Shining Lamp: Táhirih
There are no available images of Tahirih. This engraving from 1860 shows traditional dress for Persian women of her era.
One of the most remarkable women in the Bahá’í Faith is the passionate poet, Táhirih.
Born in Persia (now Iran) in 1817, she was the daughter of a Muslim scholar. From a young age, she showed great intelligence and interest in spiritual matters. Most girls were not allowed to go to school, but Táhirih so impressed her father that he hired a teacher for her. Táhirih’s courage, beauty, and brilliance captivated all who met her. Her moving poetry expressed her deep spiritual insights. “The face of God has appeared,” she wrote, “so I shall raise up the banner of words.”
Shocking Act
In 1844, Táhirih became the first female follower of a new Messenger of God known as the Báb (“the Gate” in Arabic). The Báb taught that another Messenger of God would soon follow Him. Years later, Bahá’u’lláh announced that He was that promised Messenger.
Táhirih shared the Báb’s message with others. At that time in Persia, women had to wear veils over their faces in public. Táhirih gave convincing public talks from behind a curtain.
The village of Badasht, where Bahá’u’lláh hosted a meeting of Bábís in 1848.
In the summer of 1848, Táhirih joined a gathering of the Báb’s followers in the village of Badasht. One day, she boldly appeared without her veil, calmly and confidently seating herself among the group. They were shocked to see a woman’s face in public. Some men even left the meeting in panic and confusion. But Táhirih realized that women deserve the same rights as men. She said, “This day is the day of festivity and universal rejoicing, the day on which the fetters of the past are burst asunder.”
Fearless and Passionate
Many government and religious leaders felt Táhirih was speaking against Islam and were determined to stop her. She was placed under house arrest several times, but she continued to share her beliefs. Finally, while she was held captive in Tihrán in 1852, the government issued her death warrant. When the officials came for her, Táhirih declared, “You can kill me as soon as you like, but you cannot stop the emancipation of women.” They took her to a garden and strangled her with a silk scarf, leaving her body in an abandoned well.
The story of Táhirih’s life and martyrdom, as well as her gifted poetry, spread throughout the world. Those who knew her said she was filled with joy, even in the face of intense hardship. In the Bahá’í writings, Táhirih is praised as “a brand afire with the love of God” and “a lamp aglow with the bounty of God.”
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