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Questions
Baha'is are frequently asked about:
The Baha'i Faith
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1. What is the Baha'i
Faith?
2. Who founded the Baha'i
Faith?
3. How old is the Baha'i
Faith?
4. Where did the Baha'i
Faith begin?
5. What is the history of the
Baha'i Faith?
6. What are the main teachings
of the Baha'i Faith?
7. Who are the leaders in the
Baha'i community?
8. What holy books does the
Baha'i Faith have?
9. How is the Baha'i
Faith similar to other religions?
10. What kind of people are
the Baha'is?
11. What are some special aspects
of the Baha'i community?
1. What is the Baha'i Faith?
The Baha'i Faith is a global religion. It
renews the spiritual truths of past religions and brings new teachings
for the current challenges facing humanity. The teachings of the
Baha'i Faith cover all aspects of life, from personal
spiritual development to the means for establishing a new global
civilization. It is one of the fastest-growing religions in the
Americas. Top
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2. Who founded the Baha'i
Faith?
The Baha'i Faith was founded by two separate
prophets. In 1844, Siyyid Ali Mohammed (known as the Bab,
Arabic for "the Gate") said that He had come to prepare
the way for another Prophet who would bring in the period of world
peace promised in previous religions. The Bab was martyred
in 1850 for His teachings. In 1863, Mirza Husayn Ali (known as Baha'u'llah,
meaning "The Glory of God") announced that He was the
Manifestation foretold by the Bab. Baha'u'llah
spent the rest of His life revealing the teachings that form the
basis of the Baha'i Faith. For this He was imprisoned
and exiled and died in Palestine in 1892 while still a prisoner.
The Baha'i Faith has now spread around the globe. Top
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3. How old is the Baha'i
Faith?
The Baha'i Faith has its origins in 1844
with the declaration of the Bab, the first of two independent
manifestations of the Baha'i Faith. It is now over
150 years old. Top
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4. Where did the Baha'i Faith
begin?
The Bab and Baha'u'llah, the two
Prophets who founded the Baha'i Faith, were born in
Persia in the cities of Shiraz and Teheran respectively. Baha'u'llah
was exiled to Iraq and then to the locations across the Ottoman
Empire, and ultimately to Akka in Palestine. The Baha'i
Faith is now found in virtually every country on the planet. Top
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5. What is the history of the Baha'i
Faith?
In 1844, Siyyid Ali Mohammad (known as The Bab,
Arabic for "The Gate") declared that He had come to prepare
the way for the universal Prophet who had been promised and prophesied
by all previous religions. The Bab's teachings spread rapidly
in Persia, but were opposed by the Muslim clergy who feared a loss
of religious and secular power. Over 20,000 Babís
(as His followers were known) were martyred, and the Bab
Himself was put to death by firing squad in 1850.
Among His followers was Mirza Husayn-`Ali (known as Baha'u'llah),
a nobleman from Teheran. He was regarded as the leader of the movement
after the death of the Bab, and was imprisoned in 1852 in
a Tehran prison called the Síyah-Chal, a subterranean
dungeon known as the "Black Pit" that had originally served
as a reservoir of water for one of the public baths of the capital.
During the four months Baha'u'llah was in this dungeon
He received visions revealing that He was the Prophet that the Bab
had foretold, and that His mission was to share God's message for
this day with humanity.
After release from prison Baha'u'llah and His family
were exiled to Baghdad where they lived for eight years. During
this time He revealed some of the most important of His works, including
"The Hidden Words," a re-statement of spiritual eternal
spiritual truths in a concise poetic form, and "The Book of
Certitude" (Kitab-i-Íqan) which explains
many spiritual questions such as the nature of God, relationship
between religions, and the function of religion in the world. In
1863, just before being sent on further exile to Constantinople
and Adrianople, Baha'u'llah officially announced His
mission to His followers. This declaration in a garden now referred
to as the Garden of Ridvan (Paradise) and the event is celebrated
by Baha'is as the holiest of all festivals.
For the rest of His life, during successive banishments that ended
with exile to Akka, a penal colony in Palestine, Baha'u'llah
progressively revealed the teachings that are the foundation of
the Baha'i Faith. Some of these include His letters
to the kings and rulers of the world, calling them to establish
just forms of government; His book of laws and Most Holy Book (Kitab-i-Aqdas)
and many other writings.
Baha'u'llah passed away in 1892. In His Will and Testament
He appointed His son 'Abdu'l-Baha as His successor, the Center
of the Baha'i Faith and authorized interpreter of
Baha'u'llah 's writings. 'Abdu'l-Baha guided
the affairs of the Baha'i world community and directed
its growth until His death in 1921. During this time He maintained
a voluminous correspondence with Baha'i individuals
and groups around the world. He undertook extensive travels in Europe
and America where He spoke at wide a variety of venues and was met
with admiration and respect.
