-- provisional translation by Ahang Rabbani
He is God!
In this enlightened age, which is the century of the Almighty God, by the effulgence of the Sun of Reality, the lights of civilization are diffused over all horizons, and human attainments and divine virtues, just as dawn swells in the morning, are so spread in the East and the West that ferocity and bloodshed among mankind are abandoned; nay, rather, in civilized countries they are entirely forgotten. Religious contentions are completely eradicated and the prejudices of the dark ages are abolished. Among diverse groups and tribes no conflicts, discords or hostilities have remained save national conflicts and political ambitions. All peoples and nations, reposing in the cradle of security and safety, are well protected against the cruelty of tyrants.
In Iran, when the Divine Call was raised, the radiant morn
appeared and the Sun of Truth arose, many people were delivered from the lowest
depths of ignorance, attained the highest human perfections, became the center
of heavenly virtues, spirit incarnate and righteousness embodied – appearing in
the world of humanity with spiritual qualities and holy attributes. However,
the adherents of the old religions still held fast to their former teachings
and traditions, and day by day became more ignorant until they degenerated into
ferocious wolves and rabid dogs, even surpassing the ravenous man-eating
beasts. Thus, they began to oppose those holy souls, each day instigating
persecution, every hour causing new oppressions, each moment kindling the fires
of destruction, burning the sanctified ones in the flames of hatred and malice,
setting their heads upon spears, torturing, their children, plundering houses
and property, looting wealth and possessions, and banishing women and children
from their native land. The honorable were debased, the revered were despised,
and the virtuous were taken captive.
Among such outrages are numbered the recent events of Yazd
and Isfahán, which caused the hearts to burn and quake, and the people of
equity to shed tears of blood and beat their breasts. Although the Bahá’ís are
brave and courageous, and in the field of combat each able to battle a large
number of opponents, and when war ensues they manifest such valor as would
quickly break the ranks of their foes [1] , as it has been proven that in
bravery they have no equal or like, yet, because by the divine and firm decree
of God, they are commanded to maintain universal peace and entrusted with
absolute meekness, when tyrants extend to them the hand of cruelty, attacking
them like blood-thirsty wolves, the Divine Friends must submit like lambs
before them, without offering the least resistance, accepting the wounds of
daggers and swords as babes accept the honey and milk [from their mothers],
kissing the hand of the assassin while receiving a stab in the heart; and,
while yielding their lives in the path of God, begging His forgiveness for the
oppressors and asking for remission of their sins.
This approach and behavior, however, has caused those ferocious animals and malicious snakes and scorpions to day by day increase their repression, staining their hands with the blood of their victims, taking the path of tyranny and never showing any mercy. In such wise these recent events of cruelty and violence have added to the manifold events of the past, and indeed eclipsed those afflictions and sufferings of former times.
In summary, this is what occurred. In these days, the ‘ulama
of the Shi’ite sect, that is, the old religion of Iran, saw that the Divine
Call was raised and that the peoples of the East and of the West were moved. The
effulgence of the Sun of Reality beamed forth so radiantly that all eyes were
brightened, the standard of God’s Cause was hoisted, and the people flocked in
multitudes under the tent of God’s Words. Shi’ites were converted to the Bahá’í
Faith, and even the Jews were overtaken with such enthusiasm and fervor that,
ere long, none would be found in Iran who had not accepted this divine
guidance. So with the Zoroastrians – Iran’s ancient religion – who had rejected
all the prophets from Abraham to Moses as well as Christ and the Messenger of
God [Muhammad], but now a majority of whom have come to accept, believe and
confess to all Holy Scriptures and books of the prophets of God, and they are
also recognized as Bahá’ís in all sincerity and faithfulness. Thus the
witnessing of all these things caused the wicked ‘ulamá to be so filled with
hatred and jealousy that patience became exhausted, and at every moment they
kindled a new fire of animosity, instigating and compelling by all possible
means the ignorant rabble and vicious idlers to shed the blood of these wronged
ones.
One of the wicked ‘ulamá (Najafí [2]), living at present in
Isfahán, whose father [3] stained his hands with the blood of
Sultánu’sh-Shuhadá and Mahbúbu’sh-Shuhadá [4], was denounced by Bahá’u’lláh as
the “Wolf,” and himself as the “Son of the Wolf.” Everyone wondered concerning
the significance of these titles and what harm will come from him, until
recently the wisdom of these names was revealed, as the following will testify.
The beginning of this turmoil, caused by the wicked ‘ulamá
and their ignorant followers in Iran, took place in the city of Rasht in the
month of March (1903), corresponding to the month of Muharram (1321 A.H.) [5].
At first the ignorant ‘ulamá incited the common people, vagabonds and idlers to
loot and rob the friends [Bahá’ís], and enticed them to commit persecutions and
malice, and these, filled with greed, assaulted like wolves attacking the lambs
of God.
