Gems of Divine Mysteries
Encyclopedia
Javáhiru’l-Asrár or Gems of Divine Mysteries, is a book by Bahá'u'lláh
, the founder of the Bahá'í Faith
. The treatise was written in reply to a question from Siyyid Yúsuf-i-Sidihí Isfahání who had asked the question of how the promised Mihdí
could have been "transformed" (meaning: the return of the Promised One in a different human guise) into the Báb
. The work was revealed on the same day as the question had been received.
Bahá'u'lláh himself states that he took "the opportunity provided by" the question "to elaborate on a number of subjects". The Introduction of the published English translation lists some of these topics, some of which are: "rejection of the Prophets of the past," "danger of a literal reading of scripture," "the meaning of the signs and portents of the Bible concerning the advent of the new Manifestation
," "the continuity of divine revelation," "intimations of Bahá'u'lláh's approaching declaration," and the significance or meanings of terms such as "Day of Judgement" and "the Resurrection." The Tablet
(as Bahá'u'lláh's works are often called) was written during his time in Baghdad
(1853-1863) in Arabic
, and was only recently translated into English, being published in 2002.
Similar themes as those presented in the Gems of Divine Mysteries can be found in the Seven Valleys
and in the Kitáb-i-Íqán
.
Bahá'u'lláh
Bahá'u'lláh , born ' , was the founder of the Bahá'í Faith. He claimed to be the prophetic fulfilment of Bábism, a 19th-century outgrowth of Shí‘ism, but in a broader sense claimed to be a messenger from God referring to the fulfilment of the eschatological expectations of Islam, Christianity, and...
, the founder of the Bahá'í Faith
Bahá'í Faith
The Bahá'í Faith is a monotheistic religion founded by Bahá'u'lláh in 19th-century Persia, emphasizing the spiritual unity of all humankind. There are an estimated five to six million Bahá'ís around the world in more than 200 countries and territories....
. The treatise was written in reply to a question from Siyyid Yúsuf-i-Sidihí Isfahání who had asked the question of how the promised Mihdí
Mahdi
In Islamic eschatology, the Mahdi is the prophesied redeemer of Islam who will stay on Earth for seven, nine or nineteen years- before the Day of Judgment and, alongside Jesus, will rid the world of wrongdoing, injustice and tyranny.In Shia Islam, the belief in the Mahdi is a "central religious...
could have been "transformed" (meaning: the return of the Promised One in a different human guise) into the Báb
Báb
Siyyid `Alí Muḥammad Shírází was the founder of Bábism, and one of three central figures of the Bahá'í Faith. He was a merchant from Shíráz, Persia, who at the age of twenty-four claimed to be the promised Qá'im . After his declaration he took the title of Báb meaning "Gate"...
. The work was revealed on the same day as the question had been received.
Bahá'u'lláh himself states that he took "the opportunity provided by" the question "to elaborate on a number of subjects". The Introduction of the published English translation lists some of these topics, some of which are: "rejection of the Prophets of the past," "danger of a literal reading of scripture," "the meaning of the signs and portents of the Bible concerning the advent of the new Manifestation
Manifestation of God
The Manifestation of God is a concept in the Bahá'í Faith that refers to what are commonly called prophets. The Manifestations of God are a series of personages who reflect the attributes of the divine into the human world for the progress and advancement of human morals and civilization...
," "the continuity of divine revelation," "intimations of Bahá'u'lláh's approaching declaration," and the significance or meanings of terms such as "Day of Judgement" and "the Resurrection." The Tablet
Tablet (religious)
A tablet, in the religious context, is a term traditionally used for religious texts.Jews and Christians believe that Moses brought the Ten Commandments from Mount Sinai in the form of two stone tablets. According to the Book of Exodus, God delivered the tablets twice, the first set having been...
(as Bahá'u'lláh's works are often called) was written during his time in Baghdad
Baghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
(1853-1863) in Arabic
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
, and was only recently translated into English, being published in 2002.
Similar themes as those presented in the Gems of Divine Mysteries can be found in the Seven Valleys
Seven Valleys
The Seven Valleys is a book written in Persian by Bahá'u'lláh, the founder of the Bahá'í Faith. The Four Valleys was also written by Bahá'u'lláh, and the two books are usually published together under the title The Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys...
and in the Kitáb-i-Íqán
Kitáb-i-Íqán
The Kitáb-i-Íqán is one of many books held sacred by followers of the Bahá'í Faith; it is their primary theological work. One Bahá'í scholar states that it can be regarded as the "most influential Koran commentary in Persian outside the Muslim world," because of its international audience. It is...
.
External links
- Bahá'í World News Service: New volume of Baha'i sacred writings is published
- Compendium on Gems of Divine Mysteries