Preface The Bahá''í Faith: An Introduction Introduction I. Significance of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas II. Contents and Influence of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas III. Relationship of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas to Other Scriptures IV. Understanding the Kitáb-i-Aqdas Chapter 1: The Kitáb-i-Aqdas: History I. Anticipation of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas A. Promotion of the Laws of the Báb B. Anticipation of New Laws II.

The Composition of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas A. Dating B. Location C. Other Factors III. Dissemination of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas A. Partial Copies B. Complete Copies IV. Early Manuscripts of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas V.

Publication of the Original Text of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas A. During Bahá''u''lláh''s Lifetime B. After Bahá''u''lláh''s Passing VI. Supplemental Texts: Various Texts and "Questions and Answers" A. Various Texts B. "Questions and Answers" Chapter 2: The Kitáb-i-Aqdas: Language, Style, and Translation I. Linguistic Elements A. Arabic B.

Vocabulary C. Grammar and Changes to the Text II. Stylistic Elements of the Original Arabic Text A. Non-Linearity B. Elliptical Concision and Referentiality C. Use of Some Literary Devices D. Mode III. Translation A.

Early Translations of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas B. Intentional Delay in Preparing an Official Translation C. Laws of Personal Status, God Passes By Description, and the "Synopsis and Codification" D. The Official English Translation E. Translations into Other Languages Chapter 3: Theological Foundations: God and the Manifestation of God I. God A. The Unknowability and Inaccessibility of the Essence of God B. The Signs of God in Creation II.

The Manifestations of God A. The Manifestations as the Sole Path to God B. The Historical Appearances of the Manifestations C. The Purpose of the Manifestations D. The Nature and Station of the Manifestations E. The Most Great Infallibility F. The Relationship Among the Manifestations and Claims of Exclusivity and Finality G. The Appearance of Future Manifestations Chapter 4: Human Beings: Identity, Nature, Purpose, and Journey I.

The Three Aspects of Human Beings A. The Body B. The Mind C. The Soul D. The Relationship of the Body, Mind, and Soul E. The Nature of Human Beings II. Fulfillment of the Purpose of Life: The Twofold Duties of Recognition and Obedience A. Meaning of Recognition of "Him Who is the Dayspring of His Revelation" B.

Observance of Every Ordinance C. Inseparability of Recognition and Obedience D. Recognition and Denial of the Manifestation of God III. The Journey in the Afterlife A. Existence and Nature of the Next World B. Reward and Punishment: Heaven and Hell C. Conditions and Activities of the Soul in the Afterlife Chapter 5: The Covenant of Bahá''u''lláh: Succession, Interpretation, and the Bahá''í Administrative Order I. Bahá''u''lláh''s Appointment of ''Abdu''l-Bahá as Successor and Interpreter A.

Two Verses of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas B. The Kitáb-i-''Ahd C. The Functions, Station, and Infallibility of ''Abdu''l-Bahá II. The Kitáb-i-Aqdas and the Establishment of the House of Justice A. Overview B. The Universal House of Justice C. The Local House of Justice III. The Will and Testament of ''Abdu''l-Bahá, the Guardianship, and the Universal House of Justice A.

The Rebellion of Mírzá Mu?ammad-''Alí B. The Guardianship C. The Authority of the Universal House of Justice D. The Election of the Universal House of Justice E. The Relationship of the Guardianship and the Universal House of Justice F. The Infallibility of the Guardian and the Universal House of Justice IV. The Bahá''í Administrative Order A. Establishment in Bahá''u''lláh''s Writings B.

Elements C. Abolition of Priesthood D. Electoral Process E. Authoritative Texts, Interpretation, and Covenant-breaking F. Theory and Goal of the Bahá''í Administrative Order Chapter 6: Personal Devotional Laws: Prayer, Fasting, and Other Practices I. Obligatory Prayer A. Significance and Purposes B. History C.

Applicability and Choice D. Performed Individually E. Timing F. Ablutions G. Qiblih H. Manner of Recital, Including Movements I. Exemptions J. Other Aspects K.

Non-Obligatory Prayers II. Fasting A. Significance, Purpose, and History B. Overview C. Exemptions III. Reciting the Greatest Name Ninety-Five Times Daily IV. Reciting the Verses of God Every Morning and Evening V. Immersion in the Words of God VI.

