A Traveler's Narrative Written to Illustrate the Episode of the BábʻAbdu'l-Bahá
Religion
A Traveler's Narrative Written to Illustrate the Episode of the Báb
ʻAbdu'l-Bahá
Babism; Bahai Faith
After some months a royal edict was promulgated appointing Adrianople in
the district of Roumelia as their place of abode and residence. To that
city the Bábís, accompanied by [Turkish] officers, proceeded all together,
and there they made their home and habitation. According to statements
heard from sundry travelers and from certain great and learned men of that
city, they behaved and conducted themselves there also in such wise that
the inhabitants of the district and the government officials used to
eulogize them, and all used to show them respect and deference. In short,
since Bahá’u’lláh was wont to hold intercourse with the doctors, scholars,
magnates, and nobles [thereby] obtaining fame and celebrity throughout
Roumelia, the materials of comfort were gathered together, neither fear
nor dread remained, they reposed on the couch of ease, and passed their
time in quietude, when one Siyyid Muḥammad by name, of Iṣfáhán, one of the
followers [of the Báb], laid the foundations of intimacy and familiarity
with Mírzá Yaḥyá, and [thereby] became the cause of vexation and trouble.
In other words, he commenced a secret intrigue and fell to tempting Mírzá
Yaḥyá, saying, “The fame of this sect hath risen high in the world, and
their name hath become noble: neither dread nor danger remaineth, nor is
there any fear or [need for] caution before you. Cease, then, to follow,
that thou mayest be followed by the world; and come out from amongst
adherents, that thou mayest become celebrated throughout the horizons.”
Mírzá Yaḥyá, too, through lack of reflection and thought as to
consequences, and want of experience, became enamored of his words and
befooled by his conduct. This one was [like] the sucking child, and that
one became as the much-prized breast. At all events, how much soever some
of the chiefs of the sect wrote admonitions and pointed out to him the
path of discretion saying, “For many a year hast thou been nurtured in thy
brother’s arms and hast reposed on the pillow of ease and gladness; what
thoughts are these which are the results of madness? Be not beguiled by
this empty name,(26) which, out of regard for certain considerations and
as a matter of expediency, was bestowed [upon thee]; neither seek to be
censured by the community. Thy rank and worth depend on a word, and thine
exaltation and elevation were for a protection and a consideration,” yet
still, the more they admonished him, the less did it affect him; and how
much soever they would direct him, he continued to account opposition as
identical with advantage. Afterwards, too, the fire of greed and avarice
was kindled, and although there was no sort of need, their circumstances
being easy in the extreme, they fell to thinking of salary and stipend,
and certain of the women dependent on Mírzá Yaḥyá went to the [governor’s]
palace and craved assistance and charity. So when Bahá’u’lláh beheld such
conduct and behavior on his part He dismissed and drove away both [him and
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account