The Hidden Words was revealed by Bahá’u’lláh on the banks of the Tigris River in 1857. It was revealed partly in Persian, and partly in Arabic.

The Hidden Words is referred to as “dynamic spiritual leaven cast into the life of the world for the reorientation of the minds of men, the edification of their souls and the rectification of their conduct”. Baha’u’llah Himself refers to it as “the inner essence” of that which was “revealed unto the Prophets of old” clothed “in the garment of brevity.”

It is written that “these holy Words have not been revealed to be heard but to be practised” and as such we are exhorted to recite them daily, memorise them, and strive to align our conduct with them.