Hazrat Mohammed,
The Holy Prophet (saw)

Mirza Ali Mohammed Shirazi,
The Bab

Claim

The last Prophet and Messenger testified by Allah through the Quran and through other divine books.

No prophecy in his regard. This explains the wide nature of his claims ranging from being the Gate (Bab) of the Mahdi, to being Mahdi himself and finally ending with Divinity. The Bab also did not claim to be a prophet himself - it was the Bahais who labelled him as such to further their aims.

Religion

Islam, testified by the Quran as the last divine religion. Islam has remained in force since the time of the Holy Prophet (more than 1,400 years) and will continue to remain till the Day of Judgement. Islam, was perfected and its laws completed in the lifetime of the Prophet (saw)

No name given to his dispensation. Historians have generally referred to his religion as the "Babi" religion. His religion was incomplete at the time of his death and was abrogated within a period of 10 years after his death by Bahaullah.

Teachings

The Holy Quran, which Allah promises to protect Himself and which will remain till the Day of Judgement. 

The Quran is complemented through traditions of the Holy Prophet (saw) transmitted through his companions. The traditions are an important source for understanding the interpretation of the Quran.

Primarily, the Bayan which is available in Persian and was incomplete at the time of Bab's death. 

There are also other writings (Tablets) most of which contradict each other in terms of concepts and the status of the Bab. It is also important to note that the Bab did not permit the interpretation of his writings in any manner.

Quality of Revelation

The Quran is acknowledged to be flawless in literature and concepts. It is considered to be the lasting miracle of the Prophet. 

The Quran has remained unchanged since 1,400 years and continues to meet the needs of its adherents. Allah Himself has undertaken the responsibility of protecting the Quran. 

It's prophecies were accurate and its teachings brilliant. It explained phenomena which were hitherto unexplained by science like the movement of the sun, the growth of the child in the womb etc. 

Allah testifies through the Quran that the Prophet "does not speak of his own desire it is naught, but a revelation" This is reflected in the eloquent language and forceful oratory of not just the Quran, but also that of the traditions.

The Bayan is full of grammatical errors. Even in terms of concepts, it rambles on without any firm conclusion. 

The Bayan in its present form is considered unreliable by the Bahais. Surprisingly, even though the religion is not more than 200 years old, their primary revelation has been "lost" 

Even in his personal interaction with his detractors, the Bab comes across as unconclusive in his arguments and weak in his reasoning. He not only altered his claims at different times in his life, but also washed his hands off them easily.

Lineage

Arab. Born in Mecca in 570 AD to Hazrat Abdullah, (from the respected family of Hashim) and Hazrat Amena. 

Descendant of Hazrat Ismail (as), son of Hazrat Ibrahim (as) 

The Holy Prophet (saw) prophesized that the last son from his immediate family - the Mahdi would establish Islam completely in the world.

Persian. Born in 1819 in Shiraz. Father was Mirza Reza. Mother, Fatimah was a Sayyed - a descendant of the family of the Prophet. 

Bahais have tried to wrongly project Bab as a Sayyid as well so that he can fit into the prophecy of the Mahdi being a Sayyid. Having said that, even if Bab were a Sayyid, the prophecy also mentions that the Mahdi would be an Arab and from Bani Hashim. The Bab was Persian and is thus disqualified from the position of Mahdi.

Schooling

The Holy Prophet is considered to be unlettered - totally unschooled in the practice of this world. In this aspect, he followed the tradition of divine prophets who were unschooled by worldly teachers.

The meaning of unlettered that he was taught directly by Allah and at no time of his life was he ever schooled by worldly teachers.

It is conclusively established that the Bab was taught by worldly teachers even though the Baha’is try to conceal this fact. He studied languages, mathematics and other subjects in school. 

He was a woefully weak student and often suffered for this reason at the hands of his teacher. This is also reflected by his statements to his questioners at his examination at Tabriz.

Declaration

At the age of 40 years in Mecca. Disclosed this first to his brother Ali and his wife Khadijah. He persisted with the declaration of prophethood and messengership throughout his life.

At the age of 25 years in 1844 in the presence of Mulla Hussayn Bushrui (later titled Bab-ul-Bab, The Gate of the Gate). Baha’is consider this to be the declaration of the Bab as the Mahdi, while the Bab himself expressly did not claim so.

Miracles

Numerous reports of astounding miracles. Inanimate objects like stones and trees spoke in his language and testified to his prophethood. Split the moon into two parts and also brought back the setting sun. 

More importantly, given that he had no formal schooling, he was able to bring forth an amazing amount of information about the previous prophets of Allah and about events which had transpired in the past. 

He also accurately prophesised about events that would occur in future. These reports are transmitted consecutively through reliable historians. Their authenticity is beyond question.

None. The Bab claimed that his miracle was that he could reveal many verses in a short period of time. Perhaps someone should have reminded him that it was quality and not quantity of verses which are important. 

Worst still, his writings were full of elementary mistakes. Incidentally, the Baha’is do not accept the concept of miracles. Incidentally, each leading authority - The Bab, Bahaullah, Abbas Effendi and Shoghi Effendi did not have any miracles to their name. In fact many prophecies made by them were inaccurate and their falsity proved by time.

Followers

Found all over the world. Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world and second only to Chrisntianity.

Followers were limited in his lifetime and most converted to Baha’ism after him. Religion really did not spread beyond Persia in his lifetime.

His Steadfastness

Remained firm on his claim and belief with no instance of having wavered in any manner even though he faced severe opposition from his own people.

He maintains his claim throughout his life - in peace and in war, before his friends and enemies alike and never recanted.

Altered his beliefs from time to time - first claimed to be the Bab, then Imam Mahdi. Also claimed to be God himself in his last book. Also numerous instances of having recanted whenever he was faced with severe opposition. Practiced Taqaiyyah himself. 

Reports exist that he sought death at the hands of his followers while in captivity.

Summary of Beliefs

One God - Allah. There is no partner for Allah.

Islam is the last religion of Allah. No religion after it will be acceptable before Allah. Through this injunction, the Holy Prophet (pbuh) abrogated all previous divine religions like Christianity and Judaism.

Quran is the last book

Holy Prophet is the final prophet and messenger from Allah. This is a fundamental belief in Islam. One who does not believe in this concept is an apostate.

Belief in an actual Qiyamat (Day of Judgement) and Heaven and Hell. Reward and punishment are real and will be meted on the Day of Judgment.

One God - Allah. In the last two weeks of his life, Bab however claimed to be God.

Islam is abrogated and a new dispensation - The "Babi" religion is in its place

The Bayan is said to be the new divine book while it was incomplete at the time of Bab's death.

The Bab is said to be the new prophet (This is a Bahai belief). The Bab actually never claimed to be a prophet which he wavered in his claim to be the gate of the Mahdi and then Mahdi himself.

Qiyamat is spiritual. Heaven and Hell, reward and punishment are all spiritual in nature.

A customary glance at the Babi religion reveals that almost all Babi concepts are contrary to the concepts introduced by the Prophet of Islam. The laws of religion are also divergent to that is Islam. Muslim scholars are categorial the acceptance of the Bayanic provisions (for example rejection of physical resurrection) is tantamount to Kufr (heresy) and one who accepts these provisions is rejected in Islam.