banishment to; life in Constantinople
Editorial introduction
In the garden of the house in Constantinople a single rose opened after sunset, out of season, and the exiles who had never seen a rose at that time of year gathered round it in delight. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s memory of that evening is a reminder that a banishment is lived through meals and saddles, tents pitched at nightfall and companions too tired to move, as much as through decrees. The Sháh of Persia, alarmed that pilgrims returning from Baghdad were becoming Bahá’ís, pressed the Ottoman court until an order came, phrased with utmost respect, that Bahá’u’lláh should grace Istanbul with His presence. He left Baghdad with a majesty that astonished the officials who came to bid Him farewell, crossed to the sea, and lived four months in the capital, seeking no one’s favour, before a further exile. Bahá’u’lláh protested the injustice plainly, and the suffering imposed is never softened. Paul, writing from confinement that his chains had served to advance the Gospel, offers a comparison for the way exile kept opening new ground to the message [1], without making the persecution anything but wrong. The path leads to the Declaration in the garden of Riḍván, the person of Bahá’u’lláh, and the whole course of His banishments.
Looking at a rose which was very much like an American beauty he said:-
"When we arrived in Constantinople it was just at this season. The garden of the house wherein we lived contained one rose-bush over one branch of which one rose bloomed forth after sunset. The believers having not seen roses at this season were overjoyed and till late at night were gathered around it."
When in company with the Blessed Beauty we arrived in Constantinople as exiles, we were all filled with joy and gladness and enjoyed great peace of mind.
In the name of God and humanity we protest to you against the plight which we have been subjected to from the Turkish government. Six years ago we were invited at the Ottoman suggestion and we have accepted. Later, without having committed any fault and at the request of Persia we were sent from Baghdad to Constantinople. After a stay of four months, we were exiled to Adrianople.
Communications passed between Tehran and the Iranian Foreign Ministry and the Ottoman Ministry, until finally Nasiri'd-Din Shah himself wrote to the Ottoman Sultan that his realm was in danger, and Baghdad being adjacent to Iran, his request was that they seize the Baha'is and hand them over to the governor of Kermanshah, 'Imadu'd-Dawlih, who would come with an army and take custody of them at the frontier. The Ottoman government did not accept this request. Nasiri'd-Din Shah's second request was that at least they be removed far from the Iranian border, that they not be near the Iranian frontier, as two hundred thousand pilgrims go to Baghdad yearly and many of them become Baha'is, therefore his request was that they move the Blessed Beauty from Baghdad. Thus came the Ottoman decree, with utmost respect, that circumstances required that He grace Istanbul with His presence. This is the basis of the migration of the Blessed Beauty from Baghdad to Istanbul.
The government of Persia said: "As long as Baha'u'llah is in Persia the country will not be at peace. When Baha'u'llah is exiled from Persia the country will then find peace. He shall no longer be connected with this country; all communications with him shall be suspended." So the Shah of Persia endeavored until he succeeded in expelling the Blessed Perfection to Constantinople to Roumelia.
When we were exiled to Constantinople from Baghdad, the Persian Ambassador at the former city did his best to bring about our total destruction.
When they wanted to move the Blessed Beauty from Baghdad, Namiq Pasha sent the order and official papers to His presence with the message that "Once before an order came and we wrote some excuses to the Sublime Porte. This is the second time these orders have come and there is no choice but to execute them." At that time the Blessed Beauty, may His glory be exalted, accepted and preparations for departure were made. Although He never liked pomp, nevertheless He said "In these days we must depart with utmost majesty." Therefore He went to the Pasha's garden and stayed for twelve days, arranging festivities and celebrating the Most Great Festival.
Having received the Firman of exile from Bagdad to Constantinople - when the friends heard this dire news their hearts were torn to pieces. Through the intensity of anguish they were weeping uncontrollably.
When the Blessed Perfection moved into the garden of Hajib Pasha, outside of Bagdad, for twelve days there was a general feast. A great tent was raised in the center of the garden, under which Baha'u'llah received all the callers, the ministers, the theologians, the learned and the prominent leaders of the Community.
