User:David/Timeline-inprogress

The following timeline focuses on significant events in the life of Bahá’u’lláh. It is a work in progress and currently uses God Passes By and The King of Glory by Hasan Balyuzi as sources, in the future Taherzadeh's works will be incorporated. Once complete the title may be something like Timeline of the life of Bahá’u’lláh or Timeline of the Bahá’í Faith or Timeline of the ministry of Bahá’u’lláh (to match the wording used to describe the cycles of the Bahá’í era).

1817

• November 12, Birth of Bahá’u’lláh. Born Mírzá Ḥusayn ‘Alí Núrí at dawn on 2 Muḥarram AH 1233. 12 November 1817 in Ṭihrán, the capital of Persia, to Mírzá Buzurg and Khadíjih Khánum.

c.1822

• At the age of 5 or 6 Bahá’u’lláh has a dream in which He was in a garden and huge birds were attacking Him, but unable to hurt Him. Then He went to bath in the sea and was attacked by fish, but was also unharmed. BKG.19-20

1834

• Begin of the reign of Muḥammad Sháh.

1835

June

• A close friend to Mírzá Buzurg, Mírzá Abdu’l-Qásim the Qá’im-Maqám, is executed by Muḥammad Sháh. Mírzá Buzurg attributes the scheme to Ḥájí Mírzá Áqásí (the Prime Minister) and wrote critically of him in letter. This letter caused retaliation and was eventually responsible for the downfall of Mírzá Buzurg. BKG.15-16

October

• Marriage of Bahá’u’lláh to Ásíyih Khánum. She is the younger sister of Mírzá Maḥmud who married Bahá’u’lláh's oldest sister Sárih Khánum. The marriage took place in Jamádíyu’l-Ukhrá (Jamádíyu’l-th-Thání). BKG 23

Specific dates uncertain

• Various tribulations of Mírzá Buzurg at the hands of Ḥájí Mírzá Áqásí including being dismissed from his governorship, ending of an annual government allowance, divorce from his last wife Ḍíyá’u’s-Salṭanih, forced sale and mortgage of properties, home imprisonment, torture and the division of his family. The sale of property and Bahá’u’lláh's separation from His half brother is related in Epistle to the Son of the Wolf. BKG 15-17

• Bahá’u’lláh separates from His half brother Mírzá Riḍá-Qulí (whose mother Kulthúm Khánum had inherited a house from her father) and rents a house for His family, His mother, other step-mothers and the rest of His brothers and sisters. In this home ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Bahíyyih Khánum and Mírzá Mihdí are born. BKG 17

1839

• Death of Mírzá Buzurg. His body is taken to ‘Iráq and buried at Najaf where the tomb of ‘Alí is situated. He is survived by seven sons and five daughters. BKG 17

1844

May

• Meeting between Mullá Ḥusayn ("But for him, God would not have been established upon the seat of His mercy, nor ascended the throne of eternal glory." -Kitáb-i-Íqán) and the Báb. The meeting begins May 22nd, 1 hour before sunset and concludes at dawn the following day. During this time the Báb claimed to be the promised Qá’im and Mullá Ḥusayn posed questions and received "replies which had established beyond the shadow of a doubt the validity of His claim". Shoghi Effendi spoke of this as "the commencement of the most turbulent period of the Heroic Age of the Bahá’í Era." BKG 26-27
• May 23rd, Birth of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

Specific dates uncertain

• Mullá Ḥusayn is directed to various cities including Ṭihrán, and given an idea as to the Secret there. "Beseech almighty Providence that He may graciously enable you to attain, in that capital, the seat of true sovereignty, and to enter the mansion of the Beloved." Were the words of the Báb. BKG 32
• Mullá Ḥusayn delivers to Bahá’u’lláh, through an intermediary, a scroll containing the Words of the Báb and receives a gift of sugar and tea in return. Upon receiving this gift Mullá Ḥusayn kissed the eyes of the messenger (Mullá Muḥammad-i-Mu‘allim) and wished blessings upon him. BKG 36
• Bahá’u’lláh arises to promote the Cause of the Báb, proceeding first to Mázindarán (the home of His ancestors). He enlists His older half-brother Mírzá Muḥammad-Ḥasan, a close relative Muḥammad-Taqí Khán, and a number of others under the banner of this new Faith. BKG 39
• Hostility and opposition to the Message of the Báb is aroused in a number of others. Most notable among this group is Mírzá ‘Azízu’lláh, an uncle of Bahá’u’lláh. Two eminent disciples of Shaykh Muḥammad, Mullá ‘Abbás and Mullá Abu’l-Qásim, are dispatched to challenge Bahá’u’lláh but instead pledge their allegiance after meeting with Him. BKG 39-40
• Murder of Ḥájí Mullá Taqíy-i-Baraghání, uncle and father-in-law to Ṭáhirih, leading to Bahá’u’lláh's first imprisonment at the hands of Mullá Muḥammad (the husband of Ṭáhirih). Bahá’u’lláh was freed when his innocence was proven. BKG 41-42

