Further reading


The works cited in the bibliography below, which includes selected writings by the central figures of the Bahá’í Faith as well as secondary works by commentators and scholars of the religion, are recommended to people interested in learning more about the Bahá’í Faith. These books can be ordered online through the Bahá’í Distribution Service or borrowed from Bahá’ís in your community.

Primary sources

Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh
Bahá’u’lláh
Selected passages representing important themes in Bahá’u’lláh’s writings, such as spiritual evolution, justice, peace, harmony between the races and peoples of the world, and the transformation of society.

The Hidden Words (English)

Kelmet Mohbija (bil Malti)
Bahá’u’lláh
One of Bahá’u’lláh’s most popular works, with verses of guidance and comfort, forming the ethical heart of His message.

Some Answered Questions
‘Abdu’l-Bahá
A popular collection of informal “table talks,” which address a wide range of spiritual, philosophical and social questions. Profound and challenging, yet presented in plain language.

God Passes By
Shoghi Effendi
The history of the first 100 years of the Bahá’í Faith, 1844-1944, written by its appointed Guardian.

The Promise of World Peace
The Universal House of Justice
The Bahá’í International Community was honored with a “Peace Messenger” award by the United Nations for the dissemination of this statement, which presents a powerful argument for change to a peaceful, co-operative global society.

Bahá’u’lláh
Office of Public Information, Bahá’í International Community
The definitive presentation of the life and teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, founder of the Bahá’í Faith.

Secondary sources

Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era
J.E. Esslemont
A simple yet comprehensive introduction to the origins of the Bahá’í Faith, its teachings, and purpose for humanity.

The Bahá’í Faith: The Emerging Global Religion
William S. Hatcher and J. Douglas Martin
A comprehensive introduction to the origins, development, and recent history of the Bahá’í Faith and its worldwide community of followers.

The Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh
Adib Taherzadeh
A four-volume series on the life and work of Bahá’u’lláh, setting His Writings in their historical context.

Unless and Until: A Bahá’í Focus on the Environment
Arthur Lyon Dahl
A Bahá’í ecologist considers the relationship between environmental and spiritual values and presents a model for sustainable development, based on the experience of the Bahá’í community.

Christ and Bahá’u’lláh
George Townsend
A profound and challenging book, advancing Bahá’u’lláh’s claims to fulfill the prophetic expectations of Christianity.

Buddhism and the Bahá’í Faith
Moojan Momen
A comparison of Buddhist and Bahá’í teachings.

Islam and the Bahá’í Faith
Moojan Momen
An authoritative account of the connection between Islam and the Bahá’í Faith, drawing on Islamic prophecies, teachings, and traditions.

All Things Made New
John Ferraby
A comprehensive outline of the Bahá’í Faith.

The Challenge of Bahá’u’lláh
Gary Mathews
This book examines the prophecies, predictions, life and character of Bahá’u’lláh to test the validity of His claim.

The New Garden
Hushmand Fatheazam
A clear, accessible, and thorough introduction to the Bahá’í Faith.

Thief in the Night
William Sears
The mystery of the return of Christ set as a detective story.

The Renewal of Civilization
David Hofman
A brief account of the history, teachings, and aims of the Bahá’í Faith, emphasizing the religious foundation of civilization and its progressive evolution towards a world society.

Literature in Maltese language coming soon