Bahá’í World/Volume 9/Bahá’í Calendar and Festivals

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[Page 503]

4.

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 Báb 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 21), 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 B5113.

Bahá’í FEASTS, ANNIVERSARIES, AND DAYS OF FASTING

Feast of Riḍván (Declaration of Bahá’u’lláh), April 21—May 2, 1863. ‘Feast of Naw—Rfiz (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 B211), 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 ‘Alé’, March 2—the feast of Naw-Rúz follows immediately after.

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NOTE:

BAHA’I

THE Bahá’í WORLD

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—Rfiz.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in one of His Tablets addressed to a believer of Nayriz, Tran, 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 t0 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 (Baha’u’llah) 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 NABiL’S NARRATIVE (VOL. II), REGARD

ING THE BAHA’I CALENDAR

The Badi‘ Calendar (Bahá’í Calendar) has been taken by me from the Kitáb—i-Asma”, 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 Baghdad to Constantinople as marking the beginning of the Badi‘ Calendar, I have requested Mirzá Aqa Jan, the amanuensis of Bahá’u’lláh, to ascertain His Will and desire concerning this matter. Baha’u’llah 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 Badi‘ Calendar.’ The Declaration of the Báb‘ took place on the evening preceding the fifth day of Jamadiyu’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-Rfiz, be regarded as the New Year’s Day of the Badi‘ Calendar. The year sixty, in which the fifth day of Jamadiyu’l-Avval coincided with the sixty-fifth day after NaW-Rfiz, has accordingly been regarded as the first year of the Badi‘ Calendar. As in that year, the day of NaW—Rfiz,

f

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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-Rfiz of the year sixty-one A.H. (the Naw-Rúz immediately following the Declaration of the Bib) as the first Naw—Rt'iz of the Badi‘ Calendar. I have accordingly considered the Naw—RI'JZ of this present year, the year 1306 A.H., Which is the 47th solar year after the Declaration of the B51), as the 46th Naw-Rúz of the Badi‘ Calendar.

Days Arabic Name lst Jaiél

2nd Jamél

3rd Kamél

4th Fidéi

5th ‘Idél

6th lstijlzil

7th Istiqlfil

The names of the months, which are the same as the days of

follows:

M07111) Arabic Name lst Bahá 2nd Jalél 3rd Inmél 4th ‘Azamat 5th NL'xr 6th Rahmut 7th Kalimét 8th Kamél 9th Asmá’

10th ‘Izzat 11th Mashíyyat 12th ‘Ilm 13th Qudrat 14th Qawl 15th Masé’il 16th §I_1araf 17th Sultén 18th Mulk 19th ‘Alé’

CALENDAR AND FEST'IVALS

505

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 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 vcrsified 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

each month, are as

Translation First Days Splendor March 21 Glory April 9 Beauty April 2 8 Grandeur May 17 Light June 5 Mercy June 24 Words July 13 Perfection August 1 Names August 20 Might September 8 Will September 27 Knowledge October 16 Power November 4 Speech November 23 Questions December 12 Honor December 3 1 Sovereignty January 19 Dominion February 7 Loftincss March 2

Ayyfim—i-Hé (Intercalary Days) February 26 to March 1 inclusivefour in ordinary and five in leap years.

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The first day of each month is thus the day of Bahá, and the last day of each month the day of ‘Alé’.

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’í, of the month of Bahá’í. He has ordained the month of ‘Alé’ to be the month of fasting, and has decreed that the day of Naw—Rfiz should mark the termination of that period. As the Bib did not specifically define the place for the four days and the fraction of a day in the Badi‘ Calendar, the people of the Baya'n were at a loss as to how they should regard them. The revelation of the Kitáb-ichlas in the city of ‘Akká resolved this problem and settled the issue. Bahá’u’lláh designated those days as the “Ayyém—i-Hé” and ordained that they should immediately precede the month of ‘Alé’, which is the month of fasting. He enjoined upon His followers to devote these days to feasting, rejoicing, and charity. Irrimediately 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 Baya’n, the followers of Mirzá Yaḥyá, have regarded these intercalary days as coming immediately after the month of ‘Alé’, thus terminating their fast five days before the day of Naw—Rfiz. This, notwithstanding the explicit text of the Baya’n which states that the day of NawRfiz must needs be the first day of the month of Bahá’í, and must follow immediately after the last day of the month of ‘Alé’. Others, aware of this contradiction, have started their fasting on the fifth day of the month of ‘Alé’, and included the intercalary days within the period of fasting.

Every fourth year the number of the interealary days is raised from four to five. The day of Naw-Rúz falls on the let 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

THE Bahá’í WORLD

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. Bé’ B.

