The Babis came out the Shi’ite Shayki movement when Ali Muhammad of Shiraz, a descendant of Mohammed born in 1819/1821, claimed to the Bab, or forerunner to the hidden (12th) imam.
Wababi walitokana na harakati ya Shayki ya Kishia wakati Ali Muhammad wa Shiraz, kusini mwa Irani, dhuria wa Muhammad aliyezaliwa mwaka 1819/1821, alipodai kwa Bab ul-Bab (Lango la Malango), au mtangulizi wa imamu (wa 12) aliyefichwa.