9 These are examples of the types of questions put to the Báb. According to the teachings of Shí‘ite Islám, leadership of the Islamic community belonged of right, after the passing of the Prophet Muḥammad, to a line of twelve successors, descendants of His daughter Fáṭimih, known as “Imáms”. This line being eventually severed through the “occultation” of the last Imám, communication with the latter was for a time maintained through a succession of four intermediaries known as “Gates”. 10 One of a trio of Arabian goddesses whose worship was abolished by the Prophet Muḥammad. 14 This is Bahá’u’lláh’s second Tablet addressed to the French Emperor. An earlier Tablet was revealed in Adrianople. 16 Within the year Napoleon III was defeated at the Battle of Sedan (1870) and sent into exile. 19 The two Most Great Festivals are the Festival of Riḍván, during which Bahá’u’lláh first proclaimed His Mission, and the Declaration of the Báb. The “twin days” refer to the Birthdays of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh. cf. Kitáb-i-Aqdas, ¶110. 27 Mírzá Buzurg Khán, the Persian Consul-General in Baghdád. 28 The Mu’taminu’l-Mulk, Mírzá Sa‘íd Khán-i-Anṣárí, Minister of Foreign Affairs. 29 Bahá’u’lláh here refers to His and His companions’ application for Ottoman citizenship. 30 Áqá Siyyid Muḥammad-i-Ṭabáṭabá’íy-i-Isfáhání, known as “Mujáhid”. 31 The second Russo–Persian War of 1825-28. 32 Qur’án 2:94; 62:6. 33 cf. Persian Hidden Words, nos. 24, 25, 28 and 30. 34 Qur’án 49:6. 35 Qur’án 5:59. 36 A Tradition ascribed to the eleventh Imám, Abú Muḥammad al-Ḥasan al-‘Askarí. 37 Traditions ascribed to the sixth Imám, Abú ‘Abdu’lláh Ja‘far aṣ-Ṣádiq. 38 Traditions ascribed to the sixth Imám, Abú ‘Abdu’lláh Ja‘far aṣ-Ṣádiq. 39 Qur’án 2:179. 40 Qur’án 6:164; 17:15; 35:18; 39:7; 53:38. 41 cf. Qur’án 3:40; 14:27; 22:18. 42 cf. Qur’án 5:1. 43 cf. Qur’án 5:64. 44 Qur’án 40:5. 45 Qur’án 36:30. 46 Qur’án 8:30. 47 Qur’án 6:35. 48 cf. Matthew 24:35; Mark 13:31; Luke 21:33. 49 John 14:28. 50 cf. John 14:16; 14:26; 15:26; 16:7. 51 See, for example, Qur’án 4:46; 5:13; 5:41; and 2:75, and the discussion in the Kitáb-i-Íqán, p. 84 ff. 53 ‘Alí Ibn Ḥusayn, known as “Zaynu’l-‘Ábidín”, the second of the Imám Ḥusayn’s sons, who became the fourth Imám. 54 The Kharijites, a faction opposed to both the Imáms and the Umayyad state. 56 Allusions to the ‘Abbásid and Umayyad dynasties, respectively. 57 Qur’án 57:16. 58 cf. Luke 19:21. 59 cf. Qur’án 55:26. 60 cf. Qur’án 12:31.