Celebrating the birthday of Baha’u’lláh

the prophet/founder of

the Bah?’? faith.

Baha’u’ll?h is the title given to the Prophet/Founder of the Bah?’i Faith. It is an Arabic word, which means, “the glory of god.”

Baha’u’ll?h was born on November 12, 1817 and the anniversary of his birthday is celebrated in Baha’i communities in Trinidad and Tobago and throughout the world.

Baha’u’ll?h was born in Tehran, Persia (now Iran) and was given the name Mirza Husayn Ali. His father was a nobleman, who held a high-ranking position in the court of the Shah. From an early age Baha’u’ll?h showed signs of greatness and displayed extraordinary knowledge and wisdom. He did not attend a regular school and only received instruction at home. It was customary for a son to inherit the position of his father, when he came of age, but Baha’u’ll?h refused as he was not interested in the titles and honours of this world. He preferred to spend his time defending the poor and protecting the needy.

Baha’u’ll?h became a follower of the B?b, who was the previous manifestation of god. For this, he was persecuted and in 1852 was thrown into a filthy, underground dungeon in Teheran called the Back Pit. A heavy chain was placed around his neck, the scars of which remained with him for the rest of his life. It was in this terrible place that he had a dream in which these exalted words were heard on every side. “Verily, we shall render thee victorious by thyself and thy pen. Grieve thou not for that which hath befallen thee, neither be thou afraid, for thou art in safety. Ere long will god raise up the treasures of the earth – men who will aid thee through thyself and through thy name, wherewith god hath revived the hearts of such as have recognised him”

After four months he was released and banished from Persia to Baghdad. In1863 He declared his mission openly for the first time, a mission which was to bring laws and teachings relevant to the time in which we live and to establish world unity through love.

He was banished further, in a vain attempt by the clergy and government authorities to stop his influence from spreading. He was first sent to Constantinople in Turkey (now Istanbul) and then to Adrianople and finally to the prison City of Akka in Palestine, where it was hoped that his teachings and influence would finally be crushed, but this was not to be.

Baha’u’ll?h was later permitted to live just outside of Akka in a place called Bahji. There he died and was buried in 1892. His grave is considered by the Baha’is to be a shrine and thousands of pilgrims, who are Bah?’is from all over the world, visit every year.

The birthday of Baha’u’ll?h is considered a holy day. This happy occasion is celebrated in the communities with devotions and joyous gatherings.