This is the Feast of the Ninth of Ridvan, the Festival of the Ancient Beauty, the Festival of the dawning of the Sun of Truth. It is a most great Festival, without peer or likeness, for in such days, due to the enmity of Nasiri'd-Din Shah and all the members of the ministry, the divines, Abdul-Aziz, Fuad Pasha and Ali Pasha caused the Blessed Beauty to depart from Baghdad, striving to extinguish the divine flame and hoping that this Sun of Truth would suffer an eclipse. With this hope they persisted, and Sultan Abdul-Aziz issued a decree to banish the Blessed Beauty from Baghdad, unaware that although this appeared outwardly as exile, it would become the cause of the exaltation of the Cause of God and increase the radiance of the Sun of Truth. Of this they were heedless.
Namiq Pasha was truly distressed by this matter. This might of Abdul-Aziz, that glory of Nasiri'd-Din Shah, and the enmity of Fuad and the base ambition of Ali - Namiq Pasha sent a message through his secretary Amin Effendi saying "I am ashamed before the Blessed Presence, but matters have passed beyond my control. I am powerless and had no part in this banishment."
At first all the enemies rejoiced that the root of God's Cause had been torn from Iraq - among them Sheikh Abdul-Hussein the mujtahid, the Persian ministers, and Mu'inu'd-Dawlih. In short, all the enemies were greatly delighted by this event. After the Blessed Beauty bid farewell to the friends, such tumult and lamentation arose at the time of departure that even strangers wept, and the cries and wailing reached to the heavens. Never in any history had such tribulation occurred. Even a woman from among the Persian nobility, though not a believer, threw herself forward and cast her child before His blessed feet, thinking in her mind she had made a sacrifice.
The Blessed Beauty proceeded from the house to the banks of the Tigris with utmost majesty, glory and infinite grandeur. All followed behind His blessed person across the Tigris to Najib Pasha's garden. In that garden His blessed tent was raised, and in that very hour, to spite the enemies, the Festival of Ridvan was proclaimed. At such a time, during the Blessed Beauty's exile when the friends were in anguish, with supreme power in the afternoon of Ridvan, immediately upon arrival at the garden, the Festival of Ridvan was announced and the Cause was proclaimed. Outwardly, until that day there had been no mention of "Him Whom God shall make manifest" - on that day He made mention of it.
The gates of joy were opened to all - Christians, Jews, Muslims, people of all faiths who were present - the gates of grace were opened to all. For twelve days He remained there. The greatness of the Cause was manifested to such a degree that all enemies lost hope, for each day groups upon groups of the most eminent scholars and learned ones, even Namiq Pasha the Governor of Baghdad, would come and attain the Most Holy Presence. Until that day the Governor of Baghdad had not outwardly attained His presence - the renowned Namiq Pasha came on foot from Baghdad to the garden and attained His presence.
After twelve days the blessed court departed from Iraq towards Istanbul. All the people gathered outside the city to bid farewell. After the Blessed Beauty mounted, several people outside called out the adhan: "Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar!" The point is that for the loved ones of God there can be no day of greater joy than this, for several reasons: First, it was the day when the grandeur of God's Cause became manifest and evident; second, all the enemies of God became submissive; third, it was the proclamation of "Him Whom God shall make manifest"; fourth, the Blessed Beauty undertook such a blessed journey in the utmost joy and spiritual delight.
Consider how the Blessed Beauty experienced such joy in that exile that in those days He proclaimed the divine Cause. It is without parallel - there is no parallel or likeness to the Manifestation of God's Cause proclaiming His Cause with such joy and gladness on the day of exile. This is among the special characteristics of the Blessed Cause, that outward abasement became supreme glory. For any soul, exile was supreme abasement, but for the Blessed Beauty it became supreme glory. In any case, these twelve days which were days of supreme tribulation were at times of intense sorrow - why? It was the day of exile. But since the grandeur of God's Cause became evident, and the exaltation of the Word of God became clear, and the mysteries of the sacred Books were fulfilled, and the Blessed Beauty was in the utmost joy and delight, these twelve days are the days of the Festival of Ridvan. Therefore, for the loved ones there can be no days more blessed than these.
