April-May 1852: Persian prime minister asked Bahá’u’lláh to return to Persia

Mirza Aqa Khan-i-Nuri

While Bahá’u’lláh was in Karbilá, the young Násiri’d-Dín Sháh, jealous and fearful of Mírzá Taqí Khán’s rising power, dismissed him and ordered his execution. The new prime minister, Mírzá Áqá Khán-i-Núrí, whose cousin had married an elder brother of Bahá’u’lláh, hoped to effect a reconciliation between the government and Bahá’u’lláh, Whom he regarded as the most capable of the Báb’s disciples. Thus he sent Him a warm letter requesting Him to return to Tihrán, and expressing his eagerness to meet Him. However, ere the receipt of that letter Bahá’u’lláh had already decided to leave ‘Iráq for Persia. 

(Adapted from ‘The Dawn-Breakers’, by Nabil and ‘Call to Remembrance’ by Geoffry Marks)