When Bahá’u’lláh returned from Sulaymáníyyih, He illumined
Baghdád with His light: The call of God was raised anew and a tumult arose in
Persia. In Baghdád Bahá’u’lláh stood firm before all peoples. The government of
Persia was extremely hostile in those days, and all were seeking by every means
to cause Him suffering and to bring Him to harm. At last the Persian
government, having grown alarmed at His influence, said: “Baghdád is close to
Persia and is a place of passage for the Persians. Thus, in order to put out
this fire Bahá’u’lláh must be banished to a distant land.” The Persian
government then petitioned the Ottoman government, and Bahá’u’lláh was as a
result transferred with all due honour out of Baghdád. Leaving the city,
Bahá’u’lláh went to the garden of Najíb Páshá and resided there for twelve
days. During that time many people, both high and low, and even the Governor
and a number of other officials, attained His blessed presence. These are the
twelve days of Ridván.
In any event, it was by means of hints and allusions that
Bahá’u’lláh first declared His mission during those twelve days. Certain among
the friends grasped His intent, but others did not fully understand. At last
Bahá’u’lláh came to Constantinople and the Súrih of pilgrimage was revealed,
wherein the instruction is given to circumambulate the House of Baghdád. In
that Súrih the Cause is openly manifest, but the phrase “He Whom God shall make
manifest” does not appear.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a Talk, ‘Twelve table talks
given by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in ‘Akká’; Online Baha’i Reference Library, Baha’i World
Centre)
