Bahaism and Its Claims: A Study of the Religion Promulgated by Baha Ullah and Abdul BahaWilson, Samuel Graham
Religion
Bahaism and Its Claims: A Study of the Religion Promulgated by Baha Ullah and Abdul Baha
Wilson, Samuel Graham
Bahai Faith -- Controversial literature
3. The _proved assassination of Azalis by Bahais at Acca_. The quarrels
and plots at Adrianople led to complaints of each party against the
other before the Osmanli Government. For the sake of peace and safety
they were separated. Azal was sent as a prisoner-pensioner to Famagusta,
Cyprus. Baha was removed to Acca, Syria. The "Hasht Behesht" says:[514]
"With the latter were his family, about eighty of his adherents, and
four of Subh-i-Azal's followers, to wit, Haji Sayid Mohammed of Ispahan,
Aga Jan Bey, Mirza Riza Kuli of Tafrish, and his brother Aga Mirza
Nasrullah."
These Azalis were murdered by the Bahais in Acca. Of this crime there
are many who give testimony, (_a_) The "Hasht Behesht" says:[515]
"Before the transfer was actually effected, however, Mirza Nasrullah was
poisoned by Baha, at Adrianople. The other Azalis were assassinated
shortly after their arrival at Acca, in a house which they occupied near
the barracks, the assassins being Abdul Karim, Mohammed the barber,
Husain the water-carrier, and Mohammed Javad of Kasvin" (all attachés of
Baha).
(_b_) Subh-i-Azal independently confirmed this account in conversation
with Professor Browne.[516]
(_c_) Bahai testimony also confirms it. Professor Browne heard the story
at Kirman from Sheikh Ibrahim, a Bahai, who had suffered imprisonment
and torture for the faith, and who had seen some of the perpetrators
while on a pilgrimage to Acca. He said,[517] "The Babis were divided
into two factions. So high did feeling run that the matter ended in open
strife, and two Azalis and one Bahai were killed" at Adrianople. "The
Turkish Government sent seven[518] Azalis to Acca with Baha. They--Aga
Jan, called Kaj-Kulah, Haji Sayid Mohammed of Ispahan, one of the
original companions of the Bab, Mirza Riza, a nephew of the last, Mirza
Haydar Ali of Ardistan, Haji Sayid Husain of Kashan, and two others
whose names I forget--lived all together in a house situated near the
gate of the city. Well, one night about a month after their arrival at
Acca, twelve Bahais (nine of whom were still living when I was at Acca)
determined to kill them and so prevent them from doing any mischief. So
they went at night, armed with swords and daggers, to the house where
the Azalis lodged, and knocked at the door. Aga Jan came down to open to
them, and was stabbed before he could cry out or offer the least
resistance. Then they entered the house and killed the other six." In
consequence, "the Turks imprisoned Baha and all his family and followers
in the caravanserai, but the twelve assassins came forward and
surrendered themselves, saying, 'We killed them without the knowledge of
our Master or of any of the brethren. Punish us, not them.' So they were
imprisoned for a while; but afterwards, at the intercession of Abbas
Effendi (Abdul Baha), were suffered to be at large, on condition of
remaining at Acca and wearing still fetters on their ankles for a time."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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