The Dawn-Breakers Study Outline
Chapter 13
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
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He asked the Báb whether He would stay in Tabríz or be transferred elsewhere. The Báb reminded him that He had foretold that they would be confined in the Jabal-i-Básit (Open Mountain) for 9 months and then to Jabal-i-Shadíd (Grievous Mountain), both among the mountains by Khuy. 5 days later He was transferred to Máh-Kú.
A solid 4-towered stone edifice at the top above the town with 1 road leading down to the closed gate of the government, it was used by its position for reconnosaince.
The Sunní Kurd inhabitants detested the shí'ahs, especially the siyyids. 'Alí Khán's mother was a Kurd and the inhabitants trusted him as the custodian of the castle.
Hájí Mírzá Áqásí hoped to stifle the Movement through His seclusion in this remote and inhospitable region.
The unruly people were subdued by His gentle manners, softened by His ennobling love, humbled by His modesty, & their arrogance mellowed by His wise words. They would seek to commune with Him while catching a glimpse of His face, invoke His name, & adjure one another to declare the truth.
'Alí Khán tried in vain to stem their enthusiasm. He practiced severity in His functions and disallowed His followers from staying in town.
While Siyyid Hasan purchased necessities, Shaykh Hasan-i-Zunúzí acted as intermediary between Báb's followers and Siyyid Hasan who then acquainted the Báb.
The Báb informed Siyyid Husayn that He would speak with 'Alí Khán to alter his severity and conduct Shaykh Hasan to their presence.'Alí Khán surprised him by knocking at their door before sunrise when orders were that no one be admitted at that time. He had appealed to the guards and insisted on being allowed in.
'Alí Khán was standing at the door in utter submission when Siyyid Husayn reached him after having been commanded to usher him in. He humbly and courteously returned his salute and begged to be allowed into His presence. He trembled as he followed him.
He bowed, flung himself at His feet & asked the Báb to be relieved from his doubts. He related how he watched Him in a dream offer His devotions. He was about to rebuke Him for leaving without leave, but after approaching Him and contemplating His action, he was seized with fear. He left to reprove the guards but the gates were closed but opened by his request. He was then ushered into His presence.
The Báb affirmed the truth of his experience and explained that God wished to reveal the Truth to his eyes without punishing him, instilling the love and recognition of Him in his heart.
He henceforth determined to atone for his behavior. He prayed to allow a poor man (Shaykh Hasan) desiring to meet Him into His presence as a means of washing his cruelty away and this was granted.
He sought to relieve the Báb as he was able, enabling any He desired to attain His presence in the daytime.
During this time, He revealed the Persian Bayán, the most weighty, illuminating and comprehensive of all His works with His laws, announcement of the subsequent Revelation, and urging to seek "Him whom God would make manifest" without being veiled by the mysteries in the Bayán.
His voice as He dictated could be heard at the bottom of the mountain, with deeply penetrating chanted melodies and rhythmic flow of verses which re- echoed in the mountain and valley.
The gradual relaxation of stern discipline encouraged disciples from all over to visit Him. They were dismissed after 3 days to work further & consolidate His Faith. 'Alí Khán paid his respects each Friday, assured Him of loyalty and presented Him with choicest fruits and delicacies.
The winter was so severe that the copper was affected and the ablutions water froze upon His face. After prayers, he had Siyyid Husayn read a work composed in praise of Imám Husayn and which lamented his martyrdom. This brought continual tears to the Báb when He completed Bahá'u'lláh's immanent sufferings which the Imám Husayn never endured.
The year of His declaration He saw the head of the Imám Husayn hanging on a tree with His blood dripping profusely from His throat. With His hands, He drank a few drops devoutly and felt His soul possessed by the Spirit of God, thrilling His heart with joy and unfolding mysteries of His Revelation.
Misfortunes affected him as never before, leading to rebellion in Khurásán (due to Hájí Mírzá Áqásí's recklessness). The forces of the Sháh were defeated by the rebels who mercilessly put the captives to death.
Mullá Husayn had been endeavoring despite the rebellion to teach the Cause.
Upon learning of the desire of the Sálár to win his support, he left to avoid implication in the chief's plots. He was attended solely by Qambar-'Alí and intended to visit the Báb in Ádhirbáyján. His friends sought to provide for his comfort on the journey which he declined out of the desire to reach his destination. He even attempted to induce Qambar-'Alí to return.
He was enthusiastically greeted by believers along his way and made similar offers, meeting with the same reply.
Áqáy-i-Kalím described him as seeming embodiment of constancy, piety and virtue with such a force of character as capable of achieving the triumph of the Faith alone.
He was ushered into Bahá'u'lláh's presence.
The night before Mullá Husayn's arrival, 'Alí Khán dreamt that Muhammad was to arrive and offer congratulations to the Báb on Naw-Rúz. He rushed out on foot to meet Him and found Him approaching with a companion. He threw himself at His feet and woke upon bending to kiss the hem of his robe.
He was overjoyed at this dream, performed his ablutions and prayer, dressed in richest attire, put on perfume, and went to the same spot with orders to his attendants to bring 3 of their best steeds. He saw Mullá Husayn approach and offered the horses to which Mullá Husayn declined and related his vow to complete the journey on foot.
After this dream, 'Alí Khán became even more reverential to the Báb. Mullá Husayn met Him, bowed before Him, stood by His side and was affectionately embraced by Him and was conducted into His chamber. With His friends, they celebrated Naw-Rúz with sweetmeats & the choicest fruits.
'Alí Khán then said that he was willing to abide by His wish if He desired Mullá Husayn to spend the night in the castle. His other disciples continued to arrive without the least restriction.
The Báb interpreted the poetry of Háfiz in reference to the banks of the Araxes and the abode of Salmá as Máh-Kú and Chihríq respectively. He explained how the Holy Spirit influences such words from the tongue of poets, leading them often to not understand it themselves.
The Báb also indicated that the verse referring to a tumult in Shíráz and a Youth of sugar-tongue appearing, with His mouth potentially agitating Baghdád as a mystery to be revealed the year after Hín (the year after the intimation of Bahá'u'lláh's Revelation.) He also described how the tongue of poets is the key to the treasures hidden beneath the throne of God.
The Báb predicted His immanent transfer and that this news would reach Mullá Husayn before reaching his destination.
The spies charged to watch 'Alí Khán reported to Hájí Mírzá Áqásí reported that the warden was associating with his captive without restraint and in friendliness. They referred to his desire to wed his daughter to the Báb (Who refused even though he appealed to Mullá Husayn to intercede for him) though he refused the Sháh out of respect to his sunní relatives.
The Vazír, out of fear & resentment, ordered Him transferred to Chihríq.
The Báb bade farewell to the people of Máh-Kú who had since recognized His greatness.
He commanded him to return on foot to his destination as he had arrived for his days of horsemanship were yet to come. He prophesied his future courage, skill and heroism as to eclipse the deeds done by the heroes of old.
He told him to visit the believers of Khuy, Urúmíyyih, Marághih, Mílán, Tabríz, Zanján, Qazvín and Tihrán and convey His love and tender affection to each one of them. He told him to inflame their hearts with God's love, fortify their faith and proceed to Mázindarán where "God's hidden treasure" would be made manifest to him.
He assured him of his mighty achievements to come, as well as strength and guidance in his service.
The Báb addressed to Qambar-'Alí that one of his name in a previous age would glory in his namesake witnessing such a Day for which Muhammad sighed in vain to witness, longing to witness the faces of His brethren.
The Declaration of the Báb's Mission
(Condensed Summary of Chapter 13)
Cross-References for Chapter 13