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Memorials of the Faithful
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Pages 12-16
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Shaykh Salmán
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In 1266 A.H.
[1]
the trusted
messenger, Shaykh Salmán,
first heard the summons of God, and his heart leapt for
joy. He was then in Hindíyán. Irresistibly attracted, he
walked all the way to Tihrán, where with ardent love he
secretly joined the believers. On a certain day he was passing
through the bázár with Áqá Muhammad Taqíy-i-Káshání,
and the farráshes followed him and discovered
where he lived. The next day, police and farráshes came
looking for him and took him to the chief of police.
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"Who are you?" the chief asked.
"I am from Hindíyán," replied Salmán. "I have come to Tihrán and am on my way to Khurásán, for a pilgrimage
to the Shrine of Imám Ridá."
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"What were you doing yesterday," the chief asked,
"with that man in the white robe?"
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Salmán answered, "I had sold him an `abá the day before,
and yesterday he was to pay me."
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"You are a stranger here," the chief said. "How could
you trust him?"
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"A money-changer guaranteed the payment," Salmán
replied. He had in mind the respected believer, Áqá Muhammad-i-Sarraf
(money-changer).
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The chief turned to one of his farráshes and said, "Take
him to the money-changer's and look into it."
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When they reached there the farrásh went on ahead.
"What was all this," he said, "about the sale of an `abá
and your vouching for the payment? Explain yourself."
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"I know nothing about it," the money-changer replied.
"Come along," said the farrásh to Salmán. "All is clear at last. You are a Bábí."
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It happened that the turban which Salmán had on his
head was similar to those worn in Shúshtar. As they were
passing a crossroads, a man from Shúshtar came out of his
shop. He embraced Salmán and cried: "Where have you
been, Khájih Muhammad-`Alí? When did you arrive?
Welcome!"
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Salmán replied, "I came here a few days ago and now
the police have arrested me."
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"What do you want with him?" the merchant asked the
farrásh. "What are you after?"
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"He is a Bábí," was the answer.
"God forbid!" cried the man from Shúshtar. "I know him well. Khájih Muhammad-`Alí is a God-fearing Muslim,
a Shí'ih, a devout follower of the Imám `Alí." With
this he gave the farrásh a sum of money and Salmán was
freed.
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They went into the shop and the merchant began to
ask Salmán how he was faring. Salmán told him: "I am
not Khájih Muhammad-`Alí."
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The man from Shúshtar was dumbfounded. "You look
exactly like him!" he exclaimed. "You two are identical.
However, since you are not he, give me back the money I
paid the farrásh."
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Salmán immediately handed him the money, left, went
out through the city gate and made for Hindíyán.
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When Bahá'u'lláh arrived in `Iráq, the first messenger
to reach His holy presence was Salmán, who then returned
with Tablets addressed to the friends in Hindíyán. Once
each year, this blessed individual would set out on foot to
see his Well-Beloved, after which he would retrace his
steps, carrying Tablets to many cities, Isfahán, Shíráz, Káshán,
Tihrán, and the rest.
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From the year 69 until the ascension of Bahá'u'lláh in
1309 A.H.,
[2]
Salmán would arrive once a year, bringing
letters, leaving with the Tablets, faithfully delivering each
one to him for whom it was intended. Every single year
throughout that long period, he came on foot from Persia
to `Iráq, or to Adrianople, or to the Most Great Prison at
Akká; came with the greatest eagerness and love, and then
went back again.
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He had remarkable powers of endurance. He traveled
on foot, as a rule eating nothing but onions and bread; and
in all that time, he moved about in such a way that he was
never once held up and never once lost a letter or a Tablet.
Every letter was safely delivered; every Tablet reached its
intended recipient. Over and over again, in Isfahán, he
was subjected to severe trials, but he remained patient and
thankful under all conditions, and earned from non-Bahá'ís
the title of "the Bábís' Angel Gabriel."
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Throughout his entire life, Salmán rendered this momentous
service to the Cause of God, becoming the means
of its spread and contributing to the happiness of the believers,
annually bringing Divine glad tidings to the cities
and villages of Persia. He was close to the heart of Bahá'u'lláh,
Who looked upon him with especial favor and grace.
Among the Holy Scriptures, there are Tablets revealed in
his name.
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After the ascension of Bahá'u'lláh, Salmán remained
faithful to the Covenant, serving the Cause with all his
powers. Then, as before, he would come to the Most Great
Prison every year, delivering mail from the believers, and
returning with the answers to Persia. At last, in Shíráz, he
winged his way to the Kingdom of glory.
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From the dawn of history until the present day, there
has never been a messenger so worthy of trust; there has
never been a courier to compare with Salmán. He has left
respected survivors in Isfahán who, because of the troubles
in Persia, are presently in distress. It is certain that the
friends will see to their needs. Upon him be the glory of
God, the All-Glorious; unto him be salutations and praise.
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Notes
1. [1849-1850.]
2. [1853; 1892.]
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