In accordance with the Báb’s singular instructions of great
promise, and carrying precious scrolls, Mulla Husayn set off on this first
mission for his Master with his characteristically high spirit and
persuasiveness, seeking out the Shaykhis en route. Isfahan, Kashan and Qum were
essentially obdurate: in Isfahan he found only a youth, a sifter of wheat, and
some five others destined for great service in the new Cause; in Kashan a
single to-be-distinguished convert; in fanatical Qum none. But there was much
planting of seeds along his route through his challenging words on the new
Teachings.
Arriving in Tihran in late July or early August to discover
the “Mystery of transcendent holiness” that the Báb had promised him, Mulla
Husayn settled into a room in a religious college not far from the Shimiran
Gate where Baha’u’llah’s rented house was located. There Haji Mirza Muhammad of
Khurasan, leader of the Shaykhis of Teheran, welcomed his distinguished
associate, but was skeptical of the new Teachings which contained such
disturbingly convincing contents and were presented so vehemently. He even went
so far as to rebuke Mulla Husayn for his failure to fortify the Shaykhi community
in its doctrines. But to a young Shaykhi, a favored disciple of the leader and
a priest-tutor, Mulla Muhammad Mu'allim [teacher] of Nur district, fell the
signal honor of becoming the courier of Mulla Husayn.
The youth's room in the college was adjacent to that of his
master, and he overheard the equivocal conversation with Mulla Husayn.
Impressed by the great powers and passion of the visitor, he felt keenly the
unsatisfactory behavior and cautious attitude of his master; moreover, he was
attracted by Mulla Husayn’s vibrant personality. Awaiting an opportunity for
private discussion, he knocked on Mulla Husayn's door that midnight, found him
awake and seated beside his lamp. He was welcomed with such heartfelt warmth
that he was impelled to discharge his strong feelings.
'I can now see', said Mulla Husayn, 'the reason why I have chosen to dwell in this place. Your teacher has contemptuously rejected this Message and despised its Author. My hope is that his pupil may, unlike his master, recognize its truth. What is your name, and which city is your home?' And upon his giving the answers, Mulla Husayn continued the inquiry, mysteriously precise for one essentially unacquainted in Tihran, saying:
'Tell me, is there today among the family of the late Mirza
Buzurg of Nur, who was so renowned for his character, his charm and artistic
and intellectual attainments, anyone who has proved himself capable of
maintaining the high traditions of that illustrious house?'
'Yea,' replied the young priest. 'Among his sons now living,
one has distinguished himself by the very traits which characterized his
father. By his virtuous life, his high attainments, his loving-kindness and
liberality, he has proved himself a noble descendant of a noble father.'
'What is his occupation?' asked Mulla Husayn, to which Mulla
Muhammad replied: 'He cheers the disconsolate and feeds the hungry.'
'What of his rank and position?'
'He has none, apart from befriending the poor and the
stranger.'
'What is his name?'
'Husayn -'Ali.' [Bahá'u'lláh]
'How does he spend his time?'
'He roams the woods and delights in the beauties of the
countryside.'
'What is his age?'
'Eight and twenty.'
To Mulla Muhammad's surprise the questions were put forth
with great eagerness, the answers received with sheer delight as the dialogue
continued:
'I presume you often meet him?'
'I frequently visit his home.'
'Will you', Mulla Husayn asked, 'deliver into his hands a
trust from me?' Handing the young man a scroll wrapped in cloth on which was
written a portion of the Commentary on the Surih of Joseph, with the request
that it be handed to Bahá'u'lláh [Husayn -'Ali] at dawn, he added:
'Should he deign to answer me, will you be kind enough to
acquaint me with his reply?' (‘The Dawn-Breakers’)
Since Bahá'u'lláh and his brothers were living in rented
homes in that same Shimiran Gate quarter, Mulla Muhammad's walk was short
through the empty streets for delivery of the scroll at the break of day, an
hour when the poor often came to the gates of the wealthy seeking aid. To his
surprise he found Mirza Musa, brother of Bahá'u'lláh, standing at the doorway
as he approached, and to him he communicated his mission. Mirza Musa turned
into the house, returning shortly to extend a message of welcome, and ushered
Mulla Muhammad into the courtyard, thence to the principal audience chamber.
There he presented the scroll to Mirza Musa to lay it before Bahá'u'lláh, who
bade both be seated, unfolded the scroll, glanced at its contents and began to
read aloud certain passages. They both found themselves enraptured by listening
to the sound of Bahá'u'lláh’s voice and the sweetness of its melodies.
(Adapted
from ‘Robe of Light, vol. 1’, by David Ruhe)
