Storiesfrom

THEDELIGHTOFHEARTS

TheMemoirsofḤájíMírzáḤaydar-‘Alí

translatedfromtheoriginalPersianandabridged

by

A.Q.FAIZI

KalimatPressLosAngeles

Copyright©1980byA.Q.FaiziAllRightsReserved

FirstEdition

LibraryofCongressCataloginginPublicationData

Haydar-‘Alı.StoriesfromThedelightofhearts.

1.Haydar-‘Alı.2.Bahaism—Biography.I.Faizi.Abu’l-Qasim.II.Title.

BP395.H39A25131980297’.896179–91219ISBN0–933770–11–1

ManufacturedintheUnitedStatesofAmerica

ForewordOneofthemostthrillingaspectsofBaha’ı historyisthestoryofthe

manywaitingsoulswhoembracedtheFaithmanifestedbytheBabandBaha’u’llah.Thesesoulsappearineveryclimeandineverystratumoflife.ForthemitissufficientmerelytobeholdarayoftheSunandtheyexclaim,“Webelieve”.Withtheslightestmovementofafinger,theveilsaredrawnasideandsuchsoulsbecomeilluminedbythelightoftheDivineMessage.

HajıMırzaHaydar-‘Alı wasonesuchperson. HewasborninIsfahan,wherehis father wasoneof thewell-knowndignitaries of theMuslimcommunityandaprominentmemberofthe Shaykhı sect. Assuch, heendeavoredtogivehissonthemostsuitableeducationofthattime. TheHajı pursuedthenormalIslamiccurriculum,whichincludedtheQur’an,theArabiclanguage,interpretation,jurisprudence,andrhetoric.

Asayoungman,theHajıstoodfirmashefacedthebafflingproblemsoflife.Itseemedthatacertainmysteriouspowergavehimthestrengthtoremain steadfast and staunch against all sufferings and afflictions,includingrepeatedexilesandimprisonmentinhorribledungeons.Whenhereachedtheprimeofhisyouth,therewasnoquestionabouthismoralstrengthandspiritualuprightness.

SomeonementionedtohimthenewsoftheadventoftheQa’im,andHajıMırzaHaydar-‘AlıplungedhimselfintheOceanofthenewRevelation.Thereafter,hefacednothingbuttribulation,adversity,exile,and

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imprisonment. Neverdidheretaliate, nordidhemanifest anysignofhostilityordesireforretribution. Timeandagain, hefacedthestormswhichragedabouthimanddrewhimintothevortexofmisery. Andyet,invariably,hewasalwaysreadytoreceiveallblowswiththanksgivingandradiantacquiescence.

FinallythebelovedMaster,‘Abdu’l-Baha,invitedhimtotheHolyLand,wherehelivedtotheendofhislife.LettersoftencametoHaifarequestingtheHajı’spresenceintheeasterncountrieswherethebelieversregardedwithgreataffectionthisveteransoldieroftheArmyofLife. But‘Abdu’l-Baharefused,oftencoveringtheHajı withHisowncloakandembracinghim,repeating,“Hajıisours.Hajıisours.”

DuringthelongyearsoftheHajı’simprisonment,theattendantsusedtoshavetheheadsofalltheprisoners.Andofcoursehewasincluded.Itbecameahabitofhistoshavehisheadeachday,andhecontinuedtodosoeven after his release. One day, in Haifa, the Hajı complained of eyetrouble. ThebelovedMasterspontaneouslyadvisedhim,“Donotshaveyourheadanymore.Tryeachdaytowriteafewpages.”

OurHajıfollowedtheseinstructionsstrictly,andthesweetfruitofthisdailyexerciseisthebookwhichyouareabouttoread.

A.Q.FAIZI

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ThefriendshaveoftenaskedmehowIfirstcameincontactwiththeFaithandfinallyembracedit. Theexplanationisthis: duringmylife,inIran,Ioftensawpeoplemercilesslypersecuted,oftentorturedandbeatentodeath.SometimesIsawpeoplehangedbytheirearsortheirhandsandpeltedwithstones. Curiousastowhysuchterriblepunishmentswerebeinginflictedontheseindividuals,Iapproachedmanypeopleandaskedthemaboutit.ButtheonlyanswerIreceivedwasthis:“TheyareBabıs.”

MyownspiritualquesthadledmetomanycitiesinIran.Iwouldentera city and seek out all the religious leaders there. But I was alwaysdisappointed.WhilestayinginIsfahan,Iwasinvitedonenighttoagarden.Themenwhowerepresenttalkedaboutvarioussubjects. SomehowthesubjectoftheBabandHisreligionwasraised,andItooktheopportunitytospeak. “Thispersonmadetwogreatmistakes,”Isaid. “Therefore,hewas unable to accomplish his goals and was destroyed. First, he sethimself against the established authorities, and, second, he tried tooverturnthecustomsandbeliefsofthemasses. Heshouldhavealliedhimselfwithoneortheotherofthesefactionsinordertogathersupportforhiscause.”

Oneofthosepresentrespondedpolitely,“Ifthiswasamistake,thenithasbeenmadebyalltheProphetsofGod,includingMuhammad,theSealoftheProphets,andalltheHolyImams.”

Iwassurprisedbythisanswerandalsoembarrassed

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartsthatIhadmadesuchafalseandsimplemindedstatement.IalsorealizedthattheonewhoansweredmemustbeaBabı andthattheremustbemoretotheBabıCausethanIhadpreviouslythought.

Idecidedtobecomefriendswiththisperson,whichwasnoeasytasksinceall Babıs wereingravedangerandhadtobeextremelycautious.Nonetheless,heeventuallyadoptedmeashisstudent,thoughhewasatfirst afraid that I might be insincere in my quest. Fearful of theconsequencesofrevealinghisowninnerconvictions,hescarcelytoldmeanything. AlthoughhedidnotspeakoftheCause,hewaspreparingtheground for a sacredandfruitful conversation, andgradually I wonhisconfidence.

IthappenedonedaythatIsawalargecrowdgatheredinoneofthesquaresofthecity.Iwasattractedbythenoiseandcommotionanddrewcloser. ThereIsawfivesiyyids,mullas,andmerchants,welldressedandfromtherespectableclasses. Theirearshadbeennailedtoapost,andsoldierswerebeatingthemwithsticks,demandingthattheyrecanttheirfaith.Iwasamazedthat,eveninthatdesperatecondition,thosebelieverswerecalmandpatientandthankful. TheyrefusedtorecantandquotedpassagesfromtheQur’antoprovetheclaimsoftheirProphet,theBab.

AsIobservedtheirsteadfastnessandsubmissiontotheWillofGod,thefireofsearchwasinflamedwithinmeandIcaughtaglimpseofthegrandeurofthisCause.

AfterIhadbecomeintimatewithmyfriend,andwhenhewasassuredofmysincerity,herevealedtomethathewasaBabı, andwebegantodiscusstheFaith. Wewereafraidofbeingdiscovered,sowecouldnotmeetopenly. Thetimesandplacesofourmeetingskeptshifting. Somenightshewouldinvitemetohishouse—butalwaysaftermidnight.WhenIenteredthehouse,Ihadtohidemyselfinthecorridoruntilweweresurethat

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allthemembersofthehouseholdwereinbedandsoundasleep. Then,andonlythen,wouldmyfriendcomeformeandconductmequietlytothekitchen.TherewewouldstudytheBab’sWritingsandchantprayers.Attimes,whenitwastoodarkandwewereunabletoseethewords,theonlythingwecoulddowasplaceacandleontheflooroftheoven,thenholduptheWritingstothelightand,withgreatdifficulty,studythem.

When my friend came to my house, it was with the same secrecy.Sometimes it would become even more difficult. We could not havemeetingsofmorethanthreeorfourpersons,andthenonlylateatnight.Once,Irentedtheupperroomofacertainhouse.Myroomhadawindowthatopenedonthegarden. SothatthepeopleinthehousewouldnotknowwhereIwentatnight,Iusedtoclimbdownfromthewindowbyaropetiedtotheironbars,andreturntomyroomthesamewaybeforesunrisetosleep.

MYFATHERwasnotabeliever.HewasaShaykhıandafollowerofHajıMuhammadKarım Khan.1 He was firmly against my Faith and wouldfollow me to many places to voice his opposition to my beliefs. Weexchangedsomeletters,buttheydidnothelp. EventuallyheleftKirmaninquestofmeandfoundmeinthesmalltownofNa’‘ın. Hehopedthattherehewouldbeabletoeducateandguideme,sincemostofthepeopleofthetownwerefollowersofKarımKhan.

Myfatherwenttothegovernorofthetown,whomheknewpersonally,andaskedformetobebroughttohim.Iwassummonedtothegovernor’shouse.ButwiththeassistanceofGod,Iwasabletospeakina

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartsmannerthatpleasedeveryone.Theyallencouragedmeandspokewordsofapproval.“ThegraceofHajıMuhammadKarımKhanhasencircledyouandprotectedyou,”theysaid.“Hehasnotallowedyoutogoastray.”

Everymorningit wastheir customtoreciteverses fromtheQur’anafterprayers. Itwasmyhonortorecitetheseverses,andeveryonewasalwayspleasedtohearthosebeautifulwords. Toopenthewayforourdiscussion, I began to include verses of the Bab with those from theQur’an.Noonecriticized—orevendetectedthatversesotherthanthosefromtheQur’an werebeing chanted. This gavemeanopportunity topresentmyargumenttothepeopleintheroom,particularlymyfather.

Anuncleofmine,HajıMuhammad-‘Alı,livedinNa’‘ın. Hewasagoodfriendofmineandknewofmycorrespondencewithmyfather.SoIaskedhimifhewouldbewillingtohidemeandprotectmeandtakemesecretlytoIsfahan.Heaccepted,andIpreparedtoleave.

Iwenttothehallwheremyfatherandthegovernorandseveralotherpeoplewereseated.Isatnexttomyfatherandsaidtohim,“SupposeIhadbeenbornblindandcouldnotknowyoubysight. CouldInotcertainlyrecognizeyoubyyourvoice?”

“Whatisyouraiminaskingthisquestion?”heresponded.

“Letmefinishthepremise;thenyouwillcomprehendthepurposeofmy question,” I replied. “Suppose, again, that you were to go on anextensivetripandreturnhomeonlyafteralongtime. Ishallstillknowyoubyyourvoiceandshallnaturallyruntoyou.WhenIreceivekindness,compassion,andlove,Ishallknowforcertainthatthenewcomerismyfather.”

Allpresentagreed,“Thisistrue.Itisobviousandunderstandable.”

“Now,hereismyquestion,”Icontinued.“WhenI

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chanted theverses of the Qur’an for you, I often included in the textsversesrevealedbytheBab. I amsureyourecognizetheversesoftheProphetMuhammadbyHiswords,tone,andstyle.Then,whydidnooneprotest? Surely, onlybecausethewordsrevealedbytheBab havethesametone,vigor,andstyle,andcomefromthesameSource.”

Thisconcludedthediscussion.Ileftthehallquicklyandmadeformyuncle’shouse.Istayedinhishouseforamonth,untilalleffortstofindmewereexhausted.ThenIsecretlyleftNa’‘ınandtraveledtoIsfahan.

MyfatherandotherscametoIsfahanlookingforme,andtheretheymadeeffortstohavemekilledorimprisoned. ButtheHujjatu’l-Islam,2SiyyidAsadu’llah,wasaveryinfluentialmaninIsfahanandwasrelatedtomethroughmymother.ThefollowersofKarımKhanwererejectedbytheprominent‘ulamainIsfahan,andthetwogroupswereopenlyhostiletooneanother. SeeingonlythatIwasopposedtothesepeoplewhomtheyhated,the ‘ulamaprotectedme. Myenemiesweredefeated, andI wasvictorious. Butwhenmyfatherdied,Ilearnedthathehaddisinheritedme.

IN ISFAHA$ N, I spent most of my time in the presence of Zaynu’l-Muqarrabın.3 Weusedtogotodistantanddesolateplacesfarfromthetumultofthetownsandvillages,justtobetogether,studytheWritings,chantprayers,anddiscusstheCauseofGod. Thesemomentsofjoykeptusalive,butwelongedtoteachandmakeHisNameknowninanywaywecould.

Wetrieddifferentmethodsofapproach. WewenttoanIndianwhoclaimedtohavesomemedicalknowledge,

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartsand Jinab-i-Zayn4 opened the discussion by saying, “I feel a painfulsensationinmyheart.Iknowofnophysicianwhocanhelpme.”

“Whatisthecause?”askedthephysician.

Jinab-i-Zaynreplied,“Afewdaysago,IwaswalkinginthestreetwhensuddenlyIbeheldastrangesight.Somepeople,heldcaptiveandhelplessin the hands of a savage mob, were being tortured and mercilesslypersecuted. Iwassodisturbedandalarmedthat,eversincethen,Ihavefeltthispaininmyheart.” ThenJinab-i-ZaynwentontotelltheIndiandoctorabouttheRevelationoftheBab,Histragichistory,andHisWritings.

OnedaywewereoutsidethecityofIsfahaninaverypleasantplacewheretherewasamosqueandastreamandafewtrees. Wehadtakenprovisionstospendthenight.Wewenttothemosque,whereweplannedtostay.Afewoftheinhabitantswerecurious,sotheyenteredthemosqueandsomeoneaskedmewhereIwasfrom. IhadaslightIsfahanıaccent,butIsaidthatIwasfromShıraz.

“Whyareyoulying?”themanreplied.“ItisobviousthatyouarefromIsfahan.Seventythousandangelswillcursealiar.”

“Haveyouseenthoseangels?”Iasked,hopingtocreateanopportunitytoteachtheFaith.

“Whyshouldn’tIhaveseenthem?”hereplied. “TheyarerecordedintheauthentictraditionsofourFaith.”

I was rather incautious andsaid, “Yes, I can tell that you have thespiritualdiscernmenttohaveseenthem.”

Then they guessed our secret and immediately cried out, “ThesepeopleareBabıs!Comeandgetthem!”Andwewereforcedtoleaveallofourbelongingsbehindandrunaway.

These problems often occurred. There is one funny story about acertainsiyyidwhowasastudentinareligiousschool.IusedtospeaktohimandIinvitedhim

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tomyhomeafewtimes.HeclaimedtohaveacceptedtheFaith.Hegottoknowafewofthebelievers,andsomeoftheWritingsoftheBabweregiventohim.

Thensomeoneinformedmethatthesiyyidhadsaidtohim,“IhavegottentoknowsomeBabıs. WhenImeetallofthemandfindoutwhattheir schemes are, I plan to inform the authorities and have themallarrested.”

Thesiyyidwaslivingatthereligiousschoolatthetime. SoIwenttotheheadmasteroftheschoolandtoldhimthathehadastudentwhowasaBabıandwasinpossessionofsomeoftheWritingsoftheBab. IalsomadesurethatsomeonetoldthesiyyidwhatIhaddone.Whenheheardthishewasovertakenbyfear,and,leavingallhisbelongingsbehind,hefledfromthetownandneverreturned.

Afewyearslater,Iwasgoingfrom ShıraztoBushihr. Ontheway,Istoppedatamosqueinasmalltown,notknowingthatthissamesiyyidnowlivedthere.Hesawmeandrecognizedme.Seeinganopportunitytotakehisrevenge,heapproachedmeandsaid,“DoyourememberwhatyoudidtomeinIsfahan?”

“Yes,”Ireplied. “YouarethatsameBabıstudentwhowasgoingtobearrestedandkilledinIsfahan.NowyouhavecomehereandhavebecomealeaderofMuslimsinthismosque.”

HewassofrightenedbymyreplythatthewholetimeIwasinthatplacehewouldnotleavemyside,fearingthatIwoulddenouncehimtoothers.HebroughtmefoodandteauntilIleft.

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHearts

ALTHOUGH I WAS oftenpersecutedinIsfahanandsometimessufferedgreathardships,Iwashappy. IwasinlovewiththeWritingsoftheBab,especiallythePersianBayan. EverydayIwouldtranscribeaportionofthisbook. Inthosedaysmanywereconvincedthattheadventof“HimWhomGodshallmakemanifest”couldnotbefaroff.IusedtosaythatiftheBabhadnotmanifestedHimself,thentheWritingsof ShaykhAhmadandSiyyid Kazim5 would have been left useless and unfulfilled. Now,similarly, if the Dispensation of the Bab were not followed by theRevelationof“HimWhomGodshallmakemanifest,”thentheWritingsoftheBabwouldhavenopurpose.

IdidnotlikeAzal.6 Iusedtosay,“Whatisthedifferencebetweenthe‘hiddenAzal’ andtheHiddenImamofIslam?”7 Furthermore,Ithoughtthat his writings were just nonsense, except whenhequoted fromtheWritings of the Bab. But I was confused and uncertain about thesethoughts.

ThenJinab-i-ZaynbroughtmetwoTabletsofBaha’u’llah.Irecognizedacertainmysteriouspowerandmagicineveryword. IfellinlovewiththeseWritings.Later,HajıSiyyidMuhammadAfnan,theuncleoftheBabcametoIsfahanandbroughtwithhimapreciousgift—acopyoftheKitab-i-I$qan,theBookofCertitude,whichhadbeenrevealedinanswertohisownquestions.WhenIreadthisvolume,IbecameathousandtimesmoreattractedtoBaha’u’llah,HisUtterances,andHisWritings.IwouldopenlysaythatIregardedtheWritingsofBaha’u’llahasthegreatestmiracleeverperformed.Butsomepeoplewerenothappywithmyviews.

OneofAzal’ssupporterstoldme,“Baha’u’llahwants

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totakeadvantageofthepropheciesoftheBabandclaimthepositionof‘HimWhomGodshallmakemanifest.’Therefore,hehasimprisonedAzal.Sometimes he beats him and forces him to produce books whichBaha’u’llahthenpublishesinhisownname.”

Whenhe said these things I was amazed. I hadnever heardsuchnonsense. IprotestedthattheKitab-i-I$qanwasamatchlesswork,whilethewritingsofAzalwereneithersignificantnorwellwritten.Heclaimedthat the I$qan waswrittenby Azal andthat thosewritings whichwereattributed to himwere not really his. This increased my amazement.However,sincetheconversationwasfriendlyandconfidential, Ididnotarguewithhimbutkeptthemattertomyself.

IcontinuedtotranscribetheBayan.ButsoonIbecametoowellknowninIsfahanandmyfriendsbegantoavoidme.FinallyIwasleftaloneandhomeless.

There was a large, abandoned religious school where only a poorteacherconductedchildren’sclasses.Ifoundlodginginaroominthisoldschool. IhadnothingwithmebutacopyoftheQur’an,theBayan,theKitab-i-I$qan, andthe Mathnavı.8 I preparedmyself for four months ofretreat.

Thecaretakerusedtopreparefoodforme,andaslongasIlivedinthatdilapidatedplace,ImetnooneandnooneknewIwasthere.GraduallyIbegantorealizethatseclusionisawasteofone’slife. Iremindedmyselfthat one’s actions should be pleasing to God, but this could not beaccomplishedunlessonewasofserviceandguidedthepeopletotherightpathofGod,thatis,toHisnewManifestation.Therefore,IdecidedtoleaveIsfahan.

For more than six years I journeyed from town to town and fromvillagetovillage,acrossthelengthandbreadthofcentralIran.AlthoughItraveledunderthemostdifficultcircumstances,Iwasinastateoftheut-

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartsmost joy. Everywhere, I proclaimed the advent of the Bab and theExpected One Whom God would make manifest. On many occasionspeopleattackedme,beatme,imprisonedme,andcausedmeunbearablesuffering.VeryoftenIwasbeatenmorethanIhadappetitefor.

Ononeoccasion,whenIhadbeenbeatenmostseverelyandmybodywascoveredwithwounds,oneofthemembersofthe‘Alıyu’llahısectcameto my rescue. These people have peculiar and exaggerated ideasconcerning the rank and position of ‘Alı, the cousin of the ProphetMuhammad. This man offered me hospitality until my wounds werehealed.WhenIregainedenoughstrength,Iresumedmyjourney.

IwenttoShırazandproceededdirectlytotheI$lkhanıMosque,whereMullaHusaynandhisfriendshadoncetakenlodging.WhileIwasthere,ImetHajıSiyyidMuhammadAfnan(theuncleoftheBab)andsomeotherbelievers. IfoundthefriendsinShıraztobewholeheartedlyattractedtoBaha’u’llah. TherewasnomentionofAzal. Jinab-i-Afnan’s9countenancewasalwaysbeamingwithjoyandsweetsmiles.

Oneofthefriends,Siyyid‘Abdu’l-Rahım,whowaswellversedintheBayan,hadextractedmanyverseswithwhichhewouldprovethattheOneWhowouldbemanifestedcouldbenoneotherthanBaha’u’llah,andthatAzal wasonly a namewithout a reality. That samesiyyid related thefollowingstory:

“After the martyrdomof theBab, whenAzal hadbecome famous, ItraveledtoTihranjusttomeethim.ButIrememberedthat,whenIwasinBadasht,IhadseenmanifestreverencepaidtoBaha’u’llahbynolessthanQuddusandTahirih,and,asamatteroffact,byeverypersoninthatgreatconference.

“WhenIreachedTihran,ImetBaha’u’llahinthebazaar. Atthistime,Hisglorywashiddenunderamyriad

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veilsoflight.HeapproachedmeandaskedmeifIhadcometoseeAzal.Iansweredaffirmatively.Iwent,inHiscompany,toHishouse.Oncethere,Heaskedforteatobeserved. Azalbroughtthesamovar,servedthetea,andremainedstandinginthepresenceofBaha’u’llah.Baha’u’llahspoketomeandriversofknowledgeandwisdomflowedforthfromHismouth.Afterdrinkingtea,Hestoodup,turnedtoAzalandsaid,‘Hehascometoseeyou.’ThenHewentintotheinnercourtofthehouse.Azalsatdown.Ibowedlowbeforehimtoexpressmyrespect.Naturally,Iexpectedhimtospeaktome,buthesaidnothingatall.”

TOEARNMYLIVING,Iwouldtranscribebooksforpeople.AttimesIbecameadoctor.AtothertimesIwroteamuletsandforetoldthefuture.SometimesIwasanexorcist.BythegraceofGod,IwassuccessfulatwhateverIattempted.ThemoneyIthusearnedIdividedintwoparts:sometocoverthebarenecessitiesofmyownlifeandtheresttofeedthedestitute.SomenightsIhadnothingbutwater.

In thosedays oneoftenmet mencalled dervishes, whospent theirtime,wealth,andenergytryingtodiscoverwhattheycalled“theelixir,”asubstancewithwhichtheywouldbeabletochangebasemetalintogold.Theyhadmanyoldmanuscriptsdescribingtheprocess,andIwasabletoincreasemyincomebycopyingsomeoftheseoldbooksforthem. Theyreallybelievedthateventuallytheywouldbeabletochangemountainsintomassesofgold.

I amalwaysastoundedbythefact that thefollowersof thealreadyestablishedreligionswilldenywhatever

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartsproofweofferthemofthetruthoftheMessageofGodforthisDaybutwillbelieveinallsortsofmiraclesperformednotonlybytheirownProphets,but by mysterious forces emanating from the graves of some of theirfollowers.

EVENTUALLY ImademywaytoBaghdad,travelingthatgreatdistanceonfoot.Itraverseddesertsandmountains,livingveryfrugally.AlthoughIenduredmanyphysicaldeprivations,Istillremember,oftenandlovingly,thejoyofthosedays.SometimesIlongforamomentofthoseintoxicatingtimes.

IusedtowalkforseveraldaysbeforeIwouldreachavillagewhereIcouldresttocuretheblistersandregainstrengthtoresumemyjourney.Someoftheinnkeeperswereveryhard. Eithertheywouldnotallowmeto enter or they would demand exorbitant prices. Nevertheless, IcontinuedmylongmarchtowardthecityofBaghdad.

IalreadyknewthatJinab-i-ZaynwasinBaghdadandthatmostofthefriends did business in a marketplace called theSuqu’l-Haraj. When IreachedBaghdad,IimmediatelymadeforthismarketandwiththehelpoffriendssoughtJinab-i-Zayn.

Anuncleofmine,whomIhadneverseen,haddecidedtotransferhisresidencefromIrantotheholycitiesofKarbilaandNajaf.HisnamewasMırzaMuhammad-i-Vakıl.10Ididnotknowthathehadbecomeabeliever.ThroughJinab-i-Zaynwemeteachother. Hetookmetohishouseandshowedmemuchkindhospitality. IlaterlearnedthatamongthemorethaneightybelieverswhohadbeenimprisonedandexiledfromBaghdadto

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Mosul were my uncle and Jinab-i-Zayn. After some years my unclereturnedtoBaghdad,andJinab-i-Zayn,onBaha’u’llah’sinstructions,madetheHolyLandhishome.

Ismu’llahMunır11wasinBaghdadwhenIarrivedthere. Munırwasagreatmanadornedwithalltheheavenlyvirtues.Ispentmuchofmytimewiththisilluminedandillustrioussoul.AcertainfriendcalledA$ qaMırzaJavadalsolivedinthattown.HehadcommittedtomemorythetextoftheentireQayyumu’l-Asma’,theCommentaryontheSuraofJosephwrittenbytheBab. HeusedtoreciteitandexplainthewordsoftheBab. HewasfaithfultoBaha’u’llahandwouldnotsayanythingaboutAzal.

AFTERSOMETIMEIreturnedtoShırazbywayofBasrihandBushihr.InShırazIhappenedtomeetShuja‘u’l-Mulk,oneofthearmychiefswhohadfought against Vahhıd in Nayrız. Though an enemy of the Cause, heconfessed that Vahhıd was the most erudite person of his time,particularlywithregardtotheQur’ananditsinterpretation.HeevenwentontostatethatVahhıdandhisfollowershadfoughtascourageouslyasthemartyrsofKarbila.12

IalsometthetreasurerofPrinceMihdıQulıMırza,oneofthosewhocommandedthegovernmentforcesintheTabarsıupheavals.13Hetoldmethattherewerethreestatementswhichheconsideredtobemonstrouslies: “One, that I embraced this religion and then recanted my faith.WhoeversaysthislieswhenheclaimsthatIconvertedandlieswhenheclaims that I recanted. Two, that Mulla Husayn fought with me andwounded

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartsme.AnyonewhomMullaHusaynstruckinbattlediedimmediately.Three,thatIfoughtwithMullaHusaynfacetoface.Actually,hewasfacingawayfromme,andIshothiminthebackandkilledhim.”

INTIHRA$ NIagainmetJinab-i-Munır. SinceheknewofmyconvictionsandofmylovefortheAncientBeauty,14heshowedmeaTabletcalledtheSuriy-i-Ashab,whichhadbeenrevealedinhishonorbyBaha’u’llah. AsIreadthisTablet,Ifeltineveryverseafireofenthusiasm,andIcouldnotcontrolmyfeelings. SoIturnedtoJinab-i-MunırandaskedhimwhetherSiyyid Muhammad15 had deceived Azal, or Azal had deceived SiyyidMuhammad,orwhetherthetwoofthemhadsimplyjoinedtogetherinrebellionagainstBaha’u’llah. WhenJinab-i-Munırheardthesewordsheembracedmeandkissedmeandsaid, “Theenemiesof Baha’u’llah areunitedinonethingalone, andthatisto joinforcesagainstHim. TheydeceiveandmisleadeachotherinordertoopposeHim.”

I was set on fire by reading the Suriy-i-Ashab. I felt such joy andspiritualexultationthatevennow,afterfiftyyears,althoughIamgettingolderandallmysensesarewaning,themerethoughtofthosememorablemomentssetsmysoulablazeandignitesthelampofmyheart.

TheBabproclaimedthegladtidingsoftheadventofBaha’u’llah,andinthesixyearsofHisministryHepreparedthepeopleperfectly,madethewayclear,andplantedtheseedsofloveandobediencetothePromisedOneintheheartsoftheBabıs.Baha’u’llahservedthe

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BabıFaithandeducated,protected,andnurturedtheBabısinsuchawaythateventuallyninety-nineoutofahundredcametorecognizeinHimthefulfillmentofall thepromisesoftheBab. Baha’u’llahsowedtheseeds,providedthemwiththewatertheyneeded,protectedthemfromtheevildeedsoftheenemies, attendedthemtenderly, andencouragedthemtogrowmorevigorouseachday. Therefore,whenthehourdecreedbyGodarrived and Baha’u’llah revealed His station, the true believers turnedtheirheartsandsoulstotheAncientBeautyandfoundnoveilbutlight,andnohindrancebutintensesplendor.

Najaf-‘Alı16 was one of those true believers. At the time of hismartyrdomhegavethanksandwasheardtosay,“WehavefoundBahaandwehastentoofferourlivesasasacrificetoHim. Heisourransom.” Hewassoenkindledthathehastenedtohisdeathwiththeutmostjoyandexultation.Whenthecupofmartyrdomwasbroughttohimandhesawitoverflowing,heexclaimed,“Thereisacustominourprovince.Thebrideis taken on horseback to the houseof her future husband. When thebridegroomseeshisbrideapproaching,hegivestheownerofthehorsesumptuousgiftssuchascostlyclothesandgoldcoins.”Hethenaddressedtheexecutioner,saying,“Ihavelongstoredthesegoldcoinsforthisday—thedayofmygreatesthappiness. Heretheyare! Takethem!” Thenhepulledoutasackofcoinsfromhispocketandwithintensejoyofferedittohisexecutioner.

Another believer, being taken to his death, asked the executioner,“Wouldyoubesokindastocutmyveinfirstandgivemetimebeforethefinalblow?” Theexecutioner,hopingthattheoldmanwouldrecanthisfaith,heldhisdaggertohisvictim’sneck,makingawound.Tohisextremesurprise,hefoundthemartyrholding

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartshishandslikeacupandfillingthemwithhisblood. Thebelieverthencriedout,“Opeople,bemywitness!HereItestifytothetruthofmyfaithwithmyownblood.”

IT WAS NEAR Naw-Ruz when I made for Adrianople. On the way, Ipassed through Qazvın, where I went to the house of MırzaMuhammad-‘Alı Kad-Khuda,whowasoneofthenotablesanddignitariesoftheprovince.Imetsomeofthefriendsthere.Myhostrelatedtomethefollowing:

“I was a dervish and the follower of a mystic leader called MırzaKuchik-i-Shırazı. HeknewTahirihandhadextraordinarypraiseforherknowledge, audacity, faith, andspiritual power. Becauseof this I onceaskedmymysticleader,‘WhatdoyouthinkoftheBab’sclaim?’towhichheretorted,‘TheBabhaswrittenauniqueandunsurpassedcommentaryontheSuraofKawthar.ShouldHelaydownHispen,nooneofthepastorpresent wouldeverdare to pick it up. But, unfortunately, Hehas notstudiedunderorservedanyofthemysticleaders.’

“Thisanswermademesadandforcedmetocontemplatethewordshehadspoken.Irepeatedtomyselfagainandagain,‘HesaysthatnoonecaneverdaretopickupHispen,yetHemustbeschooledandtrainedbyamysticleaderlikehimself. Howstrange!’ Asamatteroffact,hisanswerdrewmetotheBabandIembracedHisFaith.”

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INZANJA$ NImet‘AbaBasır,SiyyidAshraf,andMullaIbrahım.Mulla IbrahımwasfromavillagenearIsfahan. Thissimple-hearted

andinnocentmanhadsufferedsomuchinhisownvillagethathewasforced to forsake his home, friends, and relatives andseekrefuge andshelterinthisfar-offdistrictofIran.

Beforehelefthisvillagehehadbeeninprison. Aswasthecaseinthosedays,thejailerconstantlydemandedbribesfromtheprisonersinexchange for providing themwith the barest essentials of life. MullaIbrahımtoldthejailersthathehadnomoneybutwaswillingtowork.Soheearnedhisfrugallivingasalaborerintheprison.Afterhewasreleasedfromprison,hewenttohisvillagetogatheralittlemoneyfromthesaleofhis house and property, but he learned that his relatives had takeneverything.Inordertofindshelterandsecurity,helefthome,village,andrelativesforadistantprovinceinthenorth.

Hisjoywastowork,earnalittlemoney,spendverylittleonhimself,andgivetheresttothepoor. HeagreedtogowithmeonpilgrimagetoAdrianopleandpromisedtomeetmeinTabrız.Onhiswaythere,twomencladasdervishesjoinedhim,pretendingtobebelieversontheirwaytoAdrianople.Theywonhisconfidence;thentheystolewhatlittlemoneyhehadandranaway.HereachedTabrızempty-handedbutdeterminedtogoonwithmedespitehismisfortune.

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHearts

NOW,onmywaytoAdrianople, manythoughtspassedthroughmymind. InmychildhoodIhadlearnedatraditionabouthowamanshallmeethisLordontheDayofJudgment. Accordingtothistradition,thosewhoarehonoredwithmeetingtheirLordonthisDaywillfindthemselvesintoxicatedwiththewineofparadiseandwillexperiencesuchjoyasisbeyonddescription.IknewthatthetruemeaningofthistraditionwastoattainthepresenceoftheManifestationofGodandthatsuchameetingwouldbeasheavenonearth.Iwasfondofthistradition,andbythegraceofGodIwaspermittedtodiscoverformyselfthatitwastrue.

IalsohadaconversationwithHajıSiyyidJavad-i-Karbila’ı. Thisgreatmanhad the honor of meeting and studying with Shaykh AhmadandSiyyidKazim. HebecameoneoftheearlybelieversintheBab,andheembracedtheFaithofBaha’u’llahandlivednearHimduringtheBaghdadperiod.TheBabappointedhimoneoftheMirrorsoftheDispensationoftheBayan. AfollowerofAzalonceaskedSiyyidJavad,inthepresenceofothers,todescribethecountenanceoftheBab.Heimmediatelysaid,“Hewasunsurpassedinbeautyandsweetness.HaveyouheardofthebeautyofJoseph?17ThisiswhatImean.”FearingthathisanswermightbetakentomeanthathewasafollowerofAzal,IaskedhimaboutBaha’u’llah,andhe immediately replied, “Knowwith certainty that if anyone, friendorenemy,claimstohavelookeddirectlyintoHiseyes,heisaliar.Itestedthisagain and again but all my attempts to look at Him were in vain.SometimesthefriendsweresocarriedawayinHispresencethat,intheirbewilder-

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ment,theywouldforgettheworldwithinandwithout.Canonefixone’sgazeuponthesun?”

DuringthesevenmonthsIstayedinAdrianople,IcametorealizewhatthosewordsofHajıSiyyidJavadmeant.Fifteenyearsafterthat,Iwentto‘Akka tovisitBaha’u’llah. OftenI desiredtoknowwhatcoloroftaj hewore,andyetIforgottothinkofiteverytimeIwasinHispresence.Oneday, HewashavingHismiddaymeal inasmall roomattheGardenofRidvan. Someofthefriendswereinside,whileotherswerestandinginrowsoutside.Frombehindthecrowdofbelievers,atlastIcouldglimpsethemarveloustajonhishead.Itscolorwasgreen.

Whathappenedinmysoulandheart whileI waswithHimwasaninner and mysterious experience beyond the scope of my words todescribe.OneofthemullasofIsfahanonceaskedme,“WhatdidyouseewhenyouwereinHispresence?”

Isaid,“Ihadexpectedtoseeallsortsofmiracles. IalsohadseveralquestionsthatIwantedtoask. ButwhenIattainedHispresenceallthisbecameunimportant. Ihadfoundthepurewaterwhichquenchesthirstandgivestruelife.”

Themullaasked,“Whatdidyousee?”

