The uncles of the Báb The uncles of the Báb

Questions for your CousinQuestions for your Cousin1.1. When did this happen?When did this happen?2.2. Do you have any Writings?Do you have any Writings?3.3. What makes you believe you are the return?What makes you believe you are the return?4.4. What was your inspiration?What was your inspiration?5.5. Why should I become a follower?Why should I become a follower?6.6. Mohammed was the last prophet; how can you be Mohammed was the last prophet; how can you be

another one?another one?7.7. How do you fulfil the prophecies?How do you fulfil the prophecies?8.8. How can I be sure that the changes I see in you are How can I be sure that the changes I see in you are

divine in origin?divine in origin?9.9. Do you have a mission? What is its purpose?Do you have a mission? What is its purpose?10.10. Do you have miracles or proofs?Do you have miracles or proofs?11.11. Do you have a book of laws?Do you have a book of laws?12.12. What happens if I don’t believe?What happens if I don’t believe?13.13. Did you suffer to bring about your Movement?Did you suffer to bring about your Movement?14.14. How is this the day of judgement?How is this the day of judgement?15.15. Why is there evil in the world?Why is there evil in the world?

The Book of CertitudeThe Book of Certitude

The understanding of His words The understanding of His words and the comprehension of the and the comprehension of the utterances of the Birds of utterances of the Birds of Heaven are in no wise dependent Heaven are in no wise dependent upon human learning. They upon human learning. They depend solely upondepend solely upon

purity of heart,purity of heart, chastity of soul,chastity of soul, and freedom of spirit. and freedom of spirit.

Family of the BabFamily of the Bab

His father was Mirza Muhammad Rida.His father was Mirza Muhammad Rida. His mother was Fatimih Bagum also Zajra His mother was Fatimih Bagum also Zajra

Bagum.Bagum. Both mother and father were direct Both mother and father were direct

descendants of the Imam Husayn, descendants of the Imam Husayn, Muhammad and Abraham, through Muhammad and Abraham, through Hagar.Hagar.

His mother had three brothers.His mother had three brothers.

The Uncles of the BabThe Uncles of the Bab

Haji Mirza Siyyid Ali or the Haji Mirza Siyyid Ali or the Greatest Uncle Greatest Uncle

Haji Mirza Siyyid Muhammad or Haji Mirza Siyyid Muhammad or the Greater Unclethe Greater Uncle

Haji Mirza Hassan Ali or the Haji Mirza Hassan Ali or the Younger Uncle Younger Uncle

Haji Mirza Siyyid Ali Haji Mirza Siyyid Ali

a leading merchant in Shiraz a leading merchant in Shiraz guardian to the Bab, after the guardian to the Bab, after the

death of His own father in 1828death of His own father in 1828 taught by Quddustaught by Quddus the first believer in Shiraz after the first believer in Shiraz after

the Letters of the Livingthe Letters of the Living

Haji Mirza Siyyid AliHaji Mirza Siyyid Ali

took full responsibility for the took full responsibility for the Bab after He was arrestedBab after He was arrested

visited Him in Chihriq visited Him in Chihriq in 1849in 1849 martyred as one of the Seven martyred as one of the Seven

Martyrs of TihranMartyrs of Tihran

Haji Mirza Siyyid Muhammad or Haji Mirza Siyyid Muhammad or the Greater Unclethe Greater Uncle

EEldest of the three brothersldest of the three brothers.. TTradradeded with the Bab in Bushihr with the Bab in Bushihr.. NNot a believer during the life of ot a believer during the life of

the Babthe Bab.. But But staunchly supported and staunchly supported and

defended his nephewdefended his nephew during 6 during 6 years of ministry.years of ministry.

Haji Mirza Siyyid Muhammad or the Haji Mirza Siyyid Muhammad or the Greater Uncle (cont)Greater Uncle (cont)

In 1862 he travelled to Karbila with In 1862 he travelled to Karbila with his younger brotherhis younger brother..

They were invited to meet They were invited to meet Baha’u’llahBaha’u’llah, the le, the leader of the Babis at ader of the Babis at this timethis time..

Nb before Declaration in Garden of Ridvan.Nb before Declaration in Garden of Ridvan. He agreed and was asked by He agreed and was asked by

Baha’u’llah what was standing in his Baha’u’llah what was standing in his way of accepting the Bab.way of accepting the Bab.

Haji Mirza Siyyid Muhammad or the Haji Mirza Siyyid Muhammad or the Greater Uncle (cont)Greater Uncle (cont)

He had previously received two other He had previously received two other explanatory lettersexplanatory letters

from the Greatest Uncle from Chihriq: from the Greatest Uncle from Chihriq: 'On such a day'On such a day the resplendent Light the resplendent Light of God shone forth . . . This is the day of God shone forth . . . This is the day of Resurrection . . . the day to behold of Resurrection . . . the day to behold the Visage of God.' the Visage of God.'

From From Vahid presentVahid presentinging proof proofss to to convince him of the truth of the claim convince him of the truth of the claim of his Nephew. of his Nephew.

