The Bab established several distinct commands and rules concerning non-believers

The Báb, in his book the Bayán (Arabic), views those who do not accept his revelation as being in a state of error, and he established several distinct commands and rules concerning non-believers or those outside the Bayán or the Islamic sects.

The overall perspective holds that all people outside the Bábí faith are equal in their error. Jews, Christians, Catholics, Protestants, Sunnis, Shiites, Sufis, and philosophers are all considered to be "in the error" and are seen as blasphemers. The Báb specifically rejects the doctrines of sects like Sufism expressing his "horror and disgust" for this school of thought.

The commands and expectations regarding non-believers fall into several categories:

Commands Regarding Property and Possessions

The Báb instituted commands requiring Bábís to acquire the property of non-believers, though this was generally reversible upon conversion:

1. Acquisition of Property: Bábís are instructed to take all the possessions of those who have not entered the Bayán.
2. Return Upon Conversion: If the non-believers subsequently come to believe in the Bayán, their goods must be returned.
3. Contextual Exception: This command to seize property is set aside if the Bábís are residing in a country where they do not have the power to act in this manner.
4. Purity of Goods: Any goods that Bábís seize from non-believers are immediately rendered pure upon coming into the believer's possession.
5. Conquered Cities: If a city is conquered by the religion of the Bayán, unique objects within that city must be seized and guarded for the future Manifestation of God (He Whom God Shall Make Manifest).

Commands Regarding Conversion, Faith, and Extermination

The Báb places a strong imperative on conversion and obedience to the Bábí law, or faces consequences:

• Exclusion of Non-Believers: The Báb ordered that after the Ulemas' impotence to match his verses is shown, the Babi ruler "must not leave on the surface of the earth any other than believers".
• Exception for Commerce: An exception to this exclusion is made for non-believers who engage in commerce under the belief of the Bayán or those from whom profit is derived.
• Consequences of Disbelief: Those who refuse to believe in Him Whom God Shall Make Manifest and his verses will be annihilated.
• Marriage and Sexual Relations: If one partner in a marriage converts to the Bayán and the other does not, it becomes illicit for the believer to approach (have sexual relations with) the non-converting spouse unless they convert. Furthermore, the reproductive act is not licit if both parties are not believers in the Bayán.
• Prohibition on Torment: Bábís are generally forbidden to torment others [Believers], even to the extent of striking someone's shoulder with one's hand.

Commands Regarding Religious Practices

The Báb instituted prohibitions on certain activities related to non-Bábís or non-Bábí practices:

• Forbidden Association: It is forbidden for Bábís to have relations with non-believers of the Bayán.
• Science and Learning: Bábís are commanded not to acquire sciences which hold no utility, nor to be burdened by sciences "of appearance and without fruit". Specifically, Bábís should not study books or sciences that originate from the "Manteq" (logic) and "Usool" (principles) that are rooted outside the Bayán tradition.
• Religious Blasphemy: The Báb criticizes Christians for accusing God of lying by saying He is one of the three persons of the Trinity, and the Jews for saying Ozéir is the son of God, stating that God will soon chastise them for their bad beliefs.
• Alcohol: Bábís are prohibited from possessing, selling, buying, or consuming fermented beverages or other intoxicants, unless they are used for industry. If someone drinks an intoxicating beverage, they are obliged to pay a fine of 55 mithkals of gold.

In sum, the Báb's commands distinguish between those in error (general non-believers) and those who accept the truth (Bábís), implementing legal and social barriers, including provisional seizure of property, and ultimately calling for a society composed only of believers.

(1905 French translation of Arabic Bayan "Le Béyan Arabe," of Séyyed Ali Mohammed (the Báb) by A.L.M. Nicolas)