1848

Summer

• The Conference of Badasht. Presided over by Bahá’u’lláh, it was held for a two-fold purpose. Its first goal was to implement the revelation of the Bayán through a dramatic break from past customs. Ṭáhirih, the sole female Letter of the Living, appeared among the men unveiled and "sounded the clarion-call, and proclaimed the inauguration, of a new Dispensation." GPB Its secondary purpose was to consider some means of freeing the Báb from His imprisonment in Chihríq, which was unsuccessful. BKG 43 & GPB 31

Specific dates uncertain

• An edict for the arrest of Bahá’u’lláh is issued by Muḥammad Sháh who declares he is "determined to put him to death". The edict arrived while Bahá’u’lláh was in Bandar-Jaz and was a guest of some notables of that town, who together with the Russian agent offered Bahá’u’lláh passage in a Russian ship anchored there. Bahá’u’lláh refused this offer. The next day a courier arrived bringing news of the death of Muḥammad Sháh (died 5 September); the edict for Bahá’u’lláh's arrest had lost its authority. BKG 48
• Arrest of Quddús in the town of Sárí. BKG 50
• Ṭáhirih is detained. She would remain under house arrest until her death in 1852. BKG 50
• Mullá Ḥusayn leaves Khurásán for Mázindarán and raises the Black Standard foretold by the Prophet Muḥammad "Should your eyes behold the Black Standards proceeding from Khurásán, hasten ye towards them, even though ye should have to crawl over the snow, inasmuch as they proclaim the advent of the promised Mihdí..." BKG 50
• A fort is erected for protection at Shaykh Ṭabarsí by a group of Bábís numbering around 300. Bahá’u’lláh visits the occupants of the fort and provides instructions that secure the release of Quddús from his confinement. BKG 51
• The downfall of Ḥájí Mírzá Áqásí. BKG 52-55

September

• Beginning of the reign of Náṣiri’d-Dín Sháh. BKG 69

December

• Bahá’u’lláh sets out intending to visit Shaykh Ṭabarsí again but is arrested in a village situated about 9 miles away. He is taken to Ámul along with several of His companions and during the course of that imprisonment is tortured by bastinado. This episode is referenced in Epistle to the Son of the Wolf. BKG 56-60

1849

May

• End to the siege and events at Shaykh Ṭabarsí including the martyrdom of Quddús. BKG 61

1850

Opening months

• Episode of the Seven Martyrs in Ṭihrán. Vaḥíd and his companions fall at Fárs. A conflict begins that will see Ḥujjat martyred at the end of the year. BKG 61
• The Báb collected all His documents, His pen-case, seals and agate rings, placed them in a coffer and instructed that they be delivered to Bahá’u’lláh. These items were entrusted first to Mullá Báqir and then to Mírzá Aḥmad. BKG 64-65

July

• Martyrdom of the Báb. His remains are rescued and under Bahá’u’lláh's direction are brought to and concealed in Ṭihrán. BKG 65

Specific dates uncertain

• Mírzá Taqí Khán, the Ṣadr-i-A‘ẓam (Grand Vizier) responsible for the death of the Báb seeks a meeting with Bahá’u’lláh. The Grand Vizier states that it was Bahá’u’lláh's support of the Bábís that prevented their swift defeat, but he was not able to prove such a connection. Regardless, he intended to recommend Bahá’u’lláh be appointed to a government post but that he should first leave the capital temporarily. The offer of employment was refused, and Bahá’u’lláh left a few days after for pilgrimage to the holy cities of ‘Iráq. BKG 66
• As Bahá’u’lláh is preparing to leave Ṭihrán the remains of the Bab arrived and He instructs his younger brother Mírzá Músá and Mullá ‘Abdu’l-Karím-i-Qazvíní, a secretary of the Báb, to hide them within the precincts of the Shrine of Imám-Zádih Ḥasan. BKG 66-67

