Declaration of the Báb

This page is to contain information pertaining to the Declaration of the Báb on May 23, 1844.

Authoritative Accounts concerning

• Dawn-Breakers, pp. 52-65

To hold gatherings at exactly 2 hours and 11 minutes after sunset on May 22nd

"...The believers must hold gatherings for the Bahá'ís at exactly 2 hours and 11 minutes after sunset on May 22nd ..., as this is the exact time when the Bab declared His mission to Mulla Husayn...."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to the National Spiritual Assembly of India, December 27, 1941: Dawn of a New Day, p. 94, June 22, 1943, p. 105, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1541)

The Declaration of the Bab and the Birthday of Abdu'l-Bahá

"...regarding the declaration of the Bab and the birthday of the Master: The Bab declared His Mission on the fourth day of the month of Jamadi I, two hours and eleven minutes after sunset, corresponding with the evening of May 22nd. But as the Bahá'í day begins after sunset, and not after midnight as in the West, the Bab's declaration is celebrated on the fifth day of Jamadi I, corresponding to the 23rd of May. Abdu'l-Bahá was born in the course of that same night, but the exact hour of His birth has not been ascertained."

(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada, November 25, 1936, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1542)

Not to celebrate 'Abdu'l-Baha's birth on this day (though it is proof of God's favors to Him)

"O ye real companions! Day and night Abdul-Baha is engaged in the remembrances of the friends, and time after time doth he associate with them and behold their blessed faces. I entreat in the Threshold of the Lord of Existence to confrim them in a befitting manner and assist them to follow wholly the Commands of God!

"O ye friends of God! According to what is heard, some of the friends have celebrated my birthday in some countries on the fifth of Zamadi-Avval (23rd day of May). Although their intention is no other than good, their aim be to promote the Word of God and to commemorate the True One among the people in this manner, yet, according to the text of the Religion of God and the irrefutable command, the fifth of Zamadi-Avval (May 23rd) is the day of the Declaration of His Highness the Supreme (the Bab)—may my life be a sacrifice to Him! Consequently, they must celebrate and adorn that Blessed Day in the name of the Declaration of that Orb of regions; make rejoicing and happiness, and impart the glad-tidings of heavenly beatitude to each other. For that holy essence was the Herald of the Most Great Name. Therefore, no one must mention that day of the fifth of Zamadi-Avval (May 23rd) except as the Day of the Declaration of His Highness the Bab. This is the unquestionable text of the Religion of God.

"Regarding the birth of this servant, which also happened on that day, this is a proof of the favors and bounties of God toward this servant. However, this Blessed Day must become known as the Day of the Declaration of His Highness the Supreme (Bab) and the beginning of the effulgence of the Sun of Reality. You must on this account be engaged in rejoicing, happiness and gladness. This is the truth! Beware! Beware! that you avoid that which is mentioned; otherwise, it will cause the utmost grief to the heart of Abdul-Baha.

"I ask from the inexhaustible bounties of His Highness the Almighty, that the righteous ones become assisted to live in accord with the Religion of God; neither do they deviate a hair’s breadth therefrom; and spread this Tablet throughout all regions, so that all the friends may comprehend the truth and act accordingly."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablets of Abdu'l-Baha Abbas, pp. 575-576)

Pilgrim's Notes (Nonauthoritative Accounts) concerning

• Chosen Highway, Part 1 (fourth to sixth pages)

The Báb revealed the first chapter of the Qayyúmu'l-Asmá as a part of this Declaration occurrence.