The Bab was executed and the Babis were persecuted by the Shi'a Muslims
About 600 years after Jesus a Prophet arose in Arabia named Muhammed. He was a pious man who worked as a traveling merchant. During His travels He met many Jews, Christians, Zoroastrians, Gnostics, and Hanifs (pure monotheists). He decided to be a Haneef; a pure worshipper of the One God. This enraged the members of His clan, the Quraysh, because they were the keepers of the Ka'aba; the cubic temple built by Abraham, but it became filled with idols. Muhammed hated idols. Yet, he became known as "Amin" (Arabic: "Faithful and True One") because of His honest business dealings.
Muhammad used to fast, pray, and meditate for days and weeks at a time in a cave in a hill near His home in Mecca. One night as He was meditating a man appeared in the cave and shouted "RECITE!" Muhammad though the "man" was a thief; because He entered the cave unannounced. Muhammad thought the man was a thief in the night. The "man" again said to Muhammad "RECITE!" Muhammad thought He meant "READ" (the word for read and recite are the same in Arabic) and told the man He couldn't read. The man shouted again, "RECITE!" Muhammad became perturbed and ran out of the cave, but then He saw the man standing in the air on the horizon everywhere He looked. He knew this was an Angel and not a man.
The Angel (later identified as the Archangel Gabriel) told Muhammed to "Recite" the Verses of God that the Holy Spirit would inspired Him with. From that day on Muhammed would go into trances and begin to recite an esquisite poetry in Arabic; one so rhythmic and exalted that~when heard by Arabic speakers~it brings them to tears. In Arabic, the word for "The Reciting" is "Al-Qur'an". His divinely-inspired poems were remembered by His followers, written down, and collected into one volume that became known as the Qur'an ("Khoor-rahn"). Over a billion people today believe that Muhammed was a true Prophet of God. Over 7 million of them are Baha'is.
The Prophet gathered around followers; known as "Muslims". He said that the religion He espoused was "Islam"; the Arabic word for "peaceful submission". Islam was the "peaceful submission" of one's will to the Will of God. A "Muslim" meant a "peaceful submitter" to His Will.
The pagan Arabs hated the Muslims and fought with them whenever they had a chance, but the Muslims (always outnumbered) won most of the battles; led by the Prophet carrying a bow and arrow (Muhammed was an archer). The Prophet went about conquering pagan Arab tribes, and making alliances with Arab Jewish tribes. He protected Christians, and never fought against them.
The Prophet's first convert and most dedicated follower was 'Ali Ibn~Talib; his cousin and the husband of His daughter Fatimah. At Muhammed's death there arose a controversy as to who would succeed Him. Muhammed said that He was the "seal of the Prophets" and no Prophet would succeed Him. Even though 'Ali was to be His rightful and legal successor, the majority of Muslims voted and chose an older and (they thought) wiser Muslim to be the "Khaleef" ("Successor") of the Prophet. Eventually 'Ali was made Khaleef, but he was opposed by an evil group of Gnostics who became Muslim in name only: the Ummayids. They decided to kill 'Ali and his sons; so they and their sons would rule the Muhammedan Empire. They suceeded in killing 'Ali, and they also eventually killed his sons Hasan and Husayn. The sons of Hasan went into hiding in Peria; beyond the rule of the Ummayyids.
The followers of 'Ali in Persia and southern Iraq became known as the "Party of 'Ali'"; or the "Partisans" (Arabic: "Shi'a") for short. 'Ali and his firstborn male descendants became known as the Imams ("Leaders") of Shi'a Islam. The Muslims who did not follow 'Ali or his party became known as Sunni ("Soonee") Muslims.
There were 12 Imams in Shi'a Islam. The 12th Imam was known as the Imam Mahdi (Leader Rightly-Guided). He disappeared soon after becoming Imam, but Shi'a prophecies said he would appear in the Last Days; to prepare the way for the return of Jesus, and to establish justice in the world.
The Bab
In 1844, in Shiraz, Persia (Iran), 'Ali Muhammed Shirazi (a descendant of Muhammed and 'Ali) proclaimed that He was the promised Imam Mahdi of Islam. He called Himself "Al Bab"; which means "The Gate" of God. At first, many Mullas (clergymen) accepted His claims, but then He began to teach things which are considered "heretical" in Islam. He taught that Jesus was the "Son of God", that He was crucified (Muslims believe another man was crucifixed in His place). He taught that women should not wear veils. He taught many things that Orthodox Muslims considered heretical and evil. He was opposed, and was imprisoned and tortured. The Mullas (Muslim clerics) persecuted His disciples, and had many of them arrested an tortured. Two young Babis whose parents were killed tried to assasinate the Shah of Iran (who refused to protect the Babis), and shot him while he was riding on his horse. But their pistols carried only bird-shot. Enraged, the Shah ordered the arrest of all Babis; who then armed and tried to defend themselves and their families. About 20,000 of His followers~called Babis ("bah-beez")~were killed.
