Bahá'í Faith
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{{otheruses4|the generally recognized global religious community|other related uses|Bahá'í (disambiguation)}}''
[[Image:Seat of the Universal House of Justice.JPG|thumb|250px|Seat of the [[Universal House of Justice]], governing body of the Bahá'ís, in [[Haifa]], [[Israel]]]]
{{Bahá'í}}
The '''Bahá'í Faith''' is a [[religion]] founded by [[Bahá'u'lláh]] in nineteenth-century [[Persian Empire#Persia and Europe (1722–1914)|Persia]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Houghton|2004}}</ref> There are an estimated five to six million Bahá'ís around the world in more than 200 countries and territories.<ref name="statistics">See [[Bahá'í statistics#Worldwide figures|Bahá'í statistics]] for a breakdown of different estimates.</ref><ref name="eor">{{Harvnb|Manfred|2005|pp=737-740}}</ref>
Bahá'í teachings emphasize the spiritual oneness of humanity and the underlying unity of the major world religions. Religious history is seen to have unfolded through the influence of a series of divinely-sent messengers, each of whom established a religion that was suited to the needs of the time. These messengers have included [[Abraham]], [[Moses]], [[Zoroaster]], the [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]], [[Krishna]], [[Jesus]], [[Muhammad]] and, most recently, the [[Báb]] and Bahá'u'lláh. In Bahá'í belief, each messenger taught that other messengers would follow, and Bahá'u'lláh's claims and teachings fulfil the [[eschatology|eschatological]] promises of previous scriptures. Humanity is understood to be involved in a process of collective evolution, and the need of the present time is for the gradual establishment of peace, justice and unity on a global scale.<ref name="esslemont">{{Harvnb|Esslemont|1980}}</ref>
The word "'''Bahá'í'''" ({{IPA|/bæhɒːʔiː/, /bəˈhai/}}, {{lang-fa|بهائی}}) is used either as an adjective to refer to the Bahá'í Faith or as a term for a follower of Bahá'u'lláh, and the word is not a noun meaning the religion as a whole. It is derived from the Arabic ''[[Bahá'í symbols#Bahá’|Bahá’]]'', meaning "glory" or "splendour".<ref>Bahá'ís prefer the orthographies "Bahá'í", "Bahá'ís", "the Báb", "Bahá'u'lláh", and "`Abdu'l-Bahá", using a [[Bahá'í orthography|particular transcription]] of the [[Arabic language|Arabic]] and [[Persian language|Persian]] in publications. "Bahai", "Bahais", "Baha'i", "the Bab", "Bahaullah" and "Baha'u'llah" are often used when diacriticals are unavailable.</ref> "Bahaism" (or "Baha'ism") has been used in the past but is fading from use.
==Beliefs==
The Bahá'í teachings are often summarized by referring to three core principles: the [[God in the Bahá'í Faith|unity of God]], the [[Bahá'í Faith and the unity of religion|unity of religion]], and the [[Bahá'í Faith and the unity of humanity|unity of humankind]].<ref name="eor" /> Many Bahá'í beliefs and practices are rooted in these priorities; but taken alone these would be an over-simplification of Bahá'í teachings.
===God===
{{main|God in the Bahá'í Faith}}
[[Image:BahaiTemple0001.jpg|thumb|Baha'i Temple, Ingleside, Sydney, Australia]]
The Bahá'í writings describe a single, imperishable [[God]], the creator of all things, including all the creatures and forces in the universe. The existence of God is thought to be eternal, without a beginning or end,<ref name="britannica">{{Harvnb|Britannica|1988}}</ref> and is described as "a personal God, unknowable, inaccessible, the source of all Revelation, eternal, omniscient, omnipresent and almighty."<ref>{{Harvnb|Effendi|1944|pp=139}}</ref> Though inaccessible directly, God is nevertheless seen as conscious of his creation, with a will and purpose. In Bahá'í belief, God expresses this will in many ways, including through a series of divine messengers referred to as [[Manifestation of God|Manifestations of God]] or sometimes ''divine educators''.<ref name="eor" /> In expressing God's intent, these manifestations are seen to establish religion in the world and to enable a relationship with God.<ref name="hatcher_huri">{{cite journal |last= Hatcher |first= John S. |year= 2005|month= March-December|title= Unveiling the Hurí of Love|journal=Journal of Bahá'í Studies |volume=15 |issue= 1|pages= p. 1–38}}</ref>
Bahá'í teachings state that God is too great for humans to fully comprehend, or to create a complete and accurate image, by themselves; human understanding of God is through his revelation via his Manifestations of God.<ref name="hatcher_huri" /><ref name="manifestation">{{cite journal | first = Juan | last = Cole | year = 1982 | title = The Concept of Manifestation in the Bahá'í Writings | journal = Bahá'í Studies | volume = monograph 9 | pages = pp. 1–38 | url = http://bahai-library.org/articles/manifestation.html}}</ref> In the Bahá'í religion God is often referred to by titles and attributes (e.g. the All-Powerful, or the All-Loving), and there is a substantial emphasis on [[monotheism]], and an interpretation of such doctrines as the [[Trinity]] in a symbolic rather than literal sense.<ref>{{cite journal | title = Jesus Christ in the Baha'i Writings | first = Robert | last = Stockman | journal = Baha'i Studies Review | volume= 2 | issue = 1 | number = 1}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=`Abdu'l-Bahá |authorlink=`Abdu'l-Bahá |year=1990 |title=Some Answered Questions |page=113 |edition=Softcover |publisher=Bahá'í Publishing Trust |location=Wilmette, Illinois, USA |id=ISBN 0-87743-162-0 url=http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/ab/SAQ/saq-27.html#pg113}}</ref> The Bahá'í teachings state that the attributes which are applied to God are used to translate Godliness into human terms and also to help individuals concentrate on their own attributes in worshipping God to develop their potentialities on their spiritual path.<ref name="manifestation" /><ref name="hatcher_huri" /> According to the Bahá'í teachings the human purpose is to learn to know and love God through such methods as [[Prayer in the Bahá'í Faith|prayer]] and reflection.<ref name="hatcher_huri" />
[[Image:Wilmette how side.jpg|200px|left|thumb|Symbols of many religions on the pillar of the [[Bahá'í House of Worship]] in Wilmette, Illinois]]
===Religion===
{{main|Bahá'í Faith and the unity of religion}}
{{see also|Progressive revelation}}
Bahá'í notions of progressive religious revelation result in their accepting the validity of most of the world's religions, whose founders and central figures are seen as Manifestations of God. Religious history is interpreted as a series of [[dispensationalism|dispensations]], where each ''manifestation'' brings a somewhat broader and more advanced [[revelation]], suited for the time and place in which it was expressed.<ref name="britannica" /> Specific religious social teachings (e.g. the direction of prayer, or dietary restrictions) may be revoked by a subsequent manifestation so that a more appropriate requirement for the time and place may be established. Conversely, certain general principles (e.g. neighbourliness, or charity) are seen to be universal and consistent. In Bahá'í belief, this process of progressive revelation will not end; however, it is believed to be cyclical. Bahá'ís do not expect a new manifestation of God to appear within 1000 years of Bahá'u'lláh's revelation.<ref>{{cite book |first=Michael D. |last=McMullen |year=2000 |title=The Baha'i: The Religious Construction of a Global Identity |publisher=Rutgers University Press |location=Atlanta, Georgia |id= ISBN 0813528364 |pages= pp. 7}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=`Abdu'l-Bahá |authorlink=`Abdu'l-Bahá |year=1978 |title=Selections From the Writings of `Abdu'l-Bahá |edition=Hardcover |publisher=Bahá'í Publishing Trust |location=Wilmette, Illinois, USA |id=ISBN 0853980810 |pages=pp. 67|url=http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/ab/SAB/sab-34-printable.html}}</ref>
Bahá'í beliefs are sometimes described as [[Syncretism|syncretic]] combinations of earlier religions' beliefs.<ref>{{cite book | title = A Resource Guide for the Scholarly Study of the Bahá'í Faith | last = Stockman | first = Robert | chapter = The Baha'i Faith and Syncretism | year = 1997 | url = http://bahai-library.com/file.php5?file=stockman_bahai_syncretism&language=All}}</ref> Bahá'ís, however, assert that their religion is a distinct tradition with its own scriptures, teachings, laws, and history.<ref name="britannica" /><ref name="EoI">{{cite encyclopedia | title=Bahais | encyclopedia=Encyclopaedia of Islam Online | accessdate=2007-05-03}}</ref> Its religious background in [[Shi'a Islam]] is seen as analogous to the Jewish context in which Christianity was established.<ref>{{cite book |last = Taherzadeh |first = A. |year = 1984 |title = The Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh, Volume 3: `Akka, The Early Years 1868–77 |publisher = George Ronald |location = Oxford, UK |id = ISBN 0853981442 | pages = pp. 262}}</ref> Bahá'ís describe their faith as an independent world religion, differing from the other traditions only in its relative age and in the appropriateness of Bahá'u'lláh's teachings to the modern context.<ref name="lundberg">{{cite book | title = Baha'i Apocalypticism: The Concept of Progressive Revelation | first = Zaid | last = Lundberg | date = 1996-05 | url = http://bahai-library.com/?file=lundberg_bahai_apocalypticism | accessdate = 2007-05-01 | chapter = The Concept of Progressive Revelation | publisher = Department of History of Religion at the Faculty of Theology, Lund University }}</ref> Bahá'u'lláh is believed to have fulfilled the [[Messianic prophecy|messianic expectations]] of these precursor faiths.