One of their deeds was the disinterment of the body of a believer
who had recently died, after which they cut it to pieces before setting on
fire. During his life this man had shown great sincerity and kindness to all
the people, who, including the enemies and even the ignorant ‘ulamá, testified
to his moral character, rectitude, trustworthiness and great love. They said,
“This is a just, honorable and faithful man, but he is a Bahá’í.” His only sin
was that “he was a Bahá’í!” That is, from earthly he became heavenly, from
material he became spiritual, from worldly he became holy.
Praise unto God! How astonishing! They peruse the Qur’án,
perceiving the counsels and exhortations of God, still they are fierce and
bloodthirsty, and consider oppression to be one of the requirements of the
sacred Shari’at [Islamic Law], thus defaming and denigrating Islam in the sight
of all nations. The just King of Iran endeavored to restrain these thugs and
vagabonds from their oppression, but found himself unable to do so. They
plundered and pillaged the property of the Bahá’ís, and bitterly tortured the
friends [of God]. This caused the ‘ulamá to incite the rabble to commit the
same things in other cities of Iran.
One of them is the “Son of the Wolf” in Isfahán. Even though
through various means he has amassed a vast fortune, stealing it all from the
people, is immersed in all forms of carnal desires, and everyone testifies to
his ill-intentions, nevertheless the ignorant population follows his lead. For
the purpose of plundering the friends’ possessions, they obey his command, extending
their hands to pillage and trying brute force. When this man witnessed the
ascendancy of God’s Cause and the rise of the Divine Words, his breast was
filled with the fire of hatred and jealousy. He raised the standard of mischief
and caused enmity.
He started by confusing the minds of the people by forging a
telegram in the name of the Prime Minister of Iran and ordering his trusted
confederates, under the cover of night, to post four hundred copies upon the
walls of the city. The essence of this telegraph was: “Shaykh Taqí, the
Hujjatu’l-Islam, must protect the religion (of Islam).” This telegram was a
pure fabrication and lie. Nevertheless when morning came, the rabbles and
vagabonds seeing and hearing of it became excited and proceeded to the house of
Shaykh Taqi, who immediately issued a fatwá [6] for murder of the innocent
Bahá’ís.
It is evident that in midst of such tumult and under such
circumstances when the guide of an ignorant populace issues such a fatwá what
commotion and mischief results. The ravenous mob invaded the shops and houses
of the believers and began to destroy and pillage. But the divine friends,
knowing it to be unlawful to defend themselves without the permission and
consent of the government, were obliged to appeal to the Governor of the city.
Finding him, for some reason and purpose, negligent in the matter, they thought
it best to gather the dispersed [Bahá’ís] in one place in order that some
course of action might be determined upon. They assembled in the Russian
Consulate, this being the only door open to them. There they passed the whole
night in prayer, raising the cry, “Yá Bahá’u’l-Abhá!” and at times they
referred their difficulties to the Governor, hoping thereby the mob might be
quieted and the meek defended.
The Governor inquired of Shaykh Taqí the cause of the riot
and asked concerning the telegram, what it was and whence it came. In answer he
declared complete ignorance of the telegraph matter. He then went to the
Russian Consulate and erecting a pulpit, began to outwardly exhort and adjure
the mob, which had assembled, to injure and murder the believers, to disperse.
The Governor then addressed a letter to the friends of God saying: “Be tranquil
and at ease. The tumult has ceased and people have dispersed. Now return to
your homes and attend to your work, and pray meanwhile for His Imperial
Majesty, the King of Iran, for hereafter no one will molest you.” The
Governor’s letter was registered in the Consulate, after which the Bahá’ís came
out of their retreat to go to their own homes.
However, in private, Shaykh Taqí had advised his trusted men
that when the believers emerged from the Consulate proceeding to their own
homes, to incite the mob to attack and slay them. Therefore, when the Friends
of God came out of the Consulate to go home, on the streets, the malicious
multitude attacked them like bloodthirsty wolves, seizing and beating whomever
they could. With utmost viciousness they tortured and wounded in all seventy
people, killing some outright.
The honored Siyyid Abu’l-Qásim Marnuni was one of the
martyrs. This righteous Siyyid was about eighty years of age, and during his
life was renowned in that realm for his piety, faith, knowledge and virtue. He
was evident light and spirit incarnated. Even enemies bore witness to his
chastity and sanctity, testifying to his generosity, charity and benevolence.
He was in truth a help to the poor, and a refuge and support for the afflicted;
his word was influential, honored and accepted by all the people. In his last
days, once he became known as a Bahá’í, then the people of enmity, jealousy and
denial, attacked him. They themselves testify, “When we assaulted him, he cried
out: ‘We are from God and unto Him we return. Yá Bahá’u’l-Abhá!’” And in the
very moment of his expiration he spoke this verse with great joy and
exultation: “You have done us no harm! You are only delivering us to our Lord!”
