Memorials of the Faithful Part 7

And again among those who left their homeland were two carpenters, Ustad Baqir and Ustad A?mad. These two were brothers, of pure lineage, and natives of Ka_sh_an. From the time when both became believers each held the other in his embrace. They harkened to the voice of G.o.d, and to His cry of "Am I not your Lord?" they replied, "Yea, verily!"

For a time they stayed on in their own country, occupied with the remembrance of G.o.d, characterized by faith and knowledge, respected by friend and stranger alike, known to all for righteousness and trustworthiness, for austerity of life and the fear of G.o.d. When the oppressor stretched forth his hands against them, and tormented them beyond endurance, they emigrated to 'Iraq, to the sheltering care of Baha'u'llah. They were two most blessed souls. For some time they remained in 'Iraq, praying in all lowliness, and supplicating G.o.d.

Then Ustad A?mad departed for Adrianople, while Ustad Baqir remained in 'Iraq and was taken as a prisoner to Mosul. Ustad A?mad went on with the party of Baha'u'llah to the Most Great Prison, and Ustad Baqir emigrated from Mosul to Akka. Both of the brothers were under the protection of G.o.d and free from every earthly bond. In the prison, they worked at their craft, keeping to themselves, away from friend and stranger alike.

Tranquil, dignified, confident, strong in faith, sheltered by the All-Merciful, they happily spent their days. Ustad Baqir was the first to die, and some time afterward his brother followed him.

These two were firm believers, loyal, patient, at all times thankful, at all times supplicating G.o.d in lowliness, with their faces turned in His direction. During that long stay in the prison they were never neglectful of duty, never at fault. They were constantly joyful, for they had drunk deep of the holy cup; and when they soared upward, out of the world, the friends mourned over them and asked that by the grace of Baha'u'llah, they should be favored and forgiven. These two were embosomed in bounty, and Divinely sustained, and the Blessed Beauty was well pleased with them both; with this provision for their journey, they set out for the world to come. Upon them both be the glory of G.o.d the All-Glorious; to each be a seat of truth(39) in the Kingdom of Splendors.

MU?AMMAD HANa-SAB

This man of dignity and rank, aqa Mu?ammad, was yet another among those who abandoned their homes, and was one of the earliest believers. From the dawn tide, he was widely known as a lover of the Most Great Light. He was then in I?fahan, and he shut his eyes to this world and the next as well,(40) and opened them to the beauty of Him Who is the embodiment of all that is lovable.(41)

aqa Mu?ammad could no longer find rest, for he had come alive through the musk-laden breathings of G.o.d; his heart was alight, he could inhale the holy fragrance, he had an eye to see, an ear to hear. He guided a number of souls, remaining true and loyal to the great Cause. He endured terrible persecution and torment, but did not falter. Then he found favor in the eyes of the King of Martyrs and became a trusted attendant of the Beloved of Martyrs,(42) serving them for some years. He was confirmed in his work, so that on many occasions the King of Martyrs expressed satisfaction with him, saying, "This man is one of those souls who are at rest; he is indeed well-pleased with his Lord, and well-pleasing unto Him.(43) His faith is unalloyed, he loves G.o.d, he has a good character, and leads a good life.

He is also an agreeable companion, and an eloquent one."

After the King of Martyrs was put to death, aqa Mu?ammad stayed on for a time in I?fahan, consumed with mourning for him. Finally he emigrated to the Most Great Prison, where he was received by Baha'u'llah, and won the high honor of sweeping the ground about the Threshold. He was patient, forbearing, a true friend and companion. Then the Supreme Affliction came upon us, and aqa Mu?ammad was in such anguish that he was unable to rest for a moment. At every dawn he would rise and would sweep the ground about the house of Baha'u'llah, his tears pouring down like rain, chanting prayers as he worked.

What a holy being he was, how great a man! He could not bear the separation very long, but died, and hastened onward to the world of lights, to the a.s.semblage where the beauty of G.o.d is unveiled. May G.o.d shed upon his grave rays from the realm of forgiveness, and lull his spirit in the heart of Paradise. May G.o.d exalt his station in the gardens above. His bright tomb is in Akka.

?aJi FARAJU'LLaH TAFRis.h.i.+

Yet another of those who came out of their homeland to live in the neighborhood of Baha'u'llah was Faraju'llah of Tafri_sh_. This blessed individual was from earliest youth the servant of Baha'u'llah, and with his esteemed father, aqa Lutfu'llah, he emigrated from Persia to Adrianople. aqa Lutfu'llah was a staunch believer, lovingly devoted to the Blessed Beauty. Patient, long-suffering, completely indifferent to this world and its vanities, he lived content in the neighborhood of Baha'u'llah; and then humbly at the Threshold, with a contrite heart, he abandoned this fleeting life and soared away to the boundless realms beyond. His sweet-scented dust is in Adrianople.

