On 12 November 1817 in Teheran, the capital of Persia, a son was born to a prominent minister of state, Mirza Buzurg, and his wife Khadijih. The boy, to whom they gave the names of Husayn-Ali, was later to be known as Bahá’u’lláh. The child led a carefree life, growing up as a member of a wealthy family who never suspected that their son might one day proclaim Himself to be the great Universal Teacher foretold by every earlier Messenger of God. Yet the father soon realized that his son was different from other children. For, although little Mirza Husayn-Ali had never been in school and had only received some instruction at home, He was extraordinarily knowledgeable. He was taught to read and write, taught the art of calligraphy and of horsemanship but did not pursue any academic or scholarly studies. At the tender age of seven He presented a case on behalf of His father in the court of the Shah and won. He became widely admired for His knowledge and reasoning abilities and for His kind heart.
Before He was thirteen He was already famous at the Court for His learning. The ministers used to come to Him to discuss their problems with Him. He was already speaking at great assemblies of theologians and explaining the most complicated matters to them. But it was not only because of His knowledge that everyone came to Him. As a child He was extremely kind and helpful. Wherever people were in need, Mirza Husayn-Ali extended a helping hand and used to spend His time in caring for the sick and the poor. When His father died in 1839, the government wished to appoint Him as his successor but He would not accept the appointment.
Shortly before this, He had married Navvab, the daughter of another minister. Husband and wife devoted themselves to the care of the poor and became known respectively as the Father of the Poor and the Mother of Consolation. A few years later, on 23 May 1844, a son was born. They called Him 'Abbas and He later took the title of 'Abdu'l-Bahá. A short time after this event (August, 1844, through the efforts of Mullá Husayn) Mirza Husayn-'Ali, who was now twenty-seven years of age, received a scroll written by the Báb. When He began to read it He realized that its Author spoke the truth and He recognized Him as the Messenger of God. Without any thoughts for His wealth or noble birth, He accepted the new Faith and at once began to devote Himself entirely to spreading the teachings of the Báb. Within a short time, He had already convinced many people of the truth of the Bábí message. The new believers included not only friends and members of His own family but also a number of government officials. Yet He did not escape the persecutions which were becoming increasingly cruel. Twice He was taken prisoner and on one occasion the soles of His feet were so badly lashed and beaten that they bled freely.
In 1848 (26 June - 17 July) Mirza Husayn-'Ali organized the conference at Badasht which signified the turning point in the understanding of the Faith of the Báb by His followers. It was here that Mirza Husayn-'Ali assumed the title of Bahá. Without any other contact, the Báb henceforward addressed Him using that same title, confirming this name which was to become so important in the future. Later that year in December, Bahá was imprisoned and tortured in Amul.
On the 28th of August, 1851, Bahá began a ten month pilgrimage in Karbila, Iraq and continued to spread the Báb's Teachings.
Then in 1852, two years after the Báb's execution, something dreadful happened. Two of the Báb's followers had been so overcome with grief at His martyrdom that, in a crazed fit of despair, they attacked the new ruler, Nasiri'd-Din Shah. Although the weapon they used was totally inadequate and the king was scarcely wounded, this attack triggered off the cruelest persecutions of the Bábís. At last their enemies had a 'valid' reason for taking revenge on the Bábí community with a clear conscience. Mírzá Yahá, half brother of Bahá and nominal figurehead of the Bábí Faith fled in disguise (note that the Báb had appointed him as His nominee in order to conceal the identity of Him Whom God Shall Make Manifest, i.e.Bahá’u’lláh).
