The two great Persian sects of Islám, the shí’ah and the
sunnís, both attached vital importance to the ancient deposit of their faith
but did not agree as to its contents or its import. The shí’ah, out of whose
doctrines the Bábí Movement rose, held that after the ascension of the High
Prophet Muhammad He was succeeded by a line of twelve Imáms. Each of these,
they held, was specially endowed by God with spiritual gifts and powers, and
was entitled to the whole-hearted obedience of the faithful. Each owed his
appointment not to the popular choice but to his nomination by his predecessor
in office. The twelfth and last of these inspired guides was Muhammad, called
by the shí’ah “Imám-Mihdí, Hujjatu’lláh [the Proof of God], Bagíyyatu’lláh [the
Remnant of God], and Qá’im-i-‘Alí-Muhammad [He who shall arise of the family of
Muhammad].” He assumed the functions of the Imám in the year 260 of the Hegira,
but at once disappeared from view and communicated with his followers only
through a certain chosen intermediary known as a Gate. Four of these Gates
followed one another in order, each appointed by his predecessor with the
approval of the Imám. But when the fourth, Abu’l-Hasan-Alí, was asked by the
faithful, before he died, to name his successor, he declined to do so. He said
that God had another plan. On his death all communication between the Imám and
his church therefore ceased. And though, surrounded by a band of followers, he
still lives and waits in some mysterious retreat, he will not resume relations
with his people until he comes forth in power to establish a millennium
throughout the world.
- Shoghi Effendi (‘Introduction to ‘The Dawn-Breakers’)
