Baha'i Faith - From the Book Palestine

Discussion:

Baha'i Faith - From the Book Palestine - Published in 1922

(too old to reply)

Baha'i Faith

2009-02-10 07:00:27 UTC

What is Baha'i Faith ?

In 1844 a Persian, Mirza 'Ali Mohammed, proclaimed himself in Tabriz
as the ' Bab,' or Gate, whereby communication was to be re-established
with the ' hidden ' or Twelfth Imam, or Mahdi, whose return to earth
is awaited by a large number of Shiah Moslems. Later he stated that he
himself was the expected Imam, but his ministry was cut short by
martyrdom in Tabriz in 1850. Before his death he appointed as his
successor a lad named Mirza Yahya, called Subh-i-Ezel (' the Dawn of
Eternity '), who, with his half-brother Mirza Husein 'Ali, afterwards
better known as Baha'u'llah, and other Babi leaders, took refuge in
Baghdad in consequence of the persecution to which the sect was
subjected by the Shah. After they had spent twelve years in Baghdad
the Persian Government persuaded the Porte to have them removed, and
they were taken to Adrianople, where they remained from 1864 to 1868.
In A.h. 1283 (a.d. 1866-67) occurred an event which rent the sect in
twain. Baha'u'llah, who was of more assertive character than the
retiring Subh-i-Ezel, suddenly announced that he himself was the
expected Imam, and that the ' Bab ' had been no more than his fore-
ruflner ; and he called upon all Babis, including Subh-i-Ezel, to
acknowledge him. This the latter refused to do, and Babis were now
divided between Ezelis, who acknowledged the original Bab and his
successor Subh-i-Ezel, and Baha'is, or followers of Baha'u'llah.
Meanwhile both sections were again deported by the Turks, Subh-i-Ezel
and his family to Famagusta in Cyprus, Baha- 'u'llah and his followers
to Acre. From Acre the Baha'i faith has spread over Asia and America
and into Europe, and counts two millions of adherents ; the Ezelis
have dwindled to a handful.

Baha'u'llah died on the 16th May, 1892, leaving, among other children,
two sons, 'Abbas Effendi and Mirza Mohammed 'Ali, who for a while
disputed the succession. Ultimately there prevailed the claims of the
elder, 'Abbas Effendi, who took the spiritual title of 'Abdu'l Baha,
meaning ' The Servant of the Glorious.' 'Abdu'l Baha was born in
Teheran on the 23rd May, 1844, the day of the Declaration of the Bab,
and died at Acre on the 27th November, 1921. His successor is his
grandson, Shawki Effendi, who is Life- President of the Council of
Nine, which regulates the affairs of the community. The number of
Baha'is in Palestine is 158. Sir 'Abbas Effendi 'Abdu'l Baha had
travelled extensively in Europe and America to expound his doctrines,
and on the 4th December, 1919, was created by King George V. a K.B.E.
for valuable services rendered to the British Government in the early
days of the Occupation. For farther information on Babism and Baha'ism
the reader is referred to the works of Professor E. G. Browne,
published by the Cambridge University Press.

Reference :
PALESTINE

EDITED BY : HARRY CHARLES LUKE, B.Lr1r., M.A.

ASSISTANT GOVERNOR OF JERUSALEM AND
EDWARD KEITH-ROACH ASSISTANT CHIEF SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF
PALESTINE

WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY
The Right Hon. SIR HERBERT SAMUEL, P.C., G.B.E.
HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR PALESTINE

Issued under the Authority of the Government of Palestine

MACMILLAN AND CO., LIMITED
ST. MARTIN'S STREET, LONDON
1922

Ruhaniya

2009-02-10 07:45:35 UTC