Editing Baháʼí Faith (section)

== Sacred texts ==
{{Baháʼí texts sidebar}}
{{Main|Baháʼí literature}}
The ''canonical texts'' of the Baháʼí Faith are the writings of the [[Báb]], Baháʼu'lláh, ʻAbdu'l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi and the [[Universal House of Justice]], and the authenticated talks of ʻAbdu'l-Bahá. The writings of the Báb and Baháʼu'lláh are considered as divine revelation, the writings and talks of ʻAbdu'l-Bahá and the writings of Shoghi Effendi as authoritative interpretation, and those of the Universal House of Justice as authoritative legislation and elucidation. Some measure of divine guidance is assumed for all of these texts.{{sfn|Smith|2000|pp=100–101|ps=: {{nowrap|"Canonical texts"}}}}

Some of Baháʼu'lláh's most important writings include the ''Kitáb-i-Aqdas'' ("Most Holy Book"), which defines many laws and practices for individuals and society,{{sfn|Hatcher|Martin|1998|p=46}} the ''[[Kitáb-i-Íqán]]'' ("Book of Certitude"), which became the foundation of much of Baháʼí belief,{{sfn|Hatcher|Martin|1998|p=137}} and ''[[Gems of Divine Mysteries]]'', which includes further doctrinal foundations. Although the Baháʼí teachings have a strong emphasis on social and ethical issues, a number of foundational texts have been described as [[Mysticism|mystical]].{{sfn|Daume|Watson|1992}} These include the ''[[Seven Valleys]]'' and the [[The Four Valleys|''Four Valleys'']].{{sfn|Smith|2008|p=20}} ''The Seven Valleys'' was written to a follower of [[Sufism]], in the style of [[Attar Neyshapuri|ʻAttar]], the [[Persian people|Persian]] Muslim poet,{{sfn|Smith|2000|p=311|ps=: {{nowrap|"Seven Valleys"}}}} and sets forth the stages of the soul's journey towards God. It was first translated into English in 1906, becoming one of the earliest available books of Baháʼu'lláh to the West. ''[[Hidden Words|The Hidden Words]]'' is another book written by Baháʼu'lláh during the same period, containing 153 short passages in which Baháʼu'lláh claims to have taken the basic essence of certain spiritual truths and written them in brief form.{{sfn|Smith|2000|p=181|ps=: {{nowrap|"Hidden Words"}}}}