3. Ab Father.

4. Dell D.

5. Bab Gate.

6. Vév V.

7. Abad Eternity. 8. Jéd Generosity. 9. Bahá Splendor. 10. Hubb Love.

11. Bahhfij Delightful. 12. Javéb Answer. 13. Ahad Single.

14. Vahhéb Bountiful. 15. Vidéd Affection. 16. Badi Beginning. 17. Bahi Luminous. 18. Abhá Most Luminous. 19. Véhid Unity.

Each cycle of nineteen years is called Véhid. Nineteen cycles constitute a period called Kull-i-fliay’. The numerical value of the word “Véhid” is nineteen, that of uKulli-S__hay’ ” 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 sufiice either to establish it for all time, or to annul it forever.

For instance, the date of the let of April, 1930, which is the first day of Riḍván, and which according to the Kitáb-i-Aqdas must coincide with the uthirteenth 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:

uThe day of Kamél, the day of Qudrat, of the month of Jalél, of the year Bahhéj, of the fifth Véhid, of the first Kull—i-Shay’.”

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HISTORICAL DATA GLEANED FROM NABiL’S NARRATIVE (VOL. II) REGARDING

B A H A ’ U ’ L L A H Works Revealed Houses Occupied A. BAG_I»;DAD During This During This Period Period arrival latter part Jamédiyu’tll- QuIlu’t-Ta‘ém House of Hájí ‘AliThéni, 1269 A.H. Madad March 12—April 10, 1853 A.D. (in old Baghdad) departure for Sulayméniyyih on House of SulayménWednesday, April 10, 1854 A.D.— i-ghanném Rajah 12, 1270 A.H. B. SULAYMANiYYIH Prayers

Before reaching Sulayméniyyih, He lived for a time on the Sar-Gah’: Qagidiy-i-Varqé‘iyyih mountain.

During His absence from Baghdád, Saqiyas—Cihayb-iHis family transferred their resi- Baqé dence from House of Hájí ‘AliMadad to that of Sulaymz’m—i§_hanném.

Nabil arrived at Baghdád 6 months after Bahá’u’lláh’s departure for ‘Sulaymz’miyyih.

C. BAG_HDAD Tafsir-i-Hurfifét-iMuqatta’ih arrived from Sulaymziniyyih on Sahifiy-i-fihattiyyih Wednesday,Mai‘ch 19, 1856 A.D.— Haft-Védi Rajab 12, 1272 A.H. (Seven Valleys) Tafsir-i-Hfi LaWh-i-Hfiriyyih Kitáb-i-iqén Kalimét-i-Maknfinih (Hidden Words) departure from Mazra‘iy-i-Vasjg— Subhéna-Rabbiya’lshésll: Thursday, March 26, 1863 ‘Alé A.D.—g1avvél s, 1279 A.H. glikkar-fiikanShavand Tablet of the Holy Mariner revealed Hfir-i-‘Ujéb while in the Mazra‘iy—i—Vasfluslm’sll. Halih-Halih-Yé Bislu’lrat ghulému’l-Khuld Az—Bégh—i-Iléhi

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THE Bahá’í WORLD

C. BAggD/xD—contimwd

departure from Baghdád for Constantinople, Wednesday afternoon (first day of Riḍván), April 22, 1863 A.D.—D_hi’l-Qa‘dih 3, 1279 A.H.

Sfiriy-i—Sabr revealed on first day of Riḍván.

arrival at Garden of Najibiyyih (Garden of Riḍván), April 22, 1863 A.D.—D_hi’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 Ridva’m for Constantinople last day of Riḍván, at noon on Sunday, May 3, 1863 A.D.—D_hi’l-Qa‘dih 14, 1279 A.H.

length of overland journey from Garden of Riḍván to Samsfin on Black Sea: 110 days.

Works Revealed Houses Occupied During This During This Period Period

Bézévu—Bidih-Jémi

Malláhu’l-Quds (Holy Mariner)

Sfiriy-i-Sabr

Firayjét (arrival early afternoonstayed seven days), arrived on Sunday, May 3, 1863 A.D.—D_hi’lQa‘dih 14, 1279 A.H. (Firayjét is about 3 miles distant from Baghdád)

Judaydih,

DiIi-‘Abbés,

Qarih-Tapih,

Saléhiyyih (stayed two nights),

Dfist-K_hurmét1’1,

Téwuq,

Karkfik (stayed two days),

Irbil,

Zéb River,

Bargallih,

Mosul (stayed 3 days),

Zélgu’l,

Jazirih,

Nisibin,

Hasnn-Aqé,

Mérdin,

Diyér-Bakr,

Mn'dan-Mis,

Qérpfit (stayed 2 or 3 days),

Ma‘dan-Nuqrih,

Dilik-Téslu,

Sivés,

Tfiqét,

Amasia, (stayed 2 days)

Iléhiyyih (while approaching Saimsfm, “Lawh—i—Hawdaj” was revealed), (last day of overland journey),

Sémsfin (stayed 7 days), Black Sea port. Sailed in :1 Turkish steamer about sunset for Constantinople

Sinope (arrived next day about noon), Black Sea port; stayed few hours,

Anyébuli (arrived next day).

