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"lighten and uplift
them, so that they may soar on the wings of the Divine verses"
-Baha'u'llah
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The
Babi Movement |
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Why
Baha'is say their faith was founded in 1844
The early
nineteenth century was a period of messianic expectations in
many lands. Deeply disturbed by the implications of scientific
inquiry and industrialization, earnest believers from many
religious backgrounds turned to the scriptures of their faiths
for an understanding of the accelerating processes of change.
In Europe and America groups like the Templers and the
Millerites believed they had found in the Christian scriptures
evidence supporting their conviction that history had ended
and the return of Jesus Christ was at hand. A markedly similar
ferment developed in the Middle East around the belief that
the fulfilment of various prophecies in the Qur'an and Islamic
Traditions was imminent.
The
room where The Báb declared His mission on 23
May 1844 in His house in Shiraz.
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By far the most dramatic of these millennialist
movements emerged in Iran. It focused on the person and
teachings of a young merchant from the city of Shiraz,
known to history as the Báb. From 1844 to 1863,
Persians of all classes were caught up in a storm of
hope and excitement, aroused by the Báb's announcement
that the Day of God was at hand and that He was Himself
the One promised in Islamic scripture. Humanity stood,
He said, on the threshold of an era that would witness
the restructuring of all aspects of life.
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In
some respects, the Báb's role can be compared to John the
Baptist in the founding of Christianity. The Báb was
Bahá'u'lláh's herald: His primary mission was to prepare
the way for Bahá'u'lláh's coming. Accordingly, the
founding of the Bábí Faith is viewed by Bahá'ís as
synonymous with the founding of the Bahá'í Faith--and its
purpose was fulfilled when Bahá'u'lláh announced in 1863
that He was the Promised One foretold by the Báb.
An
Independent Religion
At the
same time, however, the Báb founded a distinctive,
independent religion of His own. Known as the Bábí Faith,
that religious dispensation spawned its own vigorous
community, own scriptures, and left its own indelible mark
on history.
The Bábí Faith was founded on 23 May 1844 when a
25-year-old merchant in the Iranian city of Shiraz announced
that He was Islam's promised Qa'im, "He Who Will
Arise." Although the young merchant's given name was
Siyyid 'Ali-Muhammed, He took the name "Báb," a
title that means "Gate" or "Door" in
Arabic. His coming, the Báb explained, represented the
portal through which the universal Messenger of God expected
by all humanity would soon appear.
Accounts agree that the Báb was an extraordinary child.
Born on 20 October 1819, He possessed a surprising wisdom
and nobility, reminiscent of the young Jesus, Upon reaching
manhood, the Báb joined his uncle in the family business, a
trading house. His integrity and piety won the esteem of the
other merchants with whom He came in contact. He was also
known for His generosity to the poor.
After His announcement, the Báb attracted followers
rapidly, and the new religious movement spread through Iran
like wildfire.
This growth stirred opposition and persecution--especially
among the religious establishment, who saw a threat to their
power and prestige. In the course of this persecution, the Báb
was imprisoned several times.
His major work, the Bayan, abrogated certain Muslim laws and
replaced them with new ones. The Bayan stressed a high moral
standard, with an emphasis on purity of heart and motive. It
also upheld the station of women and the poor, and it
promoted education and useful sciences.
The central theme of the Bayan was the imminence of a second
Messenger from God, one Who would be far greater than the Báb,
and Whose mission would be to usher in the age of peace and
plenty that had for so long been promised in Islam, as well
as in Judaism, Christianity, and all the other world
religions.
Persecution and Execution
The hearts and minds of those who heard the message of the Báb
were locked in a mental world that had changed little from
medieval times. Thus, by proclaiming an entirely new
religion, the Báb was able to help His followers break free
entirely from the Islamic frame of reference and to mobilize
them in preparation for the coming of Bahá'u'lláh.
The boldness of this proclamation--which put forth the
vision of an entirely new society--stirred intense fear
within the religious and secular establishments.
Accordingly, persecution of the Bábís quickly developed.
Those opposed to the Báb ultimately argued that He was not
only a heretic, but a dangerous rebel. The authorities
decided to have Him executed.
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On
9 July 1850, this sentence was carried out, in the
courtyard of the Tabriz army barracks. Some 1O,OOO
people crowded the rooftops of the barracks and houses
that overlooked the square. The Báb and a young
follower were suspended by two ropes against a wall. A
regiment of 750 Armenian soldiers, arranged in three
files of 250 each, opened fire in three successive
volleys. So dense was the smoke raised by the gunpowder
and dust that the sky was darkened and the entire yard
obscured.
As recorded in an account filed with the British Foreign
Office, the Báb was not to be seen when the smoke
cleared. His companion stood uninjured and untouched by
the bullets. The ropes by which he and the Báb had been
suspended were rent into pieces.
The Báb was found
back in His cell, giving final instructions to one of
His followers. Earlier in the day, when the guards had
come to take Him to the execution ground, the Báb had
warned that no "earthly power" could silence
Him until He had finished all that He had to say. Now,
when the guards arrived a second time, the Báb calmly
announced: "Now you may proceed to fulfill your
intention."
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The
Báb's mortal remains are buried under this shrine,
located on the side of Mt. Carmel in Haifa, Israel. The
Shrine of the Báb is one of the most holy places in the
Bahá'í World.
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For the second time, the Báb and His young companion were
brought out for execution. The Armenian troops refused to fire
again, and a Muslim firing squad was assembled and ordered to
shoot. This time the bodies of the pair were shattered, their
bones and flesh mingled into one mass. Surprisingly, their
faces were untouched.
Excerpted
from The Bahá'ís, a publication of the Bahá'í
International Community.
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