The Persian Bayān
Many themes unmentioned or only touched upon in the Dalā'il‑i
sab`a are expounded in the Bāb's incomplete though much lengthier
Bayān‑i Fārsī (Persian Bayān).
1 This work, the
most systematic, important and best‑known book in the massive Bābī canon,
contains much that is representative of the Bāb's developed thought; his new
laws, rituals and regulations, his socio‑political and economic concerns and
ambitions, his qabbalistic, esoteric and other doctrinal speculations as
well as detailed non‑literal interpretations of Shī`ī apocalyptic
eschatology. No attempt can be made here to summarize the contents of this
allegedly inimitable book.
The Persian Bayān supersedes the Qur'ān with which it is
essentially identical (see II:1, 15‑16). Deliberately incomplete it is
subject to the future confirmation of man yuẓhiru-hu Allāh (see III:3,
etc). It may simply be noted that within it the Bāb reaffirms his "gatehood" (bābiyyā II:l) and claims to be identical with/ the "return" of Imām
usayn whose eschatological advent was predicted in numerous Shī`ī traditions
(IV:5). In addition he claimed to occupy the rank of (subordinate) Godhead
(II:11; IV:l0. cf.III:2). Yet he is a "servant" subject to physical death (lX.l).
As one devoid of formal learning and whose grammar should not be criticized,
he reckons that he had revealed 100‑500,000 verses.
2
