In spite of all this He never ceased for one instant His proclamation of
the greatness of the Cause of God. He manifested such virtue, knowledge
and perfections that He became a wonder to all the people of Persia. So
much so that in Ṭihrán, Ba_gh_dád, Constantinople, Rumelia, and even in
Akká, every one of the learned and scientific men who entered His
presence, whether friend or enemy, never failed to receive the most
sufficient and convincing answer to whatever question was propounded. All
frequently acknowledged that He was alone and unique in all perfections.
It often happened that in Ba_gh_dád certain Muḥammadan ‘ulamá, Jewish
rabbis and Christians met together with some European scholars, in a
blessed reunion: each one had some question to propose, and although they
were possessed of varying degrees of culture, they each heard a sufficient
and convincing reply, and retired satisfied. Even the Persian ‘ulamá who
were at Karbilá and Najaf chose a wise man whom they sent on a mission to
Him; his name was Mullá Ḥasan ‘Amú. He came into the Holy Presence, and
proposed a number of questions on behalf of the ‘ulamá, to which
Bahá’u’lláh replied. Then Ḥasan ‘Amú said, “The ‘ulamá recognize without
hesitation and confess the knowledge and virtue of Bahá’u’lláh, and they
are unanimously convinced that in all learning he has no peer or equal;
and it is also evident that he has never studied or acquired this
learning; but still the ‘ulamá say, ‘We are not contented with this; we do
not acknowledge the reality of his mission by virtue of his wisdom and
righteousness. Therefore, we ask him to show us a miracle in order to
satisfy and tranquilize our hearts.’”
Bahá’u’lláh replied, “Although you have no right to ask this, for God
should test His creatures, and they should not test God, still I allow and
accept this request. But the Cause of God is not a theatrical display that
is presented every hour, of which some new diversion may be asked for
every day. If it were thus, the Cause of God would become mere child’s
play.
“The ‘ulamás must, therefore, assemble, and, with one accord, choose one
miracle, and write that, after the performance of this miracle they will
no longer entertain doubts about Me, and that all will acknowledge and
confess the truth of My Cause. Let them seal this paper, and bring it to
Me. This must be the accepted criterion: if the miracle is performed, no
doubt will remain for them; and if not, We shall be convicted of
imposture.” The learned man, Ḥasan ‘Amú, rose and replied, “There is no
more to be said”; he then kissed the knee of the Blessed One although he
was not a believer, and went. He gathered the ‘ulamá and gave them the
sacred message. They consulted together and said, “This man is an
enchanter; perhaps he will perform an enchantment, and then we shall have
nothing more to say.” Acting on this belief, they did not dare to push the
matter further.(19)
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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