Gate of the Heart: Understanding the Writings of the Báb (Bahá’í Studies (1))

Co-published with the Association for Bah Studies In 1844 a charismatic young Persian merchant from Shiraz known as the Bb electrified the Shih world by claiming to be the return of the Hidden Twelfth Imam of Islamic prophecy. But contrary to traditional expectations of apocalyptic holy war the Bb maintained that the spiritual path was not one of force and coercion but love and compassion. The movement he founded was the precursor of the Bah Faith but until now the Bbs own voluminous writings have been seldom studied and often misunderstood. Gate of the Heart offers the first in-depth introduction to the writings of the Bb. Taking an interdisciplinary approach the author examines the Bbs major works in multifaceted context explaining the unique theological system mystical world view and interpretive principles they embody as well as the rhetorical and symbolic uses of language through which the Bb radically transforms traditional concepts. Arguing that the Bb movement went far beyond an attempt at an Islamic Reformation the author explores controversial issues and offers conclusions that will compel a re-evaluation of some prevalent assumptions about the Bbs station claims and laws. Nader Saiedis meticulous and insightful analysis identifies the key themes terms and concepts that characterize each stage of the Bbs writings unlocking the code of the Bbs mystical lexicon. Gate of the Heart is a subtle and profound textual study and an essential resource for anyone wishing to understand the theological foundations of the Bah religion and the Bbs significance in religious history.