Twin Lights, the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh
This week, we celebrate and honour two lives that changed the course of history: a young merchant in Shíráz whose words opened a new chapter for humankind, and a nobleman in Tihrán whose Revelation brought the full light of a new era. The Twin Holy Birthdays invite us to reflect on the lives and Missions of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh, and how their light continues to reshape families, neighbourhoods and the course of humanity as a whole today.
Below are short extracts from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh about this most auspicious and joyous time, followed by links to two films, released respectively for the bicentenary of the Birth of the Báb, and for Bahá’u’lláh, helping us to see the unfolding Revelations of these glorious Manifestations of God, and its power to illuminate hearts throughout the world.
The Birth of the Báb
“In the name of the One born on this day, Him Whom God hath made to be the Herald of His name, the Almighty, the All-Loving!
This is a Tablet We have addressed unto that night wherein the heavens and the earth were illumined by a Light that cast its radiance over the entire creation.
Blessed art thou, O night! For through thee was born the Day of God, a Day which We have ordained to be the lamp of salvation unto the denizens of the cities of names, the chalice of victory unto the champions of the arenas of eternity, and the dawning-place of joy and exultation unto all creation.
Immeasurably exalted is God, the Maker of the heavens, Who hath caused this Day to speak forth that Name whereby the veils of idle fancy have been rent asunder, the mists of vain imaginings have been dispelled, and His name “the Self-Subsisting” hath dawned above the horizon of certitude. On this Day the choice wine of everlasting life hath been unsealed, the doors of knowledge and utterance have been unlocked before the peoples of the earth, and the breezes of the All-Merciful have been wafted over every region. All glory be to that hour wherein the Treasure of God, the All-Powerful, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise, hath appeared!”
Bahá’u’lláh - Days of Remembrance - Selections from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh for Bahá'í Holy Days
The Birth of Bahá’u’lláh
“O concourse of the seen and the unseen! Rejoice with exceeding gladness in your hearts and souls, for the night hath come for the harvesting of the ages and the gathering up of past cycles, the night wherein all days and nights were called into being and the time preordained for this Revelation was fulfilled at the behest of Him Who is the Lord of might and power. All joy to the Concourse on high at the appearance of so glorious, so wondrous a Spirit!
This is the night wherein the doors of Paradise were flung open and the gates of Hell were shut fast, the night wherein the paradise of the All-Merciful was unveiled in the midmost heart of creation, the breezes of God were wafted from the retreats of forgiveness, and the Last Hour ushered in through the power of truth, could ye but know it. All joy to this night through which all days have been suffused with light, though none can apprehend this save those that are endued with certitude and discernment!
This is the night round which have circled the Nights of Power, wherein the angels and the Spirit have come down bearing cups filled at the streams of Paradise, the night wherein Heaven itself was adorned with the ornament of God, the Almighty, the All-Gracious, the Most Bountiful, wherein every created thing was brought to life, and all the peoples of the earth were surrounded by His grace. All joy to the concourse of the Spirit for this manifest and resplendent bounty!”
Bahá’u’lláh - Lawh-i-Mawlúd (Tablet of the Birth) in ‘Days of Remembrance’
