Thursday, October 23, 2008

The Báb ,The Herald of Bahá'u'lláh

Baha'is around the world observed a holy day - the Birth of the Báb - on 20 October.It is one of nine holy days on which Baha'is suspend work.
The Báb was born on 20 October, 1819 in Shiraz, Iran. His real name was 'Ali-Muhammad. He was a descendent of the prophet Muhammad through both His father and mother. He was raised by His uncle Hájí Mirzá Siyyid 'Ali, a merchant. As a child, He showed uncommon wisdom, although He received little formal schooling. He became a merchant and earned a high reputation for fairness. In 1842 He married Khadíjih-Bagum and they had one son, Ahmad, who died in infancy.

On May 23, 1844 he announced Himself to be The Báb , It is an Arabic word means “the Gate”. He proclaimed Himself to be the Promised One foretold in the great religions, and said that the Mission of His Dispensation was to alert the people to the imminent appearance of the Messenger of God awaited by all the peoples of the world, namely Bahá’u’lláh .
He was indeed a gate to the knowledge of God and to a new era in human existence. He called upon all people to purify their hearts from earthly vanities so that they could recognize Him Whom God would soon manifest.
Thousands upon thousands of people accepted the Message of The Báb and began to follow His Teachings. But the government of Iran and the powerful clergy who ruled over the masses rose against Him. They imprisoned Him and His followers were subjected to swift and savage persecution.

On July 9, 1850 The Báb was brought before a firing squad in the barracks square of Tabríz, along with a young follower. Some 20,000 of His followers perished in a series of massacres throughout Persia. His remains were hidden by His followers and in 1899 transferred to Palestine in the sepulchre on Mount Carmel known as the Shrine of The Báb. Today, the majestic building with the golden dome, overlooking the Bay of Haifa, Israel, and set amidst beautiful gardens, is the Shrine where The Báb's earthly remains are entombed.
Although The Báb was the Herald of Bahá'u'lláh, He was also a Manifestation of God as all other previous Manifestations such as Mohammed and Jesus.
Prayers:
Is there any Remover of difficulties save God? Say: Praised be God! He is God! All are His servants, and all abide by His bidding!”
(The Báb)
“Say: God sufficeth all things above all things, and nothing in the heavens or in the earth but God sufficeth. Verily, He is in Himself the Knower, the Sustainer, the Omnipotent.”
(The Báb)

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