FAQ

Here you can find our most Frequently Asked Questions about Bábism and Baha’ism Idea. This page is going to be completed with more questions and answers.

What is the origin of Baha’ism?

Who were Shaykh Ahmad al-Ahsa’i and Sayyid Kazim Rashti?

What is the fourth pillar?

Who is Siyyid `Ali Muhammad Shirázi, Báb?

What was Báb’s claim?

Who did Báb curse?

What happened in Badasht?

Why was Báb killed?

Who are Mirzá Yahyá Núri (Subh-i-Azal) and Mirzá Husayn-Ali Núri, (Bahá’u’lláh)?

How Bahá’u’lláh was not killed after his assassination plot?

How was the Baha’i division created?

Who is `Abbas Effendi, `Abdu’l-Bahá?

What countries kept ties with `Abdu’l-Bahá?

What important events happened in the last years of `Abdu’l-Bahá?

What does `Abdu’l-Bahá’s Will and Testament say?

Who is Shoghi Effendi?

How Shoghi Effendi changed the course of Baha’ism?

Who succeeded Shoghi Effendi?

What is the origin of Baha’ism?

The idea of a Messiah rising and conquering the world to a ubiquitous justice has been present in all Abrahamic religions. In Islam, Prophet Muhammad talks about a ‘universal kingdom’, ‘the annihilation of oppression and tyranny’ and ‘filling the world with justice and fairness’¹. In Prophet Muhammad’s traditions he has introduced Imam Mahdi as the twelfth Imam and the eleventh son of Imam Ali and the ninth son of Imam Hussein which will have a long occultation². In the past 180 years, the belief of Mahdi has been attacked by some groups. Among these groups are Baha’ism.

Who were Shaykh Ahmad al-Ahsa’i and Sayyid Kazim Rashti?

In the 19th century, after the wars between Iran and the Russian government, there was a low morale among the people which made the government lose its people’s trust. People were all looking for a breakthrough.

It was then that Shaykh Ahmad al-Ahsa’i, who knew himself as a Muslim clergy³claimed that Islam has ‘four pillars’, Tawhid, Nubuwwah, Imamah and the fourth pillar and claimed to be the fourth pillar himself.

Shaykh Ahmad al-Ahsa’i appointed Sayyid Kazim Rashti as his successor, he continued the claim of Shaykh Ahmad al-Ahsa’i, though before his death he did not choose any successor for himself.

Shaykh Ahmad al-Ahsa’i

Sayyid Kazim Rashti

What is the fourth pillar?

Shaykh Ahmad al-Ahsa’i claimed that the fourth pillar was the intermediate between the occulted Imam (Imam Mahdi) and the people. This claim gathered attention because of the low morale of the society, since everyone was hoping that something good would happen.

Read More (link to The Four Special Deputies of Imam Mahdi which includes his Tawqee⁴ article)

Who is Siyyid `Ali Muhammad Shirázi, Báb?

Since Sayyid Kazim Rashti did not appoint any successor his disciples were all looking for a new leader, after a quarrel between his disciples, Siyyid `Ali Muhammad Shirázi who call himself the Báb⁵ of Imam Mahdi – by which he meant that he himself is the intermediate whom Shaykh Ahmad al-Ahsa’i was meant i.e. the fourth pillar – came out victorious over others.

`Ali Muhammad Shirázi (Báb)

What was Báb’s claim?

When Mulla Hussain Boshru’i was looking for the next gate, Báb brought the ‘Tafsir-i⁶Surah Yusuf⁷’ as a proof for being the gate of Imam Mahdi⁸ in 1844. Mulla Hussain Boshru’i went and spread the claim of Báb to other people.

Who did Báb curse?

After one of Báb’s disciples added a sentence to Azan⁹ on Báb’s order, the governor of Shiraz summoned Báb and once being slapped his face, he desisted from his initial claim and said:

Curse against anyone who knows me as the deputy of the occulted Imam. Curse anyone who knows me as the gate of Imam Mahdi… Curse anyone who thinks of me as denying Amir-al-Mo’menin and the other Imams.¹⁰

What happened in Badasht?