While his tormentors, like wild beasts, attacked him with rocks, clubs, axes
and cleavers, he, single and alone, under the weapons of his evil-doing
persecutors who were wounding and cursing him, suffered it all in fortitude
with grandeur and majesty. He faced the Kingdom of Lights as though he felt not
a blow nor received a wound, but was rather perceiving the open gates of the
Supreme Concourse, and yielded his life to his Beloved with utmost joy,
happiness and exhilaration.
O that I had been with him to partake of his joy and to
attain his great happiness!
Finally the Governor seeing the intense of the hostility of
those ferocious wolves, His Royal Prince found no other means save to arrest
and seize the divine friends, and as such many were protected by being confined
in prison. Behold how great was the outbreak and tumult that the prison-house
became a place of refuge and the dungeon a court of safety. This much is
sufficient [and the graveness of the matter] needs no further exposition.
When the intensity of the violence and tumult had reached
its zenith in Isfahán, a certain Siyyid Ibráhím, son of Yazd’s Imam Jum’ih, was
returning from the cities of sacred Karbilá and sanctified Najaf. In the
exalted ‘Atabát he had received from Siyyid Kázim Yazdí, the chief of the
[Shi’ite] religion, a fatwá and authority to shed the blood of the innocent.
When he arrived at Isfahán, and perceived the flames of the fire of tyranny and
persecution, read the forged and phony telegram and saw the excitement of the
people, he determined to hasten forthwith to Yazd. He received complete
instructions from Shaykh Taqí to do, upon his arrival, whatever would cause
destruction to the foundation of the friends of God. With these wicked intentions
he reached the city of Yazd.
This decadent man, however, perceived that the Governor
would not tolerate such a violation, deeming it to be a cause of riot and
revolt which would result in the destruction of Iran and the defaming of Iran’s
name. Therefore he carefully devised a stratagem and a ruse. Having arrived by
chance upon the anniversary of the birth of the Messenger of God [Muhammad] –
peace be upon Him – the people of the city came to visit him. In that gathering
he related incidents concerning the rampages in Isfahán, describing in detail
the courage and bravery of the people who had stood for the annihilation of the
Bahá’ís, looting their wealth and property, and pillaging their possessions and
belongings. At the same time, through pure lie and calumny, he insinuated that
– I take refuge with God! – the just Government would connive at such action
and consent to these violations and transgressions. In reality, however, His
Imperial Majesty and the illustrious Prime Minister had no thought save that of
justice and protection for their subjects.
In short, this heartless man commended the people of Isfahán
so greatly that the audience was inspired by religious zeal and fanatical
enthusiasm to eradicate the Bahá’ís. In such ways he encouraged and provoked
many, menaced others who refused to listen, and instigated the rabble and
hoodlums to rob and plunder [the believers].
As a result, the third day after the arrival of that
worthless [man], either through persuasion or force, a mob of ruffians and
vagabonds was assembled. A great multitude, armed with swords and daggers,
invaded the house of the honored [Haji] Mirza Muhammad Sini-saz [tinsmith],
with sticks and clubs beat and injured his wife and suckling babes, broke their
household utensils and fixtures, plundered the furniture and demolished their
home. With great force, they pulled the gentle Haji from his house, and dragged
him in the streets until they arrived at a butcher’s shop, where a bully, like
a wild beast, attacked him and with a meat cleaver, assaulting his blessed head
and cutting it deeply, and causing several more injuries to his chest and side.
It was then that a farash of the Governor arrived and
rescued the poor victim from the hands of his tormentors. His wounds were so
severe, and injuries had been inflicted on him like those by Shimr and Yazid
[7], that wronged man was unable to walk, and thus the farash was obliged to
drag him to the court of the Governor, where he lay motionless. During this
time, his eleven-year old son was at school. His schoolmates, being urged by
their teacher, attacked this innocent lad. The tormented child ran to his
teacher for protection and he, having a stone in place of a heart, commanded
him to curse, insult and deny his religion. However, this wonderful child, with
confidence and faith, refused to do so, saying: “I am only a school boy,
unfamiliar with the reality of affairs. How can I stain my lips with a curse!”
Then that pitiless instructor joined the other school boys,
inflaming the fire of malice and enmity, and committing such a deed of cruelty
which has caused hearts to burn and tears to pour forth from the eyes of
friends and strangers. That inhuman teacher with his pupils, tortured that dear
boy, beating him with sticks, stabbing him with penknives, picking him with
needles and awls in such a manner that the pen is unable to portray it, tongue
cannot utter it, ears are unable to hear it, nor can heart imagine it.
In short, that light of the martyrs’ eye and the first-fruit
of the Abhá Paradise, at the dawn of youth, manifested such constancy and
steadfastness at the time of martyrdom and hastening to the divine altar of
sacrifice, that brave men were stupefied. The teacher himself and the pupils
would relate, “When we were stabbing him he only cried out, ‘Yá Baháu’l Abhá!’
and ‘Yá Mahbubu’l-A`la!’ Never wavering an instant, but with greatest joy and
delight he yielded up life to the Life-Giver!” In this manner he attained the
presence of the Supreme Friend in advance of his noble father.
If there be but a particle of justice, it will testify that
this constancy and firmness, this joy and exhilaration, manifested on the plain
of martyrdom, this cry of “Yá Baháu’l-Abhá!” at the zenith of anguish and pain,
is beyond human endurance, especially when exhibited in a boy of such tender
years. Sanctified is He Who confirmed his heart in God’s love when he hastened
to the field of martyrdom! Sanctified is He Who caused him to utter “Yá
Baháu’l-Abhá!” under the attack of the enemies. Sanctified is He Who caused his
soul to rejoice when ascending to the Supreme Friend! Verily this is but one of
the Signs of the Glorious God!
The blood of that superb child was still flowing when the
malicious crowd killed his illustrious maternal uncle with utmost cruelty and
torture, chopping his body until it was a mass of pieces. And this prince of
faithfulness, under the keen sword of the foes, was heard saying, “I am content
with the fate decreed by God, redeeming myself for the sake of His Mighty
Cause.”
The evildoers then with ropes tied the sacred remains of the
benevolent father, the pure-hearted son and the sanctified uncle, and disgracefully
hauled them through the streets, clubbing and stoning their mutilated corpses,
meanwhile clapping and cheering, until they reached the town square, where they
threw the bodies. The mother of that fine child, seeing her martyred son, her
husband slain by the severest cuts, and her brother covered with blood and
dust, began to weep and bitterly cry over the wrongs they had suffered, and
especially that of the child. One can imagine what must have been the condition
of that wretched of the worlds, while being held captive by the people of
enmity, upon finding those sanctified bodies thus hacked to pieces before her.
Such viciousness, ferocity, bloodthirstiness, tyranny and
injustice have not been heard of in ancient or medieval times – even among the
most brutal criminals or the wilds of Africa. Possibly barbarous tribes, in
moments of revenge for massacres and severe losses in battle, might have
produced deeds of similar brutality. That would be the mere returning of
vengeance and attempting retribution. But such tyranny and gross injustice has
never been witnessed from the hand of foes or the attack of enemies, as was
poured out upon these angelic, pure minded, trustworthy, righteous and pure
hearted souls – people that were kind to all, well-wishers of the world of
humanity, renowned for their goodly characters, and even praised by their
oppressors and well-known as innocent and guiltless. If we refer to all the
histories of the world, we will see that such oppression and tyranny on the
part of the enemies of God toward the lovers of the Merciful One, is
unparalleled and unequaled, especially when we consider that not one of these
martyrs ever stretched his hand in defense, nor uttered an uncivil word at the
time of martyrdom. Nay, rather, with utmost concentration on the Supreme
Concourse, with humility, submissiveness, tenderness and exaltation of spirit,
they were praying until they surrendered their souls into the Hand of the
LifeGiver.
Sanctified be God! The government of His Imperial Majesty, the
Shah of Iran – may God protect his dominion – has strictly forbidden hunters
from killing birds during the season of breeding, or to discharge a gun even
into the air, it being considered cruel and unlawful that during the hatching
period the young ones should be killed, or even startled or troubled by the
sound of a gun. But the Bahá’ís, notwithstanding their innocence and purity,
with righteousness and deeds approved at the Divine Threshold, were the victims
of their own countrymen, and made to suffer such calamity, and were the object
of such enmity. Consider the equity and tenderness of the Crowned Majesty [the
Shah], and how stony-hearted are the people of the old religion.
In short, on that day, in course of this mighty cataclysm
and the outbreak of this inferno of malice, gates and houses were burned,
dwellings invaded, and they destroyed, beat, killed, and plundered all. The
Governor tried as far as possible to protect [the believers], but he was unable
to do so and his efforts remained futile. However, the aforementioned Siyyid
Ibráhím, who was the Imam Jum’ih and the chief of the adversaries [of the
Bahá’ís], together with a number of the mischief-makers, went to the governor’s
house. There they outwardly denied being the instigators of the revolt and
troubles, whereas in fact they secretly provoked the rabble, vagabonds and
ruffians, and incited them with the prospect of booty, spoils and plunder.
The next day, provoked by the iniquitous clerics, the
merciless mob made a greater assault, robbing and spoiling more than ever. With
the severest tortures, they martyred six holy personages, cutting their bodies
to pieces and throwing them into the town-square, after which they rode horses
over the mutilated corpses of the martyrs and crushed them under the hooves of
their steeds, mixing their blood and flesh with the dust.
