Baha'i Faith

The Bahá'í Faith The Bahá'í Faith proclaims itself to be the youngest of the independent world religions. Its roots stem from Iran during the mid-nineteenth century. This new faith is primarily based on the founder, Bahá'u'lláh, meaning 'the Glory of God'. Bahá'ís (the believers) in many places around the world have been heavily persecuted for their beliefs and differences and have been branded by many as a cult, a reform movement and/or a sect of the Muslim religion. The Bahá'í Faith is unique in that it accepts the teachings of what they believe to be all the divine messengers, these are Abraham, Moses, Zoroaster, the Buddha, Jesus and Muhammad. The faith believes each messenger is equally authentic of the one living God. This is in line with what is called progressive revelation. What is meant by progressive revelation is that, Bahá'ís believe that this series of interventions by God in human history has been progressive, each revelation from God more complete than those which preceded it, and each preparing the way for the next. The teachings of these messengers are seen as a path for people's salvation. With each new messenger, more is revealed by God. Like a long journey or novel, the ones who were before prepared the way for the next, and with the next making it more complete. Like Muslims, Bahá'ís believe that God is One. God manifests his will to humanity through the series of messengers whom Bahá'ís call Manifestations of God. This purpose is to provide perfect guidance for both all encompassing spiritual growth and the unification of all societies. Bahá'ís believe that all of these religions are each one part of a divine plan. The Faith first appeared in Persia (which is now Iran), where Islam was the dominating religion. It grew out of Islam much like Christianity had bloomed out of Judaism. The new believers religious ideas were based on the Qur'án, and believed that within the Qur'án, that the prophecies of it were being fulfilled. Initially Islamic clergy saw the followers as Muslim Heretics. And from these Heretics, the first phase of the Faith was laid down; it was to become known as the Bábí Faith. The progenitors of the Faith were direct descendants of the Imams (Shiah chosen leaders). Tension grew between the Sunni and Shiah sects due to differences in belief of what leadership should prevail and rule after Muhammad's death. The first Sunni dynasty gained power twenty-nine years after Muhammad's death, and at once began putting the Imams to death, these descendents of Muhammad believed that it was them who should continue with Muhammad's teachings and assume the leadership of the people. With the persecution of the Imams, Shiah tradition says a young child, known as the twelfth Imam, was concealed to avoid execution. He was then to be known as the 'Hidden Imam'. For a period of sixty-nine years following his disappearance, the Hidden Imam was said to have communicated secretly with his followers through arbitrators, who took the title of bábs (gate). With the passing of the bábs, the title was passed on to a newly appointed one. The fourth and last báb refused or was unable to appoint a new successor and it was therefore implied that the matter to be left in the hands of God. On May 23, 1844 in the city of Shiraz, a man named Siyyid Ali Muhammad announced that he was the promised final Báb. To the Muslim clergy the claims made by this man were a threat to the foundation of Islam. The Báb's (Siyyid) mission was that he was the long awaited Imam Mahdi (the Guided One), the messenger of God, the one to free the Bábí's (followers of the Shiah sect, awaiting for the new Imam) from the Islamic Shari'ah (canon law). With this threat, uneasiness occurred and outbreaks of violence ensued, armed forces were then sent to crush this Bábí movement. The Báb was executed in 1852, and while thousands of Bábí 's were also slaughtered at this time, the Faith at this point barely hung on to the edge of existence. The Bábs mission appeared to have ended in failure. A handful of Bábí's escaped the massacre from 1848-1852, and among them was a noble man named Mirza Husayn 'Ali'. Mirza was a devoted Bábí and one of the first to proclaim his faith to the Báb. These few believers' freedom ended in 1852 when the government captured the remaining of these Bábí's. The Bábí's were placed in what was known in the East, as the most horrible jail to ever exist. It was given the name 'the Black Pit', by all who knew of it. It was here that Mirza would sit with chains around his legs, arms and neck for four months. With each passing day, a new Bábí would fall to the hands of an executioner. It was during these four months, that Mirza gained the title Bahá'u'lláh (the Glory of God), and contemplated his full mission. The experience in the 'Black Pit' set in motion a process of religious revelation which, over the next forty years, led to the production of hundreds of books, tablets and letters. This material forms the core of the sacred scripture of the Bahá'í Faith. In these writings, Bahá'u'lláh outlined a framework for the reconstruction of all human society at all levels: spiritual, moral, economic, political and philosophical. At the end of his four-month jail term, Bahá'u'lláh began his life of banishment. His journey of exile began in Baghdad following Istanbul, Edirine and finally Acre, Israel. In each new city Bahá'u'lláh would gain the reputation as a spiritual and gifted teacher, which drew listeners, followers and believers of all social class backgrounds. Bahá'u'lláhs growing influence excited intense fear and suspicion in the minds of the Shah and his government under Islamic rule. Shortly before the move to Istanbul, Bahá'u'lláh prayed in a garden on the Tigris River, known to Bahá'ís as the garden of Ridvan (Paradise). It was in this garden that he announced to his closet followers that he was He Whom God Will Make Manifest, the universal messenger of God promised by the Báb and by the scriptures of the earlier divine religions. Bahá'í history refers to Bahá'u'lláhs experience in the Black Pit as the dawning of his revelation (this event is still celebrated around the world as the chief festival of the Faith). With each attempt made by the Shah and his party to banish Bahá'u'lláh from country to country, Bahá'u'lláh left each different place with a renewed assurance and power, and with a stronger following. The teachings of Bahá'u'lláh that gained him such respect included three basic principles. 