The Dawn-Breakers Study Outline
Chapter 12
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.
His charm had transformed the guards who resigned themselves to His pleasure. Despite orders to the contrary, they offered to deliver Him to the Haram-i-Ma'súmih in Qum where Imám Ridá's sister is buried and where even the most notorious criminals were immune from arrest.
The Báb remarked that the (true) throne of God is the heart of the true believer and that He would prefer to travel through the country rather than the unholy city where the Imám's sister is praised, but by their acts bring shame to her, her brother and ancestors.
Such sentiments as these instilled such confidence that the Báb could have left without pursuit.
Skirting city of Qum, they stopped at Qumrúd, where they were invited by the village headman and received by the people, touching the Báb with their warmth and spontaneity.
He invoked the Almighty's blessings, cheered them through assurances of His appreciation and love, and departed.
They had reached a village close to Tihrán with the intent to enter Tihrán the next day, when Muhammad Big received a message from Hájí Mírzá Áqásí, directing them to the village of Kulayn where a tent was to be pitched for Him.
The Báb was greatly pleased by its location on the slopes of a hill amid wide stretches of luxuriant orchards and meadows and murmuring streams.
2 days later, Siyyid Husayn-i-Yazdí, Siyyid Hasan, his brother; Mullá 'Abdu'l- Karím, and Shaykh Hasan-i-Zunúzí were invited to lodge near Him.
Mullá Muhammad-Mihdíy-i-Kandí came a day later with Mullá Mihdíy-i-Khu'í, and presented Him a letter and gifts from Bahá'u'lláh, provoking His soul to delight, His face to glow, overwhelming the bearer with gratitude and favour.
He no longer shed tears of anguish as He had since His arrest and departure from Shíráz. He regained a solace and strength which dispelled the sadness aggravated by the perils of captivity.
His cries "Beloved, My Well-Beloved" gave way to praise & thanksgiving, hope & triumph which did not leave until hearing of the disaster at Shaykh Tabarsí.
Horsemen awoke Mullá 'Abdu'l-Karím and companions, who were concerned at the Báb's disappearance. Muhammad Big assured them He would not consent to embarrass others for His own safety. Muhammad Big, who was joined by the Báb's companions, set out on foot for Tihrán to assure the guards. They followed him also, and discerned the Báb about a mile into their journey.
The Báb asked whether Muhammad Big believed Him to have escaped. Muhammad Big immediately replied "Far be it from me to entertain such thoughts" as he threw himself at His feet. A look of confidence, and words of power instilled deep reverence and wonder in them. He did not elaborate on His change.
The Báb's tranquility was disturbed by the receipt of a letter from the Sháh which expressed that he was to be leaving the city and could not receive Him befittingly and that He was to be conducted to the castle of Máh-Kú where He was to be treated with respect and consideration until He might later be summoned to the capital.
This letter was surely actuated by Hájí Mírzá Áqásí who was fearful that the contemplated interview would rob him of his position of power. The Báb had written a letter to the Sháh encouraging him to receive Him so that He might have the opportunity to disprove the divines and establish His Cause.
He sought to have Him banished to a remote corner, withholding his king and country from great benefit & denying himself a potential spiritual ascendancy.
He had undermined the State through his vainness, meanness, folly and incompetence.
Nabíl here describes how the Vazír did not learn from the example of Sa'd-i- Ma'ádh who without royalty or authority became exalted in Islám while Buzurg-Mihr, a wise and most able administrator was disgraced, thrown into a pit, & ridiculed, leading him to such lamenting that he became blind. The Vazír, too, lost his rank and riches and was abased. The properties he had seized along with their costly improvements were confiscated by the State 2 years after His decree to incarcerate the Báb and he was expelled from Tihrán, fell to disease, poverty and a miserable death.
He had been allowed 1 companion and 1 attendant for His journey to Tabríz. He chose Siyyid Husayn-i-Yazdí and Siyyid Hasan, his brother. He refused the funds of the government to pay for His journey, giving them to the poor & needy while paying for His expenses with income earned through trade.
Upon their arrival, the Báb met several of the believers who had sought to meet Him and reportedly revealed several Tablets to the leading 'ulamás of Qazvín and to the Grand Vazír.
The Báb gave a message to Mullá Iskandar (the delegate of Hujjat) to deliver to Sulaymán Khán-i-Afshár that He was the Promised One & commanded him to deliver Him from the oppressor. He failed to respond.
A friend of Mullá Iskandar informed Hujjat, who had been incarcerated in the capital, with the Báb's appeal. Hujjat immediately instructed the believers to do what was necessary to deliver Him at the appropriate moment. Upon joining with believers from Qazvín and Tihrán, all directed by Hujjat, they found the guards asleep and begged the Báb to flee. He confidently replied that "The mountains of Ádhirbáyján too have their claims," advising them to abandon the project and return home.
Upon His impending departure, Muhammad Big appealed to Him for forgiveness as he had not assured for Him a swift and comfortable journey.
The Báb replied that He considered him a believer and assured him that His adherents will eternally bless his conduct and name.
The rest of the guards implored His blessings, kissed His feet, and tearfully bade farewell. The Báb responded with appreciation and assured them of His prayers. These attendants spread the Revelation through their recounting of His wonders on their journey.
The believers of Tabríz set out to meet Him upon His impending approach. The government officials refused them to draw near to Him.
One youth, however, rushed forth barefooted through the city gate, joyously welcomed the advancing horsemen, kissed his stirrups, tearfully exclaimed that he considered them as the apple of his eye (as companions of the Well- Beloved), moving them to allow him into His presence.
He cried out in exultation upon meeting Him & wept profusely, prompting the Báb to dismount, put His arms around him, wipe away his tears, and soothe his agitation. The rest of the believers had to content themselves with a distant glimpse of Him.
The Báb was confined here, guarded by the Násirí regiment (of Muhammad Sháh's to-be-successor) who later were chosen to execute Him with only Siyyid Husayn and his brother.
Many came to see Him: the curious, seekers and the faithful. A multitude gathered as He walked down the street, leading to cries of "Alláh-u-Akbar" by most who saw Him, and by cheers, glorification, blessings, kissing the dust of His footsteps by others.
The crier was ordered to warn that those who sought His presence would have their possessions seized and condemned to perpetual imprisonment.
The former, a noted merchant, with the latter sought His presence, despite the warnings of their friends that they would be exposed to great loss and danger.
As they approached His door, they were immediately arrested. Upon leaving His presence, Siyyid Hasan instantly intervened and vehemently protested that he had been commanded by the Báb to deliver the message that the visitors are allowed to enter as He Himself had invited them.
The guards were immediately silenced and ushered them into His presence.
The Báb declared that the wretched guards were only present as a protection from the multitude and that no one could hinder His meeting with those whom He desired to meet.
After 2 hours, Hájí 'Alí-'Askar was entrusted with 2 cornelian ringstones upon which was to be carved 2 previously given verses, and which was to be mounted and returned to Him. He promised their free access to Him. Each time he approached to ascertain certain details of His wish, he encountered no opposition, verbal or otherwise, nor expected remuneration.
He, who had journeyed with Mullá Husayn, had been confidently promised by him that he should not grieve about having missed him in Tabríz for he would be enabled to meet Him 7 times in return. The Báb surprised him with praise to God on his final visit that he was enabled to complete the number of visits and be given God's loving protection.
The Declaration of the Báb's Mission
(Condensed Summary of Chapter 12)
Cross-References for Chapter 12