Bahal

The Bahá'í Faith is a relatively young monotheistic religion founded in the 19th century by Bahá'u'lláh in Persia (modern-day Iran). It emphasizes the unity of all religions and humanity, teaching that all major world religions are part of a single, progressive revelation from God. The central tenets include the oneness of God, the oneness of religion, and the oneness of humanity, with a strong focus on equality, justice, and peace. The Bahá'í Faith advocates for the abolition of racial, class, and gender discrimination, and its followers are involved in efforts to promote social harmony and global cooperation. Bahá'í communities are established worldwide, and the faith is known for its inclusive, global perspective.

Origins of Bahal

Historical Context:

Key Events

Declaration of the Báb:In 1844, the Báb proclaimed his mission, leading to the Bábí movement. He was executed in 1850 by Persian authorities.

Declaration of Bahá'u'lláh:In 1863, Bahá'u'lláh declared himself to be the one foretold by the Báb. He faced exile and imprisonment for most of his life due to his teachings.

Core Beliefs of the Bahá'í Faith

Unity of God:

Monotheism:Bahá'ís believe in one, all-powerful, and unknowable God who is the source of all creation.

Unity of Religion:

Progressive Revelation:Bahá'ís believe that God has revealed His will through a series of divine messengers, including Abraham, Moses, Zoroaster, Buddha, Krishna, Jesus, Muhammad, the Báb, and Bahá'u'lláh. Each brought teachings suited to the time and place of their appearance, contributing to the progressive revelation of God's guidance.

Unity of Humanity:

Oneness of Humankind:Bahá'ís advocate the unity of all people, regardless of race, nationality, or creed. They believe in the elimination of all forms of prejudice and the establishment of global peace and justice.

Essential Principles:

Independent Investigation of Truth:Every individual has the right and responsibility to seek truth independently.

Equality of Men and Women:Gender equality is a fundamental principle, and Bahá'ís strive to promote the equal participation of men and women in all aspects of society.

Universal Education:Education for all is essential to the progress of society.

Harmony of Science and Religion:Bahá'ís believe that true science and true religion must be in harmony and that both are essential for the advancement of civilization.

Practices and Rituals

Daily Practices

Prayer:Bahá'ís are required to pray daily. There are three obligatory prayers to choose from (short, medium, and long), recited at different times of the day.

Meditation and Reflection:Regular meditation and reflection on the writings of Bahá'u'lláh and other holy texts are encouraged.

Community Practices

Nineteen-Day Feast:Held on the first day of each Bahá'í month (19 months of 19 days each in the Bahá'í calendar), this gathering includes devotional, administrative, and social components.

Holy Days:Bahá'ís observe several holy days, including Naw-Rúz (New Year), Ridván (commemorating Bahá'u'lláh's declaration), and the Birthdays of the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh.

Fasting

Nineteen-Day Fast:During the month of `Alá’ (March 2-20), adult Bahá'ís fast from sunrise to sunset as an act of spiritual purification and reflection.

Sacred Texts

Writings of Bahá'u'lláh

Kitáb-i-Aqdas (Most Holy Book):The central book of Bahá'í law.

Kitáb-i-Íqán (Book of Certitude):Explains the unity of religions and the concept of progressive revelation.

The Hidden Words:A collection of spiritual aphorisms.

Writings of Bahá'u'lláh

Tablets and Treatises: `Abdu'l-Bahá, the son of Bahá'u'lláh and his appointed successor, wrote numerous letters and treatises explaining and expanding upon his father's teachings.

Administrative Structure

Universal House of Justice

Governing Body: The Universal House of Justice, located in Haifa, Israel, is the supreme governing institution of the Bahá'í Faith, elected every five years by the members of national spiritual assemblies worldwide.

Local and National Assemblies

Local Spiritual Assemblies: Elected annually, these assemblies govern local Bahá'í communities.

National Spiritual Assemblies: Elected by delegates from local communities, these assemblies oversee national Bahá'í activities.

Cultural and Social Influence

Social and Economic Development

Community Building: Bahá'ís are actively involved in efforts to promote social and economic development, often focusing on education, health, and the empowerment of women and minorities.

Interfaith Dialogue

Promoting Unity: The Bahá'í Faith encourages interfaith dialogue and cooperation, emphasizing the commonalities among world religions.

Purpose and Message

Core Message

Unity and Peace: The Bahá'í Faith seeks to unite humanity in a common cause of peace, justice, and the betterment of the world.

Spiritual and Moral Development: Bahá'ís strive for personal spiritual growth and moral integrity, aligning their lives with the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh.

Summary

The Bahá'í Faith is a relatively young, independent world religion founded in the 19th century by Bahá'u'lláh. It emphasizes the unity of God, the unity of religion, and the unity of humanity, advocating for social justice, gender equality, universal education, and harmony between science and religion. With its rich spiritual writings, structured community practices, and a global administrative system, the Bahá'í Faith continues to grow and promote its message of universal peace and unity worldwide.