Bayani
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Bayani, meaning "of the Bayán", more commonly known as Azalis, or Azali Bábís, are followers of the Báb. Azalis believe that Siyyid `Ali Muhammad, known as the Báb, was a Manifestation of God who claimed that position in 1848. Azalis believe that earlier, from 1844 to 1848, he had progressively claimed the titles of Remembrance (dhikr), then Proof (hujjah), then the promised Qa'im or Mahdi and Báb'u'lláh (gate of God). The primary books of laws written by the Báb are the Arabic Bayán and the much longer Persian Bayán.
The Báb's followers were originally called Ahl-i-Bayán, and are known popularly as Bábís. In the 1860s a split occurred after which those who followed Mirza Husayn 'Ali known as Bahá'u'lláh came to be known as Bahá'ís, while those who followed Mirza Yahya known as Subh-i-Azal came to be called Azalis. Bahá'u'lláh made a claim to be the messianic Bábí figure, Him whom God shall make manifest. Bahá'í texts indicate that Subh-i-Azal made the same claim.[1] This is denied by modern Azalis.
Britannica Concise states that: "Now located almost exclusively in Iran, the Azalis probably number no more than a few thousand." [2] The Encyclopedia of the Orient states that: "The actual number of Babis [actually a reference to Azalis] is very small: their geography is now limited to Uzbekistan." [1]
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[edit] Distinguishing characteristics
Taqiyya (Dissimulation) was practiced by some Bábís. It was justified by some as a response to the often violent oppression the community was faced with. However, prominent Bábí leaders never encouraged individuals to practice it; and some who had practiced taqiyya, later abandoned it, declared themselves openly, and were executed.[3] Among Azalis, however, the practice became ingrained and widespread. One historian has noted:
- "The Azali Babis and in particular Mirza Aqa Khan Kirmani and Shaykh Ahmad Ruhi showed little hesitation in alteration and falsification of Babi teachings and history in their works. Azali Babis regarded taqiyyah as an imperative requirement.
- "In contrast the Azali Babis glorified taqiyyah in their literature. Taqiyyah was considered a virtue and classified into various levels of concealment. Prominent Azali leaders openly recanted their faith and even abused [the] Bab and Azal in the process."[3]
[edit] Recent developments
There was some dispute on the question over who was Subh-i-Azal's appointed successor.[4] According to Bahá'í texts, one of Mirza Yahya's sons become a Bahá'í, and another publicly recanted his faith in the Báb.[5] After his death in 1911, the Azali community seems to have consisted mostly of the families and kin related to Subh-i-Azal. In early 2005 a new website was launched claiming to represent the Azali community at Bayanic.com.
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
- ^ Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By, p. 167
- ^ Azali. Britannica Concise. Retrieved on October 14, 2006.
- ^ a b Manuchehri (1999). "The Practice of Taqiyyah (Dissimulation) in the Babi and Bahai Religions". Research Notes in Shaykhi, Babi and Baha'i Studies Vol. 3 (No. 3). Retrieved on 2006-12-26.
- ^ Browne, Materials for the Study of the Bábí Religion, pp. 312-314
- ^ Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By, p. 233 & Momen, The Cyprus Exiles, pp. 99
[edit] References
- Browne, E.G. (Ed.) (1918). Materials for the Study of the Babi Religion. Cambridge University Press.
- Effendi, Shoghi (1944). God Passes By. Wilmette, Illinois, USA: Bahá'í Publishing Trust. ISBN 0877430209.
- Manuchehri, Sepehr (1999). "The Practice of Taqiyyah (Dissimulation) in the Babi and Bahai Religions". Research Notes in Shaykhi, Babi and Baha'i Studies Vol. 3 (no. 3). Retrieved on 2006-12-29.
- Momen, Moojan (1991). "The Cyprus Exiles". Bahá'í Studies Bulletin V. 6 (No. 1).
[edit] External links
- The Religion of Bayan A website of the Bayani community.
