The authors of Hasht Bihisht were Shaykh Ahmad Ruhi & Mirza Aqa Khan of Kerman, the son-in-laws of Subh-i-Azal. Introduction to Hasht Bihisht, printed; J.R.A.S October 1892, pp.683,684.
The Introduction, page I to XVII, deals with the authorship of the work. In the light of the letter reproduced in facsimile on page XVII, the ideas contained in the book represent the teachings and sayings of Haji Sayyid Jawad of Karbala, who was of the first Letters of the Living (“Hurufat-i Hayy-i Awwal), and was composed the “First Unity” of the BÁBi hierarchy.
The original spirit of the contents is his through the form of words belongs to Sheikh Ahmad-i Ruhi of Kerman, and Mirza Aqa Khan of Kerman, both noted men of Letters and sons-in-laws of Subh-i-Azal. The Introduction also contains biographical notes on them.
As far as the book itself, the preface extends from page 1 to 29. It deals with the religion of the Bayan and discusses “virtues” (Khasais) which the religion of the Bayan has over all other religions, and seven “claims” (دعوی) which its adherents made for it.
The body of the work consists of eight chapters, pages 29-299 for which reason the book is entitled Hasht Bihisht (“The Eight Paradises”). It deals with the practice of the religion of the Bayan and the events of the Day of the Resurrection, i.e. the circumstances of the BÁB’s manifestation. Footnotes have been inserted in the book where no quotable authority could be invoked to corroborate views and opinions expressed by the authors.
Page 300-301 contain شرح حال حضرت ثمره بیان “Elucidation of the circumstances of His Highness the Fruit of the Bayan” (i.e. Subh-i Azal) and page 301-304 deals with شرح حال عجل سامری “Elucidation of the Circumstances of the Calf of Samiri” (allusion made to Mirza Husayn Ali of Nur known as Baha or Baha'u'llah).
The conclusion, pages 304-306, contains Bayan-i Sharh-i Fitna-i-Salam (Elucidation of the Direful Mischief”), by which is meant the secession between the Bayanis and the Bahais.
The work ends with narrative of “one of the people of the Bayan”, i.e. a Bayani, of a visit which he paid to Acre from Cyprus, and of what he saw and heard there. The visitor was none other than Mirza Aqa Khan of Kerman, one of the co-authors of Hasht Bihisht.
The work is systematic treatise in the philosophy, theory, ethics, morality and the history of the religion of the Bayan.
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