The Mother Book of the Bábí Dispensation. Comprising nine vahids (unities) of nineteen chapters or babs (gates)—with the exception of the last unity, which has only ten gates—the greater part of the work was written in the prison of Mákú, but, contrary to some prevalent assumptions, the last parts may have been written in Chihriq, after the Báb was interrogated by the clerics in Tabriz. The Persian Bayán abrogates Islamic laws and traditions and sets down new laws and teachings. However, the various laws are discussed as symbols referring to deep spiritual meanings and vehicles to prepare the people for the advent of Him Whom God shall make manifest. Both the form and content of the book affirm the underlying metaphysics of unity in which all things are manifestations of an inner reality which is the revelation of God within them.