How Bahá’í developed
The Bahá’í Faith was established in Persia (now Iran) on 23 May 1844 as a new religion, distinct from the Shi’a tradition of Islam already established there. In the last five decades, the Bahá’í Faith has expanded significantly across the world – despite the fact that Bahá’ís are not allowed to proselytise. Today, the Bahá’í Faith is the world’s second most widespread religion after Christianity (source: Encyclopaedia Britannica). The development of the faith can be traced through the lives of four key people: The Báb
Originally known as Siyyid Ali-Muhammad, the Báb was born in Shiraz, Persia, in 1819 and was a descendent of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). In 1844, he declared himself God’s messenger and proclaimed the coming of Greater One, who would bring a new age of civilisation based on world peace. Bahá’u’lláh
In 1863, Bahá’u’lláh declared himself to be the One promised by the Báb. His mission fulfilled the promises made by the messengers from other religions. He died in Akka in 1892 and was buried at nearby Bahji, now the Bahá’í Faith ’s most sacred shrine. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
As Bahá’u’lláh’s son, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was appointed in his father’s will as the authorised interpreter of Bahá’í teachings. Born in 1844, he died in Haifa in 1921. Shoghi Effendi
Following ‘Abdu’l-Bahá death, his grandson, Shoghi Effendi became Guardian of the Faith, with the authority to interpret the scriptures. He died in 1957. Six years later, the Universal House of Justice – now based in at the Bahá’í World Centre, Haifa – became the Bahá’í Faith ’s guiding body.
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