See Also: Babism(encyclopedia)

Babism (sh)




Religion that developed in Iran around Mirza ?Ali Mu?ammad's claim (1844) to be the Bab.

Its beliefs are set forth in the Bayan, a holy book written by the Bab, which proclaims a universal law in place of all existing religious legal codes. Babism originated as a messianic movement in Shiite Islam. In 1867 the movement split, with the Azalis remaining faithful to the original teachings of the Bab and those of his successor ?ob?-e Azal. Most Babis accepted the leadership of ?ob?-e Azal's half-brother Baha Ullah, and under him the Bahai faith was developed.