| A journey made to a shrine or holy place. |
| In the Kitáb-i-Aqdas Bahá'u'lláh ordains pilgrimage for Bahá'ís to the Most Great House in Baghdád and to the House of the Báb in S̲h̲íráz. After the passing of Bahá'u'lláh 'Abdu'l-Bahá added to these the Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh at Bahjí. For Bahá'ís, pilgrimage to these three places is, 'Abdu'l-Bahá has stated, 'obligatory if one can afford it and is able to do so, and if no obstacle stands in one's way'.6 |
| In a Tablet to a believer 'Abdu'l-Bahá wrote Concerning pilgrimages: 'You have asked about visiting holy places and the observance of marked reverence toward these resplendent spots. Holy places are undoubtedly centres of the outpouring of Divine grace, because on entering the illumined sites associated with martyrs and holy souls, and by observing reverence, both physical and spiritual, one's heart is moved with great tenderness. But there is no obligation for everyone to visit such places, other than the three, namely: the Most Holy Shrine, the Blessed House in Baghdád and the venerated House of the Báb in S̲h̲íráz. To visit these is obligatory if one can afford it and is able to do so, and if no obstacle stands in one's way. . . These three Holy Places are consecrated to pilgrimage. But as to the other resting places of martyrs and holy souls, it is pleasing and acceptabe in the sight of God if a person desires to draw nigh unto Him by visiting them; this, however, is not a binding obligation.'7 Under present circumstances, Bahá'ís are able to make pilgrimage only to the Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh. The only person to have performed completely the obligation of Bahá'í pilgrimage to all the designated places in accordance with all of the instructions pertaining thereto was Nabíl-i-A'ẓam. |
| [BD 178-179] |
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