Praise be unto God! For one thousand years, the Iranians,
especially the Shi’ites, have been lamenting and loudly weeping over the
tragedy of the Prince of the Martyrs [Imam Husayn] slain upon the plain of
Karbilá – a lamentation that reaches the highest pavilion of heaven – saying,
“The army of the malicious Yazid mercilessly ran their horses over the body of
that Martyred One, crushing Him under the hooves of their steeds!” It is
because of this that Jesus said: “Your fathers killed the Prophets of God, but
you are building their tombs, visiting them, prostrating before them, and
kissing them.” [8] And now this passage exactly reflects the present condition
of the Iranians. With utmost cruelty and wickedness, certain people martyred
Imam Husyan, and now the children of those murderers are mourning and
lamenting, and building and adorning the tombs of the martyrs. How heedless and
negligent are the people!
In sum, the idlers and vagabonds of Yazd, daily advancing in
tyranny and mayhem, are becoming bolder and more impertinent. A brief report
has reached us that by Friday the number of martyrs had exceeded one hundred.
This special reporter, in a brief letter, written in great sorrow and sadness,
states:
“Alas! Alas! And again alas! Our hearts are burning! Our
breasts are filled with sorrow and grief! The cry of lamentation is raised high
and the shriek of mourning heard in all directions. The hand trembles in
writing and the heart brims with utmost pain. The eye is tearful and the ears
unable to hear the account of that persistent tyranny. Every day there is a
greater calamity, and every moment brings a manifest outcry.
“In the city of Yazd there are nearly five thousand Bahá’í
households – none have a moment of rest or peace. They have no supper at night
and no meal during the day. By the depth of their sorrow and grief, their food
has become pieces of their liver, and for water they drink their tears,
expecting at each moment the attack of the pillaging and murdering enemies, to
persecute and take captive the women and children. The majority is hungry,
thirsty and naked. The women especially are suffering so keenly on account of
the slaughter of their fathers and husbands and the martyrdom of their
brothers, and in such despair that they know not how to care for their suckling
babes.” [9]
In brief, the steadfastness of these souls under the swords
of persecution, their resignation and acquiesce while facing thousands of
enemies, the joy and exhilaration of these luminous realities at the Divine
Altar, the constancy of the confirmed women, the strength and faith of the holy
maid-servants, patience in coping with massacre, beating, plunder, and the
martyrdom of children, and the steadfastness of the young children themselves,
are all the greatest proofs of the sincerity and faithfulness of the friends.
Especially when in the time of this oppression and tyranny, they raised not a
hand in defense of themselves, but rather considered self-sacrifice a great
blessing and self-redemption as the greatest bounty of the world of humanity.
They quaffed the overflowing cup of martyrdom as exhilarating wine. They sought
not to withhold their lives from the sword, nor their throats from the dagger.
They beheld destruction of their homes and dwellings, and yielded wealth and
possessions to the plunderers and pillagers. Women and children were made
helpless and homeless, and with utmost joy and gladness offered up their lives
at the feet of the Divine Beloved, and without uttering a single word at which
their murderers could take offense. Rather, they entreated intercession for
them, asking God’s forgiveness and blessing upon their persecutors.
Had they raised their hands in defense, a single soul could
have withstood a large multitude, as was written by one of the friends from
Yazd, his own words being as follows:
“God has tied the hands of all, giving no permission for
defense; otherwise no one would be able to be impertinent [towards us]. But,
knowing that we never transgress the revealed Ordinances by raising the hands
of resistance, the enemies are able to massacre, rob, and shed pure blood with
great audacity. Had they thought we would defend ourselves, the leaders and
their followers would not have dared to breathe or utter a word against us. We
yearn, however, for martyrdom in the Path of God, and ask it with all our
hearts and souls. Only do we implore a refuge for our families, wives and
children. Should we not do so, we fear we would be accused of neglect;
otherwise, life itself has no merit and is not worthy to be offered as ransom
in the Path of God. If it be accepted, it is our greatest honor and glory.”
If such martyrdom, submission to pillage and plunder, loss
of home and property, captivity of women and children, giving up of life with
utmost joy, or such a cry in the throes of martyrdom as “Yá Bahá’u’l-Abhá!” or
the shout of “Yá Rabbiya’l-A’la!” or the roar of “You have done us no harm, you
have only transmitted us to our Lord!” or the melody of “Is there no one to
witness how I offer up my life?” – if all these things do not prove
steadfastness and constancy, and demonstrate the greatest evidence of
faithfulness, spirituality and love in these holy souls; then from what shall we
produce the evidence of steadfastness and firmness? Thus, “seek ye death, if ye
are sincere!” [10] Should they write the description of what befell them with
the ink of their blood, of a certainty the pages of the leaves of the world
would not be sufficient.
