THE CENTRAL FIGURES

Marion County Baha'is

THE CENTRAL FIGURES

The Herald-Martyr: the Báb

The Báb was born October 20, 1819 in Iran. His name in Arabic means "the gate".

He was a merchant in Shíráz where, on the evening of May 22, 1844, He declared His mission. He declared that He was the Qá'im of Shi'a Islám, heralding the imminent advent of the Promised One of all the world's religions. Although Himself the bearer of an independent revelation from God, the Báb declared that His purpose was to prepare mankind for this advent. The vast majority of Muslim clerics and government officials rejected His claim and severely persecuted Him and His followers. For half of His ministry, He was imprisoned in various locations in Iran. On July 9, 1850, the Báb was executed by a firing squad in Tabríz, Iran.

The Founder: Bahá'u'lláh

Bahá'u'lláh, the Prophet-Founder of the Bahá'í Faith, was born November 12, 1817 in Iran. His name in Arabic means "the glory of God." He became an early follower of the Báb. Though His father had been a government official, this did not prevent Him from being beaten and imprisoned. While imprisoned in 1852, He had a vision in which He learned of His mission.

Upon His release, He was forced to go into exile in Baghdad, Iraq, where He, His family, and many of His followers lived for the next ten years. In 1863, when He was forced to leave Baghdad for Constantinople then Adrianople in Turkey, He declared His mission publicly for the first time. In 1868, as the result of continued agitation by Iranian government officials and other people, He and His followers were exiled to 'Akká (Acre) in Palestine, near Haifa. He spent the rest of His life and ministry in and around 'Akká, writing many tablets and epistles.

The Exemplar: 'Abdu'l-Bahá

'Abdu'l-Bahá (Arabic for "servant of Bahá") was born on May 23, 1844, the same day that the Báb first declared His mission. He was the eldest son of Bahá'u'lláh and was a constant companion of His father. As he grew older, he began to handle the relations of the Bahá'í community with the outside world, permitting Bahá'u'lláh to reveal the Word of God without much distraction. When Bahá'u'lláh ascended, Baha'u'llah appointed Him the one authorized interpreter of Baha'i teachings and as Head of the Faith after His passing. In Abdu'l-Bahá was seen a perfect example of the Baha'i way of life.. In 1911 through 1913, he traveled extensively throughout the West (Europe and America), spreading the news about the Faith wherever he went. He was well-respected by everyone in 'Akká and Haifa, even the non-Bahá'ís. He passed away on November 28, 1921.

Please visit the National Baha'i site for additional information: http://www.us.bahai.org