In 1844 Báb claimed that he is the gate of Imam Mahdi. Later in 1848 a group of Bábis gathered at a place called Badasht. The major leaders of this group were Mirzá Husayn-Ali Núri, Zarrin Taj and Mirzá `Ali Muhammad Barforush. They concluded that as of now, Islam is outdated and obsolete! Right away the title of Táhirih was given to Zarrin Taj, the title of Bahá’u’lláh was given to Mirzá Husayn-Ali Núri and the title of Quddus was given to Mirzá `Ali Muhammad Barforush. The announcement, made Mulla Hussain Boshru’i furious, as a result he said:

If I was present at Badasht, I would have punished them with my sword¹¹

Following the events of Badasht, Báb declared:

I am the Qa’im that you were promised to his appearance.¹²

Even after this, Báb claimed to be a prophet and revealed a new book named Bayán. Before his death, he took his series of claims to a new level and claimed to be God.¹³

Why was Báb killed?

As a result of Báb’s new claim and the events of Badasht, Nasser al-Din Shah who was the crown prince at that time, summoned Báb to Tabriz and questioned him about his claim. His attempts to answer the questions was futile, after 11 strokes to his leg, he repented of his claims (as the Báb or Imam Mahdi). He was not executed because of these claims which was declared mentally unstable¹⁴. However because of the magnitude of the nationwide chaos which he brought to Iran, he was executed later.¹⁵

Who are Mirzá Yahyá Núri (Subh-i-Azal) and Mirzá Husayn-Ali Núri, (Bahá’u’lláh)?

Báb appointed Mirzá Yahyá Núri – Subh-i-Azal – as his successor, thus Mirzá Yahyá knew himself as a Bábis person with no new claim of a new religion. However since he was an incompetent person, his brother, Mirzá Husayn-Ali Núri handled most of the affairs.

At his childhood, Mirzá Husayn-Ali Núri was taught science and basic skills by his father, close relatives and his private tutor, so he did not need to go to school. Having said, he was like Siyyid `Ali Muhammad Báb, and claimed to be illiterate and untaught.¹⁶

Mirzá Yahyá Núri (Subh-i-Azal)

Mirzá Husayn-Ali Núri (Bahá’u’lláh)

How Bahá’u’lláh was not killed after his assassination plot?

After Báb’s execution, Amir Kabir (then prime minister) who was aware of Bahá’u’lláh previous actions for the Bábi movement, announced that Mirzá Husayn-Ali Núri has damaged 25 million Rials to the treasury (half the cost of wars between Iran and Russia) and exiled him to Iraq. However after Amir Kabir was killed, Mirzá Husayn-Ali Núri returned to Iran and immediately plotted and aided an assassination on Nasser al-Din Shah (then King of Iran). The attempt was unsuccessful, leading to capturing many Bábis.

Oddly, all of Bábi prisoners were killed except Bahá’u’lláh! He had a guardian angel from Russia which told the prime minister that Bahá’u’lláh is a trust of Russia and no harm should come to him.¹⁷ Iran had to exile him and his brother to Iraq.

How was the Baha’i division created?

In Iraq, Bahá’u’lláh was taking matters in his own hand, and this infuriated Subh-i-Azal and caused a quarrel between the two brothers. As a result, Bahá’u’lláh left for the mountains of Soleimani.

His majesty was living there with special cloth and a dervish kashkool (a beggar’s bowl) and used the fake name ‘Darvish Muhammad’.¹⁸

He studied irfan and alchemy. After two years in the Soleimani Mountains he decided to come back to Iraq. Bahá’u’lláh requested permission from his brother Mirzá Yahyá Núri Subh-i-Azal.

There came the summons bidding Us return whence We came. Surrendering Our will to His, We submitted to His injunction.¹⁹

After his return to Iraq, because of the disturbance they made, Bábis were again exiled to Istanbul.

