Importance Of Abu Llah

Appendix 1

1. Baha'u'llah (1817-1892): Literally, "the Glory of God." The title by which Mírza Husayn Ali Nuri, the Founder of the Baha'i Faith, is known. He was born on Nov. 12, 1817 to a noble family of Persia (now Iran). He spent His 40-year ministry in prison and in exile. In spite of great hardships and the opposition of the most powerful people in the Islamic world, Baha'u'llah persisted in spreading His message of unity and peace, authored the equivalent of 100 volumes (which form the core of the Baha’i Holy Writings) and called on the world's leaders to reconcile their differences and establish true justice in the world. (A short summary by author)

2. Abdu'l-Baha (1844-1921): The name by which Baha'u'llah's son and appointed successor,

Formative Age – Also called the Iron or Transitional Age, corresponding to the period since the passing of ‘Abdu’l-Baha in 1921. As described by Shoghi Effendi, the phase or age of the Baha’i era, ‘ushered in by [‘Abdu’l-Baha’is] Will and Testament, which defines its character and established its foundation.’ This age is to ‘witness the crystallization and shaping of the creative energies’ released by the Revelation of Baha’u’llah. The Formative Age is divided into epochs which mark stages in the development of the Baha’i community and its institutions. The first epoch (1921-44/46) saw the formation of local and international institutions in all five continents, the first Seven Year Plan and several national plans. The second epoch (1946-63) witnessed the development, through a series of teaching plans, of the Baha’i Faith in East and West and the development of the World Centre. The third epoch (1963-86) included three world teaching plans under the direction of the Universal House of Justice and saw the emergence of the Faith from obscurity and the beginning of the social and economic development of the Baha’i communities. The Fourth Epoch witnessed the formulation of the specific goals for each national community through consultation of the National Spiritual Assemblies and the Continental Boards of Counselors. Began with the Six Year Plan (1986-1992), and continued through the Holy Year (1992 – 1993) to the Three Year Plan (1993 – 1996), the Four Year Plan

Progressive Revelation – The concept that Divine Revelation is not final but continuing. The concept of progressive revelation is founded on the belief that all the Greater Prophets of the past were Manifestations of God who appeared in different ages with teachings appropriate to the needs of the time: ‘in every Dispensation’, writes Baha’u’llah. ‘…the light of Divine Revelation hath been vouchsafed unto men in direct proportion to their spiritual capacity.’ Each succeeding Revelation is greater than the one that preceded it, as the capacity of the people to comprehend increases. Baha’is believe the great religions of the past were all ‘different stages in the eternal history and constant evolution of one religion, Divine and indivisible,’ and that in not less than a thousand years, another prophet will appear, to bring further divine guidance to mankind. Imagine, since the beginning of time, humankind walking a spiritual path and God providing street lights. We (humankind) started in the dark and walked toward the first light: Abraham. As we continued walking it got dark again and we came to the next light: Noah. We walked further leaving that light and heading into darkness and the light of Moses appeared. Each time we reached the darkness between the lights on this spiritual path another light appeared: Krishna, Zoroaster, Buddha, Christ, Mohammad, The Bab, and