Baháʼí literature

Baháʼí literature includes the books, letters, and recorded public talks of the Baháʼí Faith's founders, the clarifying letters of Shoghi Effendi, the elucidations of the Universal House of Justice, and a variety of commentary and history published by Baháʼí authors.

The Faith's scriptural texts are the writings of the Báb, Baháʼu'lláh, and ʻAbdu'l-Bahá, written in Arabic or Persian in the late 19th and early 20th century Middle East. The religion's most prominent doctrinal foundation comes from the Kitáb-i-Íqán (Book of Certitude), a work composed by Baháʼu'lláh in 1861. Later in 1873, he wrote the Kitáb-i-Aqdas (Most Holy Book), which is the central text of the Baháʼí Faith. Some Answered Questions is a compilation of table talks between ʻAbdu'l-Bahá and a western pilgrim that was recorded in the original Persian language. From 1910-13, ʻAbdu'l-Bahá traveled through Europe and North America giving many public talks that were recorded by stenographers and published under the titles Paris Talks and The Promulgation of Universal Peace.

The writings of the Báb and Baháʼu'lláh are regarded as divine revelation, superseding but not in conflict with the Qur'an, Bible, and other major religious works. The writings and talks of ʻAbdu'l-Bahá and the writings of Shoghi Effendi are regarded as authoritative interpretation, and those of the Universal House of Justice as authoritative legislation and elucidation. Some measure of divine guidance is assumed for all of these texts. Individual Baháʼí authors cannot provide authoritative or inspired interpretations in the context of Baháʼí religious doctrine, and their works are reviewed by Baháʼí national offices for accuracy and dignity.

The Baháʼí Faith relies extensively on its literature. Literacy is strongly encouraged so that believers may read the texts for themselves. Doctrinal questions are routinely addressed by returning to primary works.