Bahá'í History
From Bahai9
Note: This page was added in a paragraphed essay-style format and needs to be changed to include quotations from the authoritative Writings only (besides headings, etc.).
Contents |
Understanding the Major Eras of Baha'i History
The headings are based on Baha'i literature and should not be regarded as official.
Shaykhi Era (1783-1844)
Shaykhism was a school of Shi'ih Islamic thought believing the time was near for the coming of the Qa'im (the return of Muhammad), as well as nonliteral interpretation of the Koran. Many Shaykhis became Babis and when the Bab declared he was the Qa'im.
Shaykh Ahmad's ministry (1783-1828)
Shaykh Ahmad (1743(1)-1843) was the founder of the Shaykhi school, which in many ways prepared the way for the Bab.
Siyyid Kazim's ministry (1828- May 22, 1844)
Siyyid Kazim (1793-1843) was Shaykh Ahmad's appointed successor of the Shaykhi school. Siyyid Kazim actually met the Bab before the Bab revealed his station. Siyyid Kazim passed away in November or December 1843. His final instruction to his disciples was for them to search the land looking for the Promised One, the discovery of whom Kazim thought imminent. Only Mulla Husayn arose to the call, an effort which led to Mulla Husayn finding the Promised One just five months later on May 22, 1844.
Babi Era (May 22, 1844- Apr 22, 1863)
The Báb 's ministry (May 22, 1844 - July 9, 1850)
The Báb (1819-1850) is the prophet-founder of the Babi Faith. His ministry lasted from the time he first declared his station as a Messenger of God to Mulla Husayn in 1844 until his Martyrdom in 1850.
First Interregnum (July 9, 1850 - Apr 22, 1863)
Time period between The Báb 's marytrdom and Bahá'u'lláh's declaration of his Mission in which no one person or institution maintained control. While Baha'u'llah did not claim any leadership of the Babis during this period, he did achieve prominence.
Baha'i Era (Apr 22, 1863 - present)
Baha'u'llah's ministry (Apr 22, 1863 - May 29, 1892)
Baha'u'llah (1817-1892) is the prophet-founder of the Baha'i Faith. His ministry lasted from the time he first publicly declared his station as a Messenger of God in 1856 until his Ascension in 1892.
'Abdul-Bahá's ministry (May 29, 1892 - Nov. 28, 1921)
'Abdul-Bahá (1844-1921) was Baha'u'llah's appointed successor. His ministry lasted from the time of Baha'u'llah's Ascension until his death in 1921. During the period of time (Nov. 28, 1921 - Jan 3, 1922) between Abdul-Baha's passing and the appointment of Shoghi Effendi as the Guardian no supreme authority of the Baha'i Faith existed, but little needed to be done during this time because Baha'is the world over were mourning the passing of Abdul-Baha.
Shoghi Effendi 's ministry (Jan 3, 1922 - Nov. 4, 1957)
Shoghi Effendi (1879-1957) was the first and only Guardian of the Baha'i Faith. He held the office of Guardianship from Abdul-Baha's passing away in 1921 until his own passing away in 1957.
Second Interregnum (Nov. 4, 1957 - April 21, 1963)
ShoghiEffendi did not appointed a successor by the time of his unexpected death in 1957, so the Hands of the Cause took control of the administration of the Baha'i Faith in order to facilitate the election of the Universal House of Justice in 1963.
The Universal House of Justice (April 21, 1963 - present)
The Universal House of Justice, composed of nine men, is the modern supreme administrative body of the Baha'i Faith. Because it is a perpetual institution with elections every five years, it will not be suceeded until perhaps the coming of the next Messenger of God, occuring no earlier than Oct. 2852 AD.
(1) Momen (p.12) gives 1743, Nabil gives 1753 (p.1), Browne gives 1757
