Free Video Course

Bahá'í History Video Course

A free video course on the history of the Bahá'í Faith — from the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh through 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi, and the worldwide Bahá'í community of today. Watch in order or jump to the part that interests you.

Course Overview Video (07:17)

Video 1: Introducing Baha'i History? (17:15)

Why is it important to study Baha'i history?

Video 2: The Baha'i Approach (07:38)

How do Baha'is approach the study of their history?

Video 3: Cultural Aspects (05:35)

What are cultural aspects to keep in mind when studying Baha'i history?

Video 4: Source Materials (10:55)

What are the source materials for studying Baha'i history?

Video 5: Baha'i Writings Style (05:51)

What is unique about the tone and style of the Baha'i Writings?

Video 6: Introduction (03:45)

Introduction to the life of the Bab

Video 7: Millennial Excitement (09:20)

What was the millennial excitement about?

Video 8: Declaration of the Bab (10:36)

What was the Declaration of the Bab like?

Video 9: Imprisonment of the Bab (13:19)

What was the imprisonment of the Bab like?

Video 10: Persecution of the Babis (09:32)

How and why were the Babis persecuted?

Video 11: Martyrdom of the Bab (09:40)

How was the Bab martyred?

Video 12: Life of Baha'u'llah (02:31)

Introduction to the early life of Baha'u'llah

Video 13: Baha'u'llah's Early Life (06:08)

What was Baha'u'llah's early life like?

Video 14: The Black Pit (10:34)

What was the Black Pit like for Baha'u'llah and the Babis?

Video 15: Arrival in Baghdad (14:42)

What happened when Baha'u'llah arrived in Baghdad?

Video 16: Early Writings of Baha'u'llah (10:26)

What were some of Baha'u'llah's early Writings?

Video 17: Ridvan Garden (07:41)

What happened with Baha'u'llah in the Ridvan Garden?

Video 18: Introduction (02:04)

Introduction to the later life of Baha'u'llah

Video 19: Tablets to the Kings (09:23)

What were Baha'u'llah's Tablets to the Kings?

Video 20: Baha'u'llah in Akka (15:37)

What happened to Baha'u'llah and the Holy Family in Akka?

Video 21: Later Writings of Baha'u'llah

What were some later Writings of Baha'u'llah?

Video 22: Tablet of Carmel (03:41)

Why is Mount Carmel important to Baha'is?

Video 23: Ascension of Baha'u'llah (06:15)

How did Baha'u'llah pass away?

Video 24: Introduction (02:26)

Introduction to the life of Abdu'l-Baha

Video 25: Abdu'l-Baha's Early Life (08:03)

What was Abdu'l-Baha's early life like?

Video 26: After the Passing of Baha'u'llah (11:24)

What happened to Abdu'l-Baha after the passing of Baha'u'llah?

Video 27: Abdu'l-Baha and the Covenant (04:45)

How did Abdu'l-Baha uphold the Covenant?

Video 28: Abdu'l-Baha and the West (08:54)

What happened when Abdu'l-Baha traveled to the West?

Video 29: Ascension of Abdu'l-Baha (14:13)

How did Abdu'l-Baha pass away?

Video 30: Introduction (02:20)

Introduction to the life of Shoghi Effendi

Video 31: Early Life of the Guardian (07:45)

What was Shoghi Effendi's early life like?

Video 32: The Writings of Shoghi Effendi (15:46)

What were the translations and writings of Shoghi Effendi?

Video 33: Efforts in the Holy Land (09:20)

How did Shoghi Effendi transform the Holy Land?

Video 34: Defender of the Covenant (10:40)

How did Shoghi Effendi defend the Covenant?

Video 35: The Passing of the Guardian (06:35)

What happened when Shoghi Effendi passed away?

Video 36: Introduction (02:21)

Introduction to the Universal House of Justice

Video 37: Authority of the House (08:06)

Where does the authority of the Universal House of Justice come from?

Video 38: History of the Custodianship (11:04)

What was the Custodianship and why was it necessary?

Video 39: Structure of the Universal House of Justice (15:02)

What is the structure of the Universal House of Justice?

Video 40: Writings of the Universal House of Justice (16:49)

What are the Writings of the Universal House of Justice?

Video 41: Defending the Baha'is (4:51)

How does the Universal House of Justice strive to defend the Baha'is?

Video 42: Introduction (01:48)

Introduction to the Hands of the Cause

Video 43: Responsibilities of the Hands of the Cause (10:37)

What were the responsibilities of the Hands of the Cause?

Video 44: Activities of the Hands of the Cause (07:03)

What were the activities of the Hands of the Cause?

Video 45: Role During the Custodianship (08:19)

What was the role of the Hands of the Cause during the Custodianship?

Video 46: Profiles of a few Hands (25:02)

Who were some of the Hands of the Cause?

Video 47: Legacy of the Hands (06:42)

What institutions today carry on the duties of the Hands of the Cause?

Video 48: Introduction (02:32)

Introduction to lessons learned from Baha'i history

Video 50: Summary of the Formative Age (10:29)

What was the Formative Age of the Baha'i Faith?

Video 51: History and Community Life (09:14)

How does Baha'i history affect community life?

Video 52: Embracing a Lifetime of Study (14:10)

How do Baha'is engage in a lifelong study of Baha'i history?

Video 53: Closing Remarks (04:19)

Closing remarks on the History of the Baha'i Faith Series

Video 54: Series Credits (00:31)

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