PREFACE

The Bah‡'’ Community has long awaited the day when a comprehensive selection from the writings of the B‡b would be made available to it. Ever since Shoghi Effendi translated and published Nab’l's Narrative, and set forth in his monumental works the exalted station of the B‡b, the Bah‡'’s the world over, and particularly those in the West, have, in their longing to draw nearer to the glorious spirit of Him Who was not only the Herald of their Faith but the Bearer of an independent Revelation, eagerly anticipated an authentic compilation of His revealed utterances and writings. This volume, it is hoped, will be an initial and effective step in that direction.

In view of the vastness of the writings of the B‡b, a thorough review of His several works was required. The Universal House of Justice entrusted this task to its Research Department. The actual translation was made by Mr. Habib Taherzadeh, who for several years himself served in that Department. With the assistance of a committee which worked with him, this work is now completed, and it is being made available to Bah‡'’s and the general public as a precious addition to the volume of Bah‡'’ literature in the English language.

A considerable number of passages from the Writings of the B‡b were translated by Shoghi Effendi and quoted in his various works. Those included in this compilation are listed below.

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11	1	'The substance wherewith God . . .' to '. . . nor the faithful discover'.
11	4	'I am one of the sustaining pillars. . .' to '. . . all that is good and seemly;'
12	1	'By My life! But for . ..' to '. . . the keys of hell on My left. . .'
12	6	'I am the Primal Point . . .' to '. . . Whose radiance can never fade.'
13	3	'In that same year . . .' to '. . . the station of thy sovereignty.'
13	16	'I swear by God! . . .' to '. .. hold thy breath from fear of God;'
14	15	'Alas! Alas! for the things which have touched Me!'
14	18	'I swear by the Most Great Lord! . . .' to ',. . all the chosen ones. . .'
15	20	'Woe betide him. . .' to '. . . hands floweth good.'
15	33	'I swear by God! I seek . . .' to '. . . as much as a mustard seed.'
16	8	'In this mountain. . .' to '. . . what I have endured!'
16	18	'I swear by the truth of God! . . .' to '. . . carried into effect.'
41	17	'O concourse of kings and of. . .' to '. . . as a decree of God.'
41	22	'O King of Islam!. . .' to '. . . Paradise of His good-pleasure.'
42	16	'By God! If ye do well .. .' to '. . . all earthly dominion.'
43	5	'Vain indeed is your dominion . . .' to '. . . as have denied Him;'

NOTES

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43	9	'O concourse of kings! Deliver . . .' to '. . . the East and the West.'
44	1	'O concourse of divines! Fear God. . .' to '. . . the position ye occupied.'
44	23	'As to those who deny Him . ..' to '. . . the Mighty, the Wise.'
49	13	'Ere long will God wreak.. .' to '. . . a severe torment.'
53	11	'And when the appointed hour . . .' to '. . . that envelops Thy Revelation.'
55	18	'O concourse of Sh’'ihs! . . .' to '. . . decreed in the Mother Book.'
56	5	'Issue forth from your cities, O peoples of the West and aid God. . .'
56	13	'Become as true brethren . . .' and '. . . one and indivisible religion. . .'
57	8	'By My glory! I will make . ..' to '. . . heart of My throne;'
59	1	'Out of utter nothingness. . .' to '. . . no will but Thy Will.'
59	10	'O Thou Remnant of God!. . .' to '. . . the Protector, the Ancient of Days.'
61	12	'O people of the Qur'‡n!. . .' to '. . . a speck on a date-stone.'
63	15	'Fear ye God, O concourse of kings, . . .' to '. . . the whole of Paradise.'
68	18	'Should it be Our wish . . .' to '. . . the truth of Our Cause.'
68	18	'With each and every Prophet. . .' to '. . . that circle His mercy-seat.'
70	10	'Erelong We will, . . .' to '. . . dire and exemplary punishment.'
72	16	"O peoples of the earth! . . .' to '. . . potent over all things.'
72	20	'O Qurratu'l-'Ayn! I recognize. . .' to '. . . have ever known Thee.'
74	7	'I am the Mystic Fane . . .' to '. . . the midst of the Burning Bush.'

NOTES

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87	7	'How veiled are ye, O My creatures, . . .' to '. . . refuse Him even a lamp!'
101	6	'The Bay‡n is from beginning . . .' to '. . . both His fire and His light.'
104	3	'a thousand perusals of the Bay‡n . . .' to '. . . God shall make manifest.'
105	27	'It is clear and evident . . .' to '. . . had no beginning and will have no end.'
108	1	'today the Bay‡n is . . .' to '. . . perfection will become apparent.'
117	12	'Gracious God!'
117	13	'seven powerful sovereigns . . .' to '. . . traces of their names.'
123	21	'The blame falleth upon their doctors . . .' to '. . . and attain unto salvation!'
155	15	'Consecrate Thou, O my God, . . .' to '. . . nor shall it return unto Me.'
156	4	'HeÐglorified be His mention . . .' to '. . . is nigh, ready to answer.'
168	21	'O congregation of the Bay‡n . . .' to '. . . is the Help in Peril, the Most High.'
217	18	'Is there any Remover of difficulties . . .' to '. . . abide by His bidding!'

Translations from the Writings of the B‡b made by Shoghi Effendi, but not included in this compilation, may be found in God Passes By on pages 25, 29 and 30; in The World Order of Bah‡'u'll‡h on pages 100, 101, 126, 127, 146 and 147; and in the Epistle to the Son of the Wolf on pages 141, 142, 151 to 160, 165, and 171 to 176.