The Bahá'í Faith
at a Glance

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CREATOR

Called by different names throughout the ages, the eternal God, the Creator of the universe, is limitless, all-knowing, all-powerful and all-loving. God is one. The reality of God is beyond human understanding, yet we are able to find expressions of God’s attributes in every created thing.

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HUMAN
Family

Beyond all differences of race, culture, class or ethnicity, regardless of differences in customs, opinions, or temperaments, every individual is a member of one gloriously diverse human family. Each unique individual has a role to play in carrying forward an ever-advancing material and spiritual civilization.

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Unfolding
religion

Humanity’s spiritual, intellectual and moral capacities have been cultivated through the successive teachings of the Founders of the world’s religions—the Manifestations of God. Among Them are Krishna, Abraham, Moses, Zoroaster, Buddha, Jesus Christ, Muhammad and, most recently, the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh. Each religion originates with God and is suited to the age and place in which it is revealed. In essence, the religion of God is one and is progressively unfolding.

founders

The Bahá'í Faith originated with Bahá'u'lláh (1817-1892), Whose title means “the Glory of God.” Bahá'ís regard Him as the latest in the succession of Divine Messengers Who founded the world’s major religions. He is the Promised One They foretold.

Bahá'u'lláh’s coming was heralded by the Báb (1819-1850), meaning “the Gate.” The Báb proclaimed His divine mission in 1844, which is considered the beginning of the Bahá'í Era—a new cycle of human history and social evolution.

The anniversaries of the birth of the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh are celebrated by Bahá'ís around the world as the Twin Holy Holy Birthdays.

origins

The Bahá'í Faith was born in Persia (today Iran) in the mid-19th century. In less than 200 years it has become a universal faith present in every country in the world with adherents from virtually every national, ethnic, religious, and tribal background.

The Bahá'í Faith first reached the Malay Peninsula in the 1870s with the arrival of Bahá'í teachers from Iran. It was almost a century later, however, that the Peninsula had its first Malaysian Bahá'í—Mr. Yankee Leong, who accepted the Faith in 1953.

Worship

Daily prayer and meditation, offered both in private and in the company of others, is regarded by Bahá'ís as essential spiritual nourishment, providing inspiration for positive personal and social change. Bahá'ís consider work done in the spirit of service as the highest form of worship. Individuals pray and observe an annual 19-day period of fasting during daylight hours. The Bahá'í Faith has no clergy, and has simple practices for life’s rites of passage, such as marriage and funerals.

Holy
Scriptures

The writings of the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh are considered by Bahá'ís to have been revealed by God. As the Creative Word of God, these sacred writings have the power to touch the deepest parts of our hearts and transform us and the world around us. Bahá'u'lláh revealed over a hundred volumes of sacred texts, including prayers and meditations, a book of laws. The Bahá'í writings address the needs of the age and offer inspiration for individuals working to better themselves and their communities.

structure

The affairs of the Bahá’í community are governed by institutions established by Bahá'u'lláh. Administrative Order comprises both elected and appointed institutions at local, national, and international levels. Nonpartisan elections, without nominations or campaigns and conducted by secret ballot, and collective decision making are hallmarks of Bahá’í administration. These and other principles constitute a model of just and unified global governance.

BELIEF IN
ACTION

In the Bahá'í teachings, refining one’s inner character and offering service to humanity are inseparable. This twofold purpose shapes the endeavours of Bahá'ís in all areas of life here in Malaysia and all over the world.

Selections
of Prayers
and
Writings

FOR MORE PRAYERS

“Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit therefrom.” 

—Bahá'u'lláh

DAWN OF THE LIGHT

Films

Dawn of the Light portrays several individuals from different continents as they relate their own personal search after truth and meaning. They share their discovery that God has sent two Divine Manifestations—the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh—Whose teachings are revolutionizing human thought and behaviour, changing darkness into light. The film shows glimpses of how this same discovery is inspiring the efforts of many across the globe to serve humanity and to contribute to building a new pattern of life.

FOR MORE FILMS
   
       

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