THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The Bahá’í Faith had its beginnings in 1844. In that year, a young Iranian merchant, who became known as “the Báb,” proclaimed the advent of a new religious revelation. Born on October 20, 1819, the Báb’s given name was Siyyid ‘Alí-Muhammad. The “Báb” means “Gate” in Arabic. His followers were called Bábís. He declared that his purpose was to prepare humanity for the advent of a new messenger from God, one promised to all the people of the world.
The Báb and his followers were brutally persecuted by the clergy and government of Iran, who viewed the Báb’s claim as heretical. He was beaten, imprisoned and, on July 9, 1850, executed in the city of Tabriz, Persia. Over the years, more than 20,000 Bábis perished in a series of massacres throughout Persia (Iran) when they refused to recant their faith.
Among the Báb’s followers was a young man, named Mírzá Husayn-Alí, who was born in Teheran on November 12, 1817. Known today as Bahá’u’lláh, which means “The Glory of God,” he was a member of one of the greatest patrician families of Persia.
In becoming a follower of the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh turned his back on wealth and privilege, and, like other followers, became the victim of cruel persecution. In 1852, he was imprisoned and then banished, initially to Baghdad. There, in 1863, he announced that he was the promised one foretold by the Báb.
In making his claim, Bahá’u’lláh explained that all of the world’s great religions have foretold a day when peace and justice would be established worldwide. The past messengers of God--such as Abraham, Krishna, Moses, Zoroaster, Buddha, Christ, Muhammad, and the Báb--consciously prepared humanity for this day, much as educators prepare children for ever more complex studies. For Bahá’ís, Bahá’u’lláh’s appearance fulfills the promise of all the world’s scriptures. The followers of Bahá’u’lláh became known as Bahá’ís.
As a prisoner of the Ottoman Empire, he was sent from Baghdad to Constantinople (Istanbul), then to Adrianople (Edirne), and finally to the prison city of Acre, in the Holy Land, where he arrived in 1868. The Bahá’í World Center is situated in the twin cities of Haifa and Acre, in present-day Israel.
From his days in Baghdad until his passing near Acre in 1892, Bahá’u’lláh
wrote hundreds of letters and books. These writings comprise the principal
scriptures of the Bahá’í Faith. Within these texts
are found the principles, teachings, prayers and laws that guide the Bahá’í
community.
