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 Muhammadan 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.
The Day of the Covenant, 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 ‘Ala, March 2—the feast of Naw-R132 follows immediately after.
BAHÁ’Í HOLY DAYS ON WHICH WORK SHOULD BE SUSPENDED
The first day of Riḍván,
The ninth day of Riḍván,
The twelfth day of Riḍván,
The anniversary of the declaration of the Báb,
The anniversary of the birth of Bahá’u’lláh,
The anniversary of the birth of the Báb,
The anniversary of the ascension of Bahá’u’lláh,
The anniversary of the martyrdom of the Báb,
The Feast of Naw-Rúz.
NOTE: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in one of His Tablets addressed to a believer of Nayríz, Írán, has written the following: “Nine days in the year have been appointed on which work is forbidden. Some of these days have been specifically mentioned in the Book. The rest follows as corollaries to the Text. . . . Work on the Day of the Covenant (Féte Day of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá), however, is not prohibited. Celebration of that day is left to the discretion of the friends. Its observation is not obligatory. The days pertaining to the Abhá Beauty (Bahá’u’lláh) and the Primal Point (the Báb), that is to say these nine days, are the only ones on which work connected with trade, commerce, industry and agriculture is not allowed. In like manner, work connected with any form of employment, whether governmental or otherwise, should be suspended.”
As a corollary of this Tablet it follows that the anniversaries of the birth and ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá are not to be regarded as days on which work is prohibited. The celebration of these two days, however, is obligatory.
Bahá’ís in East and West, holding administrative positions, whether public or private, should exert the utmost effort to obtain special leave from their superiors to enable them to observe these nine holy days.
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL GLEANED FROM NABÍL’S NARRATIVE
(VOL. H), REGARDING THE BAHÁ’Í CALENDAR
THE Badi‘ Calendar (Bahá’í Calendar) has been taken by me from the "Kita'b—iA5ma",” one of the works written by the Bab. As I have observed in these days that certain believers are inclined to regard the year in which Bahá’u’lláh departed from Baghdad to Constantinople as marking the beginning of the Badi‘ Calendar, I have requested Mirzá Aqa Jain, the amanuensis of Bahá’u’lláh, to ascertain His will and desire concerning this matter. Bahá’u’lláh answered and said: ‘The year sixty A.}{. (1844 A.D.), the year of the Declaration of the Báb, must be regarded as the beginning of the Badi‘ Calendar.’ The Declaration of
the Báb took place on the evening preceding
the fifth day of ]am:idiyu’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
Badi‘ Calendar. The year sixty, in which
the fifth day of ]am:idiyu’l-Avval coincided with the sixty-flfth day after Naw-Rúz, has accordingly been regarded as the
first year of the Badi‘ 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
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R132 of the year sixty-one A.H. (the NaWRuz immediately following the Declaration of the Báb) as the first Naw—R\'iz of the Badi‘ 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-R1312 of the Badi‘ Calendar. Soon after Bahá’u’lláh had left the fortress of ‘Akká and was dwelling in the house
Days Arabic Name 1st Jalél
2nd Jamal
3rd Kamal
4th Fidél
5 th ‘Idél
6th Istijlal
7th Istiqlal
The names of the months, which are follows:
Month Arabic Name 15: Baha 2nd Jalél 3;-d Jamal 4th ‘Azamat Sth Nfir 5th Rahmat 7th Kalimat sch Kamél 9th Asmá’ 10th ‘Izzat 11th Mashiyyat 12th ‘Hm 13th Qudrat 14th Qawl 1 5th Masa'\’il 16th Sharaf 17th Sultan 18th Mulk 19th ‘Ala’
THE Bahá’í
WORLD
of Malik, in that city, He commanded me to transcribe the text of the Badi‘ 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:
English Name Translation Saturday Glory Sunday Beauty Monday Perfection Tuesday Grace Wednesday Justice Thursday Majesty Friday Independence
the same as the days of each month, are as
Translation First Days Splendor March 21st Glory April 9th Beauty April 28th Grandeur May 17th Light June 5th Mercy June 24th Words July 13 th Perfection August 1st Names August 20th Might September 8th Will September 27th Knowledge October 16th Power November 4th Speech November 2 3 rd Questions December 12th Honor December 31st Sovereignty January 19th Dominion February 7th Loftiness March 2nd
Ayyam-i-Ha (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 Baha, and the last day of each month the day of ‘Ala’.
