"Bab" is a term among various Shi’ite and ‘Alawite groups for a person who is a "gate" to truth, heaven, or the Mahdi. Ali Muhammad of Shiraz, a descendant of Mohammed born in 1819/1821, claimed to the Bab, the forerunner to the hidden (12th) imam.
"Bab" ni neno la moja ya makundi ya Kishia na Kialawiti (‘Alawite) lenye kumaanisha mtu ambaye ni "lango" la kuelekea kwenye kweli, mbinguni, au Mahdi. Ali Muhammad wa Shiraz, mzao wa Muhammad aliyezaliwa mwaka 1819/1821, alidai kuwa Babi, mtangulizi wa imamu wa 12 aliyefichwa.