If these souls be condemned, then from what shall we prove
the steadfastness of the Prophets, the firmness of the chosen ones, and the
constancy of the believers during past centuries? For the greatest virtue, for
which the Prophet [Muhammad] was commended, was only his ability to “stand
steadfast as thou art commanded.” [11]
In short, the last information from Yazd, conveyed by the
illustrious Siyyid Mihdi Afnan, the offshoot of the Divine Lote Tree, is as
follows:
“The number of the martyrs has reached one hundred and
seventy pure souls, which we know of. Of those martyred that we have not
counted, God knows. Several thousand houses, shops and stores have been robbed
and plundered, and many homes have been burned. Women and children have been
left helpless and neglected; left naked, hungry and homeless, without a kind
protector, or a friend or an assistant or a companion. They go from door to
door seeking shelter, all the while thanking God, day and night, for their
mighty calamities, saying: ‘Praise be unto God that we have received such
affliction and hardship in the Path of God! We have been the targets for a
thousand shafts of oppression in the Path of His Love! This was the utmost
desire of our hearts and souls; this was our comfort and the repose of our
being.”
It was known that these events would take place, and it was
heard from the lips of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá several times that in a large assembly of
the believers last year He stated unequivocally, “Yazd is in great peril. Pray
for it, pray for it.” By the will of God the fulfillment of the following
passages, written by the pen of `Abdu’l-Bahá, will also appear: “Ere long, by
the Command of God, the veils will be raised from the Face of His Cause, and
its refulgence will be reflected upon the horizons of the world. The teachings
of the religion will be promoted, the standards of your Glorious Lord will wave
from the highest edifices; the base of superstitions will be shaken; the veils
of darkness will be rent; the morn of evidences will appear; the Kingdom of
Heaven on earth will shine with the lights of signs. Then ye shall see the
banners of the opposing nations hauled down, the faces of the enemies darkened,
the doctrines of the wicked leaders abolished, and the believers shall be in
great joy while the rejectors shall be in great loss.”
At any rate, on the morning of that Friday, the mob suddenly
assembled from all quarters, crying while attacking, “Alas, our religion! Alas,
our faith! Alas, our creed!” Previous to this they had killed five or six
persons every day, but on that day the guarding soldiers, instigated by the
‘ulamá, allied themselves with the ignorant rabble, and began to pillage. The
vagabonds martyred a number of the believers, beat the women with clubs, hands
and whips, and looted a large number of shops, stores and homes [of the
Bahá’ís]. Many children became fatherless. Many mothers and fathers became
childless. Many sisters became brotherless. How many homes were completely
destroyed! How many families were scattered and made helpless and homeless! How
great the number of the affluent that became penniless! How vast the number of
those reared in beds of comfort now compelled to sleep upon the cold, black
earth! How numerous were the wounded and the ill, with none to care for them or
dress their injuries!
In the time of their execution one would cry out, “Is there
no one to witness how I offer up my life?” Another, “Do you kill us for having
believed in God and His signs?” And another, “Alas, there has appeared no
Prophet unto them who has not been mocked by the people!” [12] And yet another
would exclaim, “I witness that there is no God but God!” and “Yá
Bahá’u’l-Abhá!’ And still other would shout, “We have kept both Bahá and the
khun-bahá [bloodmoney]!” [13] One was loudly chanting the poem of Varqá, called
“Servitude,” while another, with joy and delight, was bidding farewell to his
assassin, saying, “May God preserve you!” upon the utterance of which he was
struck so violently in the mouth that from the blow he yielded up his life. And
yet another martyr, in the time of assault by the enemies, stated, “No king has
ever been accorded such majestic pomp and glory!” A handsome youth, at the
moment of death, cried out joyously, “Tonight is the night of nuptial, and I am
to obtain the Beloved of my heart and the Desire of my soul!”
Praise be unto God! What ignorance is this that the
murderers take the exact last utterances of martyrs, weave them into verses to
be chanted by children in the streets and bazaar, describing the place this one
was martyred, what was his condition, and what he said, and how such a young
man chanted such a verse, and how he was torn into pieces.
There were two gentlewomen who, while mourning in their home
for their martyred kin, were attacked by a cruel mob. First, they beat and
tortured the two wronged women as much as they could, and then dragged them
outside the home, after which they were stabbed and chopped into many pieces
with swords and daggers.
When the ferocity of the people reached this point, the
Governor, finding himself powerless to stand against the rioters, fled from the
city and retired to the citadel for self-preservation.
Praise be unto God! They seized a baker and with meat axes
hacked him into pieces. Throughout the time of his torture he sang in a
melodious and resonant tone and with great joy announced, “For ten years I have
been longing for this! I beseech God to forgive and to pour out upon you His
bounties, that you may attain your hearts’ desire, for through you I have
attained the desire of my heart and soul!”
The number of those martyred, up to that day, is reported to
have been more than one hundred and fifty persons within the city of Yazd. In
the surrounding villages, numerous personages were martyred in each hamlet. The
details have not reached us, except a short report of a telegram received in
Tehran to the effect that the Governor, being pressed by the rioters and
compelled by the vagabonds of the city, was forced to blow one of the friends
from the mouth of a cannon, and to behead another in the town-square.
