Gate of the Heart: Understanding the Writings of the Bab

In 1844 a charismatic young Persian merchant from Shiraz, known as the B墎, electrified the Sh?ih world by claiming to be the return of the Hidden Twelfth Imam of Islamic prophecy. But contrary to traditional expectations of apocalyptic holy war, the B墎 maintained that the spiritual path was not one of force and coercion but love and compassion. The movement he founded was the precursor of the Bah??Faith, but until now the B墎's own voluminous writings have been seldom studied and often misunderstood. Gate of the Heart offers the first in-depth introduction to the writings of the B墎.

Taking an interdisciplinary approach, the author examines the B墎's major works in multifaceted context, explaining the unique theological system, mystical world view, and interpretive principles they embody as well as the rhetorical and symbolic uses of language through which the B墎 radically transforms traditional concepts. Arguing that the B墎?movement went far beyond an attempt at an Islamic Reformation, the author explores controversial issues and offers conclusions that will compel a re-evaluation of some prevalent assumptions about the B墎's station, claims, and laws.

Nader Saiedi's meticulous and insightful analysis identifies the key themes, terms, and concepts that characterize each stage of the B墎's writings, unlocking the code of the B墎's mystical lexicon. Gate of the Heart is a subtle and profound textual study and an essential resource for anyone wishing to understand the theological foundations of the Bah??religion and the B墎's significance in religious history.