Bahá’í World/Volume 5/Bahá’í Calendar and Festivals
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BAHÁ’Í CALENDAR AND FESTIVALS
FOREWORD
BY DR. J. E. ESSLEMONT
From Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era
AMONG different peoples and at different times many different methods have been adopted for the measurement of time and fixing of dates, and several different calendars are still in daily use, e. g., the Gregorian in Western Europe, the Julian in many countries of Eastern Europe, the Hebrew among the Jews, and the Muḥammadan in Muslim countries.
The Báb signalized the importance of the dispensation which He came to herald, by inaugurating a new calendar. In this, as in the Gregorian Calendar, the lunar month is abandoned and the solar year is adopted.
The Bahá’í year consists of 19 months of 19 days each (i. e., 361 days), with the addition of certain “intercalary days” (four in ordinary and five in leap years) between the eighteenth and nineteenth months in order to adjust the calendar to the solar year. The Bab named the months after the attributes of God. The Bahá’í New Year, like the ancient Persian New Year, is astronomically fixed, commencing at the March equinox (March 21st), and the Bahá’í era commences with the year of the Báb’s declaration (i. e., 1844 A.D., 1260 A.H.).
In the not far distant future it will be necessary that all peoples in the world agree on a common calendar.
It seems, therefore, fitting that the new age of unity should have a new calendar free from the objections and associations which make each of the older calendars unacceptable to large sections of the world’s population, and it is difficult to see how any other arrangement could exceed in simplicity and convenience that proposed by the Báb.
————————
BAHÁ’Í FEASTS, ANNIVERSARIES AND DAYS OF FASTING
Feast of Riḍván (Declaration of Bahá’u’lláh), April 21-May 2, 1863.
Feast of Naw-Rúz (New Year), March 21.
Declaration of the Báb, May 23, 1844.
Fête Day of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, November 26.
Birth of Bahá’u’lláh, November 12, 1817.
Birth of the Báb, October 20, 1819.
Birth of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, May 23, 1844.
Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh, May 29, 1892.
Martyrdom of the Báb, July 9, 1850.
Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, November 28, 1921.
Fasting season lasts 19 days beginning with the first day of the month of ‘Alá’,
- March 2—the feast of Naw-Rúz follows immediately after.
Additional Material Gleaned from Nabíl’s Narrative (Vol. II), Regarding the Bahá’í Calendar
The Badí‘ Calendar (Bahá’í Calendar) has been taken by me from the "Kitáb-i-Asmá’,” one of the works written by the Báb. As I have observed in these days that certain believers are inclined to regard the year in which Bahá’u’lláh departed from Baghdád to Constantinople as marking the beginning of the Badí‘ Calendar, I have requested Mírzá Áqá Ján, the amenuensis of Bahá’u’lláh, to ascertain His will and desire concerning this matter. Bahá’u’lláh answered and said: ‘The year sixty A.H. (1844 A.D.), the year of the Declaration of the Báb, must be regarded as the beginning of the Badí‘ Calendar.’ The Declaration of the Báb took place on the evening preceding the fifth day of Jamádíyu’l-Avval, of the year 1260 A.H. It has been ordained that the solar calendar be followed, and that the vernal Equinox, the day of Naw-Rúz, be regarded as the New Year's Day of the Badí‘ Calendar. The year sixty, in which the fifth day of Jamádíyu’l-Avval coincided with the sixty-fifth day after Naw-Rúz, has accordingly been regarded as the first year of the Badí‘ Calendar. As in that year, the day of Naw-Rúz, the vernal Equinox, preceded by sixty-six days the date of the Declaration of the Báb, I have therefore, throughout my history, regarded the Naw-Rúz of the year sixty-one A.H. (the Naw-Rúz immediately following the Declaration of the Báb) as the first Naw-Rúz of the Badí‘ Calendar. I have accordingly considered the Naw-Rúz of this present year, the year 1306 A.H., which is the 47th solar year after the Declaration of the Báb, as the 46th Naw-Rúz of the Badí‘ Calendar.
