Glimpsing Early Bahá'í Pilgrimages
by Annamarie Honnold
Pilgrimage Began in the Days of Bahá'u'llah
Centuries before the advent of Bahá'u'lláh, the Arabian Prophet uttered these words: "Blessed the man that hath visited 'Akka, and blessed he that hath visited the visitor of 'Akká." Bahá'u'lláh confirmed these words -- words which could not be understood for centuries. Muhammad said, too, that, "A month in 'Akká is better than a thousand years elsewhere."
Bahá'í Holy Places at the World Centre
The Universal House of Justice, p. 10
During Bahá'u'lláh's confinement in the Most Great Prison in 'Akká, visitors were not permitted. "Several of the Bahá'ís of Irán came all the way on foot for the purpose of seeing their beloved Leader, but were refused admittance within the city walls. They used to go to a place on the plain outside the third moat, from which they could see the windows of Bahá'u'lláh's quarters. He would show Himself to them at one of the windows and after gazing on Him from afar, they would weep and return to their homes, fired with new zeal for sacrifice and service."
Ibid, p. 6
Conditions changed after Bahá'u'lláh was permitted to leave the barracks. While He was yet in 'Akká an Egyptian merchant, affluent and afire with God's latest message, desired to visit Him. Abdel Kerim wrote for permission to go on pilgrimage. He must have been greatly surprised when the reply arrived: he might go on pilgrimage but only after all his debts were paid.
He had been in business for many years. His caravans crossed the desert with precious cargo. He had quite naturally been interested in expanding his business, but now his consuming interest was to, "owe no man anything." It followed that when he received a payment, instead of investing it for further gain, he paid off a debt. This continued for five years when at last he was debt-free.
His business shrank. No longer did "love of wealth" consume him. When all his debts were paid, he had only enough to keep his family going in his absence and to pay for deck passage on a ship bound for Haifa.
Formerly he would have traveled first-class. Now he had neither bed nor warm stateroom. Never mind! He was going to see Bahá'u'lláh. As he crossed the gangplank, his shawl slipped into the water. The night would be chilly, but his heart was glad and he felt "alive with prayer."
Bahá'u'lláh informed His family that He was expecting an honored guest. A carriage was sent to Haifa to pick up the merchant, but the attendant received no description of this very special guest. As the passengers disembarked, he watched them very carefully -- surely he would recognize someone so distinguished. But the passengers appeared quite ordinary and in due time he returned to 'Akká with word that Bahá'u'lláh's visitor had not arrived.
The merchant had expected to be met. No money remained to hire a carriage. Bitterly disappointed, he seated himself on a bench, feeling forlorn and destitute.
Bahá'u'lláh knew that His distinguished guest had arrived even though he had not been recognized. This time He sent 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Who recognized in the twilight "the distinguished figure huddled upon the bench."
Quickly, the Master introduced Himself and explained what had happened. Then He asked him if he would like to go to 'Akká that very night or if he would prefer to wait until morning. The merchant had already spent hours in prayer in preparation for his meeting with Bahá'u'lláh. But he found that bitterness had now come into his heart because he had felt so forgotten and alone upon his arrival in Haifa. He had even begun to wonder about the very station of Bahá'u'lláh. For what had he given up his fortune? He was in torment.
Now in the presence of this welcome and gentle Man doubts and suspicions ebbed out of his soul, but he felt the need of hours of prayer to feel ready spiritually to meet God's Emissary.
As the story is told, 'Abbás Effendi knew instinctively that His new friend would not wish to seek a hotel at His expense, so finding that he preferred to wait until morning for the journey to 'Akká, He unbuttoned the long cloak that enveloped Him, seated Himself beside the pilgrim, and wrapped both in its ample folds. So they passed the night praying together, lost in that ecstasy of prayer that brings realization.
The next morning they proceeded toward the prison-city of 'Akká. At long last the Egyptian appeared before Bahá'u'lláh with a glad heart, purified through five years of testing.
The Oriental Rose, Mary Hanford Ford, pp. 94-99
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