Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh

From the evening of May 28th, 2019 through May 29th, 2019, Bahá’ís around the world will celebrate the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh in order to commemorate the death of Bahá’u’lláh who was the founder of the Bahá’í Faith.

History of Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh

Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh is recommended as the holiest day of the Bahá'í faith. It commemorates Bahá'u I'lláh, the founder of the Bahá'í faith, as well as his teachings. On May 29, 1892, he died. He summoned his followers six days before his death, telling them to unite and continue to worship as he had taught them. After his death at The Mansion of Bahjí, his followers mourned him for a week afterward.

In modern times, Bahá'u's Ascension would be a day of rest where observers do not go to school or work. They celebrate the life of Bahá'u willáh and reflect on his sufferings. They observe that the holiday begins at 3 a.m., the exact time that Bahá'u will die. People read his writings to better understand his message, and also regularly chant and strive to reach a state of peace.

Bahá'u I'lláh was born in 1817 into a privileged Persian family. He has extensive knowledge of Islam despite his limited education, and attributes this to divine intervention. Three months after the Bab Declaration, he received a scroll from Bab, and they subsequently corresponded.

Two years later, Bahá'u would be imprisoned in Tehran, after being falsely accused of trying to assassinate the Shah of Persia. While in prison, he had a vision that confirmed his divine mission. He was released from prison in 1853, expelled from Persia, and went to Baghdad. After leaving for a while for Kurdistan, he returned and preached the teachings of Bab, and wrote books. His influence grew until the Muslim leaders of Baghdad convinced the governor to expel him, and in 1863 he went to what is now Edirne, Turkey, where he remained until in 1868.

At this point, he began to manifest himself as the promise of the Bab, and the Bábians began to become followers of the Bahá'í religion. Bahá'u'lláh went into conflict with his half-brother who had claimed that he was the Manifestation of God, not Bahá'u wouldáh. Baha'u'llah isolated herself and told her followers to choose who to believe. Almost all followed him and this was the moment when the Bahá'í faith really began to emerge. He was exiled to Akka in Syria in August 1868 and was not allowed to leave the city until 1877. Most of the rest of his life lived in Bahjí, where he died on May 29th, 1892.

How to celebrate Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh

If you are a follower of the Bahá'í faith, you can mark the day by skipping school or work and reflecting on the life, suffering, and teachings of the Bahá'u wouldáh. Observation can begin at 3 a.m., the exact time Bahá'u will die. People can read some of Bahá'u I'lláh's works, such as Hidden Words, Kitab-I-Iqan or Seven Valleys and Four Valleys, or plan a trip to visit the Mansion of Bahá'u I'lláh.