The path of the gate
1844 – The Bahá’í Faith was founded in Iran during the mid 19th century by Siyyid ‘Ali-Muhammad. He assumed the title Bab (“the Gate”) and prophesized the future arrival of “One greater than Himself.” The asymetrical five pointed star is the official symbol of the Bahá’í Faith; it was taken from an unidentified tablet in the Bab’s handwriting. The nine-pointed star symbol is an alternate and commonly used symbol.
1863 – One of the Bab’s followers, Mirza Husayn-’Ali-i-Nuri, announced that he was the manifestation predicted by the Bab. He assumed the title Baha’u'llah (“glory of God”). His teachings on world peace, democracy, civil rights, equal rights for women, the acceptance of scientific discoveries, etc. were decades ahead of his time. The Great Manifestations of God up to this time have been:
Adam
Abraham
Moses
Krishna
Zoroaster
Buddha
Jesus Christ
Mohammed
The Bab
Baha’u'llah
1819-1850 – The Bab – Siyyid ‘Ali-Muhammad Shirází was a merchant in Shiraz in the south of Iran. He assumed the title Bab “the Gate”. In 1844-MAY-23, in Iran, he announced the “Declaration of the Bab.” He explained that the purpose of His mission, and those of his eighteen disciples whom he called the “Letters of the Living,” was to herald the arrival of “One greater than Himself”, who would fulfill the prophetic expectations of all the great religions. His followers became known as Babis. The movement caused much religious ferment. This led to his execution in 1850 by order of the Shah’s chief minister and at the instigation of Muslim clerics, who saw his movement as a threat to Orthodox Islam.
1817-1892 – Baha’u'llah – One of the Bab’s followers, Mirza Husayn-’Ali-i-Nuri was the son of a prominent Iranian nobleman and a prominent follower of the Bab. The Bab had given him several indications of his future role. In 1854, he was exiled and spent time in what is now Iraq, where he wrote several books: the Seven Valleys, the Four Valleys, Hidden Words and the Book of Certitude. In 1863, he confided to some of his followers and to his eldest son that he was the Manifestation predicted by the Bab. This event is commemorated yearly during the holy days of Ridván. On 1863-APR-21, he began proclaiming his station openly and publicly to the world at large. His assumed title, Baha’u'llah (“glory of God”), by which he is generally known, was the title that the Bab used to refer to Him. The last forty years of Baha’u'llah’s life were spent in prison or in exile. The last 22 years were spent in or near Akka, then a prison city. The world headquarters of the Bahá’í Faith is located in the Holy Land today as a result. It was here that he wrote his main literary work, the “Most Holy Book.” By 1877, he was given increasing liberty to work freely. Baha’u'llah died on 1892-MAY-29 at the age of 74. He had spent most of his life either as a prisoner or in exile. He was buried in a house near Akka. “His shrine is regarded by Bahá’ís as the holiest place on earth.”
1844-1921 – Abdu’l-Bahá – Baha’u'llah appointed his son ‘Abdu’l-Baha to be the leader of the movement after his death. He was to be the sole interpreter of his father’s writings. In the very late 19th century, under his leadership, the faith expanded beyond the Middle East and was introduced to Europe and North America. He set out on speaking tours, visiting France and the UK in 1911, and North America, the UK, France, Germany and Hungary during 1912-12. He lived in Haifa during World War I where he wrote his major book: “Tablets of the Divine Plan” which contained his thoughts on the worldwide expansion of the faith. Baha’is believe that his interpretations of Baha’u'llah’s writings were based on his infallible understanding of the texts.
1957 – Shoghi Effendi – ‘Abdu’l-Baha selected his eldest grandson, Shoghi Effendi to be his successor as the Guardian of the Cause of God — the leader of the Bahá’í community. He dedicated his effort to a major expansion of the faith into all areas of the world. He was instrumental in bringing women into various positions of power in the religion, and overcoming local prejudices against them. He died in London, England in 1957. Shoghi did not name a successor – a person to infallibly interpret the writings of Baha’u'llah. Administrative duties were taken over by a committee who he had called “Hands of the Cause.” They were giving them the authority to lead the Baha’i Faith.
1963 – Universal House of Justice (a.k.a. UHJ) was established in Haifi, Israel. Provision for such a body had been contained in the will of ‘Abdu’l-Baha. His instructions could not be precisely carried out, because he had stated that the House of Justice was to be headed by the Guardian or someone appointed by him. The Guardian had died and, while he was alive, had not appointed anyone to take that position.
2010 – The House is the highest authority in the Bahá’í faith. It has coordinated a series of multi-year plans to further expand and consolidate Bahá’í communities around the world.
