Chapter 2 — The Báb and the Birth of the Bábí Movement
Estimated reading time: 10–12 minutes
The immediate precursor of the Bahá’í Faith was the religious movement founded by Siyyid ‘Ali-Muhammad Shirazi (1819–1850), known as the Báb.
Bahá’ís regard him not merely as a reformer but as a Manifestation of God and the herald of Bahá’u’lláh.
The Declaration of 1844
According to Bahá’í accounts, on the evening of May 22, 1844, in Shiraz, the Báb disclosed his mission to Mulla Husayn, who became the first of eighteen early disciples later called the Letters of the Living.
The Báb soon began producing extensive religious writings and sending followers throughout Persia.
The Development of His Claims
The Báb’s claims developed substantially during his short ministry.
At different stages he was understood as:
- a gate to the Hidden Imam,
- an authoritative interpreter of revelation,
- the Qa’im or Mahdi,
- and ultimately the bearer of an independent divine revelation.
His writings began to establish a new religious order rather than simply reform existing Shi‘ism.
One of his earliest major works was the Qayyum al-Asma’, a lengthy commentary structured around the Qur’anic story of Joseph.
Later, while imprisoned, he composed the Persian Bayan, one of the central texts of Bábí religion.
“He Whom God Shall Make Manifest”
One of the most significant features of the Báb’s writings is his repeated expectation of a greater figure whom he called:
“He Whom God shall make manifest.”
Bahá’ís believe that this prophecy was fulfilled in Bahá’u’lláh.
Thus, in Bahá’í theology, the Báb occupies an unusual position.
He is both:
- the founder of an independent revelation,
- and the herald preparing humanity for another Manifestation appearing almost immediately afterward.
Persecution and Conflict
The Bábí movement provoked intense opposition from both religious authorities and the Persian government.
The conflict was not entirely one-sided or simple. Independent historians note that early Bábí history included armed confrontations, siege warfare, and militant elements within some Bábí writings and communities. Major clashes occurred at Shaykh Tabarsi, Zanjan, and Nayriz.
At the same time, the movement suffered extremely severe repression, executions, and massacres.
Thousands of Bábís were killed during the upheavals surrounding the movement.
The Execution of the Báb
The Persian government eventually determined that the Báb’s continued influence represented a serious danger.
He was executed by firing squad in Tabriz on July 9, 1850.
His remains were later transferred through a series of secret locations and eventually interred on Mount Carmel in Haifa, where the Shrine of the Báb now stands.
The Báb in Bahá’í Memory
Bahá’ís remember the Báb as a martyr and divinely appointed forerunner whose mission prepared the world for Bahá’u’lláh.
The parallel with John the Baptist is sometimes helpful for Christians as an analogy, although Bahá’í theology assigns the Báb a much higher status than Christianity assigns John.
John announced another who was coming.
The Báb likewise announced “He Whom God shall make manifest.”
But the Christian question remains whether a prophet announcing a new revelation after Christ is compatible with the New Testament.
Berean Reflection
Religious martyrdom can demonstrate sincerity, but sincerity alone does not establish divine revelation.
Many people throughout history have died for convictions that contradicted one another.
The truth of the Báb’s claims must therefore be evaluated by more than his courage or suffering.
Scripture as Our Final Authority
John the Baptist said of Jesus:
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” — John 1:29
John directed attention not toward an endless sequence of later prophets but toward Christ.
The book of Hebrews describes God’s revelation in Christ as climactic:
“In these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.” — Hebrews 1:2
The relationship between that declaration and the Bahá’í claim of continuing Manifestations will require careful examination.
Next Chapter: Chapter 3 — From Bábism to the Bahá’í Faith