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Hájí Mullá Mihdíy-i-Yazdí
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Yet another who left his
homeland was Mullá
Mihdí of Yazd. Although to all appearances this excellent
man was not of the learned class, he was an expert in the
field of Muslim sacred traditions and an eloquent interpreter
of orally transmitted texts. Persevering in his devotions,
known for holy practices and nightly communings
and vigils, his heart was illumined, and he was spiritual of
mind and soul. He spent most of his time repeating communes,
performing the obligatory prayers, confessing his
failings and supplicating the Lord. He was one of those
who penetrate mysteries, and was a confidant of the righteous.
As a teacher of the Faith he was never at a loss for
words, forgetting, as he taught, all restraint, pouring forth
one upon another sacred traditions and texts.
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When news of him spread around the town and he was
everywhere charged, by prince and pauper alike, with
bearing this new name, he freely declared his adherence
and on this account was publicly disgraced. Then the evil
`ulamás of Yazd rose up, issuing a decree that he must die.
Since the mujtahid, Mullá Báqir of Ardikán, refused to
confirm the sentence of those dark divines, Mullá Mihdí
lived on, but was forced to leave his native home. With his
two sons, one the great martyr-to-be, Jináb-i-Varqá, and the
other Jináb-i-Husayn, he set out for the country of his Well-Beloved.
In every town and village along the way, he ably
spread the Faith, adducing clear arguments and proofs,
quoting from and interpreting the sacred traditions and evident
signs.
[Qur'án 3:91]
He did not rest for a moment; everywhere he
shed abroad the attar of the love of God, and diffused the
sweet breathings of holiness. And he inspired the friends,
making them eager to teach others in their turn, and to
excel in knowledge.
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He was an eminent soul, with his heart fixed on the
beauty of God. From the day he was first created and came
into this world, he single-mindedly devoted all his efforts
to acquiring grace for the day he should be born into the
next.
[Qur'án 29:19; 53:48; 56:62]
His heart was illumined, his mind spiritual, his soul
aspiring, his destination Heaven. He was imprisoned along
his way; and as he crossed the deserts and climbed and descended
the mountain slopes he endured terrible, uncounted
hardships. But the light of faith shone from his brow and
in his breast the longing was aflame, and thus he joyously,
gladly passed over the frontiers until at last he came to
Beirut. In that city, ill, restive, his patience gone, he spent
some days. His yearning grew, and his agitation was such
that weak and sick as he was, he could wait no more.
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He set out on foot for the house of Bahá'u'lláh. Because
he lacked proper shoes for the journey, his feet were
bruised and torn; his sickness worsened; he could hardly
move, but still he went on; somehow he reached the village
of Mazra'ih and here, close by the Mansion, he died. His
heart found his Well-Beloved One, when he could bear
the separation no more. Let lovers be warned by his story;
let them know how he gambled away his life in his yearning
after the Light of the World. May God give him to
drink of a brimming cup in the everlasting gardens; in the
Supreme Assemblage, may God shed upon his face rays
of light. Upon him be the glory of the Lord. His sanctified
tomb is in Mazra'ih, beside Akká.
His Eminence Kalím (Mírzá Músá)
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Jináb-i-Mírzá Músá was the
true brother of Bahá'u'lláh,
and from earliest childhood
he was reared in the sheltering embrace of the Most Great
Name. He drank in the love of God with his mother's
milk; when yet a suckling, he showed an extraordinary attachment
to the Blessed Beauty. At all times he was the
object of Divine grace, favor and loving-kindness. After
their distinguished father died, Mírzá Músá was brought
up by Bahá'u'lláh, growing to maturity in the haven of
His care. Day by day, the youth's servitude and devotion
increased. In all things, he lived according to the commandments,
and he was entirely severed from any thoughts of
this world.
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Like a bright lamp, he shone out in that Household. He
wished neither rank nor office, and had no worldly aims
at all. His one supreme desire was to serve Bahá'u'lláh, and
for this reason he was never separated from his Brother's
presence. No matter what torments the others inflicted, his
loyalty equaled the cruelty of the rest, for he had drunk
the wine of unadulterated love.
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Then the voice was heard, crying out of Shíráz, and from
a single utterance of Bahá'u'lláh's his heart was filled with
light, and from a single gust that blew over the gardens of
faith, he caught the fragrance. At once, he began to serve
the friends. He had an extraordinary attachment to me,
and was at all times concerned for my well-being. In Tihrán
he occupied himself day and night with propagating the
Faith and gradually became well known to everyone; habitually
he spent his time in the company of blessed souls.
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Bahá'u'lláh then left Tihrán, journeying to `Iráq, and
of His brothers the two who were in His company were
Aqáy-i-Kalím
[Mírzá Músá.]
and Mírzá Muhammad-Qulí. They turned
their faces away from Persia and the Persians, and closed
their eyes to comfort and peace; in the Beloved's path they
chose with all their hearts to bear whatever calamity
should be their lot.