Haji Mirza Siyyid Muhammad or the Haji Mirza Siyyid Muhammad or the Greater Uncle (cont)Greater Uncle (cont)

He wrote down his questions and He wrote down his questions and submitted these to Baha’u’llahsubmitted these to Baha’u’llah..

These questions can still be read These questions can still be read today in the handwriting of the today in the handwriting of the Greater Uncle.Greater Uncle.

TThe answer to the questions, he answer to the questions, revealed by Baha’urevealed by Baha’u’’llah in 48 llah in 48 hours is the Book of Certitudehours is the Book of Certitude..

Haji Mirza Siyyid Muhammad or the Haji Mirza Siyyid Muhammad or the Greater Uncle (cont)Greater Uncle (cont)

After receiving this book After receiving this book of Certitude of Certitude the Greater Uncle became a believer the Greater Uncle became a believer in and follower of both the Bab and in and follower of both the Bab and later later Baha’u’llahBaha’u’llah..

The original copy was transcribed by The original copy was transcribed by Abdul BahaAbdul Baha

with corrections and additions in the with corrections and additions in the margin by Baha’u’llah Himselfmargin by Baha’u’llah Himself..

DDonated to the archives of the Baha’i onated to the archives of the Baha’i Faith by the great-granddaughter of Faith by the great-granddaughter of the Greater Uncle in 1948the Greater Uncle in 1948..

Haji Mirza Muhammad Taqi Haji Mirza Muhammad Taqi AfnanAfnan

AA son of the son of the Greater Uncle. He Greater Uncle. He was was commissioned by commissioned by Abdul Baha to be Abdul Baha to be in charge of in charge of building the building the House of Worship House of Worship in Ishqabad. He is in Ishqabad. He is buried in Haifa, buried in Haifa, the first to be the first to be buried in the buried in the cemetery there.cemetery there.

  Haji Mirza Hassan Ali or the Haji Mirza Hassan Ali or the

Younger UncleYounger Uncle

AA merchant engaged in trade with merchant engaged in trade with the Babthe Bab..

JJourneyed with his eldest brother ourneyed with his eldest brother to the Shia Holy Places to the Shia Holy Places in Baghdad.in Baghdad.

BBut adamantly refused to visit ut adamantly refused to visit Baha’u’llahBaha’u’llah..

However, However, in later life he also in later life he also became a believer in both became a believer in both ManifestationsManifestations..

Questions of UnclesQuestions of Uncles,, simplified: simplified:

What happens on the Day of What happens on the Day of Resurrection?Resurrection?

Why is there so much injustice in Why is there so much injustice in the world today?the world today?

What about all the prophecies, What about all the prophecies, that have that have not not been fulfilled?been fulfilled?

WWhen to interpret holy textshen to interpret holy texts literally? literally? 

(See Balyuzi Baha’u’llah King of Glory p163-5 for full (See Balyuzi Baha’u’llah King of Glory p163-5 for full translation)translation)

Book of Certitude…Book of Certitude…

‘‘The understanding of His words The understanding of His words and the comprehension of the and the comprehension of the utterances of the Birds of utterances of the Birds of Heaven are in no wise dependent Heaven are in no wise dependent upon human learning. They upon human learning. They depend solely upon purity of depend solely upon purity of heart, chastity of soul, and heart, chastity of soul, and freedom of spirit.’freedom of spirit.’

(Baha'u'llah, The Kitab-i-Iqan, p. 210)(Baha'u'llah, The Kitab-i-Iqan, p. 210)

From God Passes By p138From God Passes By p138

Foremost among the priceless Foremost among the priceless treasures cast forth from the treasures cast forth from the billowing ocean of Bahá’u’lláh’s billowing ocean of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation ranks the Kitáb-i-Íqán Revelation ranks the Kitáb-i-Íqán (Book of Certitude), (Book of Certitude),

It was written in fulfilment of the It was written in fulfilment of the prophecy of the Báb, Who had prophecy of the Báb, Who had specifically stated that the specifically stated that the Promised One would complete the Promised One would complete the text of the unfinished Persian text of the unfinished Persian BayanBayan……

Treasures!Treasures!

‘‘this unique repository of this unique repository of inestimable treasures ‘inestimable treasures ‘

(Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By, p. 139)(Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By, p. 139)

Spiritual significance!Spiritual significance!

    ‘‘The Íqán is the most important The Íqán is the most important book written on the spiritual book written on the spiritual significance of the Cause. I do significance of the Cause. I do not believe any person can not believe any person can consider himself well versed in consider himself well versed in the teachings unless he has the teachings unless he has studied it thoroughly.’studied it thoroughly.’

(Shoghi Effendi, The Light of Divine Guidance v I, p. 37)(Shoghi Effendi, The Light of Divine Guidance v I, p. 37)

Clear Insight!Clear Insight!

You should form study classes and read You should form study classes and read the important books that have been the important books that have been published, especially the “Íqán”, which published, especially the “Íqán”, which contains the basic tenets of the Faith. The contains the basic tenets of the Faith. The one who ponders over that book and one who ponders over that book and grasps its full significance will obtain a grasps its full significance will obtain a clear insight into the old scriptures and clear insight into the old scriptures and appreciate the true Mission of the Báb and appreciate the true Mission of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh. Bahá’u’lláh.

