Following the conference of Badasht Baha’u’llah stayed for
the remainder of the summer and early fall of 1848 in the district of Nur in
Mazindaran. Quddús, however, before reaching his home town, fell into the hands
of his opponents, and was confined in Sarí in the home of the leading clergy of
that town. The rest of his companions, after their dispersal in Níyálá, had
scattered in different directions, each carrying with him to his
fellow-believers the news of the momentous happenings of Badasht. Tahirih, although
was able to stay in Nur under the protection of Baha’u’llah, was subsequently
detained and taken to Tihran where she was held under house arrest in the
residence of the mayor of the capital. Mulla Husayn, however was still in
Mashhad during the conference of Badasht as a guest of the Governor-General of
the province of Khurasan - where he was treated with courtesy and
consideration. After leaving the camp of the Governor-General, he was preparing
his anticipated trip to Karbila when a messenger arrived bearing to him the
Báb’s turban and conveying the news that a new name, that of Siyyid ‘Alí, had
been conferred upon him by his Master. “Adorn your head,” was the message,
“with My green turban, the emblem of My lineage, and, with the Black Standard unfurled
before you, hasten to the Jazíriy-i-Khadrá, [literally: ‘Verdant Isle’] and
lend your assistance to My beloved Quddús.” As soon as that message reached
him, Mullá Ḥusayn arose to execute the wishes of his Master. Leaving Mashhad
for a place situated at a farsang’s distance [about 3 miles] from the city, he
hoisted the Black Standard, placed the turban of the Báb upon his head,
assembled his companions, mounted his steed, and gave the signal for their march
to the Jazíriy-i-Khadrá. His companions, who were two hundred and two in
number, enthusiastically followed him. That memorable day was July 21st,
1844. Wherever they tarried, at every
village and hamlet through which they passed, Mullá Ḥusayn and his
fellow-disciples would fearlessly proclaim the message of the New Day, would
invite the people to embrace its truth, and would select from among those who
responded to their call a few whom they would ask to join them on their
journey.
(Adapted from ‘The Dawn-Breakers’, by Nabil, translated and edited by
Shoghi Effendi; and from ‘Baha’u’llah – The King of Glory’, by Baluzi)
