IMPRISONED AS BABI.

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A reed pen of Baha'u'llah
On display at British Museum, Nov 2017


When the Bab declared His mission in 1844, Baha'u'llah, who was then in His twenty-seventh year, boldly espoused (supported) the Cause of the new Faith, of which He soon became recognized as one of the most powerful and fearless exponents.
    
        He had already twice suffered imprisonment for the Cause, and on one occasion had undergone the torture of the bastinado (punish or torture by caning the soles of His foot), when in August 1852, an event occurred fraught (worried) with terrible consequences for the Babis. One of the Bab's followers, a youth named Sadiq, had been so affected by the martyrdom of his beloved Master, of which he was an eye-witness, that his mind became deranged (abnormal), and, in revenge, he waylaid (attacked) the Shah and fired a pistol at him. Instead of using a bullet, however, he charged his weapon with small shot, and although a few pellets (small, compressed substance) struck the Shah, no serious harm was done. the youth dragged the Shah from his horse, but was promptly seized by the attendants of his Majesty and put to death on the spot. The whole body of Babis was unjustly (not morally fair) held responsible for the deed, and frightful massacres (brutal killing of many people) ensued (occurred). Eighty of them were forthwith (immediately) put to death in Tihran with the most revolting (disgusting) tortures. Many others were seized and put into prisons, among them being Baha'u'llah. He afterwards wrote:-

        "We were in no wise connected with that evil deed, and Our innocence was indisputably (without denial) established by the tribunals. Nevertheless, they apprehended (arrested) Us, and from Niyavaran, which was then the residence of His Majesty, conducted Us, on foot and in chains, with bared head and bare feet, to the dungeon (strong underground prison cell) of Tihran. A brutal man, accompanying Us on horseback, snatched off Our hat, whilst We were being hurried along by a troop of executioners and officials. We were consigned (put in) for four months to a place foul beyond comparison. As to the dungeon in which this Wronged One and others similarly wronged were confined, a dark and narrow pit were preferable. Upon Our arrival We were first conducted along a pitch-black (completely dark) corridor, from whence (from where) We descended three steep flights of stairs to the place of confinement assigned to Us. The dungeon was wrapped in thick darkness, and Our fellow-prisoners numbered nearly a hundred and fifty souls:thieves, assassins (a member of Shia Muslim sect who at the time of Crusades was sent out on a suicidal mission to murder prominent enemies) and highwaymen (a man who held up travellers at gunpoint in order to rob them). Though crowded, it had no other outlet than the passage by which We entered. No pen can depict that place, nor any tongue describe its loathsome (horrible) smell. Most of these men had neither clothes nor bedding to lie on. God alone knoweth what befell (will happen to) Us in that most foul-smelling and gloomy place.

        "Day and night, while confined in that dungeon, We meditated upon the deeds, the condition, and the conduct of the Babis, wondering what could have led a people so high-minded, so noble, and of such intelligence, to perpetrate (to commit an immortal action) such an audacious (bold) and outrageous (shocking) act against the person of His Majesty. This Wronged One, thereupon, decided to arise, after His release from prison, and undertake, with the utmost vigour (physical strength and good health), the task of regenerating this people. 

        "One night, in a dream, these exalted words were heard on every side: 'Verily, We shall render Thee victorious by Thyself and by Thy Pen. Grieve Thou not for that which hath befallen Thee, neither be Thou afraid, for Thou art (you are) in safety. Ere long (in the near future) will God raise up the treasures of the earth - men who will aid Thee through Thyself and through Thy Name, wherewith God hath revived the hearts of such as have recognised Him.'  - BAHA'U'LLAH, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf.





 

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