The Bahá’í Faith is an independent world religion that emerged in nineteenth-century Persia, now Iran. It teaches the oneness of God, the spiritual unity of humanity, and the unfolding guidance given through God’s messengers across history. Its community life places unusual emphasis on education, consultation, worship, and service.
How the Bahá’í Faith Began
The movement traces its beginnings to 1844, when the Báb announced a religious mission in Persia. In Bahá’í understanding, the Báb prepared the way for another divine messenger. His message attracted followers and severe persecution, and he was executed in 1850.
Bahá’u’lláh (1817–1892), whose name means “Glory of God,” declared his own mission in the nineteenth century and became the central founder of the Bahá’í Faith. His life included imprisonment and exile under the Ottoman Empire. Bahá’ís consider both the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh Manifestations of God, while recognizing Bahá’u’lláh’s revelation as the foundation of their religious community.
The faith arose in a predominantly Islamic setting but is not a branch of Islam. Its sacred writings, laws, religious institutions, and understanding of revelation distinguish it as a separate tradition.
One God, One Human Family
Bahá’í teaching holds that humanity is one family. Differences of race, nationality, and inherited social standing do not determine anyone’s spiritual worth. The faith promotes the equality of women and men, universal education, the elimination of prejudice, justice, and the compatibility of scientific inquiry with religious understanding.
A related teaching is progressive revelation. Bahá’ís believe that God has guided humanity through a succession of divine messengers suited to different historical circumstances. This does not erase important differences among religions; rather, it frames them within an ongoing history of spiritual education.
Sacred Writings, Prayer, and Fasting
Bahá’ís study the writings of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh, including Bahá’u’lláh’s Kitáb-i-Aqdas, and writings by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Individual prayer and meditation are part of daily religious life. Adult Bahá’ís are also given obligations of daily prayer, and those who meet the relevant conditions observe an annual nineteen-day fast, usually in March.
Many communities gather for devotional meetings that include prayers and readings from sacred writings. Houses of Worship are intended as spaces open to people of all religious backgrounds; they do not function as churches with priests conducting sacraments.
How the Bahá’í Community Is Organized
The Bahá’í Faith does not have a professional priesthood. Local and national Spiritual Assemblies are elected to guide community affairs. At the international level, the Universal House of Justice, first elected in 1963, serves as the governing institution of the worldwide Bahá’í community.
The transmission of authority is part of what Bahá’ís call the Covenant. Bahá’u’lláh appointed his son ‘Abdu’l-Bahá; Shoghi Effendi later served as Guardian; and the Universal House of Justice carries out its defined responsibilities. These distinct roles should not be treated as interchangeable.
Faith Expressed Through Service
Bahá’í communities often organize children’s classes, study circles, youth activities, and projects that bring neighbors together. Such activities are meant to join inner spiritual development with practical concern for the wider society. The distinctive Bahá’í vision is that devotion to God and the work of building a more just and unified human community belong together.