Hundreds of innocent followers were tortured and killed in the ensuing months. Many of them were sawn in half, blown from cannon-mouths, hacked to pieces, dismembered with hatchets and clubbed or stoned. Even women and small children were put to death in the most barbaric ways. Tahirih was executed, proclaiming "You can kill me as soon as you like, but you cannot stop the emancipation of women". In addition, hundreds of Bábís were imprisoned. Bahá Himself was seized and thrown into an underground dungeon known as the 'Black Pit' (Síyá-Chál because it was so dark. His feet were placed in stocks and such heavy chains were hung round His neck that at the time of His passing, forty years later, the marks could still be clearly seen. These chains were so infamous that they were known by their own names. He was kept in these conditions for four months. Even His food was poisoned, which affected His health for years. But this time too, the perpetrators of these terrible deeds were one by one punished by the power of God. In the years that followed, many of them died of the strangest diseases.
In this cold foul 'Black Pit' the most remarkable event occurred. 'During the days I lay in the prison of Teheran,' He wrote years afterwards, 'though the galling weight of the chains and the stench-filled air allowed Me but little sleep, still in those infrequent moments of slumber I felt as if something flowed from the crown of My head over My breast, even as a mighty torrent that precipitateth itself upon the earth from the summit of a lofty mountain. Every limb of My body would, as a result, be set afire. At such moments My tongue recited what no man could bear to hear.' (Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p.22).
One evening He also heard a wonderfully sweet voice above Him. Looking up, He saw before Him the face of a young woman, radiant with joy. Pointing with her finger to His head, she addressed the whole of mankind, saying that this was the Best-Beloved, the Beauty of God.
Again, He had a dream in which words seemed to ring on all sides, proclaiming that He would be victorious and that there was no need to fear, for He was in safety. For Mirza Husayn-'Ali this was the summons from God to begin His Mission. It was clear to Him from this dream that He Himself was the One who would reveal God's Will and that He was Him Whom God Shall Make Manifest, the Glory of God (i.e. Bahá’u’lláh). Nevertheless, this summons had to be kept a secret for several years and He could tell no one that He was the One foretold by all the Prophets of the past. This Intimation was like the experience Jesus had with the Dove, like Moses had with the Burning Bush. The next time 'Abdu'l-Bahá saw Him, he immediately recognized this transformation but kept quiet.
Some weeks after this Intimation, Bahá’u’lláh was released from His four month imprisonment after His family and the Russian minister demonstrated His complete innocence. Bahá’u’lláh’s family along with the Russian ambassador to Persia had done everything he could to prove that Bahá’u’lláh could have had nothing to do with the attempt on the king's life. Besides, Bahá’u’lláh was so ill that He could scarcely stand. And, since it was unlikely He could have survived much longer, the king permitted His release. During His imprisonment, His home had been ransacked and almost destroyed. Once among the wealthiest families in Persia, Bahá’u’lláh's wealth was reduced to almost nothing.
Yet all this was insufficient punishment in the eyes of the Shah. He ordered Bahá’u’lláh to leave the country within a month. Bahá’u’lláh refused the Russian ambassador’s offer of sanctuary and instead chose Iraq as His place of banishment. In spite of His ailing health, Bahá’u’lláh along with His wife, two of His children - aged six and eight - and two brothers, set out for Baghdad, which at that time was a city of the Ottoman (Turkish) Empire. The time was January 1853 - the depths of winter. Without sufficient warm clothing, they were forced to walk hundreds of miles through mountainous regions where the ground was covered by a thick layer of snow and ice. Three months later they arrived at last, completely exhausted, in Baghdad (8 April 1853).
As soon as Bahá’u’lláh had recovered a little, He at once began to teach those who showed any interest in the Bábí cause. He also encouraged the Bábís themselves who were dismayed by so much sadistic persecution. Soon those who had suffered so much for their faith were taking heart once more. From all directions they came to Baghdad to listen to the words of Bahá’u’lláh, Who inspired them with fresh hope and confidence in the future.
Meanwhile Mirza Yahya, had arrived in Baghdad too. When he saw how the Bábís had come to love his Brother, her became jealous of Him. He, prodded by Siyyid Muhammad [the Antichrist of the Bahá'í Faith] began to spread malicious gossip about Him, causing some Bábís to turn away from Bahá’u’lláh and side with Mirza Yahya. This caused Bahá’u’lláh untold grief, since His aim, and that of the Báb, was to promote unity among people. Now there was disunity and discord, even among the followers of the Báb!
