Circa 1871: Baha’u’llah reveals Lawh-i-Qad Ihtaraqa'l-Mukhlisun - The Fire Tablet

Towards the end of 1871 Bahá'u'lláh received a letter from one of His devoted followers in Persia, Haji Siyyid 'Ali-Akbar-i-Dahaji, a nephew of Siyyid Mihdi, the Ismu'llah.[1] In answer to his letter, Bahá'u'lláh revealed the Lawh-i-Qad Ihtaraqa'l-Mukhlisun, or the Lawh-i-ihtiraq, translated into English and known in the west as the Fire Tablet. The recipient of this Tablet, Haji Siyyid 'Ali-Akbar was so much loved by Bahá'u'lláh that when he passed away Bahá'u'lláh gave his uncle the name 'Ali-Akbar, in memory of that devoted believer.

The Lawh-i-Qad Ihtaraqa'l-Mukhlisun is one of Bahá'u'lláh's most celebrated Tablets; it is possessed of great powers, and the believers often recite it at times of difficulties and suffering. Of this Tablet Bahá'u'lláh states in the Fire Tablet:

'Should all the servants read and ponder this, there shall be kindled in their veins a fire that shall set aflame the worlds.'

The Fire Tablet is in Arabic rhyming verse; it moves the heart when chanted in the original language. It was revealed at a time when great afflictions and sorrows had surrounded Bahá'u'lláh as a result of the hostility, betrayal and acts of infamy perpetrated by those few individuals who had once claimed to be the helpers of the Cause of God. Bahá'u'lláh pours out His heart in this Tablet and expatiates on His afflictions. For nothing brings more sorrow to the heart of the Manifestation of God than unfaithfulness and treachery from within the community. Imprisonment and all manner of persecution by the outside enemy can do no harm to the Cause. What harms it are the actions of those who bear His name and yet commit deeds contrary to His good-pleasure. These few breakers of the Covenant of the Báb, who followed Mirza Yahya and rose up against Bahá'u'lláh from within, created such havoc in the community and among the inhabitants of 'Akká that the Pen of Bahá'u'lláh lamented in this Tablet in a manner unprecedented in all His Writings.

An ancient inn in Zanjan where the Báb stayed

Views of the dilapidated inn in Zanjan, Persia, where the Báb stayed in a room on the second floor (here marked with an "X"). The inn since then has fallen disrepair and in 1970's was used as a sort of depot for trucks. (source: 'Land of Resplendent Glory', by the International Baha'i Audio-Visual Centre, 1971)

The Báb's journey from Shiraz to Isfahan

A famous 300-year-old bridge near Persepolis, Persia, that the Báb crossed on His way from Shiraz to Isfahan in 1846. (source: 'Land of Resplendent Glory', by the International Baha'i Audio-Visual Centre, 1971)

1945: National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States and Canada

Members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States and Canada 1944-1945 (Re-elected for the year 1945-19460) (The Baha'i World 1944-1946)

1945: First Baha'i-Sponsored Youth Gathering in Punta Arenas, Magallanes, Chile

First public meeting for Youth held under the auspices of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Punta Arenas, Magallanes, Chile, July, 1945. (The Baha'i World 1944-1946)

1944: First Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Sholapur, India

(The Baha'i World 1944-1946)

Percentage of Continental Counsellors who are women – 1980-2010

The table above represents a historical overview of the percentage of women serving as members of the Continental Boards of Counsellors for the period from 26 November 1980—when the number of Boards was fixed at five—until now [2010], including the most recent appointments that took effect on 26 November 2010. Percentages have been calculated on the basis of the appointments made at the beginning of each five-year term; mid-term appointments have not been considered. 

(Included with a letter dated 23 January 2013 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice)

1844: Bushihr, Persia - Wooden sailing vessels

An old-time wooden sailing vessel like this was used by the Báb to sail for Mecca in October of 1844. With Him were the Letter of the Living Quddus and an Ethiopian attendant with a large basket of  sweet lemons to make up for the absence of fresh water. The voyage took about two months. They sailed 3,000 miles around Arabia to the Red Sea and to Jaddih, the port of Mecca.(source: 'Land of Resplendent Glory', by the International Baha'i Audio-Visual Centre, 1971)

Picture of the original door to the House of the Báb

(source: 'Land of Resplendent Glory', by the International Baha'i Audio-Visual Centre, 1971)

Pilgrimage to the House of the Báb

Ílkhání Mosque in Shiraz, Persia

The The Ílkhání Mosque in Shiraz, Persia where many of the Letters of the Living were housed during their forty-day-long search for the Promised One. (‘Pilgrimage to the House of the Báb’, 1977)

1957: First Conclave of the Hands of the Cause of God - recalled by John Robarts

(Excerpt from a talk given by Hand of the Cause John Robarts at the Association for Baha'i Studies in 1980)

First Baha’i Temple

The world's first Mashriqu'l-Adhkar was built in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, bordering northern Iran.

