Birth of Bahá’u’lláh

1. Birth of Bahá’u’lláh Click to advance slides

2. Bahá’u’lláh was born on 12 November 1817 in Tehran, Iran – the capital of Persian, present-day Iran. He was born MírzáHusayn-’AlíNúrí and later took the name Bahá’u’lláh – meaning the Glory of God.

3. Bahá’u’lláh’s ancestry can be traced back to Abraham through his wife Keturah, to Zoraster, and also to Jesse – Eshai or Yishai, the father of David who became the king of the Israelites.

4. Bahá’u’lláh’s mother was KhadíjihKhánum and his father was Mírzá Buzurg. Bahá’u’lláh’s father, MírzáBuzurg, served as vizier (high-ranking political advisor or minister to the Islamic gobernment). MírzáBuzurg was later appointed governor of Burujird and Lorestan, a position that he was stripped of during a government purge when Muhammad Shah came to power. After the death of his father, Bahá’u’lláh was asked to take a government post by the new vizier, HajiMirzaAqasi, but declined.

5. Bahá’u’lláh was married three times. He married his first wife ÁsíyihKhánum, the daughter of a nobleman, in Tehran in 1835. She was given the title of The Most Exalted Leaf and Navváb. Bahá’u’lláh declared ÁsíyihKhánum His “perpetual consort in all the worlds of God”, and her son ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as His vicar.

6. Bahá’ís regard ÁsíyihKhánum and her children MírzáMihdí, BahíyyihKhánum and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to be the Bahá’í holy family.

7. From His birth, Bahá’u’lláh never cried, always remaining in a most remarkable state of peacefulness. His mother was completely astonished, and before long it became obvious to everyone around, that her Child was entirely different from other children.

8. Bahá’u’lláh as a child displayed a purity of character quite extraordinary, and a wonderful, innate wisdom and knowledge. He greatly loved outdoor life, spending most of His time in the garden or fields.

9. Extremely kind and generous, He had an incredible power of attraction, which was felt by all. People always crowded around Him, children were devoted to Him, and the ministers and people of the Court would gather about Him.

10. As He grew up, Bahá’u’lláh desired no schooling. He received a little customary education at home, in riding, using a sword or gun, good manners, calligraphy, poetries, and the ability to read out the words of the Qur’an. Despite a lack education, Bahá’u’lláh shone forth in wisdom and ability, and all who knew Bahá’u’lláh were astonished. It was usual for them to say, that such a child will not live beyond maturity.

11. During His childhood, Bahá’u’lláh witnessed three confrontations between His father and a very unjust tax collector, who was cruelly demanding payment. Incensed, Bahá’u’lláh, though merely seven, mounted His horse and rode for two days to Tehran, where He sought the dismissal of the arrogant tax collector. He succeeded in obtaining the necessary papers ordering his dismissal, and returned successful to His parent.

12. By the time he was thirteen, Bahá’u’lláh was renowned for His ability to discuss any matter, and resolve any problem presented before Him. He was always courteous and patient, and only the disrespectful reference to a Messenger or Chosen One of God was able to arouse His displeasure; even then, He would address the offender with kindliness and calm.

13. He appeared before large gatherings in discussions with the leading clergy, resolving intricate religious questions, whilst everyone paid deep attention and interest, and His explanations became the authoritative word on every matter. Despite these abilities, the kulah on His head and the locks flowing over His shoulders meant no one ever suspected a person of such a class would become the fountain of a new Truth and revitalizing Spirit.

14. “This is the King of Days the Day that hath seen the coming of the Best-beloved, Him Who through all eternity hath been acclaimed the Desire of the World… The world of being shineth in this Day with the resplendency of this Divine Revelation. All created things extol its saving grace and sing its praises. The universe is wrapt in an ecstasy of joy and gladness. The Scriptures of past Dispensations celebrate the great jubilee that must needs greet this most great Day of God. Well is it with him that hath lived to see this Day and hath recognized its station….

15. Were mankind to give heed in a befitting manner to no more than one word of such a praise it would be so filled with delight as to be overpowered and lost in wonder. Entranced, it would then shine forth resplendent above the horizon of true understanding.” (World Order of Bahá’u’lláh)

16. To Him Isaiah, the greatest of the Jewish prophets, had alluded as the “Glory of the Lord,” the “Everlasting Father,” the “Prince of Peace,” the “Wonderful,” the “Counsellor,” the “Rod come forth out of the stem of Jesse” and the “Branch grown out of His roots,” Who “shall be established upon the throne of David,” Who “will come with strong hand,” Who “shall judge among the nations,” Who “shall smite the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips slay the wicked,” and Who “shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.” Of Him David had sung in his Psalms, acclaiming Him as the “Lord of Hosts” and the “King of Glory.”

17. To Him Haggai had referred as the “Desire of all nations,” and Zachariah as the “Branch” Who “shall grow up out of His place,” and “shall build the Temple of the Lord.” Ezekiel had extolled Him as the “Lord” Who “shall be king over all the earth,” while to His day Joel and Zephaniah had both referred as the “day of Jehovah,” the latter describing it as “a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, a day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers.”

18. His Day Ezekiel and Daniel had, moreover, both acclaimed as the “day of the Lord,” and Malachi described as “the great and dreadful day of the Lord” when “the Sun of Righteousness” will “arise, with healing in His wings,” whilst Daniel had pronounced His advent as signalizing the end of the “abomination that maketh desolate.” (God Passes By)