As for ?aji Faraju'llah, he lived on in that city, until the day when merciless oppressors banished Baha'u'llah to Akka, and in His company the ?aji came here to the Most Great Prison. Later on, when hards.h.i.+p was changed into ease, he engaged in trade, becoming a partner to Mu?ammad-'Ali of I?fahan. For some time he prospered and was happy. Then he was given leave to go, and journeyed to India, where he spent a long period before he winged his way into the gardens of forgiveness, and entered the precincts of ineffable mercy.

This servant of the Blessed Beauty was one with the believers in their afflictions and calamities; he had his share of the anguish. The favors of Baha'u'llah compa.s.sed him about, and he rejoiced in that boundless grace.

He was among the companions, a close a.s.sociate of the friends, and he had a docile heart. Although his body was thin and sickly, he was thankful, accepted it, was patient, and endured the trials of G.o.d's path. Unto him be greetings and praise; may he receive Heavenly gifts and blessings; upon him be the glory of G.o.d the All-Glorious. His pure sepulcher is in Bombay, India.

aQa IBRaHiM-I-I?FaHaNi AND HIS BROTHERS

And among those who emigrated and came to settle in the Holy Land was aqa Ibrahim, one of four honored brothers: Mu?ammad-?adiq; Mu?ammad-Ibrahim; aqa Habibu'llah; and Mu?ammad-'Ali. These four lived in Ba_gh_dad with their paternal uncle, aqa Mu?ammad-Ri?a, known as arid. They all lived in the same house, and remained together day and night. Bird-like, they shared the one nest; and they were always fresh and full of grace, like flowers in a bed.

When the Ancient Beauty arrived in 'Iraq their house was in the neighborhood of His, and thus they had the joy of watching Him as He came and went. Little by little the manner of that Lord of hearts, what He did and what He did not do, and the sight of His lovesome face, had its effect; they began to thirst after the Faith and to seek His grace and favor. They presented themselves at the door of His house, as if they were flowers blooming there; and they were soon enamored of the light that shone out from His brow, captives of the beauty of that dear Companion.

They needed no teacher, then; by themselves, they saw through the veils that had blinded them before, and won the supreme desire of their hearts.

As commanded by the Blessed Beauty, Mirza Javad of Tur_sh_iz went to their house one night. Mirza Javad had hardly opened his mouth when they accepted the Faith. They did not hesitate for an instant, for they had amazing receptivity. This is what is meant by the Qur'anic verse: "...whose oil would well nigh s.h.i.+ne out, even though fire touched it not!

It is light upon light."(44) That is, this oil is so fully prepared, so ready to be lit, that it almost catches fire of itself, though no flame be at hand; which means that the capacity for faith, and the deserving it, can be so great, that without the communication of a single word the light s.h.i.+nes forth. This is how it was with those pure-hearted men; truly they were loyal, staunch, and devoted to G.o.d.

The eldest brother, Mu?ammad-?adiq, accompanied Baha'u'llah from 'Iraq to Constantinople, and from there to Adrianople, where he lived happily for some time, close to his Lord. He was humble, long-suffering, thankful; there was always a smile on his lips; he was light of heart, and his soul was in love with Baha'u'llah. Later he was given leave to return to 'Iraq, for his family was there, and he remained in that city for a while, dreaming and remembering.

Then a great calamity occurred in 'Iraq, and all four brothers with their n.o.ble uncle were taken prisoner. Victimized, captive, they were brought to Mosul. The uncle, aqa Mu?ammad-Ri?a, was an old man, illumined of mind, spiritual of heart, a man detached from all worldly things. He had been extremely rich in 'Iraq, enjoying comforts and pleasures, but now in Hadba-Mosul-he became the chief victim among the prisoners, and suffered dire need. He was dest.i.tute, but remained dignified, patient, content, and thankful. Keeping to himself in an out-of-the-way place, he praised G.o.d day and night until he died. He gave up his heart to his heart's Love, burst from the shackles of this inconstant world and ascended to the Kingdom that endures forever. May G.o.d immerse him in the waters of forgiveness, make him to enter the garden of His compa.s.sion and good pleasure, and keep him in Paradise till the end of time.

As for Mu?ammad-?adiq, he too, in Mosul, was subjected to hards.h.i.+ps on G.o.d's path. He too was a soul at rest, well-pleased with his Lord and well-pleasing unto Him. In the end he too replied to the voice of the King of Glory: "Lord, here am I!" and came to fulfill the verses: "O thou soul who art well-a.s.sured, return unto thy Lord, well-pleased, and well-pleasing unto Him. Enter thou among My servants; enter Thou My Paradise."(45)

And Mu?ammad-'Ali, once he was freed from captivity, hastened from Mosul to the Holy Land, to the precincts of inexhaustible grace. Here he still lives. Although he suffers hards.h.i.+p, his heart is at peace. As for his brother Ibrahim, referred to above, he also came on from Mosul to Akka, but to a region close by. There with patience, calm, contentment, but difficulty, he engaged in trade, meanwhile mourning the ascension of Baha'u'llah by day and night. Lowly and contrite, with his face turned toward the mysterious realms of G.o.d, he wore his life away. At the end, consumed by the years, hardly able to move about, he came to Haifa, where he found a corner of the travelers' hospice to live in, and spent his time humbly calling upon G.o.d, entreating Him, offering praise. Little by little, eaten away with age, his person began its dissolution, and at the end he stripped off the garment of flesh and with his unclothed spirit took flight to the realm of the All-Merciful. He was transported out of this dark life into the s.h.i.+ning air, and was plunged in a sea of lights.

