Bahá’u’lláh was born in 1817 in Tehran, the capital of Iran. From His early childhood, He showed signs of greatness. He received some instruction at home, but did not need to attend school, for He was endowed by God with innate knowledge. Bahá’u’lláh came from a noble family and when he was a young man, was offered a high position in the court of the King, but He refused it. He wished to dedicate His time to helping the oppressed, thesick and the poor, and to champion the cause of justice.

There are two aspects of Bahá’u’lláh’s life to mention in particular. One is the suffering He endured. The other is the tremendous influence He had on the hearts and minds of people. These two aspects actually characterize thelives of all the Manifestations of God.

Baha’u’llah’s sufferings began the moment He arose to proclaim the Cause of God. His life was one of exile, imprisonment and persecution. He was put in chains in a dark and dismal dungeon in Tehran. He was exiled fourtimes from land to land, finally being sent to the Prison City of ‘Akká in the Ottoman Empire. So intense were His sufferings there that He has referred to ‘Akká as 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 courts—those of the King of Iran and the Ottoman Emperor—to oppose Bahá’u’lláh and His Teachings. But the Light of Truth is not easily extinguished. The very water that is poured onthis fire to put out its flame turns into 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 recognized His Power and Majesty. In spite of constant persecution, Bahá’u’lláh continued to reveal the Word of God for more than forty years and brought so much love and spiritual energy  into this world that the final victory of His Cause is certain. Bahá’u’lláh passed away in 1892. His Shrine, which we consider the Holiest Spot on earth, is located near the city of ‘Akká, Israel.

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