On Shi'a Islam: The Roots of the Baha'i Faith

Conficts of all kinds rage both on our TV screens and on our computer screens. Reading blogs on Iran is positively scary, whether they are written by Iranians or Westerners. Baha'is shun political machinations, and there sure is plenty of that on these Iranian-subject blogs. Here is an excerpt from one blog entry that attempts to provide an historical perspective on the Islam of Iran:

Most all Iranians, as you have heard, are "Shias." Shias form one of the two main branches of Islam (Sunnis form the other - most Arabs are Sunnis), originating as "Shiat Ali" or followers of Mohammed's son-in-law Ali, married to Mohammed's daughter, Fatima (Mohammed had no sons).

Shias believed the Caliph, or Islamic Pope, should be a descendant of Mohammed, i.e., of Ali and Fatima. But the Caliphate was seized when the army of Ali's son, Hussein, was slaughtered at the Battle of Karbala (now a sacred city in Iraq) in 680 AD by rival Sunnis.

The line of Imams, or Shia Calpihs, continued until the mysterious disappearance of Al-Askari, the 12th Imam, at age four in 873. Shias refused to believe he died, and he became revered as the Hidden Imam who would some day return to save the world as an Islamic Messiah.This is why most Shias are "Twelvers" waiting for the return of the 12th Imam, for they deeply believe only he can establish true Islamic law on earth. Like apocalyptic Christians, they believe that disastrous "signs" - chaos, death, and destruction on a horrifically massive scale - will portend the coming of their messiah.

All Shias believe this, that there will be a Second Coming of their Savior.

And so Westerners reading this may be learning for the first time of the messianic traditions of Shi'ah Islam, a fascinating subject. Here is an excerpt from a Baha'i author that summarizes the Baha'i view:

Although Bahá'ís recognize the legitimacy of the 12 Imams of Shi'ah Islam, that recognition does not in any way constitute an acceptance or validation of some of the fantastic theories, traditions, superstitions, and downright inventions of the various sects and leaders of Shi'ah Islam. Shi'ah Islam, and in particular the Ithna-'Ashariyyih sect of Shi'ah Islam, was the historical setting out of which sprang -- first the Bábí -- and eventually the Bahá'í Faith; in the same way that Christianity sprang from Judaism. Both Christianity and the Bahá'í Faith have gone on to become independent world religions.

Duane Troxel, ISLAM AND THE BAHÁ'Í FAITH: A Brief Guide