The Báb, whose name was ‘Alí-Muhammad, was born in Shíráz,
on the first of Muharram, in the year 1235 A.H. [1819] He was the descendant of
a house renowned for its nobility, which traced its origin to Muhammad Himself.
His father, Siyyid Muhammad-Ridá, as well as His mother, were descendants of
the Prophet, and belonged to families of recognised standing. The date of His
birth confirmed the truth of the saying attributed to the Imám ‘Alí, the
Commander of the Faithful: “I am two years younger than my Lord.” The mystery
of this utterance, however, remained unrevealed except to those who sought and
recognised the truth of the new Revelation. It was He, the Báb, who, in His
first, His most weighty and exalted Book, revealed this passage concerning
Bahá’u’lláh: “O Thou Remnant of God! I have sacrificed Myself wholly for Thee;
I have consented to be cursed for Thy sake; and have yearned for naught but
martyrdom in the path of Thy love. Sufficient witness unto Me is God, the
Exalted, the Protector, the Ancient of Days!”
(Chapter 1, ‘The Dawn-Breakers’)