“Isawtheformofahumanbeing,”Ireplied. “ButHiseverystepandmovementwaslikeamiracletome.IsawHimandmyeyescouldtakeinnothingelse,forHeisdifferentfromallothersinHisbearingandinHismanner. He is unique by Himself. No one in the world can ever becomparedtoHim. HeistheOneWhomtheQur’anhasdeclaredtohaveneitherfathernorson.”18

“ButBaha’u’llah’sfatherwaswellknown!”themanreplied. Andhisson,‘AbbasEffendi,isrenownedforhisperfections!”

“Isawneitherfathernorson,”wasmyresponse.

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHearts“Baha’u’llahaloneistheSourceofGod’sRevelation. HeistheOneWho‘begettethnot,norisHebegotten’.Ifyoustandbeforeamirrorandspeakyour name, your image will do likewise, but it is an illusion.” TheclergymanwaspleasedwithmyanswerandaskedmemoreabouttheFaith.

ONE OF THEmostfamousmerchantsofQazvınwasHajı MuhammadBaqir. Not only was he well known as a merchant, but he was alsoprominent in his service to the Cause, a service which was muchappreciatedbyallthebelievers.OncehesentalettertoBaha’u’llahaskingHimtobestowuponhimthebountyofwealthsothathecouldservetheCause with greater capacity. Baha’u’llah answered that the doors ofwealthwouldbeopenedtohimfromallsides,buthemustbeevervigilantlestmaterialprosperitybecomeaveilbetweenhimandhisCreator.

Baha’u’llah also said to those in His presence at the time thatMuhammadBaqirwouldsoonbedrownedinwealth,butmaterialsuccesswouldclosehiseyestotherealitiesoflifetosuchadegreethathewouldturn his back on the Cause and even deny God. But he would suffertremendouslossesandwouldreturntohisLordinrepentance.Becauseofhisrepentance,Godwouldchangehislossesintoampleprofitstosuchanextentas toenablehimtobecomethe leadingmerchantinTabrız andConstantinople.ThistimehewouldbecomeevenmoreproudandwouldagainignoretheFaith, andthenhiswealthwouldbegoneforever. Hewouldnolongerbeabletotradeandwouldbecomehelpless. Hewouldthenreturninrepentanceoncemoreand

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remainpoorbut content. In this state, he wouldserve theCauseandachievegreatsuccessinhisservicetoGod. AttheendofHiswondrousand ominous statement, Baha’u’llah addressed me and advised that Ishouldrememberalltheeventsastheyunfolded.

Aftersometime,MuhammadBaqir’sbrotherwasarrestedandthrownintoprisonbecauseofhisFaith. MuhammadBaqirpaidalargesumofmoneytoobtainhisbrother’srelease.Afterthat,MuhammadBaqirmadehis waytoConstantinople. Uponhis arrival, he recantedhis faithandapproachedthecourtofthesultanandthePersianambassador,beggingthemtoconsiderhimatrueMuslim.

Baha’u’llahimmediatelyremarkedthatthiswasthestartingpointofthechainofeventshehaddescribedbefore.

IthenwenttoConstantinople,whereIstayedfourteenmonths.ThereIlearnedthatMuhammadBaqirhadpurchasedgreatquantitiesofcotton.Allofasudden,thepriceofcottondroppedsolowthatourfriendlosthiswealthandbecamesubmergedindebt. Inthisdeplorablecondition,heagainrememberedhisLordandwrotealettertoBaha’u’llahinwhichherepentedandbeggedHimtocometohisaid.Baha’u’llahreplied,assuringhimthathewouldregainhiswealth.

When I was in Egypt I learned that the price of cotton had risensharply. MuhammadBaqir’s wealthgrewtotentimesmorethaneverbefore. Althoughhehadbeentestedonce,hefellasecondtimeintothetrapofgreedandfailedtoknowhisLordandProvider.Baha’u’llahwrotehimagain and alerted him to the danger of material temptation. HeexhortedhimtoremainsteadfastinthePathofGodandgratefulforHisbounties. ButoncemoreMuhammadBaqir ignoredGodandremainedheedless.

WhenaftermanyyearsIfoundhimagaininTabrız,

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartshetoldme,“AfterIreceivedtheTablet,itseemedtomethateventhenailsandcurtainsonthewallsofmyroomhadearstohearkenandobey.Onebyone,allofmypossessionsslippedquietlyfromme. IwasreducedtopovertyandwasforcedtoleaveConstantinopleforTabrızwhereIliveinthishouse,whichbelongstomywife,andwearclothesthataremadebymychildren.”

AZALWROTEalettertothegovernorofAdrianoplecomplainingaboutBaha’u’llah. He had no aim in doing so except to heap calumny onBaha’u’llah and attempt to place Him in an untenable position. Thegovernor,whoknewBaha’u’llah,tookAzal’slettertoHishouseandsoughtHisinstructions. TheAncientBeautyreplied,“AskhimtocomeandseeMe.Ifhecomes,thenwhateverhesaysisright.”

The governor asked Azal to go to the house where he could meetBaha’u’llah.TothissimplerequestAzalanswered,“Wedonotgotoeachother’shouses,andHewillnotcometothegovernor’shouse.”EventuallytheGreatMosqueofSulttaanSalımwaschosenasthemeetingplaceforBaha’u’llahandAzal.

On a Friday morning, Baha’u’llah started out for the mosque. Thepeople,anticipatingHisapproach,throngedthewaybetweenHishouseandthemosque. AllstoodinreverenceandawetoreceiveHisblessing,hopingforevenoneglimpseofHim.Thestreetwassofullofpeoplethatall other travel was stopped. The people in the crowdspontaneouslyraisedtheirvoicesinsalutationandpraise. TheytriedtoapproachHim,andsomeprostratedthemselvesinHispath,hopingtokissHisfeet.Withgreatjoyandrespectfor

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Baha’u’llah, they elbowedone another andmade way for Him to passthrough. Inresponsetoallthesereverentsalutations,Baha’u’llahraisedHishandagainandagainandpronouncedwordsofgreeting: “Marhaba!Marhaba!Bariku’llahfıkum.”(“Greetings!Greetings!MayGodblessyouall.”)

AssoonasHeenteredthemosque,thepreacherwhowasaddressingtheimmensecongregationfromhishighpulpitstoppedthesermonandfell silent—either by choice or because he forgot what he had to say.Baha’u’llahtookHisseatandaskedthemantocontinue.TimepassedandeveryoneexpectedAzaltoarrivealso,buttotheirgreatsurpriseheneverappeared.

Therearedervisheswhogathertogether,usuallyonFridaymornings,to sing thepoemsof theMathnavı, and tomentionthenamesof God,repeating,“HeisGod!OGod!”Totherhythmofthischantandthesoundofmusicanddrums,theworshiperssingandsing,danceanddance,whirlandwhirl,graduallyincreasingtheirspeeduntiltheybecomeintoxicatedwiththementionofGodandareattractedtoHim,andHisgreatnessandmajesty. Onthat Fridaymorning, whenBaha’u’llah left the mosquetoreturntoHishouse,Heheardthedervishessinging,andHesaidtoHiscompanions,“Mawlana19needsavisitfromUs.”Thegovernor,hisofficials,andthenotablesofthetown,findingthisagreatanduniqueopportunity,followedBaha’u’llah.

Themayor, Shaykhu’l-Islam,andthe‘ulamakeptadistanceofatleastfivepacesbehindHim. EverynowandthenBaha’u’llahwouldstopandaskthemtoapproach,buttheyremainedwheretheywere,salutingHimintheir fashion by placing their hands on their chests and bowing theirheads in utter respect and reverence. In this order, they followedBaha’u’llah intothetakyih.20 Thedervisheswere in themidst of theirshoutingandrapidwhirling,andthemusicwaslouderthan

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartsever.ButwhenBaha’u’llahenteredthetakyih,theproceedingscametoastopandallfellabsolutelysilent.Baha’u’llahsatdownandverygraciouslymotionedtoHis companionsto takeaseatwheretheycould; thenHeallowedthedervishestoresumetheiractivities.

Thenightafterthatmemorableday,IhadthehonorofbeinginHispresence.Baha’u’llahsaidthatwhenHeenteredthemosquethepreacherforgothissermon;andwhenHeenteredthetakyihthedervishesstopped,awestruck, andwere unable to continue singing andwhirling. As thepeopleoftheworldarebroughtupandtrainedinvainimaginings,theytake suchevents as miracles, but Godand His Prophets are in realmsbeyondman’sreachandcomprehension.

InAdrianople,aswellasintheHolyLand,IheardHimtellusabouttheeventsofHisownlife.HeoftenremarkedthatshouldthepeopleponderthelifeoftheBab—Hiscaptivity,imprisonment,andmartyrdom,andHisWritings—theywouldsurelyrealizewhatagiftHegavetotheworld,thatthroughout suchaneventful life thehandof Godremainedforever farabovetheunderstandingandreachofman.

Pondering His life, captivity, and exiles, one would surely come torealize that enemies of the Faith, their rulers, potentates, and kings,despite theirwell-equippedsoldiers, well-organizedplans, andcunningstratagems, were invariably turned into an army which caused theprogress,proclamation,andsolidarityoftheFaithofGod.

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IN THE EARLY DAYS of the Faith in Isfahan, when I first becameacquaintedwiththebeautifulWritingsoftheBab,Iwascapturedbytheirpowerandmajesty. Thewordswerelikeastringofpearls. Theproofsandarguments of the friendsweresooverwhelmingthat I felt noonecouldeverdenytheirtruth. ButwhenIwasaloneIwouldbecomethetargetofsuspicions,vainimaginings,andevilwhisperings. AllthatIhadreadandlearnedpreviouslywouldthencomebeforeme. ThepurgatoryimpliedinalltheBooksofGodsurroundedme.Toovercomethisterribleperiodoftestingwasindeeddifficult.OnlyGodknowsofmyanguishandthemanyhoursIwept. I passedmanyasleeplessnightwhenrestandcomfortabandonedme. SomedaysIconcentratedsomuchonmyownspiritualdilemmathatIforgottoeat.ManyatimeIpushedawayallevilthoughts and became a firm believer, but with the slightest negativethoughtIwouldonceagainretreatandalmostdenymynewfoundbelief.

Then,onenight,IdreamedthatatowncrierappearedinthebazaarofIsfahan announcing the advent of the Prophet Muhammad andproclaimingthatwhoeverwishedtomeetHimcouldgotoacertainhouseandattainHispresence. HesaidthataglimpseofHiscountenancewasevenmoreworthythanserviceinthisworldandtheworldtocome. Onhearingthis,IhastenedtothehousewhereintheProphetMuhammadwassaidtobe,and,havingentered,IprostratedmyselfatHisfeet.Heliftedmeupwiththeutmost love, andthenHeaddressedme, saying, “OnemayclaimthathehascomehereonlyforthesakeofGod,andhasattainedthepresenceofhisLord,onlywhenhehasstoodfirm

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartsagainst a world of enemies whohave drawntheir swords against himbecausehehasembracedthisCause. Otherwise,hecannotsaythathismotivewastofindGod.”

I awoke and found myself in a state of joy and certitude. At thatmomentI cametounderstandthemysteryof sufferingandthereasonwhythefollowersofalltheProphetshavesuffered.Irebukedmyselftimeandagain,andsaid,“IhadreadallthoseheavenlyutterancesoftheBab,yetIhadtoreachthestateofbeliefandcertitudethroughadream.”

Fourteenyearslater,IfoundmyselfinAdrianople,whereIstayedforabout sevenmonths. Onenight, whenI was in thetearoomwith A$ qaMuhammad-Qulı,IfeltalongingtobeinthepresenceofBaha’u’llahevenforashortwhile.Ihadnotthecouragetoaskforsuchanaudiencesinceitwasverylate. Suddenly,‘Abdu’l-BahaopenedthedoorandaskedmetofollowHim. Having left the room, I found Baha’u’llah walking on theroofedareaofthehouse.SomeofthefriendswerestandingandlisteningtoHisutterances.

Then I was admitted to the presence of the Ancient Beauty. IprostratedmyselfatHisfeet. Hepickedmeupwithloveandgentlenessandsaid,“OnemayclaimthathehascomehereonlyforthesakeofGod,andhasattainedthepresenceofhisLord,onlywhenhehasstoodfirmagainst a world of enemies whohave drawntheir swords against himbecausehehasembracedthisCause.”

AsIwritethisIhavenottheslightestintentionofrelatingamiracle,butonlywishtostatethefactsastheyoccurred.WecannotcomprehendsuchconfirmationsfromtheChosenOnesofGod. Thefacultyofman’sunderstandingmaybelikenedtoamanwhoislameorparalyzed,whilethemindsoftheProphetsofGodmoveasswiftlyaslightningthroughthefirmament.Howcouldthesetwoforcesevercometogether?

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THAT EVENING therewastalkof my leaving Adrianople. Baha’u’llahsentamessagetofindoutaboutmyplans—whetherIdesiredtostayordepart,andifthelatter,whenandtowhere. IhastenedtothebelovedMaster, ‘Abdu’l-Baha, and begged Him, “Please do not abandon me tomyself.Donotaskmeaboutmydesire,plan,orwill.LetHiswillbedone.LetHimordermetogoandconfirmmetodowhateverHedesires.Iamhomeless,ofsimpleneeds,andhavenoonewhodependsuponme.” MypleawasacceptedandHisinstructionswereconveyedtomethatIshouldtake up residence in Constantinople with the responsibility to receiveTabletsandlettersanddispatchthemtotheirdestinations, andalsotohelpthefriendsontheirwaytoandfrompilgrimageinAdrianople.

MycompanioninConstantinoplewasMırzaHusayn,andmyjoyandconsolationwastohaveinmypossessiontheTabletsIhadbroughtinthehandwritingoftheMasterandMırzaMusa(A$ qay-i-Kalım).21Whatajoyfultimewasours!

We had the honor of meeting the believers, receiving Tablets,dispatching them regularly to the friends, and preparing those thingswhich were required for the household in Adrianople. I also had anopportunitytomeetthepilgrimsontheirwaytoAdrianople.TheyhadtoremainafewdaysinConstantinoplemakingpreparationsforthejourneyorseekingpermissionfromBaha’u’llahforpilgrimage.Theyalsostayedafewdaysontheirwayback.

Jinab-i-KalımusedtowriteregularlyandkeepusintouchwiththeglorioustidingsfromthepresenceofBaha’u’llah.AndA$ qaMuhammad-‘Alıwouldwritecon-

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartscerningthepurchaseofthingsrequiredfortheHouseinAdrianople.Oncehe ordered some tea. I purchased some and sent it, but he was notsatisfiedwithitsqualityandwrotemeaverygentleletterpointingoutthatIshouldpaymoreattentionbecausesuchgoodsweretobeusedbytheHolyFamily. Beingyoung,haughty,andproud,Itookoffenseatthissmallpieceofkindlyadvice. InastateofbitternessIwroteananswerwhichwasnotcourteousand,indeed,notevenworthyofabeliever.

Alittletimepassed,andIreceivedaTabletfromBaha’u’llahassuringmethatallmyserviceshadbeengraciouslyacceptedandexpressingHisapprovalandpleasure.WhenIreadthisTablet,IrealizedthattheletterIhadwrittenhadbeenagravemistake. HavinglivedsevenmonthsinHispresence, I hadcome toknowthat this SupremeManifestationof Godchastisesthesoulsofsinnerswiththescourgeofloveandcompassion,fortheirownedification.Heconcealsourmistakesandforgivesussothatthewrongdoers will receive divine education. In addition to that, Hisforgivingandmercifulattitudetothepeopleshowsthembyexampletherightpathtotoleranceandservitude.

When, throughthisbountiful attitude, I wasawakenedandcametorealizewhatanimpoliteletterIhadwrittentooneoftheservantsoftheHousehold,IturnedtoGod,wept,andprayedferventlyforforgiveness. Iwasinadeepstateofdistressanddismay.Again,Iturnedto‘Abdu’l-Bahaforhelp. IimploredtheMastertointerveneandaskforgivenessforme.TheninstructionscamethatIshouldgotoEgypt.ThisassuredmethatIhad been honored with the garment of pardon and mercy. Beforedeparting, IwenttoAdrianopleonanotherpilgrimage. Duringthelastmoment of my audience with Baha’u’llah He assured me that I wouldattainHispresenceagain.

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BEFORE I REACHED the continent of Africa, the Persians inConstantinople hadwritten to those in Egypt warning themabout thearrivalof“theGabrieloftheBabıs”.Thismademanyofthemhastentomyplace of residence to behold suchanunusual creature—aBabı. Somecameinandinquired,“WhydidyouabandonMuhammad,theSealoftheProphets?WhydidyouwithdrawyourhandfromthehemofthegarmentofourinnocentImams?WhydidyouexcludeyourselvesfromtheMuslimcommunity?”

I wasat a loss for what tosayordo! I hadbeen instructedtobecautiousandeventoremainunknown.Now,ifIhidmyselfandmyfaith,anddidnotutterawordinanswertothesequestions,theywouldaccusemeofbeingacowardorofbeingashamedofmybeliefs. Iknewtherewouldbenoendtosuchquestions,butIfeltthatIneededtogivesomeresponsesotheywouldnotconsiderthefollowersoftheFaithignorantorunfaithful.Therefore,Iansweredthem.

“Wearenotheretocauseconfusionordissension,”Isaid. “Willyounotshowsomekindnessandletusdiscussthingsonthebasisofmutualunderstandingandgoodwill? Letusfixoursoleaimonfindingoutthetruth.

“All that you have said so far consists of accusations and slanderagainstusandhasnobasisatall. WebelievewholeheartedlythattheQur’anistheBookofGod,thatobediencetoitiscompulsory,andthatitsversesareaguidetothepathoftruth. ItisinthisBookthatwefindthestoryinwhichamanfromthefamilyofPharaoh,whowasabelieverandconcealedhisfaith,said,‘WillyeslayamanbecausehesaithmyLordisGod,when

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartsHehathalreadycometoyouwithsignsfromyourLord?Ifhebealiar,onhimwillbehislie,butifhebeamanoftruth,partofwhathethreatenedwillfalluponyou. IntruthGodguidethnothimwhoisatransgressor,aliar.’

“Surelyyouhaveheardofa certain notable fromthe lineageof theProphetMuhammad.ThoughthisSiyyidwassaintlyineveryaspectofHislife and guided the people to God and His Prophets, He was severelypersecuted,exiled,imprisoned,andfinallyputtodeathbyafiringsquadofmany soldiers. You also have heard of thousands who followed Hisfootstepstopersecutionandmartyrdom. Thosewhoquaffedthecupofsufferingandignominiousdeathwerenotoftheordinarypeople. Therewere among them the erudite, the chief clergy of the Islamic faith,philosophers,saints,mysticleaders,siyyids,andchieftains.NowtheleastthatisincumbentupontheMuslimsistofollowtheexampleofthatmanfromthefamilyofPharaohandleavemeinpeace.”

They said, “What shall we do? Wesaid exactly what our religiousleaders told us to say. Theyhave even forbiddenus to approachyou,contactyou,ortalktoyou.”

I told them, “Have you ever heard or read anywhere that when aProphetmanifestedHimself,theclergytoldHim,‘Youarewelcome’?TheProphetMuhammad,JesusChrist, Moses, andtheothershavebeenthetargets of the most cruel accusations heaped upon themby the mostlearnedoftheirtimes. TheImamHusaynwasputtodeathbyadecreesignedandsealedbythemostprominentreligiousdignitariesofhisera.As for me, I do not even consider myself as equal to the dust of thefootstepsoftheleastofTheirlovers.Iamnotheretoteach;Idonotthinkofmyselfasworthyofsuchanexaltedposition.”

Thisdiscussionprovedatleasttobeagoodintroduc-

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tion. Forthreedaysthepeopleremainedhostile. Butafter that, theybecamefriendlytowardme.Theyeveninvitedmeintotheirhouses.HajıMırzaJavad-i-ShırazıwasoneofthemandconsideredbyalltobethemostnotableandhonoredofthePersianmerchants. HehadseentheBabinShırazandwasfullofadmirationandreverenceforHim.HeoftenpraisedHimbysayingthattheBabwasunsurpassedinbeauty,spirituality,andcourtesy. TherewasnooneequaltoHiminnobility,accomplishments,andsaintly qualities. Heremainedas Onealone, unique in theage inwhichHelived.

Another one was Hajı Muhammad-Hasan-i-Kazirunı. He eventuallyembracedtheFaith,butdidnotrevealittoanyone.HajıMuhammadRafı‘awas also a well-known individual, famous for his truthfulness andlaudabletraitsofcharacterandmanners.

HajıAbu’l-Qasim-i-Shırazıoftenusedtocomeandmeetme,butalwaysinsecret. Thereasonhegaveforthiswasthathecouldnot trust thefriendshipofhiscompatriots.Butthetimecamewhenhecouldnolongerhidehis faith. Hewasseventyandbecameso ignitedwiththe fire ofcertitude that he burned away all the veils separating him from hisBeloved. Hewastotallytransformed;thatistosay,hisfearwaschangedintoaudacity. Hehadbeenalone, butnowhebroughthisfamilyfromShıraz. He manifested such praiseworthy traits of character that hisfriendswereastonished. Heoftensaid,“Wealthandrichesaregood,butonlywhentheyarespentinthepathoftheCauseofGod.Otherwisetheywillcausemiseryandthelossofone’sownsoul.”

HedecidedtogoandbeholdtheCountenanceoftheAncientBeauty,buthehadtogettravelingdocumentsfromthePersianambassadorinConstantinople. It was extremely difficult, especially when theydiscoveredthattheapplicant’sintentionwastogotoAdriano-

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartsple. He had to pay the ambassador a large sum of money, but heperseveredandfinallythedifficultieswereremoved.

Whenhereturnedfromhispilgrimage,hewasutterlyanewcreation.Nowhe was steadfast in the Cause andcould standalone against thewhole world. He was indeed like an unshakable mountain which hadchangedintoaflowingriver.Hisknowledge,love,andenthusiasmbecameexemplary.Hecouldnolongerremainsilent.Thestoriesofhispilgrimagewerehisfavoritesubject,andhealwaysrelatedthemwiththesamejoyandvigor.

Itisworthwhileponderingthefactthathewasseventyyearsold,andhisthoughts,manners,andcustomsweredeeplyingrained. Itisawell-knownsayingthat“whenamanbecomesold,twocharacteristicswillbereinvigoratedinhim—greedandambition.”Yes,hebecamegreedy,buttospendallthathehadinthepathofthepropagationoftheCause.Healsogrewyoung in his hopes and ambitions, but these ambitions were tospreadtheWordofGod.

THE PERSIAN CONSUL advisedmanypeopletoassociate withmeandeventopretendthattheywerebelievers. Husayn HHakkaakandMırzaSafa wereamongthem. Theywouldcometomyroom,andtowinmyconfidencetheywouldspeakveryhighlyoftheFaith.MırzaSafaclaimedthathehadseentheBabinBushihrwherehehadrecognizedinHimthesignsoftheexaltedstationdestinedforHim. AfterwardsIlearnedthatthesetwohadbeenthespecialagentsof

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theconsulsenttofindoutthenamesandaddressesofallthebelieversinEgypt.

ThedayapproachedwhenallShı‘ihMuslimswouldcommemoratethemartyrdomoftheImam‘Alı. Theconsulinvitedmetocometohishouseonthisespeciallyholynight. HetoldmethatallthePersiansinthecitywouldbebusythatnightwithprayersandthathewouldsendhometheservantsofhishousehold.“Myhousewillbeempty,andwewillbealonetodiscusswhateverwewish,”heexplained.

Acertainman,whowasanoldfriendofmine,usedtomeetmeveryoften.Hewasamanofnoreligionand,asamatteroffact,wasagainstalloftheProphets.WhenIreceivedtheconsul’sinvitation,heurgedmenottoaccept,explainingthatitwassurelyadevicebywhichtheconsulcouldgetmeunderhisflag, inhisoffice, andthenarrestmeandmakemeaprisoner.Ifthishappened,heexplained,theEgyptiangovernmentwouldnotbeabletoprotest.Eveniftheycametomyaid,theconsulwouldlevelaccusationsagainstmeandslanderme,andnoneofthesechargeswouldbechallengedbyanyone.HealsoremindedmethatIhadnoonetostandonmysideortoshieldordefendmeagainstsuchevilplots. Ilistenedcarefully to him, but I decidedtoaccept the invitationbecauserefusalwouldindicateweaknessandfear,whicharenotworthyattributesforthefollowersofthisgreatFaith.

I was reassured by remembering parts of the Tablets revealed byBaha’u’llahinmyhonor. InthemHeexhortedmetorememberHisexile,imprisonment,andhardshipandtofollowinHisfootstepsonthepathofsalvation. The believers should accept calamities and never bedespondentinthefaceofpersecution, buttrust their Lordandremainhappy,joyous,andsteadfastasamountain.

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHearts

AsI recalledthestatements in myownTablets, I becamesurethatimprisonmentawaitedme.Nevertheless,Iwenttothehouseoftheconsulat the appointed hour along with Mırza Husayn-i-Shırazı and DarvıshHasan.AtfirstwebehavedasMuslims,observingalltheoutwardcustomsofIslam. Butwhenthetimecamefortheeveningprayer,wedemurred,saying,“Congregationalprayerisforbidden,exceptforthedead.”ThisledtoadiscussionoftheFaith,andwespentthewholeeveningdiscussingtheproofsofthisRevelation.WeevenrecitedoneoftheTabletsofBaha’u’llahandrelatedthesufferingsoftheheroesandmartyrsoftheFaith. Theconsulappearedtobeimpressedandevenconvinced.

Dawnwasapproachingwhentheconsulretired. Oneoftheservantscametoconveyourhost’smessagethatweshouldgohome.Thismessageastoundedusbecauseatfirsttheconsulhadtreatedusverykindly,butnow,atthehourofourdeparture,herudelyorderedusoutofhishouse,notevenhavingthemannerstotakeleaveofhisguests.Welefthishousewithasenseofforeboding. Theconsulhadsentsomepeopletocarrylampsaheadofustolightthewaythroughthedarkandnarrowlanesofthetown. Asweweretreadingthepathtowardmyhome,Idiscoveredthat,everyfewsteps,moremenjoinedourcompany. AsIwasthinkingoverthisstrangesituation,wesuddenlyfoundourselvessurroundedbyatleastfortypeoplewhowereindeedasdevouringwolves.

Weweredraggedtotheprison,wheretheyrobbedusofourclothingandplacedallofusinchainsandfetters,beatinguswithwhateverwasintheirhandsandcursinginthemosthorribleway. Thiscontinueduntilmorning,whentheyclosedthedoorsoftheprisonandwentaway.Iwascontent,butmycompanionswereratherdespondent. IdidwhatIcouldtoraisetheirspirits.

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Theprisondoorremainedclosedtousthewholeday.Intheeveningitopened,andwewereallowedtogooutforfoodandtosayourprayers.Atthistimewelearnedthattheyhadgonetomyroomandstolenallmypossessions—clothes, books, works of calligraphy, and other preciousarticles.Theygavemesomeoldclothes,andwhenIsaidthattheclothesdidnotbelongtome,theybecamewildonceagainandbegantotormentusevenmorethanbefore. Finally,theygaveusapapertosign. Itwasareceipt they had written explaining that, except for our books, all ourbelongingshadbeenreturnedtous.Wewereforcedtosignandsealthisfalsedocument. TheyparticularlymentionedthenamesofcertainbooksandTablets, becausetheyplannedtoshowthereceipt to theEgyptianauthorities and tell them that we were in possession of strange anddangerouswritings.

TheygrudgednoefforttoinventallsortsoffalsereportsagainstusforsubmissiontotheEgyptianrulers,andtheirpoisonousslanderreachedthe members of the court. They represented themselves as the mostsincere friends and well-wishers of the khedive22 and stated that theywere in fact protecting theEgyptians fromtheonslaught of the Babıs.TheyreportedthattheBabıshadmadeanattemptonthelifeoftheshahof Iran23 and, having failed there, had dared to come to Egypt. Thesovereignandthecitizenrymustbeprotectedagainstsuchpeople,theyargued,astheyaresuretohavefriendsandcollaboratorsamongstthepeopleofEgypt,Turkey,andIran.

Thekhedive,whohadnosontosucceedhim,becameveryfearful,anditwasnaturalforhimtobesounderthecircumstances.Unfortunately,wewerenotinapositiontodefendourselvesagainstthesefalseaccusations.WetriedtoexplainthatwewereBaha’ısandnotBabıs,andthatBaha’ısareloyalandobedienttotheirgovern-

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartsment.Butwewerenotevenallowedtoopenourmouthstoutterawordinourowndefense.

Formorethanfifty years duringthereignof Nasiri’d-Dın Shah, thecourtiersandofficialsofhisgovernmentinEgypthadnothingbettertodothan to make false reports against us to the sovereign. They evenuntruthfully told him that they had discovered caches of arms andequipmentinthehousesofthe“Babıs”.

AnightcamewhenIwastakentotheconsul’schambers. TheconsulandanEgyptianofficerwereseated, andagroupof jailersstoodby. Iobservedalsothattherewasalargegroupofpeopleinchains.Theconsulsuddenlybecamefuriousand,pointinghisfingeratme,shouted,“Allofthetroublehasbeencausedbythisman,theirGabrielandtheirProphet!”Nosoonerwerethesewordsutteredthansomemencameandseizedme,tiedmy hands behind my back, and put a chain around my neck. Thisaccusation had the desired effect on the khedive of Egypt, whoimmediately ordered the consul to arrest anyone belonging to thisreligion.

Itdidnottaketheconsullongtoarrestsomethreehundredpeople.We learnedthatheevenarresteda fewEgyptiansubjects. Hajı Abu’l-Qasimwasarrested,andwhentheybroughtthechaintobeplacedonhisneck,hepickeditup,kissedit,and,puttingitaroundhisneck,utteredthewords,“Bismi’llahi’l-Bahıyyi’l-Abha!” (“InthenameofGod,theGloryoftheAll-Glorious!”)

Theconsul,underthepretextofpersecutingtheBabıs,hadplannedtocollect large sums of money in bribes. My cell in the consulate wasadjacent to a large room where these three hundred people wereimprisoned—Jews and Christians and Muslims. In order to freethemselvesfromthetorturesofimprisonment,thesevictimshadtoofferhimmoney. Thusanincreasing flowof incomefounditsway intothepocketofthe

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consul. Eachprisonerwhowastobefreedhadtocometomycell,curseme,spitinmyface,beatme,andabusealloftheHolyOnesofourFaith.Thisactionwouldbetakenasproofthattheprisonerhadnotbeen,orwasnolonger, a Babı. But, aspreviouslymentioned, theyhadtopaylargesumsofmoneyaswell. Someofthesevictimswereashamedandwouldnotevenlookuponmyface.Theirtormentorsforcedthemtolookintomyeyesanddowhatevertheywereorderedtodo.

Duringtheforty-fivedays I spentinthat jail, wesufferedasinhellbecauseoftheconsul’sstaffandservants. Butmysoulwasinastateoftheutmostjoy. Haditnotbeenforthissenseofinnertranquillityandcomposure,Icouldneverhaveenduredthesavageacts,profaneoaths,andtheblasphemousremarksofthesepeople.

Iwasveryhappyinprison.Theonlyexceptionwasintheearlyhoursoftheday,whenthecruelpersecutorswouldcometoourroomtobeat,curse,andabuseus.Thiswastheworstpartofourdailylifeinprison.

OnenighttheconsulhadinvitedsomeofthePersiandignitariesandsome people from the Egyptian aristocracy to his home. The consulorderedthatIshouldbetakeninchainstothatbanquet.WhenIentered,it remindedmeof thecaptivityof theImamHusayn’s familyandtheirarrivalatthegreatgatheringinthehouseofthegovernorofKuufih.

Beforetheconsulcouldspeak,Isatdownandaddressedhim,saying,“Throughoutthehistoryofallreligions,theChosenOnesofGodhavebeenpersecuted,chained,andforcedtoenduregreathardships. Itisawell-knownsayingthatcalamitiesareforthefriendsofGod,andthosewhodenyHimalwaysfollowthepathofcrueltyandinjustice. Pleaseaskallthesepeoplewhoaregatheredheretonightwhatwehavedonethatwe

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartsmustbesubjectedtosomuchhumiliationandinjustice. RemembertheexhortationintheQur’anwhichstatesthatevenifanevildoerbringsyouamessage,itisyourdutytoinvestigate.Whatreligionsanctionsthetypeoftreatmentwehavereceivedfromyou?Youonlylistentothosewhoaccuseand never give the victims an opportunity to open their mouths andexplain their case.” I spoke with suchstrength andauthority that theconsulorderedthejailerstotakemebacktomycell.

ONETIMEagroupofPersiansarrivedwhowereontheirwaytoMecca.Toshowthemhowstrongapersonhewasandhowheprotectedandservedhisreligionandcountry,theconsulbroughtallthepilgrimstomyprisoncell.Themomentheentered,hebegantobeatmewithhiscane.Thenhesaid,“Tellthetruth.Whatisyourname?”

“Haydar-‘Alı,”Isaid.

“No!”heprotested.“Youhaveothernames.Youhavebeencalled‘TheGabrieloftheBabıs’,‘TheAmanuensis’and‘TheFirstImam’.”

“I haveneversaidthis,” I responded. “Someonehasaccusedmeofthesethings.”

“Yes,”hesaid.

“Well,hisnamemustbeSatan,”Iimmediatelyreplied,“becauseanyonewhocarries false reports and instigates people to act unjustly is noneotherthanSatan.Healwayscomestopeopleinsuchawaythattheywillnotknowhim.”

Hehitmeagainandsaid, “Areyousopresumptuousastovilifytheambassadorhimself?”

Theywentoutandbroughtbackamanwhoaccused

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meof theft. He demanded that I return to him the belongings of hisbrother.Whenhementionedthenameofhisbrother,IsaidthatIdidnotknowhim. Whilewewerearguing,alltheotherswentout,leavingonlythemanandmyself.Nosoonerwerewealonethanheembracedmeandkissedme,saying,“Iam‘Abdu’llahfromNajafabad.IwasinHispresence.NowIaminEgyptonmywaytoMecca.Iheardaboutyourimprisonment.Knowing that they have confiscated all your belongings, I had a littlemoneyandthoughtofbringingit toyou.” Hegavemethemoneyandcontinued,“Icouldn’tcomeintotheprisontomeetyouunlessIhadsomeexcuse.Therefore,Itoldtheconsulthathisprisonerhadthebelongingsofmybrother. Now,whateverhappens,Iwill bemostgrateful,evenifhekeepsmeherewithyouinthisprisoncell.Ifheallowsmetogo,IwillalsobegratefultomyLord.”

Thissame‘Abdu’llahmadehiswaytoJiddihwherehemetHajıMırzaSafa. There, hebecametheservantofthismystic leader. SomeofthePersiansknew‘Abdu’llahandwereextremelysurprisedthatamanwhowasareligiousleaderhademployedsuchawell-knownBabıashiscloseand trusted servant. The following conversation took place betweenMırzaSafaand‘Abdu’llah:

“IheardthatyouhavebeentoAdrianople?”

“ShouldIhaveanyshortcomingsorshowanydisloyaltyinmyservicesto you, you have every right to consider me a sinner and worthy ofchastisement. Butyouhavenotemployedmyconscience. Yes,itistruethatIhadthehonorofmakingapilgrimagetoHispresenceinAdrianople.”

“Whatdidyouseethere?”

“AllthatIhadheardaboutthepastreligionsandtheProphetsofGod,IbeheldinHimandinHisManifestation.”

“Howisitthatyousawsuchsignswhilethelearned,

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartsthephilosophers,andthemysticleadershavenotseensuchthings?”

