List of Illustrations
Preface
Part I: The Bábí Religion, 1844-53
1. The Islamic and Iranian Background
2. The Emergence of the Bábí Movement.
3. The Developemnt of a New Religion,
4. Conflict and Collapse, 1848-53
Part II: The Estabishment of the Bahá’í Faith
5. Bahá’u’lláh
6. The Writings and Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh
7. ’Abdu’l-Bahá
8. Bahá’í Communities, 1866 - 1921
Part III: The Bahá’í Faith since 1972
9. Shoghi Effendi
10. The Universal House of Justice.
11. Bahá’í Communities, 1866 - 1921
Conclusion
Chronology of improtant dates
Further reading
Bibliography
Index

Tracing the rise and development of the most widespread religion in the world, this is a succinct but comprehensive study of the history of the Bahá’í faith.

Dr Smith, a well-known writer in the field, deftly explores the religion from its origins in mid-nineteenth century Iran to the spiritual and social concerns of the present day. His account features coverage of:

• the Bábí movement from which the Bahá’í faith grew
• the life and teachings of the prophet-founder of the Bahá’í Faith, Bahá’u’lláh, and his successors
• the global expansion of the faith
• the organisation of the Bahá’í community today

Combining concise and skilful writing with illustrations of key people, places and events, this is a thorough historical survey of a religion that now has an estimated six million adherents.