tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63491619227382018142024-03-20T06:43:31.894-07:00 Bahá’u’lláh - The Glory of GodUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger135125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6349161922738201814.post-40679100678902772482020-03-25T04:31:00.000-07:002023-11-28T04:33:05.331-08:00The incident involving an old and decrepit woman who wanted to cast a stone at the face of Baha’u’llah as He approached the Siyáh-Chál<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">As He [Baha’u’llah] was approaching the dungeon,
[Siyáh-Chál] and old and decrepit woman was seen to emerge from the midst of
the crowd, with a stone in her hand, eager to cast it at the face of
Bahá’u’lláh. Her eyes glowed with a determination and fanaticism of which few
women of her age were capable. Her whole frame shook with rage as she stepped
forward and raised her hand to hurl her missile at Him. “By the
Siyyidu’sh-Shuhada, [the Imám Ḥusayn] I adjure you,” she pleaded, as she ran to
overtake those into whose hands Bahá’u’lláh had been delivered, “give me a
chance to fling my stone in his face!” “Suffer not this woman to be
disappointed,” were Bahá’u’lláh’s words to His guards, as He saw her hastening
behind Him. “Deny her not what she regards as a meritorious act in the sight of
God.” </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">- Nabil (‘The Dawn-Breakers’)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6349161922738201814.post-17858659507051713772020-03-15T20:16:00.000-07:002023-11-27T17:54:01.583-08:00The inhumane treatment that Baha’u’llah received on His way to the Siyáh-Chál<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheAd5Jl012mtxxpakSJyn-2X782_o3RR0Nni1zp5ljRn2EFHqRPCPeF0ovZThlmXMD357lJi1GuXQWqEadxXeXLdSa4hTmO5Qta-gReG8pGuPDFOtFpbpxa9hQfTuUNZwmfzVgk2l5F2eoHD9sc4BO0zfOwhsJQqZnIt_QkMP1sAXAcDkKi_1Xo8ArpwmY/s566/RoadToTehran1.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="566" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheAd5Jl012mtxxpakSJyn-2X782_o3RR0Nni1zp5ljRn2EFHqRPCPeF0ovZThlmXMD357lJi1GuXQWqEadxXeXLdSa4hTmO5Qta-gReG8pGuPDFOtFpbpxa9hQfTuUNZwmfzVgk2l5F2eoHD9sc4BO0zfOwhsJQqZnIt_QkMP1sAXAcDkKi_1Xo8ArpwmY/s320/RoadToTehran1.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">By the righteousness of God! We were in no wise connected
with that evil deed, and Our innocence was indisputably established by the
tribunals. Nevertheless, they apprehended Us, and from Níyávarán, which was
then the residence of His Majesty, conducted Us, on foot and in chains, with
bared head and bare feet, to the dungeon of Ṭihrán. A brutal man, accompanying
Us on horseback, snatched off Our hat, whilst We were being hurried along by a
troop of executioners and officials. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">- Baha’u’llah <span style="font-size: x-small;">(‘Epistle to the Son of the
Wolf’)</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">From Níyávarán He was conducted “on foot and in chains, with
bared head and bare feet,” exposed to the fierce rays of the midsummer sun, to
the Síyáh-Chál of Ṭihrán. On the way He several times was stripped of His outer
garments, was overwhelmed with ridicule, and pelted with stones. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">- Shoghi
Effendi <span style="font-size: x-small;">(‘God Passes By’)</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6349161922738201814.post-1003825579537569312020-03-07T16:52:00.000-08:002023-11-26T20:19:25.319-08:00Bahá’u’lláh was arrested and “compelled to cover, barefooted and bareheaded, the whole distance from Shimírán to… the Síyáh-Chál of Tihrán”<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bahá’u’lláh, now that the Báb was no more, appeared in their
eyes to be the arch-foe whom they deemed it their first duty to seize and
imprison. To them He was the reincarnation of the Spirit the Báb had so
powerfully manifested, the Spirit through which He had been able to accomplish
so complete a transformation in the lives and habits of His countrymen. The
precautions the Russian minister had taken, and the warning he had uttered,
failed to stay the hand that had been outstretched with such determination
against that precious Life.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">From Shimírán to Tihrán, Bahá’u’lláh was several times
stripped of His garments, and was overwhelmed with abuse and ridicule. On foot
and exposed to the fierce rays of the midsummer sun, He was compelled to cover,
barefooted and bareheaded, the whole distance from Shimírán to the dungeon
already referred to. All along the route, He was pelted and vilified by the
crowds whom His enemies had succeeded in convincing that He was the sworn enemy
of their sovereign and the wrecker of his realm. Words fail me to portray the
horror of the treatment which was meted out to Him as He was being taken to the
Síyáh-Chál of Tihrán. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">- Nabil <span style="font-size: x-small;">('The Dawn-Breakers’)</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6349161922738201814.post-46387474088919334012020-02-27T09:35:00.000-08:002023-11-26T20:19:39.685-08:00“The Grand Vizir, wishing to reduce the chances of blood revenge, divided the work of executing those condemned to death among the princes and nobles…”<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The reign of terror which ensued was revolting beyond
