History

The history of the Baha`i religion dates back to 1844. In Persia, a young man with the title Báb (Arabic: "The Gate") declared himself to be a messenger from God and replaced the Islamic religious law, Sharia, with a new one. Many of the Bàb`s teachings aimed to improve religion and society. Significantly more rights were granted to women and to ordinary people. His religion knew no clergy. His goal was to limit the abuse of power by spiritual authority.

The Bàb gained many followers in a short time. However, the government and clergy vigorously rejected his new teachings. He was executed in 1850 after only six years of service, most of which he spent in strict imprisonment. Subsequent persecution by the political and spiritual leadership of Persia cost the lives of thousands of Bàb followers.
The Bàb also proclaimed the imminent coming of another messenger of God. This is considered by the Baha`i as a forerunner of the actual founder of the religion, Baha`u`lah, which is comparable to John the Baptist for Christians.