In order not to be the cause of disunity, Bahá’u’lláh left without warning for Kurdistan on 10 April 1854. There He lived alone in the wilderness for two years, reminding us of Christ's walk in the wilderness. No one in Baghdad knew where He had gone. During this time, under Mírzá Yahyá's direction, the Bábí community degenerated. Out of desperation, 25 men claimed to be the Promised One foretold by the Báb. 'Abdu'l-Bahá, heartbroken by His Father's absence, passes time by copying and memorizing the Báb's Writings. One day, however, His family were told by some travelers that a saintly man, whose great knowledge and wisdom were respected for miles around, was living in the mountains of Kurdistan. Even the teachers and students from a nearby seminary had so much respect for Him that some believed He must be a prophet. 'Abdu'l-Bahá then at once realized that such a saintly person could be none other than His own Father. He immediately wrote Him a letter which was hand-delivered, begging Him to return. Bahá’u’lláh consented and came back to Baghdad in March 1856, where He was received and embraced by His overjoyed family. He soon succeeded in inspiring the Bábís to fresh efforts and in re-establishing unity among them. The Bábí community soon became known once again for its kindness, humility, honesty, sincerity, fairness, tolerance and friendship, and thus Yahyá's claim of leadership of the community was shown to be in manifest error in stark contrast to the uplifting guidance of Bahá’u’lláh.
During the first few months after Bahá’u’lláh's return, many friends who had come to know Him in Kurdistan also came to visit Him in Baghdad. There they joined the Bábí community, whose reputation, because of the loving efforts of Bahá’u’lláh, now stood high. So high in fact that, from far and near, large numbers of people now came to Baghdad to see Bahá’u’lláh and hear His teachings. In His house, everyone felt happy and forgot their problems. For some, the room in which Bahá’u’lláh received his guests was like a taste of paradise. It was such a wonderful place to be. Bahá’u’lláh's love knew no bounds. He had time for all and gave His attention to everyone. No one felt left out. Gradually more and more people began to feel such a great love for Him that they became Bábís and began doing their best to live their lives according to the example set by their beloved Master.
During this period Bahá’u’lláh also wrote a number of important books which have since been translated into many languages. One of them, the Book of Certitude, some 200 pages long, was revealed in two days and two nights sometime in 1861 or 1862. Other important works from this period include The Seven Valleys (1856), The Four Valleys (1857) and in 1858 the Hidden Words.
Because of Bahá’u’lláh's increasing influence, because of the growing affection in which He was held and the enormous volume of writings which He revealed, the animosity and hatred of His enemies kept growing. The Persian consul-general even began to incite some of the inhabitants of Baghdad to insult Bahá’u’lláh on the street. However, whenever Bahá’u’lláh met any of them, He made a point of walking up to them, teasing them about their unworthy intentions, and leaving them covered with confusion. Angered by his failure, the consul then hired an assassin to kill Bahá’u’lláh. But when this man actually confronted Bahá’u’lláh, gun in hand, He became so frightened that he dropped the weapon. Bahá’u’lláh asked His companion to hand it back to His would-be assassin and show him the way to his home.
The priests and divines also made all kinds of plans to stamp out the Bábí religion. A famous meeting occurred between Bahá'u'lláh and clergy of several different faiths, in which the clergy conceded Bahá'u'lláh's knowledge and wisdom. They asked Him to perform a miracle as a final proof. Bahá'u'lláh agreed, but said they must all agree to one miracle (for the Cause of God is not a sideshow with hourly miracles) and put in writing that upon completion of the miracle, they must confess the truth of His Cause. The clergy could not agree on a miracle and dropped their challenge. 'Abdu'l-Bahá, now age 15, visits the local mosques and has dialog with the learned and Himself becomes famous for His wisdom. 'Abdu'l-Bahá, now 15, Himself becomes famous for His wisdom during his visits to local mosques and dialog with the learned of the area.