To this day in no history has it been seen that although the Greatest Name's departure from Baghdad was as an exile and banishment, yet to such a degree was the might, power and majesty of the Supreme Lord manifest and evident that the governor and counselor Namiq Pasha along with all provincial officials and military commanders were utterly submissive and humble.
Then came the departure from Iraq. Surely thou hast heard how the Luminary of the horizons shed His radiance upon all the world. By God! No soul was seen but it became submissive, and no tongue was observed but it was rendered speechless before the All-Merciful.
When Baha'u'llah and His retinue left Baghdad for Constantinople, Muhammad-'Ali was in His company, and continued on with Him to the Land of Mystery, Adrianople.
… Baha'u'llah and His retinue then left Baghdad, the "Abode of Peace," for Constantinople, the "City of Islam."
Know thou that the Spirit will depart from the region of Iraq, and this hath been decreed by One Who is mighty and powerful.
Say: The Spirit at that time departeth from Iraq and turneth toward a western direction.
Say: The Bird of Immortality hath taken flight in truth, and thereby have the hearts of them that are near been consumed. Say: The Nightingale of the Spirit hath flown from the branch of Iraq and seeketh another branch, as decreed by the mysteries of destiny in the preserved tablets of holiness.
Say: O people! The Dove of Eternity hath taken flight from the shores of Iraq, if ye be of them that know. And then the breezes of separation blow upon all the servants, if ye be of them that understand.
Thus doth the Dove of Separation remember thee at the time when It taketh flight from Iraq, and this is indeed a grievous sorrow.
This is a Tablet wherein are mentioned verses of separation from this poor and wretched servant at the time when He departeth from the region of Iraq by reason of that which the hands of the oppressors have wrought.
This is a Book which speaks with truth, and in it is that which guides people to a wondrous spring, and in it are detailed the gems of knowledge from the presence of One mighty and powerful, and in it are mentioned the signs of separation on the day when the Dove of the Cause shall wing its flight from the branch of Iraq to the holy and luminous Ridvan.
O people of the Bayan! Hear My call at the time of departure from the shore of Iraq, and be not of the heedless ones.
Thus doth the Dove admonish you and remind you with verses of mighty glory. Say: It counseleth the loved ones at a time when it taketh flight from the branch of Iraq, that perchance the people may arise from the couches of heedlessness.
Then know thou that this Bird hath taken flight from the branches of Iraq, and this was ordained by the All-Wise, the All-Knowing.
When we left Bagdad for Constantinople as there were a large number of us we had to divide our duties.
When the Blessed Perfection was exiled from Bagdad, the large number of the believers who followed him, divided the work of the party amongst themselves. For example: Darveesh Sedk Ali and Haji Ebrahim acted as equerries; Astad Mohamad Ali looked after the baggages; Mirza Mohamad Goli supervised the pitching up of the tents and I was - if we may use the Military expression in this connection - a commissary officer and I had to supply the party including the horses etc with food and daily necessities.
When the Blessed Perfection (Baha'Ullah) was exiled from Bagdad the large number of believers who went with him divided the work of the party among them. … Often, by day or by night we covered a distance of from twenty-five to thirty miles. No sooner would we reach a caravanserai than from sheer fatigue everyone would lie down and go to sleep: utter exhaustion having overtaken everybody they would be unable even to move.
There were 60 stages from Bagdad to Samson and the trip was made under the most difficult circumstances. It was a time of famine and scarcity of food. We had beside more than 70 people in the party and nearly 30 horses and other animals.
… The Blessed Perfection travelled in "Kajavé" but we had a horse for him and sometimes he would ride on it. From Bagdad to the first stage he was on horseback and while in Acca, we had a wonderful white donkey which belonged to him. The name of the donkey was "Barg" - lightening.
When we left Bagdad for Constantinople many of us rode on horses and as we travelled by night I told all the friends they must try to keep awake on the saddle, otherwise they will fall on the earth. … Our trip from Boston to California had not the difficulties of one day of those 60 days."
When we were travelling from Bagdad toward Constantinople, one day, we thought [to] go ahead of the family, pitch the tent and prepare everything till Baha'u'llah and the rest of the party arrive.
When we left Bagdad a Darvish came to me and begged to be a member of the party. I told him the trip will be most difficult. He was willing to accept all manners of hardships. He came with us as far as Constantinople and when we left for Adrianople he stayed behind.