description. The spirit of revenge that animated those who had unleashed its
horrors seemed insatiable. Its repercussions echoed as far as the press of
Europe, branding with infamy its bloodthirsty participants. The Grand Vizir,
wishing to reduce the chances of blood revenge, divided the work of executing
those condemned to death among the princes and nobles, his principal
fellow-ministers, the generals and officers of the Court, the representatives of
the sacerdotal and merchant classes, the artillery and the infantry. Even the
Sháh himself had his allotted victim, though, to save the dignity of the crown,
he delegated the steward of his household to fire the fatal shot on his behalf. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">- Shoghi Effendi <span style="font-size: x-small;">(‘God Passes By’)</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6349161922738201814.post-70823404695429268132020-02-20T20:29:00.000-08:002023-11-26T20:19:53.699-08:00The impact of the attempted assassination of the Sháh on the entire body of the Bábí community: - “atrocities as barbarous as those which will ever remain associated with the bloody episodes of Mázindarán, Nayríz and Zanján”<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">No sooner had this act been perpetrated than its shadow fell
across the entire body of the Bábí community. A storm of public horror, disgust
and resentment, heightened by the implacable hostility of the mother of the
youthful sovereign, swept the nation, casting aside all possibility of even the
most elementary inquiry into the origins and the instigators of the attempt. A
sign, a whisper, was sufficient to implicate the innocent and loose upon him
the most abominable afflictions. An army of foes—ecclesiastics, state officials
and people, united in relentless hate, and watching for an opportunity to
discredit and annihilate a dreaded adversary—had, at long last, been afforded
the pretext for which it was longing. Now it could achieve its malevolent
purpose. Though the Faith had, from its inception, disclaimed any intention of
usurping the rights and prerogatives of the state; though its exponents and
disciples had sedulously avoided any act that might arouse the slightest
suspicion of a desire to wage a holy war, or to evince an aggressive attitude,
yet its enemies, deliberately ignoring the numerous evidences of the marked
restraint exercised by the followers of a persecuted religion, proved
themselves capable of inflicting atrocities as barbarous as those which will
ever remain associated with the bloody episodes of Mázindarán, Nayríz and
Zanján. To what depths of infamy and cruelty would not this same enemy be
willing to descend now that an act so treasonable, so audacious had been
committed? What accusations would it not be prompted to level at, and what
treatment would it not mete out to, those who, however unjustifiably, could be
associated with so heinous a crime against one who, in his person, combined the
chief magistracy of the realm and the trusteeship of the Hidden Imám? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">- Shoghi
Effendi <span style="font-size: x-small;">('God Passes By)</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6349161922738201814.post-88756600119129767662020-02-10T18:52:00.000-08:002023-11-26T20:20:07.088-08:00“eighty-one Bábís were apprehended, of whom thirty-eight were leading members of the community. They were thrown into the Siyah-Chal”<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Now Tihran fell into turmoil. There was a full hue and cry
seeking the Bábís. The mother of the young Shah was particularly vociferous in
demanding vengeance. Haji ’Ali Khan, Hajibu'd-Dawlih of Maraghih, the
farrash-bashi of the royal court, set about frenziedly seeking, finding and
arresting as many of the Bábís as he could. At this juncture ’Abbas, the
manservant of Haji Sulayman Khan, who had accepted the Faith of the Báb, turned
coat and betrayed his master and his fellow believers. He had come to know personally
many of the leading Babis of Tihran, and informed Hajibu'd-Dawlih of the
meeting of his coreligionists in the house of his master. Therewith Haji
Sulayman Khan’s house was surrounded and entered, and all the Bábís found there
were arrested. All told, eighty-one Babis were apprehended, of whom
thirty-eight were leading members of the community. They were thrown into the
Siyah-Chal - the Dark Pit. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">- Balyuzi <span style="font-size: x-small;">(‘Baha’u’llah, The King
of Glory’)</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6349161922738201814.post-80539001631873418192020-02-01T04:50:00.000-08:002023-11-23T18:54:21.110-08:00The governor of Tihran kept the gates of the city closed and ordered his policemen to watch the Bábís in their respective sections<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Ardishir Mírzá was forced to act in consequence. He kept
the gates of the city closed and guarded, giving orders to examine closely all
those who might ask to leave. The people were urged to climb the walls near the
Shimírán gate in order to see in the open field across the bridge the mutilated
body of Ṣádiq. The prince governor called together the Kalántar or prefect of
police, the Vazír of the city, the Dárúghih or police judge, and the heads of
the boroughs and ordered them to seek and arrest all persons suspected of being
