Baháʼu’lláh, born Ḥusayn-ʻAlí was raised in an aristocratic Persian family. Baháʼu’lláh did not receive a formal education growing up, but spent time reading and grew devoutly religious. It has been deduced that he was a descendant of Abraham. Despite being offered governmental positions due to his family’s status and wealth, he chose to focus on charity work. At the age of twenty-seven he claimed to the revelation of the Bàb and began to teach the Bábí Faith throughout Iran. This eventually lead to him being exiled from Iran at the age of thirty-three.

Following his exile, Baháʼu’lláh moved throughout the Ottoman Empire, spreading his teachings regarding the Bábí Faith and uniting with Bábís and garnering followers throughout the empire.  Among these followers was Baháʼu’lláh’s younger half brother, Mírzá Yaḥyá. Yahyá and Baháʼu’lláh eventually became imprisoned by the Ottoman Empire in the city of ‘Akká. Baháʼu’lláh remained prisoner until the Sultan’s death in 1877, after which he was allowed to leave the city.

Baháʼu’lláh’s writings focused on spiritual principles, human life, and religion. His words inspired composers such as Bob Alcivar, Luke Slott, Zenobia Powell Perry, and Ramine Yazhari to name a few. He discussed health and philosophy frequently within his writings and emphasized the importance of living in harmony with God.

-Lucy Koukoudian

This profile was created during the 2023-2024 academic year as part of the Song of America Fellowship Program, a project of the Classic Song Research Initiative between the Hampsong Foundation and the University of Michigan, School of Music, Theatre, and Dance.