A women's meeting shows the interior design of the Ashgabat Temple. The women and girls would take turns reading or chanting prayers.

The front arch of the Ashgabat House of Worship

November 14, 2015: Battambang, Cambodia — first groundbreaking for a local Baha'i House of Worship

Some 200 community members attended an event marking the groundbreaking.

Community members participate in the groundbreaking at the spot marking the center of the central edifice.

People from surrounding neighborhoods make their way to the event commemorating the groundbreaking.

Members of the community work together to build a fence around the Temple land.

Some two hundred community members from the region of Battambang in Cambodia gathered to celebrate the momentous occasion, beginning with prayers at dawn. The event coincided with the commemoration of the Twin Holy Birthdays—the Birth of the Bab and the Birth of Baha'u'llah.

Though yet unbuilt, the House of Worship is becoming part of the fabric of community life, and developments related to its construction are viewed as a collective endeavor, galvanizing the surrounding population. It is, as described by the Universal House of Justice, connecting "two essential, inseparable aspects of Baha'i life: worship and service".

The groundbreaking commemorated yesterday marks a milestone—the first of its kind—among the seven locations announced by the Universal House of Justice in 2012 to raise a Baha'i House of Worship in the coming years. 

(Baha’i World News Service)

1893 Chicago: World's Parliament of Religions - a letter describing Baha'u'llah and the Baha'i Faith was read

Chicago's World Columbian Exposition in 1893 celebrated the 400th anniversary of the discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus. The World's Parliament of Religions was one of many conferences planned to coincide with the fair and was the world's first ecumenical meeting. It met for 17 days in the Hall of Columbus at the Art Institute of Chicago. Clergy from many Christian denominations took part, as well as representatives of other faiths, which included the following: Muslim, Hindus, Buddhists, Zoroastrians, Confucians, and Jains… There was no member of the Baha'i Faith present. A Christian missionary in Syria sent a letter describing Baha'u'llah and the Baha'i Faith that was read at a conference session. The Parliament caused a great interest in comparative religions amongst Chicagoans. When a Syrian Baha'i named Ibrahim Kheiralla came to Chicago in 1894 hoping to make his fortune, he initiated classes on spiritual healing, which included some Baha'i prayers and principles. Students in those classes became the early Baha'is of Chicago. 

(‘Images of America – Baha’i Temple’, by Candace Moore Hill)

Early 1900's: A Persian Caravansary

A Caravansary or “Hotel” on the road to Shiraz, Persia

Inside its walls is an immense court yard where travelers are herded indiscriminately with their camels and other beasts of burden. These “hotels” are designed to give the caravans a resting place at night protected from marauders. 

(National Geographic 1921)

1946: First Baha'i Latin-American Conference, Panama

The first Latin-American Conference was held in Panama, 1946. Baha'i representatives were present from the United States, Nicaragua, Chile, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Honduras, El Salvador, Venezuela, the Canal Zone and Panama. (The Baha'i World 1944-1946)

1976: Baha’is in the Province of Khurasan, Iran, “won (a) unique distinction”

15 October 1976

To the friends gathered at the International Teaching Conference in Nairobi, Kenya

REJOICE SHARE WITH FRIENDS AT NAIROBI CONFERENCE JOYOUS TIDINGS RECEIVED FROM CRADLE FAITH FRIENDS PROVINCE KHURASAN WHERE MIGHTY EVENTS TOOK PLACE EARLY YEARS HEROIC AGE HAVE WON UNIQUE DISTINCTION. EVERY LOCAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY EVEN EVERY GROUP THAT PROVINCE HAS FORMULATED ITS LOCAL GOALS AND EVERY INDIVIDUAL BELIEVER HAS ADOPTED PERSONAL TEACHING GOALS. OBJECTIVE ENVISAGED FIVE YEAR PLAN BRILLIANTLY OUTSTRIPPED. FERVENTLY PRAYING SHRINES SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES GROUPS INDIVIDUAL BELIEVERS EVERY LAND WILL BE INSPIRED FOLLOW THIS EXAMPLE.

UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

(Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1963 to 1986)

1888 & 1921: Views of Shiraz and the Qur'an Gate

The capital of the Province of Fars is situated in a fertile plain at an elevation of a mile above sea level. A mud wall four miles in circumference surrounds the town, which has a population of 60,000. 

(National Geographic, 1921)

Qur'an Gate 1888 (Encyclopedia Iranica)

March 26, 1916: 'Abdu'l-Baha revealed the first Tablet of the Divine Plan

It was revealed by 'Abdu'l-Baha on Sunday morning, March 26th 1916, in 'Abdu'l-Bahá's room at the house in Bahji, addressed to the Bahá'ís of nine North-Eastern States of the United States: Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York. 