Bábís. As no one could leave the city, they waited until night-fall to start
ferreting them out, ruse and cunning being the main requisites employed.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“The police force in Ṭihrán, as in all Asiatic cities, is
very well organized. It is a legacy of the Sassanides which the Arabian Khalífs
have carefully preserved. As it was to the advantage of all governments (no
matter how bad, and even more so to the worst ones) to maintain it, it has
remained, so to speak, unchanged, in the midst of the ruins of other
institutions, equally efficient, which have decayed.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“One should know that the head of every borough, always in
touch with the Kalantar, has under him a few men called ‘sar-ghishmihs,’
policemen who, without either uniform or badge, never leave the streets which
are assigned to them. They are generally well liked by the people and they live
on familiar terms with them. They are helpful at all times and, at night, be it
winter or summer, they recline under the awning of any store, indifferent to
rain or snow, and watch over private property. In this way they reduce the
number of thefts by rendering them difficult. Moreover, they know every dweller
and his ways, so that they can assist in case of investigation; they know the
minds, the opinions, the acquaintances, the relations of everyone; and if one
asks three friends to dinner, the sar-ghishmih without spying, so well informed
is he about everyone, knows the time of the arrival of the guests, what has
been served, what has been said and done, and the time of their departure. The
Kad-khudás warned these policemen to watch the Bábís in their respective
sections and everyone awaited the results.” </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">- Comte de Gobineau <span style="font-size: x-small;">('Les Religions
et les Philosophies dans l’Asie Centrale,' pp. 234–235; footnotes included in
the Dawn Breakers by Shoghi Effendi)</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6349161922738201814.post-66711796022201740852019-01-21T21:57:00.012-08:002023-11-23T18:55:09.609-08:00E.G. Browne in his book ‘“Materials for the Study of the Bábí’ includes a letter by an Austrian officer who witnessed the shockingly dreadful punishment that the Bábís of Tihran received <p><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Amongst the documents referring to
the Bábís in my possession is a manuscript copy of an article in German
published on October 17, 1852 in No. 291 of some German or Austrian newspaper
of which, unhappily, the name is not noted. I think that I received it a good
many years ago from the widow of the late Dr. Polak, an Austrian doctor, who
was a physician to Náṣiri’d-Dín Sháh at the beginning of his reign, and who is
the author of a valuable book and several smaller treatises on Persia and
matters connected therewith. It is chiefly based on a letter written on August
29, 1852, by an Austrian officer, Captain von Goumoens, who was in the Sháh’s
service, but who was so disgusted, and horrified at the cruelties he was
compelled to witness that he sent in his resignation. The translation of this
article is as follows: ‘Some days ago we mentioned the attempt made on the life
of the Sháh of Persia on the occasion of a hunting-party. The conspirators, as
is well known, belonged to the Bábís, a religious sect. Concerning this sect
and the repressive measures adopted against it, the letter of Austrian Captain
von Goumoens lately published in the “Soldier’s Friend” (Soldatenfreund) contains
interesting disclosures, and elucidates to some extent the attempt in question.
This letter runs as follows: “Ṭihrán, August 29, 1852. Dear Friend, My last
letter of the 20th inst. mentioned the attempt on the King. I will now
communicate to you the result of the interrogation to which the two criminals
were subjected. In spite of the terrible tortures inflicted, the examination
extorted no comprehensive confession; the lips of the fanatics remained closed,
even when by means of red-hot pincers and limb-rending screws they sought to
discover the chief conspirator.... <span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: verdana;">But follow me, my friend, you who lay claim
to a heart and European ethics, follow me to the unhappy ones who, with
gouged-out eyes, must eat, on the scene of the deed, without any sauce, their
own amputated ears; or whose teeth are torn out with inhuman violence by the
hand of the executioner; or whose bare skulls are simply crushed by blows from
a hammer; or where the bazar is illuminated with unhappy victims, because on
right and left the people dig deep holes in their breasts and shoulders and
insert burning wicks in the wounds. I saw some dragged in chains through the
bazar preceded by a military band, in whom these wicks had burned so deep that
now the fat flickered convulsively in the wound like a newly-extinguished lamp.
Not seldom it happens that the unwearying ingenuity of the Orientals leads to
fresh tortures. They will skin the soles of the Bábí’s feet, soak the wounds in
boiling oil, shoe the foot like the hoof of a horse, and compel the victim to
run. No cry escaped from the victim’s breast; the torment is endured in dark
silence by the numbed sensation of the fanatic; now he must run; the body
cannot endure what the soul has endured; he falls. Give him the coup de grace!