Soon after Bahá’u’lláh had left the fortress of ‘Akká and was dwelling in the house of Malik, in that city, He commanded me to transcribe the text of the Badí‘ Calendar and to instruct the believers in its details. On the very day in which I received His command, I composed, in verse and prose, an exposition of the main features of that Calendar and presented it to Him. The versified copy, being now unavailable, I am herein transcribing the version in prose. The days of the week are named as follows:
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Days
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th
Arabic Name
Jalál
Jamál
Kamál
Fiḍál
‘Idál
Istijlál
Istiqlál
English Name
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Translation
Glory
Beauty
Perfection
Grace
Justice
Majesty
Independence
The names of the months, which are the same as the days of each month, are as follows:
Month
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th
8th
9th
10th
11th
Arabic name
Bahá
Jalál
Jamál
‘Aẓamat
Núr
Raḥmat
Kalimát
Asmá’
Kamál
‘Izzat
Mashíyyat
Translation
Splendor
Glory
Beauty
Grandeur
Light
Mercy
Words
Names
Perfection
Might
Will
First Days
March 21st
April 9th
April 28th
May 17th
June 5th
June 24th
July 13th
August 1st
August 20th
September 8th
September 27th
Map showing Travels of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh.
(Designed by J. F. Clevenges, Washington, D. C.)
Month
12th
13th
14th
15th
16th
17th
18th
19th
Arabic Name
‘Ilm
Qudrat
Qawl
Masá’il
Sharaf
Sulṭán
Mulk
‘Alá’
Translation
Knowledge
Power
Speech
Questions
Honor
Sovereignty
Dominion
Loftiness
First Days
October 16th
November 4th
November 23rd
December 12th
December 31st
January 19th
February 7th
March 2nd
Ayyám-i-Há (Intercalary Days) February 26th to March 1st inclusive—four in ordinary and five in leap years.
The first day of each month is thus the day of Bahá, and the last day of each month the day of ‘Alá’.
The Báb has regarded the solar year, of 365 days, 5 hours, and fifty odd minutes, as consisting of 19 months of 19 days each, with the addition of certain intercalary days. He has named the New Year’s Day, which is the Day of Naw-Rúz, the day of Bahá, of the month of Bahá. He has ordained the month of ‘Alá’ to be the month of fasting, and has decreed that the Day of Naw-Rúz should mark the termination of that period. As the Báb did not specifically define the place for the four days and the fraction of a day in the Badí‘ Calendar, the people of the Bayán were at a loss as to how they should regard them. The revelation of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas in the city of ‘Akká resolved this problem and settled the issue. Bahá’u’lláh designated those days as the “Ayyám-i-Há” and ordained that they should immediately precede the month of ‘Alá’, which is the month of fasting. He enjoined upon His followers to devote these days to feasting, rejoicing, and charity. Immediately upon the termination of these intercalary days, Bahá’u’lláh ordained the month of fasting to begin. I have heard it stated that some of the people of the Bayán, the followers of Yaḥyá, have regarded these intercalary days as coming immediately after the month of ‘Alá’, thus terminating their fast five days before the day of Naw-Rúz. This, notwithstanding the explicit text of the Bayán which states that the day of Naw-Rúz must needs be the first day of the month of Bahá, and must follow immediately after the last day of the month of ‘Alá’. Others, aware of this contradiction, have started their fasting on the fifth day of the month of ‘Alá’, and included the intercalary days within the period of fasting.
Every fourth year the number of the intercalary days is raised from four to five. The day of Naw-Rúz falls on the 21st of March only if the vernal Equinox precedes the setting of the sun on that day. Should the vernal Equinox take place after sunset, Naw-Rúz will have to be celebrated on the following day.
The Báb has, moreover, in His writings, revealed in the Arabic tongue, divided the years following the date of His Revelation, into cycles of nineteen years each. The names of the years in each cycle are as follows:
1. Alif
2. Bá’
3. Ab
4. Dal
5. Báb
6. Váv
7. Abad
8. Jád
9. Bahá
10. Ḥubb
A.
B.
Father.
D.
Gate.
V.
Eternity.
Generosity.
Splendor.
Love.
11. Bahháj
12. Javáb
13. Aḥad
14. Vahháb
15. Vidád
16. Badí
17. Bahí
18. Abhá
19. Váḥid
Delightful.
Answer.
Single.
Bountiful.
Affection.
Beginning.
Luminous.
Most Luminous.
Unity.
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————————————English Name Translation Saturday Glory Sunday Beauty Monday Perfection Tuesday Grace Wednesday Justice Thursday Majesty Friday Independence
The names of the months, which are the same as the days of each month, are as
Days Arabic Name 1st Jalál 2nd Jamál 3rd Kamál 4rd Fiḍál 5th 'Idál 6th Istijlál 7th Istiqlál follows:
Month Arabic Name 1st Bahá 2nd Jalál 3rd Jamál 4th ‘Aẓamat 5th Núr 6th Raḥmat 7th Kalimát 8th Kamál 9th Asmá’ 10th ‘Izzat 11th Mashíyyat
Translation First Days Splendor March 21st Glory April 9th Beauty April 2 8th Grandeur May 17th Light June 5th Mercy June 24th Words July 13th Perfection August 1st Names August 20th Might September 8th Will September 27th
Map showing Travels of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh.
