Information about the Bahá’í Faith
Bahá'u'lláh, the Prophet Founder of the Bahá’í Faith
| This is the Day in which God's most excellent favours have been poured out upon men, the Day in which His most mighty grace hath been infused into all created things. It is incumbent upon all the peoples of the world to reconcile their differences, and, with perfect unity and peace, abide beneath the shadow of the Tree of His care and loving-kindness Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, Page 6 |
| Remember My days during thy days, and My distress and banishment in this remote prison. And be thou so steadfast in My love that thy heart shall not waver, even if the swords of the enemies rain blows upon thee and all the heavens and the earth arise against thee. Compilations, Bahá'í Prayers, Page 210 |
| The Ancient Beauty hath consented to be bound with chains that mankind may be released from its bondage, and hath accepted to be made a prisoner within this most mighty Stronghold that the whole world may attain unto true liberty. He hath drained to its dregs the cup of sorrow, that all the peoples of the earth may attain unto abiding joy, and be filled with gladness. This is of the mercy of your Lord, the Compassionate, the Most Merciful. We have accepted to be abased, O believers in the Unity of God, that ye may be exalted, and have suffered manifold afflictions, that ye might prosper and flourish. He Who hath come to build anew the whole world, behold, how they that have joined partners with God have forced Him to dwell within the most desolate of cities! Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, Page 99 |
Bahá'u'lláh's Early Life
Bahá'u'lláh was born in 1817 in Tehran, the capital of Persia. From His early childhood, He showed signs of greatness. He did not need to attend school, for He was endowed by God with innate knowledge. Bahá'u'lláh came from a noble family and when He was a young man, was offered a high position in the court of the King, but refused it. He wished to dedicate His time to helping the oppressed, the sick and the poor, and to champion the cause of justice. Such was the love of Bahá'u'lláh for humanity.A Promise to Bahá'u'lláh
In His later life, Bahá'u'lláh recounted an incident which occurred during His first period of imprisonment in Tehran’s most notorious prison known as the ‘Black Pit’. One night He was visited in a dream by an angelic figure described as the Maid of Heaven. She told Him that He would triumph by Himself and by His pen.Bahá'u'lláh's Suffering
There are two aspects
of Bahá’u’lláh’s life which we would like
to mention:
• The suffering Bahá'u'lláh endured at the hands of
His oppressors.
• The tremendous influence He had on the hearts and minds of people.
Bahá’u’lláh’s sufferings began the moment
He arose to proclaim the Cause of God. He was persecuted, imprisoned and
exiled. He was confined in chains in a dark and dismal dungeon for four
months. He was exiled four times from one country to another, finally was
taken to the Prison City of ‘Akká. The prison of ‘Akká
was the most terrible prison at that time. So intense were Bahá’u’lláh’s
sufferings there that He Himself named it “the Most Great Prison”.
In one of His Tablets,
we read:
Bahá'u'lláh's Triumphs
Every effort was made by two powerful imperial courts - those of the Shah of Persia and the Ottoman Emperor - to oppose Bahá'u'lláh and His Teachings. They wanted to destroy this new religion. However the Light of Truth is not easily extinguished, instead the very water that was poured over the fire to put out its flame turned into oil, and the fire burned with even more intensity. Nothing could be done to stop Bahá’u’lláh’s growing influence. The further the authorities banished Him, the greater the number of people were attracted to His Teachings and recognised His Power and Majesty. In spite of constant persecution, Bahá'u'lláh continued to reveal the Word of God for more than forty years and brought so much love and spiritual energy into the world that the final victory of His Cause was certain.Bahá'u'lláh's Passing
Bahá'u'lláh passed away in 1892. His Shrine is located near the city of ‘Akká which Bahá’ís consider the Holiest Spot on earth.Bahá'u'lláh has written about His sufferings: