EXILE TO BAGHDAD.

An original Tablet of the Bab in His own handwriting

This terrible imprisonment lasted four months, but Baha'u'llah and His companions remained zealous (showing great energy) and enthusiastic, in the greatest of happiness. Almost every day one or more of them was tortured or put to death and the others reminded that their turn might come next. When the executioners came to fetch one of the friends, the one whose name was called would literally dance with joy, kiss the hands of Baha'u'llah, embrace the rest of his fellow-believers and then hasten with glad eagerness to the place of martyrdom.

    It was conclusively proved that Baha'u'llah had no share in the plot against the Shah, and the Russian minister testified to the purity of His character. He was, moreover, so ill that it was thought He would die. Instead, therefore, of sentencing Him to death, the Shah ordered that He should be exiled to 'Iraq-i-'Arab, in Mesopotamia; and thither (towards that place), a fortnight later, Baha'u'llah set out, accompanied by His family and a number of other believers. They suffered terribly from cold and other hardships on the long winter journey, and arrived in Baghdad in a state of almost utter destitution (poverty so extreme that one lacks the means to provide for oneself).

    As soon as His health permitted, Baha'u'llah began to teach inquirers (someone who ask) and to encourage and exhort (strongly encourage) the believers, and soon peace and happiness reigned among the Babis.* This, however, was short-lived. Baha'u'llah's half-brother, Mirza Yahya, also known as Subh-i-Azal, arrived in Baghdad, and soon afterwards differences, secretly instigated (initiated) by him, began to grow, just as similar divisions had arisen among the disciples of Christ. These differences (which later, in Adrianople, became open and violent) were very painful to Baha'u'llah, whose whole aim in life was the promotion of unity among the people of the world. 

* This was early in the year 1853, or nine years after the Bab's Declaration, thus fulfilling certain prophecies of the Bab concerning "the year nine."