Book of Certitude Study

Fall 2026 | Boston

The Kitáb-i-Íqán (Book of Certitude) is one of the most significant works of Bahá’u’lláh. Bahá’u’lláh Himself describes it as “the cynosure of all books”. It was revealed in two days and two nights during the closing days of the Baghdád period (1862), in response to questions from the maternal uncle of the Báb, Ḥájí Mírzá Siyyid Muḥammad.

Significance and Station of the Book of Certitude

From the letters of Shoghi Effendi

Shoghi Effendi returned to the Íqán repeatedly in his letters, and translated it himself.

The Íqán is the most important book written on the spiritual significance of the Cause. I do not believe any person can consider himself well versed in the teachings unless he has studied it thoroughly.¹

¹ The Light of Divine Guidance, vol. 1, p. 37.

The book is so important that the most minute detail is worthy of consideration.²

² From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to George Townshend; quoted in Hofman, George Townshend, p. 73.

Foremost among the priceless treasures cast forth from the billowing ocean of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation ranks the Kitáb-i-Íqán.³

³ God Passes By, ch. VIII. bahai.org

Setting forth in outline the Grand Redemptive Scheme of God, it occupies a position unequalled by any work in the entire range of Bahá’í literature, except the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Bahá’u’lláh’s Most Holy Book.⁴

⁴ God Passes By, ch. VIII. bahai.org

Of special importance is the Book of the Íqán which explains the attitude of the Cause towards the prophets of God and their mission in the history of society.⁵

⁵ From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 9 February 1932.

The one who ponders over that book and grasps its full significance will obtain a clear insight into the old scriptures and appreciate the true mission of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh.⁶

⁶ From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi.

From the Writings of ʻAbdu’l-Bahá

It is therefore clear and evident that these signs have inner meanings and should not be taken literally. These meanings have been fully explained in the Kitáb-i-Íqán: Refer to it.⁷

⁷ Some Answered Questions, ch. 11, “The Second Coming of Christ and the Day of Judgement”. bahai.org

This is the “return” which is mentioned in the heavenly Scriptures. It is fully explained by Bahá’u’lláh in the Kitáb-i-Íqán: Refer to it, that you may be informed of the truth of the divine mysteries.⁸

⁸ Some Answered Questions. bahai.org

From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh

Bahá’u’lláh refers to the Kitáb-i-Íqán as “the lord of the books,” and commends it again in the Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, His last major Work.

In fact, all the Scriptures and the mysteries thereof are condensed into this brief account. So much so, that were a person to ponder it a while in his heart, he would discover from all that hath been said the mysteries of the Words of God, and would apprehend the meaning of whatever hath been manifested by that ideal King.⁹

⁹ The Kitáb-i-Íqán. bahai.org

Briefly, there hath been revealed in the Kitáb-i-Íqán, concerning the Presence and Revelation of God, that which will suffice the fair-minded.¹⁰

¹⁰ Epistle to the Son of the Wolf. bahai.org

Personal accounts

At times when reading the Book of Ighan the spirit of light, joy and gladness has come over me, which I have not been able to ascribe to any word or sentence or to any one idea or thought. It seemed like a radiance arising from the Book, from the Certainty of Truth.

Arthur Agnew

He told me that he had read the Íqán with ‘the eye of intellect’ seventeen times through, and it had seemed to him a meaningless string of words. That later, he had read it with ‘the eye of faith,’ and had found it the key with which he could unlock the secrets of all the sacred books of past religions.

Marzieh Gail, reporting the testimony of Mirza Abu’l-Faḍl

Goals of the study

To develop the habit of reading the Writings by yourself
To advance in your understanding of fundamental Bahá’í beliefs, and how to explain them to others
To experience the joy of reading the Sacred Writings