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Birth and Early Life
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Pages 23-24
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Birth and Early Life
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1 |
Mírzá Husayn `Alí, Who afterwards assumed the title of
Bahá'u'lláh (i.e. Glory of God), was the eldest son of Mírzá
Abbás of Núr, a Vazír or Minister of State. His family was
wealthy and distinguished, many of its members having occupied
important positions in the Government and in the Civil
and Military Services of Persia. He was born in Tihrán (Teheran),
the capital city of Persia, between dawn and sunrise
on the 12th of November, 1817.
[1]
He never attended school or
college, and what little teaching He received was given at
home. Nevertheless, even as a child He showed wonderful
wisdom and knowledge. While He was still a youth His father
died, leaving Him responsible for the care of His younger
brothers and sisters, and for the management of the extensive
family estates.
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2 |
On one occasion `Abdu'l-Bahá, the eldest son of Bahá'u'lláh,
related to the writer the following particulars about His
Father's early days: --
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3 |
From childhood He was extremely kind and generous.
He was a great lover of outdoor life, most of His time being
spent in the garden or the fields. He had an extraordinary
power of attraction, which was felt by all. People
always crowded around Him. Ministers and people of the
Court would surround Him, and the children also were
devoted to Him. When He was only thirteen of fourteen
years old He became renowned for His learning. He
would converse on any subject and solve any problem
presented to Him. In large gatherings He would discuss
matters with the `Ulamá (leading mullás) and would
explain intricate religious questions. All of them used to
listen to Him with the greatest interest.
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4 |
When Bahá'u'lláh was twenty-two years old, His father
died, and the Government wished Him to succeed to His
father's position in the Ministry, as was customary in
Persia, but Bahá'u'lláh did not accept the offer. Then the
Prime Minister said: "Leave him to himself. Such a
position is unworthy of him. He has some higher aim in
view. I cannot understand him, but I am convinced that
he is destined for some lofty career. His thought are not
like ours. Let him alone."
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Notes
1. [Pronounced with the accent on the second and fourth syllables, the first syllable being almost mute and both l's distinctly sounded.]
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