The Life of Bahá’u’lláh A TREASURY OF STORIES FROM
COLLECTOR’S EDITION
Celebrating the 200th Birthday of Bahá’u’lláh
Bahá’í Publishing 401 Greenleaf Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091 Copyright © 2017 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States All rights reserved. Published 2017 Printed in the United States of America on acid-free paper ∞ 20 19 18 17 4 3 2 1 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: Bahá’í Publishing. Title: The life of Bahá’u’lláh : a treasury of stories from Brilliant star. Other titles: Brilliant star. Description: Wilmette, IL : Bahá’í Publishing, 2017. Identifiers: LCCN 2017023679 | ISBN 9781618511218 (alk. paper) Subjects: LCSH: Bahá’u’lláh, 1817–1892. Classification: LCC BP392 .L54 2017 | DDC 297.9/363 [B] —dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017023679
ABOUT THE COVER
Art by C. Aaron Kreader and watercoloring by Lisa Blecker
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The cover illustration was developed with reference to a 19th-century photograph of an outdoor market at the time when Bahá’u’lláh lived in Tihrán, Persia (now Iran). The children running toward the bazaar, full of joy and wonder, catch sight of a singing nightingale overhead. The nightingale is a prominent symbol in the Bahá’í writings and is used to represent Bahá’u’lláh’s message of peace and unity. In the Tablet of Ahmad, revealed in 1865, Bahá’u’lláh wrote, “the Nightingale of Paradise singeth upon the twigs of the Tree of Eternity, with holy and sweet melodies, proclaiming to the sincere ones the glad tidings of the nearness of God . . .”
“My first counsel is this: Possess a pure, kindly and radiant heart . . .” — Bahá’u’lláh
MISSION OF PEACE
W
hat if you were an agent on a critical mission, and your goal was to find the secret to world peace? Along the way, you could even travel through time. Bahá’ís and other friends around the world believe that the secret has been revealed! The Bahá’í Faith was started by Bahá’u’lláh, Who was born in Persia (now Iran) in 1817. This year is the 200th anniversary of His birth. Bahá’u’lláh taught that the world’s religions are connected and come from one powerful force, like rays from one sun. Each faith was founded by a Messenger of God, such as Abraham, Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad. God sends a new Messenger as humanity evolves and needs renewed divine guidance. Bahá’ís believe that Bahá’u’lláh is God’s most recent Messenger. During His life, Bahá’u’lláh revealed over 100 books and tablets of sacred writings. Because officials wanted to stop Him, He was imprisoned, persecuted, and exiled far from His home. But He was on a truly critical mission to share His message of unity, and He persisted. He urged us to end conflicts based on race and religion. He said women and men are equal and that all people should be educated. He asked world leaders to stop wars. Today, these ideas are embraced by millions of Bahá’ís and by people of many faiths who work for justice and peace. So, what’s the secret to peace? It’s love. When we can see everyone on Earth as members of one human family and treat people with love, our actions build peace. It’s not easy— sometimes the world can feel dark and worrisome. But with open minds and open hearts, we can shine the light of unity and stand up for justice together. Even when Bahá’u’lláh’s life was in danger, He kept encouraging people to love each other. We’re excited for you to explore this book and travel through Bahá’u’lláh’s time while discovering many ways you can shine your light. We searched through our vaults to collect some of our best treasures to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Bahá’u’lláh’s birth and His mission of peace —and to empower you in your important mission as a world citizen.
