Gems of Divine Mysteries

*Writings* of Bahá’u’lláh
Primary works
Kitáb-i-Aqdas Kitáb-i-Íqán The Hidden Words The Seven Valleys and Four Valleys Epistle to the Son of the Wolf Gems of Divine Mysteries Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh Prayers and Meditations Summons of the Lord of Hosts Tabernacle of Unity Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh

Javáhiru’l-Asrár (Arabic: جواهر الاسرار) officially translated as Gems of Divine Mysteries, is an Arabic treatise revealed by Bahá’u’lláh. The themes it discusses are similar to those discussed in Seven Valleys and the Kitáb-i-Íqán. It has been officially translated and published by the Bahá’í World Centre in 2002.

Structure and subject[edit]

Muin Afnani notes that the Tablet consists of two sections, although he also notes that these sections are not strictly distinguished within the Tablet itself.

The first concerns mostly theological issues, and Adib Taherzadeh writes that the Tablet covers the meanings of several passages of previous Holy Books. Afnáni notes that the language is more mystical than that of the Kitáb-i-Íqán, which covers similar subject matter.

The second section outlines the stages of the mystic path in a manner similar to the Seven Valleys, and Taherzadeh notes that the Tablet also states that essential prerequisites for undertaking this path are humility and self-effacement before the believers, with pride or self causing a wayfarer to return to the first stage. Afnani lists the stages as follows:

The Garden of Search
The City of Love and Attraction
The City of Unity
The Garden of Wonderment
The City of Annihilation
The City of Life or Permanence
The City which is Beyond any Name, Description, Mention, or Sound

Afnani notes that the discussion of the City of Unity comprises approximately forty percent of the treatise.

History[edit]

The treatise was revealed for Siyyid Yúsuf-i-Sidihí Isfahání who had submitted a compilation of questions to Bahá’u’lláh regarding the return of the promised Mihdí. Bahá’u’lláh revealed it the same day as receiving the questions and had it sent to Siyyid Yúsuf.

Taherzadeh notes that the Tablet is referred to in the Kitáb-i-Íqán, placing the date of its revelation prior to the revelation of the Kitáb-i-Íqán.

Official Translation[edit]

Translation at Bahá’í Reference Library

References[edit]

Bahá’u’lláh (2002). Gems of Divine Mysteries. Haifa, Israel: Bahá’í World Centre. ISBN 0-85398-975-3.

Hatcher, J.S. (1997). The Ocean of His Words: A Reader's Guide to the Art of Bahá’u’lláh. Wilmette, Illinois, USA: Bahá’í Publishing Trust. ISBN 0877432597.

Taherzadeh, A. (1976). The Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, Volume 1: Baghdad 1853-63. Oxford, UK: George Ronald. ISBN 0853982708.

Javáhir'l-Asrár (Gems of Mysteries): Wilmette Institute faculty notes by Muin Afnáni, accessed 16th April, 2019.

External links[edit]

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