Abd al-Hosayn Ayati

Abd al Ḥosayn Ayati (1871—1953) was a Baha'i missionary, journalist, author and teacher. After conversion to the Baha'i Faith, he spent 18 years as missionary and was a close companion of `Abdu'l-Bahá, who conferred on him the titles of "Raʾīs-al-moballeḡīn" (Chief of Missionaries) and "Avarih" (Wanderer).

He later became a Muslim and an opponent of the Baha'i Faith, being considered a Covenant-breaker. He returned to Tehran and spent the rest of his life as a secondary school teacher.During this period he wrote many works of poetry and prose, including Kashf al-Hial, a three volume work refuting the Bahá'í Faith. He was labelled by Shoghi Effendi as a "shameless apostate".

The numerous references made to Avarih in John Esslemont's book Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era were removed in subsequent editions published after Avarih's apostasy from the Baha'i Faith.

Works

Kašf al-ḥīal

• Al-Kawākeb al-dorrīya fī maʾāṯer al-bahāʾīya: a major work on history of Baha'i Faith.
• Kašf al-ḥīal: his work in three volumes after conversion from Baha'i Faith. Vol. 1, Vol. 2, vol. 3.