The Family Waits by the River
J. E. Esslemont, Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era, (1923), George Allen & Unwin · Read original
When in Bahá'í history
A retelling for children, based on Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era by J. E. Esslemont (1923), with details from God Passes By and A Flame of Fire.
In 1863 Bahá'u'lláh was living in the city of Baghdád. The government ordered Him to leave and go to Constantinople, a city very far away. When His followers heard the news, they were upset, and so many of them came to His house that He went to stay in a garden outside the town while everything was made ready for the long journey.
The garden was on the other side of the river Tigris. Bahá'u'lláh crossed the river by boat with His sons, among them 'Abdu'l-Bahá, and reached the garden in the afternoon. Today Bahá'ís call it the Garden of Riḍván.
On that same day the river overflowed. The rest of Bahá'u'lláh's family could not cross, and had to stay behind in the city. Only on the ninth day could they join Him in the garden.
The book Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era tells us that during those days Bahá'u'lláh was not sad. He "showed the greatest joy, dignity and power." His followers became "happy and enthusiastic," and great crowds came to pay their respects to Him. Even the Governor of Baghdád came to honor Him.
Bahá'u'lláh stayed in the garden for twelve days. Bahá'ís celebrate those days as the Festival of Riḍván. The ninth day, when His family joined Him, is one of its Holy Days.
This is a retelling for children. For the fuller account, see "The Family Joins Bahá'u'lláh in the Garden".
Cite this story
Esslemont, J. E.. (1923). *Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era*. George Allen & Unwin. https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/19241/pg19241-images.html
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