Books are the eyes and ears of the world, Bahá’u’lláh teaches; through them humanity sees and hears, and to burn them is to blind oneself. He counts that burning as the greatest error ever committed, and He sets it in grim company beside bloodshed, the shunning of other faiths and the extermination of whole communities. Against that history He lifts the ordinance in the Bayán concerning the destruction of books, offering the change as a token of divine grace, and permits His followers to study whatever sciences bring real benefit rather than those that end only in idle dispute. John Stuart Mill argued that silencing any opinion robs people of the chance to correct error and grasp truth more vividly [1], and the comparison sharpens what is at stake. Yet a free shelf is only a beginning. It asks for discernment, the willingness to meet another mind with fairness, and the courage to read beyond one’s own convictions. From here the road leads to the high station of learning and to a study freed from the narrowness of fanaticism.
The greatest error that occurred in the world was the burning of books, for books are as the eyes and ears of the world - through them humanity sees and hears. In truth, they deprived themselves of seeing and hearing. We testify that they are among the heedless.
It hath been ordained in the fifth Gate that ye should efface all books save what is composed in the shadow of the Bayan concerning the exposition of knowledge and the source of wisdom. And ye shall seek assistance through the splendor of the essences and naught else.
(The Báb, Lawh-i-Haykalu'd-Din, seventh year (1266) -- BB00035)
03
If the Bayan is examined with the eye of fairness, it explicitly mentions the Blessed Beauty throughout, and the purpose of its laws was not their implementation and enforcement, but rather the mention of Him Whom God shall make manifest and His praise and glorification, as every chapter and section culminates in the mention of that Essence of existence. Were it not for this, what fruit and result would the Bayan yield? One must be fair. Among the laws of the Bayan are the striking of the necks of all peoples, the burning of all books, scriptures, psalms and papers, the conquest of East and West, and the demolition of elevated structures. Are such laws possible of implementation in this age? Nay, by God! Rather, they are impossible and unattainable.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1911-May ca., to Aqa Mirza Jafar -- AB00300)
04
Fear God, O Hadi! Be not willing that men be again afflicted with the vain imaginings of former times. Fear God, and be not of them that act unjustly. In these days We have heard that thou hast striven to lay hands on and destroy every copy of the Bayan. This Wronged One requesteth thee to renounce, for the sake of God, this intention.
(Bahá’u’lláh, Lawh-i-Ibn-i-Dhi'b (Epistle to the Son of the Wolf), 1308 ? [1891], to Muhammad Taqi Isfahani (son of the Wolf) -- BH00005)
05
The unbelievers and the faithless have set their minds on four things: first, the shedding of blood; second, the burning of books; third, the shunning of the followers of other religions; fourth, the extermination of other communities and groups.
(Bahá’u’lláh, Lawh-i-Dunya (Tablet of the World), 1308 ? [1890-1891], to Mirza Siyyid Muhammad Afnan (known as Aqa Mirza Aqa Nurud-Din) -- BH00238)
06
God hath relieved you of the ordinance laid down in the Bayan concerning the destruction of books. We have permitted you to read such sciences as are profitable unto you, not such as end in idle disputation; better is this for you, if ye be of them that comprehend.
(Bahá’u’lláh, Kitab-i-Aqdas (The Most Holy Book), 1290-05-15 [1873-Jul-11] -- BH00001)
07
As a token of grace from God, the Revealer of this Most Great Announcement, We have removed from the Holy Scriptures and Tablets the law prescribing the destruction of books.
(Bahá’u’lláh, Bisharat (Glad-Tidings; =Lawh-i-Nida), 1308-06 ca. [1891-Jan] -- BH00568)
08
As to what was written concerning the destruction of writings - yes, this occurred in Iraq, not here. In those days, by divine command, the sacred writings were consigned to the river of bounty. He said their effects would become manifest throughout all lands. In this land certain discussions arose, and consequently some correspondence, petitions and such were destroyed. The verses of God are preserved - the servant gives you these glad tidings and by your tongue says: "Praise be to Thee, O Thou Desire of the worlds!" Although this people, meaning the people of this age, were not and are not worthy to behold and read these verses, it is a bounty that has become the source of assurance for the servants, and a mercy that bestows spirit and fragrance upon the soul. Otherwise, considering what we deserve, despair would encompass the soul. The servant beseeches his Lord saying:
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1302-06-29 [1885-Apr-15], to Mirza Siyyid Muhammad Afnan (Aqa Mirza Aqa) -- BH00451)