An Introduction to the Baha'i Faith

Peter Smith explores the history, beliefs and practices of the Baha'i faith.

Peter Smith (Author)

9780521681070, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 7 April 2008

256 pages, 5 b/w illus. 1 map
22.7 x 15.2 x 1.3 cm, 0.35 kg

The Baha'i faith has some five million adherents around the world. It preaches the oneness of God, the unity of all faiths, universal education and the harmony of all people, but has no priesthood and few formal rituals. In this book Peter Smith traces the development of the Baha'i faith from its roots in the Babi movement of mid-nineteenth century Iran to its contemporary emergence as an expanding worldwide religion. • Explores the textual sources for Baha'i belief and practice, theology and anthropology and understanding of other religions. • Covers the concept of the spiritual path, Baha'i law and administration and aspects of community life. • Examines the Baha'i's social teachings and activities in the wider world. This introduction will be of particular interest to students of new religious movements, Middle East religions, and comparative religion and for those studying short courses on the Baha'i faith.

Prologue
Part I. History: 1. The Babi movement
2. Bahá'u'lláh and the emergence of the Baha'i Faith
3. The ministry of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, 1892–1921
4. The guardianship of Shoghi Efendi (1922–57)
5. The Universal House of Justice, 1963–
6. Expansion since 1921
Part II. Beliefs: 7. Baha'i texts: sources of belief and practice
8. Divine knowledge and guidance
9. Being human
10. The Baha'i faith and other religions
11. Social teachings and the vision of a new world order
Part III. Being a Baha'i: Aspects of Baha'i Life: 12. Community and membership and Baha'i law
13. Baha'i administration
14. Aspects of Baha'i community life
15. Baha'i activities and the wider world
Some final comments
Appendix: recent Baha'i leaders.

Subject Areas: Religion: general [HRA], Middle Eastern history [HBJF1], Asian history [HBJF]