Bahá'ís Celebrate the Birth of Baha'u'llah

Gauracandra · November 11, 2001

Anyone have any insight into the Bahais? Aren't they an offshoot of Islam? What are their teachings and beliefs?

Gauracandra

Bahá'ís are celebrating the anniversary of the birth of Baha'u'llah, the founder of their faith. Baha'u'llah was born in Persia in 1817. Worshippers celebrate this holy day by refraining from work and by gathering for prayer. Bahá'ís believe the teachings of Baha'u'llah will unite all humanity and ultimately lead to world peace.

Sirona · November 14, 2001

I once went to a Bahai "information evening" which turned out to be a missionary event. Here is what I remember:

Bahai faith is an offspring of Shi'ite Islam (or heresy, depends on the point of view) dating from the middle of the 19th century.

If I got it right, despite Mohammed's quality as "seal of the prophets" Shi'ite Muslims believe in 12 Messiah-like men to come and to re-install the order of God when things go wrong. Out of these 11 have already come and one is still expected.

In the middle of the 19th century the atmosphere in Persia was rather "end of the world". The superiority of Muslims over "Christians" (Europeans) from the Middle Age had turned into its opposite. Islamic areas were European colonies. So there was the call for a savior.

In Persia there was a man called Bab (the Gate) who predicted the savior was near. He gathered a community around him - the Babis. When the Bab was executed by Persian authorities in 1841, a merchant who called himself Glory/Majesty of God (Baha'ullah) became his successor, and the Babi were renamed the Bahai. Persian authorities disliked Baha'ullah's preaching activity as much as they had disliked the Bab's, especially because he claimed to be the saviour announced by the Bab, and - what meant heresy in Muslim's eyes - to be a new prophet of God.

That's why Baha'ullah was put to a horrible prison in Teheran called the Hole. He had to live under inhuman conditions in an overcrowded dungeon in dirt and darkness and in the fear of being executed. In this dungeon Baha'ullah had the feeling God talked to him. So when he finally was released he did preach his message even more zealously. He attracted disciples even from Europe. Because of his popularity Persian authorities wanted to get rid of him. They exiled him from one city to another like a gift nobody wanted.

His odyssey finally ended in Acca in (today) Israel, where his grave and the Bahai headquarters is situated.

The relevations received by Baha'ullah can be read in books published by the Bahai. His stYle is somewhat similar to the Coran, but the things he claims are based upon Reason. (The Bahai put a lot of importance to Reason.)

Baha'ullah claims world peace, equality of races, religions and of men and women. A famous Baha'ullah quote is: "Earth is only one country, and all people are its citizens." Bahais regard human rights as something like their very own invention (what might be true with regard to an Islamic background).

According to Baha'ullah he is one in a never-ending line of prophets sent by God (Buddha, Jesus, Mohammed, Moses ...) and the fulfillment of prophecies about future saviors found in all religions. So (according to the Bahai missionaries) it does not matter whether you read the Bible, the Bhagavad Gita or Baha'ullah's books as long as you read them every day. Also (according to the missionaries) Bahai have no religious duties (like going to temples). So their temples are not called temples.

Bahais do not like images (or "idols"). Symbols of their faith are the Sun and the Eagle (according to verses by Baha'ullah). Bahais are still persecuted in Iran for being adherents of a heresy. Bahai women do not wear headscarves. Well, that's all I remember.

Gauracandra · November 14, 2001

Sirona,

Thanks a lot for such a detailed explanation. I have heard similar things about the Bahai. Anyone know their relative size? They must be fairly well established. For instance, I have seen their commercials on television (much like the Mormons). Also, any personal experiences with them?

Gauracandra