Put him out of his pain! No! The executioner swings the whip, and—I myself have
had to witness it—the unhappy victim of hundredfold tortures and runs! This is
the beginning of the end. As for the end itself, they hang the scorched and
perforated bodies by their hands and feet to a tree head downwards, and now
every Persian may try his marksmanship to heart’s content from a fixed but not
too proximate distance on the noble quarry placed at his disposal. I saw
corpses torn by nearly 150 bullets.... When I read over again what I have
written I am overcome by the thought that those who are with you in our dearly
beloved Austria may doubt the full truth of the picture, and accuse me of
exaggeration. Would to God that I had not lived to see it! But by the duties of
my profession I was unhappily often, only too often, a witness of these
abominations. At present I never leave my house, in order not to meet with
fresh scenes of horror. After their death the Bábís are hacked in two and
either nailed to the city gate, or cast out into the plain as food for the dogs
and jackals. Thus the punishment extends even beyond the limits which bound
this bitter world, for Musulmans who are not buried have no right to enter the
Prophet’s Paradise. Since my whole soul revolts against such infamy, against
such abominations as recent times, according to the judgment of all, present, I
will no longer maintain my connection with the scene of such crimes.”’ (He goes
on to say that he has already asked for his discharge, but has not yet received
an answer.)” </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">- E. G. Browne’ <span style="font-size: x-small;">(“Materials for the Study of the Bábí Religion,”
pp. 267–71; Footnotes to chapter 26 of ‘The Dawn-Breakers, included by Shoghi
Effendi’)</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6349161922738201814.post-72963996807848041812019-01-13T21:52:00.000-08:002023-11-21T15:50:29.092-08:00Baha’u’llah recalls the account of His arrest<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">At the time when His Majesty the Sháh, may God, his Lord,
the Most Merciful, aid him through His strengthening grace, was planning a
journey to Isfahán, this Wronged One, having obtained his permission, visited
the holy and luminous resting-places of the Imáms, may the blessings of God be
upon them! Upon Our return, We proceeded to Lavásán on account of the excessive
heat prevailing in the capital. Following Our departure, there occurred the
attempt upon the life of His Majesty, may God, exalted and glorified be He,
assist him. Those days were troublous days, and the fires of hatred burned
high. Many were arrested, among them this Wronged One. By the righteousness of
God! We were in no wise connected with that evil deed, and Our innocence was
indisputably established by the tribunals. Nevertheless, they apprehended Us… </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">- Baha’u’llah <span style="font-size: x-small;">(‘Epistle to the Son of the Wolf’)</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6349161922738201814.post-58350799257557890672019-01-06T21:33:00.009-08:002023-11-21T15:50:42.310-08:00“The highest ecclesiastical authorities in the capital joined hands with the most influential members of the government” viewed Bahá’u’lláh “to be the arch-foe whom they deemed it their first duty to seize and imprison”<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">That day the army of Násiri’d-Dín Sháh was thrown into a
state of violent tumult. The peremptory orders of the sovereign, following so
closely upon the attempt on his life, gave rise to the wildest rumours and
excited the fiercest passions in the hearts of the people of the,
neighbourhood. The agitation spread to Tihrán and fanned into flaming fury the
smouldering embers of hatred which the enemies of the Cause still nourished ill
their hearts. Confusion, unprecedented in its range, reigned in the capital. A
word of denunciation, a sign, or a whisper was sufficient to subject the
innocent to a persecution which no pen dare try to describe. Security of life
and property had completely vanished. The highest ecclesiastical authorities in
the capital joined hands with the most influential members of the government to
deal what they hoped would be the fatal blow to a foe who, for eight years, had
so gravely shaken the peace of the land, and whom no cunning or violence had
yet been able to silence.</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bahá’u’lláh, now that the Báb was no more, appeared in their
eyes to be the arch-foe whom they deemed it their first duty to seize and
imprison. To them He was the reincarnation of the Spirit the Báb had so
powerfully manifested, the Spirit through which He had been able to accomplish
so complete a transformation in the lives and habits of His countrymen. The
precautions the Russian minister had taken, and the warning he had uttered,
failed to stay the hand that had been outstretched with such determination
against that precious Life. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">- Nabil <span style="font-size: x-small;">(‘The Dawn-Breakers’; translated and edited
by Shoghi Effendi)</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6349161922738201814.post-3914618455101849042018-12-27T21:23:00.008-08:002023-11-21T15:51:14.489-08:00The Prime Minister didn’t provide the expected protection for Baha’u’llah<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Mírzá Áqá Khán, <span style="font-size: x-small;">[the prime minister]</span> though he undertook to
give the fullest assurances that were required, and received Bahá’u’lláh with
every mark of respect into his home, was, however, too apprehensive for the
safety of his own position to accord his Guest the treatment he was expected to
extend. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">- Nabil <span style="font-size: x-small;">(‘The Dawn-Breakers’; translated and edited by Shoghi Effendi)</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6349161922738201814.post-22943260687688417922018-12-20T21:50:00.001-08:002023-11-21T15:51:39.540-08:00Baha’u’llah confirms the assistance of the Russian Minister<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">“When I was in chains and fetters, in the prison of Tá, one
of thine ambassadors assisted Me. Therefore hath God decreed unto thee a
station which none but Himself can comprehend. Beware lest thou change this
lofty station.” </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">- Bahá’u’lláh’s <span style="font-size: x-small;">(From the Tablet to the Czar of Russia; Footnotes to
chapter 26 of ‘The Dawn-Breakers, provided by Shoghi Effendi’)</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6349161922738201814.post-62762771629849668752018-12-10T21:48:00.008-08:002023-11-21T15:52:00.966-08:00The reaction by the Russian Minister’s daughter and his “assurances that he would do all in his power to avert the danger that threatened the life of Bahá’u’lláh.”<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">As Bahá’u’lláh was leaving the village of Zarkandih, the
minister’s daughter, who felt greatly distressed at the dangers which beset His
life, was so overcome with emotion that she was unable to restrain her tears.
