Honoring the Birth of Baha’u’llah – Joyously!

At sunset tonight, Baha’is everywhere will joyously honor the anniversary of the birth of Baha’u’llah, the prophet and founder of the Baha’i Faith. 

Baha’is believe that the advent of Baha’u’llah marks the promised return of the prophets of old, the fulfillment of all the prophecies of the renewal of religion, and the revelation of a new, divine cycle destined to spread peace and unity around the globe. 

What could be more joyous?

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The Baha’is view Baha’u’llah as the promised Lord of Hosts of the Jews; the reincarnation of Krishna and the Tenth Avatar to the Hindus; the fifth Buddha, named Maitreye, the Buddha of universal fellowship to the Buddhists; the return of Christ “in the glory of the Father” to the Christians; the return of the Imam Husayn to the Shi’a Muslims; the descent of the “Spirit of God” to the Sunnis. 

All around the globe, Baha’is from every culture and class and country and religious background celebrate the appearance of Baha’u’llah as the return of the spiritual springtime, revivifying the souls and establishing a renewed religion, a new reality, and a new spiritual oneness among all humanity. 

This striking passage from Baha’u’llah’s writings announces the Baha’i revelation, and calls all humanity to investigate its claims and recognize its reality:

The Revelation which, from time immemorial, hath been acclaimed as the Purpose and Promise of all the Prophets of God, and the most cherished Desire of His Messengers, hath now, by virtue of the pervasive Will of the Almighty and at His irresistible bidding, been revealed unto men. The advent of such a Revelation hath been heralded in all the sacred Scriptures. Behold how, notwithstanding such an announcement, mankind hath strayed from its path and shut out itself from its glory.

Say: O ye lovers of the One true God! Strive, that ye may truly recognize and know Him, and observe befittingly His precepts.

Abdu’l-Baha, Baha’u’llah’s son and successor, addressed all of humanity and summarized Baha’u’llah’s great announcement when he wrote:

O peoples of the world! The Sun of Truth hath risen to illumine the whole earth, and to spiritualize the community of man. Laudable are the results and the fruits thereof, abundant the holy evidences deriving from this grace. This is mercy unalloyed and purest bounty; it is light for the world and all its peoples; it is harmony and fellowship, and love and solidarity; indeed it is compassion and unity, and the end of foreignness; it is the being at one, in complete dignity and freedom, with all on earth. …

For this reason must all human beings powerfully sustain one another and seek for everlasting life; and for this reason must the lovers of God in this contingent world become the mercies and the blessings sent forth by that clement King of the seen and unseen realms. Let them purify their sight and behold all humankind as leaves and blossoms and fruits of the tree of being. Let them at all times concern themselves with doing a kindly thing for one of their fellows, offering to someone love, consideration, thoughtful help. Let them see no one as their enemy, or as wishing them ill, but think of all humankind as their friends; regarding the alien as an intimate, the stranger as a companion, staying free of prejudice, drawing no lines. …

The Faith of [Baha’u’llah] is summoning mankind to safety and love, to amity and peace; it hath raised up its tabernacle on the heights of the earth, and directeth its call to all nations. Wherefore, O ye who are God’s lovers, know ye the value of this precious Faith, obey its teachings, walk in this road that is drawn straight, and show ye this way to the people. Lift up your voices and sing out the song of the Kingdom. 

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Tonight, seek out the Baha’is in your community – you’ll find them singing out the song of the Kingdom, joyously calling on all people to unite in love and harmony.

Happy birthday of Baha’u’llah!