On 26 Mar 1863 Bahá'u'lláh revealed the Tablet of the Holy Mariner, in which He made gloomy predictions of His future and the future of His Faith.
The Persian consul had been in correspondence with the Shah of Persia and had convinced him that Bahá’u’lláh was preparing a revolt against him. This was prompted by the stirrings of the clergy. Bahá'u'lláh was invited to Istanbul on March 26th and given a sum of money for the journey by the Governor of Baghdád. Bahá'u'lláh accepts the invitation but gives all the money to the poor. The Persian government finally asked the Turkish authorities to remove Him as far as possible from the Persian border. Eventually, after lengthy negotiations, the Turks agreed to this and Bahá’u’lláh was invited to proceed to Istanbul, or Constantinople, as it was then called. This city was situated at the far side of the Ottoman Empire, some thousand miles from Baghdad.
When the Bábís heard of this they were in despair. The majority knew they might never see Bahá’u’lláh again. The mere thought of this was so terrifying to some that they felt they would rather kill themselves. Bahá’u’lláh succeeded in calming them, however, and in addition, shortly before His departure for Istanbul, He made known the secret which He had kept for so long.
In the gardens of one of His friends He announced to His followers that He was the Universal Educator promised by the Báb and all the Prophets of former ages. He was the Return of Christ, the Lord of Hosts, the Great Announcement, the Glory of God (Bahá’u’lláh). The twelve days He spent in these gardens (22 April to 2 May 1863), during which He made this announcement, are commemorated by the Bahá’ís as the Feast of Ridvan (Paradise). On 3 May 1863 Bahá’u’lláh left Baghdad for Constantinople. These days are celebrated by Bahá’ís each year as the Most Holy of Festivals and work is suspended on the first, ninth (the day Bahá’u’lláh's family joined Him) and the twelfth Day of Ridvan.
As He departed, thousands of people lined the streets to bid farewell to the One whose teachings and example had had such a powerful effect on their lives for over ten years. Some were overcome with sorrow and many wept, whether or not they were Bábís - it made no difference. Everyone was deeply affected. As Bahá’u’lláh rode through the streets of Baghdad, many bowed their heads before Him. Some threw themselves in front of His horse, preferring death to separation from their Beloved. Others were dumbfounded. Never before had they seen such a thing. Not even a king would receive such homage and respect.
Four months later Bahá’u’lláh and His family numbering eleven, accompanied by twenty-six of the believers, arrived in Constantinople on 16 Aug 1863. On their way they had been feted in many towns whose citizens had gone out of their way to make the party comfortable. But in Constantinople they were allotted a small house in which there was scarcely enough room for them all. And yet here, too, many people came to visit Bahá’u’lláh to hear His teachings. After one month, they were moved to larger quarters. Ultimately the clergy here also became afraid that the same thing as had happened in Baghdad would happen to them.
The Persian government became extremely upset with the courteousness and kindness shown by the Sultan toward Bahá'u'lláh, Who was received as a guest. Finally the Sultan was unable to resist the political pressure and issues the edict of banishment to the remote Adrianople (modern day Edirne). Before His departure, Bahá'u'lláh sent His first of many letters to the Kings and rulers of the world, to Sultan 'Abdu'l-'Azíz.
Bahá’u’lláh's arrival in Adrianople on 12 Dec 1863 marked the first time that a Manifestation of God had set foot on western soil, a great symbol for the eastern and western appeal of the religion. After a stay of only four months Bahá’u’lláh was informed that He was to be further banished. Although their journey only lasted twelve days, it was nevertheless the worst they had ever experienced. The weather was so cold that even the largest rivers were frozen over, a thing which had never been known to occur. To make matters worse, the travelers had no warm clothing to protect them from icy winds and arrived in Adrianople completely numb with the cold. Yet Bahá’u’lláh at once began to teach there, making His cause known and being accepted by most of the Bábís as the Promised Manifestation of God. From this time onwards they no longer called themselves Bábís but, instead, followers of Bahá’u’lláh, or Bahá’ís.
