Islam and Bahá’í compared
Islam and Bahá’í side by side: where each began, what they teach, their scriptures, holy days and symbols, and the beliefs and practices they share.
Islam took shape in Mecca and Medina, in Arabia (7th century CE); Bahá’í in Iran (Persia) (1844–1863 CE). Of the 24 broad features compared here, they share 7: one God, a founder or prophet, a written scripture, pilgrimage, fasting, no images of God and prayer at set times. Only Islam: judgement after death, rules about food and a weekly holy day.
Islam only
- Judgement after death
- Rules about food
- A weekly holy day
Both
- One God
- A founder or prophet
- A written scripture
- Pilgrimage
- Fasting
- No images of God
- Prayer at set times
Bahá’í only
Side by side
| Question | Islam | Bahá’í |
|---|---|---|
| Where it began | Mecca and Medina, in Arabia | Iran (Persia) |
| When | 7th century CE | 1844–1863 CE |
| Founders and key figures | The Prophet Muhammad (c. 570–632), whom Muslims regard as the last of God’s prophets | The Báb (1819–1850), the forerunner, and Bahá’u’lláh (1817–1892), whom Bahá’ís regard as the latest messenger of God |
| Followers today | 2 billion (about 26% of the world, 2020) | 5 to 8 million (estimates vary, 2020) |
| At the heart of it | Six articles of faith: One God, The angels, The revealed books, The prophets, The Day of Judgement, God’s decree | Three onenesses: The oneness of God, The oneness of religion, The oneness of humanity |
| Scriptures | The Qur’an; The Hadith; The Sira | The Kitáb-i-Aqdas; The Kitáb-i-Íqán; The Hidden Words |
| Main branches | Sunni, Shia, Ibadi | Bahá’í Faith, Azali Bábís |
| Holy days | Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Ashura, Mawlid, Laylat al-Qadr | Naw-Rúz, Ridván, Declaration of the Báb, Martyrdom of the Báb, Twin Holy Birthdays, Day of the Covenant |
| Symbols | The name of God, The Kaaba, Mosque lamp, Crescent and star | Nine-pointed star, Lotus |