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Babism
Nineteenth-century militant Iranian Shii messianic movement for radical religious and social change, led by Sayyid Ali Muhammad Shirazi (d. 1850 ), self-proclaimed bab (gate) to “innate” knowledge of the Quran. Babism became a mass movement supported by merchants and government officials. It sought intensified observance of Islamic law and military preparation for imminent reappearance of the Hidden Imam, expected in 1845 – 46 . Bab was arrested and imprisoned, leading to his claim to be the Hidden Imam. Babism abrogated the laws of the Quran. The state fought and killed most of its leadership. Bab was executed in 1850 , leaving behind a substantial body of writing believed by followers to be divine revelation. Babism's teachings were refashioned by the later Bahai movement. Most Muslims label the movement heretical.
See also Shirazi, Sayyid Ali Muhammad