===Human beings===
[[Image:Ringstone.jpg|200px|thumb|right|The [[Bahá'í symbols#Ringstone Symbol|Ringstone symbol]] represents humanity's connection to God]]
{{main|Bahá'í Faith and the unity of humanity}}
The Bahá'í writings state that human beings have a "rational [[soul]]", and that this provides the species with a unique capacity to recognize God's station and humanity's relationship with its creator. Every human is seen to have a duty to recognize God through his [[Manifestation of God|messengers]], and to conform to their teachings.<ref>{{cite book |first=Michael D. |last=McMullen |year=2000 |title=The Baha'i: The Religious Construction of a Global Identity |publisher=Rutgers University Press |location=Atlanta, Georgia |id= ISBN 0813528364 |pages= pp. 57–58}}</ref> Through recognition and obedience, service to humanity and regular prayer and spiritual practice, the Bahá'í writings state that the soul becomes closer to God, the spiritual ideal in Bahá'í belief. When a human dies, the soul passes into the next world, where its spiritual development in the physical world becomes a basis for judgment and advancement in the spiritual world. Heaven and Hell are taught to be spiritual states of nearness or distance from God that describe relationships in this world and the next, and not physical places of reward and punishment achieved after death.<ref name="lafd">{{cite book | title = Life After Death: A study of the afterlife in world religions | last = Masumian | first = Farnaz | publisher = Oneworld Publications | location = Oxford | year = 1995 | id = ISBN 1-85168-074-8}}</ref>
The Bahá'í writings emphasize the essential equality of human beings, and the abolition of prejudice. Humanity is seen as essentially one, though highly varied; its diversity of race and culture are seen as worthy of appreciation and tolerance. Doctrines of racism, nationalism, caste, social class and gender-based hierarchy are seen as artificial impediments to unity.<ref name="eor" /> The Bahá'í teachings state that the unification of humankind is the paramount issue in the religious and political conditions of the present world.<ref name="britannica" />
==Demographics==
{{main|Bahá'í statistics}}
[[Image:Bahai-house-of-worship-delhi2.jpg|250px|thumb|The [[Bahá'í House of Worship]] in New Delhi, India attracts an average of 4 million visitors a year. It is popularly known as the [[Lotus Temple]].]]
Bahá'í sources usually estimate the worldwide Bahá'í population to be above 5 million.<ref>{{cite web |title=Worldwide Community |author=Bahá'í International Community | publisher = Bahá'í International Community |date = 2006 |accessdate = 2006-05-31 |url= http://www.bahai.org/dir/worldwide}}</ref> Most encyclopedias and similar sources estimate between 5 and 6 million Bahá'ís in the world in the early twenty-first century.<ref name="britannica_stats">{{cite web |title=Worldwide Adherents of All Religions by Six Continental Areas, Mid-2002 |author=
Encyclopædia Britannica | publisher = Encyclopædia Britannica |date = 2002 |accessdate = 2006-05-31 |url= http://www.britannica.com/eb/table?tocId=9394911}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Major Religions of the World Ranked by Number of Adherents |author= adherents.com | publisher = adherents.com |date = 2002 |accessdate = 2005-08-28 |url= http://www.adherents.com/Religions_By_Adherents.html#Baha'i}}</ref>
From its origins in the [[Persian Empire|Persian]] and [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] Empires, by the early 20th century there are a number of converts in [[South Asia|South]] and [[South East Asia]], [[Europe]], and [[North America]]. During the 1950s and 1960s vast [[Pioneering (Bahá'í)|travel teaching]] efforts brought the religion to almost every country and territory of the world. By the 1990s Bahá'ís were developing programs for systematic consolidation on a large scale, and the early 21st century saw large influxes of new adherents around the world.
According to ''[[World Almanac|The World Almanac and Book of Facts 2004]]'':
{{cquote|The majority of Bahá'ís live in Asia (3.6 million), Africa (1.8 million), and Latin America (900,000). According to some estimates, the largest Bahá'í community in the world is in [[India]], with 2.2 million Bahá'ís, next is [[Iran]], with 350,000, and the [[United States|U.S.]], with 150,000. Aside from these countries, numbers vary greatly. Currently, no country has a Bahá'í majority.<ref>{{cite book
|year = 2004
|title = World Almanac and Book of Facts
|publisher = World Almanac Books
|location = New York, United States
|id = ISBN 0886879108
}}</ref>}}
The Bahá'í religion was listed in ''The Britannica Book of the Year'' (1992–present) as the second most widespread of the world's independent religions in terms of the number of countries represented. Britannica claims that it is established in 247 countries and territories; represents over 2,100 ethnic, racial, and tribal groups; has scriptures translated into over 800 languages; and has seven million adherents worldwide [2005].<ref name="britannica_stats" /> Additionally, Bahá'ís [[Statistics on National Spiritual Assemblies|have self organized]] in most of the nations of the earth.