—————————————Month Arabic Name 12th ‘Ilm 13th Qudrat 14th Qawl 15th Masá’il 16th Sharaf 17th Sulṭán 18th Mulk 19th ‘Alá’
Translation First Days Knowledge October 16th
Power November 4th Speech November 23rd Questions December 12 th Honor December 3 1st Sovereignty January 19th Dominion February 7th Loftiness March 2nd
Ayyám-i-Há (Intercalary Days) February 26th to March 1st inclusive—four in ordinary and five in leap years.
The first day of each month is thus the day of Bahá, and the last day of each month the day of ‘Alá’.
The Báb has regarded the solar year, of 365 days, 5 hours, and fifty odd minutes, as consisting of 19 months of 19 days each, with the addition of certain intercalary days. He has named the New Year’s Day, which is the Day of Naw-Rúz, the day of Bahá, of the month of Bahá. He has ordained the month of ‘Alá’ to be the month of fasting, and has decreed that the Day of Naw-Rúz should mark the termination of that period. As the Báb did not specifically define the place for the four days and the fraction of a day in the Badí‘ Calendar, the people of the Bayán were at a loss as to how they should regard them. The revelation of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas in the city of ‘Akká resolved this problem and settled the issue. Bahá’u’lláh designated those days as the “Ayyám-i-Há” and ordained that they should immediately precede the month of ‘Alá’, which is the month of fasting. He enjoined upon His followers to devote these days to feasting, rejoicing, and charity. Immediately upon the termination of these intercalary days, Bahá’u’lláh ordained the month of fasting to begin. I have heard it stated that some of the people of the Bayán, the followers of Mírzá Yaḥyá, have regarded these intercalary days as coming immediately after the month of ‘Alá’, thus terminating their fast five days before the day of Naw-Rúz. This, notwithstanding the explicit text of the Bayán which states that the day of Naw-Rúz must needs be the first day of the month of Bahá, and must follow immediately after the last day of the month of ‘Alá’. Others, aware of this contradiction, have started their fasting on the fifth day of the month of ‘Alá’, and included the intercalary days within the period of fasting.
Every fourth year the number of the intercalary days is raised from four to five. The day of Naw-Rúz falls on the 21st of March only if the vernal Equinox precedes the setting of the sun on that day. Should the vernal Equinox take place after sunset, Naw-Rúz will have to be celebrated on the following day.
The Báb has, moreover, in His writings, revealed in the Arabic tongue, divided the years following the date of His Revelation, into cycles of nineteen years each. The names of the years in each cycle are as follows:
1. Alif A.
2. Bá’ B.
3. Ab Father.
4. Dál D.
S. Báb Gate.
6. Vá V.
7. Abad Eternity.
8. Jád Generosity.
9. Bahá Splendor.
10. Ḥubb Love.
11. Bahháj Delightful
12. Javáb Answer.
13. Aḥad single,
14. Vahháb Bountiful.
15. Vidád Affection.
16. Badí Beginning.
17. Bahí Luminous.
18. Abhá Most Luminous.
19. Váḥid Unity.
Map showing section of route followed by Bahá’u’lláh on His journey from Baghdád to Constantinople.
Each cycle of nineteen years is called Váḥid. Nineteen cycles constitute a period called Kull-i-Shay’. The numerical value of the word “Váḥid” is nineteen, that of “Kull-i-Shay’” is 361. “Váḥid” signifies unity, and is symbolic of the unity of God.
The Báb has, moreover, stated that this system of His is dependent upon the acceptance and good-pleasure of “Him Whom God shall make manifest.” One word from Him would suffice either to establish it for all time, or to annul it forever.
For instance, the date of the 21st of April, 1930, which is the first day of Riḍván, and which according to the Kitáb-i-Aqdas must coincide with the “thirteenth day of the second Bahá’í month,” and which fell this year (1930) on Monday, would, according to the system of the Badí‘ Calendar, be described as follows:
“The day of Kamál, the day of Qudrat, of the month of Jalál, of the year Bahháj, of the fifth Váḥid, of the first Kull-i-Shay‘.“
————————
A. BAGHDÁD
arrival latter part Jamádíyu’th-Thání 1269 A.H. March 12—April 10, 1853, A.D.
departure for Sulaymáníyyih on Wednesday, April 10, 1854 A.D.—Rajab 12, 1270 A.H.
