Babi religion (بابیه · البابية)
The Babi religion was a religious movement in Qajar Iran founded by Sayyid Ali Muhammad Báb in ۱۸۴۴ This movement emerged within the framework of Twelver Shiism and in later years took on a more independent form; some of the Babi followers later joined the Baha'i Faith, but the two traditions are not the same.
Religion links
- Historical links
- Baha'i Faith (بهائی آئینی · Baháʼí Faith)Shia Islam (التشيّع)
Religion profile
- Name in original language
- بابیه · البابية
- Symbols
- Writings and symbols attributed to the branch; there is no single symbol used by all branches.
- type
- Movement
- Founder or central figure
- Sayyid Ali Muhammad Shirazi, known as the Bab ( ۱۸۱۹ – ۱۸۵۰ )
- Origin date (historical context)
- Announcement of the Bab's invitation in Shiraz in May ۱۸۴۴ AD; Important doctrinal changes from ۱۸۴۸ It happened later.
- Exact origin date
- About 1844 Gregorian
- Place of origin (continent)
- Asia
- Place of origin (country)
- Qajar Iran
- Place of origin (city)
- Shiraz
- Historical origin
- The Babi movement emerged within the shaykhic atmosphere of Twelver Shiism. Iranika describes two distinct periods in its development: the initial call to the position of the Bab as the absent Imam, followed by more independent claims and religious law. Government repression, the execution of the Babi, and succession disputes led to the fragmentation of the movement.
- Core beliefs
- Initially, Shiite Mahdist expectations and adherence to Islamic law were prominent; then, in part of the movement, claims to revelation and a new religious law emerged. Views changed between periods and branches.
- God or deities
- The One God
- Prophets or sacred figures
- The Bab; The Twelfth Imam in the Early Shiite Context; Central Babi Figures Such as Tahirah Qara al-Ayn
- Rituals and practices
- Evolving prayer and rituals; Bayan's rulings in the later period of the movement, with different implementations among branches
- Places of worship
- The homes and gathering places of followers in Iran and Iraq; a single central pilgrimage site for all branches did not form.
- Important days and occasions
- The day of the announcement of the invitation to the door ۵ Jumada al-Awwal ۱۲۶۰ Lunar/May ۱۸۴۴ Some occasions differ in the Babi and Azali communities.
- Important rules and rulings
- The book Bayan and the rulings attributed to the Bab is in a later stage; the scope of acceptance and implementation of rulings is not the same in the branches.
- Geographic distribution of followers
- Historically, Ottoman Iran and Iraq; today, small, scattered communities remain, including the Azlians.
- Religious languages
- Persian and Arabic
- Leaders
- After the Bab's execution, the succession became a point of contention, and the eternal and Baha'i branches went their separate ways.
The Babi movement began in Shiraz and within the intellectual atmosphere of the Twelver Shiism. Sayyid Ali Muhammad Shirazi in May ۱۸۴۴ He introduced himself as a Bab. The Encyclopedia Iranica considers this movement to have initially been a movement within the Shiite milieu, which in later years moved towards a breakaway and a more independent religious system: Iranica: Babi Movement.
The first period was accompanied by the expectation of the return of the absent Imam and an emphasis on Islamic law. ۱۸۴۸ The claims of the Bab and the teachings of the movement were transformed, and the Bayan Book played a role in the formation of a new religious law. These changes provoked a strong reaction from the clergy and the Qajar government; the Bab in ۱۸۵۰ He was executed, and subsequent rebellions and repression scattered the Bábí community.
The Babi and the Bahá'í Faith have a close historical connection, but should not be considered synonymous. Iranica explains that the Bahá'í Faith arose from the background of the Shaykh and the Bábí movement and then developed into a distinct tradition: Iranica: Bahá'í Faith. The Eternal and Bahá'í branches took different paths after the succession crisis.
Branches and position of the Babi religion in the classification of religions
The Babis are a historical movement in 19th-century Iran and are important in examining the history of the Baha'i Faith. The historical identity of the Babis must be understood separately from the Baha'i community and organization of today; historical connection is not a reason to merge the two entries.
Classification Guide: Visual and Branch Atlas of World Religions, ed. ۱۵ October ۲۰۲۶ , pages 8 .
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