At 1863 en route to Istanbul, Bahá’u’lláh declared his perceived mission and claimed to be the ‘manifestation of God’, even though Báb prophesized that such a person will rise in 1511 years later. Along with Bahá’u’llá, 25 other people declared to be the manifestation of God.

When the declaration of Bahá’u’lláh reached to the Bábi population, it created a new division:

• The followers of Subh-i-Azal, were named Azalis (or Bábis²⁰).
• The followers of Bahá’u’lláh were named Bahá’is

The division took the dispute between the brothers to a new level. The Azalis were exiled to Famagusta in Cyprus and the Bahá’I were sent to Acre in Palestine. Subh-i-Azal died in Palestine, Bahá’u’lláh died in Acre.

Bahá’u’lláh had other claims for himself, other than ‘Manifestation of God’, he knew himself as a mortal ant²¹, and at some times, he knew himself from the deities and as the God of all Gods.²² All his claims were made, while he knew Prophet Muhammad as the Seal of the Prophets.²³

Who is `Abbas Effendi, `Abdu’l-Bahá?

He is from the first wife of Mirzá Husayn-Ali Núri, Nawwabah. Bahá’u’lláh had three other children from his other wife, Mahd-e Olia, and his other son Muhammad `Ali Effendi was among them. According to the Will and Testament of Bahá’u’lláh, after `Abdu’l-Bahá, Muhammad `Ali should succeed him<sup>24</sup>, but after Bahá’u’lláh death, numerous disputes occurred between the brothers. `Abbas Effendi called the followers of his brother the ‘covenant breakers’²⁵ and named themselves the covenants²⁶. All of this happened while `Abdu’l-Bahá himself has said:

…fair notice should be given to a person that is crippled for nurturing his own children and family; How could we put faith in such a person’s guidance for all humans, is there any doubt and uncertainty for this matter? Indeed there is not!²⁷

`Abbas Effendi, `Abdu’l-Bahá

What countries kept ties with `Abdu’l-Bahá?

Contrary to his father, `Abdu’l-Bahá did not associate with only one country. At first, he continued his father’s path and used their friendship to build the first ever ‘Baha’i house of worship’<sup>28</sup>. The extent of the affiliation is such that Abu’l-fazl Golpayegani has quoted from `Abdu’l-Bahá that we should always keep in mind the protection and justice of the Russian Government and persistently request for the support and strengthening of The Great Emperor.²⁹ Later he prayed for Ottoman’s government too.

Once the Ottoman’s government found out that `Abdu’l-Bahá is spying for the Britain, they decided to execute him. But since the Britain’s government supported `Abdu’l-Bahá, they saved him from death.³⁰ Curiously after Britain’s seizure of Palestine, he was given the Knighthood rank and was titled as Sir.³¹ As a sign of kindness, `Abdu’l-Bahá prayed for George V the King of the United Kingdom.³²

What important events happened in the last years of `Abdu’l-Bahá?

In his last years, he traveled to Europe and America, and came aware of some western trending thoughts. Using them, he created the ‘twelve Bahá’i teachings’.

He died at 1921 and was buried at Haifa. Many representatives of Britain were present at his funeral.³³

He did not have any sons. By writing the Will and Testament for Bahá’i leaders, he created the Chain of Guardians.

What does `Abdu’l-Bahá’s Will and Testament say?

Based on the Will and Testament, the guardians will come one after another, and each will chose their successor, and the guardian is the permanent head of the House of Justice. According to the Will and Testament’, Shoghi Effendi, the grandson of `Abdu’l-Bahá, was chosen as the first guardian, and after him, from his sons, the primogeniture would be the next guardian.³⁴

Who is Shoghi Effendi?

He is the son of Mirza Hadi Afnan and `Abdu’l-Bahá’s daughter. He studied in American University of Beirut and University of Oxford. After `Abdu’l-Bahá’s death, the leadership of the Bahá’is was given to Shoghi Effendi. However some did not accept this decision and another denomination among Bahá’is was created. Some prominent teachers of Baha’ism such as Abdul-Hussain Ayati, Fazollah Subhi (scriber of `Abdu’l-Bahá), Mirza Hussain Nikoo and other Bahá’is converted to Islam. Each writing a book about their conversion and Shoghi Effendi’s history.

