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Abstract:
Handful of short extracts and poems from the memoirs of Nabíl-i-A`zam [aka Mullá Muḥammad-i-Zarandí, aka Nabíl-i-Zarandí]. on the conduct of the Bábís in 'Iráq during Bahá'u'lláh's self-imposed exile. From Nabil's unpublished narrative.
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1. IntroductionFadil Mazandarani (Tarikh-i Zuhur Al-Haqq Vol.4 pp 155-170) writes that during Bahá'u'lláh's self-imposed exile at Suleymaniah a number of prominent Babi leaders resided in Iraq. These included Shaykh Abu-Torab Ishtehardi who worked as a scribe and teacher in Sahn-Abbassi, Shaykh Hassan Zunuzi who worked there as a scribe and Haji Siyyid Javad Karbalai, Shaykh Sultan and Haji Mirza Hassan Rashti who stayed in Karbilla. They lived a life of extreme caution and practiced Taqiyyah (dissimulation). They met secretly in fear of their lives and discussed the affairs of this Cause.At the same time the family of the Blessed Beauty had moved from their place of residence - the house of Ali Madad - to a newly refurbished house owned by Suleyman Qanam. Nabil Zarandi writes: "I arrived in Baghdad at a time when six months had lapsed from the departure of the Blessed Beauty. I met with Jinab-I Kalim in secret and he took me to the Holy House (the house owned by Ali Madad) where I had the bounty to meet Abdu'l-Bahá. I requested Jinab-i Kalim to arrange a meeting with Azal. He advised: "Azal will not meet any visitors. I have informed him of your arrival and he instructs you to leave Baghdad immediately and stay with Siyyid Muhammad Isfahani in Karbila." Kalim further elaborated that "If the Blessed Beauty were here, I would not have allowed you to go anywhere. Let me see what I can do. For the time being remain in Karbila and I will invite you back to Baghdad in winter as to work as my scribe."
2. Nabil in KarbilaDuring his stay in Karbila Nabil suffered a great deal of depression because of the martyrdom of the Bab and prominent Babis, and observing the negative activities of Siyyid Muhammad Isfahani and Mirza Yahya. He even contemplated suicide and was talked out of it by Abdu'l Javad the son of Haji Mirza Hassan Rashti. He writes:"I then saw my Mahdi in a new world and became revitalised. I wrote a number of pages without pause and invited Siyyid Muhammad Azali[1] to myself using my own verses. He shared some of these verses with other friends. Everyone admitted that they appear superior to Azal's writings. Jinab-i Sayyah[2] who was an adherent of Dayyan became influenced and interested. Then I started to attract whomever I could to myself. I even wrote to Azal thus:O Vahid:My predicament was such that every time I met Bahá'u'lláh, I became infatuated and did not realise my own existence. And then when I met persons other than Him, I assumed a position for myself. As a result they conspired against me and wrote letters of complaint to Baghdad. I returned to Baghdad. However, I remained embarrassed about my conduct in Karbila which was in clear breach of Baha'u’llah's wishes. For this reason I did not attend His presence. I wrote a letter requesting permission to travel to Iran. Bahá'u'lláh summoned me to His presence and advised: "Travelling to Iran is acceptable provided that your words do not provide an excuse to others once again. Understand that this will be detrimental to you and the Cause of God." 3. Nabil's PoetryFadil Mazandarani quotes the following verses revealed by Nabil during this period:He who considers himself the Mirror of Bayan,
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