Sources

An Introduction to the Baha'i Faith

Citation Formats

General Reference

Divinity Atlas. "An Introduction to the Baha'i Faith." Accessed August 30, 2026. https://www.divinityatlas.com/sources/an-introduction-to-the-bahai-faith.

APA Style

Divinity Atlas. (n.d.). An Introduction to the Baha'i Faith. Retrieved August 30, 2026, from https://www.divinityatlas.com/sources/an-introduction-to-the-bahai-faith

BibTeX

@misc{divinityatlas-an-introduction-to-the-baha-i-faith,
  author = {Divinity Atlas},
  title = {An Introduction to the Baha'i Faith},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://www.divinityatlas.com/sources/an-introduction-to-the-bahai-faith},
  note = {Accessed August 30, 2026}
}

Peter Smith's introduction is an outside academic account of the Baha'i Faith's history, central figures, scripture, calendar and institutions such as the Universal House of Justice, written from a scholarly rather than devotional standpoint. Its standing here rests on that critical distance, treating the Baha'i community's own claims as historical material to be documented rather than repeated as established fact, a real methodological difference from a source produced by the community about itself. This record has not independently traced a documented history of scholarly disagreement with Smith's specific claims. Use it for established historical and doctrinal facts about the Baha'i Faith broadly; a claim needing the community's own devotional voice needs a source produced from within the tradition instead.

Facts

Assessment

Reliability Tier

Peter Smith's outside academic account of the Baha'i Faith's history, central figures, scripture, calendar and institutions, written from a scholarly rather than devotional standpoint, treating the community's own claims as historical material to be documented.

Notes

Peter Smith's standard scholarly introduction to the Baha'i Faith, covering its history, central figures (the Bab and Baha'u'llah), scripture, calendar of holy days and administrative institutions such as the Universal House of Justice. Use for established facts about Baha'i history, doctrine and practice broadly; an academic introduction, not the Baha'i community's own devotional voice.

Citation

Author

Peter Smith

Publisher

Cambridge University Press

Publication Year

2008

Source Type

book

Claims Backed By This Source (151 claims)

This source backs 151 claims across the atlas. As facts: 78 well-attested. As cited relationships: 24 holds. Plus 49 entities citing it as a general reference with no single fact or relationship attached.

Disposition By Topic

Articles, 22 claims: 19 well-attested, 1 holds, 2 general references.
Holidays & Festivals, 18 claims: 11 holds, 7 general references.
Sacred Sites, 17 claims: 10 well-attested, 3 holds, 4 general references.
Religions, 13 claims: 11 well-attested, 2 general references.
Pilgrimage Routes, 11 claims: 8 well-attested, 1 holds, 2 general references.
Prayers, 9 claims: 2 well-attested, 4 holds, 3 general references.
Religious Events, 9 claims: 4 well-attested, 1 holds, 4 general references.
Figures, 8 claims: 3 holds, 5 general references.
Doctrines, 7 claims: 5 well-attested, 2 general references.
Scriptures & Texts, 7 claims: 6 well-attested, 1 general references.
Sources, 7 claims: 7 well-attested.
Cities, 4 claims: 4 general references.
Beliefs & Restrictions, 3 claims: 2 well-attested, 1 general references.
Religious Offices, 3 claims: 3 general references.
Religious Organization & Structure, 3 claims: 2 well-attested, 1 general references.
Religious Roles & Titles, 3 claims: 3 general references.
Realms, 2 claims: 1 well-attested, 1 general references.
Rituals, 2 claims: 1 well-attested, 1 general references.
Spread Events, 2 claims: 2 general references.
Organizations, 1 claims: 1 general references.