Religious Research

Religious Research

Explaining the Contexts for the Emergence of the Baha'i Faith in Qajar Iran

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
najmeh kiani valiki 1
hadi noori 2
amir noorani mokarram dust 3
1 Graduate, M.A. in Social Sciences, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.
2 Associate Professor Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
3 Assistant Professor Department of Islamic Studies, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
10.22034/jrr.2025.515564.2272
Abstract
The present article seeks to provide a sociological explanation of the contexts and grounds for the emergence of the Baha'i Faith in Qajar Iran. The main research problem is identifying which factors, both domestic and foreign, were effective in the formation of this movement. The question is also raised whether the Baha'i Faith was merely a product of foreign colonial intervention or arose from Iran's internal social conditions. The research question is of the "why" type, and its objective is "explanatory", meaning to identify the factors and contexts effective in the emergence of the Baha'i Faith. To this end, the present study utilizes Chalmers Johnson's theory of revolutionary change. The research method is a historical case study, employing documentary methods for data collection and pattern matching for data analysis. The results indicate that the Babi and Baha'i movements, by proposing egalitarian ideas and presenting a fresh narrative of Shi'ism — which was formed in connection with Iranian Sufi thought and Greek philosophy — created the grounds for value conflicts in Iranian society. Furthermore, with Iran's position as a peripheral country in the world system, the context was set for the influence and support of Russia and Britain for the Babi and Baha'i movements; support that aimed to deepen value and social cleavages in Iranian society. These conditions, alongside social turmoil, ultimately led to the ideological revolt of Babism and the Baha'i Faith in 19th-century Iran.
Keywords
Baha'i Faith, Babism, World System, Religious Movement, Ideological Revolt
Subjects
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Religious Research
Volume 13, Issue 25 - Serial Number 25
November 2025
Pages 79-108