- Hand of the Cause Balyuzi  (‘Abdu'l-Baha - The Centre of the Covenant’) 

An example of psychological pressure, machination and scheming by the Ottoman authorities against Baha’u’llah

The State officials, considering the secret progress of the Extended Cord have, from every direction, incited and aided Mine adversaries. In the Great City (Constantinople) they have roused a considerable number of people to oppose this Wronged One. Things have come to such a pass that the officials in that city have acted in a manner which hath brought shame to both the government and the people. A distinguished siyyid, whose well-known integrity, acceptable conduct, and commercial reputation, were recognized by the majority of fair-minded men, and who was regarded by all as a highly honored merchant, once visited Beirut. In view of his friendship for this Wronged One they telegraphed the Persian Dragoman informing him that this siyyid, assisted by his servant, had stolen a sum of money and other things and gone to Akká. Their design in this matter was to dishonor this Wronged One. And yet, far be it from the people of this country to allow themselves to be deflected, by these unseemly tales, from the straight path of uprightness and truth. Briefly, they have assaulted Me from every side, and are reinforcing Mine adversaries. 

- Baha’u’llah  (‘Epistle to the Son of the Wolf’)

Two Hands of the Cause of God of black ancestry -- appointed by Shoghi Effendi

• Louis Gregory of the United States, appointed posthumously in August 1951, and
• Enoch Olinga of Uganda, appointed in October 1957.

(Explanatory footnote to a message from the Universal House of Justice dated 26 September 1976; ‘Messages of the Universal House of Justice 1963-1986)

circa 1925: Avenue in Haifa, Palestine, leading to Mount Carmel

Avenue in Haifa, Palestine, leading to Mount Carmel. The Shrine of the Bab and 'Abdu'l-Baha is seen halfway up the mountain.

Shoghi Effendi raised up four National Spiritual Assemblies in Africa

• Central and East Africa,
• North East Africa,
• North West Africa, and
• South and West Africa

(Explanatory footnote to a message from the Universal House of Justice dated 26 September 1976; ‘Messages of the Universal House of Justice 1963-1986)

An example of calumnies, defamations, and lies being spread against Baha’u’llah in Constantinople and their impact on some of His followers

In this connection it is necessary to mention the following occurrence, that haply men may take fast hold of the cord of justice and truthfulness. Hájí Shaykh Muhammad ‘Alí—upon him be the glory of God, the Ever-Abiding—was a merchant of high repute, well-known unto most of the inhabitants of the Great City (Constantinople). Not long ago, when the Persian Embassy in Constantinople was secretly engaged in stirring up mischief, it was noticed that this believing and sincere soul was greatly distressed. Finally, one night he threw himself into the sea, but was rescued by some passers-by who chanced to come upon him at that moment. His act was widely commented upon and given varied interpretations by different people. Following this, one night he repaired to a mosque, and, as reported by the guardian of that place, kept vigil the whole night, and was occupied until the morning in offering, ardently and with tearful eyes, his prayers and supplications. Upon hearing him suddenly cease his devotions, the guardian went to him, and found that he had already surrendered his soul. An empty bottle was found by his side, indicating that he had poisoned himself. Briefly, the guardian, while greatly astonished, broke the news to the people. It was found out that he had left two testaments. In the first he recognized and confessed the unity of God, that His Exalted Being had neither peer nor equal, and that His Essence was exalted above all praise, all glorification and description. He also testified to the Revelation of the Prophets and the holy ones, and recognized what had been written down in the Books of God, the Lord of all men. On another page, in which he had set down a prayer, he wrote these words in conclusion: “This servant and the loved ones of God are perplexed. On the one hand the Pen of the Most High hath forbidden all men to engage in sedition, contention or conflict, and on the other that same Pen hath sent down these most sublime words: ‘Should anyone, in the presence of the Manifestation, discover an evil intention on the part of any soul, he must not oppose him, but must leave him to God.’ Considering that on the one hand this binding command is clear and firmly established, and that on the other calumnies, beyond human strength to bear or endure, have been uttered, this servant hath chosen to commit this most grievous sin. I turn suppliantly unto the ocean of God’s bounty and the heaven of Divine mercy, and hope that He will blot out with the pen of His grace and bounteousness the misdeeds of this servant. Though my transgressions be manifold, and unnumbered my evildoings, yet do I cleave tenaciously to the cord of His bounty, and cling unto the hem of His generosity. God is witness, and they that are nigh unto His Threshold know full well, that this servant could not bear to hear the tales related by the perfidious. I, therefore, have committed this act. If He chastise me, He verily is to be praised for what He doeth; and if He forgive me, His behest shall be obeyed.” 

- Baha’u’llah  (‘Epistle to the Son of the Wolf’)