The Ascension of Abdu’l Baha (1844–1921), like the Day of the Covenant (November 26), is a Baha’i holy day honouring Abdu’l Baha, who succeeded Baha’u’llah (1819–1892), prophet-founder of the Baha’ı Faith, and led the Baha’i community from 1892 to 1921. Abdu’l Baha passed away in his home on November 28, 1921, in Haifa, Israel, at the age of 77.
The term “Ascension,” of Christian origin, is a reverential term, implying that the person referred to, by virtue of a high spiritual station, “ascended” to heaven and dwells in Paradise.
All the funeral arrangements were done by Abdu’l Baha’s sister, Bahiyyih Khanum. The funeral procession took place on November 29, 1921 and was attended by 10,000 mourners of numerous religious backgrounds. In His old age, Abdu’l Baha remained remarkably vigorous. He was a loving father not only to the Baha’is, but to the entire humanity. It has been mentioned by Mohammed Ali Faizi in his book, The Life of Abdu’l Baha on page 341 that the Master used to attend Friday congregation prayers at a Mosque in Israel and used to give alms to beggars after the prayers.
In spontaneous tributes to an admired personality, Abdu’l Baha was eulogized as One who led humanity to the “Way of Truth,” as a “pillar of peace” and the embodiment of “glory and greatness.” His correspondence guided global efforts to establish an organizational framework for the community. His interaction with a stream of pilgrims to the Holy Land provided another instrument for instructing and encouraging believers from around the world.
Abdu’l Baha’s mortal remains were laid to rest in one of the chambers of the Shrine of the Bab on Mount Carmel.
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