The Bahá'í religion was ranked by the FP magazine as the world's second [[fastest growing religion]], with growth rate of 1.70 percent.<ref>{{cite web | author = FP Magazine | publisher = FP |title = The List: The World’s Fastest-Growing Religions | date =2007-05-01 | accessdate = 2008-05-05 | url = http://www.foreignpolicy.com/story/cms.php?story_id=3835}}
</ref>
==Teachings==
{{Bahá'í books}}
{{main|Bahá'í teachings}}
===Summary===
[[Shoghi Effendi]], the appointed head of the religion from 1921 to 1957, wrote the following summary of what he considered to be the distinguishing principles of [[Bahá'u'lláh]]'s teachings, which, he said, together with the laws and ordinances of the ''[[Kitáb-i-Aqdas]]'' constitute the bed-rock of the Bahá'í Faith:
{{cquote|The independent search after truth, unfettered by [[superstition]] or [[tradition]]; the oneness of the entire [[Human|human race]], the pivotal principle and fundamental doctrine of the Faith; the basic unity of all religions; the condemnation of all forms of [[prejudice]], whether religious, racial, class or national; the harmony which must exist between [[religion]] and [[science]]; the equality of men and women, the two wings on which the bird of humankind is able to soar; the introduction of compulsory education; the adoption of a [[Bahá'í Faith and auxiliary language|universal auxiliary language]]; the abolition of the extremes of wealth and poverty; the institution of a [[World government|world tribunal]] for the adjudication of disputes between nations; the exaltation of work, performed in the spirit of service, to the rank of [[worship]]; the glorification of justice as the ruling principle in human society, and of religion as a bulwark for the protection of all peoples and nations; and the establishment of a permanent and [[World peace|universal peace]] as the supreme goal of all mankind—these stand out as the essential elements [which Bahá'u'lláh proclaimed].<ref>{{cite book |first=Shoghi |last=Effendi |authorlink=Shoghi Effendi |year=1944 |title=God Passes By |publisher=Bahá'í Publishing Trust |location=Wilmette, Illinois, USA |id=ISBN 0877430209 |url=http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/se/GPB/gpb-20.html#gr7 | pages=pp. 281}}</ref>}}
===Social principles===
The following 12 principles are frequently listed as a quick summary of the Bahá'í teachings. They are derived from transcripts of speeches given by [[`Abdu'l-Bahá]] during his tour of Europe and North America in 1912.<ref name="bcom">{{cite web | title = Principles of the Bahá'í Faith | publisher= bahai.com | date=2006-03-26 | url = http://www.bahai.com/Bahaullah/principles.htm | accessdate = 2006-06-14}}</ref> The list is not authoritative and a variety of such lists circulate.<ref name="EoI" /><ref name="bcom" /><ref name="iranica2">{{cite encyclopedia |encyclopedia= Encyclopædia Iranica |year= 1989 |article=Bahai Faith | first = Juan | last = Cole}}</ref>
*[[God in the Bahá'í Faith|Unity of God]]
*[[Bahá'í Faith and the unity of religion|Unity of religion]]
*[[Bahá'í Faith and the unity of humanity|Unity of humankind]]
*[[Bahá'í Faith and gender equality|Gender equality]]
*[[Bahá'í Faith and the unity of humanity|Elimination of all forms of prejudice]]
*[[World peace]]
*[[Bahá'í Faith and science|Harmony of religion and science]]
*Independent investigation of truth
*[[Bahá'í Faith and education|Universal compulsory education]]
*[[Bahá'í Faith and auxiliary language|Universal auxiliary language]]
*Obedience to government and non-involvement in partisan politics
*Elimination of extremes of wealth and poverty
With specific regard to the pursuit of [[world peace]], [[Bahá'u'lláh]] prescribed a world-embracing [[Collective Security]] arrangement as necessary for the establishment of a lasting [[peace]].
===Mystical teachings===
Although the [[Bahá'í teachings]] have a strong emphasis on social and ethical issues, there exist a number of foundational texts that have been described as mystical.<ref name="britannica" /> The ''[[Seven Valleys]]'' is considered Bahá'u'lláh's "greatest mystical composition." It was written to a follower of [[Sufism]], in the style of [[Farid ad-Din Attar|`Attar]].<ref name="rob1">{{cite book |author= Taherzadeh, Adib |authorlink= Adib Taherzadeh |year= 1976 |title= The Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh, Volume 1: Baghdad 1853–63 |publisher= George Ronald |location=Oxford, UK |id= ISBN 0853982708|pages = pp. 96–99}}</ref> It was first translated into English in 1906, becoming one of the earliest available books of Bahá'u'lláh to the [[Western world|West]]. The ''[[Hidden Words]]'' is another book written by Bahá'u'lláh during the same period, containing 153 short passages in which Bahá'u'lláh claims to have taken the basic essence of certain spiritual truths and written them in brief form.<ref name="esslemont" />
===Covenant===
{{main|Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh}}
The Bahá'í teachings speak of both a "Greater Covenant",<ref>{{cite book |last= Taherzadeh |first= Adib |authorlink= Adib Taherzadeh |year= 1972 |title= The Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh |publisher= George Ronald |location=Oxford, UK |id= ISBN 0853983445}}</ref> being universal and endless, and a "Lesser Covenant", being unique to each religious dispensation. The Lesser Covenant is viewed as an agreement between a Messenger of God and his followers and includes social practices and the continuation of authority in the religion. At this time Bahá'ís view Bahá'u'lláh's revelation as a binding lesser covenant for his followers; in the Bahá'í writings being firm in the covenant is considered a virtue to work toward.<ref name="momen_covenant">{{cite web | title = Covenant, The, and Covenant-breaker | last = Momen | first = Moojan | accessdate = 2006-06-14 | url = http://bahai-library.com/?file=momen_encyclopedia_covenant#3.%20The%20Lesser%20Covenant }}</ref> The Greater Covenant is viewed as a more enduring agreement between God and mankind, where a manifestation of God is expected to appear approximately every 1000 years.
With unity as an essential teaching of the religion, Bahá'ís follow an [[Bahá'í administration|administration]] they believe is divinely ordained, and therefore see attempts to create schisms and divisions as efforts that are contrary to the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh. Throughout Bahá'í history schisms have occurred over the succession of authority. [[Bahá'í divisions]] have had relatively little success and have failed to attract a sizeable following.<ref name="maceoin">[[Denis MacEoin]], ''Encyclopædia Iranica'', [http://www.iranica.com/articles/search/searchpdf.isc?ReqStrPDFPath=/home1/iranica/articles/v3_articles/bahai_faith_bahaism/bahai_babi_schisms&OptStrLogFile=/home/iranica/public_html/logs/pdfdownload.html p. 448]</ref> The followers of such divisions are regarded as [[Covenant-breaker]]s and shunned, essentially [[Excommunication|excommunicated]].<ref name="momen_covenant" />
==History==
<!-- BEGIN TIMELINE -->
{| align="right" width="20%" style="border:1px solid #ddd; margin:0 0 1em 1em; padding:0 0 1em 1em; vertical-align:right; font-size:80%;"
!colspan="2" align="center"|<big>[[Bahá'í timeline]]</big><hr />
|-
|valign="top" align="right">|1844
|The Báb declares his mission in Shiraz, Iran<hr />
|-
|valign="top" align="right">|1850
|The Báb is publicly executed in Tabriz, Iran<hr />
|-
|valign="top" align="right">|1852
|Thousands of Bábís are executed
|-
|align="right">|
|Bahá'u'lláh is imprisoned and forced into exile<hr />
|-
|valign="top" align="right">|1863
|Bahá'u'lláh first announces his claim that he is the Promised One
|-
|align="right">|
|He is forced to leave Baghdad for Constantinople, then Adrianople<hr />
|-
|valign="top" align="right">|1868
|Bahá'u'lláh is forced into harsher confinement in `Akká, Palestine<hr />
|-
|valign="top" align="right">|1892
|Bahá'u'lláh dies at the age of 75<!--is that the right age?--> near `Akká
|-
|align="right">|
|His will appointed `Abdu'l-Bahá as successor<hr />
|-
|valign="top" align="right">|1908
|`Abdu'l-Bahá is released from prison<hr />
|-
|valign="top" align="right">|1921
|`Abdu'l-Bahá dies in Haifa
|-
|align="right">|
|His will appoints Shoghi Effendi as Guardian<hr />
|-
|valign="top" align="right">|1963
|The Universal House of Justice is first elected
|}
<!-- END TIMELINE -->
{{main|Bahá'í history}}
Bahá'í history is often traced through a sequence of leaders, beginning with the [[Báb]]'s [[May 23]], [[1844]] declaration in Shiraz, and ultimately resting on an administrative order established by the central figures of the religion. The tradition was mostly isolated to the [[Persian Empire|Persian]] and [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] empires until after the death of Bahá'u'lláh in 1892, at which time he had followers in thirteen countries of Asia and Africa.<ref name="rob4">{{cite book |author= Taherzadeh, Adib |year= 1987 |title= The Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh, Volume 4: Mazra'ih & Bahji 1877–92 |pages=125 |publisher= George Ronald |location=Oxford, UK |id= ISBN 0853982708}}</ref> Under the leadership of his son, `Abdu'l-Bahá, the religion gained a footing in Europe and America, and was consolidated in Iran, where it still suffered intense [[Persecution of Bahá'ís|persecution]].<ref name="affolter">{{cite journal | last = Affolter | first = Friedrich W. | year = 2005 | month = Jan. | title = The Specter of Ideological Genocide: The Bahá'ís of Iran | journal = War Crimes, Genocide, & Crimes against Humanity | volume = 1 | issue = 1 | pages = pp. 75–114 | url =http://www.altoona.psu.edu/journals/war-crimes/articles/V1/v1n1a3.pdf| accessdate = 2006-05-31 | doi = 10.1016/0048-721X(89)90077-8 | format = pdf}}</ref> After the death of `Abdu'l-Bahá in 1921, the leadership of the Bahá'í community entered a new phase, evolving from that of a single individual to an administrative order with a system of both elected bodies and appointed individuals.