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Bahá’í CALENDAR AND FESTIVALS 509 D C Works Revealed Dur- Houses Occupied Dur- D t' ' ONSTANTINOPLE ing This Period ing This Period ura 10n arrival at noon on Subhénika-Yé-Hfi House of §1_lamsi Big 1 month Sunday, August 16, Lawh—i-‘Abdu’l—‘Aziz (2-story, near K_hir1863 A.D. Va-Vukalé gih §haraf Mosque) Rabi‘u’l—Avval 1, 1280 A.H.

Length of sea voyage House of Visi Pés_}_xé 3 months from Sémsfm to (3—story, near SulConstantinople 3 tén M u h a m m a d days. Mosque)

Length of journey from Constantinople to Adrianoplc 12 days.

1. Kficifik—C—hakmacilih (3 hours from Constantinople—spent one night) 2. BuyL'xk—ghakmaghih (arrived about noon) 3. Salvari 4. Birkés 5. Bábé-iski E AD N ‘ Works Revealed Dur— Houses Occupied Dur- D , ' Rm OPLL ing This Period ing This Period uratlon arrivhl on Saturday; Sfiriy—i-Ashéb 1. I_{_h:in—i—‘Aréb 3 nights

'December 12, 1863 (caravanserai,twoA.D.—Rajab I, 1280 story, near house A.H. Lawh-i-Hajjl of ‘Izzat-Aqé)

Length of stay: 4 years, 8 months, 22 daYs' u u u 11

Length of overland Kitáb-i-Badi‘ 2. Housein Murédiyyih lweek journey from Con— Sfiriy-i—Mulfik quarter, near Takstantinople to Adri- (Tablet of the yiy—i-Mawlavi anople: 12 days. Kings)

Departure from Adri— Sfiriy—i—Amr 3. House in Murédiyyih 6months anople on Wednes- Sfiriy—i—Damm quarter, near house day, August 12, Alváḥ-i-Laylatu’l- 2 1868 A.D.—Rabi— Quds 4. K_héniy—i—Amru’lláh ‘u’til—fléni 22, Munéjéthéy-i-Siyém (several stories,

1285 A.H. (Prayers for Fast— near Sulgan-Salim ing) Mosque) . Lawh-i—Sayyéh 5. House of Ridé Big 1 year

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Works Revealed Dur Houses Occupied Dur

E. ADRIANOPLE—contimwd ing This Period ing This Perio d Duration Lawh-i-Népulyt’ml 6. House of Amru’lláh 3 months? (First Tablet to (3-story. North ' Napoleon III) of Sultan — Salim Mosque) Lawh-i-Sultén 7. House of ‘Izzat-Aqé 11 months

(Tablet to the fiéh of Persia) Lawh—i—Nuqtih

1. Uzfin-Kupri

2. Kasliénih (arrived about noon. Lawh—i-Ra’is (Tablet Of Ra’is) was revealed

in this place)

3. Gallipoli (length of journey from Adrianople to Gallipoli about 4 days) (after a few days’ stay sailed before noon in Austrian steamer for Alexandria, Egypt)

Smyrna (stayed 2 days, left at night)

Madelli (arrived about sunset—left at night)

“?NFY'fi‘

Alexandria (arrived in the morning, transshippcd and left at night for Haifa) Port Said (arrived morning, left the same day at night) Jaffa (left at midnight)

Haifa (arrived in the morning, landed and after a few hours left on a sailing

vessel for ‘Akká)

F. ‘AKKA

Works Revealed During This Period

Houses Occupied During This Period

Duration

arrival on Monday, Kitáb-i-Aqdas 1. Barracks 2 years, 2 August 31, A.D. Lawh-i—Népulyfm II months, 1868 — Jamédiyu’l— (Second Tablet to Sdays Avval 12, 128$A.H. Napoleon III)

Lawh-i—Malikih 2. House of Malik 3 months (Tablet to Queen 3. House of Rébi‘ih Victoria)

Lawh-i-Malik—i-Rfis 4. House of Man§fir 2 or 3

Purest Branch died on (Tablet to the months

Thursday, June 23, 1870 A.D. —Rabi‘ Czar) Sfiriy-i-Haykal

5. House of ‘Abbt’id

u’l-Avval 23; 1287 LaWh-i~Burhén (where Kitáb-iA.H. Lawh-i-Ru’yé Aqdas Was reL‘aWh-i—Ibnii-th’b vealed) (Epistle to Son of 6. Mazra‘ih the Wolf) Lawh—i-Pép 7. Qagr

Passed away May 29, 1892 A.D.

( Tablet to the Pope)

(Mansion, Where He passed away)