FREE ESSAY ON BAHA'I FAITH

BAHA'I FAITH

The Baha'i Faith
The Baha'i Faith proclaims itself to be the youngest of the independent world religions.
Its roots stem from Iran during the mid-nineteenth century. This new faith is primarily
based on the founder, Baha'u'llah, meaning 'the Glory of God'. Baha'is (the believers) in
many places around the world have been heavily persecuted for their beliefs and
differences and have been branded by many as a cult, a reform movement and/or a sect of
the Muslim religion. The Baha'i Faith is unique in that it accepts the teachings of what
they believe to be all the divine messengers, these are Abraham, Moses, Zoroaster, the
Buddha, Jesus and Muhammad. The faith believes each messenger is equally authentic of the
one living God. This is in line with what is called progressive revelation. What is meant
by progressive revelation is that, Baha'is believe that this series of interventions by
God in human history has been progressive, each revelation from God more complete than
those which preceded it, and each preparing the way for the next. The teachings of these
messengers are seen as a path for people's salvation. With each new messenger, more is
revealed by God. Like a long journey or novel, the ones who were before prepared the way
for the next, and with the next making it more complete. Like Muslims, Baha'is believe
that God is One. God manifests his will to humanity through the series of messengers whom
Baha'is call Manifestations of God. This purpose is to provide perfect guidance for both
all encompassing spiritual growth and the unification of all societies. Baha'is believe
that all of these religions are each one part of a divine plan. 
The Faith first appeared in Persia (which is now Iran), where Islam was the dominating
religion. It grew out of Islam much like Christianity had bloomed out of Judaism. The new
believers religious ideas were based on the Qur'an, and believed that within the Qur'an,
that the prophecies of it were being fulfilled. Initially Islamic clergy saw the
followers as Muslim Heretics. And from these Heretics, the first phase of the Faith was
laid down; it was to become known as the Babi Faith. The progenitors of the Faith were
direct descendants of the Imams (Shiah chosen leaders). Tension grew between the Sunni
and Shiah sects due to differences in belief of what leadership should prevail and rule
after Muhammad's death. The first Sunni dynasty gained power twenty-nine years after
Muhammad's death, and at once began putting the Imams to death, these descendents of
Muhammad believed that it was them who should continue with Muhammad's teachings and
assume the leadership of the people. With the persecution of the Imams, Shiah tradition
says a young child, known as the twelfth Imam, was concealed to avoid execution. He was
then to be known as the 'Hidden Imam'. For a period of sixty-nine years following his
disappearance, the Hidden Imam was said to have communicated secretly with his followers
through arbitrators, who took the title of babs (gate). With the passing of the babs, the
title was passed on to a newly appointed one. The fourth and last bab refused or was
unable to appoint a new successor and it was therefore implied that the matter to be left
in the hands of God.
On May 23, 1844 in the city of Shiraz, a man named Siyyid Ali Muhammad announced that he
was the promised final Bab. To the Muslim clergy the claims made by this man were a
threat to the foundation of Islam. The Bab's (Siyyid) mission was that he was the long
awaited Imam Mahdi (the Guided One), the messenger of God, the one to free the Babi's
(followers of the Shiah sect, awaiting for the new Imam) from the Islamic Shari'ah (canon
law). With this threat, uneasiness occurred and outbreaks of violence ensued, armed
forces were then sent to crush this Babi movement. The Bab was executed in 1852, and
while thousands of Babi 's were also slaughtered at this time, the Faith at this point
barely hung on to the edge of existence. The Babs mission appeared to have ended in
failure.
A handful of Babi's escaped the massacre from 1848-1852, and among them was a noble man
named Mirza Husayn 'Ali'. Mirza was a devoted Babi and one of the first to proclaim his
faith to the Bab. These few believers' freedom ended in 1852 when the government captured
the remaining of these Babi's. The Babi's were placed in what was known in the East, as
the most horrible jail to ever exist. It was given the name 'the Black Pit', by all who
knew of it. It was here that Mirza would sit with chains around his legs, arms and neck
for four months. With each passing day, a new Babi would fall to the hands of an
executioner. It was during these four months, that Mirza gained the title 
Baha'u'llah (the Glory of God), and contemplated his full mission. The experience in the
'Black Pit' set in motion a process of religious revelation which, over the next forty
years, led to the production of hundreds of books, tablets and letters. This material
forms the core of the sacred scripture of the Baha'i Faith. In these writings,
Baha'u'llah outlined a framework for the reconstruction of all human society at all
levels: spiritual, moral, economic, political and philosophical. 
At the end of his four-month jail term, Baha'u'llah began his life of banishment. His
journey of exile began in Baghdad following Istanbul, Edirine and finally Acre, Israel.
In each new city Baha'u'llah would gain the reputation as a spiritual and gifted teacher,
which drew listeners, followers and believers of all social class backgrounds.
Baha'u'llahs growing influence excited intense fear and suspicion in the minds of the
Shah and his government under Islamic rule. Shortly before the move to Istanbul,
Baha'u'llah prayed in a garden on the Tigris River, known to Baha'is as the garden of
Ridvan (Paradise). It was in this garden that he announced to his closet followers that
he was He Whom God Will Make Manifest, the universal messenger of God promised by the Bab
and by the scriptures of the earlier divine religions. Baha'i history refers to
Baha'u'llahs experience in the Black Pit as the dawning of his revelation (this event is
still celebrated around the world as the chief festival of the Faith). With each attempt
made by the Shah and his party to banish Baha'u'llah from country to country, Baha'u'llah
left each different place with a renewed assurance and power, and with a stronger
following.
