1. はじめに — 1

1During the time of Baha’u’llah’s residence in Baghdad the “Dwelling of Peace,” before He declared Himself to be the “Manifestation of God,” men of learning, including Jews, Christians, and Mohammedans visited Him, seeking answer to religious and scriptural questions. Among them was Haji-Mirza-Seyd-Mohammed of Shiraz, the maternal uncle of the Bab, who in 1862-63 was making a pilgrimage to the holy sanctuaries of the Imams, located in that region. His questions concerned the signs and evidences of the Expected Manifestation from the standpoint of his own religion—Islam. The Book of Ighan was revealed by Baha’u’llah in answer to his questions. According to the prevailing opinion of the Bahais, it was written in one night by the Supreme Pen.

2It is certain that Persian pilgrims to the holy sanctuaries in Irak do not stop in Baghdad more than one day. Even if Haji-Seyd-Mohammed, as an exception to this custom, had remained in Baghdad a longer time, it is not probable that he could have attained to the presence of Baha’u’llah’s more than two or three times.

3The Seyd submitted his questions through Haji-Seyd-Jawad of Karbila, one of the learned doctors of Irak, to whom Baha’u’llah had sent this message, “Let the maternal uncle of the Bab write down his questions; We will then write an answer to each.” This strengthens the opinion as to the rapidity of the revelation of the Book.

4By the Book of Ighan, Baha’u’llah has opened the teachings and scriptures of the Jews, Zoroastrians, Christians, Mohammedans, etc. For the doubts which had withheld the late Seyd from acknowledging the Bab are the same in substance which prevent other religionists from believing in the Manifestations of God. These doubts concern the “rising of the dead,” “darkening of the sun and moon,” “falling of stars,” “cleaving asunder the heavens,” the “new heaven and earth,” etc. By the interpretation of these symbols, Baha’u’llah has unified the Religions and hoisted the banner of Peace among nations.

5The translation herein is from the original Persian, reproduced from a copy of the Ighan revised in the presence of Baha’u’llah and approved by Him. The statements concerning the revelation of the Book are testified to by the Honorable Mirza-Abul-Fazl, a close friend of the late Haji-Seyd-Jawad of Karbila above mentioned.