===The Báb===
{{main|Báb}}
[[Image:Shrine Bab North West.jpg|left|thumb|200px|[[Shrine of the Báb]] in Haifa, Israel.]]
On October 23rd 1844 Siyyid `Alí-Muhammad of [[Shiraz, Iran]] proclaimed that he was "the Báb" ({{lang|ar|الباب}} "the Gate"), after a [[Shi'a Islam|Shi`a]] religious concept.<ref name="affolter" /> His followers were therefore known as [[Bábism|Bábís]]. As the Báb's teachings spread, which the Islamic clergy saw as a threat, Bábís came under increased persecution, at times being forced to choose between renouncing their beliefs or being killed.<ref name="britannica" /> Several military confrontations took place between government and Bábí forces. The Báb himself was imprisoned and eventually executed in 1850.<ref>{{cite journal | url = http://bahai-library.com/theses/dying/ | last = Winter | first = Jonah | date =1997-09-17 | title= Dying for God: Martyrdom in the Shii and Babi Religions | journal = Master of Arts Thesis, University of Toronto }}</ref>
Bahá'ís see the Báb as the forerunner of the Bahá'í Faith, because the Báb's writings introduced the concept of "[[He whom God shall make manifest]]", a Messianic figure whose coming, according to Bahá'ís, was announced in the scriptures of all of the world's great religions, and whom Bahá'u'lláh, the founder of the Bahá'í Faith, claimed to be in 1863.<ref name="britannica" /> [[Shrine of the Báb|The Báb's tomb]], located in [[Haifa|Haifa, Israel]], is an important place of [[Bahá'í pilgrimage|pilgrimage]] for Bahá'ís. The remains of the Báb were brought secretly from [[Iran]] to the Holy Land and were eventually interred in the tomb built for them in a spot specifically designated by Bahá'u'lláh.<ref name="balyuzi">{{cite book |first=Hasan |last=Balyuzi |year=2001 |title=`Abdu'l-Bahá: The Centre of the Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh |edition=Paperback |publisher=George Ronald |location=Oxford, UK |id=ISBN 0853980438}}</ref>
===Bahá'u'lláh===
{{main|Bahá'u'lláh}}
Mírzá Husayn `Alí of Núr was one of the early followers of the Báb, who later took the title of Bahá'u'lláh. He was arrested and imprisoned for this involvement in 1852. Bahá'u'lláh relates that in 1853, while incarcerated in the dungeon of the [[Síyáh-Chál]] in [[Tehran]], he received the first intimations that he was the one anticipated by the Báb.<ref name="eor" />
Shortly thereafter he was expelled from [[Tehran]] to [[Baghdad]], in the [[Ottoman Empire]];<ref name="eor" /> then to Constantinople (now [[Istanbul]]); and then to Adrianople (now [[Edirne]]). In 1863, at the time of his banishment from Baghdad to Constantinople, Bahá'u'lláh declared his claim to a divine mission to his family and followers. Tensions then grew between him and [[Subh-i-Azal]], the appointed leader of the Bábís who did not recognize Bahá'u'lláh's claim. Throughout the rest of his life Bahá'u'lláh's gained the allegiance of most of the Bábís, who came to be known as Bahá'ís. Beginning in 1866, he began declaring his mission as a Messenger of God in letters to the world's religious and secular rulers, including Pope [[Pius IX]], [[Napoleon III]], and Queen [[Victoria of the United Kingdom|Victoria]].
Bahá'u'lláh was banished by Sultan [[Abdülâziz]] a final time to the Ottoman penal colony of [[Acre, Israel|`Akká]], in present-day [[Israel]].<ref name="iranica">{{cite encyclopedia |encyclopedia= Encyclopædia Iranica |year= 1989 |article=Baha'-allah}}</ref> Towards the end of his life, the strict and harsh confinement was gradually relaxed, and he was allowed to live in a home near `Akká, while still officially a prisoner of that city.<ref name="iranica" /> He died there in 1892. Bahá'ís regard his resting place at [[Mansion of Bahjí|Bahjí]] as the [[Qiblih]] to which they turn in prayer each day. During his lifetime, Bahá'u'lláh left a large volume of [[Bahá'í texts|writings]]. The ''[[Kitáb-i-Aqdas]] (The Most Holy Book)'', and the ''[[Kitáb-i-Íqán]] (The Book of Certitude)'' are recognized as major theological works, and the ''[[Hidden Words]]'' and the ''[[Seven Valleys]]'' as mystical treatises.
===`Abdu'l-Bahá===
{{main|`Abdu'l-Bahá}}
`Abbás Effendi was Bahá'u'lláh's eldest son, known by the title of `Abdu'l-Bahá (Servant of Bahá). His father left a [[Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh#Kitáb-i-`Ahd (Book of the Covenant)|Will]] that appointed `Abdu'l-Bahá as the leader of the Bahá'í community, and designated him as the "Centre of the Covenant", "Head of the Faith", and the sole authoritative interpreter of Bahá'u'lláh's writings.<ref>{{cite book |author=Bahá'u'lláh |authorlink=Bahá'u'lláh |origyear=1873–92 |year=1994 |title=Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh Revealed After the Kitáb-i-Aqdas |publisher=Bahá'í Publishing Trust |location=Wilmette, Illinois, USA |id=ISBN 0877431744 |url=http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/b/TB/ |pages=pp.217}}</ref><ref name="balyuzi" />
`Abdu'l-Bahá had shared his father's long exile and imprisonment, which continued until `Abdu'l-Bahá's own release as a result of the [[Young Turk Revolution]] in 1908. Following his release he led a life of travelling, speaking, teaching, and maintaining correspondence with communities of believers and individuals, expounding the principles of the Bahá'í Faith.<ref name="eor" />
===Bahá'í administration===
{{main|Bahá'í administration}}
Bahá'u'lláh's ''[[Kitáb-i-Aqdas]]'' and ''The [[Will and Testament of `Abdu'l-Bahá]]'' are foundational documents of the Bahá'í administrative order. Bahá'u'lláh established the elected [[Universal House of Justice]], and `Abdu'l-Bahá established the appointed hereditary Guardianship and clarified the relationship between the two institutions.<ref name="balyuzi"/> In his Will, `Abdu'l-Bahá appointed his eldest grandson, [[Shoghi Effendi]], as the first Guardian of the Bahá'í Faith.<ref name="esslemont" />
Shoghi Effendi throughout his lifetime translated [[Bahá'í texts]]; developed global plans for the expansion of the Bahá'í community; developed the [[Bahá'í World Centre]]; carried on a voluminous correspondence with communities and individuals around the world; and built the administrative structure of the religion, preparing the community for the election of the Universal House of Justice.<ref name="eor" /> He died in 1957 under conditions that did not allow for a successor to be appointed.<ref>{{cite book |last = Taherzadeh |first = A. |authorlink= Adib Taherzadeh |year = 2000 |title = The Child of the Covenant |pages = pp. 347–363 |publisher = George Ronald |location = Oxford, UK |id = ISBN 0853984395}}</ref>
At local, regional, and national levels, Bahá'ís elect members to nine-person [[Spiritual Assembly|Spiritual Assemblies]], which run the affairs of the religion. There are also [[Institution of the Counsellors|appointed individuals]] working at various levels, including locally and internationally, which perform the function of propagating the teachings and protecting the community. The latter do not serve as [[clergy]], which the Bahá'í Faith does not have.<ref name="britannica" />
The Universal House of Justice, first elected in 1963, remains the successor and supreme governing body of the Bahá'í Faith, and its 9 members are elected every five years by the members of all National Spiritual Assemblies.<ref>{{cite book | chapter = Bahá'í Faith: A portraint | first = Robert | last = Stockman | title = A SourceBook for Earth's Community of Religions | editor = Joel Beversluis (ed) | location = Grand Rapids, MI | publisher = CoNexus Press | year = 1995}}</ref> Any male Bahá'í, 21 years or older, is eligible to be elected to the Universal House of Justice; all other positions are open to male and female Bahá'ís.
