The following is a list of books about the Bahá'í Faith. They may be ordered through the Bahá'í Distribution Service (e-mail bds@usbnc.org) at 1-800-999-9019. Their Web site is currently under development. Other sources include:
Many of these can also be retrieved electronically via ftp from the archives at the Bahá'í World Center.
You can also visit your local library, as it is quite likely that it may have a few introductory titles.
PRAYERS
Baha'i Prayers (US Edition)
A compilation of prayers for all subjects and occasions. Contains prayers revealed by the
Báb, Bahá'u'lláh and 'Abdu'l-Bahá.
WRITINGS OF THE CENTRAL FIGURES
The Báb
Selections from the Writings of the Bab
Extracts from the various Writings of the Herald-Martyr of the Bahá'í Faith, including
the Bayán
Bahá'u'lláh
The Hidden Words
Short but incredibly profound statements on the nature of man's relationship with his
Creator
The Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys
Two mystical works, each covering the stages of the spiritual growth of the soul
The Kitáb-i-Íqán (Book of Certitude)
The book that explains the subject of progressive revelation, the view that the various
religions and their Founders are part of one ongoing process by which God has educated
mankind. It explains the nature of these Founders (or Manifestations of God) and Their
Missions to humanity.
The Kitáb-i-Aqdas (Most Holy Book)
This is the book of laws that all Bahá'ís must follow. It also includes comprehensive
explanations and notes from the Universal House of Justice.
Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh
Selected passages from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, covering His entire Ministry
Prayers and Meditations
A large and extensive collection of prayers and meditations revealed by Bahá'u'lláh.
Some of these are prayers for us to use; others are Bahá'u'lláh's own prayers to God.
Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh
These tablets were revealed after the Kitab-i-Aqdas. Among them is the Lawh-i-Aqdas, the
Most Holy Tablet, also known as the Tablet to the Christians.
Epistle to the Son of the Wolf
Bahá'u'lláh's final major work, in which He summarizes His teachings.
'Abdu'l-Bahá
Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá
A collection of important passages from the writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá
The Promulgation of Universal Peace
Transcriptions of public talks 'Abdu'l-Bahá gave during His 1912 trip to the United
States and Canada.
Paris Talks
Transcriptions of public talks 'Abdu'l-Bahá gave during His visit to Paris
Some Answered Questions
A collection of "table talks" in which 'Abdu'l-Bahá answered a number of posed
questions on a wide range of philosophical, religious and social questions, including the
relationship of Bahá'í teachings to the Bible and evolution
INTRODUCTORY BOOKS ABOUT THE FAITH
Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era -- John E. Esslemont
One of the first, and still considered one of the best, introductions to the Bahá'í
Faith. It has been translated into 30 different languages and has been in continuous print
since 1923.
The Bahá'í Faith: The Emerging Global Religion -- William S. Hatcher and J.
Douglas Martin
One of the most recent introductory books to the Faith, this book is very strong in its
examination of the early history of the Faith and its relationship to Islám.
The Gardeners of God -- Gouvion and Jouvion
An overview of the Faith and its believers written by two non-Bahá'ís
BOOKS OF SPECIAL INTEREST TO CHRISTIANS
Thief in the Night -- William Sears
The story of how one man tried to solve "the case of the missing Millenium"
(referring to widespread expectations in the 1840's that Christ would return then) and
discovered the Bahá'í Faith
I Shall Come Again -- Hushidar Motlegh
An exposition of Biblical time prophecies pointing to the return of Christ and of how
those prophecies have been fulfilled by the advent of the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh
The Prophecies of Jesus -- Michael Sours
This book is a verse-by-verse exploration of Matthew 24, considered by many to be Jesus's
greatest prophetic sermon, in the light of Bahá'u'lláh's ministry and teachings,
19th-century Christian beliefs, and current Christian interpretations and expectations.
Jesus Christ in Sacred Bahá'í Literature -- Michael Sours, editor
Quotations from the writings of Bahá'u'lláh and 'Abdu'l-Bahá which praise the life and
ministry of Jesus Christ
View some of these quotations
Sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Detroit
Revised July 05, 2002
Written by Roger Reini (roger@rreini.com)