1) The oneness of God 2) The oneness of humankind 3) The unity of religion. The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens. Other Báha'í principles are the independent investigation of truth, equality of men and women, harmony of science and religion, elimination of extremes of wealth and poverty, universal peace, a world commonwealth of nations, a universal auxiliary language, spiritual solutions to economic problems, and universal education. Along with the main focus of unity, Bahá'u'lláh also stressed the importance of honesty, chastity, generosity, trustworthiness, purity of motive, service to others, deeds over words and work as a form of worship. What was unlawful and forbidden included lying, killing, stealing, gambling, backbiting and adultery. Bahá'u'lláh also gave special close attention to the problem of prejudice. He expressed to all, that prejudice created disunity between groups, which in turn leads to social unrest, war, and even genocide. Bahá'ís are specifically counseled to make an active effort to rid themselves of all prejudices and superstitions about human nature. A letter written to fellow Bahá'ís during his time in exile proclaims that We are all created of the same dust, that no one should exalt himself over another. Equality was another main concern and objective, Bahá'u'lláh stressed that women have the intellectual abilities of men and will in the future demonstrate their capacity. The Faith believes the only reason why women have not yet reached this level of achievement, is because they have not received adequate educational and social opportunities. Women and men are fully equal in the sight of God, and society must recognize this in order to progress. Bahá'u'lláh urged to assure the education of all children. If financial difficulties prevented this in a family, the preference must be given to the education of female children. This accomplishes two major objectives. It assists women to overcome the handicap of the past inequalities and it also assures that since mothers are the first teachers in society (children), the next generation will greatly benefit. It was in Acre that Bahá'u'lláhs most important work was written. Known among Bahá'ís by its Persian name, the Kitab-i-Aqdas (the most holy book), this book of laws and principles was written to be observed by his followers. These laws included daily prayer and meditation along with the basic principles and teachings that followers must obey. Many of these rules and principles are similar and related to many of the other great religions. The Faith proclaims that these teachings and rules have been updated by the newest of God's messengers in order to bring a new enlightenment and prosperity to all of humankind. Bahá'u'lláh emphasized that the primary purpose of God revealing His Will is to effect a transformation in the character of humankind, to develop within those who respond, the moral and spiritual qualities that are latent within human nature. With the Bahá'í prayers, which are very important for spiritual growth, at least one of the three main obligatory prayers is to be said once a day, but not before one washes their hands and face. While praying, one is to face the Point of Adoration, which is the direction towards Bahji, Akká where Bahá'u'lláh's grave is placed, and which is the most holy of places for Bahá'ís. Other laws include the use of alcohol and narcotic drugs, which are strictly forbidden, unless used for medicinal purposes. It is believed that the substances do harm to the higher physical and mental faculties, therefore stunting any spiritual development. As for tobacco, it is not forbidden, but it is strongly criticized due to the harming of one's gift of health and prosperity that God has given. Bahá'ís are required to fast (to have no food or water) from the second day of March to the twenty-first day, nineteen days in length, from sunrise to sunset. The fast is viewed as a time of spiritual preparation and regeneration for the believers and for the new year called Naw Ruz, which follows the nineteen day fast. The calendar followed by the Faith differs from a Christian calendar. It consists of nineteen months each having nineteen days, making a total of 361 days. On the nineteenth day, a celebration called a 'Feast' partakes among the Bahá'í community. It is here that they pray, sing, promote, encourage and consult with one another about the Faith. There is no Clergy and the Faith has no Priest, Mullah, or Rabbi leading the believers, it is left up to each individual believer to find their own self worth with God and not to be lead or influenced by others. Many faiths have a particular type of symbol, there is no official Bahá'í symbol, but a nine pointed star is often used. Nine is the highest numerical digit and as such, the Faith believes that a nine-pointed star portrays comprehensiveness, culmination and perfection. Bahá'ís believe that again another messenger will come. The writings of the Faith proclaim it will be approximately one thousand years after the proclamation of Bahá'u'lláh. For forty-eight years Bahá'u'lláh was persecuted, exiled and shunned for his message and teachings of unity. Many Christians, Muslims and non-religious converted willingly to his message, while many judged and scorned him, just like many past societies had done to other messengers sent by God. Bahá'u'lláh taught his followers the importance of educating oneself of other religious beliefs. Education is the only way to rid oneself of ignorance. With an open mind, acceptance of change and differences will only benefit humanity. On May 29th 1892 at the age of seventy-five Bahá'u'lláh passed away in the comfort of freedom in his final residency, Bahji (Joy). Shortly before his death, he appointed his first born son, 'Abdu'l-Bahá (servant of Baha) to continue the works of God, and to ensure the new message of faith amongst the believers continues and to prosper. Many of the people who met with Bahá'u'lláh, all had fascinating stories and memories of him. One such person was an American foreigner who was travelling the East for adventure and experience. This is a quote from the American who spent time amongst the Bahá'ís and who was also fortunate enough to meet Bahá'u'lláh. In the corner where the divan met the wall sat a felt head-dress of the kind called 'taj' by dervishes, round the base of which was a small white turban. The face of him on whom I gazed I can never forget, though I cannot describe it. Those piercing eyes seemed to read one's very soul, power and authority sat on that ample brow…. No need to ask in whose presence I stood.