Baha'i Faith

The Baha'i Faith is an independent world religion founded by Baha'u'llah in Persia in the 19th century. It is monotheistic and teaches that there is one God, that the world's great religions come from the same divine source, and that humanity is one interconnected family. Its social teachings emphasize the unity of humankind, the abolition of prejudice, universal education, and the equality of women and men. It has spread globally and is organized through elected administrative bodies rather than a professional clergy.

The central scriptures of the Baha'i Faith are the writings of Baha'u'llah. The Kitab-i-Aqdas (the Most Holy Book) sets out its laws and principles, the Kitab-i-Iqan (the Book of Certitude) explains its theology and interpretation of earlier scriptures, and the Hidden Words is a collection of short ethical and spiritual reflections. Baha'is also revere writings by the Bab and by Baha'u'llah's son Abdu'l-Baha. The Kitab-i-Aqdas, Kitab-i-Iqan, and Hidden Words can be read in the U-God library.

Baha'is believe in one unknowable God who has guided humanity through a series of divine messengers, including figures such as Abraham, Moses, Krishna, the Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad, the Bab, and Baha'u'llah. This teaching, often called progressive revelation, holds that each messenger brings guidance suited to the needs of their age within one continuing religious story. Central to the faith are the oneness of God, the oneness of religion, and the oneness of humanity. Practical principles include the pursuit of justice, the independent investigation of truth, and the harmony of science and religion.

Baha'u'llah, whose given name was Mirza Husayn-Ali Nuri (1817 to 1892), was the founder of the Baha'i Faith and is regarded by Baha'is as the most recent messenger of God for this age. Born into a noble family in Persia, he became a follower of the Bab, a preceding figure whose movement prepared the way for his teachings. He faced imprisonment and exile for much of his life, spending his final years in the region of Acre in what is now Israel, where he wrote many of his major works. Baha'is view his writings as divine revelation.

Baha'i practice includes daily prayer, an annual period of fasting, gathering for devotions and study, and service to one's community. The faith has no clergy, and its affairs are guided by elected local, national, and international institutions, the highest being the Universal House of Justice, based in Haifa, Israel. Community life often centers on education, social and economic development, and efforts to promote unity. Baha'is are found in most countries of the world, making it one of the more geographically widespread religions.