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Bahai

I  Introduction

The Bahai faith is a religion founded by Bahaullah in 19th century Persia, emphasizing the spiritual unity of all humankind. It is said to be the youngest of the world's independent religions. It was founded in Iran in 1863 and incorporates tenets of both Christianity and Islam. There are around 6 million Bahais in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. Bahai can be an adjective referring to the Bahai faith, or used as a term for a follower of Bahaullah (Bahai is not a noun meaning the religion as a whole). The word comes from the Arabic word 'Baha', meaning "glory" or splendour". Bahaism has been used in the past but is fading from use. 

II  History

Bahai history is often traced through a sequence of leaders, beginning with the Bab's May 23, 1844 Declaration in Shiraz, and ultimately resting on an administrative order established by the central figure, of the religion. In 1844, Siyyid Ali-Muhammad of Shiraz, Iran proclaimed that he was "the Bab" (Arabic: "the Gate"), after a Shia religious concept. His followers were therefore known as Babis. As the Bab's teachings spread, which the Islamic clergy saw as a threat, Babis came under increased persecution, at times being forced to choose between renouncing their beliefs, or being killed. Several military confrontations took place between government and Babi forces. The Bab himself was imprisoned and eventually executed in 1850.

Bahais see the Bab as the forerunner of the Bahai faith, because the Bab's writings introduced the concept of "He whom God shall make manifest", a Messianic figure whose coming, according to Bahais, was announced in the scriptures of all of the world's great religions, and whom Bahaullah, the founder of the Bahai faith, claimed to be in 1863. The Bab's tomb is located in Haifa, Israel, and is an important place of pilgrimage for Bahais.

Mirza Husayn 'Ali' of Nur was one of the early followers of the Bab, who later took the title 'Bahaullah'. He was arrested and imprisoned for his involvement in 1852. Shortly after he was expelled from Persia to Baghdad, in the Ottoman Empire; then to Constantinople (now Istanbul); and then to Andrianople (now Edirne). While in Andrianople, he wrote letters to several rulers of the world, including Sultan Abdulaziz, declaring his mission as a Messenger of God. As a result, Bahaullah was banished a final time, to the Ottoman penal colony of 'Akka' (now Acre, in present day Israel).

Toward the end of his life, the strict and harsh confinement was gradually relaxed, and he was allowed to live in a home near 'Akka', while still officially a prisoner of that city. He died there in 1892. Bahais regard his resting place at Bahji as the Qiblih to which they turn in prayer each day. The tradition was mostly isolated to the Persians and Ottoman empires until after the death of Bahaullah in 1892, at which time he had followers in thirteen countries of Asia and Africa.

Abbas Effendi was Bahaullah's eldest son, known by the title of 'Abdul-Baha' (Servant of Baha). His father left a Will that appointed 'Abdul-Baha' as the leader of the Bahai community, and designated him as the "Center of the Covenant", "Head of the Faith", and the sole authoritative interpreter of Bahaullah's writings. Under the leadership of Abdul-Baha, the religion gained a footing in Europe and America, and was consolidated in Iran, where it still suffered intense persecution. After the death of Abdul-Baha in 1921, the leadership of the Bahai 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.

III  Demographics

Bahai sources usually estimate the worldwide Bahai population to be above 5 million. Encyclopedias and similar sources estimate from 2 to 8 million Bahais in the world in the early 21st century, with most estimates between 5 and 6 million. From its origins in the Persian and Ottoman Empires, The Bahai Faith had acquired a number of western converts by World War I. Fifty years later its population had spread throughout the world as a result of Bahai pioneering efforts.

According to The World Almanac and Book of Facts 2004: "The majority of Bahais live in Asia (3.6 million), Africa (1.8 million), and Latin America (900,000). According to some estimates, the largest Bahai community in the world is in India, with 2.2 million Bahais, next is Iran, with 350,000, and the USA, with 150,000. According to estimates, there are 6,000 Bahais live in Britain. Aside from these countries, numbers vary greatly. Currently, no country has a Bahai majority. Guyana is the country with the largest percentage of Bahais (7%)".

The Bahai 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 7 million adherents worldwide (2005). Additionally, Bahais have self-organized in most of the nations of the earth.