1851

August

• Bahá’u’lláh reached Karbilá on 28 August. Prior to this the Báb had directed a certain believer, Shaykh Ḥasan-i-Zunúzí, to go to that city and make it his home and there wait for the arrival of the Promised Ḥusayn. Shaykh Ḥasan was instructed to convey the Báb's love and submission to Bahá’u’lláh. This meeting occurred in October 1851. BKG 67-68

1852

January

• Death of Mírzá Taqí Khán. BKG 71-72

August

• Attempt on the life of the Sháh by three Bábís. BKG 74

Summer

• Bahá’u’lláh was staying in Afjih (Afchih) near Ṭihrán when word reached Him concerning the attempted assassination and the wrath the mother of the Sháh was now directing towards Him. Bahá’u’lláh refused an offer to be hidden from this danger and choose instead to ride towards the royal quarters. Bahá’u’lláh was arrested and assaulted by crowds who had gathered for that purpose. Among the crowd was a woman who was unable to keep pace with the procession and asked the guards ‘Give me a chance to fling my stone in His face’, Bahá’u’lláh responded by saying ‘Suffer not this woman to be disappointed. Deny her not what she regards as a meritorious act in the sight of God.’ BKG 77-78
• Turmoil following the attempted assassination resulted in Bahá’u’lláh being imprisoned in the Síyáh-Chál, in total 81 Bábís were arrested and imprisoned there. The Síyáh-Chál was described as pitch black, covered with filth and infested by vermin. Prisoners were connected by chains of such weight they would leave Bahá’u’lláh with permanent scars. Prisoners were regularly taken from the dungeon and executed. Bahá’u’lláh spent 4 months in this condition. BKG 77-81
• Birth of the Bahá’í revelation. BKG 81. Bahá’u’lláh writes about this experience:

While engulfed in tribulations I heard a most wondrous, a most sweet voice, calling above My head. Turning My face, I beheld a Maiden—the embodiment of the remembrance of the name of My Lord—suspended in the air before Me. So rejoiced was she in her very soul that her countenance shone with the ornament of the good pleasure of God, and her cheeks glowed with the brightness of the All-Merciful. Betwixt earth and heaven she was raising a call which captivated the hearts and minds of men. She was imparting to both My inward and outer being tidings which rejoiced My soul, and the souls of God’s honoured servants. Pointing with her finger unto My head, she addressed all who are in heaven and all who are on earth, saying: By God! This is the Best-Beloved of the worlds, and yet ye comprehend not. This is the Beauty of God amongst you, and the power of His sovereignty within you, could ye but understand. This is the Mystery of God and His Treasure, the Cause of God and His glory unto all who are in the kingdoms of Revelation and of creation, if ye be of them that perceive.[1]

Specific dates uncertain

• Martyrdom of many Bábís in cruel and unusual ways. BKG 85-86
• Bahá’u’lláh is released from the Síyáh-Chál and banished from Írán. He is given one month to leave. BKG 101-2.

1853

January

• Bahá’u’lláh and His family leave Ṭihrán for ‘Iráq. BKG 102

April

• Arrival in Baghdád.

Specific dates uncertain

• Bahá’u’lláh advises Mírzá Yaḥyá to return to Persia and there render some service to the Cause, but he never leaves Baghdád. BKG 107-8
• Mírzá Áqá Ján becomes the first person to recognize the station of Bahá’u’lláh, but he later breaks the Covenant. BKG 109
• Ḥájí Mírzá Kamálu’d-Dín-i-Naráqí, a man of learning, asks Mírzá Yaḥyá to write a commentary on the Qur’ánic verse ‘All food was allowed to the children of Israel...’. The resulting work reveals the incompetence of Mírzá Yaḥyá and the Ḥájí turns instead to Bahá’u’lláh, who pens the Tablet of Kullu’ṭ-Ṭa‘ám (All Food).
• The jealousy of Mírzá Yaḥyá is aroused; prompted by Siyyid Muḥammad-i-Iṣfhání and supported by a small group Mírzá Yaḥyá begins to openly oppose Bahá’u’lláh. He circulated rumors ascribing to Bahá’u’lláh actions, views and opinions that were false and in so doing threatened the Faith of the Báb with division and controversies. BKG 112 & 114

