We were all gathered
in the village of Níyálá and were resting at the foot of a mountain, when, at
the hour of dawn, we were suddenly awakened by the stones which the people of
the neighbourhood were hurling upon us from the top of the mountain. The
fierceness of their attack induced our companions to flee in terror and
consternation. I clothed Quddús in my own garments and despatched him to a
place of safety, where I intended to join him. When I arrived, I found that he
had gone. None of our companions had remained in Níyálá except Táhirih and a
young man from Shíráz, Mírzá ‘Abdu’lláh. The violence with which we were
assailed had brought desolation into our camp. I found no one into whose
custody I could deliver Táhirih except that young man, who displayed on that
occasion a courage and determination that were truly surprising. Sword in hand,
undaunted by the savage assault of the inhabitants of the village, who had
rushed to plunder our property, he sprang forward to stay the hand of the
assailants. Though himself wounded in several parts of his body, he risked his
life to protect our property. I bade him desist from his act. When the tumult
had subsided, I approached a number of the inhabitants of the village and was
able to convince them of the cruelty and shamefulness of their behaviour. I
subsequently succeeded in restoring a part of our plundered property.
- Baha’u’llah (Quoted by Nabil, ‘The Dawn-Breakers’; translated and edited by
Shoghi Effendi)