B RILLIANT STA R
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“So powerful is the light of unity that
CONTENTS
4
Mission of Peace
3
Celebrating the 200th Anniversary of Bahá’u’lláh’s Birth
6
The Puppet Show
8
Gift of Love
9
Spiritual Riches
10
United in Love and Respect
11
Champion of Oneness
12
Finding Light in the Darkness
14
Happiness During Hardship
15
Exile to Baghdád
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In the Wilderness
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Gifts from the Heart
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Changing Enemies to Friends
22
it can illuminate the whole earth.” — Bahá’u’lláh
Majestic Presence
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Nobility of Navváb
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Messengers from One God
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Declaration in the Garden of Ridván
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Guidance for Global Leaders
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‘Akká, the Prison-City
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Miracles and Mysteries
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Seeing with Your Own Eyes
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A Change of Heart
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A Mysterious Tablet
35
Our Green Island
36
Garden of Paradise
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For Love and Unity
38
Grow Your Soul
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Celebrating the th
200 Anniversary of Bahá’u’lláh’s Birth
W
hy are we here? How should we live our lives? What happens when we die? Throughout history, God has sent Teachers to help us answer these kinds of questions. Like Jesus, Buddha, Muhammad, and other Messengers of God before Him, Bahá’u’lláh brought divine teachings for our age. The religion He founded, the Bahá’í Faith, offers a message of peace, unity, and hope. Bahá’u’lláh was named Mírzá Husayn-‘Alí when He was born in Tihrán, Persia (now Iran), in 1817. As a child of a wealthy nobleman, He didn’t attend school, yet He was remarkably wise and could talk about difficult religious teachings with Muslim leaders. “Bahá’u’lláh,” the title He would later take, means “Glory of God” in Arabic. Bahá’u’lláh was always kind and generous. As a young man, He was offered an important job in the government, but He didn’t accept it.
Instead, He chose to share His time and money with those in need. People called Him “Father of the Poor.”
Vision in a Dungeon When He was 27, Bahá’u’lláh became a follower of a new Messenger of God known as the Báb, Whose name means “the Gate.” The Báb taught that another Messenger would soon come to bring unity to the world. Islamic authorities wanted to stop the Báb and His teachings. They executed Him in 1850. His followers, called Bábís, were persecuted terribly. More than 20,000 were killed. In 1852, Bahá’u’lláh was put in heavy chains and thrown into a dungeon called the “Black Pit” with other Bábís. Each day, a Bábí was pulled from the dungeon, tortured, and executed. Bahá’u’lláh’s family feared He would be killed. Their home was ransacked, and they were forced to flee.
Bahá’u’lláh spent four months in the filthy, vermin-infested Black Pit. Even in these miserable conditions, Bahá’u’lláh’s spirit soared. It was during this time that He had a mystical experience that would change His life. He saw a vision of a radiant maiden, who called Bahá’u’lláh the “BestBeloved of the worlds.” He later wrote that “the breezes of the All-Glorious were wafted over Me, and taught Me the knowledge of all that hath been.” After this vision, Bahá’u’lláh began to reveal holy writings.
Unstoppable Mission When He was released from prison, Bahá’u’lláh was banished from His homeland. He went to Baghdád, Iraq. Still, He continued to share His message of unity. He taught that the human race is one family and religion should bring peace, not war. He called on all people to work for the betterment of the world.
November 12,1817
1844
1852
1853–1863
April 1863
Birth of Bahá’u’lláh in Tihrán, Iran. His home in Tihrán is shown here.
Recognizes the Báb as a new Messenger of God
Imprisonment in the “Black Pit” of Tihrán. The “X” marks the site of the prison.
Exile in Baghdád, Iraq. From 1854–1856, He goes into the mountains to pray in solitude.
Declares Divine Mission as Prophet-Founder of the Bahá’í Faith
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“All men have been created to carry forward an ever-advancing civilization,” He wrote. In time, He announced that He was the Messenger of God Whom the Báb had foretold. For the rest of His life, Bahá’u’lláh lived in exile or imprisonment in what are now Iraq, Turkey, and Israel. His family shared in His sufferings. At times, they endured strenuous journeys, had very little food, lived in cramped quarters, and faced prejudice and hostility from those around them. The authorities thought that by sending Bahá’u’lláh away, they could stop His teachings from spreading. But Bahá’u’lláh’s divine mission for a peaceful world was unstoppable. His exiles only carried the seeds of His Faith even farther. Bahá’u’lláh wrote more than 100 volumes of letters, tablets, and books. When He passed away in 1892, He left a written will naming His eldest son, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, as leader of the Bahá’í Faith.
