The concept of 'Bada' and future Babi states

The ambiguity of the Babi position can also be seen in the Babis' apparent expectations for the future. Initially, the Báb himself referred to the final jihad (holy war) that the Mahdi was expected to fight against the forces of unbelief, depicting the coming struggle in fairly traditional Shi'i terms: God's victory was near at hand and all people were summoned to assist in the approaching battle against the infidels (among whom the Babis included those Muslims who refused to recognize the Báb), purifying the Earth for the return of the Imám. The faithful were to prepare for "the day of slaughter." Such a jihad was never launched, however. Returned from Mecca in 1845, the Báb avoided going to Karbalá to meet his followers who had gathered there-essentially saying that God had changed his mind. Babi missionary expansion continued after this, but in his extensive writings the Báb turned to other matters, elucidating quranic verses and Islamic doctrines and practices, and elaborating the laws for future Babi states. He reduced emphasis on jihad and left its application to future Babi kings (MacEoin 1982b).

(The Oxford Handbook of Millennialism, 2011, p. 479)