Meanwhile Bahá’u’lláh's jealous half-brother, Mirza Yahya, had also arrived in Adrianople. When he found how greatly loved his Brother had again become, he began plotting His downfall once more, again prompted by Siyyid Muhammad. One day, Mirza Yahya put poison in Bahá’u’lláh's tea, making Him so ill that He suffered from intense pain and high fever for a month and a shaking hand for the rest of His life. Undeterred, Mirza Yahya then poisoned the family's well so that many of them also became ill. He even went so far as to attempt to have Bahá’u’lláh assassinated. He also informed the Bahá’ís that Bahá’u’lláh was an impostor and that he himself was the promised Messenger of God.
Bahá’u’lláh's cup was now full. With His family, He withdrew into His house in order to give each of the exiles complete freedom to choose between Him and His brother. Almost without exception they chose Bahá’u’lláh. Those who turned away from Him were a handful of Mirza Yahya's friends, but their number was so small that Yahya felt totally defeated.
The Bahá’í community could breathe freely once more and now directed their energies towards the propagation of the teachings of their Master. Bahá’u’lláh Himself was fully engaged in expounding these teachings and, day and night, revealed many Tablets.
One of these was His famous letter of 1867 to the kings and religious leaders of the world, in which He called them to turn to Him and to accept His message. He exhorted them to try to settle their differences with other countries and to work for world peace. He urged them to be just, to reduce their armaments and to lower their taxes on those who could not afford to pay. He also warned them that terrible disasters would follow if they ignored His counsels and remained indifferent to God's commands. Only through His teachings could the Most Great Peace be established. Not one of the rulers ever replied. Bahá’u’lláh's summons was haughtily rejected by nearly all of them.
Despite all this, the number of believers kept increasing. There were now Bahá’ís not only in Persia but also in Iraq, Turkey, Egypt, Syria and part of Russia. This, however, only made the opposition stronger and fresh persecutions broke out. In Persia dozens of Bahá’ís were tortured and killed and hundreds imprisoned. In the Turkish Empire, too, animosity increased day by day. Mirza Yahya continued his campaign of lies against Bahá’u’lláh. Finally the government grew weary and decided to send Bahá’u’lláh and 66 of His followers to the prison city of ‘Akka, and Mirza Yahya and his party (the Azalis) to Cyprus. Four of Bahá’u’lláh’s followers are forced to go with Mirza Yahya and vice versa, including Siyyid Muhammad. In 'Akka, then part of Syria but now part of Israel, Bahá’u’lláh was expected to die since it was well known that hardly anyone ever left the disease ridden prison alive.
'Akka was a prison city which housed not only the worst criminals, but was exceptionally dirty. It was infested with vermin and plagued by the most terrible diseases. In spite of Bahá’u’lláh's warning, sixty-six of His family and friends went with Him of their own free will. After having spent almost five years in Adrianople, Bahá’u’lláh left on 12 August 1868 for 'Akka. Immediately on arrival 19 days later, they were taken to the barracks and locked up. Soon everyone had become ill and three of the party died within a few days. Bahá’u’lláh Himself was imprisoned in a separate cell, and only His immediate family were allowed to visit Him there. On September 2 1868 the Governor of 'Akká visits the "desperate criminals" and is deeply impressed by 'Abdu'l-Bahá. He is moved to improve their conditions. Another visitor states that "such pure and sanctified souls had never before been seen in 'Akká". Meanwhile, Siyyid Muhammad and Aqá Ján Big, the source of all the lies to the authorities, convinced some guards to move their quarters to overlook the land gate so that they could identify anyone who arrived if they were Bahá'í and thus warning the guards, the pilgrims who had walked for weeks would be turned back without even a glimpse of Bahá'u'lláh through His cell window.
