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Tahirih - A Martyr For Women's Rights

© Lloyd Madansky

This is the story of one of the first women to be martyred in the name of women's rights. This crusader for the equality of women was born between 1817 and 1820 (the exact date is lost, as her birth record was destroyed the day after her martyrdom.) She was put to death in 1852 when she was between the ages of 32 - 35, just four years after the First Women's Rights Convention, which was held in Seneca Falls, New York. This woman did not attend this convention; in fact, she lived a half a world away in Persia (now called Iran). At that time, women in Persia were considered less than second class citizens, unable to own property, vote or even expect to receive much of an education.

Who is this person? What drove her to be so committed to such a radical idea that she would give her life for it?

She was called Tahirih (pronounced TA-heh-reh), which means "the pure one." Her father, a mullah, had her educated far beyond the norm for women of that time and place. She was so able in the pursuit of education that her father stated, "Would that she had been a boy, for he would have shed illumination upon my household and would have succeeded me!"

It was during a visit to the home of one of her cousins that she happened upon the writings of Shaykh Ahmad-i-Ahsa'i (A forerunner of the Báb). Even though her father was opposed to the theological concepts of this school of thought, she became convinced of their truth. This led to numerous discussions, and even debates, with her father. She finally ceased these debates, as they were not productive, but began to correspond with Siyyid Kázim (Shaykh Ahmad's foremost pupil). It was largely due to the teachings of this school of thought that Tahirih became the first woman to recognize Siyyid Ali Muhammad (the Bab - founder of the Babi Religion and herald of the coming of Baha'u'llah) as the fulfillment of the prophesies pointing to the return of the twelfth Imam. Although she never met the Bab, she was appointed one of the "Letters of the Living" or His closest disciples. She was the only woman in this select group.

From this time on, she began teaching the precepts of her newfound faith, the Cause of the Bab. At times she even challenged the Muslim clergy to engage in public discussions concerning the Bab and His teachings. When word reached the ulamas of Karbila that a woman was not only teaching this new religion but was actually influencing a considerable number to investigate it, they filed a complaint with the Governor of that district. This led to attacks, persecution and, eventually, her house arrest. Her arrest lasted three months while the Governor waited for instructions from Baghdad as to how to deal with this woman; but when no word came he released her and sent her to Baghdad for a ruling. While in Baghdad, she continued to teach and spread this new religion. She was finally told that she would be freed if she would leave the territory. She continued to spread the word of the Cause of the Bab throughout her life.