Martyrdom of the Bab

July 9th is a Bahá'í Holy Day, commemorated at noon as the anniversary of the martyrdom of The Báb. Siyyid 'Alí-Muhammad, Forerunner of Bah u llah, a merchant of Shíráz, declared himself to be The Báb, meaning Gate of God, the Promised One of Islam, on May 23, 1844.

The Báb, having told His secretary a few days before that He was looking forward to the bounty of martyrdom. One of his converts had literally thrown himself at his Master’s feet in the streets of Tabríz and begged not to be parted from Him, so the guards obligingly arrested him, too.

Early in the morning of July 9th, The Báb was engaged in a confidential conversation with His secretary when the prison official in charge of the execution interrupted. The Báb rebuked him, saying, "Not until I have said to him all those things that I wish to say, can any earthly power silence Me. Though all the world be armed against Me, yet shall they be powerless to deter Me from fulfilling, to the last word, My intention."

Báb's declaration on 23rd May 1844

Báb announced that He was the Bearer of a long- promised Divine Revelation destined to transform the spiritual life of the human race. "O peoples of the earth," the Báb declared, "Give ear unto God's holy Voice...Verily the resplendent Light of God hath appeared in your midst, invested with this unerring Book, that ye may be guided aright to the ways of peace...",

Love and Compassion

The Báb's declaration that spiritual renewal and social advancement rested on "love and compassion" rather "than force and coercion," aroused hope and excitement among all classes, and He quickly attracted thousands of followers.

The central theme of His major work the “Bayan” was the imminent appearance of a second Messenger from God, one Who would be far greater than the Báb, and Whose mission would be to usher in the age of peace and justice promised in Islam, Judaism, Christianity, and all the other world religions.

Bahá'u'lláh paid tribute to the Báb

"Behold what steadfastness that Beauty of God hath revealed. The whole world rose to hinder Him, yet it utterly failed. The more severe the persecution they inflicted on that Sadrih [Branch] of Blessedness, the more His fervour increased, and the brighter burned the flame of His love. All this is evident, and none disputeth its truth. Finally, He surrendered His soul, and winged His flight unto the realms above."

The Sacred Head of the Baha’i Faith?

The Bab is the forerunner of Baha u llah
Baha u llah.
Abdu’l Baha.
Shoghi Effendi, the First Guardian of Baha’i Faith.
Mason Remey, the Second Guardian of Baha’i Faith.
Joel Marangell, the Third Guardian of Baha’i Faith.

Joel Marangella is the LIVING GUARDIAN OF BAHA'I FAITH. We the Indian Orthodox Baha'i will commemorate on 9th July 2010 in Vasai Road, New Delhi and Lucknow in morning between 10 to 12.