“ItwasthesameinthedaysoftheProphetMuhammad. ThelearnedoratorsandphilosophersdeniedHim,buttheilliterate,thepeddlers,andtheslavesembracedHisFaith.”

“Bravo!Youanswerwell.”

Aftersayingthis,hegave‘Abdu’llahhiswagesandsomeextramoney,recommendingtohimthathegofromJiddihtoEgypt,ratherthantotheresting place of the Prophet in the city of Medina. ‘Abdu’llah thoughtthingsoverandsaidtohimself,“Ihaveenduredhardships,andnowIamherewherethefeetoftheProphetMuhammadhavetroddenandwhereIcanbeholdthesightsseenbyHisowneyes.WhyshouldIdeprivemyselfofallthesebounties?”

He was then determined to experience the full pilgrimage, and inMedinaheonceagainmetMırzaSafa,whoremonstrated,“ItoldyoutogotoEgyptandnottocometoMedina!”

“TopayhomagetotheShrineoftheProphetMuhammadisanactofworship and more important than obedience to you,” ‘Abdu’llahresponded.

“Iwantyoutobeinmyemploymentagain.Youareanhonestperson,butatthesametimeIwouldliketogiveyousomeadvice.Wisemennevertreadthosepathsonwhichtheyareperpetuallyconfrontedwithmanyhardships,oronsuchroadswheretheyareconstantlyfacedwithdanger.Theychoosethehighwaysthatarewellkeptandsecure,andalongwhichare located many villages and towns. The path you have chosen foryourselfwill become,intime,awonderfulhighway—butonlyaftertwohundredyearsorso.Nowtherearemanydangersonit.Youmustavoidthem.”

“Itisabsolutelytrue. Butyoumustknowthatpeoplelikememusttravelthesedangerousroadsandundergo

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difficultiesanddeprivationtopavethewayforpeoplelikeyou.”

“Howisitthatyouaresoquicktoanswerandaresobraveanddaringinyourresponse?”saidMırzaSafa.

“IntheQur’antheProphetMuhammadhasclearlysaidthatthosewholong for death are always truthful. In order to tell the truth, no onerequiresmeditationorcarefulthought,noristhetruthfulmanhesitant.”

AGROUPOFUSwasentrustedtotheEgyptianofficerstobetakentoanunknowndestination.Oneofthefriendsinchainsbecamesoexcitedandhappythatherecitedapoemwhichsays:

AgainstThyWillnotonecomplains,Lionsarenotashamedofchains.

Whenthepeopleheardusrecitingjoyouspoemsasasignoffaithandsteadfastness,someburstintotearsandothersintolaughter. Wewereconductedtoanotherprison,wherethechainsweretakenfromourwristsandnecks.Wespentthenightthere.

The next morning our fellowprisoners askedus what charges hadbeenbroughtagainstus.WesaidthatwedidnotknowwhatthePersianconsulhadaccusedusof.

“Have you killed anyone?” they asked. “This prison is only formurderersandassassins.”

Wewerenotaccusedofmurder,however.ThechargesagainstuswerethatwehadabandonedIslamandcreatedanewreligion.SothenextdayIwasabletowriteapetitioninArabictotheEgyptianofficerinchargeoftheprison.InitIargued:“Themostbasic

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartsprinciplesof justicerequirethatoneshouldservethesentenceforthecrimeofwhichheisaccused.ThePersianconsul,becauseofhispersonalanimositytowardus, hasaccusedusofestablishinganewreligionanddiscardingthelawsofIslam.Yet,weareinaprisonformurderers.

“Noteveryonecanbeaccusedofestablishinganewreligion. Anyonesoaccusedmust at least be learnedandresourceful andrespectedbymanypeople.Toimprisonuswithmurderersismostunjust.”

The officer, fearing that we might lead the other prisoners astray,decidedtomoveustoseparatequarters.Ournewroomhadcarpetsandafewothercomforts,buttheotherprisonerswerenotallowedtospeaktous.

A few days later, the consul came to the prison and sawour newquarters.Weknewthatfromthenontheconditionswouldbealteredfortheworse;anditwastrue.

Eightnightspassed.Ontheninth,shortlyaftermidnightwhenallwereasleep,soldierscametoourcellagain,tiedourhandsbehindourbacks,andchainedusallinonerow. MyhandsweresotightlyboundandsoseverelydamagedthatIfelttheeffectsofthoseropesfortherestofmylife.Fiftysoldiers,wellarmedandwellequipped,tookusonastonyroadcoveredwiththornsandthistles. Being ill andnotsufficientlyfed, wefoundwalkingverypainful.

Asweweregoingdowntheroad,thesoldiersfell intoconversationwithus. Graduallytheyrealizedthatwewerenotviolentprisonersandcouldnotbeanymatchforfiftysoldiers.Theyaskeduswhatwehaddoneandwetoldthemthetruth.Theybegantofeelpityforus.Myhandswereswollenandcausedmemuchpain.Firsttheyreleasedmyhands,andthentheybecamesokindandgentlethattheyevenallowedustoridehorsesinturn.

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WhenweapproachedthefamousprisonofFamul-Bahr, thesoldiersagainputusallinchains.Theykeptusoutsidethetownandsentwordtothegovernor,whospecifiedourprisoncellandorderedthatwemustbemanacledtogetherononechain.Healsoemphasizedthattheprisoncellmustbedarkandthedoorsshouldbeboltedandlocked.Aholewasmadeinthedoorofourcell.Thechainwasstretchedthroughthisholeandwasheldfirmlyinthehandsoftheguardsoutside.

Thedaywasalmostasdarkasthenight,andwheneveningcamenoonegaveussomuchasacandle.WedecidedtochanttheTabletofNaqus,whichhadbeenrevealedbyBaha’u’llahforthecelebrationofthenightonwhichtheBabhaddeclaredHismission.Wewereeightprisonersandourvoicesunitedinchantingtheverses. Whenthesoldiersheardthis,theycameinwithalampforus.TheythoughtthatweweredervishesandthatwewerechantingsomethingwhichcontainedthementionofGod. Thisattractedtheirkindnesstowardus.Thereafter,thesoldierskeptthedoorsofourcellopenduringthedayandunchainedusall.

IT WAS NOT LONG before officers, notables, merchants, andpeople ofeachandeveryclassamongtheinhabitantsofthatareademonstratedalongingtobeinourcompanyandenterintodiscussionwithus.Withoutexceptionthesepeopleshowedusloveandcompassion. Someofthemwereindeedofnoblenature.Theydideverythingintheirpowertomakeushappybytheirsincereloveandoftenbytheirgifts.Somewentsofarastoaskustogivethemthetextofspecialprayersforthefulfillmentoftheirwishesandthesolutionof

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartstheirdifficulties. DuringthefiftydaysofourimprisonmentIwasbusywritingprayers,includingversesthatproclaimedtheadventoftheBabandBaha’u’llah.

Thesefiftydaysenabledustoregainourenergy,health,andstrength.EveryminuteofthosedayswewerefarfromthematerialworldandveryclosetoourBelovedbecauseoftheTabletsandprayersthatwechanted.WewereevenreadytobemartyredinHispath.Itwouldbebettertobemartyredhere,wethought,thaninthehouseofthePersianconsul. Inthosedays,becauseofthemanycrueltieswehadsuffered,ourbloodwasthinandweak.Afterfiftydaysofrestandproperfood,wefeltthatwehadmoreandbetterbloodtooffer.

But all thesewerewishful thoughts, for thenight arrivedwhenthesoldierscametotakeusbacktoEgypt.Thesesoldiersprovedtobeverykindindeed.Theydidnotcauseusdifficulties,nordidtheytortureusonthewayback.Onthecontrary,theyallowedustorideoncamels,horses,andwhateverwasavailable.Theyalsostoppedattwoorthreestationstohavecoffeeandteaandallowustorestbeforecontinuingourjourney.

Whenweapproacheda town, wewereagainput inchains, but thekindheartedsoldiersapologizedbysaying, “Weareunderstrictorders,andwehavetosurrenderyoutotheauthoritiesinchains.”Wewerethentakentothefirstplacetowhichwehadbeensentinourexile.Theofficerstoldus,“Youarebroughthereforinvestigation.”

Butaftersixdays,wewereagainsenttotheformerprisoninthesamechains and alongwith the sameguards and officers. Wereached ourprison,andonthesixteenthdaythesoldierstookustoironsmithsandcarpenters in order to place permanent fetters on our feet andchainsaroundournecks. Thisprocessprovedtobemorepainfulthananythingwhichwehadpreviouslyendured. Wecouldnotcontrolourselvesandcriedout

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inpain.Thesoldiers,blacksmiths,andcarpentersweptatourplight.Thiswasparticularlytrueoftheblacksmithsandcarpenters,whocursedtheirprofessions for making them instruments for the torture of innocentpeople.

Thelastoperationwastoputourhandsinstocks.Theheavyfettersonour feet, the terrible chainsonour necksandhandsmadeevery littlemovementatorment. Wecouldnotmoveourhandsmuch, norwasitpossibleforustoliftthechainsonourfeetinordertomaketheirweightlesspainfulwhilewalking.

Thefashioningofthechainsandthestocksbeganabouttwoo’clockintheafternoonandwasfinishedalittleaftersunset.Thentheytookustoasteameranddeliveredustoagroupofahundredofficersandsoldiers.

Webegantounderstandtheevilinstigationsoftheconsul.Hehadsoterribly frightened the Egyptian government that the boat carrying usrefusedtoacceptcommercialgoodslestthepeopleshouldcometotheports,seeourplight,anddiscusstheinhumanmannerofourtreatment.Whenevertheboatdrewneartheshoreanddroppedanchor, wewereimmediatelypushedintoastoreroomthewindowsofwhichwerefirmlyshut.

DURING OUR CAPTIVITY ourclotheshadneverbeenchanged. Wehadwornthemformonthsandtheybecamesotornanddirtythattheywereintolerable.Nowthatwewerechained,wecouldnoteventakethemofftowashthem.

Gradually,Godinspiredtheheartsoftheguardsandsoldiers,andtheytookalikingtous.Outofpitythey

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartsprepareduslong,whitegarments. Theyhadtoteartheclothesoffourbodies.Then,theywasheduswithhotwaterandclotheduswiththenewlongrobes. WefeltsohappythatwethoughtitwasNewYear’sDayandwewerewearingclothesforthefestivities.

We discovered that those soldiers had been told that this humbleservantcouldcontrolspiritsandinfluenceinvisiblecreatures.Therefore,theyapproachedmeandaskedmetogivethemamuletstoprotectthemagainsttheoperationsofthespiritscalled“jinn”,whichtheybelievedlivedunderground. I knewthattheamuletswhichtheywereaccustomedtocontainedthenamesofangelsandnumerologicalformulas. SoIwrotesome tablets for them in which I used the Greatest Name24 and theanagramsforthenamesof Baha’ı friends. SometimesI wouldaddthenames of the gifts which were brought to us, such as cheese, tobacco,bread,shirts,andtea.Iwritethisparticularlytoshowthereaderthatwewerejoyfulandcontentinourimprisonment.

Ja‘far Pasha, the governor-general of theSudan, cameonboardourship.Hesentforme,andIwastakentohispresence.Iaskedhim,“Whatarethechargesagainstus?”

“MayGodpunishyourconsul,”washisreply.“Hehascreatedsuchfearintheheartsofthegovernmentofficialsthatallareafraidofyou.Hehasaccusedyouofchangingyourreligion,yourBook,andtheHolyLawsofIslam. Hesaysthatyouareterroristsandthatyouintendtoassassinatetheheadsofgovernment. But it is obviousthatyouarepeopleof thepath25andthatyoudonotmeddleinpolitics.” Hetoldusthathewouldseeto it that weweremadeas comfortable as possible. However, weremainedinthatspotonlythreedays.

Onthethirdday,theguardswerechanged,andnewonescamewithcamelsforustoride. Butchainedtogetheraswewere,ourfeetinonestockandourwrists

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joinedbychains,howcouldwerideoncamels?Theguardswereatalossforwhattodoandhowtocarryustoournextdestination. Eventuallytheybroughtsomelongpiecesof strong, whitecloth. Theyplacedthehandsandfeetofeachpairofusonthesaddle,onepersonhangingononesideofthecamel, andtheotherontheotherside. Thentheytiedourhangingbodiestothecamelswiththewhitecloths.Amoretorturouswaytotravelcannotbeimagined!

Fiveorsixtimesduringtheshortjourneytheymadethecamelskneeldown,andwewereuntiedandpermittedtohavealittlerest.Theguardsapologizedtous,sayingthatpreviouslytheyhadtakenagroupofthievesandmurdererstotheSudaninchains,butthattheseothershadtowalkallthewaythroughthedesert. Ja‘farPashahadinstructedthemtoallowustoride,andtheycouldnotthinkofanyotherway. Althoughwewereingreatpainandtorture,aswewatchedeachotherhangingfromthecamels,thesightwassoridiculousthatwecouldnothelplaughing.

InfiveorsixhourswereachedthebanksoftheNileRiverwherewewereagainsenttoaship.Weboardedandsetoff.Theshipdepositedusataplacethatwasunderthecontrolofaverykind-heartedArabshaykh.Weexplainedoursituationtohimandaskedhimtotreatuswithmoremercy.Westillhadalongstretchofdeserttocoverbycamel.Whentheshaykhlearnedofourplight,heorderedthecameldriverstohavewoodenseatsprovidedforusonthecamelsandtocarryenoughfoodforall.Theshaykh waswell experiencedandknewhowseverethedesert journeywouldbe.Wehadtotraveltwelvedaysoveranoceanofsand.

InplaceofEgyptianguards,wewerenowentrustedtoArabswhowerecruelhearted,devoidofmanners,andveryhottempered.Themomentwewereintheirhandstheymadeitcleartousthattheypossessedthe

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartspoweroflifeordeath.Nomatterwhattheydid,noonewastocomplainorutteraword. The shaykhhadsuppliedthemwithenoughprovisionsforall,butthesepeopleonlygaveusenoughforonepersonandconsumedtherestthemselves.TheirtreatmentcalledtomindthehardshipswehadenduredinthehouseoftheconsulinEgypt.Stillweremainedhappyandcouldalwaysfindsomethingtolaughat.WemadejokesaboutourguardsinPersianandwouldlaughheartily.WhenwefinallyreachedtheSudan,wethankedGodthatwewerealive.

OUR GUARDS brought us to the prison of the Sudanand the jailersimmediatelyputusintoasmall,dark,andputridcell.Thereweresomanypeoplecrowdedtogetherthatwecouldnotevenbreathe,letalonemove.The slightest gesture would arouse the anger of the jailers. We weresurroundedbydarkness, mosquitoes, fleas, lice, all manneroffilth, andprisonerswhowereworsethanscorpions. Thisprovedtobetheworstplacewehadbeenimprisoned. Wewereabsolutelyatalossforwhichwaytoturnandwhattoexpect.

Eventually I mustered my courage and begged the guard to take amessagetotheofficerincharge.Fortunatelyhedidthisforme,andIwastakentotheofficer.UponenteringhisroomIsaidtohim,“Iamskilledincalligraphyandcanwriteandarrangebeautifultablets.Wouldyoukindlyprovidemewithpaper,ink,andpen?”Hepreparedeverythingforme,andIwroteaverseforhimthatsaid,“IsurrenderallmyaffairstoGod.” Hewasverypleasedwiththeworkandaccepted

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itasagiftfromme.Afterthatherespectedme.Itoldhimthattwoofmycompanions wereexcellent calligraphers, another was a physician, andtwowereengravers.Ialsotoldhimthatwewerepreparedtodoanythinghemightbepleasedtoorder.Soweweretransferredtoanotherroombutstillkeptinchains.Werejoicedattheimprovementinourcondition.

Graduallywebecameknownbytheofficers,guards,andprisoners.Wetranscribedmanyprayersforthem,someofwhichwouldtakeusasmuchastwoweekstofinish.Whatevergiftswereceivedinreturnforourwork,weimmediatelyhandedovertothejailerwhohadfirsttakenourmessagetotheofficer. Buthestillkeptuschained,twobytwo. Noonecaneverimagine the difficulties and hardships being chained in this positioninvolved.Towashone’shandsandfaceandattendtotheotherdemandsofnaturewashellinitself.

After forty days they foundthat all the prisoners whoweredue toassembletherehadarrived.AshipwasmadereadytotakeustoanotherprisoninKhartoum.

Wordsfailtodescribethefoullanguageusedbyourfellowprisoners.Vilewordsandcurses,epithetsofblasphemyanddamnationwerefreely,repeatedly,andshamelesslyusedbyall.Thisgroupofbold,arrogant,andferocious beasts took pride in exchanging stories of their thefts andescapes,theiractsofmurderandbrutalitytowardothers.Theylookedatusindisparagementandtauntedus,saying,“Look,wehavedoneallthesecourageousthings.Whathaveyoudone?Nothing.Weareashamedtobeonthesameboatwithyou.”

Thereweresomewomenprisonersonboard,too. Therewasalsoablind man who ceaselessly chanted the Qur’an. One day the womencomplainedthatsomeonehadstolentheirscissors.Theguardssearchedeveryoneandeverywhere.Icouldseethattheblindmanbecamepaleandexcitedwhenthesearchbegan.Then

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartstheguardsstartedbeatingtheprisoners,onebyone,inanefforttolocatethescissors.So,tofreetheothersfromthismisery,Itoldthesoldiersthattheyshouldsearchtheblindman.Theyfoundthemissingscissorsinhispantaloons.

Ourtripwastohavelastedsixdays,andenoughprovisionshadbeenstoredforthisperiod.Butbecausetherewasnofavorablewindtofillthesails,weremainedonboardtheshipforthirty-sixdays. Cornflourhadbeen provided which we could bake, but with such malevolentcompanions,wewereunabletoapproachthescantyprovisions.

Oneday,whiletheboatwasanchored,theguardstoldusthatwithintwo-hours’ walk there was a village where we could find some food.Becausewehadgoneseveraldayswithnothingbutwater,wehadbecomeveryweak. Now,walkinginchainsformorethantwohourswasagreatchallenge to our determination. Nevertheless, we set out on foot.Constantly falling down and pulling ourselves to our feet, we finallyreachedthevillage,wherewefaintedandremainedunconscious. Somepeopletookpityonusandgaveussweetcoffeetodrink.Theygaveusapastewhichlookedlikeflourandwatertoeat.Wethoughtthatwehadtocookit,buttheytoldusitwasalreadycooked.Asweate,IaskedsomeoneinArabicwhatitwas.Heansweredinafunnymanner,andwealllaughedsomuchthatwealmostforgotaboutourcondition.Still,wehadtoreturntoourshiponfoot.

Wesailedslowlyandreachedanotherport, wherewestayedabouttwelvedayswaitingforfavorablewindstoblow.Someofthesedayswerecomparatively happy and comfortable. We wrote amulets for theinhabitants of the village where we were staying, and they gave usprovisions for the rest of the trip. Eventually we reached our finaldestination,thecityofKhartoum.

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ALLTHEPRISONERSwereafraidthattheywouldbesenttotheprisoninFashudih,whichwassaidtobethegraveofprisoners.Theweathertherewas supposed to be extremely unhealthy, and the prisoners werecondemnedtohard labor. Wealso learnedof anotherprisonclosebycalledthe“Dungeonof Fear”. SincetheshiptoFashudihonlytraveledthereeverythreeorfourmonths,prisonerswerekeptinthisplaceuntiltheycouldbetransferred.Itwasindeedwithsinkingheartsthatweheardaboutalltheseplaces.

Ja‘farPasha,thegovernor-general,arrivedandsentforus.Heassuredusthathewoulddohisutmosttokeepushappyandcomfortable.Hethenorderedtheofficers to takeusto thenearbyprison, changeourheavychainsforlightones,exemptusfromwork,andcauseusnotrouble. Healsorecommendedthatwebeseparatedfromtherestoftheprisoners.Beforehesentusaway,heremarked,“Loveemanatesfromtheheart.Butawisemanmusthidehislovewhenheseesthatotherslikehimarecastinto prison, and made to undergo grave difficulties, and have theirpropertyconfiscated.Onemaylove;butincaseofdanger,oneshouldhidehisfeelings.”

Imadenoreplybutreturnedtomyprisonroom.ThereIwroteatabletforhim.InlargelettersIwrotethefollowing:

Oyouwhoaccusemeoflove!Ifyouunderstoodmycrime,youwouldnotblameme.

Aroundtheedgesofthesewords,ItranscribedtworecognizedMuslimtraditions. The first read: “Whosoever seeks Me, shall find Me.WhosoeverfindsMe,shalllove

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartsMe. WhosolovesMe,himshallIalsolove. WhosoislovedbyMe,himshallIslay.WhosoisslainbyMe,IMyselfshallbehisransom.”

FinallyIwrotethesecondtradition:“Howcanonedenyhislovewhiletwowitnessesaretestifying—one’stearsandthepalenessofone’sface?”Isentthistablettothegovernor-generalthroughourguard.

Whentheguardreturned,herelatedthefollowing: “Ja‘farPashasaysthatthepersonwhosentthistabletisalearnedandaccomplishedman.He gives the correct answer to an argument and with a great deal ofcourtesy.”Thegovernor-generalhadalsosenttwogoldcoinstome.

THE DUNGEON inwhichwefoundourselvesconsistedof a largecellwhichhadonlytwodoors.Eachofthefourhundredprisonerstherehadnomorethanthespaceoftwohandspansinwhichtosit,sleep,andlive.We had no proper clothes; the long shirts we had been given on thejourneyweresobadlytorninseveralplacesthattheydidnotevencoverus. Inthisfilthycell, malodorousandfullofobscenity,westruggledtoholdontolife.

OnedayJa‘farPasha summonedthejailerandaskedhimaboutourcondition.Thejailergavehimatruereply.“Becauseofthelackofspace,intenseheat,andfilthyconditions,theyareingravedanger.” Onhearingthis,Ja‘farPashaorderedthejailertomakeusacottageofmats,timbers,anddrygrass,wherewewereallowedtosleepatnight. Buttheheatinthatcottagealsoprovedtobeunbearable.

Inordertokeeptheguardsawakeallnight,theywere

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orderedtocalloutnumbersinturn.Ifonefailedtorespond,hewouldbepunished.Wepitiedourguardandtoldhimtogotosleep—thatwewouldguardinhisplace,answeringthecallofotherguardsbyshouting,“One!Two! Three!”forhim. Wewerehappytoreplacetheguard,forthenwecouldstandoutsideunderthecanopyoftheskyandenjoythefreshair.Butwestillremaineddeprivedofeverycomfortoflife. Nopotsorpansweregivenus—notevenacuporglassfordrinkingwater.

Ourdailyrationwasahandfulofkernelsofcorn.Wehadtogrindandkneadourownflourandthenmakeafireandbaketheloaves.Wedidnotevenhaveacoppercoinwithwhichtobuysalt.Butafterawhilewewereabletoearnsomemoney,andwecouldaffordtohaveourcornbakedforus. Thefirsttimewehadthisdone,werejoicedwitharealcelebration.Wewereevenmorejoyful whenwefinallyobtainedcupsfordrinking,rugs, and sleeping benches. We spent eight or nine months in the“DungeonofFear”,andwewerecontentandhappyandthankful.Fromallsides,thedoorsofgenerositywereopenedtous.

AChristianbythenameofBulus(Paul), whoastherichestmaninSudanwasthehonoraryconsulofPersia,cametoknowofourcondition.Hewaskindtousandsentusclothes,coffee,alantern,andsomemats.ToexpressourthanksIwrotethenameofJesusChristinArabiccalligraphyandarrangeditintheshapeofacross. InthemarginIwrotethatsinceJesus had foundHis way toHis Beloved through the cross, this wasasacredandexaltedform.IalsomadeanotheroneofthesetabletsfortheGermanconsul, whowasalsoaChristianbutofaProtestantsect. TheGermanconsul,inreturn,sentusasamovarandthemeansforpreparingtea.

Nowwehadenoughprovisionsandcouldeveninvite

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartstheotherprisonerstotea.GraduallythepeopleofKhartoumheardaboutus, andmanyof themfromMuslim, Christian, andJewishbackgroundscame,individuallyandingroups, toseeus. Weevenhadvisitorsfromamongthearmyandcivilianofficials. Manyofthemcamewithdifferentgifts. Whatever we received weshared with the guests and with ourfellowprisoners.

Manystrangeeventstookplaceinthatprison, someofwhichseemincredible.Forexample,therewasamannamedJoseph,who,becausehecommittedtheftseveninprison,hadcometobeknownas“Rat”.HewassoshamelessinhisdeedsandmannersthatIrequestedmyfriendsnottoassociatewithhim.Therewasawoman,whohadbeencaughtinsin,whoalsolivedinthisprison.Thissame“Rat”tookherashiswife.Therewasno privacy, but they slept together regardless of the presence of fourhundredotherprisoners.

Oncewelearnedthat“Rat”andhiswifehadbeenhungryfortwodays.AsBaha’ıswecouldnotremainheedlessofsuchasituation.Iwrappedagoldcoininapieceofcigarettepaperandofferedittohim.Whenhesawthemoney,hebecameverycourteousandevenpromisedtoreimburseusinthefuture.Afterthat,heattachedhimselftomeandIhappilygavehimashareofeverythingIhad.

Itthenhappenedthatsomeprisonersgottogethertodeviseawaytoescapefromtheprison. Theydecidedtocutthechainsoffeachother’sfeetwhiletheyweregrindingthecorn. Thenoisesweresomingledthatnone of the guards could detect the unusual sound of the file cuttingthroughthefettersontheprisoners’feet. Thistookplaceatnight,andeventuallyeightofthemsucceededinriddingthemselvesoftheirchains.Theyrushedoutsuddenly, threwtheguardstothefloor, andranaway.Thesoldiersfollowedandcaughtfourofthem,

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buttheremainingfourthrewthemselvesintotheNile,swamacrosstheriver,anddisappeared.

Thefollowingday,theprisonwasachangedplace.Itwasasifhellhadopeneditsdoorstous. Thejailersandguardswerechanged,andnewrules,regulations,andrestrictionswereinstituted.Everyonewaschainedtogether.Harshinterrogationsbegan,andthosewhowereinvolvedintheplottoescapewerecondemnedtodeathbyfiringsquad.

Wewerenotevenremotelyinvolvedintheplot.Butallofasuddentheentire weight of this ill-fated venture fell upon our heads. Who hadaccusedus?Itwas“Rat”,whohadapproachedtheofficersandtoldthemthatthePersiansownedafileandhadgivenittotheprisonerstoeffecttheirescape.Wecouldnotsleepthewholenight,fearingthatfreshattacksandnewcrueltieswouldbeheapeduponus.Finally,IopenedtheQur’an,andthe first verse I saw, I read. It indicatedthat, onthemorrow,theevildoerswouldbelinedinarowinonechain.Wetookthisasasignthatweourselveswouldnotbeharmed.Sowedecidedtotrytobeofservicetootherswhowereintrouble.

Whenthesunrosethenextmorning,wesawfourgallowsraisedinfrontofourprisoncell. Alloftheprisonersweretakenoutofthecellinchains,surroundedbyguards;andwewereamongthem.Wewereseatedinacircleinfrontofthegallows.Thecommandingofficercameforthwithguards whohaddrawnswords in their hands. Theymarchedupanddown before the prisoners, ordering and shouting. Then there wassilence,andtheofficerdeclaredthatthePersianprisonershadnothingtodowiththeescape. Thesoldiersremovedourchains. Weleftthecircleandimmediatelyhastenedinsidebecausewecouldnotbearthesightoftheprisonersbeinghanged.Forthreedaysandnightsthere-

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartsafter, all theotherpeople in theprisonwerechainedtogether, andweservedthemwithallourheartsandsouls.

THE BENEVOLENT Ja‘far Pasha wrote favorably about us to hisgovernment, telling themthat the Persians were well educatedand ofgoodbreedingandmanners,thattheyhadneverdoneanyharmtothepeople, and that, on the contrary, they had proved to be very usefulcitizens. He therefore asked that we not be transferred from “TheDungeonofFear”.ForthisreasonwewerenotsenttoFashudihasaboutonehundredotherprisoners,including“Rat”,were.

InKhartoumtherewasablindmanofextraordinaryintelligence,bythenameofShaykhAmın,whohadbeenappointedtheShaykhu’l-Islamofthecity. Iwrotehimaletterwhichwasquitealongdissertationonthehistory of the Cause. The concluding words were about ourselvesimprisonedbecauseofthecruelandunjustreportsmadebythePersianconsultotheEgyptiangovernment.Thisblindmansawthatwehadbeentreatedwithinjustice.Hetookourlettertothegovernor,Ja‘farPasha,andrequestedhimtoseetoouraffairs. Itwasnotlongbeforethegovernorhimselfcametotheprisonandsummonedustohispresence. Heasked,“WhichoneofyouwrotethelettertotheShaykhu’l-Islam?”

“Wedid,”wasouranswer.

“Ihaveheardthatyouarewelleducatedandintelligent. ButIaskedyouaquestionandyoudidnotgivemeaproperanswer.”

Iansweredhim,saying,“Wearesooverjoyedthatsuchahigh-rankingpersonshouldbestowsuchcare

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andconsiderationonusthatwedonotknowwhatwearesaying. Weknowthatinthepresenceofgreatonessuchasyourselfitisnotpropertosayverymuch. Moreover,wedonotknowyourlanguage,andthereforeeachofusmayhaveadifferentideaofwhatyouhavesaid. And,finally,sincewehaveallanswered,oneofusmustberight,soweshouldnotallbeheldresponsibleforafalseanswer.”

Hewasveryhappywithmyreplyandorderedchairstobebroughtsowecouldsit. Whenwewereseatedhesaid,“EversinceIfirstsawyou,Ihavedonemyutmosttomakelifeeasierforyou;andIwillcontinuetodoso.”ThenheaskedtheguardstoremoveourchainsandtransportustoajailinKhartoum.Outofkindness,heurgedthecustodianofthejailnottobeveryseverewithus.Hetoldthecustodianthatweshouldbepermittedtobefreeduringthedaytimeandbeallowedtogointothestreetsandmarkets. Insteadoftherationofcorn,wenowhadwheatbread,whichwasgiventouswithsomemeateveryday.WhenwereachedKhartoum,we were allowed to open our own businesses. Two of us startedengraving. Hajı ‘Alı became a physician and ‘Alı Effendi, a teacher ofEnglish.

One of us, Hajı Abu’l-Qasim, kept to himself most of the time. Heconstantlyrecitedprayerstohimself.Hewasshrewdinbusinessbutalsoabitmiserly.WhentherestofuswenttoKhartoum,hedecidedtoremainintheprison. Sincewewereallowedtobuyourfoodatthemarket,thisfriendwouldgototheprisoners,collectorders,andthenvisitthemarket.Whenhecameback,hewouldsellthemwhattheyordered,addingagoodmargin of profit for himself. Gradually he becamerich, but he alwayssatisfiedhimselfwiththecorngiventotheprisoners,sellinghisshareofbreadandmeattous.

Littlebylittle,ourprisoncellbecamethetowncoffee-

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartshouse. Manypeoplefromdifferentclassesofsocietywouldcometous,andweentertainedthemwithtea,coffee,sweetmeats,andeventhewaterpipe.TheyaskedmetomakePersianriceforthem.Becausetheybroughtme many gifts, I found it only fair to treat these guests with similargenerosity.

Someof themost prominentpeople, andevensomeofthelearned,believed that I had a strange mastery of witchcraft, capturing spirits,conqueringthedevil,andevenrulingthesun.Once,whilewewereinthe“DungeonofFear”,ashaykhwasbroughtwhohadareputationforbeingabletocontrolspirits. I askedhimhowskillful hewasatthisart. Hereplied,“Iamabletowriteaverseonthefingernailofanypersonwhichwillcauseajinntovisithimthatverynight.”

“Youarenotamaster,”Isaid.“Icancallforajinntocomerightnowtoattackyouandbeatyou.” AndI startedtosummonanevil spirit. Hebecameveryfearfulandexcitedandbeggedmetostop.So,Iforgavehim.Itoldhimthatthespiritwouldvisithim,butthathewouldnotbeharmed.

Innumerable and incredible superstitions prevailed among theinhabitantsofthispartoftheworld.Forexample,ifsomeone,particularlyawoman,becameill,theyfirmlybelievedthatthepatient’shearthadbeenstolen.Groupsofmenandwomenwouldsurroundthepatient’sbedandspendhoursplayingmusic,singingsongs, andtellingstories. Thiswassupposedtoencourageajinntocomeandpromptoneofthepeopletospeakandsaysomethinglike: “Givesomuchmoneytosuchandsuchaman.” Theybelieved that when the moneywaspaid, the stolen heartwouldbereturned.

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OURBENEFACTOR,Ja‘farPasha,wasreplacedbyIsma‘ılPasha,whoalsoproved to be very kind to us. Hedid his best to protect us fromtheonslaught of the ill-wishers. Although Ja‘far Pasha had written to thegovernmentrecommendingthatwebereleasedfromtheprison,hadgivenuspermissiontoliveinthetownandfreedustoearnourownliving,itwasduringtheruleofhissuccessorthattheaffirmativeanswerreachedtheSudan. Thenewpasha wasveryhappythatduringhisregimewewould be able to enjoy freedom from the prison and its hard labor,restrictions,andfilthyatmosphere.Hewassokindandgentlethathepaidthefirstyear’srentonmyhouse.

Unfortunately, hisrule didnot last longerthansixmonths. Hehadmoreenemiesthanfriends,andhefoundhimselffacedwithacommitteeofinvestigation.Thisprovedexceedinglyhardforhimtobear.Duringthisverydifficultperiodinhislife,weapproachedhishouseandaskedifwecouldseehim.Asheknewthatweweresincere,hegaveusanaudience.Inthecourseoftheconversationwementionedthatshouldthechargeslaid against himbyhis enemiesprove to be true, there was one dooralwaysleftopenbyGod,andthatwastheportalofrepentance. ForGodhaspromisedinHisBooktobecompassionateandforgivingtoanyonewhoapproachesHiminremorseandrepentance.However,ifhehadbeenwronglychargedbyhisenemies, hemustremainhappyandcontentedandsurrenderhiswillandhisaffairsintothehandsoftheAll-Merciful.

Intheend,thepasha’sassistantbecamethegovernor,butheretainedallthemilitaryaffairsunderhiscontrol.Hecontinuedtobeverykindandconsideratetous

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartsand appointed meas a teacher of Arabic grammar in the governmentschools.Itaughtonlyinthemornings,andIspentmyafternoonscopyingtheQur’anandseveralcollectionsofprayers.

THROUGHALLTHESEYEARS,weremainedignorantofwhathadhappenedtoBaha’u’llah.WedidnotknowofHisexiletotheHolyLand.Welongedto know something about Him, but we had no way of reaching Hispresence. WesentletterstoAdrianopleincareofourJewish,Christian,and Muslim friends, but we had no confirmation that they were everreceived.

Therewas, however,aChristianfriendbythenameofIlyas(Elijah),whowasverykindandfair-mindedinhisjudgment.Forexample,inourdiscussionswithhimwelearnedthathebelievedtheQur’anwassuperiortoall theBooksofGodpreceedingit. Heknewofourdeprivationandanxiety and promised to send our letters to Baha’u’llah in care of hisfriends, relatives, and business associates in Damascus, Beirut, andelsewhere.

