Most religions have a time of gift giving, for Christians it is Christmas, for the Jewish it is Hanukkah and for the Baha’is it is Ayyam-i-Ha, and a time of gift exchange and service that starts February 26th through March 1st each year. Ayyam-i-Ha is four or five days of gift exchange, charity, parties and a time we as Baha’is use to teach the Baha’i Faith. Most Baha’is tend to send goodies to work and children take treats to their classmates and explain to their about our holiday.
Now let me calm your fears, if you are invited to a Baha’i Ayyam-i-Ha party you are not going to be preached to. You might sit through a prayer or two, listen to some nice music, and the children and youth might put on a play and/or dance and sing. Most gatherings I have gone to usually have a white elephant gift exchange and of course there is always food, anywhere from snacks to a full -blown buffet. Baha’is don’t preach at people, they try to live the life and teach by example. Hospitality, is always a key and be prepared to be sent home with any left over food.
Ayyam-i-Ha exist mainly because of the extra days in the Baha’i Calendar. Since the Baha’i Calendar consists of 19 months of 19 days, which leaves four days (five days in leap years). These days are also known as “intercalary days.”
A lot of families interchange small inexpensive gifts each day of Ayyam-i-Ha and maybe a larger gift on the last day. Some might spend some time doing some charity work, or donate to charities. I have known several families who have worked on Christmas serving meal to the poor.
"My God, my Fire and my Light! The days which Thou hast named the Ayyam-i-Ha in Thy Book have begun, O Thou Who art the King of names, and the fast which Thy most exalted Pen hath enjoined unto all who are in the kingdom of Thy creation to observe is approaching. I entreat Thee, O my Lord, by these days and by all such as have during that period clung to the cord of Thy commandments, and laid hold on the handle of Thy precepts, to grant that unto every soul may be assigned a place within the precincts of Thy court, and a seat at the revelation of the splendors of the light of Thy countenance."
Compilations, Baha'i Prayers, p. 235)
So from my family to yours:
Happy Ayyam-i-Ha
For more information on the Baha’i Faith:Baha'i Links
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