The Kitab-i-Aqdas (Laws) - Bahá'u'lláh
 <<   <-   >   >>
Page 178 of  251

27. Let the days in excess of the months be placed before the month of fasting.
The Badi' calendar is based on the solar year of 365 days, 5 hours, and 50 odd minutes. The year consists of 19 months of 19 days each (i.e. 361 days), with the addition of four extra days (five in a leap year). The Bab did not specifically define the place for the intercalary days in the new calendar. The Kitab-i-Aqdas resolves this question by assigning the "excess" days a fixed position in the calendar immediately preceding the month of Ala', the period of fasting. For further details see the section on the Baha'i calendar in The Baha'i World, volume XVIII. (178:1)

28. We have ordained that these ... shall be the manifestations of the letter Ha
Known as the Ayyam-i-Ha (the Days of Ha), the Intercalary Days have the distinction of being associated with "the letter Ha". The abjad numerical value of this Arabic letter is five, which corresponds to the potential number of intercalary days. (178:2)

The letter "Ha" has been given several spiritual meanings in the Holy Writings, among which is as a symbol of the Essence of God. (178:3)

29. these days of giving that precede the season of restraint
Baha'u'llah enjoined upon His followers to devote these days to feasting, rejoicing and charity. In a letter written on Shoghi Effendi's behalf it is explained that "the intercalary days are specially set aside for hospitality, the giving of gifts, etc.". (178:4)

Get Next Page

  The Kitab-i-Aqdas (Laws)
  Citation Source List
: see