The Dawn-Breakers Study Outline
Chapter 14
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.
'Alí Khán sought to provide for Mullá Husayn's comfort by prolonging his stay but Mullá Husayn refused to delay.
Mullá Husayn visited every town and village the Báb had directed him to, conveyed the love and assurances of the Báb, quickened their zeal, exhorted them to remain steadfast.
In Tihrán he met Bahá'u'lláh and received from His hands the spiritual sustenance needed to brave the perils he was to face.
In Mázindarán Mullá Husayn sought "God's hidden treasure."
Quddús was living in Bárfurúsh in what had been his father's home. Through his gentle association with all classes and his wide range of learning, he won the affection and admiration of the people of the town.
Mullá Husayn went directly to his home upon arriving & was affectionately received by him, removing the dust from his feet with his hands and washing the blistered skin of his feet. He offered him the seat of honour in the company of friends and reverently introduced the believers to him.
After all had left, Quddús asked Mullá Husayn about his experiences with the Báb at Máh-Kú.
Mullá Husayn informed him that he had heard and witnessed much during his 9 days association but was assured of some hidden treasure which will unveil the task he is destined to perform which he had not yet discovered.
As he was not promised this time by the Báb that they would meet again (he would be followed by the Báb in his destination) and by His words foretelling sacrifice, he surmised it was the time for his martyrdom
Quddús asked him whether he had any of His writings with him, and he responded that he did not. Quddús then presented him with the pages of a manuscript which led Mullá Husayn to suddenly and completely change his countenance, showing admiration and surprise at its loftiness and profundity and causing agitation in his heart and praise from his lips.
Mullá Husayn then testified to the inspiration of the words and his acceptance of its truth. By Quddús' silence, he concluded that he in fact penned the words. He then stood with bowed head at the threshold of the door and declared that he had discovered the hidden treasure and the reflection of His glory.
Nabíl here remarks about the foolish belief of the Vazír that he could conceal the Flame of God's Fire, and that he was in fact helping to diffuse its light.
Nabíl also praises Mullá Husayn for his charm, integrity and courage who could have won the authority of Siyyid Kázim's disciples had he claimed to be the Qá'im. Mullá Muhammad-i-Mámáqání had proved this as he had testified to Mullá Husayn's character and knowledge (though he had refused to heed Mullá Husayn since he chose to "subordinate himself to another person."). Siyyid Báqir-i-Rashtí had been humbled by Mullá Husayn who demonstrated such strength to him that he believed him capable of proving the day to be night to the learned divines.
Nabíl relates that though Mullá Husayn was at first tempted to belittle the claims of the son of a merchant of Shíráz, he was able to perceive the benefits latent in His Revelation once the Báb had begun to relate His theme to him and discarded his own sense of hindering superiority and championed the Cause. Mullá Husayn was likewise sagacious in recognizing the worth and merit of the person and utterance of Quddús.
Mullá Husayn then became transformed through his loyalty and deference to Quddús and desire to ensure his welfare and safety. This was solely due to his recognition of his latent power and noble character.
The believers were surprised to find Mullá Husayn the next morning in the position of humbly attending to his host who was in the place of honour.
Quddús instructed him to take the rod of wisdom and might and silence the evil plotters who sought to discredit the Faith, facing the multitude and confounding their forces. He was to place his reliance upon God's grace and regard their plottings as futile attempts to obscure the Cause's radiance.
He also instructed him to interview the Sa'ídu'l-'Ulamá', the notorious and false- hearted tyrant, & disclose the distinguishing features of the Revelation to him.
He instructed him then to go to Khurásán & build a house for them & guests in Mashhad & invite every receptive soul to it to prepare to proclaim the Cause.
Fearlessly and eloquently Mullá Husayn arose and pleaded the Cause amidst the Sa'ídu'l-'Ulamá''s and his disciples with an appeal for him to disentangle his mind from the past toward eternal salvation. He vigourously defeated every argument he was given by him with unanswerable logic.
Fearful of losing his disciples, the Sa'ídu'l-'Ulamá attacked him, ignored his proofs and asserted the futility of the Cause. Mullá Husayn remarked on his "sleep of negligence" and vehemently and emotionally asserted that he was to demonstrate the truth of the Message through his deeds in the future, confounding his hearer.
Mullá Husayn charged a member of the audience to relate to Quddús that, lacking further instructions, he was going to proceed to Khurásán and to carry out his instructions.
He set out alone for Mashhad, preoccupied solely with his heart on God, the wishes of Quddús on his mind, and sustained by his promise.
He bought a house in the neighborhood of Mírzá Muhammad-Báqir-i-Qá'iní in Bálá-Khíyábán and named it Bábíyyih. Quddús arrived shortly thereafter and visitors poured into Quddús' presence, acknowledged the Cause, and enlisted under its banner. Through Mullá Husayn's vigilant efforts to diffuse the knowledge of the Revelation and Quddús' masterly manner of edifying its increasing adherents, enthusiasm swept through Mashhad even out of Khurásán. This house became a center for rallying devotees fired with inflexible resolve to demonstrate the energies of the Faith.
The Declaration of the Báb's Mission
(Condensed Summary of Chapter 14)
Cross-References for Chapter 14