It was not until, however, the Báb had received the eagerly
anticipated letter of Mullá Husayn, His trusted and beloved lieutenant,
communicating the joyful tidings of his interview with Bahá’u’lláh, that He
decided to undertake His long and arduous pilgrimage to the Tombs
of His ancestors. In the month of Sha’bán, of the year 1260 A.H.
(September, 1844) He Who, both on His father’s and mother’s side, was of the
seed of the illustrious Fátimih, and Who was a descendant of the Imám Husayn,
the most eminent among the lawful successors of the Prophet of Islám,
proceeded, in fulfillment of Islamic traditions, to visit the Kaaba. He
embarked from Búshihr on the 19th of Ramadán (October, 1844) on a
sailing vessel, accompanied by Quddús whom He was assiduously preparing for the
assumption of his future office. Landing at Jaddih after a stormy voyage of
over a month’s duration, He donned the pilgrim’s garb, mounted a camel, and set
out for Mecca, arriving on the first of Dhi’l-Hájjih (December 12).
Quddús, holding the bridle in his hands, accompanied his Master on foot to that
holy Shrine.
(Shoghi Effendi, ‘God Passes By’)
