 Bahá’u’lláh was born Mírzá Ḥusayn-‘Alí Núrí at dawn on November 12th, 1817 in Ṭihran, the capital city of Persia. Bahá’u’lláh's father was Mírzá Buzurg, a talented calligrapher and nobleman from the Persian district of Núr. Mírzá Buzurg had seven wives, three of whom were concubines. His second marriage to Khadíjih Khánum resulted in Sárih Khánum, Mírzá Mihdí, Bahá’u’lláh, Mírzá Músá, and Nisá’ Khánum. During Bahá’u’lláh's childhood He received limited education or instruction. His mother was astonished at his calm demeanor as he never cried or was restless. When he was five or six years old he related a dream to his father, at first he was attacked by huge birds but they were unable to harm him, then in the sea he was attacked by fish, who were also unable to injure him. This dream was interpreted to mean that Bahá’u’lláh would promulgate something of vital importance to the minds of men and the peoples of the world, the birds and fishes, would be unable to harm him. By the time Bahá’u’lláh was fourteen he was well known for his mastery of argument and powers of exposition (BKG, pgs. 21-23), and he was well regarded even among those who were unfriendly to his father. The husband of Sárih Khánum had a younger sister named Ásíyih Khánum. When she came of age Mírzá Buzurg requested her hand for Bahá’u’lláh and the two were married about October, 1835. Also that year a close friend of Mírzá Buzurg named Mírzá Abd’l-Qásim was executed by order of Muḥammad Sháh, though Mírzá Buzurg attributed the scheme to the Prime Minister Ḥájí Mírzá Áqásí. Mírzá Buzurg wrote critically of Ḥájí Mírzá Áqásí which prompted retaliation. Mírzá Buzurg was dismissed from his governorship of Burújird and Luristán, had his annual allowance stopped, and he was plunged into financial distress following a divorce from his last wife Ḍíyá’u’s-Salṭanih. Owing to an inability to pay the marriage settlement Mírzá Buzurg was imprisoned, beaten and forced to sell various properties and valuable items. Mírzá Buzurg eventually moved into a home belonging to his third wife, while Bahá’u’lláh moved with the rest of his family into a rented house. Bahá’u’lláh brought his mother, other step-mothers and the rest of his brothers and sisters to live with him. It was in this home that Ásíyih Khánum gave birth to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Bahíyyih Khánum and Mírzá Mihdí. Mírzá Buzurg later attempted to regain the properties he was forced to sell but was unsuccessful. He died in 1839 and his body was taken to ‘Iráq to be buried.
Further reading[edit]Childhood impressions: Bahá’u’lláh: The King of Glory, pgs. 19-20. |
Family and life in Tihran Message from Mullá Ḥusayn Events leading to banishment from Iran Baghdad period Declaration of Bahá’u’lláh Next >>