At right is Arabic calligraphy meaning “Yá Bahá’u’l-Abhá” or “O Thou Glory of the Most Glorious!” It refers to Bahá’u’lláh.
Making a Vision Real Bahá’u’lláh’s writings, along with those of the Báb and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, make up the sacred Bahá’í scriptures. The Bahá’í writings also include the words of Shoghi Effendi, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s grandson, who led the Faith after his passing, and the Universal House of Justice, the elected council that guides the Faith today. More than five million Bahá’ís throughout the world strive to make Bahá’u’lláh’s vision of one unified world a reality. They will celebrate the 200th anniversary of Bahá’u’lláh’s birth in 2017, and of the Báb’s birth in 2019. These twin holy days will, in the words of the House of Justice, honor “those divine Figures Who set in motion an irresistible process of individual and social change.”
Bahá’u’lláh’s Message of Peace Bahá’u’lláh shared these teachings about building peace. Imagine what the world will be like when these principles are widely practiced.
• We are one human family • The world’s religions are from one God • Prejudice must end • Women and men are equal • Education for all • Economic justice • Harmony of science and religion
1863–1868
1868
May 29, 1892
October 22, 2017
Exile in Constantinople (Istanbul), then Adrianople (Edirne), Turkey, where He lives in this home for one year. He begins writing to kings and rulers in 1867, urging unity.
Last exile to prison-city of ‘Akka, Israel. After nine years, He is able to live in the countryside homes of Mazra‘ih and then Bahjí, outside ‘Akka.
Bahá’u’lláh passes away and is laid to rest in this shrine at Bahjí, in Israel.
Global community honors 200th anniversary of Bahá’u’lláh’s birth.
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A Brief
Timeline
The Life of
Bahá’u’lláh The highlighted area marks the time in which this story takes place.
1817 November 12 Birth of Bahá’u’lláh in Tihrán, Iran
1844 Recognizes the Báb as a new Messenger of God
1852 Imprisonment in the “Black Pit” of Tihrán
1853–1863 Exile in Baghdád, Iraq. From 1854–1856, He goes into the mountains to pray in solitude.
1863 April Declares Divine Mission as Prophet-Founder of the Bahá’í Faith
1863–1868 Exile in Constantinople (Istanbul), then Adrianople (Edirne), Turkey. Begins writing letters to kings and rulers in 1867, urging world unity
1868 Last exile, to prisoncity of ‘Akká, Israel
1877 Finally free to live in countryside homes of Mazra‘ih and then Bahjí, outside ‘Akká
1892 May 29 Bahá’u’lláh passes away at Bahjí.
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A
The Puppet Show
theater performance can make you laugh, cry, or want to dance and sing. As a child, Bahá’u’lláh saw a puppet show that He said changed His view of the world. Bahá’u’lláh’s father, Mírzá Buzurg, was a minister in the court of the sháh (the king). When Bahá’u’lláh was a child, one of His older brothers got married—and the festivities lasted for seven days! On the last day, a puppet show was performed for the guests’ entertainment. Bahá’u’lláh watched eagerly as the show began. Human-like puppets called, “His Majesty is coming! Arrange the seats at once!” They quickly prepared for the puppet king’s arrival. More puppets gathered—noblemen, soldiers, and servants of the king’s royal court. Finally, the king made a grand entrance wearing a magnificent crown, and he proudly sat on his high throne. Trumpets sounded, and a thief was brought before the court. The king ordered his execution. Immediately, the thief was put to death! Then the king learned that a rebellion had broken out. He sent his army into battle, and cannons were fired. Bahá’u’lláh watched the scene “with great amazement.” After the show ended, a man came out from behind the scenery, carrying a box. “What is this box,” Bahá’u’lláh asked him, “and what was the nature of this display?” The man replied, “All this lavish display and these elaborate devices, the king, the princes, and the ministers, their pomp and glory, their might and power, everything you saw, are now contained within this box.” From that day on, Bahá’u’lláh said, He saw worldly power as no more important
When Bahá’u’lláh was a child, a puppet show called Sháh Sultán Salím was performed for His family and their guests, who included princes and other leaders.
