Bahá'í History Collection* 1863 Bahá'u'lláh's Declaration in the Garden of Ridván

Bahá'u'lláh declared publicly for the first time His Station as God's latest Messenger, "Him Whom God shall make manifest", as foretold by the Báb in 1844 (see our 1844 collection). This Revelation of God's guidance for today has placed humanity -- as promised in all major world faiths -- on that path to finally achieve the world peace and unity longed for by the vast majority of all peoples.

“All praise be to the one true God--exalted be His glory--inasmuch as He hath, through the Pen of the Most High, unlocked the doors of men's hearts. Every verse which this Pen hath revealed is a bright and shining portal that discloseth the glories of a saintly and pious life, of pure and stainless deeds.”
~ Bahá'u'lláh, Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh, pp. 88-89

This declaration came in a garden full of roses that Bahá'u'lláh named Ridván (Paradise). He stayed for twelve days after the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire informed Him that He and His family would be exiled again to Constantinople after 10 years exile in Baghdad, a banishment from His homeland handed to Him by the Shah of the Persian Empire. The announcement of this collaboration between two despotic rulers became twelve days that Bahá'ís now celebrate as the "King of Festivals". The garden was located on an island in the middle of the Tigris River of Baghdad and had to be reached by boat.

Three days in this festival are tied to major events during the period of Bahá'u'lláh's stay in the garden:
* 1st day celebrates His arrival in the garden and first public declaration of His Mission
* 9th day, the arrival of His family and significance of the number 9
* 12th day, His departure to a second exile in Constantinople

These three days during the festival are holy days on which work and school should be suspended -- no work or homework, instead hospitality, charity and acts of service toward humanity and the betterment of the world.

Do you have Bahá'i friends? Perhaps you've noticed them absent on these days!

:-)

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