Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah

This book is a compendium of writings of Bahaullah, the founder of the Baha'i Faith. The Baha'i ideas of the universality of religion and the necessity of unity among people are well presented in these excerpts from the many writings of Bahaullah.This book does not set forth all the religious practices of the Baha'i Faith, nor does it purport to give one a complete picture of all aspects of the faith. Instead, the "gleanings" seem chosen to present some of the core Baha'i ideas in the words of the founder of the faith. The Baha'i ideas of the core of truth in all religions, the ongoing nature of spiritual prophecy, and the ineffable mystery of God are fascinating reading. The fact that this faith arose in the 19th Century makes its founders' writings seem much more modern and accessible than some older religious writing.As one reads other works about Baha'i practice, one might offer the critique of this work that the excerpts really tell the reader more about the ideals of Baha'ism and not enough about the day to day reality of how Bahaullah felt the faith should be practiced. This is very much a starting point for one interested in Baha'i ideas rather than a comprehensive guide. Still, if you want a good idea of many core Baha'i concepts, you'll find this a readable set of writings. This book won't tell you "everything you need to know about Baha'is", but it is interesting for the non-believer as well as for the believer to give a picture window into this faith.

"Gleanings from the Writing of Bahá'u'lláh", first published in 1939, is a thorough and inclusive compilation of many of the essential teachings of Bahá'u'lláh (1817-1892). It has become a part of most Bahá'ís personal libraries. It contains a complete index and glossary, so that most aspects of His teachings can be looked up, such as 'life after death', Bahá'u'lláh's station and that of Muhammad, Christ, and Moses, the purpose of creation, Mankind's obligations and their waywardness, etc. He makes His own station clear with words such as these: "O Jews! If ye be intent on crucifying once again Jesus, the Spirit of God, put Me to death, for He hath once more, in My person, been made manifest unto you." His words are so powerful in most of the book that they virtually demand to be read aloud. The compiler and translator, Shoghi Effendi, Bahá'u'lláh's great-grandson, organized the book generally into thirds. First focusing on Bahá'u'lláh's station, next on the unknowable Divinity of God, then His words to His believers calling them to the highest moral and spiritual standards and to the unbelievers that they detach themselves from all acquired knowledge and search for Truth themselves. All that Christ said He could not reveal (John 16:12) can be found here!

summoning mankind unto Him." "The earth is but one country and mankind its citizens." "So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth. " These are just a few of the soul-stirring statements to be found in this compilation of spiritual gems selected from the treasury of the writings of Baha'u'llah, the Prophet-Founder of the Baha'i Faith. Themes explored in these profoundly spiritual and often mystical writings include (but are no means limited to) the nature of God, his purpose in creating human beings, the relationship of human beings to their Creator, and the role played by the Manifestations of God (Divine messengers through whom the Creator has revealed himself to humanity throughout history). The passages in this collection were personally selected and translated from the original Persian and Arabic into English by Shoghi Effendi Rabbani, the great-grandson of Baha'u'llah who headed the Faith from 1921-1957. This book is an indispensable resource for anyone with a serious interest in investigating the claims of this new religion, which has spread from its roots in the Middle East to encircle the globe in a little over 100 years.