Shoghi Effendi

How Shoghi Effendi changed the course of Baha’ism?

Shoghi Effendi applied the structure of the European parties he saw, and created the Local Spiritual Assembly and National Spiritual Assembly and had them registered as religious organizations or even as commercial organizations in different countries . It is because of these structured organizations that Baha’ism is still present.

Shoghi brought ‘shunning’ to the Bahá’i faith, meaning that whoever objects the guardian in any fashion, will first be shunned from the organization and if needed, shunned from his family too. Contrary to this, `Abdu’l-Bahá has previously said:

Why should we say he is a Jewish or he is a Christian, and they are Buddhists, this (matter) doesn’t have anything to do with us. God has created us all and burdened us to be polite to all. However issues related to beliefs (of people) is for God (to judge) and at the Judgement Day he will punish and recompense. God has not chosen us as their reckoner.³⁵

The Israelis established themselves at `Abdu’l-Bahá’s era, and as a result of his service to the Israelis, the Bahá’i assets and affairs have been free from tax ever since.³⁶

Who succeeded Shoghi Effendi?

Shoghi Effendi died in 1957 in London, and was buried there. Since he was sterile, he had no children and even left without a successor, thus creating many disputes in the aftermath; all contrary to the Will and Testament of `Abdu’l-Bahá.

1- The reader must bear in mind that the magnitude of a universal kingdom with justice, cannot ever be achieved without divine aid. Applying this touchstone is a great measure for diving the truth from the lies.

2- Many prophets have had occultation. Prophet Idris, Prophet Joseph, Prophet Moses, etc. For more information please refer to the great book of Shaykh al-Saduq: ‘Kamal Al-Din wa Tamam Al-Ni’mah’

3- His belief was as any other Shi’a

4- letter

5- gate

6- exegesis

7- Surah Yusuf is the 12th surah (chapter) of the Quran

8- Rahiq Makhtum, Vol. 1, Page 22 ( 1st ed.), Asrar al-Asar, Vol. 2 appendix for Báb

9- Islamic call to prayer

10- Dawnbreakers, Pages 137-141

11- Tarikh Zuhur-al-Haq, Page 110

12- Zuhur-al-Haq, Page 173, footnote

13- Tablet of Heykal-al-Din, إن علیاً قبل نبیل ذات الله و کینونیته

14- Kashf-al-Qita an Hiyal-al-A’da, written by Mirza Abulfazl Golpayegani, Pages 203-204

15- Qarn-i-Badi, Vol. 1, Page 256

16- Asrar-al-Asar, Vol.1. Page 191

17- Qarn-i-Badi, Vol. Pages 318-319, Qarn-i-Badi, Vol.2, Page 33 and 34

18- Qarn-i-Badi; Vol. 2, Page 112, First edition

19- Kitab-i-Iqan, Page 278

20- There is no difference between Bábis and Azalis, since the Azalis’ were following the same beliefs that Báb has taught. It is only a matter of different naming.

21- Asar Qalam-i-A’la, Vol.4, Page 364

22- Makatib, Vol.2, Page 255

23- Ishraqat, Page 293

24- Tablets of Baha’u’llah Revealed After the Kitab-i-Aqdas, Pages 219-223: 222

25- ناقضین

26- ثابتین

27- Makatib, Vol.2, Page 182

28- Kawakeb-al-Durriyeh, Vol.2, Page 95, Qarn-i-Badi, Vol.3, Page 125

29- Masabih-al-Hidayat, Vol.2, Page 282

30- Qarn-i-Badi, Vol3, Page  297

31- Qarn-i-Badi, Vol.3, Page  299

32- Makatib, Vol.3, Page 347

33- Qarn-i-Badi, Vol.3, Pages 321 and 323

34- Will and Testament, Egypt print, Pages11-16, Nazar-i-Ijmali, Pages 66-68

35- Khitabat, Vol.2, Page 248

36- Tawqi’at-i-Mubarak, Vol.3, Page 165