Gate of the Heart: Understanding the Writings of the Báb (Baháí Studies)

432 Pages·2008·1.85 MB·English

by  Nader Saiedi

gate of the heart
✩
Bahá’´ı Studies Series
This series features the study ofthe Sacred Texts,theology,
law,teachings,and principles ofthe Bahá’´ı Faith as well as the
history ofthe Bahá’´ı religion and the development ofthe Bahá’´ı
community.Bahá’´ı Studies also encompasses the application of
Bahá’´ı teachings to the contemporary needs ofhumanity.
Series Editors
Anne Furlong
Wendy Heller
Gate of the Heart
UnderstandingtheWritings
of the Báb
✩
Nader Saiedi
Wilfrid Laurier University Press
Weacknowledge the financial support ofthe Government ofCanada through the Book
Publishing Industry Development Program for our publishing activities.
Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication
Saiedi,Nader,1955–
Gate ofthe heart :understanding the writings ofthe Báb / Nader Saiedi.
(Bahá’´ı studies series)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
isbn 978-1-55458-035-4
1.Bab,Ali Muhammad Shirazi,1819–1850. 2.Bahai Faith. i.Title. ii.Series.
bp361.2.s34 2008 297.9'2 c2008-900044-7
©2008Association for Bahá’´ı Studies and Wilfrid Laurier University Press
Cover photograph ofthe House ofthe Báb in Shiraz courtesy ofthe Bahá’í World
Centre.Cover and text design by P.J.Woodland.
Every reasonable effort has been made to acquire permission for copyright material
used in this text,and to acknowledge all such indebtedness accurately.Any errors and
omissions called to the publisher’s attention will be corrected in future printings.
●
(cid:39)
This book is printed on Ancient Forest Friendly paper (100%post-consumer
recycled).
Printed in Canada
Nopart ofthis publication may be reproduced,stored in a retrieval system or trans-
mitted,in any form or by any means,without the prior written consent ofthe pub-
lisher or a licence from The Canadian Copyright Licensing Agency (Access Copy-
right).For an Access Copyright licence,visit www.accesscopyright.ca or call toll free
to1-800-893-5777.
contents
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Preface vii
Introduction 1
A Short Chronological List ofthe Báb’s Writings 29
part i
The Interpretive Revelation
1 The Mode ofInterpretation 39
2 The Divine Chemistry ofFire,Water,Air,and Earth 67
3 The Remembrance,the Gate,and the Dust 83
4 The Structure ofthe Qayyúmu’l-Asmá’ 111
5 The Qayyúmu’l-Asmá’as Interpretation 139
part ii
The Metaphysics of the Primal Will and Divine Action
6 The Sanctuary ofthe Heart and the Path to Truth 163
7 The Primal Will as the Unity ofSubject and Object 181
8 The Stages ofDivine Creative Action 201
9 The Epistle ofJustice and the Root Principles ofReligion 217
part iii
The Primal Point and Progressive Revelation
10 Resurrection and Historical Consciousness 239
11 History and the Perspective ofUnity 259
vi contents
12 Community and the Primal Unity 281
13 Ethics and Laws in the Bayán 299
14 The Law ofthe Sword and the Twin Revelations 339
Notes 377
References 407
Index 417
preface
✩
T his book is an introductionto the vast ocean ofthe writ-
ings ofthe Báb,the young and charismatic Persian Prophet and
Forerunner ofthe Bahá’í religion.I spent my undergraduate years
in the Báb’s birthplace,the city ofShiraz,where I studied at Pahlavi Uni-
versity.Memorable occasional visits to the House ofthe Báb (which was
demolished in 1979bythe Iranian Revolutionary Guards) were the ulti-
mate inspiration for my future work on the Báb’s writings.During those
years, one of my best friends was my fellow student, Bahrám Yaldá’í.
Being of the same age,we took many of the same courses,and I always
sat beside him.He was the most selfless,gentle,quiet,and peaceful per-
son I have ever met.Years later I received the shocking news that Bahrám,
together with his kind and brave mother,had been put to death by the
Islamic regime simply because they refused to recant their faith as Bahá’ís
and renounce their right to freedom of conscience, their right to be
human.The same fanatical and intolerant culture that had executed the
Báb in 1850was continuing to kill the Báb’s spiritual heirs,the Bahá’ís,at
