The Twin Anniversaries

Each year, the Bahá’í calendar marks a period of profound reverence and universal joy—the Twin Holy Birthdays, commemorating the births of the Báb (1819) and Bahá’u’lláh (1817), two Central Figures of the Bahá’í Faith. According to the Islamic lunar calendar, the Báb was born on the first day of Muharram 1235, and Bahá’u’lláh on the second day of Muharram 1233. Yet, as Bahá’u’lláh Himself declared: “In the sight of God, these two days are accounted as one.” Though separated by only two years, these two Divine Manifestations ushered in a new era for humanity—the dawn of a Revelation of unprecedented scope. The Bahá’í Writings describe the wonder of this twin Manifestation of God in these words: “The tremendous forces which have been released through the Revelation of two independent Manifestations of God, following one another in quick succession, are, as yet, beyond the ken of men to grasp.”

The Independent Role of The Báb

The Báb—whose title means “The Gate”—was the Herald of Bahá’u’lláh. His message, declared in 1844, was to prepare humanity for the advent of “Him Whom God shall make manifest,” Bahá’u’lláh.

The Báb announced the dawn of a new age, signaling the close of a past religious cycle and the opening of a new Bahá’í era. His teachings called for a profound renewal of religion and morality, emphasizing justice, the upliftment of humanity, and the spiritual awakening of all people. He introduced progressive social and ethical principles—promoting greater freedom for women, the right to universal education, and the pursuit of knowledge. He taught that love for God must be pure, free of both the hope of reward and the fear of punishment.

Although the Báb’s mission prepared the way for Bahá’u’lláh, His station is far greater than that of a mere forerunner. The Bahá’í Writings affirm that He was: “Invested with sovereign power and authority, the Founder of an independent religion, and the revealer of laws and ordinances destined to effect a revolution in the life of mankind.” The brief period separating the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh remains “a mystery inscrutable to all save God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.”

Bahá’u’lláh: The Glory of God and the Foundation of Unity

Bahá’u’lláh—whose title means “The Glory of God”—is the Prophet-Founder of the Bahá’í Faith. Declaring His mission in 1863, He proclaimed the oneness of God, the oneness of religion, and the oneness of humanity as the central truths of His Revelation.

Bahá’u’lláh taught that there is one God, Creator of all things; that all humanity is one family; and that prejudice of every kind—racial, class, national, gender, or religious—must be eliminated. The world’s great religions, He affirmed, come from one Divine Source, revealed progressively through the Messengers of God—Abraham, Moses, Buddha, Zoroaster, Jesus, Muhammad, The Báb, and Himself. For the advancement of humanity toward a just and peaceful world civilization, Bahá’u’lláh enunciated social principles that include the equality of women and men, the harmony of science and religion, universal education, and the independent investigation of truth, as each individual must seek truth through reason and reflection, not blind imitation.

A Revelation of Unparalleled Magnitude

While the Báb opened the gate to a new Revelation, Bahá’u’lláh brought forth the laws and teachings essential for the establishment of world unity and peace.

Both the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh called for profound transformation in human character—purity of motive, detachment from materialism, trustworthiness, and truthfulness. The vast scope of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation—of which the Báb was the divinely appointed Herald—transcends human comprehension. It opens the way to a wisdom greater than any before, confirming His message as the most complete Revelation ever given to humankind. “It behoveth you to be firm and unshakable in the Cause of God. This is the day in which the ocean of the utterance of the All-Merciful hath surged, and His light hath shone forth before all who are in heaven and on earth.”

The Call to Transformation and the Core Principles

The fundamental purpose of human life is to know God (through His Manifestation) and to contribute to the advancement of an ever-evolving civilization. The aim of every Revelation is to transform the whole character of humankind.

“Is not the object of every Revelation to effect a transformation in the whole character of mankind, a transformation that shall manifest itself both outwardly and inwardly, that shall affect both its inner life and external conditions?”

Around the world, Bahá’í communities strive to embody these teachings in action. Qualities such as trustworthiness, honesty, generosity, and cooperation serve as the foundation for cohesive and prosperous communities. As community-building activities take root, new models of individual and collective life emerge—characterized by collaboration across generations, the growing equality of women and men, and a culture of consultation and service. These patterns strengthen bonds of unity and enhance the community’s capacity for social and economic progress.

This awareness—that we stand at the dawn of light, at the threshold of a new era in human history—sustains the hope of Bahá’ís everywhere. It inspires them to work together in unity, drawing upon qualities of truthfulness, reliability, justice, and love, infusing every moment with the power to transform themselves and the world around them.

“Today the seed is sown; the grain is falling upon the earth. But the day will come when it shall rise a glorious tree and the branches thereof shall be laden with fruit. Rejoice and be glad that this day hath dawned! Strive to comprehend its power, for it is indeed wonderful!”

The Twin Holy Birthdays reaffirm the “pressing and sacred responsibility” of the Bahá’í community to uphold the truth of these Teachings and to demonstrate their practicality. They remind us that we are stewards of a Faith destined to establish world unity and peace. This year, Bahá’ís across the globe will celebrate the Birth of the Báb on October 22 and the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh on October 23—days of joy, reflection, and rededication to the service of humanity.

The Office of External Affairs of the Bahá’ís of Mauritius