Guide 08 Bahá'í literature independent reference
How to read the Bahá'í writings online
Much of the Bahá'í literature can be read free on the web. This guide shows the main libraries, explains how to tell authoritative texts from commentary and suggests a sensible first reading.
Start with the official Reference Library
The simplest place to read the writings is the Bahá'í Reference Library, published by the Bahá'í World Centre. It is free, it can be searched, and it holds the texts of the Báb, Bahá'u'lláh and 'Abdu'l-Bahá as well as writings of Shoghi Effendi and letters of the Universal House of Justice. Many titles are available in several languages. Because it is the official source, it is the safest place to confirm that a quotation is accurate.
Independent libraries
Independent collections also exist. The best known of them, Bahá'í Library Online, gathers articles, studies, older translations and out of print books from many authors. These are not Bahá'í institutional publications, so each item should be read as one author's view. Independent collections are useful for scholarship and history, while the official library is the reference for the texts themselves.
Authoritative texts and other material
Before quoting, check which category a text belongs to. The writings of the Báb, Bahá'u'lláh and 'Abdu'l-Bahá are the authoritative core. Compilations arrange extracts by theme. Books about the Faith, blogs and websites represent the views of their authors and may mix translation and commentary. Some pages also offer unofficial translations, which can differ from the authorised wording.
Translations and languages
Most English texts of Bahá'u'lláh were translated by Shoghi Effendi, in a formal, slightly old fashioned style. Later translations by the Bahá'í World Centre use more modern wording. If you compare two English versions of the same passage, note the translator and the year, and for a close reading compare with the Arabic or Persian original where you can.
How to read a first text
Short texts reward re-reading. The Hidden Words can be taken in a few lines at a time. Longer works such as the Kitáb-i-Aqdas are best read with the notes. Many readers study with others, since the Bahá'í tradition places weight on reflecting on a text together. The library's search is useful for following one theme, such as unity, prayer or education, across several works.
Audio and print
Audio readings exist for many titles, and printed editions are published by Bahá'í publishing trusts in a number of countries. This site does not sell books or run a bookshop, so for printed copies consult a local Bahá'í publishing trust or a library near you.