The Báb has regarded the solar year, of 365 days, 5 hours, and fifty od_d 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 Baha, of the month of Bahá. He has ordained the month of ‘Ali’ 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
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Bahá’í
define the place for the four days and the fraction of a day in the Badi‘ Calendar, the people of the Bayrin 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 “Ayyam—i—Hé” and ordained that they should immediately precede the month of ‘Ala’, 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 Mirza Yaḥyá, have regarded these intercalary days as coming immediately after the month of ‘Ala’, thus terminating their fast five days before the day of Naw-Rúz. This, notwithstanding the explicit text of the Bayzin. which states that the day of Naw-Rúz must needs be the first day of the month of Baha, and must follow immediately after the last day of the month of ‘Ala’. Others, aware of this contradiction, have started their fasting on the fifth day of the month of ‘Ala’, 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:
CALENDAR AND FESTIVALS
421
1. Alif A.
2. Ba’ B.
3. Ab Father.
4. Dal D.
5. Bab Gate.
6. Vav V.
7. Abad Eternity. 8. Jéd Generosity. 9. Baha Splendor. 10. Hubb Love. 11. Bahhaj Delightful. 12. Javab Answer. 13. Ahad Single.
14. Vahhab Bountiful. 15. Vidéd Affection. 16. Badi Beginning. 17. Bahi Luminous. 18. Abhá Most Luminous. 19. Vahid Unity.
Each cycle of nineteen years is called Vahid. Nineteen cycles constitute a period called Kull—i—Shay’. The numerical value of the word “Vahid” is nineteen, that of “Kull-i-Shay’” is 361. “Véhid” 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 Badi‘ Calendar, be described as follows:
“The clay of Kamal, the day of Qudrat, of the month of Jalál, of the year Bahhéj, of the fifth Vahid, of the first Kull-iShay’.”
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THE Bahá’í
WORLD
HISTORICAL DATA GLEANED FROM NABiL’S NARRATIVE (VOL. II) REGARDING Bahá’u’lláh
A. BAGHDAD
arrival latter part 'T_l)ani, 1259 A.H. March 12—April 10, 1853 A.D.
]amédiyu’ti1 departure for §ulayméniyyih on Wednesday, April 10, 1854- A.D.Rajah 12, 1270 A.H.
B. §ULAYMANiYYIH
Before reaching fiulayméniyyih, He lived for a time on the Sar—Galú mountain.
During His absence from Bagdad, His family transferred their residence from House of Hájí ‘AliMadad to that of §ulaymén—iQ_hanném.
Nabil arrived at Baghdad 6 months after Bahá’u’lláh’s departure for §ulaymaniyyih.
C. BA(l{DAD arrived from §ulayméniyyih on Wednesday, March 19, 1856 A.D.Rajab 12, 1272 A.H.
departure from Mazra‘iy—i—VashS_l’léSl1: Thursday, March 26, 1863 A.D.—Shavvél 5, 1279 A.H.
Tablet of the Holy Mariner revealed while in the Mazra‘iy—i—Vashsl1ésl1.
departure from Baghdad for Constantinople, Wednesday afternoon (first day of Riḍván), April 22, 1863 A.D.—D_hi’1—Qa‘dih 3, 1279 A.H.
Tafsir-i—I_‘Iurúfa't-i Works Revealed Houses Occupied During This During This Period Period Qullu’t-Ta‘am House of Hájí ‘AliMadad (in old Bagdad) House of §ulaymén-iCihannam Prayers
Qasidiy—i—Varqé’iyyih
Saqiyas-C§_llayb—iBaqa
Muqatl_;a‘ih _Sahifiy-i-fiiattiyyih Haft—V:idi
(Seven Valleys) Tafsir-i—H\'1 Lawh-i-Huriyyih Kitáb-i-Tqén Kalimét—i-Maknunih
(Hidden Words) Subhéna-Rabbiya’l A‘l2i Shikkar-fflxikam
Shavand Hut-i-‘Ujéb Halih—Halih-Ya
Bisliérat Cillulamu’l—I:lluld AZ-B2'l@—i—Il£'Illi
Baz:ivu—Bidih-Jami
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Bahá’í
CALENDAR AND FESTIVALS
423
C. BA<EDAD—continued
Suriy—i—_Sabr revealed on first day of Riḍván.
arrival at Garden of Najibiyyih (Garden of Riḍván), April 22, 1863 A.D.—I)_lli’l—Qa‘dih 3, 1279 A.H.
arrival of Bahá’u’lláh’s Family at Garden 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.—])_}1i’l—Qa‘dih 14, 1279 A.H.
length of overland journey from Garden of Ridvein to Samsun on Black Sea: 110 days.