the end ofthe twentieth century.
My actual research on the writings of the Báb began a decade ago
when a dear friend gave me a most precious gift.It was a copy of the
Persian Bayán,the most important ofthe Báb’s works.When I opened it,
I recognized instantly the name ofthe book’s previous owner,written in
his own handwriting on the first page.It was my martyred friend,Bahrám.
The one who gave me this gift was unaware that Bahrám and I had been
friends in our undergraduate years in Iran.
It was in this mysterious context that I began to read again the Per-
sian Bayán,while remembering my friendship with Bahrám in Shiraz.I
became entranced by the Báb’s creativity and could not stop studying
vii
viii preface
the works that flowed from His prolific pen.Thus began a journey of
exploration that has culminated in this book.Through it I hope to share
some ofthe vibrant and creative experience that I have had in studying
the works ofthe Báb.Even so,it is only a beginning and an invitation to
further study and research.
Many people have contributed in various ways to the realization of
this book,and although it is impossible to mention them all,I am grate-
ful to every one.A number ofscholars including Dr.Muhammad Afnan,
Dr.Nosratollah Mohammadhosseini,and Dr.Iskander Ha’i made con-
tributions that were essential.I am also grateful to the Research Depart-
ment of the Bahá’í World Centre for assistance with the provisional
translations that are included in this volume.My research has benefited
from the supporting environment of the Department of Sociology and
Anthropology at Carleton College.My thanks go to my editor and the
Association for Bahá’í Studies for publishing this book as the first volume
ofthe Bahá’í Studies Series published by Wilfrid Laurier University Press.
I would like to thank my wife Bita,who always eagerly read various drafts
of the manuscript,gave me insightful comments,and enthusiastically
supported my work.
Furthermore,I would like to express my love and gratitude to my
parents who taught me from an early age the love ofreading.This work
is an expression oftheir love and sacrifices throughout my life.Finally,I
wish to thank Arden Lee for loving me like a son these last thirty years.
I dedicate this book to my beloved and noble friend from Shiraz,
Bahrám Yaldá’í.
introduction
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I n the middle of the nineteenth century,the world ofShí‘ih
Islam was in a state offervent messianic expectation.Devout believ-
ers were awaiting the advent ofthe holy figure known as the Twelfth
Imám,who had been in concealment for a thousand years.According
to the prophecies recorded in the Traditions,when the Hidden Imám
reappeared he would arise,as the Qá’im,to unleash jihad—holy war—
on the forces of evil and unbelief,and would usher in the Day of Judg-
ment and the Resurrection. When in 1844 a mild and refined
twenty-five-year-old merchant from Shiraz,Persia,declared that He was
that promised figure of Islamic prophecy,it sent a shock wave through
Persian society.1His name was Siyyid ‘Alí-Muh.ammad Shírází,and He
took the title of Báb(the Gate).Response to the Báb and His teachings
ranged from ecstatic embrace by those who became His followers, to
hostile and violent rejection by the government and clerical hierarchy.
Determined to extirpate the newborn religion,the authorities launched
a campaign ofbrutal persecution against the Bábís,culminating in the exe-
cution of the Báb Himself before a firing squad in the public square of
Tabriz on July 9,1850.2
In fact,the Báb had made a claim even more startling than that of
being the Qá’im.He also claimed to be both a new Prophet and the her-
ald ofyet another messianic figure even greater than Himself,referred to
as “He Whom God shall make manifest”(Man Yuz.hiruhu’lláh). The
essence and purpose ofthe Báb’s own mission (as the Báb would always
stress) was to prepare the people for this second and greater Advent.In
1863one of the Báb’s followers,Mírzá H.usayn ‘Alíy-i-Núrí,Bahá’u’lláh,
would publicly claim to be that Promised One.In the century that followed,
1