In 1850 The Bab was taken to Tabriz (northwestern Iran) and tied up in a public square to be executed. The Muslim clerics brought in an Armenian company of riflemen to execute Him; because Shi'a Muslim prophecies said that the Imam Mahdi would be killed by Muslims, and the clerics did not want the Babis to claim The Bab's death a "fulfillment of prophecy". The 750 Armenian riflemen fired, and when the smoked cleared, The Bab was gone! The bullets had severed His robes. He was found later back in His cell; finishing one last epistle to His followers.
The Armenian Christian regiment considered it a miracle and sign from God and utterly refused to fire upon The Bab again. So, a Muslim regiment had to be brought in. They fired, and The Bab was dead.
The remains of The Bab, and His disciple who was killed with Him, were secretly hid by the Babis, and then, after most of the Babis became Baha'is, the remains were taken to Akka, in northern Palestine (now Israel). Eventually, a beautiful shrine was built upon the northern slopes of Mt. Carmel; called The Shrine of The Bab; which remains today a major Baha'i Holy Place, and one of Israel's greatest tourist attractions.
Baha'u'llah
One of The Bab's main disciples was Mirza Husayn 'Ali Nuri; a Persian of royal birth who was a descendant of King David as well as King Cyrus of Persia. The Bab gave each of His disciples new names. Mirza Husayn 'Ali Nuri became known as Baha'u'llah ("bah-hah-o-lah"); which in Arabic means "THE GLORY OF GOD". He was known as "The Father of The Poor" because of His great charity and concern for them. He was arrested and put into the 'Black Pit' of Tehran; the most fowl prison in all of Persia. After four months in the Black Pit, Baha'u'llah was exiled with His family and other Babis to Baghdad, in what was then part of the Turkish Ottoman Empire.
The Bab said that He was just a forerunner of One greater than Himself; Whom He called "He Whom God Would Make Manifest". In 1863 Baha'u'llah announced to the other Babis in Baghdad that He was "He Whom God Would Make Manifest". Most of the Babis knew of His wisdom and miracles already, and readily accepted His claim. They became known as Baha'is ("bah-highz"); the followers of BAHA'U'LLAH.
The Baha'is began to convert Shi'a Muslims in Baghdad, and this enraged the local Muslim clerics. So, they petitioned the Sultan of Turkey, and Baha'u'llah and His followers were exiled again; this time to Adrianople (Erdine), and then again to the prison city of Akka, in Palestine (now northern Israel).
Baha'u'llah was a political prisoner, but He became well-beloved by the people of Akka; because of His charity, kindness, and His miracles. The Muslims thought He was a Muslim holy man.
From 1868 to 1874 Baha'u'llah wrote epistles to the Pope, the Emperor of Russia,the Queen of England, the Kings of France and Austria, and well as others. He prophecied of them and their kingdoms, and His prophecies were all fulfilled. He announced to them that He was the Father come down to earth. He was the Promised One. He instructed that the remains of The Bab be entombed in a special shrine on the northern slopes of Mount Carmel. Such a shrine remains today, and is one of Israel's major tourist attractions.
In the years 1308 A.H. (1890-91 A.D.) Baha'u'llah pitched His tent upon Mount Carmel, and revealed the Tablet of Carmel; signifying that the "Lord of the Vineyard" had come and that the "Kingdom of the Father" had been established. Baha'u'llah wrote:
"The Most Great Law is come, and the Ancient Beauty ruleth upon the Throne of David." (Proclamation of Baha'u'llah, p.89
Baha'u'llah was a descendant of King David via a daughter of a Jewish Exilarch who married a Persian prince.
Baha'u'llah died in 1892. At the time of His death many angels were seen and heard circling around His mansion in Bahji; circling it in a great heavenly chorus. His mansion at which remains to this day the most sacred Shrine in the Baha'i World.
'Abdu'l-Baha
Baha'u'llah's successor was His Son Abbas Effendi; who became known as 'Abdu'l-Baha (Arabic: "Servant of Glory"). 'Abdu'l-Baha was knighted by the British in 1920 for His work among the poor and dying. He was the "Mother Teresa" of His day. He washed and fed and clothed and cared for the sick, diseased, and dying; even those their own families would not care for.
When American and British Baha'is came to visit 'Abdu'l-Baha in Akka they asked what they could do to serve God. 'Abdu'l-Baha replied they should go upstairs and wash and feed the sick and dying; because when they served them they were serving God.
Many of the American and British Baha'is who visited 'Abdu'l-Baha were wealthy (in a day when travel was extremely costly). 'Abdu'l-Baha would personally serve the Baha'is; often serving their black servants (who came along on the trip)first.
