Georgia Bahá'í School | Journey / Bahji

Allah-u-abha, Welcome to the Mansion of Bahji. My name is ____________ and I am a servant in this home. This house was built by Udi Khammar, I think sometimes he must have known of the great destiny of his home. In 1870 he had an inscription carved above the entrance that reads "Greeting and salutations rest upon this mansion which increaseth in splendor through the passage of time. Manifold wonders and marvels are found therein, and pens are baffled in attempting to describe them."

After Udi Khammar died in 1879 Baha'u'llah's son, Abdul-baha rented this mansion for his father. Baha'u'llah had seen so many trials and tribulations in his life and after spending the last 9 years of his life inside the dreadful prison city of Akka, he longed for the tranquility of the country. "I have not gazed on verdure for nine years. The country is the world of the soul, the city is the world of bodies."

When Baha'u'llah came here to this beautiful mansion, he could see from his room the bright blue waters of the Meditrarean Sea, the high minarets of Akka and beyond the bay, the gentle slope of Mt. Carmel. The view from that room is one of my favorites, I often go there and in my mind's eye I can still see Baha'u'llah standing gazing out the window. After Baha'u'llah arrived, while I was going about my chores, I would see him walking quietly through the grounds or sitting on a bench meditating. As time passed it seemed to me that Baha'u'llah was able to gain some small amount of peace and comfort here.

Years passed and I continued my service to the Holy Family. I saw many people come and visit, some stayed longer than others, but one thing was always the same, the people who came to visit were not the same upon their departure. In the fall of 1891, shortly after his 71st birthday, Baha'u'llah began to speak of his desire for rest, his desire to depart from this world. From then on it became increasingly evident to everyone who visited with him that his time in this world was coming to an end.

In the early part of May the next year he caught a fever which subsided shortly thereafter. However, his condition bagan to steadily decline. I was often called on to wash the linens and bring flowers to his room, so that he would be as comfortable as possible. I always took great care to select the most fragrant blossoms and arrange them the best way I could. Even as his health declined he still continued to receive visitors and pilgrims.

On May 23, 1892 Baha'u'llah summoned to his presence the entire company of believers. So, gracious were the members of the household that I was also allowed to attend the gathering. Baha'u'llah looked at us all with such love in his eyes that my heart warms to a brilliant glow every time I think about it. Then he bagan to speak "I am well pleased with you all" he said, "Ye have rendered many services, and been very assidous in your labors. . . May God assist you to remain united. May he aid you to exalt the Cause of the Lord of Being".

Six days later at the hour of dawn Baha'u'llah's soul winged its flight to the Abha Paradise. The head of the house came and woke me up. He told me the news of Baha'u'llah's passing and asked if I could carry a telegram to Akka to be sent to the Sultan. The first words of the telegram were "the Sun of Baha has set". As I walked in the early morning light into the city, tears of joy streamed down my face. I knew that Baha'u'llah had at last been released from the trials and sorrows of this world and that he was know bathed in the light of the Almighty. When I returned from the city many people were already traveling to Bahji to say goodbye to Baha'u'llah. We held the service that very day. Baha'u'llah's mortal remains were interred in the northernmost room of one of the houses.

Now there is a beautiful garden surrounding that room, and the Mansion of Bahji has become home to the holiest place on earth. Many people come as pilgrims every year and pray in front of the beautiful shrine. I love to pray here and when I do I remember that day when Baha'u'llah looked at me with the love of the creator in his eyes.