HowcouldweknowthatBaha’u’llah andHiscompanionshadbeensent to ‘Akka andhadbeen living in verystrict bondage? It wasonlyafterwards that we learned that people suchas Jinab-i-Nabıl hadbeentryingformorethansixmonthstohavejustaglimpseofHim. It wasduringthisperiodofouranxietythatHajıJasiım-i-Baghdadıarrived,cladintherobesofadervish.HehadtraveledallthewayfromtheHolyLandtotheSudan. AspromisedbyBaha’u’llah,hefoundusintheSudan. Nowordscandescribethedepthsofourjoy

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andgratitude.ItwasasiftheSunofTruthhadsentthepenetratingraysofHisloveintothedarknessofourprisonlife. HajıJasiım’sstaylastedforfortydays,duringeverymomentofwhichwediscussednothingandheardnothingexceptthestoriesofHisexiles,therestrictionsoflifein‘Akka,andnewsofthebelovedfriends.

WhenthepeopleofSudanlearnedthatamessengerhadcometousfromthecountryofourBeloved,theywereastonishedatthisunexpectedexpressionoflove. TheMuslimsdescribeditasanactofthepromisedQa’im,andtheChristianssaidthatonlyJesuswouldperformsuchalovingact. The fame of this divine gesture went far and wide, and manyprominent citizens from all backgrounds—Turks, Egyptians, Arabs,Christians,andMuslims—invitedHajı Jasiımtotheirownhouses. Inallthesegatherings, wespokeopenlyaboutBaha’u’llah, Hisexiles,andHisplight in thePrisonof ‘Akka. Theyall knewthat Hajı JasiımhadbeenspeciallysenttotheSudantoinquireaboutourtsituation.

WhileHajıJasiımwasstillwithus,ourfriendIlyasEffendibroughtusaTabletofBaha’u’llahwhichhadbeensentinanswertooursupplication.OurhappinessonreceivingthisTabletwasimmeasurable. WereadtheTablettoIlyasEffendi,whowasdeeplyaffectedbyitscontents. Hesaidthathebelievedinwhateverwesaid,butthatifonlyhecouldbelieveinthelesserprophetsoftheBible,hewouldbelievethattheauthorofthisTabletwasthetrueFatherofJesusChrist.Heoftensaidthathelongedtobecomelikeoneofthebelievers. OnceIwrotetohimthatitissaidthattheProphetElijah(Ilyas)isliving. “IbelievewithallmyheartandsoulthatyouarethelivingElijahbecauseyoufoundmyBelovedandbroughtmeamessagefromHim.”

HajıJasiımreturnedtotheHolyLand,buteverafter-

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartswardswewerehonoredtoreceiveatleastfiveTabletseveryyearfromtheBlessedBeautyandregularnewsfromtheHolyLandandfromHisholypresence.

IfeelobligedtomentionHajıAhmadofMılaninA$ dhirbayjan. Itwasbecauseofthepeoplewhoworkedwithhimthatweregularlyreceivedlettersandnews.Allthefriendsknewofhimandheardofhiswonderfulservices to the Cause. His devotion, sacrifice, steadfastness, anddetachmentmadehimtheuniqueservantoftheHolyThreshold,andalsototheCenterofHisCovenant.WhoamItopraisehim?

LETMEGOBACKtoIsma‘ılPasha,whoprovedabenevolentrulerofthecountry. Hegraduallymadehiswaytohigherandhigherpositions. Themorehewaspromoted,themoreheshowedkindnesstowardus. Inhisearlierpositions,hehadneverdeignedtocometoourplaceofresidence,butoncehehadreachedthehighestpositioninthegovernmenthewouldoftencometoourhousejusttoshowhiskindnesstowardus.

Forashorttimehewasabsent,andanofficialwhoworkedintheofficeofpublicationsandsupervisedthereligiousschoolbegantospreadfalserumorsaboutthisservant.HeclaimedthatIturnedmypupilsawayfromIslamandsolodgedacomplaintagainstme,whichhehadmanypeoplesign. Hedideverythinginhispowertodestroyme. Hehadalmosttheentirepopulationleaguedwithhim,andIhadtodependuponGodalone.Becauseofhisevilmachinations,manydidnotdaretocomenearus.

ThereaderwillrememberShaykhAmın,theblind

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learnedmanoftheSudan. Ihadseenmanysuchpeople,butnoneeverequaltohiminlearningandperceptiveintelligence. Shouldastrangerpassbyinthemarketplaceorinthestreet,hewouldimmediatelydeclarethat a stranger hadpassedby, becausehehadnot heardhis footstepsbefore.Hecouldopenanybooktothepagehedesired.Atthistime,whenmynamewasonthelipsofall,andmanybelievedtheaccusationsagainstme, this noble personaroseto defendtheoppressedones. HeopenlyproclaimedthatthePersianswereoftruefaith,werenobleintheirdeeds,andthatsuchslanderousaccusationswereabsolutelyfalse.

The pasha returned home, and the moment he heard about theaccusationshedismissedtheofficialwhohadaccusedusandorderedaninvestigationofhisaffairs. Itwassoondiscoveredthatthispersonhadcommittedmanyunlawful things. Hewasthendisgracedand livedallaloneinhishouse. Hisownrelativeswouldnotgotoseehim,buttheycametomeandsoughthelpforthemanagementoftheaffairsoftheirhousehold.

ITWASINTHEseventhoreighthyearofourimprisonmentintheSudanthat Hajı ‘Alıyi-Yazdı, accompaniedbyhis brothers, cametovisit us, asinstructedbyBaha’u’llah. ThisbountyofGodwasindeedoverwhelming.Bythistimewewerefinanciallywellsettled. WhatweneededwasthebreezeoftheMercifulwaftingoverusfromtherosegardenofHislove.Thiswasgrantedtousbythecomingofthesefriends,whobroughtfreshnewsfromtheHolyLand.

WesuggestedthatoneofthemshouldstayinKhartoumtoopenandmanageacommercialcenter.Hajı

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHearts‘Alıacceptedtheproposal,andhehimselfbecametheheadofthistradingoperation. Thenextyear,Iwasinchargeofthisbusiness,whichinthecourseoftimebecameveryfamousandameansbywhichmanycametoknowabouttheFaithanditsfollowers.

OnceortwiceayearsomeonewouldvisitusfromtheHolyLandinthecourseofbusiness.Theywouldalsobringthespiritualsustenancetokeepusalive.WethankedGodathousandtimesthatwehadbeenfavoredwiththeknowledgeofthisRevelation.

AtthistimeGeneralGordonbecamethegovernoroftheSudan. Thepersonmentionedpreviously,whohadfalselyaccusedmeinthepast,nowemergedfromseclusioninhishometolaunchanotherattackagainstme,withmoreprofaneinsults.Hesparednoefforts.Bribesweregiveninanattempttopoisonthemindofthenewgovernoragainstus.Thefirststepstakenbythisperniciousenemyseemedsoinjuriousthatwehadcausetobe alarmed. The governor, upon receiving these slanderous accounts,askedforreportsfromtheEnglishconsulandothers.Allcommendedoursmallgroupandpraisedeveryoneofusasnoblecitizens.

Itwasthecustomatthattimetosetasideaspecialdaywhenallthepeoplewouldbeinvitedtovisitthenewgovernortowelcomehimandwish him a long and happy stay. When that day was announced, Ipreparedamirrortwo-and-one-half metersin lengthandone-and-one-halfmetersinwidth. IhadthemirrorinscribedwithmercuryinlargeEnglishletters:“LongLiveGeneralGordon.”Isenthimthismirrorincareof theBritishConsulate. It wassowarmly receivedthat they orderedanotheronetobemadeforGeneralGordon’ssisterinEngland,andtheysentahundredpoundsforthegiftswehadoffered.

BecauseBaha’u’llahhad,bothverballyandinsomeTablets,promisedthatIwouldmeetHimagain,even

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duringthemosttryingmomentsofmycaptivityandimprisonment,intheinnermostpartofmyheartIfeltcertainthatthedaywoulddawnwhenIcouldmakemywayoncemoretoHispresence.WhenthesecondmirrorwasofferedtoGeneralGordon,heverykindlyremarked,“Noamountofmoneycouldequaltheexcellenceofyourgift;therefore,youmusttellmewhatIcandoforyou.”

ItwasamostopportunemomentandIsaidtohim,“Iwantnothingexcepttofreemyselffromthissituation.”

“Writeapetitionandexplainthatyouwereimprisonedwithoutanyinquiryorinvestigation,”hereplied. Ipreparedapetitionsayingthatweallabhorredwhathadbeenattributedtous,thatkingsandrulershavenosovereigntyovertheheartsandconsciencesofthepeople, andthatnopowerexceptthatoftheAlmightycouldevergovernorcontroltheheartsofmen. Therefore,werequestedtobesetfreeandallowedtoreturntoourhomes. Weconcludedbystatingthatwewouldcontinuetoprayforhisjustgovernment.OneoftheotherBaha’ıswroteasimilarpetition.

Thisletterwasdispatchedtothegeneral,andsoonacablewashandedtousstatingthatwewerefreetoreturnhome,butwewerenotallowedtogotoEgypt.Thedayofdeparturewasindeedagreatspectacle.Allofthenotables—ChristiansandMuslims—cametobidfarewellandseeussafelyonboardtheshipboundforfreedom.

Afterourdeparture,welearnedthattheconsulgeneralofIran,MırzaHusayn Khan,whohadcommittedsomanyiniquitiesandhadbeenthecauseofourimprisonment,eventuallybecamethesubjectofthehatredofhisowncompatriots. Theincessantplotshecontrivedagainstothersforthepurposeof depriving themof their possessionsandmoneycausedmanyoppressedindivid-

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartsuals to lodge complaints against him to the Persian court. Officersinvestigated and soon his plans, plunders, and persecutions becameknown. First he was strippedof all the wealthhehadso dishonestlygatheredfromPersiansubjects.ThenhewasputinchainsanddispatchedtoPersia.Sohewaspunishedforhisevildeeds.

MY BOATwasboundforJiddih, thewell-knownArabianportwherethousandsofpilgrimsgathertoapproachMeccaandMedina. Wherevertheboatdocked,chiefsoftheArabtribesshowedusmuchkindnessandhospitality. WhenwelandedinJiddih,IturnedtowardMeccaandsaid,“Yes,myLord,Iamhere.”

In Mecca a great surprise awaited me. Uponmyarrival I had theimmensejoyandhonorofmeetingtwoBaha’ıs,Salman,“themessengeroftheMerciful”,andHajıMuhammad-i-Yazdı.

Afterspendingtwomonthsinquarantine,weleftMecca.Crossingthetempestuoussea,wesawateverymomentthewingsofdeathspreadoverus. Afterlosingallhopeofarrivinganywhere,wefinallyreachedBeirut.InthiscitywehadthehonorofmeetingMuhammadMustafaBaghdadı.He was one of the most distinguished followers of the Faith. Fromchildhoodhehadfacedthehardesttestsandemergedstrongerandwithevenmorefaithandcertitude. Hewasstaunchandsteadfast,hisheartfilledwith the intenseheat of loveandfaithfulness. I havenevermetanotherpersonwhocouldsoperfectlyofferthewateroflifetothefriends,andatthesametimethefireofGod’swrathtotheCovenant-breakers.Hissons,Husayn,‘Alı,andDıya,carriedthe

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essenceoftheirfather. TheyallstoodasmembersofonebodytoservetheCauseofGodandthepeopleofBaha.Eventhechildrenwereadornedwiththerobeofservitude.Itseemsthattheirmotherhadfedthemwiththemilkofeternallifeandhadbroughtthemupinthebosomofloveandcompassion. Truly,thefatherofthisnoblefamilywasaBaha’ı inname,deeds,life,andineveryatomofhisexistence. Whileinthepresenceofthis unique andwondrous family, I could inhale the sweet perfumeofservitudeto‘Abdu’l-Baha.

ItwasintheirhousethatIwroteasupplicationtoBaha’u’llahintheHolyLand. AtthetopofmyletterIwroteaverseoftheQur’anwhichreads:“PraisedbetheLordWhohasfulfilledHispromiseandgrantedustheearthasourinheritanceandtoliveinParadiseaswewish.”Butintheletter I changed “as we wish” to “as Thou desirest”. When my letterreachedHismercifulhands,Heimmediatelysaid,“Wehaveinvitedhimlongago.Heispermittedtocome.”

AFTER THREE DAYS we reached ‘Akka, the city which is praised andextolledintheHolyBooksofthepast. TherewerethreepersonsinthePilgrim House who could be called the chosen ones of God and theessences of existence: Mırza Muhammad Hasan, the caretaker of thePilgrimHouseandatrueservanttoallthevisitors;HusaynA$ qa,wholikealightoffaithfulnessconstantlyhoverednearBaha’u’llahawaitingHiseverywish;andMırzaA$ qaJan,whowasinthepresenceoftheAncientBeauty.Thefirsttwowereneverdeceivedbytherankandpositiongiventhem,butthethirdonecouldnotstandfirmagainst

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartsthe suggestions of self. Eventually, his nearness was changed intoeverlastingloss.

ThefirsttwohadsacrificedthemselvesutterlytotheirBelovedandtotheservicesgrantedthemtoperform.Weneverheardawordfromthemwhichcoulddenotepersonalambition.ThePersianpoetsays:

FortheirBeloved,theloversdie.Theyhavenowordstomakereply.

Becauseofmylongimprisonment,myeyeshadbecomeweak. Foraconsiderabletimeit hadbeendifficult formetoreadandwrite. Once‘Abdu’l-BahaenteredourroomatthePilgrimHouseandaskedmeabouttheconditionofmyeyesandears. WhenIexplained,HerecommendedthatInotshavemyhead.26 HeexplainedthatitwasagainsttheexplicittextoftheKitab-i-Aqdas.Headvisedmetoletmyhairgrowandtobegintowrite,evenifonlytenwordsaday. “Asyouregainyoureyesight,youshouldincreasetheamountofwriting,”wasHislovingrecommendationtome. NowIammorethaneightyyearsofage,buttheweaknessesofmyeyesandearshaveneverreachedsolowaconditionastheywerethirty-fiveyearsagointheSudan.

AtnightwewerecalledupontoattendthepresenceofBaha’u’llah.AsaMuslimIhadlearnedthattherearemanycategoriesofangels. Someconstantlystand in prayer, while others sit, mentioningHis namesandattributes, andstill others remain prostrated in front of Him. But thehighestrankofangelsarethosewhoremainbewilderedandawestruckbythebeautyandsplendoroftheBeloved.

I found true examples of the last group of angels in the Baha’ıcommunity of ‘Akka. They numbered more than a hundred, each oneunitedtotheotherlikemembersofonebody. Theywereproudofeachother,andthebondwhichjoinedthemtogetherinperfectunity

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wasnothingbuttheirselflesslovefortheGloryofGod.Mostofthemwerebusyduringthedayintheirshops;butthreehoursbeforesunset,theygatherednearthehouseofBaha’u’llah. Somewouldseatthemselvesonthesteps, while others wouldwalk slowly andtalk of nothing but HiswordsandHisdesires.

SometimestheycouldbeholdHimwalkingonthebalconyofHishouse.TheirjoywouldknownoboundsifHewouldbeckontothemtohastentoHisroom. Theyweresounitedthattheywouldsacrificeeverythingforeachother. WheneveragroupofthemwasgrantedpermissiontogotoHim, all the others sharedtheir spiritual ecstasy. It seemedthat theirexultationaffectedthewholesurroundings. Onecouldfeeltheeffectoftheirrapturousstateevenintheatmosphere.AndtheyhadeveryrighttoreachsuchastateofintoxicationbecausetheywereallowedtoentertheParadiseofReunion.Itwasextremelyinterestingtoseethemwhentheyreturned.Foralongperiodoftimetheywouldremainquiet.Whentheywerethemselvesagain,theywouldreporttotheothersthesweetwordstheyhadheard. Invariablytheyconfessedthattheirwordswerenottheexact utterances of Him in Whose presence they had stood, totallyenraptured.

As far as I remember, there was no one who claimed to utter onecompletesentenceinHispresence. Ofcourse,thereweresomearrogantsoulswhoreachedtheLandofPromiseandsoughtHisaudienceforthesakeofargument,debate,ordispute. EvensuchpeopleweregraciouslypermittedtogotoHim.Veryoftenithappened,however,thatthemomenttheyheardHisvoicesaying,“Pleasecomein,”theywouldenterHisroom,prostrate themselves, and then remain seated, unable to utter a word.Thustheyweretransformedandwenthomesincereandfullofloveandfaith.Therewere,ofcourse,someexceptionalcases.Someofthe

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartsnon-believers experienced the same feeling of overwhelming spiritualpowerbutongoinghomedeclared,“Wewerebewitched.”

BAHA$ ’U’LLA$ H’Simprisonmentinthewalledcityof‘Akkafornineyearsbecame a source of deep sorrow to the beloved Master, ‘Abdu’l-Baha.Therefore, He purchased land between two rivers and planted someflowersandtreesthere.LaterthisplacebecameknownastheGardenofRidvan(Paradise).27 Theworkinvolvedinconstructingthisgardentooksix or seven years to complete. But Baha’u’llah would not accept theproposal of evenvisitingtheplace. OutwardlyHewasa prisoner andrefusedtogowithoutthepermissionofthestate.‘Abdu’l-Bahaaskedthemuftiof‘AkkatospeaktoBaha’u’llah.HeinstructedhimtoenterHisroomandnot to leave unless and until He agreed to visit the garden. TheofficialsofthegovernmentdidnothavetheslightestobjectiontoHisgoingthere.

The mufti obtained permission to enter Baha’u’llah’s room. Heapproached,prostratedhimself,andheldthehemofthegarmentoftheBlessedBeauty.Baha’u’llahtriedtopullawaythehem,butthemuftisaid,“Iwillnotletitgountilyougrantmywish.”

Baha’u’llahsmiledandasked,“Whatdoyouwant?”

Themuftisaid,“Nothingbutthis:ThatthegardenbecometheGardenof Ridvan through the honor of your presence.” When He gave Hisconsent,themuftihastenedouttogivethegoodnewsto‘Abdu’l-Bahaandthegovernmentofficials.

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THREE MONTHS PASSED and I was still a pilgrim. During this time,‘Abdu’l-BahaarrangedtorenttheMansionofMazra‘ih,whereBaha’u’llahlivedfortwoyears.IrememberthatoncetheRidvanFeastwascelebratedin the house of Jinab-i-Kalım,28 where I was living. A newpasha hadarrivedin‘AkkaastheheadoftheCustomHouse. Onthatdayhewassittinginacoffeehousewithmanyofhisofficersandotherdignitariesofthe town. Baha’u’llah was on His way to His brother’s house. As Hepassedthecoffeehouse,thepashaandallhisretinuestoodupandbowedbeforeHim. AsHepassedby,HebestowedHislovingbenedictionuponthem.Thenthepasha,bewildered,approachedhisfriendsandasked,“IsthistheHolySpiritortheKingofKings?WhoisHe?”

“Heisthefatherof‘AbbasEffendi,”29wastheunanimousreply.

IHADSUCHwonderfulcompanionsthatIneverwishedtobeseparatedfrom them. They were Jinab-i-Nabıl, the historian; Mırza MuhammadHasan,thecustodianofthePilgrimHouse;andDarvıshSSidq-‘Alı,oneofthe companions of Baha’u’llah in His exiles and imprisonment. Wegathered together in the neighborhood of our Beloved and spent theeveningsinthementionofGod. Becauseofourspiritualmeetings,thenightbecamemoreilluminedforusthantheday.

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartsDarvısh SSidq-‘Alı, before embracing the Faith, had been addicted toopium.Nowthathehadstoppedusingit,breathingbecameverydifficultforhim. Once,foranentirenighthestruggledtobreathe. Thedoctorsrecommended that he return to opium, so he asked permission ofBaha’u’llahtousealittle.Instead,hewasgivenagoldcoinwithwhichtopurchasemedicine.

Fearing death, he came to us and said that it was contrary todetachmentandabsolutedependenceonGodtohavesuchanamountofmoneyinhispurse. Hecouldnotreconcilehimselftowhathefeltwasadeparturefromspirituallaw.ButasBaha’u’llahhadtoldhimthatHelikedpeopletohavesomecapital,hethoughtthatthebestinvestmentforhismoneywouldbetopurchasesugarandteaandofferthemtotheHolyHousehold.Hisofferingwasgraciouslyacceptedbecausehisreasonswerelogicalandacceptable.

THEDAYCAMEwhenIwastoreturnhome—buthowcouldIleavetheParadise of Reunion? Twice I sent letters, and twice permission wasgrantedmetostayanothertwoweeks. WhenthethirdtimecameandIwasaskedtogo,Iwentto‘Abdu’l-BahaandexplainedhowunbearableitwasformetoleavethepresenceofBaha’u’llah.IwassummonedtogotoBaha’u’llah’s room. Hesmiledand told me, “Youcan stay fifteendaysmore,butontheconditionthatsomeonewillguaranteeyourdepartureatthattime.Wewantyoutoreturnhomeveryhappy,butdonotforgetthecondition:someonemustguaranteethatyouwillleave!”

TothisIpromptlyreplied,“TheMaster!”30

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Hesmiledandagreed that I could stay fifteendays more. When IreachedthePilgrimHouse,Iactuallydancedtoshowtheuncontrollablejoythathadoverwhelmedme.

Duringmylastfifteendays,Iwasveryofteninthepresenceof‘Abdu’l-Baha. IhavenowordstoexplaintheenchantmentofmysoulnorcanIrepeatthesweetutterancesIheard.Icanneverbegratefulenoughforallthedivinebountieswhichwereabundantlyshowereduponme.IwassenttotheSudanasahumbleprisonerandcaptive,andnowIhademergedfromthedarknessofimprisonmenttobeholdthewondrouscountenanceofBaha’u’llahand‘Abdu’l-Baha.Then,Iwaspooranddestitute;now,Ihadgoldcoinsandmaterialpossessions.SpirituallyandmateriallyIwasnowinaperfectcondition.HowcouldIeverexpressmygratitude?

AsIwasponderingsuchthoughtsin‘Akka,thebelovedMasteraskedme,“Wouldyoubehappyifyoulostallthatyounowpossess?”

Ireplied,“IwouldbeinthesamepositionaswhenIleftPersiayearsago. I did not have a penny then—and now I will not mind if I ampennilesswhenIreturnhome.Idonotcareforanything,solongasIcankeepmyfaithandlove.Youmademerich;whenIofferedmypossessionstoyou,youacceptedthemandthenreturnedthemtome.”AtthattimeIcouldnotunderstandwhattheMasterintendedbythisconversation.

FINALLYthedaycamewhenIhadtoleave‘AkkaforIran.ManyTabletswereentrustedtome,but‘Abdu’l-Baha’sinstructionswereveryexplicit:

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHearts“WhenyoureachthesoilofIran,youmustgivealltheTabletstoatrustedfriendandaskhimtoforwardthemtowhereveryouchooseasyourfutureaddress.”

IwenttoIranbywayofMosulandBaghdad.InMosulIhadthegreatjoyofvisitingJinab-i-ZaynandallthefriendswhohadbeencapturedinBaghdadandsentasprisonerstothisnortherndistrictofIraq.IlenttheTablets to Jinab-i-Zayn, who transcribed them. During my entire tripthroughvariouscountriesonmywaytoIran,Iwasverycourteouslyandrespectfullyreceivedbythegovernmentofficials,becausetheyknewthatIwas an obedient servant of that illustrious person known as ‘AbbasEffendi. Becauseof their lovingattachment to theMaster, the officialsmadeeverystageofmytravelacrosstheircountriesverycomfortableandpleasant.

I also met my uncle, Jinab-i-Vakıl. As one of the captives, it wasnecessaryforhimtoearnalivinginordertoprovideforhisfamily.Athisadvancedagehefoundnootherwaybuttolearnshoemaking.Thoughinastateofnearpoverty,hetookmetohishome. Theloveandhospitalitythatfamilyshowedputmetoshame,especiallywhenIcouldonlyexpressmygratitudeinwords—andpromisesofprayersontheirbehalfandonbehalfofthedeceasedmembersoftheirfamily.Thesepeoplelivedinsuchunity, love, and peace that they mirrored forth the same light as onebeheldintheBaha’ıcommunityof‘Akka.

TheyviedwitheachotherinservingtheCauseandhadnoultimateaiminlifeexcepttohaveaglanceofHiscountenance.Thoughpoor,theyhadestablishedafundtowhichtheadultsandchildrenwouldcontributeanyextraamountfromtheirdailyincome. Intimeofneedthefriendswereallowedtoborrow,butwiththestipulationthattheywouldpaybacktheloanwithinterest.

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ON THE BORDER between Iraq and Iran I met someone from ‘Akka.WhenhelearnedthatIhadspentsometimethere,heintroducedmetothe Kurds, and they enveloped me with love and hospitality. SomevenerablemenofthatdistrictrelatedtomestoriesofthesojournoftheAncientBeautyinthemountainousdistrictsoftheircountryandofthespiritualimpactHehadonallthepeople. TheyweresoenthralledwithoneoftheTablets‘Abdu’l-Bahahadwrittenattheageoffourteen,inwhichHehadexpoundedondivinelove, thatwithinafewdaystheymadeatleasttencopiesofthatlongcommentary.

TherewasaPersianresidingtherenamedA$ qaJan-i-Naraghı.Ilearnedthat he hadbeena great opponent of the Cause andan enemyof thefriends,forwhomhehadcausedafflictionsandpersecutions. ThismanbecameaveryfirmbelieverduringmystayamongsttheKurds, andhethenarosetoservetheCauseinordertocompensateforhispasterrors.Ithappenedthat,ononeofhistrips,heandhiscompanionswereattackedby outlaws and robbed of their possessions. They found themselvespennilessandwithnomeansoflivelihood.Atthatmomentofdistressandagony,helookeduptotheheavensandsaid, “OGod,isthisthewaytotreatA$ qaJan?”

After saying this, he continued walking home. Some time later hereceived a Tablet from Baha’u’llah. In it He stated, “We heard yourwhisperings. Youareright! Godwillbewithyouandwillconfirmyou.”Fromthenonnewdoorswereopenedtohimandtotheotherfriends.Theyhadgreatsuccessintheirservicestothe

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartsCausewhichtheyhadrecentlyandverycourageouslyembraced.

A$ qaJanandIspentmanyhours,togetherwithotherBaha’ıs,tryingtoteach the Faith to the Kurds. It was difficult, but four or five peoplebecamebelievers,andweheldsomemeetingsforprayersanddiscussion.Though we did not allow people to know about our meetings andeverythingwasconductedinaveryquietmanner,onenightweheardaknockingatthedoor.Whenweopenedit,amanenteredandtoldusthathewasthirstytoknowabouttheFaith.Hewasintearsandsaid,“Youareknownasthefollowersofanewreligion. Ihaveobservedyouandhavefound you to be people of purity, chastity, and piety. I neverthelessreceivedreportsofevilthingsaboutyou.ButwhenIobservedthosewhospreadthesereports,Ifoundthembusypursuingthematerialthingsoflife. SometimesI cameacrossthesepeoplegamblingorbackbiting. InyourconversationIheardnothingbutthementionofGod. Therefore,IbelievethatyouareworshipersofGod.” AftersomediscussionthismanembracedtheCause.

AnotherpersoncameandaskedfortheKitab-i-I$qan.Hereturnedthenextdayandsaid,“WhenIwenttomyroomandstartedreadingthebook,IstoppedanddecidedthatIwouldlockthedoorfromwithin.Ibegantoimagineallsortsofthings:someonemayhaveseenmelockthedoorandmightguessIwasreadingaBabıbook.SoIputoutthelightandretiredearly,inordertogetupbeforedawntoreadthebook. Againanarmyofidlethoughtscametome:surelymyneighborswillthinkthatthereasonformygoingtobedintheearlyhoursoftheeveningwastogetupbeforedawnfornootherpurposethantoreadBabıbooks!

“Iwasbeginningtofeelatalossforwhattodoand

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towonderhowIshouldeverhavethecouragetoreadthisbook.AversefromtheQur’ancametomymind. It saysthatassuranceisgrantedtoheartsonlythroughthementionofGod. IbeggedGod,theAlmighty,tostrengthenmyheart.AsIwaspraying,somethingsuddenlydawneduponmeandI saidtomyself, ‘Youarefrightenedtodeathat thethoughtofmerely reading this book. Ponder then the strength of heart whichbelonged to the One Who first wrote it. This samecourage has beenimparted to many others who willingly hastened into the arena ofmartyrdom.’”

Thesethoughtsbroughtourfriendtoabsolutefaith. Thoughhewasinvolvedinextensivecommercialenterprises,hesparednoeffortortimetocopyTabletsandhewasabletoteachmanyothers. ThePersianpoetsays:

Makenosearchforwater.ButNindthirst,Andwaterfromtheverygroundwillburst.

SINCEIHADREACHEDthesoilofPersia,followingtheinstructionsoftheMasterIfoundareliablefriendbythenameofAsadu’llah,andIentrustedhimwithalltheholyTablets.IaskedhimtodispatchthemtoTabrız. Asformymaterialpossessions,IconsultedwiththefriendsonhowbesttoinvestmymoneysothattheprofitwouldenablemetotravelandteachtheFaith. The friends advised me to entrust my capital to the care of arespectableBaha’ıofTabrızbythenameofHajıAhmad-i-Mılanı.ItneveroccurredtometoleavethesematerialricheswiththosespiritualonesIhadentrustedtoAsadu’llah.NeitherInormy

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartsadvisors realized the reason for ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s instructions. As theproverbsays:“Whentheendhascome,thebestphysiciansarebutfools.”

OneearlymorningwesetoffwithacaravanheadingforTabrız. Wehadscarcelybeenonthewayformorethanhalfanhourwhenagroupofthirty well-armed outlaws issued forth from the hills and spreadthemselvesamongstthetravelers.Everythingwepossessedwasstolen—evenourclothesweretakenfromus. Webeggedthemtogiveusbackenoughclothingtocoverourselves,buttheyrefused.

Ihadonlyonehope.Aswehadrunaway,Iwasabletothrowasmallpouch containing nineteen gold coins into a pit. After the outlawsabandonedustoourfateandthecaravandrivershadscatteredtorescuetheirmules,whichhadrunawayindifferentdirections,IreturnedtotheplacewhereIhadthrownthepouchandretrievedit.ThenImademywaybacktothehouseof friendswhereI hadslept thenight before. Theybroughtmeclothestocovermynakedness.

Complaintsweresenttothegovernor,buttonoavail. IwrotealettertotheHolyLandandsaidinlightheartedfashion,“Iobeyed,andentrustedalltheTabletsandHolyWritingstoafrienduponarrivalinIran;butwhatwouldhavehappenedifthesameinstructionshadbeengivenforthecareandprotectionofthepropertyofthisservant?”

Manypeoplecametoourhelp,butnoneeversucceededinlocatingthehighwayrobbers nor in retrieving our possessions. The last one whocametohelpuswasMırza‘Abdu’llah Khan,thematernalgrandfatherofJinab-i-Varqa.Itwasagreathonortobewiththisfriendandtobeawareof his spiritual excellence. As the days passed, I thanked God everymomentthatthelossofthoseephemeralpossessionsgavemeachancetospendafewdayswithhim.

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Ispentfourmonthsinthatregion,makingeveryefforttorecovermypossessions.Buttherewasnohope.DuringthistimeIcontinuedtoteach,andseveralpeoplebecameBaha’ıs—sufis, merchants, andshopkeepers.Thesevictorieswereonlytheresultofbeingrobbedandwronged,andofmysufferingandpoverty.

AFTERWARDS,ItraveledtoTihranforavisitandalsotoearnalivingandtoteachtheFaith. OneSundayIwenttotheserviceofaProtestantmissioninthecity. Whilethere,IfoundanopportunitytotalkabouttheProphetsofthepast. Theministerinchargewasdelightedandkeptmeaftertheserviceended.Wediscusseddifferentmatters,andhefoundmetobesympathetictotheProtestantfaithandsowaskindtome.

But he was puzzledby my friendliness. Heaskedmewho I knewamongthenoblemenofthecity. I saidthatIhadcometoTihranonlyrecentlyandthatIwasinvolvedincleansingmysoulandthereforehadmetnoone. Thiscausedhimtobeevenmorecuriousabout me. HeappointedsomepeopletospyonmeandsodiscoveredthatIwasaBaha’ı.

WhenIwenttovisithimagain,hewouldnotseeme.“WereceiveonehundredthousandtumansayearfromtheUnitedStatestoteachtheFaithofChrist,”hesaid. “ButyouareaBaha’ıandhavecomeheretoinfiltrateourgroupandhuntforconverts.”

“Ihavenotcomeheretohuntforconvertsfromyourcongregation,”Ireplied,“buttofindifyouprofessthisfaithforthesakeofmoneyorforthesakeofGod.NowIseethatyouloveonlymoneyandpower.”

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Afterthisencounter,Ididnotknowwhattodo.Iseemedtobealostsoul. IwantedtoearnsomemoneyandtoservetheCauseofGod,butitseemedimpossible. Atmyage,ifIenteredaprofession,Iwouldhavenoskillsorexperience,andmyworkwouldallowmenotimetoteach.ThenIrealizedthatifIbecameascribe,IcouldsatisfymyneedsandstudytheSacredWritingsaswell. SoIbegantocopysomeoftheWritingsforaliving.ButIwasentrappedinaspiritualdilemma.

Ilistenedtothepromptingsofmyownself,andittoldmethatintheSudanweusedtoreceiveaTabletatleasteverymonthortwo.Then,Hajı‘AlıandHajıJasiımweresenttoconveymessagesofHislove.Now,afterallthesufferingsthatwehadendured,eversincewehadarrivedinIrantherehadbeennomessageandnoTablet. SuchvainimaginingscausedmesomuchdistressthatIwasnearlydestroyed. Iwasimmersedinaseaofdespair.ButsoonIrealizedthatmyagonywasduetonothingotherthanmyownignorance.

I continued to transcribe the Sacred Writings. One day, as I wascopying the Hidden Words of Baha’u’llah, I came across the followingverse:

OSONOFMAN!

HumblethyselfbeforeMe,thatImaygraciouslyvisitthee.AriseforthetriumphofMycause,thatwhileyetonearththoumayestobtainthevictory.31

Suddenlyallthepasteventsofmylifeflashedbeforeme. Iexaminedthemonebyone, andasI foundnothingexceptmylowliness, andtheexaltednessofthebountiesofGodeverywhereandineveryinstantofmylife,Iaddressedmyselfsaying,“Actnotlikethebeggarswhoexpectwagesforeveryinsignificantdeed.”

Fortunately,Iwasabletotriumphovermydespairandemergewithanewsenseofhappinessandresponsibility.FromthenonIhaverefusedtoallowmyselftofeelsadandgloomy,evenifallthefriendsshould

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ignore me. This has never actually happened, but when the slightestsuggestionofselfwouldbegintoovertakeme,Iwouldreproachmyownselfandsay,“Itisyourownmistake!”

Becauseofthisinnerstruggle,Iwasgraduallyabletoreachaworldoftranquillityandimmeasurablespiritualexaltation.Iwasrevived,andwithanewspiritIhastenedtothefriends.Manyanightwegatheredtogether.Thefriendswerefewinnumber, andwewereneverapart. Thesefewbelievers were poor, and everyone earned a meager living with greatdifficulty. One of themwas Baba-Jan, gatekeeper of the house of theAmınu’d-Dawlih.Hislunchwasprovidedforhimbyhismaster.Hewouldbringthishome,and,addingtoitasmallamountofcheeseandyogurt,hewouldinvitethefriendstopartakeofthisbanquet. Itwouldfeedseven.Atnighthewouldprovideuswithabgusht(stew).