“Of what use,” she was heard expostulating with her father, “is the authority
with which you have been invested, if you are powerless to extend your
protection to a guest whom you have received in your house?” The minister, who
had a great affection for his daughter, was moved by the sight of her tears,
and sought to comfort her by his assurances that he would do all in his power
to avert the danger that threatened the life of Bahá’u’lláh. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">- Nabil <span style="font-size: x-small;">(‘The
Dawn-Breakers’; translated and edited by Shoghi Effendi)</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6349161922738201814.post-49205895266365478392018-11-26T21:39:00.015-08:002023-11-21T15:52:24.688-08:00The intervention of the Russian Minister, Prince Dolgorouki, for Baha’u’llah’s safety<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVfo7c1IDbvy1uuWNWgMDRiNXah51DcajxRjViSOrV72wqGMObGP16tdJ5-AJEzA_TTWgaJsOoLasGCzMJcJ7hiP_gFIjxfhGsYcwJSdyTTCTONAAZlwcXnQgZOsG5W3MZrjhWCtTbEOOh9WPMRpwchrbxpDbyTGqZ3oQJE97xTUX0zW1sJ0fhHehs4W0z/s591/Dm.Iv._Dolgorukov.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="542" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVfo7c1IDbvy1uuWNWgMDRiNXah51DcajxRjViSOrV72wqGMObGP16tdJ5-AJEzA_TTWgaJsOoLasGCzMJcJ7hiP_gFIjxfhGsYcwJSdyTTCTONAAZlwcXnQgZOsG5W3MZrjhWCtTbEOOh9WPMRpwchrbxpDbyTGqZ3oQJE97xTUX0zW1sJ0fhHehs4W0z/w231-h252/Dm.Iv._Dolgorukov.jpg" width="231" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prince Dolgorouki<br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Wikipedia)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana;">Refusing to comply with the wishes of the royal envoys, the
Russian Minister requested Bahá’u’lláh to proceed to the home of the Grand
Vizir [Mírzá Áqá Khán], to whom he formally communicated his wish that the
safety of the Trust the Russian government was delivering into his keeping
should be insured. This purpose, however, was not achieved because of the Grand
Vizir’s apprehension that he might forfeit his position if he extended to the
Accused the protection demanded for Him. </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">- Shoghi Effendi <span style="font-size: x-small;">(‘God Passes By’)</span></span><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6349161922738201814.post-71285622928519949352018-11-16T21:30:00.009-08:002023-11-21T15:52:42.533-08:00Násiri’d-Dín Sháh amazed at the bold and unexpected step which Baha’u’llah had taken<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNz4WNqaNOsEpbdLkf4dzjAeUN4hXxOECaTEJF7u-KpnOISLGljeIABQlCGxXYspQIW1bI-QnL92lPv17zdm5f3pTB9Kq6pMsUOCrobrTIv_wz3Diw7LcTawpdrVctvYAdNggfFr1r-E7EYRbdiIEJACXQaP8X-kNfvCDbG76aPzsQGYQ3qqhEvHW5t-o1/s1070/N%C3%A1siri%E2%80%99d-D%C3%ADn%20Sh%C3%A1h%201859.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="792" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNz4WNqaNOsEpbdLkf4dzjAeUN4hXxOECaTEJF7u-KpnOISLGljeIABQlCGxXYspQIW1bI-QnL92lPv17zdm5f3pTB9Kq6pMsUOCrobrTIv_wz3Diw7LcTawpdrVctvYAdNggfFr1r-E7EYRbdiIEJACXQaP8X-kNfvCDbG76aPzsQGYQ3qqhEvHW5t-o1/w173-h234/N%C3%A1siri%E2%80%99d-D%C3%ADn%20Sh%C3%A1h%201859.jpg" width="173" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Násiri’d-Dín Sháh 1859 <br />(Wikipedia)</td></tr></tbody></table>The news of the arrival of Bahá’u’lláh greatly surprised the
officers of the imperial army. Násiri’d-Dín Sháh himself was amazed at the bold
and unexpected step which a man who was accused of being the chief instigator
of the attempt upon his life had taken. He immediately sent one of his trusted
officers to the [Russian] legation, demanding that the Accused be delivered
into his hands. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">- Nabil <span style="font-size: x-small;">(‘The Dawn-Breakers’; translated and edited by Shoghi
Effendi)</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6349161922738201814.post-7879150715384043692018-11-06T21:24:00.001-08:002023-11-21T15:52:56.141-08:00circa 1930: The Russian Legation in the village of Zarkandih<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWkBJVzGHfRn559EcvAQjtKqSkKhQ4hizx6Aj5Po31PORjLSDir37Vc4BAWpiZCVv6c060yTXNA6QdJRsn838gZoiefINsr-fs_je62zzQWrbef8pRGenW1zCVSkIvfDX2vzWU5owiDPXZz57BNnpOdownxzhBLszZHSFM2chm9aIvilhoHxjJJZTw4irg/s1331/The%20Russian%20Legation%20in%20the%20village%20of%20Zarkandih.