Báb

Founder of Bábism and, according to the Baháʼís, predecessor of Baháʼu'lláh

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Lived 1819–1850, aged 31

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Wikipedia
76 languages
Cross-language footprint
Era
1819–1850
Aged 31

Summary

Updated 2026-06-09

He claimed status equal to Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad — then declared his entire revelation existed only to prepare the world for someone greater still. In 1844, a 25-year-old merchant from Shiraz upended Islam, founded a new faith, and died six years later facing 750 rifles.

Biography

About

Born to a merchant family in Shiraz on 20 October 1819, ʻAlí-Muḥammad Shírází entered trade before announcing himself in 1844 as the Báb — the gate to a coming messianic figure he called "he whom God will make manifest." Over six years he composed letters and books abrogating Islamic law, establishing Bábism with new rules on marriage, divorce, inheritance, and a social order centered on unity, modernized education, and the elevation of women. His followers, drawn from the poor and urban tradesmen, met violent opposition from clergy and state. On 9 July 1850, he was tied in a public square in…

Voice

In their own words

Sourced, dated quotes from Báb

Báb

saidundated

This is an epistle from this lowly servant to the All-Glorious Lord — He Who hath been aforetime and will be hereafter made manifest. Verily He is the Most Manifest, the Almighty.

Báb

saidundated

Glorified is He before Whom all the dwellers of earth and heaven bow down in adoration and unto Whom all men turn in supplication.

Báb

saidundated

From all eternity I have indeed recognized Thee and unto all eternity will ever do so through Thine Own Self and not through any one else besides Thee.

Báb

saidundated

I beg of Thee, O my Best Beloved, to pardon me and those who earnestly seek to promote Thy Cause; Thou art indeed the One Who forgiveth the sins of all mankind.

Báb

saidundated