TheonlyoneswhowerewelloffamongthefriendsinTihranwereA$ qaMuhammadKarım‘Attarandhisbrother,HajıMuhammadRahım. Thesetwo believers and their sisters were all devoted to the Cause of God.Wheneverthefriendsdesiredtohaveasumptuousmeal,theywouldsendthemamessage,andthefamilywouldcomplywiththeirwishesandsendPersianriceandroastmeat.Onenightthebrothersthemselvesattendedsuchabanquet,andthedeliciousfoodwasfollowedbyfreshfruit.Wehadawonderfulmeetingtogether.

THETIMECAMEwhenIdecidedtotraveltotownsandvillagesinIranforthepurposeofteachingtheCause. Inordertobesuccessfulduringsucharduoustrips,Iadoptedthemostsimplemode

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartsoflife. I traveledwiththecaravans. Myfoodconsistedofabgushtandmilk,wheneverIcouldgetthat. Wordsfailtoexplainhowallmyaffairswerearranged,butHehastenedtomebymileswheneverIdrewmyselfneartoHimevenasmuchasonestep! Shouldthewholeworldponderthismiracle,itwouldproveimpossibletounderstandorappreciatesuchmysterious divine bounties. How can we then fittingly express ourgratitude? His bounties are endless and our words of praise totallyinadequate.

InthecourseofmyBaha’ıtoursandteachingsessions,IcouldfeelHisinvisible and transforming force, which possessed all hearts.TransformationandconfirmationarepowerswhichbelongtoGodalone.ItisonlythroughHisgraceandbountythatweweakchildrenareenabledtocrawlonthepathofservitude. Yet,HeappreciatesourfeebleeffortsandcrownsthemwiththelaurelsofHispleasureandacceptance.

For about thirty years I traveled throughout Iran. Should I try todescribeallthefallaciousargumentsandprotestationsofthepeopleandtheirbitterdisapproval,theloveandassistanceofthefriends,theanswerswhichweregivenonlythroughdivineconfirmationandinspiration,thislittleepistlewouldbecomeavoluminousbook.

IN KH URA$ SA$ N, the Shuja‘u’d-Dawlih had met Fadl-i-Qa’inı (Nabıl-i-Akbar)andotherillustriousBaha’ıs.ButunfortunatelysomeenemyoftheCause, underthepretenseofbeingknowledgeableabouttheFaith, hadmethimandgivenhimmanywrongideasagainsttheFaith. Becauseofthis,Iverymuch

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desiredtomeethimsothatImightdispelsuchfalseconceptionsfromthemindofthisverypowerfulandinfluentialgovernor.

Onebyonehisservantscametoseeme. Iaskedthemtoarrangeameetingbetweentheirmasterandme,andlesthewouldbedisturbed,Iemphasizedthatsuchameetingshouldbeheldsecretly.

Ameetingwasthereforearranged.WhenIwasadmittedtohishome,IsaidthatIwasatraveler.HeimmediatelyaskedmeifIhadbeento‘AkkaandifIhadmetBaha’u’llah.Myanswerwasaffirmative.

“WhatisHisclaim?”heasked.

“HeclaimstobethePromiseofalltheProphetsofGod,”Ireplied.ThenIrecitedmanyoftheversesrevealedbyHisexaltedPen. InconclusionIsaidthatIdidnotconsidermyself tobeoneofHistruefollowers, butendeavored to explain everything about them based on my ownunderstandingandjudgment.

Hedidnotlikemystatementandhesaid,“IfyouwerenotoneofHisfollowers,youcouldnotspeaksofluentlyaboutHimandwouldnothavememorizedsomanypassagesfromHisWritings. Iknowyouareoneofthem;therefore,unveilyourselfandspeaktomeopenly.”

WhenIconfessedtohimthatIwasoneoftheservantsoftheCause,heshowedmemuch kindness and commanded me to be in his presenceeverymorning.Hepermittedmetowithdrawonlyafterthemiddaymeal.DuringthosedaysIexplainedeverydetailoftheFaithtohim—itshistory,principles,andprecepts—andheembracedtheFaithofGod. Thereafter,peoplecametoourmeetingsinlargenumbers.

Becauseofsuchvictories,IwrotetoBaha’u’llahandexplainedthatIhadspokenoftheFaithopenly.SoonIreceivedaTabletwhichwaswritteninajokingstyle,yetwasmostalarming.Baha’u’llahstatedthatsinceI

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartshadconfessedtoHimthatIhadviolatedtheprincipleofwisdomandhadspokenopenlyabouttheCause,Ihadmademyselftheobjectofsanctionandmustreceivemypunishment. ButattheendoftheTabletHemademe hopeful and happy by saying that God is always forgiving andcompassionate. This Tablet warnedme that certain unpleasant thingsweregoingtohappentome.

One of the friends told me that the governor had an extraordinarysecretary. Should there be one hundred persons of outstandingintellectualfaculties,hewouldsurpassthemall.Butunfortunatelyhewasanatheistandadrunkard. MyfriendurgedthatIseethisextraordinaryperson.ItwasthereforearrangedthatIshouldmeethim.

Webegantalkingataboutsunset, andwecontinuedthroughouttheentire night. During the conversation, I did my best to open up adiscussionontheFaith,buthestubbornlyturnedtheconversationtowardsomeothersubjecteachtimeitbegantoveerinthedirectionofreligion.Hewasindeedamasteroftheartofconversation.Iwasutterlyabsorbedby the facility with which he directed the flow of our discussion inwhateverwayhechose.Themoreherebuffedmyeffortstointroducethesubjectofreligion,themoreIlikedhimandthemoreIlongedtoteachhimtheFaithofBaha’u’llah.

In the morning I finally asked him, “Have you studied any of HisWritings?”

“No!”washisimmediatereply.

“Whynot?”Iasked.“YouhavesuchalargelibraryandyetyouhavenotreadanyofHisbooks.”

“Idesiretolivebymyownfreewill,”heanswered.

Imusteredmycourageand,pointingtohisbooks,said,“Ibelievethisissheerprejudiceandnothingelse.Youdonotbelieveinthecontentsofallthesebooks,andyetyouhavethemandreadthem. WereitnotforthisprejudiceagainsttheManifestationofGodandHis

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works, you would not refrain from knowing something about ourliterature.”

Hesaid,“Youhaveoverpoweredme. Afterourlongwrestlingmatch,nowyouhavemeflatonthefloor.Youareright.SendmeabookandIwillreadit.”

TheKitab-i-I$qanwasgiventohim.Isawhimthenextevening,andhetoldmethathehadreadthebookatleasttentimesandwasovercomewithuncontrollablefeelingsfortherevealedwordsandtheOnewhohadwrittensuchpowerfulutterancesandmightyarguments. Hewantedtocopyit,butoneofthefriendsgavehimhisbook.

Whenhe embraced the Faith, he broke all his barrels of wine andstopped using opium and other drugs. He became such a staunchsupporteroftheCausethatnothingcoulddampenhisenthusiasm. Hetaught theFaith to his family and to manyothers; he met andopenlychallengedalltheoutstandingclericsoftheprovince.Nomatterhowwediscouragedhim,wecouldnotpreventhimfromthisopenteaching.

The‘ulamagrewdesperate.MullaKazim,whowasthereligiousleaderof the town, went to the Shuja‘u’d-Dawlih andaskedhimtobanishorimprisonme. Butthegovernorsaid,“Comeanddebatewithhim. Ifhecannotstandyourchallenges, Iwill agreetoanypunishment—evenhisexecution. If I sendhimawaynow,thepeoplewill believethatI havepunishedsomeonewhowasinnocent.Ineverwanttobeaccusedofsuchagraveerror.”

Thegovernorarrangedforameetinginhisownpresence.Manyoftheoutstanding‘ulamawerethere,andgovernmentofficialsaswellasotherobserversstoodbywatchingtheproceedings. Ibeganthediscussionbyaskingthefollowingquestion:

“LetussupposethataJewwho,believingintheOldTestament,statesthatinmorethanfiftyinstancesin

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartsthatBook,GodhasmentionedthattheJudaicdispensationwouldremainunchangedforeternity.Basedonthis,hedoesnotbelieveinJesus.ThereisalsoaChristianwhosaysthatitisexplicitlystatedintheGospelsthatheavenandearthmaypassaway,butnotasinglewordofthisBookwilleverbechanged. ThispersondeniesanyoneafterJesus. HowdoesGodjudgesuchpersons,andonwhatbasiswouldtheydeservethewrathofGodandHispunishment?”

“There are no such references,” the ‘ulama replied. The book wasbroughtandreferenceswereshown,afterwhichtheysaid,“Theirbookswerealteredbytheirfollowers.”

Ireplied,“Thisisnotpossible.PeoplewhobelieveinaHolyBookwillneverchangeasinglewordofit. Nothinkingpersoncouldeveracceptsuchanargument. Evenifkingsanddivinesjointheirforcestoalteraword,itwouldproveabsolutelyimpossible.ThisisbecauseitistheBookofGodanddoesnotexist inonlyonetownoronecountry. Therearecopieseverywhere.So,evenifaverypowerfulrulerchangedsomewordsinthebooksavailableinhisowncountry,whataboutthecopiesofthesame book in other countries and other continents of the world?Moreover,inalltherevealedscripturesthereisapromisegivenbyGod:‘WerevealtheBookandweprotectit.’ InmanyinstancesintheQur’an,theProphetMuhammad,referringtotheJewsandChristians,testifiesthatHeapprovesandacceptstheBooksheldintheirhands.”

The‘ulamacouldnotanswertheseproofs. Theysaid, “Whydoyouspeakonlyofpre-IslamictimesandtheHolyBooksofthepast?”SoproofsfromtheHolyQur’anwerealsogiven.

Thegovernorsaid,“Hisproofsaresoundandyoucannotdenythem.”

MullaKazimbecameangryandlefttheroom,saying,

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“ThegovernorsupportstheBabıs.” Hewasbroughtback. Whenseated,hesaid,“Whataboutthemiracles?”

“IntheQur’an,”Istarted,“theProphetMuhammadhasdeclaredthattherevealedwordsofGodareHismiracles.”

“What about the moon which was split into two parts by just amovementofMuhammad’sfinger?”

“Baha’u’llahdeclaresthatwhenHewasinAdrianople,starsfelltotheearth.”

Thegovernorinterruptedbysaying,“Thatistrue.Wewereattheheadofaverylargearmycrossingtheplainsof Khurasan. Duringthenight,suddenly,beforeoureyesstarsbegantopourdownupontheearth.Thisspectaclecontinuedfortwohours. Thereweresomanystarsthatthedarknessofthenightwaschangedtodaylight.”

“If thestars fell,” Mulla Kazimreplied in a mockingtone, “what arethesestarsthatweseeinthesky?”

Irepliedpolitely,“Ifthemoonwassplit,whatisthisroundobjectthatwe see in the sky?” Everyone burst into laughter, and the governorpreventedmefromgoingonandaskedmenottosayanythingmore.

“Wehavegatheredheretomakethingsclear,”hesaid. “ButIseethatthematterhasonlybecomemoreconfusing.IfearthatthefaithofsomegoodMuslimsheremaybeshaken.”

“Yes,”Mulla Kaziminsisted. “Thesepeoplearemastersatdeceivingothersandcausingdoubtsinpeople’sfaith. TheyhavememorizedtenweakversesoftheQur’anandtwentydoubtfultraditions,andtheyaredeterminedtomisleadthewholepopulation.”

Ireplied,“AlthoughIamforbiddentospeak,Ihopeyouwillexcuseme.Imustsaythisonething.Whydon’tyourecitethestrongversesandtheauthentictraditionsandstopthepeoplefrombeingdeceived?”Everyonelaughedagain.

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Thisdiscussioncontinuedformorethansevenhours,afterwhichthe‘ulama arosetogohome. But I couldseethatevil plotswerealreadystirringintheirmindsagainsttheBaha’ıs. Iweighedthesituationinmymind: ifIstayhere,thesleepinggiantofmalevolencewillbeawakened;andifIgo,thepeoplewillthinkmeacoward. WhatshouldIdo? Thegovernor was one of the strongest and most determined rulers of theprovincesofPersia;becauseoftheflameofhiswrath,noonewoulddareagitatethepeople. Therefore,Istayedandreadiedmyselffortheworstthatmightoccur.Iwasquitecertainthatwhatevertookplacewouldbringonly exaltation and prestige to the Cause and aid its propagationthroughoutthoseregions.

THE NEXT DAY, when the sun rose, people rushed to my house likelocustsfromeverydirection,allarmedwithsticksandclubs.Iputonmyclothesanddecidedtogoforthandmeettheattackers. IthoughtthatinthiswaytheHolyScriptureswhichIhadinmyhomewouldbespared.WhenIsteppedout,Ifoundmyselfattackedbynolessthantwohundredwolves. As theydraggedmeto thetheological school, theysparednoopportunitytobeatmeanduttercursesandwordsofprofanityagainsttheFaith.

MullaKazimwasstandingintheschool,surroundedbytheangrymob.Iaskedforaglassofwater. I knewthat, sincetheywere Shı‘’ihs, theycouldnotdenymyrequestforwater,32andIcouldtaketheopportunitytogainsomerespitefromtheirtortures. Sowaterwasbrought. Butthemullashouted,“Shuthismouth!”They

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closedmymouth.Thenthemullaapproachedandstruckmeontheheadwithhislongstick.

“Thisisnotenough,”hetoldthemob. “Youmuststonehim.” IwasforcedoutofthetownandonlyGodknowswhatbefellmeonthewaytotheoutskirtsofthecity. Theytorturedmewithsticks,clubs,stones,andfire.Theyfinallyimprisonedmeinasmallroomsituatedfarfromthecitywalls.

Afteranhour,theyreturnedandsaid,“Themullahasdecreedthatyoushouldgiveusyourbooks,afterwhichyouwillbefreetogowhereveryouchoose. Ifyoudonotobey,hehastoldustotearyoutopieces.” Afterawhilethemullahimselfcametomycell. HestoodbeforethemobandorderedmetogowhereverIdesired.Hewouldpreventthepeoplefromattacking me further, provided they could see me disappear over thehorizon.Themullaandhisfollowersstoodandwatched.

About noontime I reached a village. But I was almost naked andcoveredwithbloodandwounds. Thevillagers thought that I hadrunawayfromthegovernmentprison,andtheirheartsmeltedwithpity.Theywashedthebloodfrommybody,appliedbalmtomywounds,andbroughtmefoodandtea.Outofpitytheydecidedtohidemeintheirvillage.

In the middle of the night I heard the galloping of horses. Thehorsemenaskedaboutme,andIlearnedthattheyhadbeendispatchedbythefriends. Theycameinandinformedmethatthegovernorhadsenttwentyhorsemenindifferentdirectionstofindmeandassistmetoreachasafedestination.Theyhadbroughtmesomemoneyandacloak.Igavethemoneytotheheadofthevillage,thankedhimandthevillagersfortheirgeneroushospitality,andbadefarewelltothem.Thehorsementoldmethatwehadtoreachthecityof

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartsQuuchanbeforesunrise.ButIwasstillingreatpain,utterlyexhausted,andcouldnotrideahorseatgreatspeed.Therefore,theydecidedtotiemetothehorseandmakeitrideatagallopuntilwereachedourdestination.

We arrived at the house of Mırza Husayn, and the people of hishousehold,seeingmeinthatdeplorablecondition,burstintotears.TheyweptsobitterlythatIcouldnotcontrolmyowntears. Whenwewereseated,Itoldthemthewholestoryandexplainedthatallsucheventshadbeen foretold in a Tablet I had received fromBaha’u’llah in which HestatedthatIwouldreceivereligioussanctionandpunishment.

Theyinformedmethatthemobhadbeenarousedtosuchafrenzythatallthefriendsandtheirhomeswereindangerofattack.Theyalsotoldmethatthe Shuja‘u’d-Dawlihwasfurious. Hehadaccusedallthedivinesofconspiringagainsthim.Hesentthemamessagedemandingtoknowwhysucheventshadtakenplace.The‘ulamaprovedtheworstofliarsandthebasestofcowards. Theyansweredwiththemessage,“Weknownothingaboutwhatthepeoplehavedone.”

But the brave governor was not satisfied with this false reply. Hedispatched soldiers to their town and ordered them to close thetheologicalschool,beatitsoccupants,andbringthemalltohispresence.Thirty-fivesiyyidsandmullasweredraggedtothegovernor’shouse.TheShuja‘u’d-Dawlihissuedanordertobeatthemall;ittookthewholeday.Afterthattheywereputinprison.

ThegovernorsentamessagetoMırzaHusayn,inwhosehouseIhadtakenrefuge, tellingbothofus, “Youwill not be able towithstandtheonslaught of the wicked mullas and vicious inhabitants of this town.Beforesunrise, cometomyhouse.” Wewentto thegovernor’s house,wherewebeheldtheevildoersofthetownwhohadbeenbeaten.

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Thenewsofourvisittoseetheprisonerswentfarandwide. Soonmorethanfourhundredpeoplewhoclaimedtobetherelativesof theprisonerscametome.Theycriedandbeggedmetointercedesothatthemullasmightbefreed. Therefore,Iapproachedthegovernorandaskedhimtopermittheprisonerstogohome.Hegraciouslycompliedwithmyrequest.

Butthefireofpersecutionwasignitedeverywhere. Soldierswenttotheinnsandannouncedthatanyonewhoshelteredmewouldbeseverelypunishedandfined.IwasinaroomatonesuchinnwhenIheardtheinn-keeperaskthesoldiers,“Pleasetellmewhatkindofmanheis.Ishetallorshort;oldoryoung?”

Theanswerwasalwaysthesame:“Youshouldnotgivehimshelter.”

Uponhearingthis, I left theinnandbecamehomeless. WhereverIsoughtlodgingIknewthatmyhostswouldbeinseriousdangerbecauseofme. Iwaveredbetweenhopeandfear—hopeofreachingsomeplacewhereIwouldnotendangerthelivesofthefriends,andfearoftheevilconsequences which might be heapedupon the Baha’ı communities insmalltownsandvillageswhereIstayed. Iroamedtotheeastandwest,thenorthandsouth,andfinallycametoTihran.

MULLA$ RIDA$ , thefamouspreacherofTihran,spokeeverydayintheshah’s mosque. There was no topic that would please and excite hisfollowersmorethanthecondemnationoftheBaha’ıFaith. Herecountedtothemallsortsof incredible, profane,andfallaciousstories. HeevendaredtoannouncethattheadventofthepromisedQa’im,theImamMihdı,would

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartsdefinitelytakeplaceintheyearAH 1300A.H. (circaAD 1883A.D. ).

IthappenedthattherewasanoutstandingBaha’ıbythenameofSiyyidMihdı. ThegovernorofTihranusedtoshowgreatrespectandhomagetowardhim.Forexample,oncewhenSiyyidMihdıdesiredtogooutofthegovernor’sroom,thegovernorhastenedtothedoor,bentdown,pickedupthesiyyid’sshoesandplacedthemathisfeet. SuchagestureofrespectanddevotionwasunheardofduringthereignoftheQajars, whowereabsolutelyopposedtotheBaha’ıs.

OnoneoccasionthissiyyidcametoTihran,andmanyofthefriendswenttoreceivehimuponhisarrival.WhenIsawthemajesticapproachofSiyyidMihdı, I toldthefriends, “GotoMulla Rida andtell himthathispromisedMihdıisherenow.”Foralongtimethisbecameastandingjokeamongthefriends.Butalas!ThesameSiyyidwassoonovercomebyhisownselfandgraduallywithdrewfromtheFaithofGod,desiringnothingexcepttoacquirematerialpossessions.

Inthosedays,hundredsofBaha’ısinTihranwereinfatuatedwiththissiyyid. But I could seethat he manifestednothing but prideandself-importance. I could not bear this situation, so I left Tihran for otherprovinces.

INTHECITYOFQUM,IhadthepleasureofmeetingtheNaddaaffamily.ThetwoNaddaafbrothershadagreedtoworklonghoursinordertoearnasmuchmoneyaspossible. Theyspentsomeoftheirearningsfortheirdailylivingandofferedtherest

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totheCauseofGod,asatokenoftheirgratitudeforhavingattainedtheknowledge and acceptance of such a stupendous Cause. They wereilliterate, but it was evident that their hearts had received innateknowledgethroughthegraceofGod.Theothermembersoftheirfamilieswere not Baha’ıs, but the brothers did what they could to make themfriendlytotheFaith. Forexample,whenpeoplelikemyselfwouldgototheir house as guests, the two brothers would go to the market andpurchasegifts.Uponreturninghome,theywouldgotothewomenoftheirhousehold and give them whatever they had purchased, saying, “Ourfriendhasbroughtthesegiftsforyou.”DuringthesameyearthatIwasintheir house, they preparedto goto theHolyLandtovisit the belovedMaster.

Once,Hajı SiyyidJavad,anoble,dignified,andilluminedbeliever,leftTihranforYazdandKirman.OnhiswayhestayedinthecityofQum.ThetwoNaddaafbrothersfoundhiminoneoftheinnsandbroughthimsomeprovisions.Astheywerehavingdinnertogetheronenight,theNaddaafsbegantotalkabout theFaith. Thesiyyidwarnedthemagainsttalkingloudly. “Somepeoplemayhearandarousethepeopletoriotagainstus,”hesaid.

One of the two brothers replied, “You will be on your way hometomorrow. Ourotherguestwillalsoleaveussoon. Noonewillremainhereexcept us. Wearetheoneswhoshouldbecautious, becausethepeoplehereknowusasBaha’ıs. Therefore,letusavailourselvesofthisopportunitytomeetyou,hearyournews,andlistentoyourexhortations.InthiswaythepeoplewillgraduallylearnabouttheFaith.

“Shouldtheystandagainstusandbegintocausetroubles,whatshallwedo?ItispartofGod’splan.Throughaffliction,difficulties,andtestsHemakesHisCauseknown.HeistheAll-Powerful.Whatcanwedo?We

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartsaretheweakestofcreatures,themostunknown,andtheleastsignificant.CanwegoagainstHisoverwhelmingpower?”

Thesiyyidwasastoundedbytheireloquenceanddeepunderstanding.“RememberthedayswhentheProphetMuhammaddeclaredHisMissiontoHiscompatriots,”oneofthemcontinued. “Thefirstoneswhoarrayedthemselves against Him were His close relatives, the members of theQuraysh clan. One night they invited the Prophet to their abode andreceivedHimwithutmostcourtesy,praise,andrespect.Whenseated,oneofthemverydisdainfullyaddressedHim: ‘OurclanisthemostnobleofMeccaandwehavetheprivilegeandhonortobeservantsoftheKa‘bih.33Becauseof thiscustodianship, wearerespectedandreveredbyall thetribes of Arabia. Now, what you proclaim will become the cause ofdestructiontothisshrineandwill createsuchturmoil thatourexaltedposition,rank,andhonorwillbetotallydestroyed.Therefore,werequestthatyouforgetyourclaimandhavepityonyourfamily,clan,andpeople.Otherwiseyouwillgainnothingexceptpersecution,poverty,humiliation,andgrievousresultsinthislifeandinthelifetocome.’

“When they finishedtheir address, they foundMuhammad in tears.The arrogant members of the Quraysh family took these tears ofcompassion as a sign of His weakness and compliance with theirdisgracefuldemands. MovedbyHistears,theyinquiredastothecause.HethenopenedHismouthandpearlsofeternaltruthweregiventhem.‘IbelieveinGod,WhoistheEver-watchful,theAll-Compelling,’Hesaid. ‘Ihave never claimed anything counter to His will, plan, or desire. Hecommandedmetoriseandsay,“IamchosenbyHimtobeHisMessenger.”Iamahumanbeingwiththelimitationsofaman,butIamheldinHisgrasp.HowcanIeverdisobeytheOneWhoistheKingof

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allKingsandthesoleRulerofthisworldandtheKingdomabove?’”

Weallbenefitedgreatlyfromthisdeepandmeaningfulexposition.Astheyhadsaid,weleftthecityofQumforotherdestinations,andthesetwoillustriousbrothersstoodsteadfastformorethanfortyyearsagainstthecruel onslaught of the most prejudiced inhabitants of that city.Tempestuous opposition created by the oppressors could never shakethem. Amidst storms of accusations they cried, “We believe!” andremainedunshakenandunmoved.TheycontinuedtoteachandtoreceivealltheBaha’ıswhopassedthroughQum.

TO SHOW thehazardousconditionsunderwhichtheearlybelieverslivedandserved,IwouldliketotellyouanotherstorywhichtookplaceinthecityofQum.Ononeofmytrips,thesameNaddaafbrotherstoldmeofa Muslim friend they knew. He was essentially spiritual, upright, andtrustworthy,buthewouldnotacceptanythingwhichwasnotsanctionedbythe‘ulama.Itwasdecidedtomeetthismaninagardenfarawayfromthetumultofthetown. Ourmeetingwasarrangedandourconversationwas carried on with mutual love and courtesy. In the course of theconversation,IsaidsomethingremotelyconcernedwiththeFaith. Ourfriendrealizedwhatmypurposewasandhekindlysaid,“Whatyousayistrue,butjudgmentofsuchmattersliesinthehandsofthe‘ulama.Letustalkaboutcountriesandclimatesandthecustomsoftribesandnations.”

Iaskedhim,“Isitpermissibleforyoutotakeawrittenquestiontothe‘ulamaandrequestthemtogiveyouaconciseandproperanswer?”

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“Yes,ifyouwillkindlywriteitdown.”

SoI wroteonapieceofpaper: “WhataretheproofsbywhichweunderstandthattheQur’anistheeverlastingmiracleoftheProphet?”Andournaiveguesttookthewrittenquestiontothe‘ulamaandrequestedananswer.

When the mullas read this one sentence, they immediately becameangry and attacked our friend. They beat him and cursed him andhumiliatedhim.TheyaccusedhimofbeingaBaha’ıandtriedtoimprisonhim. Butthisinjusticeandweaknessofthe‘ulamaandtheirinabilitytoansweronesimplequestionawakenedthispure-heartedseeker,andheembracedtheFaithofGod.

THE NEXT STORY tookplaceinthecityof Kashan, wherethereweremanyBaha’ıswhoseprofessionwasweaving.Becauseduringtheseyearstherewerenotmanycustomersforsuchhandwovengoods, thefriendswereverypoor.Jinab-i-Ghulam‘Alıwasthemostoutstandingmemberofthecommunity. Thoughnotrich,hewasalwaysreadytosharewhathehadwiththefriendsandtheirguests.Athishomethefavoritedishwasakindofsouptowhichwatercouldbeaddedwhennewcomersdroppedinunexpectedly.Thefriendsconsumedthesoupwithpiecesofbreadwhilethehost, whowasawell-knownhumorist, toldthemjokesandstories.Veryoftenwestayedtogetherinhishouseuntilsunrise.

Thoughpoorinmaterial means, thebelovedfriendsofKashantookcareof, protected,andservedthepooranddestitute, forsakenwidows,invalids,andstrangers. Theyweretheveryembodimentoftheversesinthe

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Qur’aninwhichtheProphetexhortsHispeopletoalwayspreferotherstotheirownselvesandtosacrificealltotheserviceoftheirfellowmen.

INSH I$RA$ Z Ihadthehonorofmeetingthreespiritualstarswhoshonefromthehorizonofunity.Theywereasonesoulinthreebodies.Intheircommercial dealings they shared profits and losses together, and theycarriedonthisunityintheirservitudetotheCauseandtothebelovedfriends. When two of them—Ghulam Husayn and Siyyid ‘Alı—passedaway,thethird,Jinab-i-Dihqan,broughttheirfamiliesunderthewingofhis care and protection. He looked after the members of these twohouseholds as a devoted and affectionate friend and arranged theeducationofthechildrenonamuchhigherlevelthantheyhadenjoyedduringthelifetimesoftheirownfathers. Jinab-i-DihqanwasastandardbeareroftheCause.HesacrificedeveryatomofhisbeingtotheCovenantofGod.Inadditiontoinvitingmeintohishouse,whereIstayedformorethanoneyearandreceivedeverydayhislovinghospitality,hevolunteeredtopayformyteachingtrips. HeregularlysentmeallthemoneythatIneededduringmyjourneysinIran.

WEHEARDthatJinab-i-Varqa34hadbeenonhiswaytoShırazwhenthesoldiersarrestedhimandtookhimbacktoIsfahanasaprisoner.One

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartsoftheAfnan,35SiyyidAhmad,couldnotbeartohearaboutsuchsenselesspersecution,whichafflictedthefriendseverywhere. HethereforewrotemealetterandaskedmetogatheragroupofBaha’ıstogotoRussiaandlodgecomplaintsagainsttheatrocitiesinflictedupontheBaha’ısofIran.Iimmediately wrote back and said that this suggestion was against theexplicittextofBaha’u’llah’steachings.We,asBaha’ıs,mustbeobedienttoourgovernmentsandabidebytheirdecisions.Suchproposalsarewrong,Itoldhim;iftheenemiesoftheFaithlearnofthisplan,alltheBaha’ıswillbeindanger,especiallypeoplelikeyourselfwhoarewealthy.

Siyyid Ahmadwrote back and said, “I knew that my proposal wasfraught with danger. Now I will be happy and content if we are allsacrificed in thepathof His Faith. It is certain that thenewsof suchsacrificewillbeheardbymany.ThusthefameoftheCausewillspreadinalldirections.”

IthenwrotebacktohimandexplainedthatthepeopleofBahashouldnothopetosacrificetheirlivesbytheirownchoiceorplan.MartyrdomisabountywhichcanbeobtainedonlythroughthegraceandpleasureofGod.

I CONTINUEDmyjourneysandreachedYazd. ThereI hadthejoyousexperienceofmeetingAfnanKabır,thematernaluncleoftheBab.HeboreagreatresemblancetotheExaltedBabinbothcountenanceandcharacter.He was known for his honesty and trustworthiness, his kindness andchastity,hischarityandgenerosity.ThoughpeopleknewhimasoneofthefollowersoftheFaith,heremainedthemost

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trustedandrespectedindividualintheprovinceofYazd.The‘ulamaandthegovernmentofficials respectedhimtosuchadegreethat themostdifficult and frustrating cases were referred to him and his judgmentsoughtandinvariablyobeyed.AlltheotherAfnanlivedunderhisshadow.ManybelieverswereattractedtotheFaithbyhisspiritualattainments.

TheAfnan of Yazdand Shıraz receiveda Tablet fromBaha’u’llah inwhichHeexpressedthedesirethatthefriendsshouldsettlein‘Ishqabad,Russia. TwomastermasonsarosetoanswerthecalloftheirLord. Theysetoutfor‘Ishqabadwiththeintentionofbuildingshops,houses,andaninnfortheAfnan. Iaccompaniedthem,hopingthatIcouldbeofsomeservicetotheFaith.

OnourwaywereachedFaranwheretheillustriousMırMuhammadhadhisresidence.Heandhislargefamilyhadbeenthepivotofaffairsinthattown, andthusthefriendswerewell protectedandlivedinpeaceunderthevigilanteyeofthisveterangeneraloftheArmyofLight.Itwasherethat I receivedtheanswer to my letter sent from Shıraz. In thisTablet, Baha’u’llah praised the sacrificial spirit and devotion of SiyyidAhmad, but to his aforementionedplanHedefinitelysaid, “No.” As tomyself, He instructed me that it would not be wise for me to go to‘Ishqabad.Thetwomasonswereencouragedtogothere,settle,andservetheFaith.IwastoldthatIwasalsoforbiddentogotoIsfahanorTihran.Beyondthis,thebelieversadvisedmenottogotoYazdorShırazbecauseIwas too well known in those places, and my presence might causedisturbances.

IwrotebacktotheHolyLandandsaid,“MyGod,whatshouldIdo?Tihran,Isfahan,and‘Ishqabadareforbiddenbyyou,andShırazandYazdbyyoursteadfastservants.”Iwasatalossforwhattodo.Thedoorsof

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartsalltheprovinceswereclosedtome. IwanderedaroundtheprovinceofKhurasan,existingonlybythegenerosityoftheAfnan.IknewthatIhadnowayoutofthisdilemmaexcepttoturnmyfacetoward‘AkkaandleaveIranforHisholypresence.

SinceoneofthefaithfulmaidservantsoftheCausewholivedinTihranhadwrittentoBaha’u’llahaskingthatshemightmarryme,theBlessedPerfectionorderedmetotraveltoTihrantobemarried.PermissiontogototheHolyLandcameinthenextTablet.Forthenextfourteenorfifteenyears that faithful maidservant who was inflamed with the love ofBaha’u’llah served me with humility and selflessness. Her devotedservicestomeweresogreatthatIamashamedwhenImentionthem.

IsetoutfortheHolyLand,andpartofthejourneywasbysea. Onboardship I met someone from ‘Akka whoconstantly talkedof ‘AbbasEffendiandHisuniquecharacter.ItoldhimthatIknewthatHehadmanyfollowersinIran,butaskedhimtotellmemore. Hewasencouragedtorelatemorestoriesabout‘Abdu’l-Baha. HepraisedHimsohighlythatIeventually told him, “Now, I must go to ‘Akka and meet this exaltedperson.”

After disembarking in the Holy Land, this same man hastened to‘Abdu’l-Bahabeforemeandsaid,“IhavetalkedabouttheFaithtoaPersianandhewillbecomingheretovisityou.SurelyhewillbecomeaBaha’ı!”

BEFOREENTERINGthepresenceoftheBlessedBeauty,Ipreparedmyselfforagreatspiritualfeast.Irepeatedinmymindandheart:“Thisis

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thedayforetoldbyalltheProphetsofGod.ThisisthetownpraisedandexaltedbyDavid.ThisistheplainofSharoncovetedbyalltheHolyOnesof the past. Now you are here with the burden of your sins andshortcomings.” Whenmyeager eyes fell upon the countenance of myLord,IwassooverwhelmedthatIcouldnotdescribemyfeelingstothefriends. Iwasindeedlikeadumbpersonwhohasasweetdreamandispowerlesstodescribeit.

Baha’u’llahaskedmeaboutthefriendsinIran,andHegrantedmethecourageandthepowertospeakinHispresence. “Thebelovedfriends,thoughfromwidelydifferentbackgrounds,havinggrownupwithdifferentideas, beliefs, anddegreesofunderstanding, areunited inonething,” Isaid,“andthatistowinthepleasureofGod.Confinedinprisons,keptinchains,besetbyperpetualhardshipsandpersecutions,theyremainfirmandsteadfastsothattheAncientBeautywillbepleasedwiththem.”

ONENIGHTthebelovedMasterspokeaboutMulla‘Alı-Jan.WhenIwastravelinginthedistrictsofMazindaran,Ihadthehonorofmeetingthisgreatandilluminedsoul.IdiscoveredthatMulla‘Alı-Janhadtaughtmorethan five hundred people in Mahfurujak and its surrounding areas.Besides bringing them into the Cause, he had educated them anddeepenedthem. Hehadinstructedthewomentocovertheirhairandtodress modestly. He had taught the men to dress neatly and to bemeticulouslyclean.Itwasabsolutelyforbiddenforthemtousevulgarorprofane words. He instructed that in each house a special room besuitably

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartsfurnishedforprayer.Upontheirreturnhomefromaday’swork,menandwomenalikewouldwash,changetheirclothes,andperformtheirprayers.AfterdinnerthefriendswouldbecalledtogatherinoneofthehousesforameetingtodiscussBaha’ımatters. Hehadselectedafewtoteachandeducatetheotherbelievers.Hiswifeandhisthreenephewshelpedhiminthese efforts by transcribing the Tablets and chanting them withmelodiousvoicesinthemeetings.TheBaha’ısofMahfurujakweresowelltrainedthat,althoughtheywereallwellknown,the‘ulamacouldnotfindanyreasontocomplainabouttheirbehavior.