B. SULAYMÁNÍYYIH
Before reaching Sulaymáníyyih, He lived for a time on the Sar-Galú mountain.
During His absence from Baghdád, His family transferred their residence from House of Hájí ‘Alí-Madad to that of Sulaymán-i-Ghannám.
Nabil arrived at Baghdád 6 months after Bahá’u’lláh’s departure for Sulaymáníyyih.
C. BAGHDÁD
arrived from Sulaymáníyyih on Wednesday, March 19, 1856 A.D. Rajab 12, 1272 A.H.
______———-_______————_______———-_________————-
U ’ L L A H Works Revealed Houses Occupied During This During This Period Period Qullu’t-Ta‘ém House of H2iji‘AliMadad (in old Bafidéd) House of Sulayman-ifiannim Prayers
Qasidiy-i-Varq:i’iyyih
Saqiyas-G_llayb-iBaqé
on‘
Tafsir-i-Hurfifat-i Muqatta‘ih
Sahifiy-i-Shattiyyih Haft-Vadi
(Seven Valleys) Tafsir-i-Hi’: Lawh-i-Hfiriyyih Kitab-i-fqén Kalimét-i-Maknfinih
(Hidden Words)
[Page 366]
THE Bahá’í WORLD
C. BAgDAD—contz'nuea'
departure from Mazra‘iy-i-Vashsliésli: Thursday, March 26, 1863 A.D.—§l_1avvél S, 1279 A.H.
Tablet of the Holy Mariner revealed while in the Mazra‘iy-i-Vaslisliaslx.
Works Revealed During This Period
During This Period
Subh:ina-Rabbiya’lA'lé
&ikkar—&ikanShavand Hfir-i-‘Ujéb
Houses Occupied
Halih-Halih-Ya Bisharat gulamud-Quid Az-Bagh-i-Ilahi departure from Baghdad for Constan-B5-Z5-Vu-Bidihnlémi tinople, Wednesday afternoon (first day of Riḍván), April 22, 1863 A.D.—]D_}1i’l-Qa‘dih 3, 1279 A.H. Sfiriy-i-Sabr revealed on first day ofuMa11513u’1_Qud5 Ri_vén. (Holy Mariner) arrival at Garden of Najibiyyih (Garden of Riḍván), April 22, 1863 A.D.—@i’1-Qa‘dih 3, 1279 A.H. arrival of Bahá’u’lláh’s Family at Gar-1 den of Riḍván on eighth day after first of Riḍván. departure from Garden of Riḍván for Constantinople last day of Riḍván, at noon on Sunday, May 3, 1863 A.D.—@i’l-Qa'dih 14, 1279 A.H. length of overland journey from Garden of Riḍván to Samsun on Black Sea: 110 days.
Sfiriy-i—$abr
Firayjét, (arrival early afternoon— Hasan-Aqé,
stayed seven days) arrived on Sun— Mardin, day, May 3, 1863 A.D.—Dhi’l- Diyér-Bakr, Qa‘dih 14, 1279 A.H. (Firayjét is Ma‘dan-M'
about 3 miles distant from Bagh- Qérpfit, (stayed 2 or 3 days)
did) Ma‘dan-Nuqrih, Judaydih, Dilik-Tésli, Dili-‘Abbas, Sivés, Qarih—Tapih, Tfiqét,
Amasia, (stayed 2 days) Iléhiyyih, (while approaching Sam Salahiyyih, (stayed two nights) Dust-fliurmatu,
Téwuq, sun, “Lawh-i—Hawdaj” was reKarkuk, (stayed two days) vealed), (last day of overland jourIf , ney)
255 RN61‘: Samsfin, (stayed 7 days) Black Sea B31‘§31lih, port. Sailed in a Turkish steamer Mosul, (stayed 3 days) about sunset for Constantinople Z5-lfllfi, Sinope, (arrived next day about noon) Jalifihy Black Sea port. Stayed few hours Ni§ibin- Anyabuli, (arrived next day).
