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Mark X shows place where opening was made in the wall
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Bahá’u’lláh and His companions remained for a time
imprisoned in one of the rooms that formed part of the masjid. The acting
governor, who was still determined to shield his Prisoner from the assaults of
an inveterate enemy, secretly instructed his attendants to open, at an
unsuspected hour, a passage through the wall of the room in which the captives
were confined, and to transfer their Leader immediately to his home. He was
himself conducting Bahá’u’lláh to his residence when a siyyid sprang forward
and, directing his fiercest invectives against Him, raised the club which he
held in his hand to strike Him. The acting governor immediately interposed
himself and, appealing to the assailant, “adjured him by the Prophet of God” to
stay his hand. “What!” burst forth the siyyid. “How dare you release a man who
is the sworn enemy of the Faith of our fathers?” A crowd of ruffians had
meanwhile gathered around him, and by their howls of derision and abuse added
to the clamour which he had raised. Despite the growing tumult, the attendants
of the acting governor were able to conduct Bahá’u’lláh in safety to the
residence of their master, and displayed on that occasion a courage and
presence of mind that were truly surprising.
- Nabil (‘The Dawn-Breakers’, translated and edited by Shoghi Effendi)
