Let us now establish the date of the advent of Bahá’u’lláh
from the Torah. This date is calculated in lunar years from the revelation of
the mission and the emigration of Muḥammad. For in the religion of Muḥammad the
lunar calendar is used, and all the ordinances regarding religious observances
have been expressed in terms of that calendar.
In Daniel 12:6 it is said: “And one said to the man clothed
in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the
end of these wonders? And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the
waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto
heaven, and sware by Him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time,
times, and an half; and when He shall have accomplished to scatter the power of
the holy people, all these things shall be finished.”
As I have already explained the meaning of “day”, no further
explanation is needed, but let me briefly say that each day of the Father is
equivalent to one year, and each year consists of twelve months. Thus three and
a half years makes forty-two months, and forty-two months is 1,260 days, and
each day in the Bible is equivalent to one year. And it is in the very year
1260 from the emigration of Muḥammad, according to the Muslim calendar, that
the Báb, the Herald of Bahá’u’lláh, revealed His mission.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Table
talks in Akka, authenticated by ‘Abdu’l-Baha; ‘Some Answered Questions’ – 2014
revised translation by the Baha’i World Centre)
