On the Baha’i Faith

The Baha’i Faith Proclaims:
The oneness of God, the oneness of religion, and of humankind. It abolishes prejudice of all kinds, establishes Universal education, eliminates extremes of wealth and poverty, protects cultural diversity and provides a blueprint for the establishment of a spiritual world system of governance, a peaceful maintenance of order through consultation and co-operation. It also advocates individual search after truth, the harmony of science and religion, use of an auxiliary universal language and proclaims the imminent attainment of Universal Peace.

The Central Figures of the Baha’i Religion

One of three Central Figures of the Baha’i Faith, the Bab (gate) is a Messenger of God and a herald of One greater than Himself–One who would inaugurate a new era in religion and civilization. This Christ-like figure is known as the Great Announcement (of) the Day of Resurrection. Like earlier Messengers of God, the Bab was opposed and denounced. After six years of persecution He was publicly martyred at the age of 30 in Tabriz.

Baha’u’llah (Glory of God) is the founder of the Baha’i Faith. He was a Persian nobleman who in 1863 declared Himself to be the One whose coming the Bab and all the previous Prophets had foretold. Like His predecessor, He was bitterly opposed, persecuted and exiled from place to place, fulfilling prophecy. During nearly forty years of exile and imprisonment His writings were largely delivered through speech in a process of spontaneous revelation. These works were delivered in formal Arabic, the language of the Koran, a written language and one He had never studied. His “writings” were recorded by secretary during these revelatory experiences and then verified as accurate by Him. An investigation of these stupendous works demonstrates that their Source is unquestionably Divine and without equal, transcendent and supreme. Hundreds of volumes in scope covering all manner of subjects, the teachings of Baha’u’llah provide a Holy Scripture for the New Era which no previous revelation has ever approached in beauty, luminosity, depth or range. Baha’u’llah, as the Mouthpiece for God and the Prime representative of the Godhead, is the key imprint for mankind in this Day and has, through the power of the Word of God, unleashed spiritual forces that have revolutionized every aspect of human life. His writings herald the coming Golden Age of humanity, which marks the recognition of the Oneness of God, humanity and religion and a new cycle in our destiny as a species. They portend a time of peace, creativity, freedom, prosperity and salvation in which the whole of humanity is being enabled to attain to Eternal Reunion through the establishment of the Kingdom of God within earth.
Baha’u’llah’s fourth and final place of banishment, reached in 1865, was the prison city of ‘Akka (Acre), Palestine, where He ascended in 1892 at the age of seventy-four. This site has become part of the homeland of the Baha’i World Center on the slope of Mt. Carmel in the Holy Land. The events of His life, His title and these geographical occurrences including this location of the City of God fulfil Biblical prophecy. Baha’u’llah represents the Oneness of the prophets of all true religions and proclaims the “Changeless, Eternal Faith of God” His Revelation calls humanity to an entirely new way of life a “wondrous New System, the like of which mortal eyes have never witnessed” delineating not only a new set of social teachings and laws but offering an experience of limitless freedom through the vehicle of the revealed Word of God and its “vibrating influence”. The proof of His claim is His life and His writings subject to an independent investigation.

The authorized interpreter and exemplar of the Baha’i religion is Abdu’l-Baha (Servant of the Glory), eldest son of Baha’u’llah, who was appointed by his father as the Center of His Covenant to whom all must turn for instruction and guidance. ‘Abdu’l-Baha was the close companion and constant helper of his father, whose sufferings he shared. He remained a prisoner until 1908, when the old regime in Turkey was overthrown and all religious and political prisoners were liberated. Afterwards he traveled widely in Egypt, Europe and America, explaining the principles of the Faith and inspiring and directing the activities of its followers throughout the world. He passed away in Haifa in 1921, mourned by people of all faiths. His life was and continues to be a shining example to all.