From Baghdad to Adrianople, some of the friends like Jinab Aqa Mirza Mahmud and Aqa Mirza Ja'far endured great hardships.
He was still in Bagdad when we were exiled to Constantinople and used to call on me almost every week antecedent to our departure.
Their party in Iraq united with the oppressors who denied Thy Self and turned away from Thy beauty, until they made my family and loved ones captives from Zawra' to Hadba'.
These are verses that appeared in the pavilion of eternity and the canopy of holiness when the Most Great Name arrived from the direction of the All-Glorious in the land of Samsun, which is near a great sea.
We proceeded until We reached the sea. We sat and heard from its murmuring: "By God! The Beloved of the world has come, and He has appeared through Whose appearance the eyes of the Messengers were consoled."
Yet the Youth went forth adorned with the ornament of thy Lord, in such wise that the Most Great Name became renowned throughout the realms that were attributed to the Son, until We reached the shore of a mighty sea. Then did the Most Great Sea take its place upon the Ark with manifest sovereignty, until We arrived in this land through that which the hands of the hypocrites had wrought.
We preserved it through a power from Us, and protected those who embarked upon it until they reached its shore in the city whose name is renowned among you, if ye be of the knowing ones. And We remained therein for four successive months, as inscribed in preserved and mighty Tablets. Throughout those months none of those who dwelt therein, whether high or low, sought Our company. … We went not unto anyone, nor turned toward any soul, thus manifesting God's sovereignty and His command, and proclaiming God's power and His dominion, until the appointed time of tarrying was fulfilled. Then We departed therefrom and traversed the way until We entered this remote prison.
After traversing all these aforementioned stages, we reached the sea. … From there we took a carriage to the residence assigned by the government. We remained four months in that unillumined city and left there the fruit of the divine Tree and the leaf of the heavenly Lote-Tree.
When the Blessed Perfection was in Constantinople He sent a message to Mirza Hossein Khan, the Persian Ambassador, through the then well-known Mirza Safa to this effect: What dost thou expect to do with me?
The cause of the exile of the loved ones of God from Iraq was their gathering together, and likewise the cause of exile from the Land of Mystery.
As it took one month to go from Tehran to Baghdad, it was thought by the people that all trace of the cause would be lost; on the contrary, the Cause of God became more powerful, his words more widely spread, his proclamation more generally heard and the power of his Cause the stronger; consequently the government decided to send the Blessed Perfection from Baghdad to Constantinople. As Constantinople was a large city and as there were many Persians in the city who traveled freely, this plan also proved fruitless.
No more trace of him will remain.' But no! If he had not come to Baghdad his cause would not have made such progress in Persia. Then two monarchs united and exiled him from Baghdad to Constantinople. 'If he goes further fro Persia,' they said, he will be uprooted sooner.' But instead of that his cause was elevated. He paid no heed to the Ottoman power.
And when they strove to banish and expel the manifest light from Iran, the mighty banner was raised in Iraq. And when they engaged in hypocrisy in Iraq, it caused the Ancient Beauty to be exiled to the renowned city, and the mighty drum and the greatest bell were struck in Istanbul.
Likewise when they sent the Blessed Beauty from Baghdad to Constantinople. The friends were grief-stricken, weeping blood, their wailing and lamentation reached to heaven, but how much it became the cause of the glory of God's Cause.
But they thought that if they exiled the Blessed Beauty, this Lamp would be extinguished and the holy fragrances would cease. Yet had this exile not occurred, how would the divine call have arisen in Istanbul? Where would the divine call have become world-embracing in the Holy Land? How would the divine fame have reached East and West? All of these were due to the blessing of that exile.
Verily, in the departure of the Luminary of the horizons from the region of Iraq, and His embarkation upon the ship after passing through the realm, and the establishment of the Chosen One's throne in the Land of Mystery, and His departure therefrom through tyranny, are signs for those who perceive and evidences for those who discern.
Blessed art thou for having attained the presence of the Countenance in these latter days wherein the Sun of the horizons hath set from the horizon of Iraq and hath dawned from another horizon, as ordained in the preserved Tablets of glory.
For thought and discussion