1848: Bahá’u’lláh, Quddus and Tahirih reach the hamlet of Badasht

Soon after Táhirih had started on her journey towards Khurasan, Bahá’u’lláh instructed Áqáy-i-Kalím to complete the necessary preparations for His contemplated departure for Khurásán. He committed to his care His family and asked him to provide whatever might be conducive to their well-being and safety.

In the meantime, Quddús bade farewell to his companions in Mashhad, where he had been residing and actively teaching with mulla Husayn, and left the city accompanied by one of the believers. A few days later, he encountered one of the believers who informed him of the circumstances attending the deliverance of Táhirih from her confinement in Qazvín, of her journey in the direction of Khurásán, and of Bahá’u’lláh’s subsequent departure from the capital towards Khurasan.

Accompanied by these two believers, Quddus reached the hamlet of Badasht at the hour of dawn and found there assembled a large gathering of people whom they recognised as their fellow-believers. They decided, however, to resume their journey, and proceeded directly to the village of Sháh-Rud anticipating meeting Bahá’u’lláh there. As they were approaching that village they encountered another believer who was on his way to Badasht. In answer to his enquiry as to the object of that gathering that they had seen earlier, they were informed that Bahá’u’lláh and Táhirih had, a few days before, left Sháh-Rud for that hamlet of Badasht; that a large number of believers had already arrived from Isfáhán, Qazvín, and other towns of Persia, and were waiting to accompany Bahá’u’lláh on His intended journey to Khurásán.

No sooner had Bahá’u’lláh been informed of the arrival of Quddús at Sháh-Rud than He decided to join him. Attended by one of the believers He set out on horseback that same evening for that village, and had returned with Quddús to Badasht the next morning at the hour of sunrise. 

(Adapted from ‘The Dawn-Breakers’, by Nabil; translated and edited by Shoghi Effendi)

Tahirih was transformed by Baha’u’llah …

Qurratu'l-‘Ayn was a Persian woman without fame and importance -unknown, like all other Persian women. When she saw Baha'u'llah, she changed completely, visibly, and looked within another world. The reins of volition were taken out of her hands by heavenly attraction. She was so overcome that physical susceptibilities ceased.  Her husband, her sons and her family arose in the greatest hostility against Baha'u'llah. She became so attracted to the divine threshold that she forsook everything and went forth to the plain of Badasht, no fear in her heart, dauntless, intrepid, openly proclaiming the message of light which had come to her. The Persian government stood against her.  They made every effort to quiet her, they imprisoned her in the governor's house, but she continued to speak. Then she was taken and killed. To her very last breath she spoke with fervid eloquence and so became famous for her complete attraction in the path of God.  If she had not seen Baha'u'llah, no such effect would have been produced. She had read and heard the teachings of scriptures all her life, but the action and enkindlement were missing. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (From a talk; ‘The Promulgation of Universal Peace’)

Baha’u’llah recalls receiving news of Tahirih’s captivity, His involvement in her rescue operation, and arrival at Badasht

The house in Qazvin in which Tahirih was born, had been and 
during the vicious reactions following the killing of her uncle 
was confined in its cellar.

“In a Tablet which We yesterday revealed, We have explained the meaning of the words, ‘Turn your eyes away,’ [1] in the course of Our reference to the circumstances attending the gathering at Badasht. We were celebrating, in the company of a number of distinguished notables, the nuptials of one of the princes of royal blood in Tihrán, when Siyyid Ahmad-i-Yazdí, father of Siyyid Ḥusayn, the Báb’s amanuensis, appeared suddenly at the door. He beckoned to Us, and seemed to be the bearer of an important message which he wished immediately to deliver. We were, however, unable at that moment to leave the gathering, and motioned to him to wait. When the meeting had dispersed, he informed Us that Táhirih had been placed in strict confinement in Qazvín, and that her life was in great danger. We immediately summoned Muhammad-Hádíy-i-Farhádí, and gave him the necessary directions to release her from her captivity, and escort her to the capital. As the enemy had seized Our house, We were unable to accommodate her indefinitely in Our home. Accordingly, We arranged for her transference from Our house to that of the Minister of War, who, in those days, had been disgraced by his sovereign and had been deported to Káshán. We requested his sister, who still was numbered among Our friends, to act as hostess to Táhirih.

“She remained in her company until the call of the Báb, bidding Us proceed to Khurásán, reached Our ears. We decided that Táhirih should proceed immediately to that province, and commissioned Mírzá [Musa] to conduct her to a place outside the gate of the city, and from thence to any locality she deemed advisable in that neighbourhood. She was taken to an orchard in the vicinity of which was a deserted building, where they found an old man who acted as its caretaker. Mírzá Músá returned and informed Us of the reception which had been accorded to them, and highly praised the beauty of the surrounding landscape. We subsequently arranged for her departure for Khurásán, and promised that We would follow within the space of a few days.

“We soon joined her at Badasht… 

- Baha’u’llah  (Quoted by Nabil in ‘The Dawn-Breakers’, translated and edited by Shoghi Effendi)

[1] According to Islámic traditions, Fátimih, Muhammad’s daughter, will appear unveiled as she crosses the bridge “Ṣirat“ on the Day of Judgment. At her appearance a voice from heaven will declare: “Turn your eyes away, O concourse of people!”