1854

10 April

• The household of Bahá’u’lláh awakes to find Him gone. Bahá’u’lláh had retreated to the mountains of Sulaymáníyyih, in the heart and uplands of Kurdish ‘Iráq. The episode was later related by Bahá’u’lláh in the Kitáb-i-Íqán. BKG 115

Specific dates uncertain

• After a fragment of the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh came into possession of some members of the community near where Bahá’u’lláh had sojourned, they began to seek His presence and learn from Him. Bahá’u’lláh was asked to explain a book by an influential mystic, poet and philosopher Muḥyí’d-Dín Ibnu’l-‘Arabí titled al-Futúḥát al-Makkíyyah, which He did without having previously read or been acquainted with the work. Bahá’u’lláh was also asked to compose an ode in the style of Tá’íyyih by another famous mystic, the Egyptian Ibnu’l-Fáriḍ, a task which no one else would have attempted. The result was a 2,000 couplet poem which gained widespread fame, though Bahá’u’lláh only allowed 127 of the original couplets be copied and preserved. BKG 118
• Bahá’u’lláh had brought one companion with Him during this absence, Áqá Abu’l-Qásim-i-Hamadání, who eventually needed to travel to Írán to obtain money and goods, and there was attacked and mortally wounded. He was known to the family of Bahá’u’lláh and when news of his death reached them they were able to ascertain the whereabouts of Bahá’u’lláh. BKG 116-17 & 121
• Two believers, Shaykh Sulṭán and Javád, set out for Sulaymáníyyih to look for Bahá’u’lláh. Once located, Bahá’u’lláh said that were it not for the fact that His beloved Cause was near extinction, and for the lives laid down in Its path, He would not have consented to return. When nearing Baghdád Bahá’u’lláh said those were to be His last days of peace and tranquility on earth. BKG 121-2

1856

19 March

• Bahá’u’lláh's return to Baghdád. BKG 122

Specific dates uncertain

• During Bahá’u’lláh's absence a certain believer, Mírzá Asadu’lláh-i-Dayyán, put forward a claim to being ‘He whom God shall make manifest’. Shoghi Effendi writes that no less than 25 persons had put forward such a claim. GPB 125. Mírzá Yaḥyá sent Mírzá Muḥammad-i-Mázindarání to murder Dayyán, but the plot was initially unsuccessful. Dayyán later sought the presence of Bahá’u’lláh in Baghdád and renounced all claims for himself. It was after this that Mírzá Muḥammad found the opportunity and murdered Dayyán. BKG 123-4. Others making similar claims would recant and ask for forgiveness upon meeting with Bahá’u’lláh. GPB 131
• Bahá’u’lláh slowly rebuilds the Bábí community. This included visits from, and conversions of many notable individuals. BKG 124-5 & 128-9, GPB 134-5. Shoghi Effendi writes that within a few years the situation had been completely reversed. GPB 129. This period through 1863 would also see an ‘enormous expansion’ in the scope and volume of the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh. GPB 137-8.
• ‘Umar Pashá is appointed governor of Baghdád. BKG 126 & 128
• Actions of Mullá Báqir and imprisonment of two brothers. BKG 135-6
• Bahá’u’lláh advises most Bábís leave Baghdád. BKG 136

1860

July

• Arrival of Mírzá Buzurg Khán-i-Qazvíní as Persian Consul. Rumored to be coming to put and end to the Bábís, he joins forces with Shaykh ‘Abdu’l-Ḥusayn-i-Ṭihrání, an ‘implacable enemy of Bahá’u’lláh’. BKG 136

Specific dates uncertain

• At the bidding of the Persian Consul, Riḍá Turk makes an attempt on the life of Bahá’u’lláh. BKG 137
• Beginning of the effort by Mírzá Buzurg Khán for the removal of Bahá’u’lláh from Baghdád. BKG 137

1861

March

• Aḥmad Páshá briefly becomes governor of ‘Iráq but Muṣṭafá Núrí Páshá is reinstated by August. BKG 138

