From the writings of Baha'u'llah:
During our progress God has sent us Messengers whose Messages were according to our understanding in the time during which we lived. Bahá'ís believe that the Messenger of God for this moment in time is Baha'u'llah, His forerunner was called The Bab.
As the human race has developed through time we have gradually understood more clearly the world around us.
The title "The Bab" means "The Gate".
The Bab is the Forerunner of Baha'u'llah. He is the Messenger of God Who prepared the people for the coming of Baha'u'llah.
He declared His Mission in 1844 in Persia (Iran). His followers were called Babi's.
The popularity of His teachings was seen as a threat to Islam and after six years of suffering and imprisonment He was martyred. Over 20,000 of His followers also gave their lives for the Faith.
The title "Baha'u'llah" means "The Glory of God".
Baha'u'llah is the Messenger of God for this age and the Promised One of all religions.
He declared His station in 1863, the announcement was of little surprise to many who knew Him.
Baha'u'llah suffered 40 years of torture, imprisonment and exile.
He was exiled from Tehran in Persia (Iran) to Baghdad and then Turkey before being sent to 'Akka, in the Holy Land, where Baha'u'llah passed away in the year 1892.
"'Abdu'l-Baha" means "Servant of Baha"
'Abdu'l-Baha is the eldest son of Baha'u'llah and was appointed by Him as the Interpreter of His teachings and the Centre of His Covenant.
In His youth 'Abdu'l-Baha suffered alongside Baha'u'llah in prison but when older He was able to travel to the West.
'Abdu'l-Baha protected the Baha'i Faith from division and passed on that duty to His grandson, Shoghi Effendi.
'Abdu'l-Baha appointed Shoghi Effendi as the Guardian of the Baha'i Faith and the only interpreter of Baha'u'llah's teachings after Himself.
The Guardian guided the Baha'is for 36 years and developed the Administrative Order of the Faith throughout the world. He appointed 27 individuals for the task of promoting and protecting the Baha'i Faith and gave them the title "Hands of the Cause of God".
For 6 years after the passing of Shoghi Effendi the Hands of the Cause held the Baha'is together until the Universal House of Justice was established.
The Universal House of Justice is the supreme governing body of the Baha'i Faith to which all Baha'is may turn. Its nine members are elected by National Spiritual Assemblies from all over the world.
The Universal House of Justice consults on all issues and guides the entire Baha'i world within the light and framework of the teachings of Baha'u'llah.
To continue the work of the Hands of the Cause the Universal House of Justice appointed an International Teaching Centre.
The National Spiritual Assembly in each country is elected every year by delegates at a National Convention. The nine members consult and decide about the affairs of the Faith in that country.
Every city, town and village which has enough adult believers elects a Local Spiritual Assembly to consult on the affairs of the Faith within their community.
All Baha'i Assemblies work within the same framework based on Baha'u'llah's teachings and their decisions should be obeyed by Baha'is. In Baha'i consultation all parties are considered equal.
Individuals are also appointed at various levels to aid in the spread of the Faith and to protect the spiritual health of the Baha'is. They are called Counsellors, Auxiliary Board Members or Assistants to the Auxiliary Board and work closely with the Local and National Spiritual Assemblies.
The Baha'i Faith teaches...
O Son of Man!
Veiled in My immemorial being and in the ancient eternity of My essence, I knew My love for thee; therefore I created thee, have engraved on thee Mine image and revealed to thee My beauty.
Each sees in the other the beauty of God reflected in the soul, and finding this point of similarity, they are attracted to one another in love... This love will bring the realization of true accord, the foundation of real unity.
I bear witness, O my God, that Thou has created me to know Thee and to worship Thee. I testify, at this moment, to my powerlessness and to thy might, to my poverty and to Thy wealth. There is none other God but Thee, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting. O God, guide me, protect me, illumine the lamp of my heart and make me a brilliant star. Thou art the Mighty and the Powerful.
The Baha'i Faith is established in virtually every country and territory in the world.
On every continent there is a Baha'i House of Worship, these are open to people of all religions and cultures.
Baha'u'llah wrote: "The Earth is but one country and mankind its citizens."
Basic Principles of the Baha'i Faith
Some Other Teachings
Some Laws and Obligations
To be a Baha'i one must...
Becoming a Baha'i is an individual matter of Faith.
Baha'is do not proselytize, they believe that everybody should discover Baha'u'llah for themself.
The actual process of becoming part of the Baha'i community varies according to the country in which you live, it often involves a written or spoken declaration that you believe in Baha'u'llah as the Messenger of God for this day and agree to try to obey His laws and institutions.
From the Baha'i Writings
Follow the links on the Discover Bahá'u'lláh Home Page to find many more writings and prayers from the Bahá'í Faith.
If you would like to meet Bahá'ís from your area either look at the UK page or mail me and, where ever you are, I will try to put you in touch with your nearest community (please allow a few days for me to do this).