==Involvement in society==
===Work===
[[Monasticism]] is forbidden, and Bahá'ís attempt to ground their spirituality in ordinary daily life. Performing useful work, for example, is not only required but considered a form of worship.<ref name="britannica" /> Bahá'u'lláh prohibited a [[Mendicancy|mendicant]] and [[Asceticism|ascetic]] lifestyle, encouraging Bahá'ís to "Be anxiously concerned" with the needs of society.<ref>{{cite book |author= Bahá'u'lláh |authorlink=Bahá'u'lláh |year=1991 |title=Proclamation of Bahá'u'lláh |publisher=Bahá'í Publishing Trust |location=Wilmette, Illinois, USA |id=ISBN 0877430640 |url=http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/b/PB/pb-61.html#gr1 |pages=pp. 122}}</ref> The importance of self-exertion and service to humanity in one's spiritual life is emphasised further in Bahá'u'lláh's writings, where he states that work done in the spirit of service to humanity enjoys a rank equal to that of prayer and worship in the sight of God.<ref name="britannica" />
[[Image:Bahá'í gardens by David Shankbone.jpg|thumb|240px|Bahá'í gardens in [[Haifa, Israel]].]]
===United Nations===
Bahá'u'lláh wrote of the need for [[world government]] in this age of humanity's collective life. Because of this emphasis many Bahá'ís have chosen to support efforts of improving [[international relations]] through organizations such as the [[League of Nations]] and the [[United Nations]]. The [[Bahá'í International Community]] is an agency under the direction of the Universal House of Justice in Haifa, and has consultative status with the following organizations:<ref name="bic">{{cite web | title = History of Active Cooperation with the United Nations| author = Bahá'í International Community | publisher = bahai.org | url = http://statements.bahai.org/about.cfm | date = 2006 | accessdate = 2006-06-15}}</ref>
*[[United Nations Economic and Social Council]] (ECOSOC)
*[[United Nations Children's Fund]] (UNICEF)
*[[World Health Organization]] (WHO)
*[[UNIFEM|United Nations Development Fund for Women]] (UNIFEM)
*[[United Nations Environment Programme]] (UNEP)
The Bahá'í International Community has offices at the United Nations in [[New York]] and [[Geneva]] and representations to United Nations regional commissions and other offices in [[Addis Ababa]], [[Bangkok]], [[Nairobi]], [[Rome]], [[Santiago, Chile|Santiago]], and [[Vienna]].<ref name="bic" /> In recent years an Office of the Environment and an Office for the Advancement of Women were established as part of its United Nations Office. The Bahá'í Faith has also undertaken joint development programs with various other United Nations agencies. In the 2000 [[Millennium Development Goals|Millennium Forum]] of the United Nations a Bahá'í was invited as the only non-governmental speaker during the summit.<ref>{{cite web |author=Bahá'í World News Service | publisher =Bahá'í International Community | title= Bahá'í United Nations Representative Addresses World Leaders at the Millennium Summit|url =http://www.bahai.org/article-1-1-0-3.html | date=2000-09-08 | accessdate = 2006-06-01}}</ref> See [http://www.bahai.org/article-1-6-0-6.html this article] for further information on the relationship between the Bahá'í International Community and the United Nations.
===International plans===
In 1937 [[Shoghi Effendi]] launched a seven year plan for the Bahá'ís of North America , followed by another in 1946.<ref>{{cite book | title=Studying the Writings of Shoghi Effendi | chapter = The Life of Shoghi Effendi | first = Helen | last = Danesh | coauthors = Danesh, John; Danesh, Amelia | = location = Oxford | publisher = George Ronald | year = 1991 | id = ISBN 0853983364|editor = M. Bergsmo (Ed.)}}</ref> In 1953, he launched the first international plan, the [[Ten Year Crusade|Ten Year World Crusade]]. This plan included extremely ambitious goals for the expansion of Bahá'í communities and institutions, the translation of [[Bahá'í texts]] into several new languages, and the sending of [[Pioneering (Bahá'í)|Bahá'í pioneers]] into previously unreached nations.<ref>{{cite journal | journal = Journal of Bahá'í Studies | title= Baha'i History in the Formative Age | first = Graham | last= Hassal | volume = 6 | issue = 4 | year = 1996 | pages=pp.1–21}}</ref> He announced in letters during the Ten Year Crusade that it would be followed by other plans under the direction of the Universal House of Justice, which was elected in 1963 at the culmination of the Crusade. The House of Justice then launched a nine year plan in 1964, and a series of subsequent multi-year plans of varying length and goals followed, guiding the direction of the international Bahá'í community.<ref>{{cite journal |title= The Baha'i Faith 1957–1988: A Survey of Contemporary Developments | first = Moojan | last = Momen | coauthors = Smith, Peter | year = 1989 | url = http://bahai-library.com/?file=momen_smith_developments_1957-1988.html |volume = 19 | journal = Religion | pages=pp. 63–91 |doi= 10.1016/0048-721X(89)90077-8}}</ref>
===Current international plan===
Since the late 1990s the House of Justice has been directing communities to prepare for large-scale expansion, organizing localities into "clusters", creating new institutions such as [[Spiritual Assembly|Regional Councils]] and strengthening the various "training institutes". The recently completed five-year plan (2001–2006) focused on developing institutions and creating the means to "sustain large-scale expansion and consolidation" (Riḍván 158). Since 2001 the Bahá'ís around the world have been specifically encouraged to focus on children's classes, devotional gatherings, and a systematic study of the religion, known as [[Bahá'í study circle|study circles]].<ref name="uhj_letter_2003">{{cite web | author = Universal House of Justice | title = [[17 January]] [[2003]] letter | date=2003-01-17 | accessdate = 2006-06-15 | publisher= bahai-library.org|url = http://bahai-library.com/published.uhj/jan17.html}}</ref> A new focus was added in December 2005 with the addition of "[http://www.ruhiresources.org/index.php?src=gendocs&link=Junior%20Youth&category=Main junior youth]" classes to the core activities, focusing on education for those between 11 and 14.<ref name="second_five">{{cite book | title = Five Year Plan 2006–2011 | author = Universal House Of Justice | publisher = Palabra Publications | year = 2006 | location = West Palm Beach, Florida}}</ref>
The second five-year plan (2006–2011) was launched by the [[Universal House of Justice]] in April 2006; it calls upon the Bahá'ís of the world to establish advanced patterns of growth and community development in over 1,500 "clusters" around the world. It also alludes to a possible tier-election process for [[Spiritual Assembly|Local Spiritual Assemblies]] in localities with many Bahá'ís. The years from 2001 until 2021 represent four successive five-year plans, culminating in the centennial anniversary of the passing of [[`Abdu'l-Bahá]].<ref name="second_five" />
===Study circles===
{{main|Bahá'í study circle}}
Along with a focus on consolidation has come a systematic approach to education and community development.<ref>{{cite news |author= Bahá'í International Community |title= Systematic Social Development Investigated | url= http://www.bahaiworldnews.org/story/500 | publisher= Bahá'í World News Service | date= 2007-01-17| accessdate= 2007-05-01}}</ref> The "study circles" are intended to be sustainable and self-perpetuating on a large scale. Participants complete a sequence of workbooks in small groups, facilitated by a tutor, and upon completion of the sequence a participant can then go on to facilitate study circles for others.<ref name="learning">{{cite book | title = Learning About Growth: The Story of the Ruhi Institute and Large-scale Expansion of the Bahá'í Faith in Colombia | author = Ruhi Institute | location = Riviera Beach, FL | publisher = Palabra Publications | year = 1991}}</ref>
The main sequence of courses for all localities is the books of the [[Ruhi Institute]],<ref name="second_five" /> whose materials were originally designed for use in [[Colombia]].<ref>{{cite web | title = The Ruhi Institute: Statement of Purpose and Methods | url = http://www.bcca.org/services/lists/noble-creation/ruhi.html | accessdate = 2007-05-01 | date = 1996-03-18}}</ref> The first book studies three themes: the [[Bahá'í texts]], [[prayer]], and [[Afterlife|life and death]].<ref>{{cite book | title = Reflections on the Life of the Spirit: Ruhi Book 1 | publisher = Palabra Publications | id = ISBN 89010-01-X | author = Ruhi Institute | location = Riviera Beach, FL}}</ref> Subsequent themes include the education of children, the lives of the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh, service, and others.<ref name="learning" />
==Social practices==
===Laws===
{{main|Bahá'í laws}}
[[Image:Tarbiyat School, Tehran, ca 1911.jpg|thumb|200px|Students of ''School for Girls'', Tehran, 13 August 1933. This photograph may be of the students of ''Tarbiayt School for Girls'' which was established by the Bahá'í Community of Tehran in 1911; the school was closed by government decree in 1934. Source: [http://denial.bahai.org/003.php ''History of Bahá'í Educational Efforts in Iran''].]]