Works Revealed Houses Occupied
During This During This Period Period Malleil;iu’l-Quds
(Holy Mariner)
Sxiriy-i-Sabr
Firayjét, (arrival early afternoon—stayed seven days) arrived on Sunday, May 3, 1863 A.D.—1)_lli’lQa‘dih 14, 1279 A.H. (Firayjat is about 3 miles distant from Bagdad)
Judaydih,
Dili-‘Abbas,
Qarih-Tapih,
_Sal:il;1iyyih, (stayed two nights)
Dúst—I_{_llurmat\i,
Tawuq,
Karkuk, (stayed two days)
Irbil,
Zéb River,
Bartallih,
Mosul, (stayed 3 days)
Z:il_<ln.'1,
Jazirih,
Nisibin,
Hasan—Aq;'1,
Mardin,
Diyar-Bakr,
Ma‘dan-Mis,
Igiérput, (stayed 2 or 3 days) Ma'dan—Nuqrih,
Dilik-Téslz,
Sivés,
Tuqét,
Amasia, (stayed 2 days)
Ilahiyyih, (while approaching Sam sun, “Lawl_1-i-Hawdaj” was revealed), (last day of overland journey)
Samsun, (stayed 7 days) Black Sea port. Sailed in a Turkish steamer about sunset for Constantinople
Sinope, (arrived next day about noon) Black Sea port. Stayed few hours
Anyabuli, (arrived next day).
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THE BAHA’I WORLD
D. CONSTANTINOPLE
arrival at noon on Sunday, August 16, 1863 A.D. Rabi‘u’l-Avval 1, 1280 A.H.
Length of sea voyage from Sémsun to Constantinople 3 days.
Length of journey from Constintinople to Adrianople 12 days.
Works Revealed Dur Houses Occupied Dur ing This Period ing This Period Duration Subhénika-Ya-Hu House of Shamsi Big 1 month Lawlji-i—‘Abdu’l-‘Aziz (2—story, near I_{_hirVa-Vukalfi gih §harif Mosque) House of Visi P:isha 3months
(3-story, near Sultan M u a m m a cl Mosque)
1. Kucinik-Cllakmac_hih (3 hours from Constantinople—spent one night) 2. Buyuk-(;llakmac_llih (arrived about noon)
3. Salvari
4. Birkas
5 . Baba—iski
E. ADRIANOPLE
arrival on Saturday, December 12, 1863 A.D.—Rajab 1, 1280
A.H.
Length of stay: 4 years, 8 months, 22 days.
Length of overland
journey from Constantinople to Adrianople: 12 days.
Departure from Adrianople on Wednesday, August 12, 1868 A.D.—Rabi‘u’tl1-Théni 22, 1285 A.H.
Works Revealed Dur Houses Occupied Dur ing This Period ing This Period Duration Suriy-i-Ashaib I. Khan-i-‘Arab 3 nights (earavanserai, twostory, near house Lawh-i-Hajj I of ‘Izzat-Aga) “ “ “ II Kitaib—i-Badi‘ 2. House in Murédiyyih 1 week Suriy-i-Muluk quarter, near Tak(Tablet of the yiy-i-Mawlavi Kings) 3. House in Murédiyyih 6 months Suriy-i-Amr quarter, near house Suriy-i-Damm 2 Alval;1-i-Laylatu’l- 4. I{_l1éniy-i-Amru’lláh Quds (several stories, Munéjathay-i-Siyém near Sultan—Salim (Prayers for Fast— Mosque) ins) Lawh-i-Sayyah 5. House of Riqlé Big lyear Lawl_1-i-Népulyun I 6. House of Amru’lláh 3months? (First Tablet to (3 — story. North Napoleon III) of Sultan - Salim Mosque) Lawh-i-Sultan 7. House of ‘Izzat- 11 months (Table: to the Sháh Aqzi
of Persia) Law};-i-Nuqtih
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BAHA’I CALENDAR AND FESTIVALS 42$
1. Uzfin-Kupri 2. Kas_l'_1:'1nih, (arrived about noon. Lawh-i-Ra’is (Tablet of Ra’is) was revealed
in this place)
3 Gampoli (length of journey from Adrianople to Gallipoli about 4 days)
' (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, transshipped 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 ‘Akká)
1870 A.D.—Rabi(u’l-Avval 23, 1287
Works Revealed Dur Houses Occupied Dur Czar) Suriy-i-Haykal
5. House of 'Abbud
A.H. Lawh-i-Burhan (where Kitáb-iLawh-i-Ru’ya Aqdas was reLawh-i-IEn-i—12hi’b vealed) (Epistle to Son of 6. Mazra‘ih the Wolf) Passed away May 29, Lawh-i-Piép 7. Qasr 1892 A.D. ( T a b 1 e t to the (Mansion, where
Pope)
He passed away)
F. ‘AKKA ing This Period ing This Period Duration arrival on Monday, Kitáb-i-Aqdas 1. Barracks 2 years, 2 August 31, A.D. Lawh-i—N:ipulyún II months, 1868—]amadiyu’l- (Second Tablet to 5 days Avval 12, 1285 Napoleon III) A.H. Lawh-i-Malikih 2. House of Malik 3 months (Tablet to Queen 3. House of Rébfih Victoria) Purest Branch died on Lawl_1—i’-Malik-i—R\is 4. House of Mansur 2 or 3 Thursday, June 23, ( T a b l e t to the months