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="1331" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWkBJVzGHfRn559EcvAQjtKqSkKhQ4hizx6Aj5Po31PORjLSDir37Vc4BAWpiZCVv6c060yTXNA6QdJRsn838gZoiefINsr-fs_je62zzQWrbef8pRGenW1zCVSkIvfDX2vzWU5owiDPXZz57BNnpOdownxzhBLszZHSFM2chm9aIvilhoHxjJJZTw4irg/w445-h238/The%20Russian%20Legation%20in%20the%20village%20of%20Zarkandih.jpg" width="445" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">(The Dawn-Breakers)</span></div><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6349161922738201814.post-777200167929512552018-10-25T21:20:00.001-07:002023-11-21T15:53:09.769-08:00On the way in the village of Zarkandih, Baha’u’llah “was met and conducted to the home of His brother-in-law, Mírzá Majíd”<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvx1X8KUK5EqAwIlImyFlJM1XBDWt_lPGVqzs064USFUBvqJq_6NthLhEfZKHWd5scBUPZEapRmX4_dz1YKIhAQ9kY_O-8mDP8pJDW-iHP535x6oaoWgUlNbN4MmcF94kT1q_29qxihz_scU7E7Ivjx05SeWfYJfgXo5dsydHLbHP8DtdO48drs9RzEDRb/s1024/Baha'u'llah's%20brother-in-law%20Mirza%20Majid-i-Ahi%20secretary%20to%20the%20Russian%20Legation-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="975" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvx1X8KUK5EqAwIlImyFlJM1XBDWt_lPGVqzs064USFUBvqJq_6NthLhEfZKHWd5scBUPZEapRmX4_dz1YKIhAQ9kY_O-8mDP8pJDW-iHP535x6oaoWgUlNbN4MmcF94kT1q_29qxihz_scU7E7Ivjx05SeWfYJfgXo5dsydHLbHP8DtdO48drs9RzEDRb/w220-h231/Baha'u'llah's%20brother-in-law%20Mirza%20Majid-i-Ahi%20secretary%20to%20the%20Russian%20Legation-1.jpg" width="220" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mirza Majid</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana;">In the village of Zarkandih He was met by, and conducted to
the home of, His brother-in-law, Mírzá Majíd, who, at that time, was acting as
secretary to the Russian Minister, Prince Dolgorouki, and whose house adjoined
that of his superior. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">- Shoghi Effendi <span style="font-size: x-small;">(‘God Passes By’)</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6349161922738201814.post-52575534234860960642018-10-15T21:15:00.010-07:002023-10-26T07:25:50.550-07:00Baha’u’llah “rode forth, the following morning, with cool intrepidity, to the headquarters of the Imperial army which was then stationed in Níyávarán”<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bahá’u’lláh, when that attempt had been made on the life of
the sovereign, was in Lavásán, the guest of the Grand Vizir, and was staying in
the village of Afchih when the momentous news reached Him. Refusing to heed the
advice of the Grand Vizir’s brother, Ja‘far-Qulí Khán, who was acting as His
host, to remain for a time concealed in that neighborhood, and dispensing with
the good offices of the messenger specially dispatched to insure His safety, He
rode forth, the following morning, with cool intrepidity, to the headquarters
of the Imperial army which was then stationed in Níyávarán, in the Shimírán
district. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">- Shoghi Effendi <span style="font-size: x-small;">(‘God Passes By’)</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6349161922738201814.post-26859919142870963032018-10-06T20:26:00.004-07:002023-10-23T09:31:30.393-07:00Baha’u’llah received the news of the attempted assassination of Násiri’d-Dín Sháh<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Baha'u'llah was, at this moment, staying in a summer
residence at Afchih, in the vicinity of Tihran. Ja’far-Quli Khan, the brother
of Mirza Aqa Khan, the Prime Minister was still His host. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">(Adapted from ‘The
King of Glory’, by Balyuzi)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Ja’far-Qulí Khán, who was in Shimírán when the attempt on
the Sháh’s life was made, immediately wrote a letter to Bahá’u’lláh and
acquainted Him with what had happened. “The Sháh’s mother,” he wrote, “is
inflamed with anger. She is denouncing you openly before the court and people
as the ‘would-be murderer’ of her son. She is also trying to involve Mírzá Áqá
Khán (The Prime Minister) in this affair, and accuses him of being your
accomplice.” He urged Bahá’u’lláh to remain for a time concealed in that
neighbourhood, until the passion of the populace had subsided. He despatched to
Afchih an old and experienced messenger whom he ordered to be at the disposal
of his Guest and to hold himself in readiness to accompany Him to whatever
place of safety He might desire. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">- Nabil <span style="font-size: x-small;">(‘The Dawn-Breakers’, translated and
edited by Shoghi Effendi)</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6349161922738201814.post-57114666557329029772018-09-27T19:35:00.009-07:002023-10-23T09:31:45.611-07:00The mad attempt and the immediate horrendous consequences: - it “stirred the indignation of the entire body of the ecclesiastical order of Persia”<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">So grave a menace to their sovereign and to the institutions
of his realm stirred the indignation of the entire body of the ecclesiastical
order of Persia. To them so bold a deed called for immediate and condign
punishment. Measures of unprecedented severity, they clamoured, should be
undertaken to stem the tide that was engulfing both the government and the Faith
of Islám. Despite the restraint which the followers of the Báb had exercised
ever since the inception of the Faith in every part of the land; despite the
repeated charges of the chief disciples to their brethren enjoining them to
