Day of the Covenant (Bahá'í Faith)
The Day of the Covenant is observed on November 26 by followers of the Bahá'í Faith, a religion that emerged in the 19th century. This day commemorates the covenant made by Bahá'u'lláh, the founder of the Bahá'í Faith, with his followers, which emphasizes their commitment to his teachings and the leadership of his son, Abdul Bahá. Bahá'u'lláh's message aimed to promote social reform and establish a universal religion that would unite various faiths. Abdul Bahá, referred to as the Center of the Covenant, initially hesitated to designate a special day for celebration but ultimately agreed to November 26 as the Day of the Covenant. On this day, Bahá'ís come together in their communities to celebrate, though participation is not mandatory, allowing individuals the freedom to engage in regular activities if they choose. This observance highlights the importance of the covenant in Bahá'í teachings and community life, reflecting the broader principles of unity and commitment within the faith.
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Day of the Covenant (Bahá'í Faith)
Day of the Covenant (Bahá'í Faith)
November 26 is honored as the Day of the Covenant in the worldwide Bahá'í faith. The Bahá'í religion, which now has several million followers around the world, began in the nineteenth century after a prophet known as the Báb predicted that a divine leader would be manifested by God in 1863. In that year Bahá'u'lláh, one of the Báb's disciples, proclaimed himself to be that divine leader and founded the Bahá'í faith. He preached in favor of a wide variety of social reforms in the name of establishing a universal religion on Earth that would unite all the other faiths.
Bahá'u'lláh's covenant with his followers was that, if they gave their obedience to his teachings and accepted the leadership of his son, Abdul Bahá, after his death, then the kingdom of God on Earth would eventually be established. The Bahá'ís wanted to honor Abdul Bahá, also known as the Center of the Covenant, with a special day of celebration. He was reluctant at first to approve this request but relented and directed that November 26 be the date for what is now the annual Day of the Covenant. Bahá'ís gather in their local or regional communities to celebrate the event, although it is not a strict observance, since they are not prohibited from working on that day if they wish to.
Bibliography
"Baha'i Religious Observances." PennState College of Agricultural Sciences, 2020, agsci.psu.edu/diversity/events/diversity-calendar/bahai. Accessed 29 Apr. 2020.
"Becoming a Bahá'í." BBC, 22 Sept. 2009, www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/bahai/beliefs/becoming.shtml. Accessed 29 Apr. 2020.
Bhagat, Dhruti. "The Origins and Practices of Holidays: Day of the Covenant and Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá." Boston Public Library, 23 Nov. 2018, www.bpl.org/blogs/post/the-origins-and-practices-of-holidays-day-of-the-covenant-and-ascension-of-abdul-baha/. Accessed 29 Apr. 2020.
"Holy Days." Bahá’í Community of Canada, 2020, www.bahai.ca/holy-days/. Accessed 29 Apr. 2020.
"What's the Day of the Covenant, and Why Do Baha'is Celebrate It?" BahaiTeachings.org, 25 Nov. 2016, bahaiteachings.org/whats-day-covenant-bahais-celebrate/. Accessed 29 Apr. 2020.