 On the evening of 22 May 1844, Siyyid ʻAlí-Muhammad of Shiraz gained his first convert and took on the title of "the Báb" ( "the Gate"), referring to his later claim to the status of Mahdi of Shiʻa Islam.His followers were therefore known as Bábís.As the Báb's teachings spread, which the Islamic clergy saw as blasphemous, his followers came under increased persecution and torture.