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Declaration at Riḍván1 near Baghdád |
After much negotiation, at the request of the Persian
Government, an order was issued by the Turkish Government
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summoning Bahá’u’lláh to Constantinople. On receipt of this
news His followers were in consternation. They besieged the
house of their beloved Leader to such an extent that the family
encamped in the Garden of Najíb Páshá outside the town for
twelve days, while the caravan was being prepared for the long
journey. It was during these twelve days (April 22 to May 3,
1863, i.e. nineteen years after the Báb’s Declaration) that
Bahá’u’lláh announced to several of His followers the glad
tidings that He was the One Whose coming had been foretold
by the Báb—the Chosen of God, the Promised One of all the
Prophets. The Garden where this memorable Declaration took
place has become known to Bahá’ís as the “Garden of Riḍván,”
and the days Bahá’u’lláh spent there are commemorated in the
“Feast of Riḍván,” which is held annually on the anniversary
of those twelve days. During those days Bahá’u’lláh, instead
of being sad or depressed, showed the greatest joy, dignity and
power. His followers became happy and enthusiastic, and great
crowds came to pay their respects to Him. All the notables of
Baghdád, even the Governor himself, came to honor the departing
prisoner.
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1. | Pronounced Rizwán. [ Back To Reference] |