Who Was Baha'u'llah?

>In examining the evidence for the One who has claimed to speak the Word of God, the most vital questions are these: Who was He? What was He like? How did He live? What happened to Him? Here are a few features of Baha'u'llah's life, adapted mostly from a book titled Some Answered Questions: (xbh 1:2)

>Baha'u'llah was born in 1817, in Persia, to a rich and noble family. He died in 1892, as a prisoner and exile in the Holy Land. As an infant, He astonished His parents by His uniqueness and distinctions. His father related that He would never cry or scream. "You don't know," he said, "what a potential He has, how intelligent He is! He is like a flame of fire, and in His tender years superior to young people."1 Baha'u'llah's father was so infatuated with Him that he wrote a piece of poetry in his son's honor, inscribed it on a plaque, and hung it on the wall of a summer mansion in which Baha'u'llah lived. The content of the poetry shows that the father sensed the divine destiny of his Son: (xbh 1:3)

>When thou enterest the sacred abode of the Beloved say: "I am at thy command. This is the home of love; enter with reverence. This is holy ground; remove thy shoes when thou enterest here."2 (xbh 1:4)

>People were attracted by Baha'u'llah's many distinctions. He did not attend any school, yet astonished people by His wisdom and knowledge. Even His enemies testified to His greatness. Great thinkers flocked to His presence, asking their most difficult questions. They said, "This man is unique in all perfections." (xbh 1:5)

>He had an extraordinary power of attraction, which was felt by all. People always crowded around Him. Ministers and people of the Court would surround Him, and the children also were devoted to Him. When He was only thirteen or fourteen years old He became renowned for His learning. He would converse on any subject and solve any problem presented to Him. In large gatherings He would discuss matters with the ‘Ulama (religious leaders) and would explain intricate religious questions. All of them used to listen to Him with the greatest interest.3 (xbh 1:6)

>He showed no interest in politics: (xbh 1:7)

>When Baha'u'llah was twenty-two years old, His father died, and the Government wished Him to succeed to His father's position in the Ministry, as was customary in Persia, but Baha'u'llah did not accept the offer. Then the Prime Minister said: "Leave him to himself. Such a position is unworthy of him. He has some higher aim in view. I cannot understand him, but I am convinced that he is destined for some lofty career. His thoughts are not like ours. Let him alone."4 (xbh 1:8)

>Baha'u'llah was known especially for His generosity and love for the poor: (xbh 1:9)

>He was most generous, giving abundantly to the poor. None who came to Him were turned away. The doors of His house were open to all. He always had many guests. This unbounded generosity was conducive to greater astonishment from the fact that He sought neither position nor prominence.5 (xbh 1:10)