The Bahá’í Faith is an independent world religion founded by Bahá’u’lláh in nineteenth-century Persia (present-day Iran). Its central theme is that humanity is one single family and that the time has come for its unification in a global society.
Bahá’ís believe that the one God has, through the ages, guided humanity through a series of divine Messengers — among them Abraham, Moses, Krishna, Zoroaster, Buddha, Jesus Christ and Muhammad. According to the Bahá’í teachings, these religions come from the same divine source and are successive chapters in the unfolding of human civilization.
“So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth.”— Bahá’u’lláh
Today Bahá’ís live in virtually every country of the world. They come from many nations, languages, cultures and walks of life, yet are united in a common purpose — to develop their own spiritual lives and to contribute to the betterment of society.
This section offers a short introduction to the teachings of the Faith, its central figures, its principles and its sources of guidance.
Updated 12 October 2026