Shoghi Effendi, 'Abdu'l-Baha's grandson, was appointed "Guardian"
of the Faith by 'Abdu'l-Baha to oversee the affairs of the
Baha'i Faith after His passing. Shoghi Effendi directed
the growth of the Baha'i community until his death
in 1957. Under his guidance the Baha'i community grew
from about 100,000 members in 1921 to about 400,000 members by 1957,
and spread from 35 countries to over 250 countries, territories
and colonies. The global Baha'i community had grown
to a large enough size to elect the first Universal House of Justice
in 1963. This governing body has been re-elected every five years
since that date, and the body provides constant guidance for the
on-going development of the Baha'i community. Top
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6. What are the main teachings of the Baha'i
Faith?
The central teaching of the Baha'i Faith
is the unity of the human race, that every person on the earth was
created by God and that we are all connected as members of one family.
There is only one God Who guides the development of humanity through
sending successive teachers, also called Prophets, Messengers or
Manifestations. These Messengers, coming from the same Source, are
spiritually united and their teachings are like successive chapters
in one divine book.
Baha'u'llah said that the next stage in the evolution
of life on this planet is global unity. The teachings of the Baha'i
Faith address topics such as the spiritual life of the individual,
the family, justice, economic issues, and the environment. The purpose
of these teachings is to establish a harmonious global society,
affirming the diversity of the planet as a rich, beautiful resource
for bettering the lives of all its inhabitants. Top
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7. Who are the leaders in the Baha'i
community?
No individual is vested with authority. There are no clergy in
the Baha'i Faith. Instead, democratically elected
institutions called Spiritual Assemblies function at the local
and national levels. These bodies serve as administrative councils,
guiding and supervising the communities' activities. Individuals
who are chosen to serve on these Assemblies hold no special "status"
in the community. Appointed individuals serve at the local, regional
and continental levels to assist the elected institutions in carrying
out their functions. These individuals are regarded as respected
advisors and consulted regularly for guidance. However, they do
not have any decision-making power in the community. Top
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8. What holy books does the Baha'i
Faith have?
Baha'is have many scriptures to turn to for guidance.
Baha'u'llah wrote a vast number of tablets, some
of which have been translated into English. These include "The
Hidden Words," a distillation of spiritual guidance found
in all the religions of God; "The Book of Certitude (Kitab-i-Íqan)
explains the purpose of Divine revelation; "The Seven Valleys,"
a mystical work that describes the soul's journey towards union
with its Creator; and "The Kitab-i-Aqdas," His
Most Holy Book, the main source of the laws and institutions that
are the foundation of Baha'u'llah 's world order.
The Bab similarly wrote many books, some of which are translated
into English.
In addition, 'Abdu'l-Baha and Shoghi Effendi's talks, letters
and books are compiled into a large number of volumes. These also
are part of the authoritative texts of the Baha'i
Faith. The letters of the Universal House of Justice are also
regarded as authoritative, and these are compiled and published
for the study of the Baha'i community. Top
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9. How is the Baha'i Faith
similar to other religions?
Baha'is believe that religion comes from
one eternal God and that spiritual truths are renewed with each
progressive revelation of religion. Loving God, loving all humanity,
treating others as you would wish to be treated, the value of honesty,
fidelity and trustworthiness, and many such teachings are found
in all religions. Baha'is focus on the fundamental
spiritual truths that unite the religions, rather than on temporal
differences. Sometimes these lesser differences have been used to
divide people. Baha'u'llah told us to "consort
with the followers of all religions in a spirit of friendliness
and fellowship", and this is the spirit that animates our interaction
with other faiths. Top
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10. What kind of people are the Baha'is?
Baha'is are a diverse and united community representing
the entire human family. Baha'is come from over
1800 ethnic groups and virtually every country in the world. They
are diverse in all aspects: both men and women, of all ages and
religious, class and cultural backgrounds, working together to
build a new model of community life imbued with joy. In the US
there are about 140,000 Baha'is. Top
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11. What are some special aspects of the
Baha'i community?
Many things make the Baha'i community special.
One aspect is its global representation, standing as the second
most widespread religion in the world. Another is the high moral
standard that Baha'is strive to uphold in their
daily lives. The way that Baha'is work to implement
spiritual principles in their community life is seen as a model
by many onlookers. Baha'i communities can be recognized
by their spirit of joy and their optimism about the future. Top
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