What does Islam say about the Baha'i faith?
Islam sees the Baha'i faith as a separate religion, not a branch of Islam. Its founder, Baha'u'llah, claimed to be a messenger of God after Muhammad ﷺ, and Muslim scholars of every school agree that prophethood ended with Muhammad ﷺ. Still, Baha'is deserve kindness, justice and freedom from persecution.
What is the Baha'i faith?
The Baha'i faith began in 19th-century Iran. A man known as the Bab announced in 1844 that a new messenger was coming, and Mirza Husayn Ali, who took the title Baha'u'llah ("Glory of God"), later claimed to be that messenger. Baha'is believe in one God, the unity of humanity, equality of men and women, and "progressive revelation": the idea that God sends messengers in stages, including Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad and then Baha'u'llah. Their world centre is in Haifa, and there are Baha'i communities across Europe and the USA.
Why Muslims don't consider it part of Islam
The key issue is the end of prophethood. The Quran says:
The Prophet ﷺ compared himself to the last brick that completes a beautiful house, and said, "I am that brick, and I am the seal of the prophets" (Sahih al-Bukhari 3535). So any later claim of new revelation or a new law falls outside Islam. See Do Muslims believe in prophets after Muhammad?
Baha'is also replaced core Islamic practices with their own, such as a different prayer, a 19-day fast and a new calendar.
Shared values and real differences
- Shared: belief in one God, respect for earlier prophets like Abraham, Moses and Jesus, prayer, fasting and service to others.
- Different: Islam teaches that its revelation is complete and final, and that religions are not all equally valid paths. See Do Muslims believe all religions are the same?
How Muslims should treat Baha'is
Disagreeing about belief never justifies mistreatment. Baha'is have faced serious persecution in some countries, and the Quran is clear that "there is no compulsion in religion" (Quran 2:256). A Baha'i colleague or neighbour deserves the same honesty, good manners and fairness as anyone else. See Is there freedom of religion in Islam?
- The Baha'i faith began in 19th-century Iran with the Bab and Baha'u'llah.
- Islam teaches Muhammad ﷺ is the final prophet (Quran 33:40).
- So Muslim scholars regard it as a separate religion.
- Baha'is should be treated with justice and kindness.
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