refrain from acts of violence, to obey their government loyally, and to
disclaim any intention of a holy war, their enemies persevered in their
deliberate efforts to misrepresent the nature and purpose of that Faith to the
authorities. Now that an act of such momentous consequences had been committed,
what accusations would not these same enemies be prompted to attribute to the
Cause with which those guilty of the crime had been associated! The moment
seemed to have come when they could at last awaken the rulers of the country to
the necessity of extirpating as speedily as possible a heresy which seemed to
threaten the very foundations of the State. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">- Nabil <span style="font-size: x-small;">(‘The Dawn-Breakers’,
translated and edited by Shoghi Effendi)</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6349161922738201814.post-86911032604226376722018-09-18T19:29:00.002-07:002023-10-23T09:31:58.580-07:00The mad attempt and the immediate horrendous consequences: - “the outbreak of a series of persecutions and massacres of such barbarous ferocity as could be compared only to the atrocities of Mázindarán and Zanján”<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">That act, though committed by wild and feeble-minded
fanatics, and in spite of its being from the very first emphatically condemned
by no less responsible a person than Bahá’u’lláh, was the signal for the
outbreak of a series of persecutions and massacres of such barbarous ferocity
as could be compared only to the atrocities of Mázindarán and Zanján. The storm
to which that act gave rise plunged the whole of Ṭihrán into consternation and
distress. It involved the life of the leading companions who had survived the
calamities to which their Faith had been so cruelly and repeatedly subjected.
That storm was still raging when Bahá’u’lláh, with some of His ablest
lieutenants, was plunged into a filthy, dark, and fever-stricken dungeon,
whilst chains of such weight as only notorious criminals were condemned to
carry, were placed upon His neck. For no less than four months He bore the burden,
and such was the intensity of His suffering that the marks of that cruelty
remained imprinted upon His body all the days of His life. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">- Nabil <span style="font-size: x-small;">(‘The
Dawn-Breakers’, translated and edited by Shoghi Effendi)</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6349161922738201814.post-41388778343751863352018-09-11T19:17:00.003-07:002023-10-23T09:32:18.108-07:00The impact of this assault on the whole of Niyavaran<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The whole of Níyávarán where the imperial court and troops
had congregated was, as a result of this assault, plunged into an unimaginable
tumult. The ministers of the state, headed by Mírzá Áqá Khán-i-Núrí, the
I‘timádu’d-Dawlih, the successor of the Amír-Niẓám, rushed horror-stricken to
the side of their wounded sovereign. The fanfare of the trumpets, the rolling
of the drums and the shrill piping of the fifes summoned the hosts of His
Imperial Majesty on all sides. The Sháh’s attendants, some on horseback, others
on foot, poured into the palace grounds. Pandemonium reigned in which every one
issued orders, none listened, none obeyed, nor understood anything. Ardishír
Mírzá, the governor of Ṭihrán, having in the meantime already ordered his
troops to patrol the deserted streets of the capital, barred the gates of the
citadel as well as of the city, charged his batteries and feverishly dispatched
a messenger to ascertain the veracity of the wild rumors that were circulating
amongst the populace, and to ask for special instructions. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">- Shoghi Effendi <span style="font-size: x-small;">(‘God Passes By’)</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6349161922738201814.post-8502336457076554942018-08-30T17:51:00.002-07:002023-10-23T09:32:40.558-07:00The mad attempt and the immediate horrendous consequences: - fate of the three attackers<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Shah and his retinue had just left his summer palace at
Niyavaran on a hunting expedition, when the three young men approached him as
petitioners seeking redress and justice. They were far from being professional
assassins, and attempted their dastardly deed in a clumsy way. Their weapons
were inadequate: short daggers and pistols that fired pellets. They tried to
drag the Shah from his horse, and inflicted pellet wounds on him which were not
serious. By this time the members of the Shah's retinue had reached him to
protect him, and beat off the assailants. Sadiq was killed on the spot. His
body was cut in two, and each half was hoisted and left dangling over one of
the several gates of the capital… Fathu'llah, who would not say a word under
torture, was taken to be deaf and dumb. Molten lead was poured down his throat.
