A discussion of four of the Báb's autobibliographical works (the Kitáb al-Fihrist, al-Kitáb al-`Ulamá, al-Khutba al-Dhikriyya, and al-Khutba fÃ'l-Jidda) as related both to antecedents in Islamic literature and to the Báb's messianic self-conception.
Notes:
Presented at the Irfan Colloquia Session #58, Louhelen Bahá'à School, Michigan (October 8-11, 2004).
published in Lights of Irfan, Volume 6, pages 47-68 Wilmette, IL: Irfan Colloquia, 2005
Abstract:
This paper will discuss four of the Báb's autobibliographical works; the Kitáb al-Fihrist, al-Kitáb al-`Ulamá, al-Khutba al-Dhikriyya, and al-Khutba fÃ'l-Jidda. I will relate my analysis of these texts to antecedents in Islamic - and especially Shi`i - literatures, with regard to the theological significance of bibliography, and ultimately to the Báb's hyper-textual messianic self-conception.