Pilgrimage

"The Lord hath ordained that those of you who are able shall make pilgrimage to the sacred House, and from this He hath exempted women as a mercy on His part. He, of a truth, is the All-Bountiful, the Most Generous." ¹

"Consider thou the blessed, the divinely-revealed verse in which pilgrimage to the House is enjoined upon everyone." ²

"These, in brief, are the prerequisites pertaining to those who obtain leave to undertake pilgrimage. First is physical health and a sound constitution. Second is possession of the means of travel, whether financial or otherwise. Most important, however, is obtaining permission prior to departure. Should all these conditions be fulfilled and yet wisdom dictate otherwise, it is not permissible to undertake the journey. The one true God hath revealed that "pilgrimage to the temple is a service due to God", and to this verse He hath added the qualification "from those who are able to journey thither". We beseech Him to graciously assist all to observe that whereunto they have been commanded. From the Dayspring of the Cause there appeareth naught save that which is conducive to the loftiness, exaltation, love, harmony, and unity of His servants. He, verily, is the Ordainer, the All-Wise." ³

"Question: Shaving the head hath been forbidden in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas but enjoined in the Súriy-i-Ḥajj.
Answer: All are charged with obedience to the Kitáb-i-Aqdas; whatsoever is revealed therein is the Law of God amid His servants. The injunction on pilgrims to the sacred House to shave the head hath been lifted." ⁴

"Question: Concerning the pilgrimage.
Answer: It is an obligation to make pilgrimage to one of the two sacred Houses; but as to which, it is for the pilgrim to decide." ⁵

"Question: Again, inquiry hath been made about the pilgrimage.
Answer: By pilgrimage to the sacred House, which is enjoined upon men, is intended both the Most Great House in Baghdád and the House of the Primal Point in Shíráz; pilgrimage to either of these Houses sufficeth. They may thus make pilgrimage to whichever lieth nearer to the place where they reside." ⁶

"In any event, it was by means of hints and allusions that Bahá'u'lláh first declared His mission during those twelve days. Certain among the friends grasped His intent, but others did not fully understand. At last Bahá'u'lláh came to Constantinople and the Súrih of pilgrimage was revealed, wherein the instruction is given to circumambulate the House of Baghdád. In that Súrih the Cause is openly manifest, but the phrase "He Whom God shall make manifest" does not appear." ⁷

"The Lord hath ordained that those of you who are able shall make pilgrimage to the sacred House
Two sacred Houses are covered by this ordinance, the House of the Báb in Shíráz and the House of Bahá'u'lláh in Baghdád. Bahá'u'lláh has specified that pilgrimage to either of these two Houses fulfills the requirement of this passage (Q&A 25, 29). In two separate Tablets, known as Súriy-i-Ḥajj (Q&A 10), Bahá'u'lláh has prescribed specific rites for each of these pilgrimages. In this sense, the performance of a pilgrimage is more than simply visiting these two Houses.

After the passing of Bahá'u'lláh, 'Abdu'lBahá designated the Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh at Bahjí as a place of pilgrimage. In a Tablet, He indicates that the "Most Holy Shrine, the Blessed House in Baghdád and the venerated House of the Báb in Shíráz" are "consecrated to pilgrimage," and that it is "obligatory" to visit these places "if one can afford it and is able to do so, and if no obstacle stands in one's way." No rites have been prescribed for pilgrimage to the Most Holy Shrine." ⁸

"and from this He hath exempted women as a mercy on His part
In the Bayán, the Báb enjoined the ordinance of pilgrimage once in a lifetime upon those of His followers who were financially able to undertake the journey. He stated that the obligation was not binding on women in order to spare them the rigors of travel.

Bahá'u'lláh likewise exempts women from His pilgrimage requirements. The Universal House of Justice has clarified that this exemption is not a prohibition, and that women are free to perform the pilgrimage." ⁹

Tablet of Visitation to the Holy House in Baghdad: https://oceanoflights.org/bahaullah-st-120-ar/

Tablet of Visitation to the Holy House in Shiraz: https://oceanoflights.org/bahaullah-st-119-ar/

Babi Dispensation

Pilgrimage is obligatory once in a lifetime for those who are physically and financially able Pilgrimage location, House of the Bab in Shiraz & the House of "WHOM GOD SHALL MAKE MANIFEST". ¹⁰

Islamic Dispensation

"Pilgrimage thereto is a duty men owe to Allah, those who can afford the journey" ¹¹

"And complete the Ḥajj or 'umra in the service of God. But if ye are prevented, send an offering for sacrifice, such as ye may find, and do not shave your heads until the offering reaches the place of sacrifice. And if any of you is ill, or has an ailment in his scalp, in compensation either fast, or feed the poor, or offer sacrifice; and when ye are in peaceful conditions, if any one wishes to continue the 'umra on to the ḥajj, He must make an offering, such as he can afford, but if he cannot afford it, He should fast three days during the ḥajj and seven days on his return, Making ten days in all. This is for those whose household is not in the Sacred Mosque. And fear God and know that God is strict in punishment. For Ḥajj are the months well known. If anyone undertakes that duty therein, let there be no obscenity, nor wickedness, nor wrangling in the Ḥajj. And whatever good ye do, God knoweth it. And take a provision for the journey, but the best of provisions is right conduct. So, fear Me, O ye that are wise. It is no crime in you if ye seek of the bounty of your Lord. Then when ye pour down from (Mount) 'Arafāt, celebrate the praises of God at the Sacred Monument, and celebrate His praises as He has directed you, even though, before this, ye went astray." ¹²

Christian Dispensation

Pilgrimage is not ordained in the four Gospels, rather from traditions and encouragement by the early church, Christians visited the sites in the Holy Land that are associated with birth, life, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.

Jewish Dispensation

Pilgrimage is expected from all who can visit the temple in Jerusalem.

"Three times a year shall all your men appear before the Lord your God in the place that God will choose [referring presumably to the Temple in Jerusalem], on the festivals of Pesah (Passover), Shavuot (the Feast of Weeks), and Sukkot (the Festival of Booths). They shall not appear empty-handed. Each shall bring his own gift, appropriate to the blessing which the Lord your God has given you" ¹³

"You shall keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, as I commanded you, at the time appointed in the month Abib, for in the month Abib you came out from Egypt. All that open the womb are mine, all your male livestock, the firstborn of cow and sheep. The firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb, or if you will not redeem it you shall break its neck. All the firstborn of your sons you shall redeem. And none shall appear before me empty-handed. Six days you shall work, but on the seventh day you shall rest. In plowing time and in harvest you shall rest. You shall observe the Feast of Weeks, the first fruits of wheat harvest, and the Feast of Ingathering at the year's end. Three times in the year shall all your males appear before the Lord God, the God of Israel." [^14]

Hindu Dispensation

Pilgrimage is deeply embedded in the Indian culture. There are so many pilgrimage sites in India that the entire subcontinent may be regarded as one grand sacred space by Hindus.

In the Vedas, one of the most important Hindu scriptures, mountain valleys and the confluences of rivers are spoken of with reverence, as the gods are believed to have dwelled there. The merits of travel to such places are mentioned, but the act of pilgrimage itself is not specifically discussed.