Supplication by the Bab for Siyyid Kazim

Abstract: This paper presents a provisional English translation of a devotional supplication revealed by the Báb in honour of Siyyid Kāẓim Rashtī (d. 1843), the eminent Shaykhí leader and venerated figure on the spiritual path. The supplication is notable for its elevated tone, theological richness, and reverent language, offering valuable insight into the Báb’s perception of His esteemed predecessor and the continuity of spiritual authority. The translation seeks to render the original Arabic with the utmost fidelity to its sacred tenor and complex theological allusions, preserving both its literary style and spiritual resonance. This text is drawn from Nasím-i Ṣaḥarī, p. 81, edited by Dr. Vahíd Rafatí, although the date of its revelation is not specified in the published version. The study situates the prayer within the broader context of early Bábí discourse and devotional practice, contributing to the understanding of the Báb’s early writings and Shaykhí-Bábí relations.