Bahá’u'lláh was born in 1817, in Tehran, the capital of Iran. From his early childhood, He showed signs of greatness. He did not need to attend school, for He was endowed by God with innate knowledge.

“No one entered His presence without becoming awe-stricken by his might. the learned men who approached Him were astounded at his knowledge, yet he never attended school nor learned of men. His friends and His family all testify to this, yet His teachings are the soul of this age”

‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Bahá’u'lláh came from a noble family and when He was a young man, He was offered a high position in the curt of the king, but He refused it. He wished to dedicate His time to helping the oppressed, this sick and the poor, and to champion the cause of justice. Such was the love of Bahá’u'lláh for humanity. By his mid-twenties He had become known as the father of the poor and became renowned for defending the rights of the oppressed and impoverished citizens of Iran

In 1844, at the age of 27, Bahá’u'lláh became a follower of the Báb. Together with the Bábs other followers, He was persecuted for His beliefs. In 1852, when their oppression was at its most fierce, Bahá’u'lláh was imprisoned in an infamous underground jail known as the “Black Pit”.

In this appalling and filthy prison, restrained by heavy chains, Bahá’u'lláh became aware that he was the Promised One foretold by the Báb. He wrote of this realisation:

“During the days I lay in the prison of Tihran, though the galling weight of the chains and the stench-filled air allowed Me but little sleep, still in those infrequent moments of slumber I felt as if something flowed from the crown of My head over My breast, even as a mighty torrent that precipitateth itself upon the earth from the summit of a lofty mountain.”

Though many of the Bábs followers were executed, the Iranian authorities were reluctant to kill the son of a government official, not to leave Him to die in jail. Instead he was exiled to the Ottoman Empire, eventually being sent to the prison city of Acre, at the time the most terrible prison in the world. So intense were His sufferings there that He named it “the Most Great Prison”. In one of His tablets, we read:

“Remember My days during thy days, and My distress and banishment in this remote prison. And be thou so steadfast in My love that thy heart shall not waver, even if the swords of the enemies rain blows upon thee and all the heavens and the earth arise against thee.”

Every effort was made by two powerful imperial courts – those of the King of Iran and the Ottoman Emperor – to oppose Bahá’u'lláh and His Teachings. They wanted to destroy this new religion. However the Light of Truth is not so easily extinguished. The very water that is poured over the fire to put out its flame turns to oil, and the fire burns with more intensity.

Nothing could be done to stop Bahá’u'lláh’s growing influence. The farther the authorities banished Him, the greater the number of people who were attracted to His Teachings and recognised His Power and Majesty. Nothing could be done to stop Bahá’u'lláh’s growing influence. The farther the authorities banished Him, the greater the number of people who were attracted to His Teachings and recognised His Power and Majesty.

in spite of constant persecution, Bahá’u'lláh continued to reveal the Word of God for more than 40 years and brought so much love and spiritual energy into the world that the final victory of His cause is certain.

Bahá’u'lláh passed away in 1892. His Shrine, which Bahá’ís consider the Holiest Spot on earth is located at Bahji near the city of Acre. Bahá’u'lláh wrote about his sufferings:

“The Ancient Beauty hath consented to be bound with chains that mankind may be released from its bondage, and hath accepted to be made a prisoner within this most mighty Stronghold that the whole world may attain unto true liberty. He hath drained to its dregs the cup of sorrow, that all the peoples of the earth may attain unto abiding joy, and be filled with gladness. This is of the mercy of your Lord, the Compassionate, the Most Merciful. We have accepted to be abased, O believers in the Unity of God, that ye may be exalted, and have suffered manifold afflictions, that ye might prosper and flourish. He Who hath come to build anew the whole world, behold, how they that have joined partners with God have forced Him to dwell within the most desolate of cities!”

Suggested Further Reading

• Bahá’u'lláh – Bahai.org
• Photographic narrative of the Life of Bahá’u'lláh
• The Hidden Words of Bahá’u'lláh
• The Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys by Bahá’u'lláh
• Tablets of Bahá’u'lláh
• Prayers and Meditations by Bahá’u'lláh
• Bahá’u'lláh and the New Era by J.E. Esslemont
• Books about Bahá’u'lláh avialbale from Bahá’í Books UK
• Bahá’u'lláh, A Short Biography (Oneworld Publications)