History 3 - ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (1844-1921)

Following an afternoon talk by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Alexander Graham Bell made a special request that he speak at his home that evening. There, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá met many dignitaries and scientists.

He gave His first public talk at the City Temple, London on 11 September 1911. There were at least 2000 people in the congregation.

His imprisonment in Akka started in 1868 and even after his release he remained in the area until 1909. There were also further brief periods of imprisonment during this time.

He spent 239 days in the US and Canada, where he gave over 500 talks to at least 93,000 people.

In 1898 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá instructed that the remains of the Báb be brought from their hiding place in Tehran to the Holy Land – they had been hidden since the martyrdom of the Báb in 1850. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá proceeded with the construction of a six-room building in 1898. It was completed in 1909. The remains of the Báb were interred within a vault below the building that year. The architect Sutherland Maxwell was asked to design and build a superstructure which was completed in 1953.

An ‘abá is along garment or cloak, open at the front. He would often give his ‘abá away to those who were less fortunate.

He was appointed Bahá’u’lláh’s successor and he chose this distinct name which means ‘Servant of Baha’.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá encouraged Bahá'í farmers in the Galilee area to grow and store extra grain. He realised that the effects of the War and a drought in the area would probably result in a severe grain shortage by 1917. He organised the purchase, storage and distribution of grain from 1917 to 1918.

Although many of the residents of Akka grew to love Bahá'u'lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and their family and companions, a few of them had been misled about the Bahá'ís and believed they should treat them badly in order to please God. Once ‘Abdu’l-Bahá spent 24 years caring for a poor man who hated him with a passion. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá would make sure this man received enough money to buy clothes and food. When the man became seriously ill ‘Abdu’l-Bahá sent a doctor to treat him and paid for his medicine. The man hated ‘Abdu’l-Bahá so much he would cover his eyes when ‘Abdu’l-Bahá visited so that he wouldn’t have to see his face. After 24 years the man’s heart softened and he asked ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to forgive him for his behaviour towards him.

`Abdu’l-Bahá, who was born on the very same night that the Báb declared his mission, is seen as the perfect example of how a Bahá’í should be. He was known to all as “The Master”, as people recognised his immense spiritual qualities. He was also described as “The Mystery of God” because he occupied a unique station - not a Messenger of God but having the authority to interpret his father’s teachings.