Briefly, the boorish mob put a woman in a sack, over which
they poured kerosene, and burned her alive. They tightly tied and nailed
another believer to a tree, poured kerosene over him and burned the tree and
the man together.
In Ardakán, a village near Yazd, lived the honored Sadr, the
esteemed Mu’tamidu’sh-Shari’ah, the adored Nizamu’sh-Shari’ah, and the beloved
Diya’u’sh-Shari’ah, with all their families, kinsmen and relatives. They were
of the venerable `ulamá and the siyyids, and all had received titles from His
Imperial Crown. Yet the `ulamá issued a fatwá demanding the blood of these
honorable souls to be spilled. The ignorant mob, incited by the ‘ulamá,
attacked those gentle beings with guns, arms and weapons of war. Though these
believers had sufficient number to stand against the crowd, could have resisted
easily and were provided with ample means of defense, yet, in accordance with
the command, “It is better to be killed than kill,” [14] they yielded their
lives to the bloodthirsty wolves who, stretching out their claws of tyranny,
martyred seventeen persons with such the utmost cruelty. Among the victims
there was a young child who fell into a well, and he has survived and remains
alive. None other was left standing. The orchard and mansion where they resided
was utterly destroyed. The trees were uprooted. All that could be pillaged was
taken away, including a considerable amount of wealth.
The number of martyrs in Ardakán has reached nineteen by now
and in the village of Taft the number was twenty-eight. In other villages, each
suffered one or two martyrs. In Manshád there were ten. In Dih-Bálá they threw
a believer, alive, into a baker’s oven and roasted him to death. To date, six
women have been martyred. While these many have been martyred, great many more
have been injured and wounded.
Jesus – may the spirits of both worlds be a sacrifice unto
Him! – has plainly pointed out the pathway to the Kingdom, showing clearly the
shortest and surest road. That straight path is the field of self-sacrifice.
Therefore these sanctified souls have but followed that Effulgent Source
[Christ], and through this path have they proceeded to the Kingdom of
Mysteries. For the sake of such as these He said: “Blessed are they which are
persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.” [15]
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” [16] “Blessed are ye
when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil
against you, falsely, for my sake.” [17]
Similarly, in the Tablet of Aqdas it is revealed: [18]
“Blessed the slumberer who is awakened by My Breeze. Blessed
the lifeless one who is quickened through My reviving breaths. Blessed the eye
that is solaced by gazing at My beauty. Blessed the wayfarer who directeth his
steps towards the Tabernacle of My glory and majesty. Blessed the distressed
one who seeketh refuge beneath the shadow of My canopy. Blessed the sore
athirst who hasteneth to the softflowing waters of My loving-kindness. Blessed
the insatiate soul who casteth away his selfish desires for love of Me and
taketh his place at the banquet table which I have sent down from the heaven of
divine bounty for My chosen ones. Blessed the abased one who layeth fast hold
on the cord of My glory; and the needy one who entereth beneath the shadow of
the Tabernacle of My wealth. Blessed the ignorant one who seeketh the fountain
of My knowledge; and the heedless one who cleaveth to the cord of My
remembrance. Blessed the soul that hath been raised to life through My
quickening breath and hath gained admittance into My heavenly Kingdom. Blessed
the man whom the sweet savours of reunion with Me have stirred and caused to
draw nigh unto the Dayspring of My Revelation. Blessed the ear that hath heard
and the tongue that hath borne witness and the eye that hath seen and
recognized the Lord Himself, in His great glory and majesty, invested with
grandeur and dominion. Blessed are they that have attained His presence.
Blessed the man who hath sought enlightenment from the Day-Star of My Word.
Blessed he who hath attired his head with the diadem of My love. Blessed is he
who hath heard of My grief and hath arisen to aid Me among My people. Blessed
is he who hath laid down his life in My path and hath borne manifold hardships
for the sake of My Name. Blessed the man who, assured of My Word, hath arisen
from among the dead to celebrate My praise. Blessed is he that hath been
enraptured by My wondrous melodies and hath rent the veils asunder through the
potency of My might. Blessed is he who hath remained faithful to My Covenant,
and whom the things of the world have not kept back from attaining My Court of
holiness. Blessed is the man who hath detached himself from all else but Me,
hath soared in the atmosphere of My love, hath gained admittance into My
Kingdom, gazed upon My realms of glory, quaffed the living waters of My bounty,
hath drunk his fill from the heavenly river of My loving providence, acquainted
himself with My Cause, apprehended that which I concealed within the treasury
of My Words, and hath shone forth from the horizon of divine knowledge engaged
in My praise and glorification. Verily, he is of Me. Upon him rest My mercy, My
loving-kindness, My bounty and My glory. [19]
This is the ransom for the blood of the martyrs! This is the
utmost desire of the near ones! This is the eternal life of the spiritual ones!