(Compilations, The Compilation of Compilations vol. I, p. 213)(Compilations, The Compilation of Compilations vol. I, p. 213)

Concentrate!Concentrate!

If you read the utterances of If you read the utterances of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá with Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá with selflessness and care and selflessness and care and concentrate upon them, you will concentrate upon them, you will discover truths unknown to you discover truths unknown to you before and will obtain an insight into before and will obtain an insight into the problems that have baffled the the problems that have baffled the great thinkers of the world.great thinkers of the world.(Compilations, The Compilation of Compilations vol II, (Compilations, The Compilation of Compilations vol II,

p. 2)p. 2)

Mirza Abu’l-FadlMirza Abu’l-Fadl

The eminent scholar Mirza Abu’l-The eminent scholar Mirza Abu’l-Fadl recounted to Ali Kuli Fadl recounted to Ali Kuli Khan ‘that he had read the Khan ‘that he had read the Iqan with ‘the eye of intellect’ Iqan with ‘the eye of intellect’ seventeen times through, and seventeen times through, and it had seemed to him a it had seemed to him a meaningless string of words. meaningless string of words. That later, he had read it with That later, he had read it with ‘the eye of faith’, and had ‘the eye of faith’, and had found it the key with which he found it the key with which he could unlock the secrets of all could unlock the secrets of all the sacred books of past the sacred books of past religions.’religions.’(Dawn over Mount Hira p112-3, Marzieh Gail)(Dawn over Mount Hira p112-3, Marzieh Gail)

Some ThemesSome Themes

1,21,2 IntroductionIntroduction 3-63-6 Rejection of MessengerRejection of Messenger 7-137-13 Progressive RevelationProgressive Revelation 14-1814-18SeekerSeeker 19-2219-22Return of ChristReturn of Christ 2323 SeekerSeeker 24-3024-30OppressionOppression

Some Themes (cont)Some Themes (cont)

31-3631-36Explanation:sun, moon and starsExplanation:sun, moon and stars 3737 SeekerSeeker 38-4138-41Continuing sun, moon and starsContinuing sun, moon and stars 4242 SummarySummary 43-4543-45SeekerSeeker 46-5046-50Cleaving heavens, changing Cleaving heavens, changing

earthearth 51-5251-52SeekerSeeker

Some Themes (cont)Some Themes (cont)

53-6053-60TestsTests 61-6261-62SeekerSeeker 63-6463-64TestsTests 6565 SeekerSeeker 66-7466-74Stars and cloudsStars and clouds 75-7875-78SeekerSeeker 79-8479-84CloudsClouds

Some Themes (cont)Some Themes (cont) 8585 SeekerSeeker 86-8886-88AngelsAngels 89-9089-90Religious leadersReligious leaders 91-9691-96Corruption & modification of Corruption & modification of

textstexts 9797 SeekerSeeker 9898 Corruption continuedCorruption continued 99-10199-101 SeekerSeeker

Part OnePart One ref Hooper Dunbarref Hooper Dunbar

the importance of detachment in the importance of detachment in attaining to true understanding of attaining to true understanding of God and His Prophets;God and His Prophets;

an account of the cruelties suffered an account of the cruelties suffered by the divine messengers;by the divine messengers;

the consequences of people blindly the consequences of people blindly following religious leaders and not following religious leaders and not searching out truth for themselves;searching out truth for themselves;

Contd.Contd.

the exalted station of the the exalted station of the manifestations of God;manifestations of God;

the method of God in trying His the method of God in trying His servants to distinguish the sincere servants to distinguish the sincere from the false;from the false;

the relativity of religious truththe relativity of religious truth;; the continuity of divine Revelation… the continuity of divine Revelation…

Part Two Part Two ref Hooper Dunbarref Hooper Dunbar

on the sovereignty of the on the sovereignty of the Manifestations of God and their Manifestations of God and their mysterious two-fold naturemysterious two-fold nature;;

unfolds the inner meaning of unfolds the inner meaning of numerous abstruse scriptural terms numerous abstruse scriptural terms and finally,and finally,

demonstrates the validity of the demonstrates the validity of the mission of the Bab and His mission of the Bab and His Revelation.Revelation.

IN THE NAME OF OUR LORD,IN THE NAME OF OUR LORD, THE EXALTED, THE MOST HIGH.THE EXALTED, THE MOST HIGH.

No man shall attain the shores of the No man shall attain the shores of the ocean of true understanding except ocean of true understanding except he be detached from all that is in he be detached from all that is in heaven and on earth. Sanctify your heaven and on earth. Sanctify your souls, O ye peoples of the world, souls, O ye peoples of the world, that haply ye may attain that station that haply ye may attain that station which God hath destined for you and which God hath destined for you and enter thus the tabernacle which, enter thus the tabernacle which, according to the dispensations of according to the dispensations of Providence, hath been raised in the Providence, hath been raised in the firmament of the Bayan.firmament of the Bayan.