Baha ‘u’ llah was the founder of the Bahai faith. He was born on 12th November, 1817 in a noble family in Tehran, Persia (Iran). He was renowned for his munificence and kindliness. He revealed the principles and teachings that would bring about a new world order and the unity of mankind. His countrymen deeply loved him.
Life of Baha ‘u’ llah
Baha ‘u’ llah’s ancestry can be supposedly traced back to Abraham through his wife Keturah to Zoroaster and to Yazdigird III (last king of the Sassanid Empire) and also to Jesse. Baha ‘u’ llah’s father was a Wazir in the royal court. After his death, Baha ‘u’ llah was offered a government post but he declined.
He breathed his last on 29th May, 1892 at Bahji and was buried there. He named his eldest son to be his successor.
Struggle of Baha ‘u’ llah
Baha ‘u’ llah started following Bab, his forerunner. Baha ‘u’ llah became popular as a Babi leader. Babis were persecuted during 1840s and 1850s and he also suffered. He was jailed and underwent the bastinado. He was imprisoned in 1853 in Tehran. Here he first received the revelation through a vision of a Maid of Heaven that he was the one promised by Bab.
After being released from prison, he was banished to Baghdad where he was recognized as Babis’ spiritual leader. Then, the Sultan, Abdu'l-Aziz banished him to Constantinople (today Instanbul, Turkey). In April 1863, before his departure, he declared that he was the Promised one foretold by Bab. This twelve day period is known as Ridvan Festival.
Baha ‘u’ llah was further banished to Adrianople (today Edirne, Turkey) where he proclaimed his mission. He called on the Kings and rulers of the planet to establish world peace, justice and unity. In 1868, the Turkish authorities imprisoned Baha ‘u’ llah in Akka, Palestine. But he somehow continued his proclamation to the rulers of the world.
He also revealed the Kitab-i-Aqdas. He was released in 1877. He addressed many letters to the rulers of the world. These letters are significant documents in religious history.
Writings of Baha ‘u’ llah
Baha ‘u’ llah wrote several books, prayers and tablets. So far, his identified writings are 15,000. His books and letters cover religious doctrine, his claims’ proclamation, social-moral teachings and Bahai laws. His writings translated in English are Hidden Works, Kitab-i-Aqdas, Kitab-i-Iqdan and Gleanings.
Claims of Baha ‘u’ llah
Baha ‘u’ llah’s eschatological claims comprise of six distinctive messianic identifications:
- From Judaism, the incarnation of the ‘Everlasting Father’ from the Yuletide prophecy of Isaiah 9:6
- From Christianity, the ‘Spirit of Truth’ or Comforter predicted by Jesus and the return of Christ ‘in the glory of the Father’
- From Zoroastrianism, coming back of a Zoroastrian messiah.
- From Shia Islam, return of the Third Imam
- From Sunni Islam, Jesus’ return
- From Babism, He whom God shall make manifest.
Baha'u'llah wrote widely throughout the years of his ministry and is still alive through his works.
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