Planet Bahá'í

Considering that the Bahá'í Faith is a minority religion, the sheer volume of Bahá'í literature is astounding. The Báb, Bahá'u'lláh, 'Abdu'l-Bahá, and Shoghi Effendi were all prolific writers. (Bahá'u'lláh's Writings alone would fill about one hundred volumes.) The institutions of the Faith, which Bahá'ís believe are divinely ordained, have also offered extensive written guidance and instruction. Adding to this, many of the talks of 'Abdu'l-Bahá were recorded by people in attendance and collected into published volumes. The Holy Writings and traditions of other religions, regarded by Bahá'ís as Sacred Texts, must also be considered, as well of the writings of everyday Bahá'ís. How do all these pieces fit together?

Fortunately the works on this lengthy list can be classified according to where they came from, as follows:

Revealed Writings

The Prophets of God reveal the Word of God to us. However, the actual words of the Prophets must be distinguished from sayings attributed to them by others. Only the Qur'án and the Writings of the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh can be historically validated as the actual words of the Prophet. These Holy Writings are often called "the Creative Word" because the Word of God has the power of creation.

Inspired Writings

The older Holy Books such as the Bible were not written by the Prophets themselves but by others who recorded their words at a later date. These authors, Bahá'ís believe, were inspired by God in the course of writing. Their works are therefore accepted as Holy Scripture even though rigorous authentication is impossible.

'Abdu'l-Bahá's Writings

Bahá'u'lláh conferred upon His oldest son, 'Abdu'l-Bahá, a unique station that among other things enabled Him to reveal Holy Scripture. However, since He was not a Prophet (as He Himself affirmed on numerous occasions), His works are not a part of the Creative Word.

The Guardian and the Universal House of Justice

Bahá'u'lláh provided for His followers a source of unerring guidance after His passing, first in 'Abdu'l-Bahá and after Him in the institutions of the Faith. The writings of Shoghi Effendi and the Universal House of Justice constitute official statements on Bahá'í belief, law, and practice. However, these writings do not form part of the Holy Writings. Messages from National and Local Spiritual Assemblies perform a similar function, although they are subordinate to those from the Universal House of Justice.

Pilgrim's Notes

Many visitors to the Holy Land later recorded encounters with Bahá'u'lláh and 'Abdu'l-Bahá. In addition, 'Abdu'l-Bahá traveled extensively in Europe and North America giving talks, many of which were recorded in the notes of attendees. Because these come to us second-hand, however, they are not authoritative and do not form part of the Holy Writings.

The Writings of Individual Bahá'ís

Many Bahá'ís have written about their religion. (You're reading such a work now!) However, we are all fallible, so individual Bahá'ís are not permitted to put forward their beliefs, opinions, or understandings as official pronouncements. Even the learned can err. The Holy Writings, augmented by the writings of the Guardian and the Universal House of Justice, set the standard against which the writings of individuals are to be judged.