God Passes By, written by Shoghi Effendi

Shoghi Effendi

Shoghí Effendí Rabbání , better known as Shoghi Effendi, was the Guardian and appointed head of the Bahá'í Faith from 1921 until his death in 1957...

, Guardian of the Bahá'í Faith

Bahá'í Faith

The Bahá'í Faith is a monotheistic religion founded by Bahá'u'lláh in 19th-century Persia, emphasizing the spiritual unity of all humankind. There are an estimated five to six million Bahá'ís around the world in more than 200 countries and territories....

, is a book which provides a historical summary of the first century of the Bahá'í Faith, from 1844 to 1944. While historical episodes are recounted in some detail, "God Passes By" is particularly notable for the significance Shoghi Effendi assigns to events in the history of the Bahá'í Faith, and the interpretation he gives to various episodes.

Contents

God Passes By is organized into four periods representing different periods in the history of the Bábí

Bábism

The Babi Faith is a religious movement that flourished in Persia from 1844 to 1852, then lingered on in exile in the Ottoman Empire as well as underground. Its founder was Siyyid `Alí Muhammad Shirazi, who took the title Báb—meaning "Gate"—from a Shi'a theological term...

 and Bahá'í

Bahá'í Faith

The Bahá'í Faith is a monotheistic religion founded by Bahá'u'lláh in 19th-century Persia, emphasizing the spiritual unity of all humankind. There are an estimated five to six million Bahá'ís around the world in more than 200 countries and territories....

 Faiths.

The Ministry of the Báb (1844-1853)

This section of the book recounts the life of the Báb

Báb

Siyyid `Alí Muḥammad Shírází was the founder of Bábism, and one of three central figures of the Bahá'í Faith. He was a merchant from Shíráz, Persia, who at the age of twenty-four claimed to be the promised Qá'im . After his declaration he took the title of Báb meaning "Gate"...

, details his most significant and outstanding religious writings, describes the rise and development of the Babi Faith, and the turbulence and persecution which the followers of that faith experienced.

The Ministry of Bahá'u'lláh (1853-1892)

This section of the book describes the major episodes in the life of Bahá'u'lláh

Bahá'u'lláh

Bahá'u'lláh , born ' , was the founder of the Bahá'í Faith. He claimed to be the prophetic fulfilment of Bábism, a 19th-century outgrowth of Shí‘ism, but in a broader sense claimed to be a messenger from God referring to the fulfilment of the eschatological expectations of Islam, Christianity, and...

, details his most significant religious writings, recounts both the external persecution of the Baha'is by the Ottoman and Persian governments and the internal crisis within the Baha'i community precipitated by the rebellion of Mirza Yahya against Baha'u'llah's authority, and ends with the death of Baha'u'llah in Akka.

The Ministry of `Abdu'l-Bahá (1892-1921)

This section of the book describes the major episodes in the life of `Abdu'l-Bahá

`Abdu'l-Bahá

‘Abdu’l-Bahá , born ‘Abbás Effendí, was the eldest son of Bahá'u'lláh, the founder of the Bahá'í Faith. In 1892, `Abdu'l-Bahá was appointed in his father's will to be his successor and head of the Bahá'í Faith. `Abdu'l-Bahá was born in Tehran to an aristocratic family of the realm...

, details the nature of and challenges to Baha'u'llah's Covenant with his followers regarding succession of leadership within the Baha'i Faith, recounts the continued persecutions of Baha'is in various parts of the world, describes the travels of 'Abdu'l-Baha throughout the West, and ends with the death of 'Abdu'l-Baha.

The Inception of the Formative Age of the Bahá'í Faith (1921-1944)

This section of the book describes the 23 years of Baha'i history following the death of 'Abdu'l-Baha, with particular emphasis on the provisions and implications of his last Will and Testament, the development of the Baha'i Administrative Order, and the expansion and multiplication of Baha'i communities throughout the world.