God Passes By

A historical review by Shoghi Effendi of the first century of the Bahá’í Faith, published in 1944 on the occasion of the one-hundredth anniversary of the Declaration of the Báb.

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God Passes By

Foreword
First Period: The Ministry of the Báb 1844–1853
- I. The Birth of the Bábí Revelation
  Declaration of the Báb’s Mission—Enrollment of the Letters of the Living—The Báb’s pilgrimage to Mecca—The Báb’s arrest and departure for Iṣfahán—The Báb’s sojourn in Iṣfahán.
- II. The Báb’s Captivity in Ádhirbáyján
  Significance of His captivity—His incarceration in Máh-Kú and Chihríq—His examination in Tabríz—His Writings—His Covenant—The conference of Badasht.
- III. Upheavals in Mázindarán, Nayríz and Zanján
  Highlights of the Mázindarán Upheaval—Outstanding features of the Nayríz Upheaval—Episodes associated with the Zanján Upheaval—The Seven Martyrs of Ṭihrán.
- IV. The Execution of the Báb
  Events preceding His death—Circumstances attending His martyrdom—Tributes paid to His memory—Parallel between His mission and that of Jesus Christ—Significance of His mission.
- V. The Attempt on the Life of the Sháh and its Consequences
  Circumstances attending the attack on Náṣiri’d-Dín Sháh—Massacre of the Bábís in Ṭihrán—Role played by Bahá’u’lláh during the Báb’s ministry—His arrest and imprisonment in the Síyáh-Chál—Arrest and martyrdom of Ṭáhirih—Execution of prominent disciples of the Báb—Tributes paid to the heroism of the Bábís—Fate of the persecutors of the Báb and His disciples.
Second Period: The Ministry of Bahá’u’lláh 1853–1892
- VI. The Birth of the Bahá’í Revelation
  Significance of the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh—Circumstances attending its birth.
- VII. Bahá’u’lláh’s Banishment to ‘Iráq
  His release from the Síyáh-Chál and departure for Baghdád—Significance of His banishment—His residence in Baghdád prior to His withdrawal to Kurdistán—His two year retirement to Kurdistán.
- VIII. Bahá’u’lláh’s Banishment to ‘Iráq (Continued)
  Enhancement of the prestige of the Bábí Community—Reformation of the morals of the Community—Increasing recognition of the position occupied by Bahá’u’lláh—Expansion of Bábí literature—Discomfiture of the enemies of the Faith—Bahá’u’lláh’s departure from Baghdád.
- IX. The Declaration of Bahá’u’lláh’s Mission and His Journey to Constantinople
  Significance of His Declaration—His departure from the Garden of Riḍván—Incidents connected with His journey—His sojourn in Constantinople.
- X. The Rebellion of Mírzá Yaḥyá and the Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh’s Mission in Adrianople
  Repudiation by Mírzá Yaḥyá of the mission of Bahá’u’lláh—Proclamation of the Message of Bahá’u’lláh—His Banishment to ‘Akká.
- XI. Bahá’u’lláh’s Incarceration in ‘Akká
  Significance of His banishment to the Holy Land—Hardships suffered during the early years of His incarceration—Gradual relaxation of His restrictions imposed upon Him.
- XII. Bahá’u’lláh’s Incarceration in ‘Akká (Continued)
  Fresh outbreak of persecutions in Persia—Sequel to the Proclamation of His mission in Adrianople—Revelation of the laws and ordinances of the Bahá’í Dispensation—Enunciation of fundamental principles underlying the Bahá’í Revelation.
- XIII. Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh
  Circumstances attending His passing—Fate of the enemies of the Faith during His ministry.
Third Period: The Ministry of ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá 1892–1921
- XIV. The Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh
  Its significance—Salient features of the Book of His Covenant—Role played by ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá during the ministry of His Father.
- XV. The Rebellion of Mírzá Muḥammad-‘Alí
  Accusations brought against ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá by the Covenant-breakers—Conduct of Mírzá Muḥammad-‘Alí and his associates—References by Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá to the Covenant-breakers.
- XVI. The Rise and Establishment of the Faith in the West
  References in Bahá’í sacred writings to the West and its future importance—Arrival of the first Western pilgrims in ‘Akká—Early development of the Faith in North America.
- XVII. Renewal of ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá’s Incarceration
  Machinations of the Covenant-breakers—Appointment of a Commission of Inquiry by Sulṭán ‘Abdu’l-Ḥamíd—Activities of ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá during His incarceration—Investigations and recall of the Commission—Outbreak of the Young Turk Revolution and liberation of ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá.
- XVIII. Entombment of the Báb’s Remains on Mt. Carmel
  Concealment of the remains and their final transportation to the Holy Land—Interment of the remains by ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá.
- XIX. ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá’s Travels in Europe and America
  His visits to Egypt—His journeys to Europe—His sojourn in the United States of America—Highlights of His travels.
- XX. Growth and Expansion of the Faith in East and West
  Renewed persecutions in Persia—Construction of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár in ‘Ishqábád—Consolidation of the Faith in the East, in Europe, and in the North American continent—The War of 1914–1918, and its effect on the Center of the Faith—Expansion of Bahá’í activities and opening of the Australian continent.
- XXI. The Passing of ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá
  Events preceding His passing—His funeral—Significance of His ministry—Fate of the enemies during His ministry.
Fourth Period: The Inception of the Formative Age of the Bahá’í Faith 1921–1944
- XXII. The Rise and Establishment of the Administrative Order
  Its origins—Character of the Formative Period—Nature of the Administrative Order—Features of the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá—Beginnings of the Administrative Order—Local Assemblies—National Assemblies—National Committees—Bahá’í Constitutions—Incorporation of Bahá’í Assemblies—Bahá’í Endowments—The institution of the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds—Summer Schools—Youth and other activities—Contact established with humanitarian organizations and government authorities—Consolidation of Bahá’í institutions in the Holy Land—Erection of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár in Wilmette, Ill.
- XXIII. Attacks on Bahá’í Institutions
  Seizure of the keys of the Tomb of Bahá’u’lláh by the Covenant-breakers—Seizure of the House of Bahá’u’lláh in Baghdád by the Shí‘ahs—Persecution of the Faith and suppression of its institutions in Russia—Repressive measures against Bahá’í institutions in Germany—Restrictions imposed on Bahá’í institutions in Persia.
- XXIV. Emancipation and Recognition of the Faith and its Institutions
  Formal divorce of the Faith from Islám in Egypt—Recognition of the independent status of the Faith at its world center—Assertion of the independence of the Faith by its followers in Persia—Official recognition of Bahá’í administrative institutions in the United States of America.
- XXV. International Expansion of Teaching Activities
  Enlargement of the limits of the Faith—Expansion of Bahá’í Literature—World-wide teaching activities of Martha Root—Conversion of Queen Marie of Rumania—Execution of the Seven Year Plan by the American Bahá’í Community.
Retrospect and Prospect

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Writings of Shoghi Effendi

God Passes By

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