Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh (Bahá'í Holy Day)
The Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh is a significant holy day in the Bahá'í faith, observed on May 29 each year, commemorating the death of Bahá'u'lláh, the religion's founder, in 1892. Bahá'u'lláh, whose name means "the glory of God" in Arabic, is revered for his teachings that advocate for the unity of all religions and the establishment of social justice, including racial and gender equality. His emergence as a prophet was foretold by Mirza Ali Muhammad, known as the Báb, whose teachings preceded Bahá'u'lláh's proclamation in 1863. The Bahá'í faith emphasizes the necessity of global cooperation and the formation of a single world government as part of its core beliefs. Today, there are approximately 6 to 7 million Bahá'ís worldwide, with the largest population in India. The day of Bahá'u'lláh's ascension is marked with reflection on his teachings and the principles of unity and justice that underpin the faith, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose among adherents.
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Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh (Bahá'í Holy Day)
Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh (Bahá'í Holy Day)
May 29 is a holy day in the Bahá'í faith, as it marks the death of Bahá'u'lláh, the founder of their religion, on May 29, 1892.
Bahá'í means “of glory” in Persian (or in Farsi). The religion has its roots in the teachings of Mirza Ali Muhammad, known as the Báb, from Shiraz, a city in Persia (modern-day Iran). One of the Báb's teachings was a prophecy, made in 1844, that God would manifest himself through a prophet in 19 years. A prominent Báb leader named Mirza Husayn Ali from Nur, also in Persia, proclaimed himself that prophet in 1863. He took the name Bahá'u'lláh, which means “the glory of God” in Arabic. Bahá'u'lláh preached a universal faith, declaring that he was the successor of previous prophets ranging from Buddha to Zoroaster and that all beliefs should unite into one world religion. He also spoke in favor of concrete social goals for the new faith, espousing progressive objectives, from racial and sexual equality to a single world government. Members of the faith are known as Bahá'ís and there are roughly 6 to 7 million of them throughout the world today, with the largest concentration being the approximately 2 million in India.