The laws of the Bahá'í Faith primarily come from the ''[[Kitáb-i-Aqdas]]'', written by Bahá'u'lláh. The following are a few examples of basic laws and religious observances,
*Bahá'ís over the age of 15 should recite an [[Obligatory Bahá'í prayers|obligatory prayer]] each day. There are three such prayers among which one can be chosen each day.
*Backbiting and [[gossip]] are prohibited and denounced.
*Adult Bahá'ís in good health observe a [[Nineteen Day Fast|nineteen-day sunrise-to-sunset fast]] each year from [[March 2]] through [[March 20]].
*Bahá'ís are forbidden to drink [[alcoholic beverage|alcohol]] or to take drugs, unless prescribed by doctors.
*Sexual relationships are permitted only between a husband and wife, and thus [[premarital]] or [[Homosexuality and Bahá'í Faith|homosexual]] sex activity is forbidden.
*[[Gambling]] is forbidden.
While some of the laws from the Kitáb-i-Aqdas are applicable at the present time and may be enforced to a degree by the administrative institutions,<ref name="enforce">{{cite web | author = Universal House of Justice | url = http://bahai-library.org/uhj/law.html | title = Letter to a National Spiritual Assembly | date = 1991-12-09| accessdate = 2006-07-11| publisher = bahai-library.org}}</ref> Bahá'u'lláh has provided for the progressive application of other laws that are dependent upon the existence of a predominantly Bahá'í society. The laws, when not in direct conflict with the civil laws of the country of residence, are binding on every Bahá'í,<ref name ="aqdas_intro">{{cite book |author=Universal House of Justice |year=1992 |title=The Kitáb-i-Aqdas | chapter = Introduction |publisher=Bahá'í Publishing Trust |location=Wilmette, Illinois, USA |id=ISBN 0853989990 |url=http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/b/KA/ka-2.html#gr12 | pages = pp. 5 }}</ref> and the observance of personal laws, such as [[Prayer in the Bahá'í Faith|prayer]] or fasting, is the sole responsibility of the individual.<ref name="walbridge">{{cite web | url = http://bahai-library.org/encyclopedia/prayer.html | title = Prayer and Worship | first = John |last = Walbridge | date =2006-03-23 | accessdate = 2006-07-11 | publisher = bahai-library.org}}</ref>
===Places of worship===
[[Image:House of Worship Germany 2007.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Bahá'í House of Worship, [[Langenhain]], [[Germany]]]]
{{main|Bahá'í House of Worship}}
Most Bahá'í meetings occur in individuals' homes, local Bahá'í centers, or rented facilities. Worldwide, there are currently seven Bahá'í Houses of Worship, basically one per continent, with an eighth under construction in Chile.<ref>{{cite web | author=adherents.com | publisher=adherents.com | title=Baha'i Houses of Worship | url= http://www.adherents.com/largecom/bahai_HoW.html | date = 2001-05 | accessdate = 2006-06-14}}</ref> Bahá'í writings refer to an institution called a "Ma<u>sh</u>riqu'l-A<u>dh</u>kár" (Dawning-place of the Mention of God), which is to form the center of a complex of institutions including a hospital, university, and so on.<ref name="esslemont" /> Only the first ever Ma<u>sh</u>riqu'l-A<u>dh</u>kár in [[Ashgabat|`Ishqábád, Turkmenistan]], was built to such a degree.
===Marriage===
{{main|Bahá'í marriage}}
Bahá'í [[marriage]] is the union of a man and a woman. Its purpose is mainly to foster spiritual harmony, fellowship and unity between the two partners and to provide a stable and loving environment for the rearing of children. The Bahá'í teachings on marriage call it a ''fortress for well-being and salvation'' and place marriage and the family as the foundation of the structure of [[society|human society]]. Bahá'u'lláh highly praised marriage, declaring it an eternal command of God, also discouraging divorce and homosexuality, and requiring [[chastity]] outside of marriage; Bahá'u'lláh taught that a husband and wife should strive to improve the spiritual life of each other.<ref name="marriage_pamphlet">{{cite web | author = Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Warwick | title= Baha'i Marriage | date = 2003-10-12 | url = http://www.netcomuk.co.uk/~vickers/warwick_bookshop/pages/marriage.html | accessdate = 2006-06-14|publisher = Bahá'ís of Warwick}}</ref> [[Interracial marriage]] is also highly praised throughout Bahá'í scripture.
Bahá'ís intending to marry "should study each other's character and spend time getting to know each other before they decide to marry, and when they do marry it should be with the intention of establishing an eternal bond."<ref>{{cite book | publisher = Bahá’í Publishing Trust |location= Wilmette, IL| title=Bahá'í marriage and family life: selections from the writings of the Bahá'í Faith |date =1997 |id = ISBN 0877432589 | url=http://studycircle.angeltowns.com/marriage.htm}}</ref> Although parents should not choose partners for their children, once two individuals decide to marry, they must receive the consent of all living biological parents, even if one partner is not a Bahá'í. The Bahá'í marriage ceremony is simple; the only compulsory part of the wedding is the reading of the wedding vows prescribed by [[Bahá'u'lláh]] which both the groom and the bride read, in the presence of two witnesses.<ref name="esslemont" /> The vows are "We will all, verily, abide by the Will of God."<ref>{{cite book |author=Bahá'u'lláh |authorlink=Bahá'u'lláh |origyear=1873 |year=1992 |title=The Kitáb-i-Aqdas: The Most Holy Book |publisher=Bahá'í Publishing Trust |location=Wilmette, Illinois, USA |id=ISBN 0853989990 |url=http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/b/KA/ka-15.html#gr6| pages=pp. 105}}</ref>
===Symbols===
[[Image:051907 Wilmette IMG 1404 The Greatest Name.jpg|thumb|The calligraphy of the [[Bahá'í symbols#The Greatest Name|Greatest Name]]]]
{{main|Bahá'í symbols}}
The official symbol of the Bahá'í Faith is the five-pointed star, but a nine-pointed star is more frequently used.<ref>{{cite book |first=Shoghi |last=Effendi |authorlink= Shoghi Effendi |coauthors= The Universal House of Justice |editor= Hornby, Helen (Ed.) |year= 1983 |title= Lights of Guidance: A Bahá'í Reference File |publisher= Bahá'í Publishing Trust, New Delhi, India |id= ISBN 8185091463 |url= http://bahai-library.com/?file=hornby_lights_guidance.html&chapter=2#n375}}</ref> The ringstone symbol and calligraphy of the Greatest Name are also often encountered. The former consists of two stars interspersed with a stylized Bahá’ ({{lang|ar|بهاء}} "splendor" or "glory") whose shape is meant to recall the three onenesses.<ref>{{cite book |author=Faizi, Abu'l-Qasim |year=1968 |title=Explanation of the Symbol of the Greatest Name |publisher=Bahá'í Publishing Trust, PO Box No. 19, New Delhi, India |url=http://bahai-library.com/?file=faizi_symbol_greatest_name}}</ref> The Greatest Name is Yá Bahá'u'l-Abhá ({{lang|ar|يا بهاء الأبهى}} "O Glory of the Most Glorious!"), rendered in Arabic calligraphy.<br clear="left">
===Calendar===
{{main|Bahá'í calendar}}
The Bahá'í calendar is based upon the calendar established by the Báb. The year consists of 19 months of 19 days, with four or five [[Ayyám-i-Há|intercalary days]], to make a full [[Tropical year|solar year]].<ref name="eor" /> The Bahá'í New Year corresponds to the traditional Persian New Year, called [[Bahá'í Naw-Rúz|Naw Rúz]], and occurs on the [[vernal equinox]], [[March 21]], at the end of the month of fasting. Bahá'í communities gather at the beginning of each month at a meeting called a [[Nineteen Day Feast|Feast]] for worship, consultation and socializing.<ref name="britannica" />
Each of the 19 months is given a name which is an attribute of God; some examples include Bahá’ (Splendour), ‘Ilm (Knowledge), and Jamál (Beauty).<ref name="esslemont" /> The Bahá'í week is familiar in that it consists of seven days, with each day of the week also named after an attribute of God; some examples include Istiqlál (Independence), Kamál (Perfection) and ‘Idál (Justice). Bahá'ís observe 11 [[Bahá'í calendar#Holy Days|Holy Days]] throughout the year, with work suspended on 9 of these. These days commemorate important anniversaries in the history of the religion.
