Baha'u'llah

Meta description: Bahá’u’lláh (1817–1892), founder of the Bahá’í Faith, taught the oneness of humanity, the harmony of science and religion, and universal peace. Explore his life story, key writings, central teachings, and famous quotations.

Introduction

Bahá’u’lláh (born Mírzá Ḥusayn-ʻAlí Núrí) is the central figure of the Bahá’í Faith and is regarded by Bahá’ís as the latest Manifestation of God for this age.

Bahá’u’lláh’s life was marked by exile, suffering, and spiritual perseverance. Though he faced persecution and banishment, his message spread across continents, and today millions regard his teachings as a guide for individual transformation and world unity.

Early Life and Family

Bahá’u’lláh was born on November 12, 1817, in Tehran, Persia, into a noble family. Mírzá Ḥusayn-ʻAlí Núrí, and his honorific title Bahá’u’lláh means “Glory of God.”

His father, Mírzá Buzurg, held a high governmental position under the Qajar dynasty.

From childhood, Bahá’u’lláh was distinguished for his intelligence, spiritual insight, and deep moral sensibility. In Persian society of his era, he was expected to take on public service roles, but he gradually turned toward a religious path and identification with the Bábí movement.

Spiritual Journey & Mission

Conversion to Bábism and Early Persecution

In 1844, the Báb (Siyyid `Alí Muḥammad) declared his mission as a messenger heralding a new spiritual era. Bahá’u’lláh became a follower of the Báb and attracted many adherents.

Declaration of His Revelation

In 1863, while exiled in Baghdad, Bahá’u’lláh made the public claim of divine revelation and his station as the promised Manifestation foretold by the Báb.

Exile Through the Ottoman Domains

After Baghdad, Bahá’u’lláh was forced by Ottoman authorities to move to Constantinople, Adrianople (Edirne), and finally to the remote prison city of Acre (ʻAkka) in Ottoman Palestine (present-day Israel).

Even under exile, Bahá’u’lláh addressed kings, rulers, and religious leaders, calling them to justice, peace, unity, and moral responsibility.

He passed away on May 29, 1892, in Bahjí, near Acre, and was buried in a shrine that later became a major pilgrimage site for Bahá’ís. Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh today is a focal point of Bahá’í reverence and was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site (along with other Bahá’í holy places).

Major Writings & Teachings

Key Works

Bahá’u’lláh’s written output is vast, amounting to more than 100 volumes. Some of his most significant works include:

• Kitáb-i-Aqdas (The Most Holy Book) — the central book of Bahá’í laws and teachings

• Kitáb-i-Íqán (The Book of Certitude) — reflections on religious truth and unity

• Hidden Words — short spiritual aphorisms in Arabic and Persian

• Seven Valleys — mystical exposition of the spiritual journey

• Epistle to the Son of the Wolf — a major letter written in 1891 to a Muslim cleric, chastising persecution and calling for justice

His writings were originally in Persian and Arabic, and later translated widely.

Core Principles

Across his teachings, several fundamental themes emerge:

1. Oneness of Humanity & Global Unity
   Bahá’u’lláh taught that humanity is one family and that all people belong to one human race. He exhorted people to transcend nationalism and tribalism, calling for global cooperation and unity.

2. Harmony of Science and Religion
   He affirmed that true science and true religion must align, not conflict, as both originate from the same divine source.

3. Justice, Equality, and Social Transformation
   His vision includes the equality of men and women, elimination of prejudice, universal education, fair economic systems, and just governance.

4. Progressive Revelation & Spiritual Renewal
   Bahá’u’lláh taught that religious truth is revealed progressively over time by successive Manifestations of God, adapted to the needs of each age.

5. Peace Through Covenant & Institutions
   He called for global structures—e.g. arbitration of disputes, a universal auxiliary language, and world laws—to support peace and order.

6. Spiritual Transformation
   Individual virtues—compassion, humility, service—are integral. Bahá’u’lláh frequently describes inner spiritual processes, detachment, and the development of the soul.

Personality, Challenges & Legacy

Bahá’u’lláh’s life was marked by exile, hardship, and repeated trials. Despite persecution, he is described by Bahá’í sources as unfailingly generous, compassionate to the oppressed, open to all seekers, and unwavering in principle.

His mission was not one of political conquest but of spiritual persuasion and moral transformation.

Legacy:

• The Bahá’í Faith, which now has communities around the world, regards Bahá’u’lláh’s writings as authoritative scripture.

• His writings have been translated into many languages.

• His shrine in Bahjí is a pilgrimage site for Bahá’ís globally.

• His message of unity, justice, and global cooperation continues to speak to contemporary global challenges: conflict, inequality, sectarian division, and environmental crisis.

Notable Quotations

Here are some of Bahá’u’lláh’s most often cited and revered statements:

• “The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.”

• “Should prosperity befall thee, rejoice not, and should abasement come upon thee, grieve not, for both shall pass away and be no more.”

• “Be generous in prosperity, and thankful in adversity. It is incumbent upon all the peoples of the world to reconcile their differences … abide beneath the shadow of the Tree of His care and loving-kindness.”

• “The betterment of the world can be accomplished through pure and goodly deeds and through commendable and seemly conduct.”

• “Every age hath its own problem, and every soul its particular aspiration. … Be anxiously concerned with the needs of the age ye live in, and centre your deliberations on its exigencies and requirements.”

• “In all matters moderation is desirable. If a thing is carried to excess, it will prove a source of evil.”

• “Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures …”

• “It is not for him to pride himself who loveth his own country, but rather for him who loveth the whole world.”

These lines reflect his spiritual, moral, and social vision—emphasizing unity, balance, service, and the urgency of adapting to the needs of one’s time.

Lessons from Bahá’u’lláh

1. Global vision with local relevance
   Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings call us to think globally—to see humanity as one—and yet to engage practically with local challenges: justice, education, equity.

2. Suffering as transformational
   His life demonstrates how personal hardship, exile, and persecution can become contexts for inner growth, resilience, and expanded vision.

3. Balance, moderation, and unity
   Emphasizing moderation in all things, he proposed that extremes lead to division and conflict; unity is the guiding principle across religious, social, and political life.

4. Integration of spirituality and social progress
   He refused to separate the spiritual from the social: personal transformation and societal reform are intertwined.

5. Adaptability for our age
   His counsel to focus on the needs of one’s age encourages us to address contemporary problems—climate change, inequality, religious pluralism—with creative and principled responses.

Conclusion

Bahá’u’lláh’s life and teachings represent a bold and enduring attempt to address humanity’s deepest spiritual needs while also proposing frameworks for social unity, justice, and global harmony. His message challenges us to see beyond narrow identities, to live with purpose, and to contribute to a more peaceful and equitable world.