Several years before Bahá’u’lláh proclaimed His Mission, God sent a special Messenger to announce His coming. This great Messenger took the title “The Báb” which means “The Gate”. He was indeed a gate to the knowledge of God and to a new era in human existence. For six years He taught ceaselessly that the appearance of the new Manifestation of God was near and prepared the way for His coming.
Room in the House of the Bab in Shiraz, where He proclaimed His Mission to Mulla Husayn, May 23, 1844
He told the people that they were witnessing the dawn of a new Age, the dawn of the Promised Day of God. He called upon them to purify their hearts from earthly vanities so that they could recognize "Him Whom God Would Make Manifest."
Thousands upon thousands of people accepted the Message of the Báb and began to follow His Teachings. But the government of Iran and the powerful clergy who ruled over the masses arose against Him.
On July 9, 1850, The Báb Himself at the age of 31 was martyred by a regiment of soldiers who, at the orders of the government, suspended Him in a public square in Tabriz and opened fire on Him.
Following His martyrdom, the remains of the Báb were recovered by His followers and taken from place to place, always hidden from the enemies of the Faith. Finally they were transferred to Mount Carmel in the Holy Land. Here is a picture of His Shrine in Haifa, Israel. The Shrine is located midway up Mt. Carmel, and beautiful terraces and gardens have been constructed from the base of the mountain to the Shrine, and from the Shrine to the top of the mountain.
Two Prayers of the Báb:
Is there any Remover of difficulties save God? Say: Praised be God! He is God! All are His servants, and all abide by His bidding!
Say: God sufficeth all things above all things, and nothing in the heavens or in the earth but God sufficeth. Verily, He is in Himself, the Knower, the Sustainer, the Omnipotent.
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More about the History and Founders of the Faith