Mulla ‘Alı-Jan was so deeply enthralled by the love of God thatwheneverheheardanyTablet readat thegatheringsofthefriends, hewouldtakethesewordsas acall invitinghimtoreturnto hisCreator.Oftenhesaidtohimself,“’Alı!‘Alı!‘Alı!Areyoustillsittinghere?Areyoustill livingcomfortably? YourLordhaswrittentoyou. Whydon’t youhastenintothearenaofsacrifice? Whydon’tyouraiseyourvoiceinHispraise?”

ThetimecamewhenthesameMulla‘Alı-Janwastakencaptivebecauseofadecreeissuedbythe‘ulama. HewastakeninchainstoTihranandbrought to the house of Kamran Mırza, a high official. Kamran Mırzaapproachedhimandsaid,“Ihavebroughtyougoodnews!IfyoujusttellmethatyouknownothingaboutthisCause,youwillimmediatelybesetfreeandallowedtoreturntoyourhomeandfamily. Furthermore,Iwillgrantyouaregularsalary,specialclothesadornedwiththeroyalemblem,andatitlefromtheshah. Pleasehavepityuponyourselfanduponyourchildren.”

“Iwillneveragreetosuchahumiliatingtransaction,”‘Alı-Janreplied.“Iwill not barter my religion for gold, nor exchange eternal life for thisephemeralworld.Trib-

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ulationinthepathofGodistomefarmoreexaltedthananythinginthismundanelife.”

HewasimmediatelyputinheavychainsandsenttooneofthesquaresofTihrantobekilled.Undertheburdenofthoseheavyfetters,hewalkedsoquicklythattheexecutionerscouldnotkeepupwithhim.ManypeoplewhowitnessedhisexecutionbecameattractedtotheFaithbecauseofhiscourage,hisinnerjoy,andhiscompleteassurance.

Mulla‘Alı-Jan’swife,‘AlavıyyihKhanum,alsohadhershareofsuffering.Afterthemartyrdomofherhusband,shewasarrestedbythegovernor.Headdressedher,saying,“HowdareyouclaimtobeFatimih,thedaughteroftheProphetMuhammad!”

“Ihaveneverclaimedthat,”washercourageousreply. “Butnowthatyouhavemademeacaptive, I feel certainthatI belongtoherfamily.”Although she was only twenty-three years of age when she lost herhusband,sheneveracceptedanothermarriage. SheexpendedheryouthandallthatshehadintravelingandservingtheCause.ShehadthehonorofattainingthepresenceoftheMaster.

THESPIRITUALtransformationexperiencedbythosewhohaveattainedthepresenceofBaha’u’llahissofarabovelimitedhumanexperiencethatitcannotbedescribed.ItisthatParadisewhichissaidnevertohavebeenseenbymortaleyes,norexperiencedbyearthlysenses.Theexperienceislikeatempestuousocean,eachwaveofwhichbringsforthpearlsofbeauty.Yetthewatersofthisoceanaresoblissful

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartsthatonedoesnotevenwanttoswim,butonlywishestobedrownedinitsecstasy.Thisunbelievablejoyoftencomesandpasseslikelightning.ItisonlygrantedtoafewthroughaspecialbountyoftheLord,andthenitwillbemanifestedonlyasstronglyastheirspiritualcapacitywillallow.

OnceIrequestedtobeinBaha’u’llah’sroomwhenHewasrevealingTablets. ThisrequestmetwithHisapproval. AsI enteredHisroom,IheardstreamsofwordssweepingalonginatorrentialflowfromHislips.Itseemedthattheatmosphere,thefloor,thewalls,andeveryatomintheroomwasfilledwithperfume.Onlythosewhohavehadthisindescribableexperience can ever imagine what I mean. The flow of revelationcontinuedforaboutfiveminutes. ThenBaha’u’llahsaidtome,“YouhaveonseveraloccasionsbeenherewhentherevelationofTabletshastakenplace.Shouldthepeopleofthewholeworldwishtobepresentandhearthe words of revelation, We would permit them. But since We haveapprovedcourtesyandordainedituponmen,wearereluctanttodisplaythispowerpublicly.”

Thestoryistoldthatthebrutal Shaykh Muhammad-BaqirwhowasresponsibleforthemartyrdomofsomanyBaha’ısandwhomBaha’u’llahnamed“TheWolf”becauseofhisevilplots,onceshoutedfromhispulpit,“Translate thechapter of theQur’an in which theProphet MuhammadproclaimsthatGodisone,hasalwaysexisted,andcanneverbeborn.GivethistotheBaha’ıswhohavetakenBaha’u’llahastheirGod.”

WhentheAncientBeautyheardthis,HesaidthatMoseshadheardthecallof“IamyourGod”fromaburningbush.Whynotfromaman?

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FORALONGTIMEIcarriedthedesiretoprostratemyselfatthefeetofBaha’u’llah.OnceIwasadmittedtoHisroomasHewaspacingthefloor.WhenHecametowardme,Iflattenedmyselfagainstthewall.AsHewalkedaway,IfollowedHimoneortwostepsinthehopeoffulfillingmyheart’sdesire.ButthenHeturned,andIretreatedandstoodmeeklyagainstthewall.

“Whatisthematter?” Hesaid,withaheavenlysmile. “Iseethatyouare going back and forth.” Then He stretched forth His hand andcommandedme,“Staywhereyouare!”Thoughmywishwasnotfulfilled,the movement of His hand and that smile of pleasure brought meimmeasurablejoy.

ONTHISPILGRIMAGEalso,whenIwasaskedtodepart,IrequestedthatIbepermittedtoremaintwomoreweeks. Baha’u’llahagainaskedforaguarantee.Iimmediatelyreplied,“TheMaster!”sinceweallknewthattheMaster’swishwouldbedone.ThateveningIwasadmittedtotheroomofthe Blessed Beauty where He told me, “Stay one month more. YourGuaranteeisgreat,beloved,andprecious.Soyoumaystaymore.”

ThenHecontinued,“InthedayswhenWelivedinBaghdad,WeusedtogotoacoffeehousewhereWewouldmeetfriends,strangers,andallsortsofpeople.ThiswasthemeansbywhichtheWordofGodcould

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartsbeheard,andmanysoulswereledintotheCause.ButinAdrianople,andherein‘Akka,itistheMasterwhoperformstheseservices.HemustfacethesamehardshipswhichWefacedpreviously. InBaghdadWewerenotimprisoned,andthefameoftheCausewasnotevenahundredthpartofwhatitistoday. Also,theenemiesoftheCausewerenotasmanyoraspowerfulastheyarenow.InAdrianopleWemetmanypeople,butintheMostGreatPrison,Weseldomreceivevisitorswhoarenotbelievers.TheburdenofalltheseaffairshasfallenupontheshouldersoftheMaster.ToprovideUswithsomepeaceandcomfort,HehasmadeHimselfOurshield,andthusHeseestoOuraffairsbothwiththegovernmentandwiththepeople. He first prepared for Us the house at Mazra‘ih, and then HeprocuredthisMansioninBahjı. HeissodevotedtoHisservicesandsointenselyoccupiedthatsometimesweekspassbyandHecannotcomeheretovisitUs.WhileWeconsortwiththefriendsandrevealTablets,Heisimmersedinthetoilsandtroublesoftheworld.”

WhenIwaspermittedtocomeagainintoBaha’u’llah’s presence, Hesaid, “The utterances of the Most Great Branch [‘Abdu’l-Baha] and Hispowerarenowconcealed.LateritwillbeseenhowHe,singlyandalone,willraisethebanneroftheFaithintheworld.HewillgatherallmankindundertheTabernacleofpeaceandsubmission.”Thiswas,ofcourse,onlythegistofHiswords,sofarasIcanrememberthem.

Baha’u’llah wasusually in His roomintheMansionof Bahjı. FromthereHecouldsee‘Abdu’l-BahaasHeapproachedtheMansionfrom‘Akka.WhenHewouldcatchsightofHim,HewouldinvariablyaskallthoseinHispresencetogoouttomeetHim.

One dayBaha’u’llah was very sad. His sadness was caused by thebehaviorofafewofthebelieverswholivedinHishousehold. IngreatsorrowHesaid,“Were

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itpossible,Wewouldrecommendthatthepilgrimswhoenterthecityof‘AkkagodirectlytothepresenceoftheMostGreatBranch,listentoHim,thenmeetsomeof thesteadfast believers, andimmediatelyafterwardsleave‘Akkaandreturntotheirhomes. Thiswouldbemostconducivetotheirspiritualdevelopment.Thereasonisthis:IntheMaster’spresencethefriendsarenotsubjectedtotaintedhumanthoughtsanddeeds. Alltheyexperienceisheavenlysanctity.Ifthepeoplewouldopentheireyes,theywouldseeclearlythedifferencebetweentheheavenlyperfectionsoftheMasterandthehumanfrailtiesandfaultsofothers.Then,eveniftheywitness odiousdeedscommitted in Myhousehold, theywill onlyutterwordsofpraiseaboutthegreatnessandpatienceoftheTrueOneWhoisglorious,mighty,andcompassionate. Weareawareoftheirfalsewordsand lies. Weknow. But Wemust remain silent andcover their sins.Unfortunately,theliarsthinkthatWedonotknowthetruth.”

ATAILORbythenameofMuhammad-‘Alıcameonpilgrimage.Hehadagoodcharacterandahappydisposition,andhewasendowedwithquickunderstanding.HeoftencircumambulatedtheMansionofBahjı.Whenhecametomeetthefriends,hewouldmakethemhappywithhisbeautifulstories.Oncehesentmealetterinwhichherelatedthataveryfamousmysticleaderhadsaid,“OGod!IfIhearTheecallingmeonlyonce‘Myservant’,Iwillascendtoheaven.”HetoldmethathehadoftenwalkedaroundthegardensneartheMansionofBahjıandfeltimmensejoy.Butneverhadheheardthosesweetwords.

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I sent a letter to Baha’u’llah about this pilgrim, and we received awonderfulTabletinwhichHecallseachoneofus“Myservant”notone,butninetimes. IntheIslamictraditionswehadreadthefamoussaying,“ShouldthepeopleapproachHimonlyoneyard,Hewillhastentothembymiles.”Nowwesawthefulfilmentofthispromise.

Nowthereremainedonlythreenightsuntiltheendofmypilgrimage,andIwassummonedtothepresenceofBaha’u’llah.HespokeofHisexilesandemphasizedthefactthatshouldthepeoplepondercarefullyonthesedifferentstagesofHisbanishment,theywouldknowthateverystephadbeentakenaccordingtotheWillofGod.“ThehandofGodisoverall,andHismightandpoweroverwhelmtheworldsofcreation.Considerthecaseof those persons who, fearing the loss of their temporal powers,condemnedUstotheMostGreatPrison.Wherearetheynow?Whathasbefalleneachandeveryoneofthem?Godbroughtthemdownfromtheirplaces and consigned them to their graves. Their names are nevermentioned. But your Lord is established in this Mansion through thepowerofGod,Hismight,andHissovereignty.”

HethenaskedsomeonetochantpartsofthetwoTabletsaddressedtothesultanoftheOttomanEmpireandtotheshahofPersia.Afterthat,thepilgrimsweredismissed.

DuringourdinnersomeonebroughtsweetssenttousbyBaha’u’llah.Healsosentamessageconcerningme:“Tellhimtoeatthesweetsandsaytohimself,‘Imustgohome.’”ThistimeIgotreadytogoanddid

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not plan to ask the beloved Master to intervene on my behalf or toguarantee me. The sweet memoryof His loving wit that I should tellmyself,“Imustgohome”,remainsfreshinmyheart,andevenmoreasIsurrendermywilltothatofGod.

Thenextdaywehadtorrentialrains.Intheafternoonofthatsameday,IwenttoseeHim.ThemomentIenteredHisroom,Hesaid,“Itseemsthatyou expect the rain to intercede for you.” This tender joke helped tochangeallmydespairintojoy.WhenIreturnedtothePilgrimHouseandreportedmyinterviewtothefriends,theywerealloftheopinionthatthenextdaytherewouldagainberain,andthatBaha’u’llahwouldnotsendmeaway.

Butthedaydawnedwithsplendidsunshine,andIwenttoHisroominthe Mansion of Bahjı. He spoke about teaching. He said: “A kindlyapproach and loving behavior toward the people are the firstrequirementsforteachingtheCause.Theteachermustcarefullylistentowhateverapersonhastosay—eventhoughhistalkmayconsistonlyofvain imaginings and blind repetitions of the opinions of others. Oneshouldnotresistorengageinargument.Theteachermustavoiddisputeswhichwillendinstubbornrefusalorhostility,becausetheotherpersonwillfeeloverpoweredanddefeated.Therefore,hewillbemoreinclinedtorejecttheCause. Oneshouldrathersay,‘Maybeyouareright,butkindlyconsider the question from this other point of view.’ Consideration,respect, and loveencouragepeople to listenanddo not force themtorespondwithhostility. Theyareconvincedbecausetheyseethatyourpurposeisnottodefeatthem,buttoconveytruth,tomanifestcourtesy,andtoshowforthheavenlyattributes. Thiswillencouragethepeopletobefair. Theirspiritualnatureswillrespond,and,bythebountyofGod,theywillfindthemselvesrecreated.

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“ConsiderthewayinwhichtheMasterteachesthepeople. Helistensverycarefullytothemosthollowandsenselesstalk.Helistenssointentlythatthespeakersaystohimself,‘Heistryingtolearnfromme.’ThentheMastergraduallyandverycarefully,bymeansthattheotherpersondoesnotperceive, putshimontherightpathandendowshimwitha freshpowerofunderstanding.”

WhenthefinalmomentapproachedandIbadefarewelltomyBeloved,Heapproachedthedoorandwhisperedinmyear,“Ihaveentrustedyoutothe hands of the Master.” Though these words were spoken with theutmostsweetness,andwereasignofHissublimeconsiderationandlove,theyfilledmyheartwithdarkcloudsofsorrow. TheyseemedtometoindicateclearlyHisimminentdeparturefromthisworld.

NextIwentto‘Akka,tothepresenceoftheMaster.TherewasnoendtoHis love. Hehadwrittena lettertoBaha’u’llahrequestingthatI bepermittedtostay,evenoutsidethecityof‘Akka,becausetheseahadbeenroughandagitated.Hisletterhadbeenreturnedwithonesentenceonthetop:“Itisbetterforhimtogo;GodistheProtector—restassured.”

FROM ‘AKKA$ I went to Haifa and boarded a ship bound forConstantinople.AfterashortstayinthatcityIwentontoBaku,inRussianCaucasia,andfromtheretoTihran.

InTihranIlearnedthatMuslimshadattackedthefriendsinIshtihard,confiscated their property, beaten both men and women, imprisonedthem,anddestroyedtheirhouses.Morethanfiftyofthesebelieverswere

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nowinTihran,andtheygatheredtogethertoconsultaboutthissituation.Theydecidedtosendapetitiontothecourtoftheshahaskingforjustice.SincetheyheardthatIhadbeenintheHolyLand,theyaskedtomeetmeinordertohearabouttheOneinWhosepaththeyhadsacrificedtheirhomes, their property, and their lovedones, and for Whomtheywerewillingtoofferuptheirownlives.

Atthistimeit wasnotsafetoholdlargeBaha’ı meetingsinTihran.Therefore,afterconsultation,weagreedthateverynightonlyfiveofthemwouldcome,accompaniedbytheHandoftheCauseMulla‘Alı-Akbar.Wemadereadytoreceivefive,butattheappointedhourfiftyofthementeredmyroom.Ourjoyknewnobounds.WechantedTabletsandprayers.WespokeofBaha’u’llahandconsultedabouttheirpersecutions. Fourhoursaftersunset,thinkingthattherewouldnotbeenoughfoodforthemorethan fifty people whohadgathered, I refrained from inviting themfordinnerandtheyalldeparted.

Whenmywifelearnedofthis,shebecameverysad.Withtearsinhereyes,sherebukedme.“Ihavepreparedbread,cheese,andmeatformorethanfiftypeople,”shesaid.“ThesearetheoneswhosehouseshavebeenplunderedinthepathofGod.Theirfamiliesaredispersedbecauseoftheirlove for Baha’u’llah. Now, homeless andunshelteredas they are, theycometoourhumblehome.WhatanswerwillwehaveifGodasksus,‘Whydidyousendthemawayunfed?’”

ItwasonlythenthatIrealizedwhatagraveerrorIhadcommitted.Itis true that we must be prudent, but in this case I had been mostuncharitable. Tosatisfymywifeandtomakeherdearhearthappyandcontented,weagreedthatallofthemwouldcomeagaintoourhome,ingroupsofsix,fordinner.

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NOTLONGAFTERTHATIwasinstructedtogotoIsfahan.Ireachedtherewhenthefamiliesofthetwoillustriousbelievers,theKingofMartyrsandtheBelovedofMartyrs,36werepreparingtogototheHolyLand.Thesedearfriendswereconstantlyintrouble.Thegovernorandthe‘ulama,throughtheirevilagents,werealwaysreadytoheapfreshpersecutionsuponthem.TheirdeparturefromthetumultuoustownofIsfahanseemedimpossible.

ThedreadfulmemoryofthedayswhentheforceofhatredwassetlooseinIsfahan,andswallowedthesetwobrothersinitsflames,wasstillvividintheirminds.Theywereafraidthatthesamefatewouldbefalltheremaining members of their family. But their longing to reach Hispresencewasstrongerthantheircaution.Eventuallytheirloveovercametheirfear,andtheycourageouslymadetheirwayhomeward—tothehomeoftheirheartsandsouls.WhentheyreachedtheHolyLand,thebountiestheyreceivedwerebeyondmeasure. TheywereinvitedtoremaininHispresenceforoneyear.

AftertheirdeparturefortheHolyLand,thesleepinggiantawoke,andtheinhabitantsofIsfahanthreatenedtoteardowntheirhouses,plundertheir riches, andcut thepilgrimsthemselvesto pieces as soonas theymight return. Anxiety and fear prevailed everywhere, and the otherbelieversinthecitylivedinperpetualanxiety.

Eventually I wrote to the Holy Land, explained the situation, andsuggestedthatthepilgrimsstayinTihranforsomemonthsuntil,bythegraceofGod,thisconsumingfiremightbeextinguished. Thereplywaspromptanddecisive.InaTablet,Baha’u’llahassuredthefriends

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thatthepilgrimswouldreturnsafely. Herevealedaprayerforthemtochantupontheirarrivalhome.

When our friends returned to Isfahan, they were accorded greatrespectbythepeople.Manyofthe‘ulamaandthenotablescametotheirhousestowelcomethemhome.

Duringthisperiod,MırzaAbu’l-Fadl37blessedthesoilofIsfahanwithhispresence. As hehadbeena student in Isfahan someyears before,manyofthedivinesandstudentsoftheologyknewhimwell. Butwhentheymethimagain,theydiscoveredthatthismanwasnotthesameMırzaAbu’l-Fadlwhomtheyhadknownasastudentintheirtheologicalschools.Thenhewasbutadrop. Nowtheydiscoveredthathehadbecomeanocean. One of the famous teachers of the town, after visiting him,declared,“IfalltheeruditeleadersofourtimesurroundedMırzaAbu’l-Fadl,hewouldbeagiantamongpygmies. Heistrulyuniquetoourage,andeclipses anyoneof the ‘ulama in oration, in reasoning, and in hisabilitytoexplainphilosophicalquestions.”

ON ONE OF MY TRIPS to Isfahan I arrivedduringthenightandwentdirectlytothehouseofoneofthefriends. Itwasalmostmidnight. Theownerofthehousepreparedteaforme,butIsawsignsofsorrowandanxietyonhisface.WhenIinquiredastothereason,hesaid,“YesterdaytheykilledMullaAshraf.Andnowtheyarelookingforme.”Iaskedhimtotellmemore.

“Somedaysago,Ashrafrelatedadreamtous.InhisdreamhehadseentheBab, WhosummonedhimtoHisexaltedpresence. Immediatelyhefoundthathe

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartscould fly. He began to soar higher and higher to reach Him. As heapproachedtheBab,hiscloakfelloff.WhenhereachedHispresence,theBabsaid,‘Look!’Helooked,andfoundallthepeopleilluminedandunited,withthelightofloveemanatingfromeach.TheywereallsingingsongsinpraiseoftheGreatestName.

“Whenherelatedthisdream,AshraftoldusthatheregardeditasaclearindicationofhisreturntohisLord.Hefeltthatthiswouldtakeplaceverysoon.”

Twoorthreedayspassed. Hemetaman,awolfinsheep’sclothing,whopretendedtobeatrueseekeraftertruth. AshrafspokeabouttheFaithtohimonfourconsecutivenights.Thenthe“seeker”invitedhimtohaveteawithhiminoneoftheschoolsoftheology.FriendsofAshrafwhoknewthis“seeker”urgedhimnottoaccepttheinvitation. TheywarnedthatthismanwasaJudasIscariot. Inanswertotheirwarnings,Ashrafsaid,“IleavemyaffairsinthehandsofGod.”Andhewent.Themomenthe stepped into the school, three or four soldiers arrested him anddraggedhimtotheseatofthegovernor. Whenhereachedthere,itwasnightandhewasplacedinprison.

InthemorningthepeopleofIsfahansawacrossraisedinthepublicsquare of their city. But they did not knowwhy it hadbeen erected.Ashrafwasbroughttothegovernor’shouse.Althoughfrailinbody,hehadbeen placed in chains. His dignified demeanor and his tranquilappearancesoimpressedthemembersofthegovernmentthatevensomeoftheprincesarosetointerveneonhisbehalf. “Donotstainyourhandswiththebloodofthisoldman,”theywarned.Buttheirappealfellondeafears.Theyraisedthisnoblesoulonthecross,butitbroke.AndsothedayendedandAshrafwasreturnedtoprison.

Onthesecondday,thecrowdgatheredoncemoreinthesamesquare.AllthenotablespleadedonAshraf’s

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behalfevenmoreferventlythanbefore.Theyinsistedthatthemurderofthisoldmanwouldbeanevilomenforthegovernor. Butthegovernorremainedadamant.Finallyheshouted,“Letthe‘ulamagatheranddebatewithhim. Shouldhiskillingseemwrongandunjust,mayGodkeephimsafefromthefuryofA$ qaNajafı.”

Onthethirdday,the‘ulamaassembledinthepresenceofthegovernor.Twothousand people stoodwaiting for the arrival of Ashraf. He wasbrought inwithheavychains. Theyaskedhimquestions, andhegaveeloquentandcourageousanswers.

The‘ulamaorderedhimtorecanthisfaith. Hedeclared,“Iabhoralllies,alldeviations,andallfalseclaims.”Buttheywerenotsatisfied.

“ExonerateyourselfbycursingthenamesofthefoundersoftheBaha’ıreligion,”Najafıdemanded.

“ThecursingofnamesisforbiddenintheQur’an,eventodenouncethegodsofheathens,”wasAshraf’sfirmanswer.“IbelieveinIslam.Igreetedyouwith‘Salam‘Alaykum’.Iamamujtahidlikeyourselves;IknowthatitisthedutyofeverytrueMuslimtoinvestigatethefundamentalprinciplesof his own religion.” Many of the notables and dignitaries becamedisgustedwiththeseunfairproceedingsandsoleftthemeetinginanger.

Najafı becamemore furiousthaneverandshouted, “Let thepeoplecomeinandbearwitnesstothefactthatthismanteachestheBabıFaith!”

Ashraf immediatelyanswered, “It isveryclearthatpeoplerecruitedfromthemarketorthestreetswhocomeinandfindmeinchainswillsurelyaccusemeofwhateveryouwish.Removethechainsandthenbringthepeopleandhavethempoint towho is guilty.” Buttheywouldnotagree. At thispoint therewasanotherexodusof governmentofficials;evensomeof the ‘ulama left the meeting. Prince ‘Abbas Gh Q ulı Mırzabecamevery

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartsangry.Hestoodupandashelefttheroomsaid,“Theyareunjustlykillinganoldman,andyettheyclaimtobethereligiousleadersofthetown.”

NoneoftheseremarksquenchedthethirstofA$ qaNajafıforthebloodofMullaAshraf.Heissuedadecreethathemustbeputtodeath.

ThoughAshrafwasold,hehastenedtowardhiscrosssoquicklythatthesoldiers couldnot overtakehim. Uponhis arrival at thecross, hekisseditandsaid,“WeareofGodandtoHimshallwereturn.”Hishighestwish was fulfilled, and his name became immortalized in one of theTabletsofBaha’u’llah.InthisTabletHesaysthatthecityofloversbecamefilledwithloveandexultationbecauseoneofthepreciousjewelsdecidedtomakeitswaybacktoHiseternaltreasurehouse,thatoneofHislovershastened and attained the presence of his Beloved. The Exalted Penexpressedintensedistressabouttheignorantmobandtheproud‘ulamawhoremainedunmovedatthesightofsuchawondroussacrifice.

AFTERTHESEDREADFULDAYS, thefriendsdidnotfinditwiseformetoprolongmystayinIsfahan. I left for otherparts. FormanymonthsIjourneyedthroughdifferentprovincesofPersia,stayinglongerinKirmanwheremanystrongandmalignantenemiesoftheCausewereliving.Theyhad one, and only one, track to follow—to disprove and refute theteachingsoftheFaith. Thistheydidconstantlybyeverymeanswhichtheirwickedheartscoulddevise. Sometimestheyforgedtabletswhichtheyshowedtopeople

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todiscouragethemfrominvestigatingtheFaith. Associationwithsuchpeoplewasevenmoredifficultthanthetorturesofprison.

In Khurasan I had the pleasure of meeting the lion-heartedFadil-i-Furughı.Hewasatreasureoflearningandzeal.ManyatimeIproposedtohimthatsuchastaunchupholderoftheCauseshouldleavehissmalltown,travelaroundPersia,andimparttothefriendshisknowledgeandlove. Thedaycamewhenhebeganhisjourneys. Nosoonerdidhestepintothearenaofsacrificeandserviceoutsidehisvillagethanhisfamewentfarandwide. Eventuallyhebecameatargetforthejealousyandmalevolenceofthe‘ulama, whodevisedthemostcunningplotsagainsthim.Repeatedlythemostoutstandingmembersoftheclergydecreedforhim imprisonment, exile, and death. He became a wanderer andeventuallywascapturedandputinchains.Hislifewasinsuchdangerthatnoneofthefriendshadtheslightesthopeofhissurvival. However,afterhisreleasefromprison,itseemedthatsomemysteriousforceprotectedhimandenabledhimtoachievegreatsuccessinhisteachingtrips. Themeetingsheldinhispresencevibratedwithhisspiritual ardor. InoneTablet ‘Abdu’l-Bahacalls him“TheCommanderoftheGreatArmy”. Hemade a pilgrimage and returned to Persia with renewed courage,enthusiasm,andfervor.

IalsohadthehonorofvisitingthetownofBushruyih,inKhurasan,thehome of Mulla Husayn. When I arrived there, I felt strong spiritualreverberations.Itwasasifthesoil,thewater,eventheairitselfvibratedwithdivinefavors.ThewholeatmosphereseemedperfumedwiththeloveoftheMerciful.ItwasmyjoyandhonortovisitthesisterandnephewofMullaHusayn.

Asthechosenoneswereplentiful,sotheenemiesoftheCausewerealsomanyinnumber.Theyemerged

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartswithfanatichatredwheneverastrangercametovisitthesmallgroupsofsolitarybelieverswhohadnoshareof life exceptbittersuffering. TheenemiesoftheCausewerelikewildbeastswhosharpenedtheirteethandclaws,waitingtopounceonthedefenselessBaha’ısscatteredinisolatedpartsofthecountry.

Mystaylastedonemonth.PeoplegatheredinlargenumberstolistentotheWritingsandtolistentomespeakoftheFaith. Afterawhilewelearned that Muslims were joining forces against the small band ofbelievers. Everymorningandeveryeveningweheardthevoiceoftheimamfromthetopoftheminaretofthemosquesaying,“Islamisdead.Heresy!Heresy!Thepeople’sfaithisdead.Whereisourreligion?Whathashappenedtoourfaith?”

Iwrotetotheleadingmujtahidofthetownandinvitedhimtocometoourmeetingssothatwecoulddebateopenly.Isaidthatsomegovernmentofficials would also be asked to attend to witness the debate. Thischallengequietedhimeffectively,andthefiresubsided.

IcanneverforgetonegiftedwomanbythenameofRuhha. Shehadneverbeentoschool,butshewastheprideofhersex. Shewasaheroicsoulwho,becauseofheraudaciousdeeds,becameknowntotheshahandhisministers. ShewasalivingTahirihofthosedays. Aweaverofcloth,herincomewasscanty, butwhateversheearnedshespentintravelingaround to proclaim the name of Baha’u’llah. Her manners, herdetachment,andherenterprisingspiritareexamplestobeemulatedbyeveryaspiringteacheroftheCause.

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INTABASImetaveryjustandbenevolentgovernor.Hewasknownas‘Imadu’l-Mulk.Hewasfairandjusttoallhissubjects.Underhisruleallweretakencareofandprotectedagainstill-wishers.Asayoungman,hehadmetBaha’u’llahinIraq,andhementionedthisveryoften.HehadapocketknifeBaha’u’llahhadgivenhim,whichhekeptwrappedinabeautifulpieceofvelvet.HewasveryproudofthefactthathehadhadtheopportunityofbeinginHispresence.

Whenhepassedaway,hissoninheritedhisfather’stitleandposition.InhislovefortheCause,thisson,whowasnowthegovernor,evenwentfurtherthanhisfather. HechoseaverybeautifulbuildingastheplacewheretheBaha’ımeetingsweretobeheld.Therewasnoendtotheloveandkindnessheshowedtothebelievers.BecauseofhimmanyimportantpeoplefromthesurroundingareabecameBaha’ıs.HewasattractedtotheCausebythefundamentalprinciplesoftheFaithandbytheabsenceofaspecialrulingclassofclergy.HeverymuchadmiredtheteachingthatanycontroversyamongthefriendsshouldberemovedbyreferringthemattertotheappointedandauthorizedInterpreteroftheWordofGod.

IN YAZD and in many other provinces of Persia, I found that thedistinguishedbehaviourofalltheAfnanhadwontheadmiration,wonder,andpraiseofallwhoknewthem.Theseedssownand

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartswateredbythebloodofmartyrshadgrownunderthesunshineoftheloveoftheseillustriousrelativesoftheBab. “Theyareperfectineverything,”peoplewouldsay.“WhatapitythattheyareBaha’ıs.”

WhenIwasinYazd,IlivedinthehouseofJinab-i-Afnan. Duringthesummer,becauseoftheintenseheat,peoplewouldsleepontheirroofs.Earlyonemorning,whenIdescendedfromtheroof,IfoundAfnansittingimmersedinthought.Becauseofthedeepsadnessonhisface,Iknewthatsomethingserioushadhappened.Ididnotdaretoapproachhim,sinceIwasstill inmysleepinggarmentandnotsuitablydressedtoattendthepresence of sucha venerable person. He withdrew, but sent a sealedenvelope to me. When I opened it, I found theTablet of ‘Abdu’l-BahaannouncingtheascensionofBaha’u’llah.

I was so stunned that I could not even cry. The friends graduallygatheredinthehouseoftheAfnan.Theyweresostrickenwithgriefthatnoonetalked. In themidst of this intensesorrowandbewilderment,Jinab-i-Afnan joined us. He wept openly, and all wept with him. Headdressedus,saying,“ItwasdecreedthatHewouldonedayridHimselfoftheendlesssufferingofthisworld.ItwaswrittenthatHewouldonedayreturntotheSourceofHisglory. PraisebetoGodthatHehasleftHissorrow-filledfriendsOneWhowillguideus.Thisisnolessapersonthanthe‘MysteryofGod’.38WemustholdfasttothehemofHismercyandarisetoservetheCauseofGodandbeHistrueservants,sacrificingallthatwehavetoupholdourbelovedFaith.”

After hearing these consoling words, we again read the Tablet of‘Abdu’l-Bahaanddecidedtoholdmemorialmeetingsfornineconsecutivedaysandnightswhereallthefriendswouldgathertogether.

ThenewsofHisascensionspreadeverywhereand,

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thoughthepopulationofPersiawasatthattimeinthegripofamercilessattackofcholera,thepeoplemademerryandrejoicedandridiculedtheBaha’ıs.

AweekafterthenewsofHisascensionhadreachedus, thefriendsreceived a copy of the Kitab-i-‘Ahd (The Book of the Covenant).Emphaticallyandexplicitly,HehadappointedthebelovedMasterasthesoleInterpreterofHisWord. Whenthefriendsreceivedthisgreatnews,theywerecalmed,and,withheartsfullofhope,theyarosetoraisethebannerofservitudeandupholditwiththeirutmoststrength.

THE MINISTRY of ‘Abdu’l-Baha began so vigorously that Baha’ıcommunities everywherewereoverwhelmed. Letters fromthe Masterpouredintoeveryvillage,town,andcountrylikethedropsoftherainsofspring.ThefriendswerecheeredandenamoredbyHislife-givingwords.WhoeverreceivedaTablet wouldmakemanycopiesandsendthemaspreciousgiftstofriendsthroughoutthelengthandbreadthoftheEast.This opened a new field of activity, that of regular and informativecorrespondenceamongstallthebelievers.

‘Abdu’l-Baha explained to the Baha’ıs that the physical body of theProphetofGodislikeacloudwhichcoversthesunandwhichpreventsitsraysfromreachingtheearth. Becauseoftheirphysical limitations, theProphets of Godmust live by therules of physical existence. For thisreason,manypeoplearetested. Theywillsay,“WhatkindofProphetisHe? Hesleepsandeatsandwalksthestreetslikeeveryoneelse.” Butwhenthecloud

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartsisremoved,theraysofthesunreachthepeopledirectly,andthewholeofcreationisresuscitatedbytheirlife-givinglight.

The friends became aware of their opportunities and bounties.Therefore, theyarose in unprecedentednumbersto proclaimtheFaithand teach the Cause. Gradually, more enthusiasm, unity, and activitydeveloped on every level of Baha’ı life. In a short time lethargy,indifference,andcoolnesswerereplacedbyintenseteachingactivities.

Suchmanifestationsofzealandardorencouragedmealsotoact. AttheurgingoftheAfnan,Iwroteanopenlettertothe‘ulamaproclaimingthetruthofthisCause.IthenbeganfreshteachingtoursinthedaysoftheCovenant.

WHILE I WAS in A$ badih I receiveda parcel fromtheHolyLand. Itcontainedeighty-oneTabletswrittenby‘Abdu’l-Baha.Buttheycamewithunusualinstructions:“DonotreadtheTablets.Chooseeighteenbelievers.Asyoumeetthem,writetheirnamesontheTabletsandgivethemaway.DothisalsoinIsfahan,Bavanat,andYazd.Writethenameofanyoneyouchoose. YoumayalsosendtheTabletstosomerecipients,ifyoudonotmeettheminperson.”

WhenIcompletedthetask,IlearnedthatwhoeverreceivedoneoftheMaster’sTabletsfoundinitanexpressionrespondingtohisowndeepestlongings. Thefameofthiseventwenteverywhere. AnEnglishmanwhowastheheadofthetelegraphofficeofA$ badihheardofthisextraordinaryoccurrence. Hesaid, “Itisverystrangeformetolearnofthespiritualpowersofahu-

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manbeing. IwonderhowHeknewthesecretsofthesepeople’ssouls.Thecharacterandperfectionsof thesebelievers aretestimoniesto thedivineeducationtheyreceivefromHim.”ThisgentlemanopenlyaffirmedhisbeliefintheFaith.39

I WENT TO Isfahan, where I met Jinab-i-Vazır. He was the mostoutstandingperson in thatdistrict. Thefinancesof theprovincewereunderhisjurisdiction,andpracticallyeveryoneintheareaknewthatheandhisfamilywereBaha’ıs. Thoughthegovernorknewhimbetterthananyoneelse,andknewthathewasafolloweroftheFaith,hehadabsoluteconfidenceinhim.ShaykhNajafıwhosethirstforthebloodoftheBaha’ıswasneverquenched,keptsilentaboutVazır. If hesaidanythingabouthim,itwasinpraise. Jinab-i-Vazırtreatedtheshaykhlikeahungrywolf.Everynowandthenhewouldsendhimgifts,andthiswouldappeasehimtemporarily.