==Persecution==
{{main|Persecution of Bahá'ís}}
[[Image:Cemetery of yazd.jpg|thumb|200px|The Bahá'í cemetery in Yazd after its desecration by the government]]
Bahá'ís continue to be persecuted in Islamic countries, especially [[Iran]], where over 200 believers were executed between 1978 and 1998.<ref name="fdih1">{{cite web | date = 2003-08-01 | title = Discrimination against religious minorities in Iran | author = International Federation for Human Rights | publisher = fdih.org | accessdate = 2006-10-20|url = http://www.fidh.org/IMG/pdf/ir0108a.pdf}}</ref> The marginalization of the Iranian Bahá'ís by current governments is rooted in historical efforts by [[Shi`a Islam|Shi`a]] clergy to persecute the religious minority. When the Báb started attracting a large following the clergy hoped to stop the movement from spreading by stating that its followers were enemies of God, and these led to mob attacks and public executions.<ref name="affolter" /> Starting in the twentieth century, in addition to repression that impacted individual Bahá'ís, centrally-directed campaigns that targeted the entire Bahá'í community and institutions were initiated.<ref name="ihrdc">{{cite web | author= Iran Human Rights Documentation Center | publisher = Iran Human Rights Documentation Center | title= A Faith Denied: The Persecution of the Baha'is of Iran | date= 2007 | accessdate = 2007-05-01|url=http://www.iranhrdc.org/english/pdfs/Reports/bahai_report.pdf}}</ref> In one case in [[Yazd]] in 1903 more than 100 Bahá'ís were killed.<ref name="nash">{{cite book | title = Iran's secret pogrom : The conspiracy to wipe out the Bahaʼis | first = Geoffrey | last = Nash | publisher= Neville Spearman Limited | location = Sudbury, Suffolk | year = 1982 | id = ISBN 0854350055}}</ref> Later on Bahá'í schools, such as the Tarbiyat boys' and girl's schools in Tehran, were closed in the 1930s and '40s, Bahá'í marriages were not recognized and [[Bahá'í texts]] was censored.<ref name="ihrdc" /><ref name="sanasarian">{{cite book | first = Eliz | last = Sanasarian | title = Religious Minorities in Iran | location = Cambridge | publisher = Cambridge University Press | year = 2000 | pages = pp. 52–53 | id = ISBN 0521770734}}</ref>
During the reign of [[Mohammad Reza Pahlavi]], due to the growing nationalism and the economic difficulties in the country, the Shah gave up control over certain religious affairs to the clergy of the country. This resulted in a campaign of persecution against the Bahá'ís.<ref name="akhavi">{{cite book | title = Religion and Politics in Contemporary Iran: clergy-state relations in the Pahlavi period | first = Shahrough | last = Akhavi | year = 1980 | publisher = SUNY Press | location = Albany, New York | id = ISBN 0873954084}}</ref> They approved and coordinated the anti-Bahá'í campaign to incite public passion against the Bahá'ís started in 1955 and included the spreading of anti-Bahá'í propaganda in national radio stations and official newspapers.<ref name="ihrdc" /> In the late 1970s the Shah's regime, due to criticism that he was pro-Western, consistently lost legitimacy. As the anti-Shah movement gained ground and support, revolutionary propaganda was spread that some of the Shah's advisors were Bahá'ís.<ref>{{cite book | title = Iran Between Two Revolutions | first = Ervand | last = Abrahamian | id = ISBN 0691101345 | publisher = Princeton Book Company Publishers | year = 1982 | pages = pp. 432}}</ref> Bahá'ís were portrayed as economic threats, supporters of Israel and the West and popular hatred for the Bahá'ís increased.<ref name="ihrdc" /><ref>{{cite book | title = Lifting the Veil | first = John | last = Simpson | coauthors = Shubart, Tira | publisher = Hodder & Stoughton General Division | location = London year = 1995 | id = ISBN 0340628146 | pages = pg. 223}}</ref>
Since the [[Iranian Revolution|Islamic Revolution]] of 1979 Iranian Bahá'ís have regularly had their homes ransacked or been banned from attending university or holding government jobs, and several hundred have received prison sentences for their religious beliefs, most recently for participating in [[Bahá'í study circle|study circles]].<ref name="fdih1" /> Bahá'í cemeteries have been desecrated and property seized and occasionally demolished, including the House of Mírzá Buzurg, Bahá'u'lláh's father.<ref name="affolter" /> The House of the Báb in [[Shiraz, Iran|Shiraz]] has been destroyed twice, and is one of three sites to which Bahá'ís perform [[Bahá'í pilgrimage|pilgrimage]].<ref name="affolter" /><ref>{{cite web | author = Netherlands Institute of Human Rights | publisher = Netherlands Institute of Human Rights |title = Iran, Islamic Republic of | date =2006-03-08 | accessdate = 2006-05-31 | url = http://sim.law.uu.nl/SIM/CaseLaw/uncom.nsf/0/e7b8824bdd987268c1256fa8004a8753?OpenDocument}}
</ref><ref>{{cite web | author = Bahá'í International Community | publisher = Religion News Service |title = Bahá'í International Community dismayed at lack of Human Rights Resolution on Iran | date = 2005-04-14 | accessdate = 2006-03-08 | url = http://www.religionnews.com/press02/PR041505.html}} </ref>
According to a US panel, attacks on Bahá'ís in Iran have increased since Mahmoud Ahmadinejad became president.<ref name="cnn2008-05">{{cite news | title = Iran's arrest of Baha'is condemned | publisher = CNN | date = 2008-05-16 | accessdate = 2008-05-17 | author = CNN | url = http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/05/16/iran.bahais/}}</ref> The [[United Nations Commission on Human Rights]] revealed an October 2005 confidential letter from Command Headquarters of the Armed Forces of Iran to identify Bahá'ís and to monitor their activities.<ref name="unhchr">{{cite web | author = Asma Jahangir | publisher = United Nations |title = Special Rapporteur on Freedom of religion or belief concerned about treatment of followers of Bahá'í Faith in Iran | date =2006-03-20 | accessdate = 2006-06-01 | url = http://www.unhchr.ch/huricane/huricane.nsf/view01/5E72D6B7B624AABBC125713700572D09?opendocument}}</ref> Due to these actions, the [[Special Rapporteur (UN)|Special Rapporteur]] of the [[United Nations Commission on Human Rights]] stated on [[March 20]], [[2006]], that she "also expresses concern that the information gained as a result of such monitoring will be used as a basis for the increased persecution of, and discrimination against, members of the Bahá'í faith, in violation of international standards… The Special Rapporteur is concerned that this latest development indicates that the situation with regard to religious minorities in Iran is, in fact, deteriorating."<ref name="unhchr" /> On [[May 14]], [[2008]], members of an informal body known as the Friends that oversaw the needs of the Bahá'í community in Iran were arrested and taken to [[Evin prison]].<ref name="cnn2008-05" /><ref name="ihrdc2008">{{cite web | url=http://www.iranhrdc.org/httpdocs/english/pdfs/PressReleases/Press-05-15-08.pdf | title=IHRDC Condemns the Arrest of Leading Bahá’ís | publisher = Iran Human Rights Documentation Center | author = Iran Human Rights Documentation Center | date = 2008-05-14 | accessdate= 2008-05-17}}</ref>