May G.o.d brighten his grave with spreading rays, and lull his spirit with the fannings of Divine compa.s.sion. Upon him be the mercy of G.o.d, and His good pleasure.

As for aqa Habibu'llah, he too was made a captive in 'Iraq and was banished away to Mosul. For a long time, he lived in that city, subjected to hards.h.i.+ps, but remaining content, and his faith increasing day by day.

When famine came to Mosul life was harder than ever on the outsiders, but in the remembrance of G.o.d their hearts were at rest,(46) and their souls ate of food from Heaven. Thus they endured it all with astonis.h.i.+ng patience, and the people wondered at those strangers in their midst who were neither distressed nor terrified as the others were, and who continued to offer praise day and night. "What amazing trust," the people said, "they have in G.o.d!"

Habib was a man with a great store of patience and a joyous heart. He accustomed himself to exile and he lived in a state of yearning love.

After the departure from Ba_gh_dad, the prisoners of Mosul were constantly made mention of by Baha'u'llah; with regard to them, He expressed His infinite favor. A few years afterward, Habib hastened away to the encompa.s.sing mercy of G.o.d, and found a nest and refuge on the boughs of the celestial Tree. There, in the Paradise of all delights, with wondrous songs he poured out his praise of the bountiful Lord.

aQa MU?AMMAD-IBRaHiM

Mu?ammad-Ibrahim, who bore the t.i.tle of Mansur-Victorious-was a coppersmith. This man of G.o.d, yet another among the emigrants and settlers, was a native of Ka_sh_an. In the early flowering of his youth he recognized the newborn Light and drank deep of the holy cup that is "tempered at the camphor fountain."(47) He was a man of pleasing disposition, full of zest and the joy of life. As soon as the light of faith was lit in his heart, he left Ka_sh_an, journeyed to Ba_gh_dad, and was honored with coming into the presence of Baha'u'llah.

aqa Mu?ammad had a fine poetic gift, and he would create verses like stringed pearls. In Zawra-that is, Ba_gh_dad, the Abode of Peace-he was on amicable terms with friend and stranger alike, ever striving to show forth loving-kindness to all. He brought his brothers from Persia to Ba_gh_dad, and opened a shop for arts and crafts, applying himself to the welfare of others. He, too, was taken prisoner and exiled from Ba_gh_dad to Mosul, after which he journeyed to Haifa, where day and night, lowly and humble, he chanted prayers and supplications and centered his thoughts on G.o.d.

He remained a long time in Haifa, successfully serving the believers there, and most humbly and un.o.btrusively seeing to the travelers' needs.

He married in that city, and fathered fine children. To him every day was a new life and a new joy, and whatever money he made he spent on strangers and friends. After the slaying of the King of Martyrs, he wrote an elegy to memorialize that believer who had fallen on the field of anguish, and recited his ode in the presence of Baha'u'llah; the lines were touching in the extreme, so that all who were there shed tears, and voices were raised in grief.

aqa Mu?ammad continued to live out his life, high of aim, unvarying as to his inner condition, with fervor and love. Then he welcomed death, laughing like a rose suddenly full-blown, and crying, "Here am I!" Thus he quitted Haifa, exchanging it for the world above. From this narrow slip of land he hastened upward to the Well-Beloved, soared out of this dust heap to pitch his tent in a fair and s.h.i.+ning place. Blessings be unto him, and a goodly home.(48) May G.o.d sheathe him in mercies; may he rest under the tabernacles of forgiveness and be brought into the gardens of Heaven.

ZAYNU'L-aBIDiN YAZDi

One of the emigrants who died along the way to the Holy Land was Zaynu'l-abidin of Yazd. When, in Man_sh_ad, this devoted man first heard the cry of G.o.d, he was awakened to restless life. A holy pa.s.sion stirred him, his soul was made new. The light of guidance flamed from the lamp of his heart; the love of G.o.d sparked a revolution in the country of his inner self. Carried away by love for the Loved One's beauty, he left the home that was dear to him and set out for the Desired Land.

As he traveled along with his two sons, gladdened by hopes of the meeting that would be his, he paused on every hilltop, in every plain, village and hamlet to visit with the friends. But the great distance stretching out before him changed to a sea of troubles, and although his spirit yearned, his body weakened, and at the end he sickened and turned helpless; all this when he was without a home.

Sick as he was, he did not renounce the journey, nor fail in his resolve; he had amazing strength of will, and was determined to keep on; but the illness worsened with every pa.s.sing day, until at last he winged his way to the mercy of G.o.d, and yielded up his soul in a longing unfulfilled.