'Abdu'l-Baha traveled to Europe and to the United States in the years 1910 to 1912. He prophesied of World War I. He was entertained by the elite of Europe. While in England they purchased for Him a first-class ticket on a new luxury ship headed for America. He sold the ticket back to the steamship company, gave most of the money to the poor, and bought a much less expensive ticket on a ship far less luxurious. His firstclass ticket was for the maiden voyage of the Titanic.
'Abdul-Baha visited Baha'is in New York City, Maine, Chicago, Denver, Salt Lake City, and San Francisco. He spoke before Christians, Unitarians, Theosophists, Jews, Mormons, and agnostics. He told Christians that they expected Christ to return in "the glory of His Father", and that He had returned! He told Unitarians that they wanted World Peace and Race Unity, but these could not be achieved without the Hand of God, and the Hand of God was working through the Baha'i Faith. He told Theosophists that they if they believed there was no religion higher than "truth" then they should become Baha'is; because it was the latest edition of "Truth". He told Jews that they needed to accept Jesus as "the very Saviour of man" and not cling to the traditions and explanations of their fathers. He told agnostics that materialism was not the key to happiness in this life, and it would prove to be unrewarding in the Afterlife; for this life was only a preparation for the Afterlife. He told all who would listen that they needed to end racism, and love all peoples and races no matter their color or nationality or class. He told all who would listen that the mission of Baha'u'llah was to unite mankind into an international brotherhood of man in which peace, justice, equality, and harmony would reign.
'Abdu'l-Baha was a man known to have never angered. He was known for His charity, care for the poor and dying, and kindness everywhere. Baha'is believe He was a "Perfect Man"; a human being Who was not a Manifestation of God nor even a lesser Prophet, but One Who achieved perfection in morality (this is why Baha'is use capitals in reference to Him). He passed away in 1921.
Shoghi Effendi
The successor of 'Abdu'l-Baha was His grandson Shoghi Effendi Rabbani; who was also the great-grandson of The Bab. Shoghi Effendi became the "Guardian" of the Baha'i Faith. He worked tirelessly for many years to organize and promote the Baha'i Faith throughout the world. Although not considered to be a "Prophet" by Baha'is, Shoghi Effendi correctly predicted the Second World War, race riots in America, the Internet, as well as things still in the future such as mankind's first contact with intelligent life on other worlds.
The Guardian foretold of many things, including (many believe), the Internet. On the 11th of March 1936 he wrote:
"A mechanism of world inter-communication will be devised, embracing the whole planet, freed from national hindrances and restrictions, and functioning with marvellous swiftness and perfect regularity." (The World Order of Baha'u'llah, p.203)The Guardian warned the Baha'is against racism, classism, nationalism, and communism. He forbade them to drink alcohol, to engage in fornication (sex outside of marriage), to engage in homosexual acts, to perform or have abortions, to backbite or gossip, to oppose legal governments, to engage in politics (except for voting), to kill animals needlessly, to kill or harm other humans except in self-defense, etc. He admonished them to work for race unity and the end of prejudice of all kinds, the equality of men in women in all occupations and stations of life, the inclusion of women in government, and the inclusion of Baha'is in the United Nations and other humanitarian and philanthropic organizations and movements.
Shoghi Effendi was not a "Perfect Man" by any means. He is considered to be just an ordinary human being with an extraordinary sacred role. But he was "under the shadow" of Baha'u'llah, and his interpretations are considered infallible. He died in 1957.
The Universal House of Justice
In 1963 the Universal House of Justice was established by Baha'is in Haifa, Israel. It is the Governing Body of the Baha'i Faith worldwide. It has 9 Members which are elected every 5 years by delegates chosen by each National Spiritual Assembly of Baha'is. Baha'is consider the "House" to be guided by the Holy Spirit; under the shadow of Baha'u'llah, but only in their collective pronouncements.
The 9 Members of the House are not considered to be Prophets lesser or otherwise; nor even "Seers" and certainly not "Perfect Men". They are merely ordinary Baha'is whom other Baha'is believe have the knowledge, commitment, education, experience, and faith to carry-out the duties of the House.
The Seat of the Universal House of Justice is a large Greek-columned building located in the Baha'i World Centre, on the northern slopes of Mount Carmel, in Haifa, Israel.
Members of the House do not "campaign" to be elected; this is forbidden. Rather, they are Baha'is who have become known because of their extraordinary service to the Cause of God.
Today (2004) there are about 6 million Baha'is throughout the world; about 130,000 in the U.S. The greatest number of Baha'is in one country is India; which has over 2 million.
Baha'is believe that the World Order of Baha'u'llah is the Kingdom of God (the Father) on earth, and fulfills Jesus' Great Intersessory Prayer: "Our Father in Heaven, Holy be Thy Name, Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven".
Baha'is seek to build the literal "Kingdom of God" on earth; otherwise known as:
*The Millennial Kingdom
*The 1000 Year Reign of Christ on earth
*The World Order of Baha'u'llah!