From 1868 to 1870 Bahá'u'lláh sent more letters to the rulers of the world including Ali Pasha, a second letter to Napoleon III, Czar Alexander II, Queen Victoria, Pope Pius IX, U.S. President Grant. The Tablet to the Shah was delivered by Badi, a 17 year old youth who begged Bahá'u'lláh to be of service. Badi was named by Bahá'u'lláh as "Pride of the Martyrs" after he was tortured and executed in July 1869.
This strict imprisonment lasted for two years. Bahá’u’lláh's sufferings were increased when one day, in the year 1870, Mirza Mihdi, 'Abdu'l-Bahá's younger brother, fell from the roof of the barracks and lay fatally hurt on the ground below. Bahá’u’lláh asked His son what he wished. He assured him that God could enable him to recover. But Mirza Mihdi begged Bahá’u’lláh to accept his life as a ransom for the many Bahá’ís who were longing for the prison gates to open so that they could come in and visit Bahá’u’lláh. Bahá’u’lláh granted his wish. What grief it must have been to Him when his twenty-two-year-old son died a few hours later!
Soon after this tragic event, the Turkish army had need of the barracks for its soldiers and so Bahá’u’lláh and His family were transferred to a small house in the city. Here, too, Bahá’u’lláh was a prisoner and not allowed to leave the house.
23 Jan 1872 Siyyid Muhammad and two others that had been the bane of Bahá'u'lláh’s existence were murdered by some of His misguided followers in retaliation for their persecutions. Bahá'u'lláh had forbidden any such act of retaliation, but seven of His tormented companions succumbed. An army of men descended upon the Bahá'ís. The seven guilty men were confined for several years. The remainder were confined for six months. The distress caused to Bahá'u'lláh of this event was immeasurable: "That which can make Me ashamed is the conduct of such of My followers as profess to love Me".
During these years He once again wrote numerous tablets and sent a second set of letters to the Christian rulers of Europe. Once more He called upon the Emperor Napoleon III to turn to Him, since He was the One whose coming Christ had foretold. Bahá’u’lláh also summoned him to proclaim His Revelation and to inform his people of it. He prophesied that, unless Napoleon arose in support of His Faith, his empire would be lost and he himself would be humiliated. When Napoleon received this letter, he threw it contemptuously to the ground. Less than a year later, in 1870, he was unexpectedly defeated by the Prussian army (Kaiser Wilhelm I), lost his empire, was taken as a prisoner to Prussia and died in England two years later in 1873.
Czar Alexander II of Russia also received a letter in which Bahá’u’lláh warned him three times not to turn away from God and His Manifestation. Despite this warning, the Czar instituted a cruel policy of oppression which culminated in his own assassination only a few years after he had received the letter.
Soon afterwards, Kaiser Wilhelm I of Germany also received a letter in which Bahá’u’lláh warned him against his haughty attitude and against withholding himself from accepting His Revelation. In that letter Bahá’u’lláh also prophesied a time when the banks of the Rhine would run with blood and the lamentations of Berlin would be heard. As you know, some years later, the First World War broke out, in which thousands of soldiers died for the German Fatherland. And in the Second World War Berlin did indeed lament when the whole city was practically destroyed by bombs.
As a final example, let us take Bahá’u’lláh's letter to Pope Pious IX, in which He announced that He was the Manifestation of God promised by Christ. He also warned the Pope not to dispute with Him as the earlier divines had done with Jesus. He called upon him to abandon his palaces, sell his treasures and proclaim the Bahá’í message. The Pope paid no attention to this letter, however. One year later, he was forced to surrender to the Italian army which had occupied Rome. As a result, the papal kingdom was reduced to a tiny area of no more than a hundred acres.
On 8 March 1873 the marriage of 'Abdu'l-Bahá and Munírih Khánum took place. Four of their daughters survived the long imprisonment and distinguished themselves in their lives dedicated to service. Shoghi Effendi was later born to the eldest of these daughters.
