World ReligionsBaha'i Faith
A short, neutral introduction: origin, texts, beliefs, practice, holy days and how to visit.
- Also called
- Baha'i
- Origin
- Persia (Iran), in the nineteenth century, with Baha'u'llah (1817 to 1892).
- Texts
- The writings of the Bab, Baha'u'llah and 'Abdu'l-Baha, including the Kitab-i-Aqdas and the Hidden Words.
- Place of worship
- The Baha'i Houses of Worship, open to all, of which the Lotus Temple in Delhi is one.
Main beliefs
- The oneness of God, of religion (all the great religions are successive revelations) and of humanity.
- The equality of men and women, the removal of prejudice, harmony of science and religion.
- No clergy; communities are guided by elected councils (Spiritual Assemblies).
Practice
Daily prayer, an annual 19-day fast (2 to 20 March), the Nineteen Day Feast, no alcohol, and service to humanity.
Holy days and festivals
Naw-Ruz (new year), Ridvan, the Declaration of the Bab, and the births of the Bab and Baha'u'llah.
Visiting a place of worship
The House of Worship is open to everyone for silence and prayer; there are no sermons; remove shoes where asked.
A note
The Baha'i Faith is a separate world religion. It has been persecuted in Iran.
The other eleven faiths · Comparison table
Questions people ask
Where did Baha'i Faith begin?
Persia (Iran), in the nineteenth century, with Baha'u'llah (1817 to 1892).
What is the holy book of Baha'i Faith?
The writings of the Bab, Baha'u'llah and 'Abdu'l-Baha, including the Kitab-i-Aqdas and the Hidden Words.
What should a visitor to a place of worship know?
The House of Worship is open to everyone for silence and prayer; there are no sermons; remove shoes where asked.
This is a short, neutral introduction written from widely agreed facts. Every faith has many traditions and its members may describe it differently; for a true account, ask a member of that faith. We state no figures and no dates of moveable festivals.