| A 'verdant knoll',17 less than a kilometre from the walls of 'Akká, around which the Na'mayn River divides before it empties into the sea. It is located at the southeast corner of the Tell of 'Akká at Shahuta (the Place Apart). 'Abdu'l-Bahá rented this island in 1875 for Bahá'u'lláh as a place of rest and beauty for Him. Bahá'u'lláh named it Riḍván (Paradise), and called it the 'New Jerusalem' and 'Our Verdant Isle'.18 |
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| Bahá'u'Iláh may have first visited the garden in June 1877 when He left the city of 'Akká for Mazra'ih. Afterwards He visited it frequently and it became one of His 'favourite retreats'.19 In 1881 it was purchased in His name. |
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| In the Tablet of Tarazat He relates: 'One day of days We repaired unto Our Green Island. Upon Our arrival, We beheld its streams flowing, and its trees luxuriant, and the sunlight playing in their midst. Turning Our face to the right, We beheld what the pen is powerless to describe; nor can it set forth that which the eye of the Lord of Mankind witnessed in that most sanctified, that most sublime, that blest, and most exalted Spot.'20 |
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| The garden was described by Lady Blomfield in The Chosen Highway: 'The Riḍván is a beautiful garden, which the Master had planted in a plot of land which He had acquired. It is on the bank of a brook. There is a large mulberry tree with seats round its trunk. Many beautiful blossoming trees are now flourishing there, also flowers innumerable, and sweet-smelling herbs; it is a blaze of glorious colour and wonderful beauty. The scent of aṭṭar roses, of rosemary, bergamot, mint and thyme and balm, lemon-scented verbena, and musk makes the air sweet with their wealth of various fragrances. Scented white and scarlet and rose-coloured geraniums are there in wild luxuriance, and trees of pomegranate with their large, brilliant scarlet blossoms, also other lovely blooming shrubs . . . a particular white rose was a favourite flower of Bahá'u'lláh's. This rose, single with golden centre, brownish stalks, shiny leaves, and a peculiarly delightful scent, is now flourishing at the Riḍván. Many bushes of these beautiful roses are in full bloom; the waxen cream and gold of their blossoms, and their burnished leaves, make a pure and peaceful note in the love-laden harmony of the glory of that garden.'21 |
| [BD 196-8] |
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| Small island east of 'Akká, called Riḍván and "The New Jerusalem" and "Our Verdant Isle." (GPB 193). |
| [BG 38] |
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| Garden of Ridván, Akká |
[  ] [ Wikipedia - Bahá'í Gardens ] |
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