Meditation VII. Pilgrimage A. Significance and Purpose B. The Most Great House and the House of the Báb C. The Shrines of Bahá''u''lláh and the Báb Chapter 7: A Holy and Pure Life: Virtues and Laws I. Exhortation to Acquire Virtues A. Truthfulness B. Trustworthiness C.

Detachment D. Wisdom II. Virtues with Attendant Laws A. Chastity B. Cleanliness and Refinement III. Laws that Promote a Pure and Holy Life A. Prohibition on Consumption of Alcohol B. Prohibition on Use of Opium C.

Service to the Religion of God D. Engagement in an Occupation E. Huququ''llah Chapter 8: Laws Related to Personal Status and Death: Marriage, Divorce, Burial, and Inheritance I. Marriage A. Injunction and Purpose B. Who May Marry Whom C. Number of Wives D. Consent of the Parties and Their Parents E.

Engagement and the Dowry F. The Marriage Ceremony II. Divorce A. Attitude Toward and Standard of Divorce B. Divorce Procedure and the Year of Waiting C. Financial Support of Wife and Children, Child Custody, and Other Circumstances III. Burial A. Background and Overview B.

Shrouding and the Burial Ring C. Coffin and Grave D. Prayer for the Dead IV. Inheritance A. Testamentary B. Intestacy: Introduction and Overview C. Intestacy: Residence and Personal Clothing D. Intestacy: The House of Justice as Residuary Beneficiary E.

Intestacy: Miscellaneous Provisions F. Intestacy: Purposes of the Scheme Chapter 9: Community Laws: Education, Consultation, the Calendar, the Feast, and the Mashriqu''l-Adhkár I. Education A. Significance B. Responsibility for Providing C. Commitment to and Priority for Females D. Primacy of Moral Education E. Importance of Sciences and Arts II.

Consultation A. Significance B. Features and Process C. Potential for Promoting Unity III. The Bahá''í Calendar A. Background and Symbolism B. Adoption and Adaptation IV. The Nineteen Day Feast A.

Establishment B. Development of Devotional Component C. Development of Administrative Component V. The Mashriqu''l-Adhkár A. Establishment and Definition B. Significance C. Requirements: Structure and Worship D. Historical Development Chapter 10: Unity: Vision and Provisions I.

Bahá''u''lláh''s Overarching Vision of Unity A. Significance and Approach B. Unity as a Principle and a Goal C. The Relationship of Unity to Peace and Religion II. Provisions Related to Unity in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas A. Establishment of the Principle and Goal of Unity B. Prescriptions of Loyalty and Obedience to Government and Political Non-Involvement C. Rejection of the Concept of "Uncleanness" D.

Exhortation to Consort with the Followers of All Religions E. Prohibition on Slavery F. Forbidding of Contention and Conflict G. Disallowance of Backbiting and Calumny H. Call for the Adoption of an International Language Chapter 11: Justice and Law: Principles and Administration I. Foundational Concepts of Justice II. The Individual and Justice A. Dimensions of Personal Exercise of Justice B.

Responding to Injustice C. Motivating Individuals to Be Just III. Society and Justice A. Unity as the Purpose of Justice B. Liberty and Justice C. Economic Justice D. Gender Equality and Justice E. Criminal Justice F.

Exercise of Justice by the Bahá''í Administrative Order IV. The Application of Bahá''í Law A. During Bahá''u''lláh''s Ministry B. During ''Abdu''l-Bahá''s and Shoghi Effendi''s Ministries C. Since the Establishment of the Universal House of Justice Chapter 12: Bahá''u''lláh''s Proclamation: Addresses to Kings, Rulers, and Religious Leaders I. Historical Overview of Bahá''u''lláh''s Proclamation A. Works Written in Istanbul/Edirne B. Works Written in ''Akká C.

Delivery and Dissemination of the Epistles II. Purposes and Significance of the Proclamation A. Purposes B. Significance III. Themes of Bahá''u''lláh''s Proclamation in Epistles and the Kitáb-i-Aqdas A. Claimed Station of Bahá''u''lláh B. Summons to Recognize Bahá''u''lláh C. Exhortations to Arise to Serve D.

Counsel to Be Detached from the Material World E. Call to Observe Justice F. Appeal to Achieve Unity and Peace G. Judgments against, and Predictions about, Sovereigns and Leaders Conclusion Bibliography Index to Paragraph Numbers of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas and "Questions and Answer.