The Bahá'ís in [[Egypt]] have also faced hardship; on [[December 16]], [[2006]] the Supreme Administrative Council of Egypt ruled the government may not recognize the Bahá'í Faith in official identification numbers.<ref name="eipr2">{{cite web | title = Government Must Find Solution for Baha'i Egyptians | date = 2006-12-16 | accessdate = 2006-12-16 | author = Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights | publisher = eipr.org | url = http://www.eipr.org/en/press/06/1612.htm}}</ref> The ruling left Egyptian Bahá'ís unable to obtain government documents, including ID cards, birth, death, marriage or divorce certificates, or passports, all of which require a person's religion to be listed. They also could not be employed, educated, treated in hospitals or vote, among other things. On [[January 29]], [[2008]] Cairo's court of Administrative Justice, ruling on [[Egyptian identification card controversy#Other court cases|two related court cases]], ruled in favour of the Bahá'ís, allowing them to obtain birth certificates and identification documents, so long as they omit their religion on court documents,<ref name="reuters">{{cite news |first= Cynthia |last= Johnston |title= Egypt Baha'is win court fight over identity papers|url=http://africa.reuters.com/wire/news/usnL29677385.html |publisher=Reuters |date=2008-01-29 |accessdate=2008-01-30 }}</ref> however as of [[April 22]], [[2008]] the Egyptian Ministry of Interior has yet to implement the ruling, and Bahá'ís remain without identification cards.<ref name="dne">{{cite news | title = Bahai court ruling yet to be implemented | first = Magdy | last = Samaan | date = 2008-04-21 | accessdate = 2008-04-22 | publisher = Daily News Egypt | url = http://www.thedailynewsegypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=13251}}</ref>
===Reactions===
[[Bernard Lewis]] states that the Muslim laity and Islamic authorities have always had great difficulty in accommodating post-Islamic [[monotheistic]] religions such as the Bahá'í Faith, since the followers of such religions cannot be dismissed either as benighted [[heathens]], like the [[polytheists]] of Asia and the [[animists]] of Africa, nor as outdated precursors, like the Jews and Christians. Moreover, their very existence presents a challenge to the Islamic doctrine of the perfection and finality of Muhammad's revelation.<ref> Lewis (1984) p.21 </ref>
==See also==
{{portal}}
*[[Bahá'í apologetics]]—for critical viewpoints.
*[[List of Bahá'ís]]
*[[Bahá'í orthography]]
*[[Bahá'í Faith in fiction]]
==Notes==
{{reflist|2}}
==References==
<div class="references-small">
*{{cite book
|author= `Abdu'l-Bahá
|editor=Browne, E.G., Tr.
|year= 1891
|title= A Traveller's Narrative: Written to illustrate the episode of the Bab
|publisher= Cambridge University Press
|url= http://www.h-net.org/~bahai/diglib/books/A-E/B/browne/tn/hometn.htm
}}
*{{cite book
|author=`Abdu'l-Bahá
|authorlink=`Abdu'l-Bahá
|origyear=1901-08
|year=1992
|title=The Will And Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
|publisher=Bahá'í Publications Australia
|location=Mona Vale, N.S.W, Australia
|id=ISBN 0909991472
|url=http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/ab/WT/
}}
*{{citation
|last = Britannica
|year = 1992
|contribution = The Bahá'í Faith
|title = Britannica Book of the Year
|place = Chicago
|id = ISBN 0852294867
}}
*{{citation
|first=Shoghi
|last=Effendi
|author-link=Shoghi Effendi
|year=1944
|title=God Passes By
|publisher=Bahá'í Publishing Trust
|place=Wilmette, Illinois, USA
|id=ISBN 0877430209
|url=http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/se/GPB/gpb-9.html#gr26
}}
*{{citation
|last= Esslemont
|first= John
|year= 1980
|title= Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era
|edition= 5th
|publisher=Bahá'í Publishing Trust
|place=Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.
|id= ISBN 0877431604
|url= http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/je/BNE/
}}
*{{cite book
|author=Hatcher, W.S.
|coauthors=& Martin, J.D.
|year= 1998
|title=The Bahá'í Faith: The Emerging Global Religion
|publisher=Bahá'í Publishing Trust
|location=Wilmette, Illinois, USA
|id= ISBN 0877432643
}}
*{{cite book
|last= Heggie
|first=James
|year= 1986
|title= Bahá'í References to Judaism, Christianity and Islam
|publisher= George Ronald
|location=Oxford, UK
|id= ISBN 0853982422
}}
*{{Citation
|last = Houghton
|year = 2004
|contribution = Bahaism
|title = The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language
|volume = Fourth Edition
|publisher = Houghton Mifflin Company
|url = http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/bahaism
}}
*{{cite book
|last=Lewis
|first=Bernard
|title=[[The Jews of Islam]]
|publisher=Princeton University Press
|location=Princeton
|year=1984
|id=ISBN 0691008078
}}
*{{cite book
|last= Momen
|first=Moojan
|year= 1994
|title= Buddhism and the Bahá'í Faith
|publisher= George Ronald
|location=Oxford, UK
|id= ISBN 0853983844
}}
*{{cite book
|last= Momen
|first=Moojan
|year= 2000
|title= Islam and the Bahá'í Faith, An Introduction to the Bahá'í Faith for Muslims
|publisher=George Ronald
|location=Oxford, UK
|id= ISBN 0-853984468
}}
*{{cite book
|last= Momen
|first=Moojan
|year= 1990
|title= Hinduism and the Bahá'í Faith
|publisher= George Ronald
|location=Oxford, UK
|id= ISBN 0853982996
}}
*{{citation
|last = Hutter
|first = Manfred
|editor-last = Jones
|editor-first = Lindsay
|title = Encyclopedia of Religion
|contribution = Bahā'īs
|edition = 2nd ed.
|year = 2005
|publisher = Macmillan Reference USA
|volume = 2
|place = Detroit
|id = ISBN 0028657330
|pages = 737–740
}}
*{{cite book
|last=Motlagh
|first=Hudishar
|title=I Shall Come Again
|publisher=Global Perspective
|year=1992
|id=ISBN 0-937661-01-5
}}
*{{cite book
|last=Schaefer
|first=Udo
|authorlink=Udo Schaefer
|title=Making the Crooked Straight: A Contribution to Bahá'í Apologetics
|publisher=George Ronald
|location=Oxford, UK
|year=2000
|id=ISBN 0-85398-443-3
}}
*{{cite book
|first=George
|last=Townshend
|authorlink=George Townshend (Bahá'í)
|year=1966
|title=Christ and Bahá’u’lláh
|publisher=George Ronald
|location=Oxford, UK
|id=ISBN 0853980055
}}
*{{cite book
|author= Universal House of Justice
|authorlink= Universal House of Justice
|year= 2001
|title= Century of Light
|publisher=Bahá'í Publishing Trust
|location=Wilmette, Illinois, USA
|id= ISBN 0877432945
|url= http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/bic/COL/
}}</div>
==External links==
{{sisterlinks}}
*[http://www.bahai.org/ The Bahá'ís], the official presence of the Bahá'í International Community on the Web
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/bahai/ BBC Religion and Ethics special: Bahá'í], BBC on the Bahá'í Faith
*[http://www.bahaindex.com The Baha’i Faith Index], a search engine and directory of Bahá'í web sites
*[http://bahai-library.com/ Baha'i Library], a site containing collection of Bahá'í writings and is also home to an active forum.
*[http://www.h-net.org/~bahai/ H-Bahai], discussion board
*[http://www.planetbahai.org/cgi-bin/main.pl Planet Bahá'í] articles and message board.
{{Religion topics}}
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