (mixed), 400 words, dated "Late period"   • authorized transl. available AB00956
Tadhkiratu'l-Vafa (Memorials of the Faithful), Persian, 42100 words, dated "Late period"   • authorized transl. available AB00002
Lawh-i-Ayat (Tablet of the Signs), Arabic, 590 words, undated   • authorized transl. available AB00444
Lawh-i-Khurasan, Arabic, 720 words, undated AB00265
Lawh-i-Mahfil-i-Shawr?, Arabic and Persian (mixed), 610 words, undated AB00394
Lawh-i-Mahfil-i-Shawr?, Arabic and Persian (mixed), 310 words, undated   • authorized transl. available AB01545
Lawh-i-Tanzih va Taqdis (=Lawh-i-Dukhan), Arabic and Persian (mixed), 1040 words, undated   • authorized transl. available AB00109
Lawh-i-Tarbiyyat (Tablet of Education), Arabic and Persian (mixed), 930 words, undated AB00142
Sharh-i-Fass-i-Nigin (on the Ringstone Symbol), Arabic and Persian (mixed), 660 words, undated AB00328
Tafsir-i-Bismillah, Arabic, 4760 words, undated AB00013

Date of publication mentioned in TZH6.282 and BMT.012-013.

Ziyarat-Namih (Tablet of Visitation), Arabic and Persian (mixed), 210 words, undated   • authorized transl. available AB03082

Chanted by A. Nakhjavani [http://blog.loomofreality.org/?attachment_id=106], who related to the compiler in 1995 that, to the best of his recollection from childhood, this is how Shoghi Effendi would chant the Tablet in the Shrines.

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