This is the pathway of Jesus! This is the way of the Divine Manifestations,
both ancient and modern ages!
In a Tablet addressed to the Wolf, the father of Shaykh
Taqí, [Bahá’u’lláh] wrote: [20]
Thinkest thou that We fear thy cruelty? Know thou and be
well assured that from the first day whereon the voice of the Most Sublime Pen
was raised betwixt earth and heaven We offered up Our souls, and Our bodies,
and Our sons, and Our possessions in the path of God, the Exalted, the Great,
and We glory therein amongst all created things and the Concourse on high. Unto
this testify the things which have befallen Us in this straight Path. By God!
Our hearts were consumed, and Our bodies were crucified, and Our blood was
spilt, while Our eyes were fixed on the horizon of the loving-kindness of their
Lord, the Witness, the All-Seeing. The more grievous their woes, the greater
waxed the love of the people of Bahá. Unto their sincerity hath borne witness
what the All-Merciful hath sent down in the Qur’án. He saith: ‘Wish ye, then,
for death, if ye are sincere.’ Who is to be preferred, he that hath sheltered
himself behind curtains, or he that hath offered himself in the path of God?
Judge thou fairly, and be not of them that rove distraught in the wilderness of
falsehood. So carried away have they been by the living waters of the love of
the Most Merciful, that neither the arms of the world nor the swords of the
nations have deterred them from setting their faces towards the ocean of the
bounty of their Lord, the Giver, the Generous.
“By God! Troubles have failed to unnerve Me, and the
repudiation of the divines hath been powerless to weaken Me. I have spoken, and
still speak forth before the face of men: ‘The door of grace hath been unlocked
and He Who is the Dayspring of Justice is come with perspicuous signs and
evident testimonies, from God, the Lord of strength and of might!’” [21]
Notes
[1] Reference to the conflicts faced by the Bábí community
of Iran during 1848-53 upheavals.
[2] A reference to Áqá Muhammad-Taqí Najafí
[3] A reference to Shaykh Muhammad-Báqir, for whom the
Lawh-i-Burhan was revealed, a portion of which is cited at the conclusion of
this Tablet.
[4] The martyrdom of these two brothers, the King of Martyrs
and the Beloved of Martyrs, took place on 17 March 1879. For details see:
Ishráq Khávarí, Núrayn-i-Nayyirayn; Nur, Khatirat-i Muhajiri az Isfahan dar
Zaman-i shahadat-i Sultan ash-Shuhadá va Mahbúb ash-Shuhadá; Mázandarání,
Tarikh-i Zuhur al-Haqq, vol. 5, pp. 242-8; and in English, Balyuzi, Eminent
Bahá’is at the Time of Bahá’u’lláh: With Some Historical Background, pp. 33-51.
[5] 1 Muharram 1321 A.H. corresponded to 30 March 1903.
[6] A religious ruling issued by a mujtahid the execution of
which is binding upon the faithful.
[7] Yazid, son of the Caliph Mu’awiyah, was the killer of
the Imam Husayn in Karbala. Shimr ibn Siljushan was Yazid’s second-in-command.
[8] Matthew 23, 29-33 states: “Woe unto you, Scribes and
Pharisees, hypocrites! Because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish
the sepulchres of the righteous, and say: If we had been in the days of our
fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.
Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them
which killed the prophets. Fill ye up, then, the measure of your fathers. Ye
serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?”
[King James Version]
[9] This Tablet was printed based on the original text. From
this point until the verse “the rejectors shall be in great loss” is based on a
text in Abdu’lBaha’s handwriting. [Makatib’s editor]
[10] Qur’an 2:94
[11] Qur’an 42:15 20
[12] Slight variation of the Qur’an 43:7
[13] Translation from Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 73.
[14] God Passes By, p. 198, a statement attributed to
Bahá’u’lláh. For a similar proclamation see, The Summons of the Lord of Hosts,
p. 110.
[15] Matthew 5:10
[16] Matthew 5:8
[17] Matthew 5:11
[18] The text of the Tablet of Aqdas quoted by `Abdu’l-Bahá
is at variance with the published version in the “Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh
revealed after the Kitáb-i-Aqdas”. A discussion of these differences is beyond
the scope of the present study and is left for another occasion. For the
purpose of the present translation, the version in the “Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh”
is employed.
[19] Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh Revealed After the
Kitáb-i-Aqdas, pp. 16-7.
[20] The passage cited by `Abdu’l-Baha is from Bahá’u’lláh’s
Lawh Burhan. However, a comparison of the version in Makatib 3:145-6 against
Lawh-i Burhan in the original text of the Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p.
57, suggests some minor discrepancies. For the purpose of this translation,
reliance has been placed on the Epistle to the Son of the Wolf as translated by
Shoghi Effendi.
(Baha’i Studies Review, no. 14; Association for Baha’i
Studies English-Speaking Europe, December 2007; Baha’i Library Online)