The Latter Years of Bahá'u'lláh
Into this environment, Bahá'u'lláh and His family
arrived on 31 August 1868, the final stage in His long exile. He was
to spend the rest of His life, 24 more years, in Acre and its
environs. At first confined to a prison in the barracks, Bahá'u'lláh
and His companions were later moved to a cramped house within the
city's walls. The exiles, widely depicted as dangerous heretics, faced
animosity from the city's other residents. Even the children, when
they ventured outside, were pursued and pelted with stones. As time
passed, however, the spirit of Bahá'u'lláh's teachings penetrated the
bigotry and indifference. Even several of the town's governors and
clergy, after examining the teachings of the Faith, became devoted
admirers. As in Baghdad and Adrianople, Bahá'u'lláh's moral stature
gradually won the respect, admiration and even leadership of the
community at large.
It was in Acre that Bahá'u'lláh's most important work
was written. Known more commonly among Bahá'ís by its Persian name,
the Kitab-i-Aqdas(the Most Holy Book), it outlines the essential laws
and principles that are to be observed by His followers, and lays the
groundwork for Bahá'í administration.
In the late 1870s, Bahá'u'lláh was given the freedom
to move outside the city's walls, and His followers were able to meet
with Him in relative peace and freedom. He took up residence in an
abandoned mansion and was able to further devote Himself to writing.
On 29 May 1892, Bahá'u'lláh passed away. His remains
were laid to rest in a garden room adjoining the restored mansion,
which is known as Bahji. For Bahá'ís, this spot is the most holy place
on earth.
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