The teachings of Baha'u'llah that gained him such respect included three basic
principles. 1) The oneness of God 2) The oneness of humankind 3) The unity of religion.
The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens. Other Baha'i principles are the
independent investigation of truth, equality of men and women, harmony of science and
religion, elimination of extremes of wealth and poverty, universal peace, a world
commonwealth of nations, a universal auxiliary language, spiritual solutions to economic
problems, and universal education. Along with the main focus of unity, Baha'u'llah also
stressed the importance of honesty, chastity, generosity, trustworthiness, purity of
motive, service to others, deeds over words and work as a form of worship. What was
unlawful and forbidden included lying, killing, stealing, gambling, backbiting and
adultery. Baha'u'llah also gave special close attention to the problem of prejudice. He
expressed to all, that prejudice created disunity between groups, which in turn leads to
social unrest, war, and even genocide. Baha'is are specifically counseled to make an
active effort to rid themselves of all prejudices and superstitions about human nature. A
letter written to fellow Baha'is during his time in exile proclaims that We are all
created of the same dust, that no one should exalt himself over another. Equality was
another main concern and objective, Baha'u'llah stressed that women have the intellectual
abilities of men and will in the future demonstrate their capacity. The Faith believes
the only reason why women have not yet reached this level of achievement, is because they
have not received adequate educational and social opportunities. Women and men are fully
equal in the sight of God, and society must recognize this in order to progress.
Baha'u'llah urged to assure the education of all children. If financial difficulties
prevented this in a family, the preference must be given to the education of female
children. This accomplishes two major objectives. It assists women to overcome the
handicap of the past inequalities and it also assures that since mothers are the first
teachers in society (children), the next generation will greatly benefit. 
It was in Acre that Baha'u'llahs most important work was written. Known among Baha'is by
its Persian name, the Kitab-i-Aqdas (the most holy book), this book of laws and
principles was written to be observed by his followers. These laws included daily prayer
and meditation along with the basic principles and teachings that followers must obey.
Many of these rules and principles are similar and related to many of the other great
religions. The Faith proclaims that these teachings and rules have been updated by the
newest of God's messengers in order to bring a new enlightenment and prosperity to all of
humankind. Baha'u'llah emphasized that the primary purpose of God revealing His Will is
to effect a transformation in the character of humankind, to develop within those who
respond, the moral and spiritual qualities that are latent within human nature. 
With the Baha'i prayers, which are very important for spiritual growth, at least one of
the three main obligatory prayers is to be said once a day, but not before one washes
their hands and face. While praying, one is to face the Point of Adoration, which is the
direction towards Bahji, Akka where Baha'u'llah's grave is placed, and which is the most
holy of places for Baha'is. Other laws include the use of alcohol and narcotic drugs,
which are strictly forbidden, unless used for medicinal purposes. It is believed that the
substances do harm to the higher physical and mental faculties, therefore stunting any
spiritual development. As for tobacco, it is not forbidden, but it is strongly criticized
due to the harming of one's gift of health and prosperity that God has given. Baha'is are
required to fast (to have no food or water) from the second day of March to the
twenty-first day, nineteen days in length, from sunrise to sunset. The fast is viewed as
a time of spiritual preparation and regeneration for the believers and for the new year
called Naw Ruz, which follows the nineteen day fast. The calendar followed by the Faith
differs from a Christian calendar. It consists of nineteen months each having nineteen
days, making a total of 361 days. On the nineteenth day, a celebration called a 'Feast'
partakes among the Baha'i community. It is here that they pray, sing, promote, encourage
and consult with one another about the Faith. There is no Clergy and the Faith has no
Priest, Mullah, or Rabbi leading the believers, it is left up to each individual believer
to find their own self worth with God and not to be lead or influenced by others. Many
faiths have a particular type of symbol, there is no official Baha'i symbol, but a nine
pointed star is often used. Nine is the highest numerical digit and as such, the Faith
believes that a nine-pointed star portrays comprehensiveness, culmination and
perfection.
Baha'is believe that again another messenger will come. The writings of the Faith
proclaim it will be approximately one thousand years after the proclamation of
Baha'u'llah.
For forty-eight years Baha'u'llah was persecuted, exiled and shunned for his message and
teachings of unity. Many Christians, Muslims and non-religious converted willingly to his
message, while many judged and scorned him, just like many past societies had done to
other messengers sent by God. Baha'u'llah taught his followers the importance of
educating oneself of other religious beliefs. Education is the only way to rid oneself of
ignorance. With an open mind, acceptance of change and differences will only benefit
humanity. On May 29th 1892 at the age of seventy-five Baha'u'llah passed away in the
comfort of freedom in his final residency, Bahji (Joy). Shortly before his death, he
appointed his first born son, 'Abdu'l-Baha (servant of Baha) to continue the works of
God, and to ensure the new message of faith amongst the believers continues and to
prosper. 
Many of the people who met with Baha'u'llah, all had fascinating stories and memories of
him. One such person was an American foreigner who was travelling the East for adventure
and experience. This is a quote from the American who spent time amongst the Baha'is and
who was also fortunate enough to meet Baha'u'llah. In the corner where the divan met the
wall sat a felt head-dress of the kind called 'taj' by dervishes, round the base of which
was a small white turban. The face of him on whom I gazed I can never forget, though I
cannot describe it. Those piercing eyes seemed to read one's very soul, power and
authority sat on that ample brow.... No need to ask in whose presence I stood.