The Báb: The Herald of the Day of Days

"The Báb: The Herald of the Day of Days" by H. M. Balyuzi is a historical account written in the late 20th century. The book explores the life and significance of Siyyid `Alí-Muḥammad, known as the Báb, who is considered the herald of a new religious order within the Bahá'í Faith. It delves into the early events surrounding the Báb's declaration and the groups of followers, particularly highlighting the challenges and societal influences during his time. The opening of this narrative sets the stage against a backdrop of significant historical changes, including the independence of the American colonies and the French Revolution. It describes the journey of hypothetical seekers of truth, guided by their mentor Siyyid Káẓim, who embark on a quest for the promised "Lord of the Age." Initially centered on the figure of Mullá Ḥusayn, the text discusses his role in following this call to discover the Báb in the city of Shíráz. This prologue establishes the spiritual urgency and socio-political context that frame the Báb's emergence, preparing the reader for the subsequent exploration of his life and teachings. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Hasan M. Balyuzi was a prominent Iranian member of the Baháʼí Faith. He served in administrative institutions of the religion for decades, worked for the BBC, and was a prolific writer. He produced innumerable articles and a series of scholarly books on Muhammad and the central figures of the Bahá'í dispensation: the Báb, Bahá'u'lláh and ʻAbdu'l-Bahá. His consecration to serving the Faith, and his deep spirituality led to his being named a Hand of the Cause in 1957. He established a trust and a library for Bahá'í research and donated his works to it. The library contains more than 10 thousand items and continues to grow.