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In 1844 a charismatic young Persian merchant from Shiraz, known as the B b, 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 b 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 b'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 b.
Taking an interdisciplinary approach, the author examines the B b'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 b radically transforms traditional concepts. Arguing that the B b 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 b'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 b's writings, unlocking the code of the B b'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 b's significance in religious history.
Co-published with the Association for Bah ' Studies