than a puppet show. He wrote, “All the trappings of the world . . . have never been, nor will they ever be, of any weight and consequence, be it to the extent of a grain of mustard seed . . . These visible treasures, these earthly vanities, these arrayed armies . . . all shall pass into the confines of the grave, as though into that box.” In 1839, when Mírzá Buzurg passed away, Bahá’u’lláh was offered His father’s position at court. But Bahá’u’lláh turned it down. Instead, He spent His time serving people in need and sharing His wealth with them. Bahá’u’lláh later proclaimed His message of peace. Trying to stop Him, the authorities persecuted, imprisoned, and exiled Him. He lost His wealth. But as the puppet show from His childhood had shown, He knew that only spiritual wealth lasts. He wrote to kings and rulers of His day, urging them to stop injustice and establish peace. Today, Bahá’ís around the globe work to put Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings into practice and help build global justice and unity.
Gift of Love
A Brief
Timeline
The Life of
Bahá’u’lláh The highlighted area marks the time in which this story takes place.
1817 November 12 Birth of Bahá’u’lláh in Tihrán, Iran
1844 Recognizes the Báb as a new Messenger of God
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s the son of a nobleman in Persia (now Iran), Bahá’u’lláh could have spent His young adulthood living a life of luxury. But He chose to use His time and wealth to help the poor. One day in 1844, when He was about 27, a student brought Him a scroll. It contained writings of the Báb, a Messenger of God Who taught that another Messenger would soon appear to bring an age of peace. The scroll had been sent by Mullá Husayn, the Báb’s first follower, who had heard of Bahá’u’lláh’s selfless work. As Bahá’u’lláh read the Báb’s words
1852
aloud, the student was “enraptured” by “the sound of His voice and the sweetness of its melody.” Bahá’u’lláh praised the Báb’s “soul-stirring words” and said they had “regenerating power.” He gave the student tea and some special sugar—rare gifts in Persia at that time—to take to Mullá Husayn, along with His appreciation and love. Mullá Husayn received the gifts with enthusiasm. Bahá’u’lláh soon set out to share the Báb’s teachings. He went to His family’s home in the district of Núr and conveyed the new faith to people with eloquence. He became a leader among the Bábís.
Serving tea is an expression of hospitality in Persian culture. As shown in the first example, unscramble the letters in the tea leaves to find some virtues of Bahá’u’lláh and His friends.
Imprisonment in the “Black Pit” of Tihrán
1853–1863 Exile in Baghdád, Iraq. From 1854–1856, He goes into the mountains to pray in solitude.
1863 April
2. C A
Declares Divine Mission as Prophet-Founder of the Bahá’í Faith
1863–1868 Exile in Constantinople (Istanbul), then Adrianople (Edirne), Turkey. Begins writing letters to kings and rulers in 1867, urging world unity
1868 Last exile, to prisoncity of ‘Akká, Israel
Y N IT U
IA
4. Y N ERSIT GEO 7. IS E C E R V
6.
Finally free to live in countryside homes of Mazra‘ih and then Bahjí, outside ‘Akká
Bahá’u’lláh passes away at Bahjí.
IONP
5. S S E I N K N D
3. T H IF A
1877
1892 May 29
UNITY
1. R T Y ICHA
PRET
8. RGECOU A
SEH
UTI
SAM
N 9. ANEFSULTHKSN
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