Conduct of The Heads of States
(سلوک رؤسا با مردم)

 

The contribution of Bayanis to the constitutional movement in Iran at a time when the brutality of the rulers was at peek and their struggle to have governments that treat its citizen with respect and dignity and a tolerant society is acknowledged by Iranian and Western historians.

Unfortunately Bahais have attempted to ignore facts and portray a false impression of Subh-i Azal. This work of Subh-i Azal provides an insight into how people should react in face of heads of government who rule with injustice. The approach recommended by Subh-i Azal is a non violent opposition accompanied with admonishing the unjust ruler. Violence is completely ruled out. In case the unjust ruler does not heed and continues to oppress its citizen, as a last resort people are entitled to remove the unjust ruler but emphasises that it must be non-violent and no bloodshed.

It is important to note that some of the attributes attached by Subh-i Azal to a head of a state applies only to a situation where the religion of Bayan is the religion adopted by the majority of the citizens, the head of the state is a Bayani and that Bayani teachings re implemented. One being that a council of 25 of the witnesses of Bayan acts as a council to the Bayani ruler of a Bayani state.

When Subh-i Azal refers to a divine mandate for a ruler, he refers to the Bayani head of a Bayani state. Subh-i Azal does not consider a particular style of government be a republic or monarchy as a requirement of a just system. Today, we can see regimes that are based on either and provide (relative) justice to their citizens and we see regimes that are based on either whilst their cistisens are subjected to hardship and injustice.

The following introduction to this work of Subh-i Azal is written by Prof. Juan Cole who has also translated this work and entitled it as 'Treatise on Kingship' posted on H-Net of Michigan State University. Whilst the introduction is provided in its fullness, the following must be noted: