In 1881 five brothers, known as the Báqirof-Khamsi clan, whom Bahá’u’lláh designated as Sádát-i-Khams (The Five Siyyids, in Arabic) accepted the Bahá'í Faith in the northern part of Iran. For such an intrepid decision they were automatically disinherited from the family fortune although, interestingly, became affluent later by their own toil. This book describes this wealthy family and their struggles to survive in the midst of a fanatical establishment. It is the narrative of a kinfolk using their high social position, to defend, overtly and covertly, their newly espoused religion and the vulnerable community gathered around those teachings. Bigotry, persecution and harassment could not abate their inner spiritual forces but rather strengthened their resolution for getting their religion known, recognised and protected. Going through various tumultuous Iranian social scenarios, three main waves in such a courageous family are easily recognisable namely, Siyyid Naṣru’lláh Báqirof, Siyyid Ahmad Khamsi-Báqirof, and Mas’ud Khamsi, the latter whom ultimately brought the Bahá'í Faith to ten of thousands of indigenous people of South America. An exemplary trilogy taking the reader to Iran, Russia, the Holy Land, France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Africa and even to awe-inspiring areas such as the Amazon rainforest and the Andes mountains, exemplifying that love for humanity also travels and it never tires in giving if inspired by higher principles.

This is the extraordinary story of a father and a son that arose in the 19th century to spread the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh throughout Iran with indomitable strength and resilience. Varqá the father, a physician and a talented poet, and his gifted adolescent son Rúḥu’lláh, both of penetrating spiritual insight, took the New Gospel with zeal and courage to a generation blind in the most dire fanaticism. Operating in the midst of a country sunk into corruption and bigotry, Varqá and Rúḥu’lláh were able to teach both the rich and the poor, the prince and the commoner, the scholar and the illiterate, the believer and the laic, in freedom or in prison. Their saga ended with their tragic martyrdom in the royal prison of Tehran in 1896 but has continued to live like a legend inspiring Bahá’ís around the world to serve. Varqá’s legacy of service and consecration was continued by Valíyu’lláh Varqá and Dr ‘Alí-Muḥammad Varqá, his son and grandson, respectively, all three of whom were designated as Hands of the Cause of God.

The religious and strategic importance of Western Palestine in the Islamic period is clearly reflected in the hundreds of Arabic inscriptions found, the texts of which cover a variety of topics including construction, dedication, religious endowments, epitaphs, Qur'anic texts, prayers and invocations, all now assembled in this Corpus Inscriptionum Arabicarum Palaestinae (CIAP). The inscriptions are arranged according to site, and are studied in their respective topographical, historical and cultural contexts. In this way the Corpus offers more than a survey of inscriptions: it represents the epigraphical angle of the geographical history of the Holy Land under Islam.

Contributed articles presented at a seminar.

A selection of testimonials and tributes to 'Abdu'l-Bahá 'Abdu'l-Bahá (1844-1921) was a friend, guide and confidant to all humanity. Those who encountered Him recognized a character of matchless virtue, an all-embracing love and altruism, extraordinary spiritual acuity, and super-human knowledge. Through His personal care for the poor and vulnerable in society, His participation in the discourses of the age, His Writings and His promotion of the Bahá'í Teachings, 'Abdu'l-Bahá was the living embodiment of the Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh, tasked with propagating and preserving the unity of an emerging global religion. As people around the world mark the centenary of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's passing and the completion of the first century of the Formative Age of the Bahá'í Faith, this anthology is designed to increase devotion to 'Abdu'l-Bahá and aid profound reflection on His life, His mission and His unique qualities. Preserved in the testimonials and tributes collected here are the exemplary actions of that single soul out of all humankind who offered a pattern of right living to all people, for all time.

"A welcome contribution to the important field of deep ecumenism..."--from the Foreword by Matthew Fox.

A compelling consideration of Jerusalem during the formative period of Islamic civilization

In 1844, a young merchant from Shiraz called Sayyid ‘Ali-Muhammad declared himself the ‘gate’ (the Bab) to the Truth and, shortly afterwards, the initiator of a new prophetic cycle. His messianic call attracted a significant following across Iran and Iraq. Regarded as a threat by state and religious authorities, the Babis were subject to intense persecution and the Bab himself was executed in 1850. In this volume, leading scholars of Islam, Baha’i studies and Iranian history come together to examine the life and legacy of the Bab, from his childhood to the founding of the Baha’i faith and beyond. Among other subjects, they cover the Bab’s writings, his Qur’an commentaries, the societal conditions that underlay the Babi upheavals, the works of Babi martyr Tahirih Qurratu’l-‘Ayn, and Orientalist Edward Granville Browne’s encounters with Babi and Baha’i texts.