Editing Kitáb-i-Aqdas (section)

== Overview ==

Rather than a narrative, the book is written as a series of short teachings or principles. A summary lends itself to a bullet-point list of the various ideas shared throughout the text. Main themes cover the appointment of Baháʼu'lláh's successor, who remains unnamed in the text; the layout of the future Baháʼí administration, including the mention of the [[Universal House of Justice]] and allusions to what would later be known as the [[Shoghi Effendi|Guardian]]; certain laws, particularly around prayer, fasting, marriage, divorce, and inheritance; admonitions toward certain individuals; and a variety of specific laws, ordinances, and prohibitions, ranging from tithes, to the Baháʼí calendar, to prohibitions on opium, slave trading, and gossip.

Besides the main themes above, the ''Synopsis and Codification'' lists the last of six themes as "Miscellaneous Subjects" and lists 33 topics:
#The transcendent character of the Bahá'í Revelation
#The exalted station of the Author of the Faith
#The supreme importance of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, "The Most Holy Book"
#The doctrine of the "Most Great Infallibility"
#The twin duties of recognition of the Manifestation and observance of His Laws, and their inseparability
#The end of all learning is the recognition of Him Who is the Object of all knowledge
#The blessedness of those who have recognized the fundamental verity "He shall not be asked of His doings"
#The revolutionizing effect of the "Most Great Order"
#The selection of a single language and the adoption of a common script for all on earth to use: one of two signs of the maturity of the human race
#Prophecies of the Báb regarding "He Whom God will make manifest"
#Prediction relating to opposition to the Faith
#Eulogy of the king who will profess the Faith and arise to serve it
#The instability of human affairs
#The meaning of true liberty
#The merit of all deeds is dependent upon God's acceptance
#The importance of love for God as the motive of obedience to His Laws
#The importance of utilizing material means
#Eulogy of the learned among the people of Bahá
#Assurance of forgiveness to Mírzá Yahyá should he repent
#Apostrophe addressed to Tihrán
#Apostrophe addressed to Constantinople and its people
#Apostrophe addressed to the "banks of the Rhine"
#Condemnation of those who lay false claim to esoteric knowledge
#Condemnation of those who allow pride in their learning to debar them from God
#Prophecies relating to Khurásán
#Prophecies relating to Kirmán
#Allusion to [[Shaykh Ahmad-i-Ahsá'í]]
#Allusion to the Sifter of Wheat
#Condemnation of Hájí Muhammad-Karím Khán
#Condemnation of Shaykh Muhammad-Hasan
#Allusion to [[Napoleon III]]
#Allusion to Siyyid Muhammad-i-Isfahání
#Assurance of aid to all those who arise to serve the Faith