Rituals in Babism and Baha'ism (Pembroke Persian Papers)

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Summary: Extensive study, but includes some misinterpretations
Review: Rituals in Babism and Baha'ism is an interesting book that covers the conclusions of an extensive study on the subject, but there is nevertheless some misinterpretations in it that can mislead the reader on the topic. Firstly, there really isn't any "rituals" in these religions. Ofcourse the definition of the term can differ and people can argue this fact. For example the Guinness Book of Records have listed the Bahá'í Faith as "The largest religion without rites". Secondly, these religions aren't isms and the correct terms to be used when addressing them are The Bábi and The Bahá'í Faith. Furthermore these religions are considered to be so intimately connected to each other, that they are considered as one. An example of this is the fact that the bahá'í calendar starts from the year 1844, when the Báb founded the Bábi Faith. The Báb, who was the founder of the Bábi Faith was the prophet herald of Bahá'u'lláh, who was the founder of the Bahá'í Faith. In His teachings the Báb was preparing His followers for the coming of Bahá'u'lláh, which is also the reason why the Bábi Faith is nowadays basicly non-existing (all the bábis have become bahá'ís). So basicly this is similar to John the Babtist and Jesus, with the exception that both the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh are considered to be manifestations of God (John the Babtist isn't). Thirdly, the writer's claim that the bahá'ís are unaware of their obligations presented by the founder of their religions is surprising. Maybe this due to the time when the book was written (1974?). Nowadays the situation is quite different, which is the result of a growing awareness among the followers and also due to extensive translations of the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh into English and many other languages. With these things said, I think that many paople will find this book interesting reading. I suggest nevertheless, that in studying the topic, before reading this book one should read some of the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh that can be bought from amazon.com and any bookstore with good selection.

Rating:
Summary: This book is for the student of Iranian Islamic history.
Review: This book title, "Rituals in Babism and Baha'ism" doesn't correctly give one a sense of early Babism or Baha'ism, since it main coverage is with Shiah Persian mysticism as it relates to some facets of Babi scripture and to some extent, Baha'i scripture. While this is relevent and intriguing, it is somewhat misleading in the sense that "rituals" as they exist in contemporary Baha'i practice are almost nonexistant. While Persian mystical forms deriving from Shiah Islam do exist in Babism, the religon is virtually extinct. The author does a fascinating job of identifying those elements of Iranian mysticism which are historical and relevent in a historical sense and which have played a role in Babi and Baha'i history, it is somewhat misleading to term these as "rituals". Despite the sociological use of the term, it would be more correct to say that the author describes mystical practices that influenced Iranian Islam and that later influence Babi history and were influential in some Baha'i writings. This book is not for the average reader, since it requires some familiarity with Shiah Islam and Babi and Baha'i history. However, even for those who are familiar with this context, the text is difficult to read. Baha'is may be puzzled by the perspective, Muslims may find the authors work more relevent as work of Shiah commentary, and others in Middle Eastern studies will find the work thought provoking but puzzling without complete know of Babi or Baha'i history.

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Summary: The first to use primary sources to study this subject.
Review: This important book is an excellent contribution to the study of the Babi and Baha'i Faiths. It is the first scholarly survey in English of the important subject of ritual observances, among the Babis and Baha'is. The Babis, a messianic and somewhat militant movement, had a disproportionate impact on modern Iran and a small community still exists. The Baha'is have become a world religion, but often converts from outside the Middle East do not know much about their own religion's ritual prescriptions, which, as MacEoin notes, include salat (obligatory prayer), ablutions, invoking the name of God 95 times per day, a communal prayer for the dead, special rites of pilgrimage, fasting, purification rituals, and rites of birth and marriage. The author explains this neglected dimension of the religion with great clarity and presents beautiful translations of Baha'i scriptures having to do with these ritual observances (the translations constitute half the book, and include, e.g., The Tablet of the Bell and passages from the rites for pilgrimage to the house of Baha'u'llah). MacEoin wrote his dissertation on the Babi faith at Cambridge in 1979, and is among the last scholars to use the National Baha'i Archives in Iran extensively, so that he has access to much rare material, which he does us the favor of presenting lucidly. He is among three or four of the foremost living historians of the Babi and Baha'i movements. No serious student of the Baha'i faith can afford to be without this book.