Specific dates uncertain

• Mírzá Buzurg Khán is recalled to Írán. BKG 152

1862

• Námiq Páshá replaces Muṣṭafá Núrí Páshá as governor of ‘Iráq. BKG 152

1863

• Bahá’u’lláh celebrates festival of Naw-Rúz at the Mazra‘iy-i-Vashshásh. Revelation of the Tablet of the Holy Mariner arouses the apprehension of His companions. BKG 154
• April 22 - Bahá’u’lláh leaves Baghdád for the last time (32nd day after Naw-Rúz). BKG 168
• Revelation of the Súriy-i-Ṣabr (Patience). BKG 195
• 12 day Festival of Riḍván, Bahá’u’lláh's public declaration. BKG 173-7
• Journey to Constantinople, takes 110 days. BKG 195
• Upon reaching sight of the Black Sea Súriy-i-Hawdaj is revealed. BKG 195
• August 16 - Steamer drops anchor at Istanbul. BKG 196
• Transfer of residence after one month due to conditions. BKG 197 & 199
• Revelation of the Subḥánika-Yá-Hú and Lawḥ-i-‘Abdu’l-‘Azíz-Va-Vukalá. BKG 206
• Shamsí Big brings news of a possible transfer and further banishment to Adrianople, ordained by the Sulṭán and his chief ministers. Bahá’u’lláh refuses to comply and during a meeting with Ḥájí Mírzá Ṣafá, one of those conspiring to remove the Bábís from Constantinople, He states ‘Are you intimidating Me with the power of the government? Whenever I find the whole world assailing Me with drawn swords, all alone and engulfed as I may be, I see Myself seated on the throne of Might and Authority. It has always been the fate of the Manifestations of God to meet such injustice and oppression, but repressive measures have never hindered Them from delivering what has been entrusted to Them by God, neither has Their purposed been thwarted.’ BKG 200-1
• Mírzá Yaḥyá and his companions, wishing to save their lives and fearing retribution from the government, beg Bahá’u’lláh to accept banishment instead. Bahá’u’lláh agrees to leave Istanbul to prevent a possible division among the Bábís, but comments that a golden opportunity had been missed. BKG 202-3
• Death of an 18 month old daughter of Bahá’u’lláh named Sádhijíyyih, she is buried near the Adirnih Gate of Istanbul. BKG 203
• December 12 - Arrival at Adrianople, ‘the place which none entereth except such as have rebelled against the authority of the sovereign’ (Bahá’u’lláh writing in The Summons of the Lord of Hosts). BKG 206

1864

15 August

• Birth of a son to Bahá’u’lláh named Mírzá Ḍíyá’u’lláh. BKG 222

Specific dates uncertain

• Open rebellion against Bahá’u’lláh by Mírzá Yaḥyá. BKG 223-5
• Poisoning of Bahá’u’lláh which has lasting effects. BKG 225

1867

September

• Bahá’u’lláh sets out mid-day to respond to a challenge by Mírzá Yaḥyá. BKG 239

Specific dates uncertain

• Birth of Mírzá Badíʻu’lláh, youngest son born to Bahá’u’lláh. BKG 247
• Agitating by enemies. BKG 248

1868

August

• Aug 12 - Bahá’u’lláh and companions leave Adrianople. BKG 260
• Aug 31 - Arrival and imprisonment in ‘Akká in the ‘Most Great Prison’. BKG 271

1869

• Arrival of Badí‘ in ‘Akká. BKG 297
• Badí‘ delivers a Tablet to the Sháh. BKG 293-310

1870

23 June

• Death of Mírzá Mihdí. Gates of ‘Akká open 4 months later. BKG 313

1873

February

• Travel of the soon to be wife of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to ‘Akká. BKG 346-8

Specific dates uncertain

• Completion of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. BKG 351
• Mazr‘ih. BKG 357-9

1879

September

• Bahá’u’lláh moves to the mansion at Bahjí. BKG 362

1886

• Death of Ásíyih Khánum, wife of Bahá’u’lláh. BKG 369

1887

• Death of Mírzá Músá. BKG 369

1887

Spring

• Edward Granville Browne reaches ‘Akká and writes famous pen portrait of Bahá’u’lláh. BKG 371

1892

29 May

• Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh. BKG 420