Portal:Religion/Selected scripture/9

The Kitáb-i-Aqdas is the central book of the Baháʼí Faith, written by Baháʼu'lláh, the founder of the religion. The work was written in Arabic under the Arabic title al-Kitáb al-Aqdas (Arabic: الكتاب الاقدس), but it is commonly referred to by its Persian title, Kitáb-i-Aqdas (Persian: كتاب اقدس), which was given to the work by Baháʼu'lláh himself. It is sometimes also referred to as "the Aqdas", "the Most Holy Book", "the Book of Laws" and occasionally "the Book of Aqdas".

It is usually stated that the book was completed around 1873, although there is evidence to suggest that at least some of the work was written earlier. Baháʼu'lláh had manuscript copies sent to Baháʼís in Iran some years after the revelation of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, and in the year 1308 A.H. (1890-91 A.D.), he arranged for the publication of the original Arabic text of the book in Bombay.

The Kitáb-i-Aqdas is referred to as "the Mother-Book" of the Baháʼí teachings, and the "Charter of the future world civilization" (God Passes By, p. 213). It is not, however, only a ‘book of laws’, much of the content deals with other matters, notably ethical exhortations and addresses to various individuals, groups, and places. The Kitáb-i-Aqdas also discusses the establishment of Baháʼí administrative institutions, Baháʼí religious practices, laws of personal status, criminal law, ethical exhortations, social principles, miscellaneous laws and abrogations, and prophecies.