Ardistan was the home of Jinab-i-Fath-i-A‘zam. I had visited himseveral times, and each time I had witnessed the wonderful signs ofcourageandsteadfastnessinhimandinhisson,Shahab.ThisfamilyandthatofJinab-i-Rafı‘awerethepillarsoftheCauseinthoseregions.Therewere many Baha’ıs, in this town, and most of them lived in oneneighborhood.Becauseoftheshiningexampleofthesetwofamilies,allofthebelieverswerestrongandfirmintheCovenant.

MytoursofArdistan, Isfahan, andthesurroundingareasbecamesofruitfulthattheyenragedShaykhNajafı.HecalledforageneralmeetingintheMosqueoftheShah.Whenthehallwaspacked,heascendedthepulpit

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartsandbegan:“OfaithfulMuslims!ToprotectIslamisadutyincumbentuponeveryMuslim.WereallydidnotdoenoughinthepasttoeradicatethismisguidedcommunityofBabıs.OuronlyconsolationwasthebeliefthattheonewhocalledhimselfBaha’u’llahandledmanypeopleastraywoulddieoneday.Thenhiscausewouldbeforgotten,likethoseofallfalseclaimantsofthepast.”

“Nowwehavelearnedthathehasasonwhoineveryrespectismorelearnedandmoreaudaciousinthepropagationofhisreligionthanhisfather.HehasrisenwithsuchmightandpowerthathewillsooneradicateIslamandwillimposeataxonallMuslims.

“The shah and his government captured, imprisoned, tortured, andkilledasmanyfollowersofthisfalsereligionastheycould.Manyofthemwereexpelledfromthecountry. Butnowweseethatthegovernmentisinactive. Therefore,itisyourdutytoariseandkilleveryBaha’ıbyeverymeansinyourpower. WepraythatGodwillaidyouandassistyou.Youmustcleansethecountryofthishatedcommunity.ThiswillbeconsideredasyourgreatestservicetoIslam,andyourrewardwillbeparadise,wherespaciousmansions, beautiful angels, andall thatyourheartsdesireareawaitingyou.”

Ineverycommunitytherearepeoplewhoareeagertoriotandwreakdestruction.Suchpeople,oncearousedbythereligiousleaders,considertheworstcrimesasactsofpiety. Thiswasparticularlytrueinthiscase,whentheycouldfreelyattackandkillBaha’ısaswellasplunderandloottheirproperty. Whenthebelievers,whohadnomeansofdefense,heardoftheattacksofShaykhNajafıtheycouldonlyraisetheirhandsandtheireyestotheirLordandbeseechHisprotection.

Ithappenedthattheheadofthetelegraphoffice,inaccordancewithhisduty, immediatelyinformedthegovernmentinTihranofthewayinwhichNajafıhadincitedthepeopletoreligiouspersecution.Acablesoon

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reachedIsfahan fromthecourt of theshahorderingastopto all suchharrassment.Thusthefriendsremainedunmolested.

THERE WAS A PAPER by the name of Akhtar which was printed andpublishedinConstantinople. Someofthebelieverssubscribedtoit. Inoneofitsissues,newswasreadthatsomeofthemembersofBaha’u’llah’sfamilyhadunitedagainstthebelovedMaster. Wealsoheardreportsofthiskindfromsomeoftheforeignembassies. Suchthingswerebeyondourimagining,sowedeniedeverysuchreport.WeknewthattheeditorofAkhtarwasaveryobstinateenemyoftheCauseandhadconnectionswiththeAzalıs;therefore,wediscountedthereportsasmereslander.

ForalongtimeIcontinuedtotravelfromvillagetovillageandfromtowntotown.WhereverIwentIfoundthebelieversfaithfultotheCauseand actively engaged in teaching. Upon entering Tihran, I received aTabletfromthebelovedMasterinwhichHeinstructedmetocontinuemytravelsandurgethefriendstoremainfirmintheCovenantofGod,lestthey might be innocently entrapped in the deceitful plans of someambitioussouls.ThisTabletwasaclearindicationthattherewerethoseneartoHimwhowouldpursuetheirownselfishaimsratherthanobeytheOneBaha’u’llahhadappointedastheCenterofHisCovenant.

MysorrowknewnoboundswhenIlearnedoftheactivitiesofJamalinTihran. I knewhimvery well. He had always thought of himself assupreme over all the friends. He would use every means to gainleadershipintheBaha’ıcommunity.AftertheascensionofBaha’u’-

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartsllah,hewenttotheHolyLandwithoutfirstrequestingpermissionfromtheMaster.Afterhereturned,henolongerhidhisambitions.Alltheevilthoughtsandplanswhichheusedtohintat,henowopenlydiscussedwiththefriends.ButhealwaysembroideredtheminthehypocriticaldesignofsteadfastnesstotheCovenantandservicetotheMaster.

FromthetimethatBaha’u’llahhadbeeninAdrianople,Javad-i-QazvınıhadalwaysbeenmyconnectionforsendingandreceivingcorrespondencefromtheHolyHousehold. NowhewroteasecretlettertomefromtheHolyLandinwhichhegavemethreeinstructions.Hesaidthat:(1)inmylettersto‘Abdu’l-Baha,orthosethatImightwriteonbehalfofothers,Ishouldneverusethephrase,“MayIbesacrificedforThee”,orothertermsofhighrespect. Rather,lettersshouldbeaddressedintheordinaryway.(2) Ishouldnotbeginmycorrespondencewithprayers. (3) Ishouldneverreferto“TheBranch”,butalwayssay,“TheBranches”.40

Thisletterwasanotherindicationformethatplotsinoppositionto‘Abdu’l-BahawereunderwayintheHolyLand. SinceIhadseensignsofarrogance and sacrilege from Javad before, I supposed that Jamal andJavadweresecretlyopposingtheMaster. Therefore,Isuspectedthattheletterhadbeenwrittenwithoutauthorization. Iwrotebackobjectingtoallthreeoftheinstructionsandsettingforthmyreasons. Iaddedthatifthesewereordersfrom‘Abdu’l-Baha,IwantedtoreceivetheminaletterwrittenbyHisownhand;andifnot, IneverwantedtoreceiveanotherletterfromJavad.SinceIreceivednoanswer,Iwassurethatthebirdsofnighthadbeguntogather.

Itneveroccurredtomethatthechiefmoverofalltheseintriguescouldpossiblybethehalf- brotheroftheMaster.41 Whatvainimaginingsthehumanheart

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candevise! WhocouldeverturnhisfacefromtheMysteryofGod? ForthirtyyearsBaha’u’llahhadtrainedtheBaha’ıstobesteadfastintheCauseandintheCovenant.NowthatHehadtakenHisflighttotherealmabove,we were given the Kitab-i-‘Ahd, His Will and Testament, which placed‘Abdu’l-BahaontheseatofHisCovenantwithallpossiblepowerandglory.

Strengthened by the Master, I traveled through to ‘Ishqabad andCaucasia in order to raise the standard of the Covenant. I found theBaha’ısinthoseplacesinflamedwiththeloveofGod.Iwarnedthemthatnoone,nomatterhowrespectedhemaybe,couldclaimastationequaltothatof‘Abdu’l-Baha. Allagreedandwereunited,andsignedadocumentconfessingtheirfaith.

FROMRUSSIA,ItraveledtoBeirutonmywaytotheHolyLand.HereIagainmetJinab-i-MuhammadMustafaBaghdadı. Hewasamountainofstrengthandsteadfastness.DuringmystayinBeirutthisgreatsoul(Iowemylifetohim)informedmeofthesecretplotsagainsttheMasterin‘Akka.HerevivedmyspiritsandpreparedmetoattainthepresenceoftheCenteroftheCovenant.

In‘AkkaIdidnotgotovisitanyone.Myfirstactionwastosendaletterto ‘Abdu’l-Baha saying, “I knownooneexcept theMasterandhave nodesiretomeetanyoneunlessHepermits.IwillnotevenentertheShrinesorcircumambulatethemwithoutHispermission.”BythegraceofGod,onthatverydayIwasabletomakeapilgrimagetotheShrineofBaha’u’llahin

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartsthe company of ‘Abdu’l-Baha and experienced the joy of hearing HismelodiousvoicechantingtheTabletofVisitation.

THE READER should know that Muhammad-‘Alı, the half- brother of‘Abdu’l-Baha, even during the lifetime of his Father had transgressedagainst the station of servitude. Seeking to emerge from his relativeobscurityandtoclaimsomepositionforhimself,hewrotelettersandsentthemsecretlyabroad.ThiscausedtheheartofBaha’u’llahinfinitesorrow.ThewordsoftheSupremeManifestationofGodeducatedthewholeoftheBaha’ı world. He often remarked that Muhammad-‘Alı is a leaf on theDivineLoteTree,whichmovesinaccordwiththebreezesofGod.Shoulditmoveawayfromthisgentlebreeze,itwouldwitheranddie.

Muhammad-‘Alı neverwholeheartedlyrepentedhisactioninwritingtheseletters,butBaha’u’llahprotectedhimandconcealedhiserror.WhilehelivedundertheprotectionofBaha’u’llah,heremainedrelativelyquiet,butthegermofdissensiongrewwithinhim,andwithinsomeofhiscloseassociates.

WhenJamalarrivedintheHolyLand,aftertheascensionofBaha’u’llah,hemetMuhammad-‘Alı. HealsometJavad-i-Qazvını, andtheyunitedinrebellion.TheybothassuredMuhammad-‘AlıthatallthePersianbelieverswereobedienttoJamalandwouldbereadytoturntohimatwhatevermomenthemightchoose. Inthisway,Muhammad-‘AlıcouldbecometheheadoftheFaith.

SuchpromptingsfedtheegoofMuhammad-‘Alı,andgraduallyheroseagainsthisillustriousBrother.Those

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who were steadfast in the Covenant began to hear strange words.Whenever the plotters met with any of the Baha’ıs and found anopportunitytospeak,theywouldwarn:“Becareful.DonotbelieveintwoGods.” Thisbecamelikeafrighteningcatchword. “WhobelievesintwoGods?”thefriendsaskedoneanother.“Whohasmadethisclaim?”

ThebelovedMastershowedincreasedloveforthewaveringsoulsandmadelifeeasierforthem.ButMuhammad-‘AlıandhiscompanionsdidnotpayanyattentiontotheMaster.TheygrudgednoefforttohumiliateHimandtocreatedoubtsintheheartsofthosewhowerelivingintheHolyLand.SuchchampionsoftheCovenantasMuhammad-RidaandMahmud-i-Kashı repeatedly went to ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s enemies andpointed out theexplicit wordsrevealedintheWill andTestamentofBaha’u’llah. TheyopenlyandcourageouslywarnedMuhammad-‘Alıandhishenchmenoftheconsequences of such nefarious deeds. They made it clear thatdisobedience is the fire of self-destruction, the smoke of which wouldinflametheirowneyes.

‘Abdu’l-BahasufferedsilentlyandneverceasedHisloveandrespectfultreatmenttowardsHisenemies. At thebanquetstheyall occupiedtheseatsofhonoraroundthetable,while‘Abdu’l-Bahastoodandserved.OnmanyoccasionsweheardtheMastergiveclearexhortationsencouragingalltobecomeunitedintheserviceoftheCause. Hepleadedwiththem.ButHiswordsfellondeafears.

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IN THOSE DAYS the friends’ spiritual life, understanding, and growthdependedupontheTablets theyreceivedfromthebelovedMaster, thevisitsofthepilgrimswhogavethemnewsoftheHolyLand,andthelettersfromthosewhohadthehonoroflivingneartheShrinesandservingtheCenteroftheCovenant.

AftertheascensionofBaha’u’llah,aviolentstormattackedtheFaithofGodandthebelieverseverywhere. It createdsuchascorchingfireandsuchsuffocating smoke that manyof the branches, boughs, and leaveswhichhadgrownontheDivineLoteTree42wereburnedandconsumed.Theyhadeyesthatcouldnotsee,earsthatwereunabletohear,andheartsthatcouldnolongerrespond.Itisamostlamentablesituationwhenmanbecomesthecaptiveofhisownself.DuringHislifetime,Baha’u’llahtaughttheBaha’ıstoturntoHimwhentheydidnotunderstandanypartoftheHolyWritings.InHisWillandTestament,Heexplicitlydeclaredthatintheabsence of the Sun of Truth, the friends must turn to the Most GreatBranch.43Therewere,however,afewwhoinsistedonfollowingtheirownegos andwouldnot turn to ‘Abdu’l-Baha as the Center of Baha’u’llah’sCovenant.

Fire,onceitisignited,stretchesoutitsfierytongueandwillconsumewhoeverdarestoapproachitorstandinitsway.ThesonsofBaha’u’llahwerecaughtinthismercilessconflagration,asweresomebelieverswhohadbeenoutstandingpillarsoftheCauseinthedaysofBaha’u’llah,andotherswhowouldnotshunthem. FinallytheMasterremainedalmostalone. ButeveninHissolitudeHestretchedforthHis lovinghandstorescuewhoeverwasendangeredbythatfire.Letters,mes-

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sengers,andlovingexhortationsconstantlyflowedfromHispresence.

However,as‘Abdu’l-BahaincreasedHisloveandconsiderationforHisenemies,Heremainedwatchfulandvigilantlesttheirwordsandlettersreachthefar-offfriendswhosehopesandaspirationswerecenteredontheHolyLandandweresustainedbylettersfromthebelieverslivingneartheHolyPrecincts.HedidnotwishthatthefriendsthroughouttheworldshouldlearnoftheshamefulrebellionagainsttheCovenantwhichwasledbynolessapersonthanHisownhalf-brother,Muhammad-‘Alı.Therefore,HeforbadethefriendstoopenanyenvelopewhichdidnotbearHisownwell-knownseal.

The believers were vigilant and alert. For example, there was aphysicianinthecityofQazvınwhowasgiventhename“HHakımIllahı”(DivinePhysician)by‘Abdu’l-Baha.Hereceivedaletterwhichcarriedtheseal of the Master and he opened it. When he read the contents, hedoubted their authenticity. The writer of the letter gave specialinstructions on how to address correspondence and suggested somesatanic plans intended to overthrowthe authority of the Master. Thephysiciansent this letter backto theHolyLandandaskedtheMaster,“Whoisthispersontoinstructthefriends? Weallturnourheartsandsoulstoonepoint,andthatisthebelovedMaster.”

ThisletterfromHHakımIllahıuncoveredthefactthatthewriter,Javad-i-Qazvını, had first written an acceptable letter and placed it in anenvelope.AftertheMasterhadaffixedHissealtoit,Javadhadopenedtheenvelopeandinsertedadifferent lettercontaininghisownsuggestionsandevilthoughts.

Theever-movingpenof‘Abdu’l-Bahasavedthesituationeverywhere.Thefriendsinthesmallestvillagesandtowns,infar-offdistrictsinvariouscountries,regularly

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartsreceivedHisinspiringmessages. Intheirjoy,theywouldcopythemandsendthemwherevertheycould. Thusacontinuousexchangeofdivinegifts was carried on all over the East. The friends busied themselvesreading and transcribing the Tablets, encouraging one another, andwarningthecommunitiesagainstthemercilessattacksoftheCovenant-breakers.

ThusthebelieverswereprotectedagainsttheinfiltrationofCovenant-breakers, withtheirmisinterpretationsoftheWritingsandtheirselfishambitions. Should the Causeof Godbeentrusted to the hands of thepeople,wewouldfindmanyinterpretersineverytownandvillage,andthe light of true guidance wouldbe extinguished. It would be as if aproficientphysicianwroteacataloginwhichhelistedthemanykindsofillnessesandtheherbsandmedicinesusedtocurethem.Woulditthenbeenoughtogivethisbooktoanyonewhocanreadandaskhimtoattendapatientsufferingfromaseriousdisease? Woulditbewisetofollowtheadviceofanyonewhocouldreadthisbook?Thisisnotenough.Weneedsomeonewhocandiagnosetheillnessandtelluswhatkindofmedicineshouldbegiven—andhowmuch,andatwhattimes.HencetheCovenantofBaha’u’llahprovidesforthecontinuingguidancesonecessaryforthebodyofmankind.

ThereweremanyviolatorswhovigorouslyattackedtheCovenantandwhotraveledthroughoutthelengthandbreadthofdifferentcountries.Yettheyreapednofruitbutfailure.Theirodiousargumentsandevilattemptsto undermine the Cause created some waves here and there, butultimatelytheseabecamecalm,reflectingtheshiningSunofTruth.

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IN SH I$RA$ Z ImetSalman,theMessengeroftheMerciful. Tovisitthisgreatsoulisajoybeyondmeasureforanyofthebelievers.Thoughhewasilliterateandhismanneroflifewasextremelysimple,hewastheessenceofintelligenceandknowledge.Wheneverthefriendsbecameentangledinsomedifficultquestion,hewasabletoanswerthequestionandexplainthematterunderdiscussioninafewsimplewords.Weneverwitnessedinhimtheslightesttraceofself,whichcreepssoinsidiouslyintotheheartsofmen. Salmanflatterednoone,norcouldheabideanycompromiseinmatterspertainingtotheCauseofGod. Thebelieverswhowereofpurecharacterlovedhimandsoughthispresence. Buttherewereafewwhodidnotlikehim.

Duringoneof hismanyvisitsto theHolyLand, theAncientBeautyspoketoSalmanandsaid,“Respectthegreatonesinthemeetingsanddonotbelittlethem.”

Tothisheimmediatelyreplied,“NooneexcepttheAncientBeautyandtheMasterisgreattome. Theymaybebig,buttheyarenotgreat.” HisrewardforthiscourageousreplywasthesweetsmileofBaha’u’llah.

THROUGHOUT THE EAST, menandwomenofexceptionalcapacityandlovearosetoprotectthefriendsofGodagainstdisunityanddisobedience.Jinab-i-Afnan of Yazd stood like a mountain and never allowed thepoisonouswatersoftheriverofdoubttoreachthetendershrubswhichBaha’u’llahwasculti-

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartsvating.InArdistanandthesurroundingareas,theRafı‘a,Fath-i-A‘zam,andMajdfamiliesstoodagainsttheonslaught.InIsfahan,Jinab-i-VazırwasthechampionoftheCovenantofGod.

Theturbulentmonthspassed,andthesunshoneagainoncalmedandassured hearts. A new life began to stir. The Baha’ıs everywheredemonstrated signs of revival and joy after this destructive attack.Reports ofunprecedentedcontributionsandincreasedteachingactivitywereheardfromallsides.UnderthesunshineoftheCovenant,thefriendsbegantogrowintomaturity.

InIsfahan, ShaykhNajafı’sthirstforthebloodoftheBaha’ıshadnotdiminished. He issued a death warrant for Jinab-i-Majd, one of theoutstandingBaha’ıs of Ardistan. Majdwasatall, strongman. Hewasextremelyfirminhisfaith,andhehadadaringspiritwhichcouldstrikefearintotheheartsoftheenemiesoftheFaith.WhenheheardthatNajafıhadsignedandsealedhisdeathwarrant,heleftArdistanforIsfahanandwalkedupanddownthemostcrowdedstreetsandsquaresofthattown.When the shaykh learnedof this courageous behavior—howMajdhadaudaciouslywalkedamongthecrowdsinthemostdangerousquartersofIsfahan—fearovertookhim. Hestoppedgoingtothetheologicalschool,refusedinvitations,andevenrefrainedfromappearinginthemosquetoleadthecongregationalprayers.

Someweekspassed,andNajafıcontinuedtohearthathisdaringvictimwasstillinIsfahan. Thenhesentthebelieveramessage: “Gohomeanddonotbreatheawordofthiseventtoanyone.”WhenNajafıwassurethatMajdhadreturnedtoArdistan,herenewedhispublicappearances.

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ITWASABOUTthistimethatIfirstwitnessedtheeffectoftheunifyingpoweroftheWordofGod. DuringmyteachingtourIreachedKashan,where the friends came from many different backgrounds: Jewish,Christian, Zoroastrian, andMuslim. But onecouldnot tell themapart.Their unity was like water and perfume of rose: once mixed, it isimpossibletodistinguishonefromtheother.

InthecityofQum,IagainmettheNaddaafbrothersandtheirnewlyconverted friends. Strangelyenough, theseMuslimbelievers hadbeentaughtthroughtheeffortsofsomeBaha’ısofZoroastrianbackgroundwhodidbusinessinQum.ItwasagreatprivilegetovisitJinab-i-Ibn-i-Assdaq,who had just returned from the Holy Land. He arose like a giant toconfirmthebelieversintheCovenantandarrangedmeetingseverynighttodeepenthefriendsintheCauseofGod.

However, in that region Jamal was like a thorn in the flesh of thebelievers. HewouldhavelikednothingbetterthantobecometheleaderoftheBaha’ı community. Notonlythat—hedideverythingpossibletoextractmoneyfromthefriendstosupporthissonandrelatives,whowerelikeleechesattachedtotheCause. TheHandsoftheCause,theteachers,andalltheBaha’ısdidtheirutmosttokeepJamalsatisfied,buttonoavail.Themoretheygave,themorehedesired.

Dr.MuhammadKhan,thesonofMunajjim,wasalerttothedangerousactivities of Jamal. Hewarnedthe friends against him, saying, “I haveknownthismaneversincemychildhood.Sincemyfatherwaswellknownas a Baha’ı at that time, he seldomappeared on the streets. But heregularlysentmetovisitJamal,inquire

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartsafterhiswell-being,andbringhimgifts. MyfatherwasalwayssadandworriedaboutJamalandoftensaidthatJamaldidnotbelieveinanything.Hissoleaimistogatherfameandwealth. Myfathertriedtokeephimpacified,buthebelievedthatitwouldhavebeenmuchbetterifJamalhadneverheardoftheFaith.

“Myfathersaidthat the friendsshouldtryto keepJamal appeased.Shouldthesmallest thinghappencontraryto his plansandwishes, hecouldcauseagreatdealoftrouble. MyfatherwassurethatifJamalfelttheleastbit slightedhewouldgoimmediatelytothe ‘ulamainTihran,denouncetheFaith,andassistinsheddingthebloodofinnocentBaha’ıs.”

Jinab-i-AfnaninvitedmanyofthefriendstoameetingandrequestedthatJamalbepresent. ThepurposeofthismeetingwastocreateunityandtoinspirethefriendstoariseandservetheCause.Jamalpretendedtobe steadfast in the Covenant andsaid, “Let us all write a letter to theMasterandaskthatHenotcallHimself‘Abdu’l-Baha(theServantofBaha).LetHimcontinuetobecalledSirru’llah(theMysteryofGod)asHewasinthedaysofBaha’u’llah.”

The friends were very much displeased with this presumptuoussuggestion. Oneofthemsaid,“HeistheCenteroftheCovenantandHeknowswhattodo.WhoarewetotellHimwhatnameortitleHeshouldadopt? WehaveacceptedBaha’u’llah as theSupremeManifestationofGod.WeknowtheCenterofHisCovenantunderanynameHechoosestobecalled.”

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AGROUPOFBELIEVERSATTHETIMEOFBAHA$ 'U'LLA$ HStanding,fromlefttoright:HajıMırzaHaydar-‘Alı,JamalEffendi,MırzaAbu’l-Qasim-i-

Isfahanı,MishqınQalam,Muhammad-Riday-i-ShırazıQannad,MırzaJa‘far.Seatedfromlefttoright:MırzaMahmud-i-Kashanı,Mırza‘Abdu’l-Ra’uf,MırzaMuhsinAfnan,MırzaHadıAfnan

(thefatherofShoghiEffendi),Zaynu’l-Muqarrabın.

HA$ JI$MI$RZA$ HAYDAR-‘ALI$(secondrow,fourthfromleft)

withagroupofBaha’ısintheHolyLandatthetimeof‘Abdu’l-Baha.

INTHEHOLYLANDIfoundtheCenterofBaha’u’llah’sCovenantbereftofthe companionship of the faithful. He was surrounded by those whodesired nothing but to follow their own selfish desires and vainimaginings. Iwasastoundedbythelovingpatience‘Abdu’l-Bahashowedtowardthesepeople.Heneverfailedtoprovidethemwithwhatevertheydemanded.EveryoneknewthattheymadeoutrageousdemandsonlyforthepurposeofforcingtheMasterintopovertyanddebt.YetHeacceptedallsuchunkindtreatmentandmettheirdemands,hopingonlythattheywouldnotopenlyriseagainsttheFaithandsocauseunrestanddistressintheinfantBaha’ı communitiesaroundtheworld. SuchaviolentstormmightprovefataltothetendershootsgrowinginthevineyardsofGod.TheMasterrespectedallofthemembersofHisfamily, protectedthem,andsoughttoguidethemonthetruepathoffaith.

For example, when my visit to ‘Akka came to an end, ‘Abdu’l-BahainstructedmetotraveltoIranbywayofIndia.ButbeforeIleft,HeaskedmetogototheMansionofBahjıtobidfarewelltoMuhammad-‘Alıandthefamily. Hesaid,“Youwillbetheirguestduringthewholenight. AboutmidnightMuhammad-‘Alıwillaskyoutobewithhimalone,ashedesirestotalktoyouinprivate.Whenyouanswerhisquestions,besurethatyoufirstaskpermissionfromhim. Youmusttalktohimwithlove,courtesy,andrespect. UtternothingbutthatwithwhichyouwillbeinspiredbyGod.”

IwenttoBahjı. ItwaslateatnightwhenMuhammad-‘Alısummonedmetohisroom.Heaskedhissontoleaveusaloneandthenstated,“Ihaveaveryprivate

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question to ask you. Don’t you think that whatever my brother hasinheritedfromBaha’u’llah,Ihaveinherited,too?”

“Wouldyoukindlygrantmepermissiontoanswer?”

“Yes,”hereplied.

“In the Kitab-i-Aqdas and in His Will and Testament, Baha’u’llahemphatically commanded the Branches, the Afnan, and all withoutexceptiontobeobedientandsubmissivetotheMostGreatBranch. Themoreyouobey,thehigherwillbeyourrankandpositionintheheartsofthebelievers.ThestationoftheBranchesandtheAfnanisconditionedontheir obedience to the Center of the Covenant. Since the Master wasclearlygiventhisgreatstation,Hemusthavesomethingyoudonothave.Moreover,whoisthereintheworldwhocanclaimthatheiscomparabletotheMasterinanyrespect?”

AtthispointMuhammad-‘Alıgotupandsaid,“Itistimetosleep.”Thenhedismissedme.IsleptinoneofthelowerroomsoftheMansionofBahjıandreturnedto ‘Akka the next day. I left Haifa for Bombay. But thisexperience showedme the crafty way in which the Covenant-breakerssowedthefirstseedsofdoubtintheheartsofthebelievers.

IN TIHRA$ N Jinab-i-AdıbwasanewBaha’ı. Hehadbecomeabelieverlateinhislife,buthewasverymature,learned,audacious,andstaunchinhisfaith.HewasappointedaHandoftheCausebyBaha’u’llah.Aftertheascension of Baha’u’llah, but before the Kitab-i-‘Ahd (the Book of theCovenant)hadreachedIran,AdıbhadapproachedJamalandaskedhimaboutthefutureleadershipoftheFaith.Thearro-

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gant Jamal replied that he knew that the Branches would share theleadershipoftheFaith.

Jinab-i-Adıb immediately protestedthat in theKitab-i-Aqdas, and insomeotherTablets,Baha’u’llahhadspecificallymentionedthat,afterHispassing, thebelieversmustturntoonlyonepersonastheheadoftheFaith.

Jamal insisted, “There must be two Branches who will lead thebelieversandbetheheadsoftheFaith.”

“Thenonemustbesilentandsubmissive;andonewillspeakandbetheleaderofthecommunity,”Adıbreplied.

“No,bothwillspeak,”wasJamal’sanswer.

“Thisisagainstallstandardsoflogicandreason,”Adıbreplied.“Evenin worldly causes there cannot be two leaders at the head of anymovementwhosharepowerbetweenthemselves.HowmuchmoremustthisbetrueoftheCauseofGod,whichisbasedonamightyfoundation.”

SincehecouldseethatAdıbwouldnotbeconvincedbyhisarguments,Jamalbegantodenyhispositionandtosaythatthiswasonlysomethingthathehadheardfromothers. AndthemoreAdıbprotested,themoreJamaldeniedandreliedontheexcuseofhisfaultyhearing.

Jinab-i-Adıbwasamountainofsteadfastnessandsacrifice. OncehewrotealettertotheGrandVazırofIranexplainingtheBaha’ıpositionandgivingclearandobviousproofsthatBaha’ısshunallpoliticalactivitiesandareobedienttotheirgovernments.Hesignedhisnameandhistitletothisletter and openly stated that it was his religious duty to report thesethingstothestate.

IconsideredthefactthatIhadenjoyedfiftyyearsofhappinessintheshadowof the Faith, while Adıb was a newbeliever who had alreadysacrificedsomuch.So,sincethedangerwasobvious,IproposedthatthislettershouldbecopiedbyMahmud-i-Zarqaanıandsent

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartsinmyname,becauseweneededAdıbandwedidnotwanttoruntheriskof losinghim,orhavinghimbecomeentangledinthemanydifficultieswhichcouldresultfromsuchaletter. Mysuggestionwasagreedto,andthe letter was sent through the mail. In due time we received anacknowledgmentsignedbythesecretaryoftheGrandVazır. TheentireletterwaseventuallycabledtothecrownprincewhowasthenonhiswaytoTihran.

ThiswasoneofthegreatestserviceswhichJinab-i-AdıbrenderedtotheCauseofGod.HisletterprotectedtheBaha’ısfromsuspicionandfromtheslanderousreportswhich,liketorrentsofhate,mightcoverthewholecountry during times of convulsion and upheaval. Baha’u’llah laterpraisedthejusticeoftheGrandVazırwhoreceivedthisletterandactedsofairly.

THEHANDOFTHECAUSEMulla‘Alı-AkbarwaswellknownasaBaha’ıbythepeople. Foryears, whenever hepassedthroughthestreets or thepublicsquares,hewouldbeabusedwithcursesandfoulwords.AcertainMulla Rida wasa neighborof thisHandof theCauseandhestartedacampaign against the Faith. He maliciously attacked the Baha’ıs andencouraged the people to kill Baha’ıs and plunder their property. HesingledoutMulla‘Alı-Akbarforspecialattack.

Inordertoprotectthisfriend,theotherHandsmetinthehouseofJinab-i-Ibn-i-Assdaq. TheyconsultedonwhattodoandconcludedthatduringthefirstpartofthemonthofMuharram,whenreligioussentimentamong Muslims would be high, Mulla ‘Alı-Akbar should change hisresidenceandmakenopublicappearancesuntiltheperiodofcommotionandchaoswasover.

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TheytheninvitedtheHandtoattendthismeeting,andoneofthosepresentexplainedtheresultsoftheconsultation.Mulla‘Alı-Akbarshowedhimselftobetheepitomeoffaith,devotion,andsteadfastness.Hesmiledandsaid, “In His manyTablets, ‘Abdu’l-Baha has advisedus toobservewisdom. Butthismeanssubmission,andnotfearandhiding. Itmeanssolidarityinplansofaction,truthfulnessandforbearance, andthattheseedsoffaithshouldbesowninfertilesoil.

“Ihavebeenarrestedmorethantentimes,putinchains,andplacedinprison.Oftentheredidnotappeartobeanyhopeofmyrelease.OnoneoccasionIwasinprisonforthreeyears.PeoplewhowerelesswellknownthanIwerehonoredwiththecupofmartyrdom,whileIamstillalive. Ifmartyrdomistobemydestiny,whatgreaterend! IfitisthedecreeandthewillofGod,whyhideandbeafraid?”Allofusweregreatlyheartenedbythisexplanation,everywordofwhichgaveusmoreunderstandingandassurance.

THETIMECAMEwhenIhadtoleaveTihranforotherparts.ItraveledtoQazvınandtoTabrız,andthento‘Ishqabad.

InQazvın,thoughthiscitywasthecenterofJamal’sevilplots,IfoundthefriendssteadfastandfaithfulandfirmintheCovenant.InTabrız,withtheexceptionoftwopersons,allothersweresteadfastintheCovenant.Baha’ı meetings were held every day. In someplaces the friends haddonatedgardens,houses,andlandtotheFaith.LettersreceivedfromtheHoly Land which were not signed or sealed by the Master wouldimmediatelybesentbackto‘Akka.ItseemedthatMuhammad-

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHearts‘AlıwasdoinghisutmosttopenetratethiscitadeloftheCovenant.Butinallcaseshemetimpenetrablebarriersandfoundnowaytodisturbthebelovedfriends,whoremainedsafeandsecureintheshadeoftheTreeofLife,undertheshadowoftheMostGreatBranch.

WhileinCaucasiaIlearnedthatJamalhadfinallyrevealedhistrueself.Thefriendshadbeguntorealizehisburningambition.Itbecameknownthat he had written a letter to ‘Abdu’l-Baha and had demanded threethings:thathebeappointedastheheadoftheFaithinPersia,that‘Abdu’l-Bahaprepareaspecial houseforhimandhisson, andthattheMasterrebuketheHandsoftheCausefortheirbehaviortowardhim.Thisletterremainedunanswered.

JamalbecamefuriousthattheBaha’ısofPersiadidnotturntohimandinstead remained steadfast in the Covenant of Baha’u’llah. He wroteletters to the outstanding Baha’ıs of the country complaining andbewailingthefact thattheywouldnotassisthimwithhisplans. SuchdeedsofprideandprofanitymadetheBaha’ısrealizethatJamalneverhadaparticleoffaith. Thefriendsfromthenonshunnedhimandwouldnotevenwalkonthestreetwherehelived.

ThereisanimportantlessoninthestoryofJamal. Intheeyesofthefriendshehadbeenaveryimportantperson.Whenheenteredthehomesofthefriends,thebedhesleptonandeventhechairsheusedwouldberegardedasspecialobjects.Thefriendsusedtokisshishand.Hewouldsaytothepeople,“Thekissingofhandsisforbidden.ButforthegloryoftheCause,Iwillnotpreventthebelieversfromprostratingthemselvesinfront of meandkissing myhand.” However, whenthesesamepeoplelearnedthattheobjectoftheiradorationhadbecomeaCovenant-breaker,theydidnotevenallowhimtoentertheirhomes.

WhenJamalhadfailedinallhisplans,Iwrotehim

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ashortletterandsaid,“AnignorantpersonmayclaimthatthereisnoGod.ButGodkeepsthewholeuniversefunctioninginperfectorder, withoutallowinganyonetobreakthisorder. Nowreflectonthemanyschemesyouhavedevisedtoreachyourgoal. Reflectalsoonthefactthatalloftheseplanshavebeenthwarted. Nonehaveproducedthedesiredresult.IsthisnotsufficientevidencethatyouraimsanddesiresareopposedtotheorderofGod,theFashioneroftheuniverse?”Thefriendsgavehimmynote,butIreceivednoreply.

AFTERPASSINGTHROUGHCaucasiaIwenttoBeirut. FromthereImademywaytotheHolyLand.ThebelovedMaster’sfirstinstructiontomewasthis:“DonotmentionJamalandhismisdeeds.”