IV  Beliefs

The basic teachings of Bahai are comprised as: (a) The Oneness of Mankind; (b) The Oneness of Religion; (c) The Oneness of God; (d) Abolishing the Existence of Wealth and Poverty; (e) Eradicate racism and have a brotherhood of mankind; (f) Universal Peace for All; (g) Religious Truth is Progressive; (h) Belief in continual revelation by different messengers; and (i) welcome independent investigation of Truth. The following are their basic understanding about God, religion, and human beings: 

(1) God: The Bahai 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 beginning or end, and is described as "a personal God, unknowable, inaccessible, the source of all Revelation, eternal, omniscient, omnipresent, and almighty". Bahai 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 Manifestation of God. In the Bahai 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.

(2) Religion: Bahai notions of progressive religious revelation results in their accepting the validity of most of the world's religions, whose founders and central figures are seen as Manifestations of God.

• Fasting: Bahais practice fasting as a discipline for the soul. They observe one period of fasting every year
• Prayer: Prayer is a vital part of Bahai spiritual life. There are obligatory prayers that must be said every day, but Bahais believe their whole lives should be lived prayerfully
• Social Action: Bahais see social and economic development projects as an expression of faith in action, but they must be community-led and seek to improve people's moral and spiritual condition too
• Worship: The main purpose of life for Bahais is to know the love of God. Prayer, fasting and meditation are the main ways of achieving this and for making spiritual progress
• Holy Days: There are no set practices or services to commemorate the various holy days of the Bahais. Different communities may organize devotional days of prayers and readings appropriate to the day in question. Bahais are encourages not to celebrate the holidays of other religions among themselves
• Living: Bahais believe that strong and loving families are essential for society. Divorce is disapproved of. Bahais believe in valuing and educating children

VI  Scriptures

The writings of the Bab and Bahaullah are regarded as Divine Revelation. The writings of Abdul-Baha are recognized as sacred. The Scriptures of other faiths, which include the teachings of previous Manifestations of God (such as Buddha, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad) are also regarded as Divine Revelations. The Quran is recognized as fully authoritative and the Judaeo-Christian Bible as substatially authentic. While readings from other religions form part of Bahai worship, their teachings are not binding in matters of Bahai belief and practice. This is because Bahai teachings assert that each Manifestation brings laws and teachings appropriate for its own time.

Many religious ideas appear similar to some in the Quran because Bahais believe in the progression of religious revelation. Bahaullah makes many references to the Quran and gives it great importance, since he was working in an Islamic context and the Bahai faith grew from an Islamic matrix. Bahaullah also referred to other texts, notably the New Testament, Persian mystical poetry, and ancient Greek philosophy. But his interpretations and his content are always original.

During his lifetime, Bahaullah left a large volume of writings. The Kitabi-i-Aqdas (The Most Holy Book), and The Kitabi-i-Iqan (The Book of Certitude) are recognized as major theological works, and the Hidden Words and the Seven Valleys are mystical treatises.

VII  Science and Religion

A major source of conflict and disunity in the world today is the widespread opinion that there is some basic opposition between science and religion, that scientific truth contradicts religion on some points, and that one must choose between being a religious person, a believer in God, or a scientist, afollower of reason. The Bahai teachings stress the fundamental harmony of science and religion. This view derives from the belief that truth (or reality) is one. For if truth is indeed one, it is not possible for something to be scientifically false and religiously true. Bahaullah affirmed that man's intelligence and reasoning powers are a gift from God. Contradictions between science and traditional religious beliefs are attributed to human fallibility and arrogance.

VIII  Division Within Bahaism

Bahaism has suffered several divisions, from its early days to the present. One group, known as the Free Bahais, has published a book denouncing Shoghi Effendi (who took over leadership of the Bahai World Faith after Bahaullah's son Abdul-Baha died). Another group, the Orthodox Bahai Faith was formed after Shoghi Effendi died, and recognizes, Jason Remey as Effendi's successor. Yet another group, Bahai's Under the Provision of the Covenant (BUPC), is led by Montana Chiropractor Dr. Leland Jensen. Though it has 'Bahai' in its name, it is not endorsed or recognized by the main body "as a legitimate Bahai organization". As Vernon Elvin Johnson concludes in his Baylor University dissertation on the history of Bahaism, "obvious schism has occured in the Bahai religion, for various fractions each claiming to belong to the Bahai religion have existed in the course of the faith's history".

                                (From Various Sources)