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Thus they arrived in `Iráq. During the days when Bahá'u'lláh
had vanished from sight, that is, when He was on the
journey to Kurdistán, Aqáy-i-Kalím lived on the edge of an
abyss; his life was constantly in danger, and each day that
passed was worse than the one before; still, he bore it all,
and knew no fear. When at last the Blessed Beauty returned
out of Kurdistán, Aqáy-i-Kalím resumed his post by
the Holy Threshold, rendering every service within his
power. For this he became known far and wide. At the
time when Bahá'u'lláh left Baghdád for Constantinople,
Aqáy-i-Kalím was with Him and continued to serve along
the way, as he did on the further journey from Constantinople
to Adrianople.
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It was during the sojourn in this latter city that he detected
from Mírzá Yahyá the odor of rebellion. Day and
night he tried to make him mend his ways, but all to
no avail. On the contrary, it was astonishing how, like a
deadly poison, the temptings and satanic suggestions of
Siyyid Muhammad worked on Mírzá Yahyá, so that Aqáy-i-Kalím
finally abandoned hope. Even then he never ceased
trying, thinking that somehow, perhaps, he could still the
tempest and rescue Mírzá Yahyá from the gulf. His heart
was worn away with despair and grief. He tried everything
he knew. At last he had to admit the truth of these words of
Saná'í:
If to the fool my lore you'd bring,
Or think my secrets can be told
To him who is not wise--
Then to the deaf go harp and sing,
Or stand before the blind and hold
A mirror to his eyes.
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When all hope was gone, he ended the relationship,
saying: "O my brother, if others are in doubt as to this
affair, you and I both know the truth. Have you forgotten
the loving-kindness of Bahá'u'lláh, and how He trained us
both? What care He took with your lessons and your penmanship;
how constantly He saw to your spelling and your
composition, and encouraged you to practice the different
calligraphic styles; He even guided your copy with His own
blessed fingers. Who does not know how He showered
favors on you, how He brought you up in the haven of
His embrace. Is this your thanks for all His tenderness--
that you plot with Siyyid Muhammad and desert the shelter
of Bahá'u'lláh? Is this your loyalty? Is this the right return
for all His love?" The words had no effect whatever; on the
contrary, with each passing day, Mírzá Yahyá disclosed a
greater measure of his concealed intent. Then at the end,
the final rupture took place.
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From Adrianople, Aqáy-i-Kalím went on with the convoy
of Bahá'u'lláh, to the fortress of Akká. His name was
specifically listed in the Sultán's decree, and he was condemned
to perpetual banishment.
[Cf. God Passes By, p. 186.]
He devoted all his time
in the Most Great Prison to serving Bahá'u'lláh, and had
the honor of being continually in his Brother's presence,
also keeping company with the believers; until at last he
left this world of dust and hastened to the holy world
above, dying with lowliness and contrition, as he supplicated
his Lord.
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It happened that during the Baghdád period, the well-known
Ilkhání, son of Músá Khán-i-Qazvíní, received
through Siyyid Javád-i-Tabátabá'í an audience with Bahá'u'lláh.
Siyyid Javád on that occasion made a plea in the
Ilkhání's behalf, saying: "This Ilkhání, `Alí-Qulí Khán,
although a sinner and a lifelong creature of his passions,
has now repented. He stands before You with regret as to
his former ways, and from this day forward he will not so
much as draw a breath that might be contrary to Your good
pleasure. I beg of You, accept his repentance; make him the
object of Your grace and favor."
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Bahá'u'lláh replied: "Because he has chosen you as intercessor,
I will hide away his sins, and I will take steps to
bring him comfort and peace of mind."
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The Ilkhání had been a man of unlimited wealth, but he
had wasted it all on the desires of the flesh. He was now
destitute, to such a point that he did not even dare to step
outside his house, because of the creditors waiting there to
fall upon him. Bahá'u'lláh directed him to go to `Umar
Páshá, the Governor of Damascus, and obtain from him a
letter of recommendation to Constantinople. The Ilkhání
complied, and he received every assistance from the Governor
of Baghdád. After utter despair, he began to hope
again, and left for Constantinople. When he arrived at
Díyárbakr
[Some four hundred miles northwest of Baghdád.]
he penned a letter on behalf of two Armenian
merchants. "These two are about to leave for Baghdád,"
his letter said. "They have shown me every courtesy, and
have also asked me for an introduction. I had no refuge
or shelter except Your bounty; thus I beg of You to show
them favor." The superscription, that is, the address he
had written on the envelope was: "To His Eminence
Bahá'u'lláh, Leader of the Bábís." The merchants presented
this letter to Bahá'u'lláh at the head of the bridge,
and when He inquired about it their reply was: "In Díyárbakr,
the Ilkhání gave us particulars as to this Cause."
Then they accompanied Him to His house.
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When the Blessed Beauty entered the family apartments,
Aqáy-i-Kalím was there to meet Him. Bahá'u'lláh
cried out, "Kalím, Kalím! The fame of the Cause of God
has reached as far as Díyárbakr!" And He was smiling,
jubilant.
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Mírzá Músá was indeed a true brother to the Blessed
Beauty; this is why he remained steadfast, under all conditions,
to the very end. Unto him be praise and salutations,
and the breath of life, and glory; upon him be mercy and
grace.
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