[Page 367]
- ur— 19- CONSTANTINOPLE Woiii; iiiseiiffiogur H°"iZsg 3§fs"15§:§i.aD D“‘“‘°“
arrival at noon on Subhénika—Yé-Hfi House of fliamsi Big 1 mmlth
Sunday, Au gust Lawh—i-‘Abdu’l-‘Aziz (2-storey, near 1{_l_1ir 16, 1863 A.D. Va—Vukalé gih fiarif Mosque)
Rabi‘u’l-Avval 1,
1280 A.H.
Length of sea voyage House of Visi Pasha 3 months from Samsfin to (3 storey, near SulConstantinople 3 tin M u a m m a d days. Mosque)
Length of journey from Constantinople to Adrianople 12 days.
1. Kú<ilik—Qakma(ilih (3 hours from Constantinople—spent one night)
2. Buyuk-Qakmaciiih (arrival about noon)
3. Salvari
4. Birkés
S . Babé-iski
Works Revealed Houses Occupied Dur- . E‘ ADRIANOPLE During This Period ing This Period Duration arrival on Saturday, Sfiriy-i-Ashéb 1. I{_l12in-i-‘Arab 3 nights December 12, 1863 (caravanserai, twoA.D.—Rajab 1, 1280 storey, near house A.H. Lawh-i-Hajj I of ‘Izzat-Aga) Length of stay: 4 years, 8 months, 22 days. " ii “ H
Length of overland Kitib-i-Badi‘ 2. House in Muradiyyih 1 week journey from Con- Sfiriy-i-Mulfik quarter, near Takstantinople to Adri- (Tablet Of the yiy—i-Mawlavi anople: 12 days. Kings)
Departure from Adri- 3. House in Murédiyyih‘ 6 months anople on Wednes— 313FiY-i-Amt‘ quarter, near house 2 day,August 12, 1868 Suriy-i-Damm A.D.—Rabi‘u’Ii1- AlV5l.1-i-L3Y1at11’1- 4. flaniy-i-Amru’lláh mini 2 2, 12 35 Quds (several stories, near A.H. Munéjéthay-i-Siyém‘ Sultan-Salim
(Prayers for Fast- Mosque) ing) Lawh-i-Sayyah 5. House of Ridé Big 1 yea,Lawh-i—NapulyL'1n I 6. House of Amru’llah 3 months; (First Tablet to (3 storey. North of Napoleon III) Sultan-Salim Mosque) LaW}_l-i-Sultén 7. House of ‘Izzat-Aqa 11 months (Tablet to the §l_1éh of Persia) Lawh-i-Nuqt_ih
[Page 368]
1. Uzun-Kupri
2. Kashénih, (arrived about noon. Lawh-i-Ra’is (Tablet of Ra’is) was revealed
in this place)
3 Gal“ 1. {(length of journey from Adrianople to Gallipoli about 4 days)
' P0 1 (after a few days’ stay sailed before noon in Austrian steamer for
Alexandria, Egypt)
4. Madelli, (arrived about sunset—-left at night)
5. Smyrna, (stayed 2 days, left at night)
6. Alexandria, (arrived in the morning, transhipped and left at night for Haifa) 7. Port Said, (arrived morning, left the same day at night)
8. Jaffa, (left at midnight)
9. Haifa, (arrived in the morning, landed and after a few hours left on a sailing
vessel for ‘Akk:'1) , ‘WorksRevealedDur-‘Houses Occupied During D . F‘ iAKK" ing This Period This Period ummm arrival on Monday, Kitáb-i-Aqdas 1. Barracks 2 years, 2 August 31, A.D. Lawl_1-i-Napulyun II months, 186 8—Jamaidiyu’l- (2nd Tablet to 5 days Avval 12, 1285 A.H. Napoleon III) Lawh-i-Malikih 2. House of Malik 3 months (Tablet to Queen 3. House of Rébi‘ih Victoria) Purest Branch died on Lawlji-i-Malik-i-Rfis 4. House of Mansfir 2 or Thursday, June 23, (Tablet to the 3 months
1870 A.D.—Rabi‘u’lAvval 23, 1287 A.H.
Passed away May 29, 1892 A.D.
Czar) Suriy-i-Haykal Lawh-i-Burhén Lawh-i-Ru’yé Lawh-i-Ibn-i-Qhi’b (Epistle to Son of the Wolf)
Lawlji-i-Pap (Tablet to the Pope)
s/u
.\'
. House of ‘Abbfid (where Kitáb-i-Aqdas was revealed) Mazra'ih
Qasr (Mansion, where He passed away)
Young Bahá’ís of Baghdád.
Picture taken near the spot blessed by the declaration of Bahá’u’lláh’s mission in the Riḍván garden. In the center is Miss Sarah Baghdádí, first and only Bahá’í' nurse in the hospital now established upon this historic site.