Isaid,“ButhehaswrittenpamphletstorefutetheCovenantofGodandtheyarebeingspreadeverywhere.”

“Yes,”‘Abdu’l-Bahareplied,“buthehasnotsignedthem.Aslongashedoesnotopenlyproclaimhimselfastheauthoroftheseworks,wewillnotdenouncehis nameandhis wrongdoing. Wemust alwaysconceal thefaultsofothers.”

Somedaysaftermyarrival,‘Abdu’l-BahainstructedthepilgrimstogotoBahjı.TheMastercamebyHimself,onfoot,andslowlyapproachedtheShrineofBaha’u’llah.Aftertea,HeinstructedallofustostandinacirclearoundtheShrineandwaitforHimtocomeout.Hesaidthatevenifweheardcursesandfoulwords,orifwewerepeltedwithstones,wemustnotpayanyattention.

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This actually happened. The Covenant-breakers who lived in theMansionnexttotheShrine,thosepeoplewithoutGodorreligion,cursedus and stoned us. Even so, that day was so wondrous that it is aneverlastingmemorywhich,wheneverIrecallit, enkindlesmyheartandsoul.

It was heart-breaking for us to learn about the evil work of theCovenant-breakers and their malicious attacks on the beloved Master.Thesethingswereneverrelatedtoanyofthefriendsabroad.Butbeinginthe Holy Land, I could see what burdens of sorrow they laid on theMaster’sshoulderseveryday.

Theseenemieswereabletoapproachthemayorof ‘Akkaandbribehim.Theyaskedthatheexile‘Abdu’l-Bahafromthecityof‘Akka,thinkingthat after His departure the pilgrims would come to themand wouldconsiderthemasthecenteroftheCause.However,themayorof‘Akkawassoondismissedandsentbacktohisowncountry.

AtanothertimetheyofferedoneofBaha’u’llah’scloaksandapairofhisspectaclestothegovernorofHaifa. Theyencouragedhimtogoandvisit ‘Abdu’l-Bahawiththecloakonhisshouldersandwiththeglasses.Whenhecame, ‘Abdu’l-BaharealizedthathewaswearingthingswhichhadbelongedtoHisFather,andHewasdeeplygrieved.However,HedidnotsayawordandtreatedthemanwithHisusualextremecourtesyandlove. Thatdaypassed,butthetimecamewhenthatsamegovernorwasputinprisonandinchains.Itwas‘Abdu’l-Bahawhohastenedtohelpandliberate him. After receivingsuchunexpectedkindness, he begged forforgivenesssaying, “It wasnot myfault. Yourenemiesmisledmeintotakingsuchagrieviousstep.”

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DURINGTHEFIRSTWEEKofmypilgrimage,earlyonemorning,MırzaA$ qaJan,whohadbeentheamanuensisofBaha’u’llah,cameinandmadefunnygestures.Hesaid,“Allah-u-Abha!Youhaveanilluminedgathering.”

Ilefttheroom,buthefollowedmetoanotherroomandsaidthesamething. Iwenttoanotherroom,andheagainfollowedandsaidthesamething. Ireturnedtothefirstroomandhecamewithme. Againhesaid,“Allah-u-Abha!Youhaveanilluminedgathering.”

AnotherbelieverandIleftthehouseandmadeourwaytoashopinthestreet. A$ qa Jan followedus, hoppingupanddownandsayingtheGreatest Name. Wewent to oneof theshops which was ownedby abeliever,andhefollowedusandstoodoutsiderepeatingthesamething.Acrowdgatheredbeforewehadlefttheshop.ButstillA$ qaJanfollowedus,hoppingandsayingtheGreatestName.Thiscontinueduntilaftermidday.

Whenthemayorof‘AkkalearnedthatA$ qaJanhaddisturbedusandothers, hesentsoldierstoarrest him. Hewastakentothegovernor’shouse. ThemayorsentthefollowingmessagetotheMaster: “WearesendingsoldierstoYemen.Theboatisanchoredintheportandisreadytosail.Ifyouapprove,IwillbanishthispersontoYemen.”

‘Abdu’l-Baha’sresponsewasimmediate. “Thiswouldnotpleaseme,”hereplied.

Mırza A$ qa Jan was released, but he never ceased to cause freshtroublesfortheMaster. AtonetimeheevensentnewstotheCovenant-breakers and to the friends that Baha’u’llah hadappeared tohim in adreamandhadpromisedtohelphimifhearoseattheappointed

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartshour to conquer theBaha’ı worldanddisplacetheMost Great Branch.EventheCovenant-breakersoncedecidedtokillhimanddestroyhisbodywithfire,but‘Abdu’l-Bahaalwaysprotectedhim.

IT OFTEN HAPPENED that whentheMasterwent to theShrineof HisFather,eitherridingoronfoot,thegovernorandhisofficialswouldfollowHimtothesurroundingareaofBahjı. ThesepeoplewouldhaveteaandrefreshmentswhiletheMaster,followedbythefriends,wouldpayhomageattherestingplaceofBaha’u’llah. ManytimestheyobservedtheMastercarryingloadsofearthinHiscloakforthegardensaroundtheShrine.AtothertimestheyobservedHimcarryingawaterpotonHisshoulders.

Twiceayearforaboutsixyears,‘Abdu’l-BahawouldtakeatleastonehundredflowerpotsfromtheRidvanGardentoBahjı. It wasthemostexciting procession. ‘Abdu’l-Baha would carry a flower pot on Hisshoulder,andallthefriendsandpilgrimswouldfollowHimtwobytwowithflowerpotsontheirshoulders.MırzaMahmud-i-Kashıwouldwalkinfrontofthefriendsandchantprayersinaloudandmelodiousvoice.Oncethecommanderofthearmy,accompaniedbyhisofficers,passedbyandsawthisspiritualprocession. HesaidtotheMaster,“ThisistheArmyoftheKingdom,andthesearetheangelsoftheExaltedRealm.”

Irememberoneevening,asthecommemorationoftheAscensionofBaha’u’llahapproached,theMasterpreparedtwohundredlanterns. Oneofthesecontainedtwentycandles,andeachoftheotherstwocandles.Itwasaboutsunsetwhenthesameprocessionoffriends,

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carryingtheselanterns, madetheir waytoBahjı. It happenedthatwepassedacampofsoldiers.TheofficersstoodintheirplacesandpaidtheirrespecttotheMaster.Wewereallintears.WhenwereachedtheShrine,there were two rows of worshipers: the friends in one row, and theofficerswiththeirsoldiersintheother.Everyonewasintears.Whenthepilgrimagecametoanend,theofficersencircledtheMaster. Theywereservedteaandrefreshments.Thiswasoneofthemostmemorablenightsofmylife.EveryparticleintheairandontheearthseemedbothtoabsorbandreflectthegloryandmajestyoftheKingdomofGod.

The Covenant-breakers could not bear to see such glorious acts ofservitude. TheyhastenedtotheMuslimclergy in ‘Akka andexpressedtheirobjectiontosuchdemonstrationsofhomagetotherestingplaceofBaha’u’llah.

Onthatevening,‘Abdu’l-Baharemainedawakeallnight. Thefriendscould not separate themselves from Him and gathered in the PilgrimHouseadjacenttotheShrine.Sometimesteaorcoffeewasserved.Butthemostlamentablepartofitwaswhendawnapproached.WeallwenttotheShrineforasecondtime.ToourhorrorwediscoveredthatMırzaA$ qaJanwasthereandhadtakenupresidenceintheShrine. Itwasevidentthat‘Abdu’l-Baha’sheartwasburningwithanguish,butHeremainedsilent.HeapproachedtheShrinebutchosetositinthesandyplacethatsurroundedit.AbouttwohundredfriendssatinacirclewithHimaswerememberedthedayswehadallspentinthepresenceoftheAncientBeauty.

Allofasudden,MırzaA$ qaJandashedoutoftheShrine,barefootedandbareheaded,anddressedinashroudofmourning. Hethrewdustonhishead and gesticulated wildly. He kept repeating, “My Beloved! MyBeloved!Whereareyou?”Hisbehaviorwassosilly

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartsthatwecouldnotcontrolourlaughter. TheCovenant-breakerswhohadoccupiedtheMansionnextdoortriedrepeatedlytotakehimaway,buthekeptreturning.Againandagainhedashedintoourcircle,repeatingsomeoftheversesofBaha’u’llah.Heseemedlikeadrunkenmanwhocouldnotkeephis balance. Hekept shouting, running, andrecitingparts of theTabletsinanirreverentmanner.Ashortwhilelaterwealldispersed.Yetdespite all this, ‘Abdu’l-Baha continuedtorespect A$ qa Jan, andprotecthim,andcareforhim.

ONE OF ‘ABDU’L-BAHA$ ’S major services to the Cause of God was totransfertheremainsoftheBabfromPersiatotheHolyLand,andtoplacethem in the Shrine on the side of Mount Carmel. This act was thefulfilmentofthepropheciesrecordedintheHolyBooksaboutthegloryofCarmelandthesurroundingareas.

TheBab’swoodencaskethadbeenplacedinthehouseofJinab-i-VazırinIsfahan.Itwaswellhiddeninthehouse,andnooneknewitslocation.When the timecame, the beloved Master issued orders that the bodyshouldbetransferredfromPersiatotheHolyLand.

ThoseresponsiblewereadvisedtotravelfirsttoIraq.TheyarrivedinBaghdadwiththeirsacredcargo,entrustedittothehandsofthefriendsthere, and, after visitingthe Shı‘ihshrines, returnedhome. Mycousin,Husayn-i-Vakıl, actedasacustodianof thecasket inBaghdad. FurtherinstructionswerereceivedthattheBab’sremainsweretobesenttoBeirutandothersweregiventhehonorofthistask. Finally,theboxcontainingtheDivineTrustwasplacedinthehandsoftheMaster.

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LetuslookbackforamomenttotheearlydayswhentheMastertookthefirststepstopurchasethelandonMountCarmelwhereBaha’u’llahhadindicatedtheTombof theBabshouldstand. WhentheCovenant-breakerslearnedthatHeintendedtopurchasethatland,theirmaliciousopposition was aroused. Theyapproached the owner of the land andpersuadedhimnottosell.Theyassuredhimthatinashorttimethelandwouldbeworthtentimesitsvalue.TheyinstigatedotherstowriteletterstothegovernmentclaimingpossessionofallthelandonMountCarmel.Therefore,ittooktheMastermorethansixmonthsofpersistentefforttopurchasethedesiredpieceofland.Butevenso,thatlandwassituatedlikeanislandinthemidstofotherlandwhichbelongedtootherpeople.Therewasnoaccesstoit. TheMasterwassoweigheddownwithtroublesthatHedecidednottopursuethematter. DuringHissilence,theCovenant-breakersbecamemoreactivethanever.ButtheMasterlefteverythinginthehandsofGod. Timepassed,andtheCovenant-breakerswerehappybecausetheythoughtthattheyhadbeencompletelysuccessful.

OnedayapersonwhoownedlandadjacenttothelandfortheShrineofhisownfreewillsoughtthepresenceof ‘Abdu’l-Baha. WhenhemetwiththeMaster, hetoldHimof all the intriguesof theenemiesof theCause. Heexpressedhisdeepregrets,beggedtheforgivenessof‘Abdu’l-Baha,anddeclaredhisreadinesstosellwhateverlandwasdesired.

TheMasterimmediatelybeganmakingplansfortheconstructionoftheBab’sTomb. Whentheenemieslearnedoftheseefforts,theywroteletterstotheOttomancourtreportingthat‘Abdu’l-BahawasplanningtobuildahugefortressonthesideofMountCarmel.Theyassertedthatthisfortwouldbeagreatdangertothesafetyoftheempire.Thegovernmentimmediately

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartsorderedallworkontheconstructionoftheShrinetocease. Suchordersweregiven,notonce,butseveraltimes.TheMasterappealedthecasetoagovernmentcommitteeofinvestigation,whicheventuallygavepermissionfortheconstructiontocontinue.

SomeofthefriendslosttheirpatienceandsuggestedtotheMaster,“Whydon’tyouexplainthewholesituationtothegovernment?”

“Impossible!”theMasteranswered.“HowcanIexplainthesethingstoanyone?Iwouldhavetocomplainagainstthemembersofmyownfamily.Thenwhatwouldpeoplesay?TheywouldsurelysaythatagreatProphethadcomeforthepurposeofbringingallpeopletounity,butthemembersofHisownfamilyarenowfightingamongthemselves.

“This fatal disease must be fought with patience and forgiveness.WhateverwrongdoingImentioninmyTabletsisonlytohelpthefriendstobecomemoresteadfast, andtostrengthenthosewhoareweak, thattheymightbecomefirmandcourageousbelievers. Godisthegreatestofallhelpers;wesurrenderouraffairsintoHishands.Wemustbeoccupiedwithourownworkandtreadthepathofservitude,detachedfromallelsebut God. Whoever walks this path will surely reap the fruits of hispatienceandforbearance, andwillbecountedasmycompanionintheserviceofHisThreshold. Thosewhodeviatefromthispathwillsurelyfindregret.

“WemustsupplicateourLordsothatHe,inHisunlimitedbounty,mayforgiveoursins,acceptourprayersofrepentance,andawakenallmentothelightoftrueunderstanding.”

‘Abdu’l-Baha undertook to prepare a suitable depository for thepriceless remains of the Bab. He instructed the friends of Rangoon,Burma,tomakeahardwoodcoffinandamarblesarcophagus.Themarblewastobeuniqueandofbrilliantluster.Whenthesewerepre-

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pared, theMaster instructedthat thetopandsidesof thesarcophagusweretobeadornedwiththeGreatestName. Thedesignswerepreparedinexquisitepenmanshipbythecalligrapher,Mishkın-Qalam.

WhenthefriendsinBurmawerereadytoshiptheirworkto‘Akka,theybroughttwocartsandwalkedthewholedistancetotheseashore,pullingthecarts andchantingalongtheway. Theirprocessionwas joinedbymanyothers. Thentheyplacedtheir precioustrusts inamosque, andcrowdsofpeoplewereattractedbythejubilation. Theyinquiredaboutthereasonforsuchjoyousceremonies. Oneofthefriendstookthefloorandtoldthemofthelife oftheBab, Hismartyrdom,andHisburial onMountCarmel. Manyheartsweretouched,andmanyenteredtheFaithandjoinedthefriendsinservingtheCauseinBurma.

Therewasnotamoment’srestfortheMaster. AttimesHeseemedlikeamanonashipinthemiddleofatempestuousocean.Butthiswouldnevercause‘Abdu’l-Bahatoloseheart.Heneverappeareddespondentorhopeless.ThatwasnottheMaster.OutofthedarknessHewouldemergetimeandagainwithanewplanandanewvictory.

NotevenhavingfinishedtheShrine,HecalledonthefriendstoraisethefirstBaha’ıHouseofWorshipintheheartofAsia,in‘Ishqabad,Russia.AcousinoftheBab,Jinab-i-Afnan,44wasappointedby‘Abdu’l-Bahatogoto‘IshqabadfromhisnativetownofYazdtooverseetheconstructionoftheTemple. UponhisarrivaltheconsulgeneralofIran,thegovernoroftheprovince,merchants,andothernotablesjoinedtheBaha’ısinre-

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartsceivingtheirhonoredguest. Thegovernorexpressedjoyandgratitudethat the first Baha’ı House of Worship would be erected under hisdominion.

Preparationsforconstructionweresoonunderway. Oncetheplanshad been approved, the friends immediately set to work to build theTemple.ThecornerstonewaslaidinplacebyarepresentativeoftheCzarhimself.MostoftheTemplewascompletedwithinfouryears.

ATTHISTIME‘Abdu’l-BahainstructedmetotakeatriptoCaucasiaandto‘Ishqabad. I hadthehonorofvisitingJinab-i-Afnanandbeinginhispresence.Hewastheembodimentofperfectionandsanctity.Hehadbothspiritualgiftsandadministrativeskill. HespentallhisgiftstocarryoutthemissionconferreduponhimbytheMaster. Hesacrificedmostofhisfortunetoerect theHouseofWorship. I couldseeclearlythatJinab-i-Afnanwashardlyinthisworldanddidnotbelongtoit.Hewouldpayonlyscantattentiontohispersonalandworldlyaffairs. Yetheremainedrich,andhiswealthwouldalwaysmeetallhisneeds.

The time came when I decided to bid farewell to the friends in‘Ishqabadandtravel toMashhad. ThereI met Mahmud-i-Zarqanı. WesharedahousetogetherandworkedtogetherfortheFaith.Weassociatedwithallclassesofpeople,andbeforelongourteachingactivitiesbecamesowellknownthatpeoplecametouswithallkindsofproblemswhichhadnothingtodowiththeFaith. Whoevercamein,bythegraceofGodreturnedhomehappyandcontented.

Ourteachingwassosuccessfulthatsomepeople

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fearedthatwithinoneyearall the importantpeople of thecitywouldbecomeBaha’ıs. Baha’ıteachersfromotherareascametohelpwiththiseffort. Meetings were held all over the city, and the believers formedcommitteestofeedthepoorandadvancethepublicwelfare.

WewerestillinKhurasanwhenweheardofthegreatupheavalinYazd.ThisnewscauseduneasinessamongthenewbelieversofMashhad. Thedisturbanceslastedformorethantwomonthsduringwhich195believersweremercilesslyputtodeath. Thegovernoroftheprovince,insteadofprotectingthepeopleunderhiscare,ruthlesslyhelpedthebloodthirstymobs. Baha’ıswerekilled,theirhousesdestroyed,andtheirpossessionsplunderedorconfiscated.

During these disorders, a well-known maidservant of the Cause,‘AlavıyyihKhanum,reachedthecityofYazd.Assoonasshesetfootinthetownshewasarrestedandmadetoundergoall kindsofpersecutions.Eventuallythechiefofpolicetookherunderhisprotectionandgavehersomeadvice:“Won’tyoujustspeakonewordofdenialandridyourselfofallthissuffering?”

“Undernocircumstances,”shereplied.“ThatonewordwoulddeprivemeofalltheeternalbountiesofGod.IwillgladlysacrificethisephemerallifeforthesupremacyoftheNameofGod.”ThegovernorheardaboutherimprisonmentandissuedanorderthatsheshouldbesenttoA$ badih.

DuringallthesedisturbancesnooneinthewholeofIran,orintheneighboringcountries,wouldlistentothecriesoftheBaha’ısforjustice.Thebeloved friendswereat themercy of the irresponsible mobswhowere encouraged by the bloodthirsty clergy and the most ignorant ofgovernors. The only One who stretched forth His hand to assist thewrongedandsorrow-strickenvictimswastheMaster,WhowasHimselfaprisoner,incar-

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartscerated in the city of ‘Akka and surrounded by the most despicableenemies.Helookedaftertheurgentneedsofthechildrenandyouth,theoldmenandwomenwhowerecaughtinthefireofpersecution.

THE COVENANT-BREAKERS continually conspired against ‘Abdu’l-Baha.They formed groups against Him and, like vipers, began to move indifferent directions. The groups approached the governor, the secretpolice,theoutstanding‘ulama,andanyotherpersontheycouldinfluenceinPalestine,Syria,orTurkey.Theydideverythingtheycouldtoarousetheofficialsagainst‘Abdu’l-Baha.

The Master remained calm and serene. He never approached theauthorities. Hesufferedinsilence. HeprayedferventlyforHisenemies,thattheymightopentheireyesandceasecommittinginiquitiesagainsttheinnocentbandofbelieversin‘Akka.

Whenever‘Abdu’l-Bahareceivedanygift,Hewouldimmediatelysenditto His family who had violated the Covenant of God. Far frombeinggrateful, they in turn would offer these gifts to the governor, thecommanderofthearmy,orothers,inanefforttoconvincethemtotakestepsagainst‘Abdu’l-Baha. TheiraimwastohavetheMasterexiledtoadistantandunknownplace. Ifthiscouldbeaccomplished,theybelievedthat, since they wouldbe in possession of theHoly Shrines, all of thebelieverswouldregardthemasthecenteroftheFaith.

ThemostactiveoftheCovenant-breakerswasMajd-i-Dın,thecousinoftheMaster.Hewasthecenterof

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abominabledeeds. Hewouldsneeratthepilgrimswhovisited‘Abdu’l-Bahaanddeclare,“Youareonlyhereforafewdays. Soonyouwillleaveandeverythingwillfallintoourhands. Allwill seekshelterunderourshadow.”

‘Abdu’l-BahalikedtovisittherestingplaceofHisFathereveryweek.But in order to appease the enmnity of Muhammad-‘Alı and hissupporters,Hedecidedtoremainin‘Akka.WhenHedesiredtovisitBahjı,HewouldgouptotheroofofHishouse,facetheShrineofBaha’u’llah,andpray. HewouldsometimeschanttheTabletofVisitationinaloudvoice.Wewouldhear Himchanting, andwewere indeedheartbroken. Thissituationcontinuedfortwoyears.

TheresultofallthecomplaintsandmischiefoftheCovenant-breakerswasanupheavalofdebriswhichburiedeveryone. Anordercamefromtheofficialsthatallmembersofthefamilyweretolivein‘Akka,andnoonewastostepoutsidethecity.TheMasterwasalreadyresidingin‘Akka,soitwastheCovenant-breakerslivinginBahjıwhowerenowforcedtoreturnto‘Akkaandtolivethere.Theywerealltakentothecityandplacedunderrestriction. The officials soonrealized that it wasMuhammad-‘Alı andMajd-i-Dınwhohadcausedallthetrouble.But‘Abdu’l-BahaintervenedontheirbehalfandrequestedtheauthoritiestoallowthemtoreturntoBahjı.

ONE GOVERNOR cametopowerwhowastheessenceofcourtesyandfaith.Heloved‘Abdu’l-Bahatothepointofworship.InadditionBadrıBig,

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartsthe military commander, was very friendly to the Master. When theenemiesoftheCausesawthisstateofaffairs, theybecamefuriousandjoinedalltheirforcestobringaboutthedownfallof‘Abdu’l-Baha.

They decided to send false reports, containing the most alarmingaccusations,totheOttomancourt.Theyclaimedthatthegovernoraswellasthemilitarycommanderandhisofficershadallbecometheservantsof‘Abdu’l-Baha. Theywereaccusedoftrainingthirtythousandsoldiers,ofraising a flag of rebellion inscribed with the Greatest Name, and ofconvincing the Arab tribes of the desert to join this rebellion. TheCovenant-breakersclaimedthat‘Abdu’l-BahahadproclaimedHimself tobe the Return of Christ and, as such, claimed sovereignty over all thenationsoftheworldandregardedallrulersasHisvassals.

‘Abdu’l-Baha sent a single sentence in reply to these accusations:“Listentothereports,butasktheaccuserstopresenttheirevidenceandtheirwitnesses.”Butthecourtacceptedthereportswithoutinvestigation.Thereasonfor this was that theaccusing letters hadbeensignedandsealedbythebrothersandcousinsof‘Abdu’l-Baha.

Before long, the thick clouds of confusion and persecution againcoveredthehorizonof‘Akka. ThefriendsandsupportersoftheMasterwereunexpectedlydismissedfromtheirposts.WhenthenoblegovernorcametotheMastertobidHimfarewell,‘Abdu’l-BahaassuredhimthatthegovernorwouldreturntohighpositioninthefutureandthatthebountiesofGodwouldraindownuponhim. Themilitarycommanderwasalsoshornofhisrank,butheremainedhappyandcontentthathehadservedtheMaster.

Newofficialswereplacedinchargeofthetelegraphandpostoffices.Allletterswereopenedandread,and

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everytelegramwasscrutinized. Secretpolicewereeverywhere. Peoplewereorderedtostayathomeintheevening. TheenemiesoftheFaithwerejubiliant.

TheMasterremainedalone. Heevenaskedthefriendstoleave‘Akkaandtodisperseindifferentdirections. DangerthreatenedHimfromallsides,yetHeretainedHistranquillityandfortitude.HebegantorepairthehouseinwhichHelivedandtoplantgrapevinesinHissmallgarden.

Letters of accusation regularly found their way to the court of thesultan in Constantinople. Although such reports should have beeninvestigated, not even one of the believers was consulted. All of thereports were taken to be true, and a committee of four men wasdispatchedto‘Akkatoconfirmthecharges.

Nosoonerhadthesehighofficialssetfootontheshoreat‘Akkathanthe Covenant-breakers clustered around them. They entertained thecommitteemembersinthemostflatteringwayandofferedthemcostlypresents. Gifts were constantly sent to them. Though the enemiesreceivednopromises,theirheartswerefullofhope. Theyexpectedthat‘Abdu’l-Bahawouldsoonbeexiled.

‘Abdu’l-Bahaneverapproachedthemembersofthecommittee. Thisenragedtheofficials.InordertoshowtheircontemptfortheMaster,theysentasummonsfor“‘Abbas”toappearbeforethem. Uponreceivingthisorder, ‘Abdu’l-Baha went to the place where the committee held itsmeetings.TheroomwascrowdedwiththeenemiesoftheFaith.

TheMastersaid, “Iamhappyandproudthatyoureferredtomeassimply‘‘Abbas.’ ThisisthewaythattheProphetsofGodareaddressed.WhohasheardofMosesPasha,orJesusBig,orMuhammadKhan? TheyarecalledsimplyMoses,Jesus,andMuhammad.”

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Theofficialswereastoundedbythisaudaciousstatement.Oneoftheminquired,“Wehaveheardthatyouhavebooksinyourhousewhicharedangeroustothepublicwelfare.”

‘Abdu’l-Baha answered, “No such books are ever found in mypossession.”

Thesameofficerdeclared,“Buttherearewitnesseswhohavetestifiedtothisfact.”

‘Abdu’l-Baharosefromhisseat.Hesaid,“ItoldyouthatIdonothavesuchwritingsinmyhouse,andthatisall.” ThenHelefttheroom. Thecommitteewasamazedatthecourageofthismanwhomtheybelievedtobecompletelyattheirmercy.

ThejoyandexcitementoftheCovenant-breakerswasunbounded.Andthe sorrowof the believers overflowed. A fewof the friends and thefaithfulmembersof‘Abdu’l-Baha’sfamilyurgedHimtoflee‘Akkabyship,and the captain of one boat expressed his readiness to carry Him towhateverportHewished.ButtheMasterrespondedthattheBabdidnotrunawayandabandonthearenaofsacrifice.Baha’u’llahdidnotrunaway.NeitherwouldHetrytofleefromdanger.

Asthemembersofthecommitteeofinvestigationboardedtheirshiptoreturn to Constantinople, they were happy and satisfied. They wereimpatient to reach the sultan’s court and relate the results of theirinvestigation. Theysawthisasanopportunitytopresentthemselvesastheprotectorsofthethroneandthedefendersoftheempire.Oneofthemannouncedtohiscollaborators,“Myrewardforthisinvestigationwillbethe governorship of Damascus. The very first act I will performaftertakingofficewillbetohang‘Abdu’l-Bahafromthegateof‘Akka.”

Butbeforethecommitteecouldreachitsdestinationandpresentitslibelousreport,thefoundationsoftheOttomanEmpirebegantocrumbleandtherealmwas

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thrownintoconfusion. Thecommitteeandall its reports weretotallyignored. All the evil efforts of thesecorrupt officials werebrought tonaught.

Weareamazedwhenwerealizethatthousandsofpersonswereputtodeathall over theempire because of the mereaccusation by a spy orsecretagentthattheyweredisloyal. WhatgravedangerwascausedfortheMasterby theaccusationsof His ownfamily, the false reports andrumorscirculatedaboutHim,andtheinvestigationofahostilecommitteefromthesultan’sowncourt! Itisthemostastoundingfactthat‘Abdu’l-Baha should have remained alive after these repeatedattacks fromallsides.CanwenotseethehandofGodoperatinginthewholeuniverse?

NOW,attheendofmylife,allIpossessisignoranceandweaknessandunawareness and heedlessness and neglect and valuelessness andworthlessness and uselessness and poverty and shamelessness anddestitutionandpowerlessnessanddisobedienceandwrongdoingandsinanddarknessandworldlinessandtransienceandselfishnessandcorruptdesire.Anywrongdoingorsinwhichcanbeimaginedismine.

I donotwritethisfromasenseofhumility. Thisis onlytruthandhonestyandreality.ThebountiesofGodareobviousandapparent.FiftyyearsagoinAdrianopleIattainedthepresenceofthatSunofTruthbeforeWhomallothersmustprostratethemselves.Fromthattime,everybreathIhavetakenIhavetriedtoconformtoHiswill,andeverystepIhavetakenIhavedirectedtowardHim.IdonotknowifmyserviceswereacceptabletoHim,butHiscompassionandloveandgenerosity

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StoriesfromTheDelightofHeartshavealwayssurroundedme.Myworstdeedsweremetwiththegreatestcompassion. ThemoreItransgressed,themoreHeconcealedmyfaults.ThemoreIsoughtaftermyownvainimaginings,themoreHeshowedmethelightofHisSpirit. ThemoreIerred,themoregenerousHewas. Hesavedmefromthegreatestdifficulties,andfromthecalamityofself.

Allhumanitymustfollowsomeoccupation,fromkingsandsultanstoservantsandslaves.Everyoneissurroundedbymiseryandtrouble.Ajustkingwillhavemoretroublethananyofhissubjects;afairchiefwillfacemoredifficultiesthananyofhisunderlings. Justtoearnalivingandtogaintheirdailybread,somepeoplehavechosenyearsofexile.Moreover,forthesakeofgreed,manyoftherichandthelearnedhaveplacedtheirlivesindangercontinually.Andallthisonlytofollowtheirownambitionsinquestofthemirageofprestigeandhonor. Howoftenhaveothers,onaccountoftheirowncrimesandcorruption,beenplacedinprisonandsufferedexileorbeencaptured,enslaved,orexecuted!AndIamonlyoneofthesepeople. Whateverevilcausedsuchonestocommitcrimesforwhichtheywerepunishedwasalsopartofme. HowgratefulIamthatIwasprotected,andmysinswereconcealed,andIwasnotputtoshame.IfIburneverysecond,IcanneverrepayHisforgivenessandmercy. Iamutterlyimpotent.

AllthatIhavecomesfromtheCauseofGod. Thebelieversrespectedmeasateacher,butIdidnotdeservesuchrespect.TheywereallthetrueteachersoftheFaith.Theywouldfacetheproblemsoftheworldtoearnaliving,andthenspendtheirearningsonthoselikemewhocouldtravelandteach. ThenwewerecalledthepromulgatorsoftheFaith. Butwemadenosacrifices;weonlyreceived. IntheNameofGod,thosenoblebelieverssacrificedeverythingforus.I,andotherslike

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me,reachedthehighestdegreeofhonorandhappinesswithoutstruggleorsacrifice. IcanonlypraythatthemercyandgenerosityofGod,whichhasfollowedmeoverthousandsofmiles,willalsoaccompanymeinthefuture.

Nowithasbeentenyears,moreorless,thatbythegraceandbountyoftheMasterIhavelivedundertheshadowofmercyintheHolyLand,andhavepartakeneverydayofthemannafromheaven,andhaveseenwhatMosessawonSinai.IthankGodthatIhaveattainedandhavewitnessedthe kindness and the generosity and the servitude of the believers—virtues which are but a drop when compared to the kindness andcompassion of ‘Abdu’l-Baha and the Greatest Holy Leaf45 and the HolyMother.46

AtrueBaha’ıIamnot.OGod!Assistmeandmakemyeffortsfruitful.AssisttheMaster!ThisbookIhavewrittenbyHisorder.ButIamsooldanddecrepitthatmanytimeswhilewritingIhaveforgottentheorderofmywordsandlostmytrainofthought.Whenthishappened,Iwouldhavetogetupandleavemywork. ButwheneverIstartedtowriteagain,mypenwouldcarryonthestory.Thishumbleservanthasneverenteredanyschoolandisunawareoftherulesofgrammarandstyle.

IbeseechalltheBaha’ıs(maymysoulbesacrificedforthem)tobegformy forgiveness at the Holy Threshold, as I see nothing in myself butwrongdoing,andnothingamongtheservantsofGodbutforgivenessandconcealment.

WiththankstoGod,theLordoftheworlds.MAY17,1912

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EpilogueTheauthorofthesememoirs,HajıMırzaHaydar-‘Alı,whoisknownas

the“AngelofCarmel”bytheBaha’ısoftheWest,wasindeedclosetotheheartof ‘Abdu’l-Baha. DuringHisjourneystoAmerica, theMastersentsomeofHismosttendermessagestothisveteransoldieroftheCause.InoneofthemHedescribesthemeetingswhichwereheld,thebanquets,thenewlyrecruitedbelievers,andaftereachcommentHerepeats,“Imissyouverymuch.”

WhatfinallyhappenedtoHaydar-‘Alı?ThereweremanyrequestsfromallovertheBaha’ıworldforhimtovisit.ButasheadvancedinyearstheMasterdidnotapprovehisgoingabroad.HewouldoftenwrapHaydar-‘AlıinHiscloakandlovinglyrepeat,“Hajıisours!Hajıisours!”

HewasaskedbytheMastertoteachthechildrenofHishousehold.Allthegrandsonsof‘Abdu’l-Bahaattendedtheseclasses.ShoghiEffendi,whowaslatertobecometheGuardianoftheFaith,wasamonghisstudents.Haydar-‘Alı recognizedhisstationevenatthisearlyage. WhenevertheyoungShoghiEffendiwouldentertheclass,HajıMırzaHaydar-‘Alıwouldriseinrespectforhisstudent.Heoftenwhisperedinhisear,“SufficienttoyouistheschooloftheMaster.”

InmanyofthegroupphotographswhichweretakenofthepilgrimsinHaifaduringthetimeof‘Abdu’l-Baha,twooldmencanbeseenstandingonoppositesidesofthegroup.OneoftheseisHajıMırzaHaydar-‘AlıandtheotherisMullaAbu-Talib,aveteranbelieverfromCaucasia.

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Haydar-‘AlıandAbu-TalibwouldoftenexchangejokeswithoneanotherinHaifa,tothedelightofallofthefriends.Thesetwoveteransoldiersinthetwilightoftheirliveswerestillsolivelythattheycouldmakeeveryonelaugh.

WhenHaydar-‘Alıbecameillandbedridden,thebelovedMasterwouldgotohisroomandinquireabouthishealthandwell-being. OnedayHeaskedhim,“Howdoyousleepatnight?”

“Notverywell,”theHajıreplied.

MullaAbu-Talibimmediatelyinterruptedandsaid,“Heiswrong. Hesnores all night long!” And the Master and the friends laughed mostheartily.

‘Abdu’l-Baha commandedthat twoof thebelievers should help HajıMırzaHaydar-‘Alı walkinthesunshineeverymorning. Oncehiscousin,Vakıl,tookhimbythearmtohelphimwalk.HeaskedtheHajı,“Whatelsedoyoudesire?ThebelovedMastercomestoseeyoueverydayandgrantsyouthestrengthtocarrytheburdenoflife.”

Haydar-‘Alısmiledandsaid,“Ifyoureallyloveme,praythatIwilldiesteadfastintheCovenantand….”

Beforehefinishedhissentence,hiscousininterruptedandexclaimed,“Whatdoyoumean,dearcousin!Youarealmostninetyyearsold,andsomuchlovedandrespectedbytheMaster!”

“Yes,thatistrue,”wasthereply. “Butyoucannotimaginehowverycunningandinsidioustheselfcanbe.Itaccompaniesamantotheedgeofthegrave. Theonlythingthatprotectsusfromitsdeadlygraspis thedivineassistancewhichisgrantedthroughprayer.”

Thenextday,whentheMastervisitedtheHajı,HeassuredHaydar-‘Alı,saying,“Youwillsleepwell.Youwillsleepwell.”

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