In addition to the letters, Bahá’u’lláh wrote the "Most Holy Book" in 1873, in which He clearly set out His teachings. This book may be regarded as a code of laws for all mankind. In it Bahá’u’lláh describes laws and ordinances required for all peoples to live happy and peaceful lives.
In 1873 a new governor had been appointed in 'Akka who was a good deal more humane than his predecessor. He even became very friendly towards Bahá’u’lláh and saw through the lies of His enemies. The governor asked what service he could perform for Bahá’u’lláh to which He replied that the aqueduct should be restored. The people of the city also began to have more and more respect for the Prisoner. It was therefore not long before He was permitted visitors once more, even though the Sultan of Turkey had originally forbidden this.
In Persia, however, many Bahá’ís were still being tortured and killed. The population of Yazd were even given a holiday in order to witness how the Bahá’ís were put to death. And in the evenings celebrations were held in that city because of these deaths.
Fortunately, in 1877, Bahá’u’lláh's imprisonment in 'Akka came to an end. 'Abdu'l-Bahá managed to rent a house (Mazra’ih) outside the city. Although His Father was in fact still the Sultan's prisoner, no one objected. A few days later Bahá’u’lláh saw flowers and green trees for the first time in nine years. Two years after this, He moved to a nearby mansion at Bahjí. There Bahá’u’lláh lived very simply until the end of His life. In the last twelve years before His passing He was chiefly engaged in the writing of many books, tablets and letters.
Two beloved believers, Haji Siyyid Muhammad-Hasan (the King of the Martyrs) and Jahi Siyyid Hummad-Husayn (the Beloved of the Martyrs) were orded to be executed by Shaykh Muhammad-Baqir, whom Bahá'u'lláh gave the title "the Wolf". They were put in chains, decapitated and dragged for public viewing on 17 March 1879.
In 1881, Mirza Yahya is freed by the British authorities in Cyprus but is denied British citizenship. He remained in Cyprus until his death in obscurity.
In 1883 Bahá'u'lláh visited Haifa for the first time. In 1886 His wife Navváb died in 'Akká.
By this time Bahá'u'lláh was rarely receiving visitors. 'Abdu'l-Bahá would do so on His behalf, thus preparing the Bahá’ís for His successor. One of the few who were allowed to see Him was Professor E. G. Browne of Cambridge University, who arrived in 1890. During his visit Bahá’u’lláh spoke to him as follows: 'Thou hast come to see a prisoner and an exile...We desire but the good of the world and the happiness of the nations; yet they deem us a stirrer-up of strife and sedition worthy of bondage and banishment...That all nations should become one in faith and all men as brothers; that the bonds of affection and unity between the sons of men should be strengthened; that diversity of religion should cease, and differences of race be annulled - what harm is there in this?...Yet so it shall be; these fruitless strifes, these ruinous wars shall pass away, and the "Most Great Peace" shall come...Do not you in Europe need this also? Is not this that which Christ foretold?...Yet do we see your kings and rulers lavishing their treasures more freely on means for the destruction of the human race than on that which strifes and this bloodshed and discord must cease, and all men be as one kindred and one family...'(Quoted in Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era, p.37).
In the spring of 1890 and summer of 1891 Bahá'u'lláh again visited Haifa revealed the Tablet of Carmel and identified the site of the future Shrine of the Báb. In 1891 Bahá'u'lláh's revealed His own summary of His Writings: the Epistle to the Son of the Wolf. In 1892 He revealed His last major work: the Kitáb-i-'Ahd [the Book of the Covenant].
On 29 May 1892, in His seventy-fifth year, Bahá’u’lláh died following a brief illness. One of His last writings was His Will and Testament, in which He named 'Abdu'l-Bahá as His successor and the sole interpreter of His writings. After His passing the Bahá’ís were obliged to turn to His son and obey Him. This was the only way in which the unity of the Faith could be preserved. And that had been Bahá’u’lláh's life-long mission: to promote the unity of mankind. Thousands of people of all religions attended His funeral.
See The Ministry of Bahá’u’lláh for related photographs and more historical details.