The Dawn-Breakers Study Outline
Chapter 7
6) Jump to the actual Chapters of The Dawn-Breakers:Intro.1 Intro.2 Preface 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Epilogue Other Sections
Introduction Preface 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Epilogue
For other sections, see the Contents page.
While travelling on that voyage, he related that despite passengers' panic, He and Quddús were not perturbed.
He had to content Himself with sweet lemons due to scarcity of water. He praised the work of mariners due to its arduousness. The quarrels among the pilgrims, He declared undid the good of the pilgrimage and said the House of God has no need of such people.
As a result of this, He besought God to speedily improve the means of ocean travel and to reduce its hardships and perils. The Persian Gulf now has ocean liners which can bring people across in a few days and with comfort.
In concern for details of new machinery, peoples of the West have lost sight of its Source, misused its power, and misunderstood its function. It was intended for peace and happiness but used for destruction and war.
The Báb went by camel while Quddús insistently accompanied on foot, joyously and prayerfully ministering to His needs and sleeplessly keeping vigil at night.
A Bedouin snatched His saddlebag and His servant sought to pursue him but was prevented. He praised his servant but said that the Arab would bring these Writings further than they could have, reassuring him as He similarly did for others at other times.
(133) He meditated all day before festival, then purchased 19 lambs, sacrificing 9 for Himself, 7 for Quddús, and 3 for His servant. He distributed the meat among the poor.
Despite it being winter, the heat induced them not to perform the rite in their usual garments.
(134) He, out of deference, kept His turban and cloak on, performing all of the rites with dignity, simplicity and reverence.
The Báb met Mírzá Muhít-i-Kirmání while he was facing the Black Stone. He took His hand, pointed out his belief to be the successor of Shaykh Ahmad and Siyyid Kázim, made claim that none but Him could be the Gate, declared His proof to be that He will reveal verses to demonstrate its truth, calling him to either accept His Cause unreservedly or repudiate it entirely, refused to let go unless he agreed or until he publicly repudiated His Cause, and proclaimed the power of His Truth.
Mírzá Muhít was overpowered and with fear and confusion acknowledge Him and prayed for forgiveness and mercy, and assured his allegiance.
The Báb called the shrine and Quddús as witnesses and called upon Muhít to set forth his problems so that He might reassure him. He responded with questions but said that he had to leave immediately for Medina. The Báb complied and said He would reveal His answers, that they would reach him in Karbilá if not in Medina, and that anything He did was to his own behoof.
Mírzá Muhít reexpressed his resolve but was unable to withstand His majesty and fled in terror, stayed awhile but left Medina despite his pledge and conscience for Karbilá. The Báb fulfilled His promise and had it delivered.
Mírzá Muhít was unmoved by its tone and consistently yet secretly opposed the Faith, sometimes supporting Hájí Mírzá Karím Khán, and occasionally claiming to be an independent leader.
Feigned submission to Bahá'u'lláh and sought to meet His presence. Bahá'u'lláh described the prerequisites of seeking and called him to come if he sought Him with sacrifice. He did not comply and died shortly after reaching his home.
Wrote letter to Sherif right after completing last rites of pilgrimage, calling him to embrace the Cause. Quddús delivered letter.
The Sherif failed to respond to the call.
Hájí Níyáz-i-Baghdádí told Nabíl that in 1850-1851 he went on pilgrimage and met the Sherif who told him that he had met a Youth in the year '60 during pilgrimage Who presented him with a sealed book which he accepted but was too preoccupied to read. After pilgrimage he read it, was moved, and gathered from it that a Persian man was announcing the coming of the Qá'im. Hájí Níyáz told him of the Youth Who publicly asserted He could reveal verses to surpass the Qur'án in volume and beauty and that He had been martyred. The Sherif expressed indignation at their cruel treatment (as they had their illustrious ancestors) and ended the conversation.
The Báb then went to Medina.
He called to mind the events in the city's walls testifying to the power of Muhammad's genius, prayed when approaching His holy sepulchre, recalled His Herald, Shaykh Ahmad-i-Ahsá'í, and the holy pioneers and martyrs who had sealed the triumph of the Cause.
They seemed to be begging Him not to leave back to Persia where His foes might bring eternal damnation upon themselves.
The Báb responded not to fear or grieve for He was called there to bear witness to the glory of sacrifice and that He and Quddús would be sacrificed to the King of Glory, watering and reviving thereby the Tree that will gather all of the peoples of the earth under its shadow.
The Declaration of the Báb's Mission
(Condensed Summary of Chapter 7)
A. The quarrels on the journey led to His prayer to ease the ardor of ocean travel which was soon fulfilled.
B. His writings were snatched on the way to Mecca but He assured His servant that they would travel further as a result.
C. The Báb reverently followed all of the rites of pilgrimage.
A. During His visit to the Black Stone, He challenged Mírzá Muhít to either denounce the Cause or accept it, refusing to let go until He chose one or the other.1. Mírzá Muhít acknowledged Him then but failed to fulfill a promise to stay in Medina to receive a response to his questions from the Báb. He later opposed the Cause sometimes as a follower of other enemies and sometimes as a leader.B. The Sherif of Mecca received a letter from the Báb via Quddús but he failed to read it. He later expressed His sadness at the treachery affecting the Bábís.
Cross-References for Chapter 7