Baha’i Shrine (Shrine of the Báb)

City:

Haifa

State, Province, Region, or District:

Haifa District

Country:

Israel

Overview

The Shrine of the Báb is a structure on the slopes of Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel, where the remains of the Báb, founder of the Bábí Faith and forerunner of Baháʼu'lláh in the Baháʼí Faith, are buried; it is considered to be the second holiest place on Earth for Baháʼís, after the Shrine of Baháʼu'lláh in Acre.

I do not endorse the beliefs of the Baha’i religion, but the shrine itself is a spectacular sight to see with a golden dome, marble walls, granite pillars and manicured gardens cascading down a slope of Mount Carmel.

Alternate Names

Baha’i Shrine; Shrine of the Báb; Kúh-i-Núr (Mountain of Light)

Geography & Location

The Shrine of the Báb is located in Haifa, Israel, on the slopes of Mount Carmel within the Baháʼí Gardens.

Biblical, Historical, & Archaeological Background Information

The great showdown between the Prophet Elijah and the 850 prophets of Baal and Asherah began around 100 years earlier when King Solomon sowed the seeds that would destroy Israel morally. Against God’s clear commandments to the Israelites, Solomon married many foreign wives. These foreign wives worshipped false gods, and to honor them, Solomon built high places of worship all over Israel where these false gods could be worshipped. 1 Kings 11 recounts this tragic reality. As a result, the worship of false gods became rampant in the land.

Architecture

The Shrine of the Báb, located on Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel, is distinguished by its harmonious blend of Eastern and Western architectural styles, crowned by a prominent golden dome. The building's design evolved over decades, with contributions from Baháʼí leaders and a Canadian architect, William Sutherland Maxwell. It is the centerpiece of the Baháʼí Terraces, a complex of 19 garden terraces.

Biblical & Historical References

Mount Carmel (Mukhraka) is best known as the site of the confrontation between the 850 prophets of Baal and the prophet Elijah (1 Kings 18:1-40). Unfortunately, this great miracle and spiritual revival resulting from the Mount Carmel confrontation didn’t last long as Israel soon fell back into worshipping false gods and idols.

Spiritual Lessons and Application

The Shrine of the Báb is a structure on the slopes of Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel, where the remains of the Báb, founder of the Bábí religion and forerunner of Baháʼu'lláh in the Baháʼí religion, are buried. Adherents to the Baha’i religion believe that there is only one God, unknowable in His essence, who is the Creator and absolute ruler of the universe. The Baha’i religion is committed to the unity of humanity and the fundamental oneness of all religions. Baha’is accept the divine nature of Abraham, Moses, Zoroaster, Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad, and believe each one was a further stage in the revelation of God. Other prophets and manifestations are also accepted. While I do not endorse the beliefs of the Baha’i religion, the shrine itself is a spectacular sight to see with a golden dome, marble walls, granite pillars and manicured gardens cascading down a slope of Mount Carmel. But I find the location of the shrine on Mount Carmel to be ironic given their acceptance of the oneness of all gods and religions since this is also the location where Elijah triumphed over the 450 priests of the ancient pagan god Baal (1 Kings 18:1-40).

Etymology

The term Báb (Arabic: باب) means "gate" or "door". It is the title of Siyyid ʻAlí-Muḥammad, the founder of Bábism and the herald of the Baháʼí Faith. In its religious context, the title refers to his role as a spiritual gateway to divine knowledge and to a greater Messenger of God who was soon to come.