Haji Qasim too was soon dispatched. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">- Balyuzi (<span style="font-size: x-small;">‘Baha’u’llah, the King of Glory’)</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The first to suffer on that calamitous day was the ill-fated
Ṣádiq, who was instantly slain on the scene of his attempted crime. His body
was tied to the tail of a mule and dragged all the way to Ṭihrán, where it was
hewn into two halves, each of which was suspended and exposed to the public
view, while the Ṭihránís were invited by the city authorities to mount the
ramparts and gaze upon the mutilated corpse. Molten lead was poured down the
throat of his accomplice, after having subjected him to the torture of red-hot
pincers and limb-rending screws. A comrade of his, Ḥájí Qásim, was stripped of
his clothes, lighted candles were thrust into holes made in his flesh, and was
paraded before the multitude who shouted and cursed him. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">- Shoghi Effendi <span style="font-size: x-small;"> (‘God
Passes By’)</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6349161922738201814.post-50013695942043895522018-08-20T14:13:00.002-07:002023-10-23T09:32:59.384-07:00circa 1930: A view of Niyavaran, north of Tihran<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcFvo4324IBr0v8OCrvq6fcGGXG36dSEac1-crG6XjL-PrH9vt-pJ7BNr1_OXdOz8O0C28hLH4A5QJts1ZOkDfs5M4hfD_IpPqRB951CiCIfObAge1kpUQGsQgHl5BYgREre14rQtKdg8kCiFaADn-bwb3fXI-ORZ7bnLKt23bblLR6QQfRCbHM3EOKyxH/s1327/Niyavaran.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="724" data-original-width="1327" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcFvo4324IBr0v8OCrvq6fcGGXG36dSEac1-crG6XjL-PrH9vt-pJ7BNr1_OXdOz8O0C28hLH4A5QJts1ZOkDfs5M4hfD_IpPqRB951CiCIfObAge1kpUQGsQgHl5BYgREre14rQtKdg8kCiFaADn-bwb3fXI-ORZ7bnLKt23bblLR6QQfRCbHM3EOKyxH/w426-h233/Niyavaran.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;">(The Dawn-Breakers)</span></div><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6349161922738201814.post-55411788611974321882018-08-10T11:16:00.011-07:002023-10-23T09:33:21.294-07:00Comte de Gobineau, French chargé d'affaires in Tihran, gives the account of the attempted assassination<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">“In the morning, the king went out for a horseback ride.
Before him, as usual, went equerries carrying long lances, grooms leading
horses with embroidered saddle cloths, and a group of nomad riders with their
rifles slung over the shoulder and their swords hanging from their saddles.
This vanguard preceded the king in order that he might not be annoyed by the
dust raised by the cavalry, and the king followed along slowly, a little
distance from the retinue of the great lords, chiefs and officers who
accompanied him everywhere. He was near the palace and had barely passed the
small door of the garden of Muhammad-Hasan, Sanduq-dar or treasurer of the Savings,
when he noticed, at the side of the road, three men, three gardeners, standing
two on the left, and one on the right side, seemingly waiting for him. He did
not suspect danger and rode on. When quite close, he saw them bow very low and
he heard them cry out together, ‘We are your sacrifice! We make a request.’
This is the traditional formula, but instead of remaining aloof as is
customary, they rushed on him repeating, ‘We make a request!’ Surprised, the
king shouted, ‘Rascals, what do you want?’ At that moment, the man on his right
took hold of the bridle of the horse and fired upon the king. In the meantime,
the two men on the left fired also. One of the shots cut the collar of pearls
adorning the horse’s neck, another riddled with buckshot the right arm and back
of the king. Immediately, the man on the right pulled on the leg of His Majesty
and would have unsaddled him, had it not been that the two assassins on the
left were pulling on the other side. The king was striking his assailants on
the head with his fists, while the jumping of the frightened horse paralyzed
their efforts and delayed their aggression. The royal retinue, at first
dumbfounded, hurried towards their master. Asadu’lláh Khán, the grand equerry,
and one of the nomad riders killed the man on the right with their swords. In
the meantime, several lords threw down the other two men and bound them.<span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Doctor Cloquet, the court physician, had the king brought
quickly into the garden of Muhammad-Hasan, Sanduq-dar; as no one seemed to know
what had really happened, and those who sensed an imminent danger, had no idea
of what a catastrophe it might be. During more than an hour, a great tumult
reigned in the city of Níyávarán, while ministers headed by the Sadr-i-‘Azam
rushed into the garden. The bugles, the drums, the tambourines and the fifes
were calling the troops together; the ghulams came riding at full speed;
everyone was giving orders, no one saw, heard or knew anything. In the midst of
this confusion a courier arrived from Tihrán, sent by Ardishír Mírzá, governor
of the city, to enquire what had happened and what measures should be taken in
the capital, for, on the previous evening, the rumor had grown into a certainty
that the king had been assassinated. The bazaars, policed by men in arms, had
been deserted by the merchants. All night long, bakeries had been surrounded,
everyone trying to store up provisions for several days, as people do when they
foresee trouble.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“At dawn, as the agitation grew, Ardishír Mírzá had ordered
the gates of the citadel of the town closed, put the regiment on a war footing,
and pointed his guns, although he did not know who the enemy was; and now he
was asking for orders.” </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana;">- Comte de Gobineau’s <span style="font-size: x-small;">(“Les Religions et les Philosophies
dans l’Asie Centrale,” pp. 231–233; Footnotes to chapter 26 of ‘The
Dawn-Breakers’, provided by Shoghi Effendi)</span></span><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com