Timeline to the Baghdad Period
Timeline to the Baghdad Period: Themes of Early Tablets and Historical Personages Related to them. by Kathryn Brown, Sharon Davis, and Karen Johnson. 2000
Historical Personages Related to Early Tablets
- Haji Mirza Kamalu’d-Din of Naraq
This man was a Babi who became dissatisfied with the leadership of Mirza Yahya,
and sought explanation of Bahá’u’lláh for a Qur’anic verse in late 1853 or
early 1854. This was the first occasion of Bahá’u’lláh responding in writing to
a question; the reply, “The Tablet of All Food,” was revealed in Arabic. The
recipient was so illumined, uplifted, and inspired by the tablet that he
immediately recognized the station of Bahá’u’lláh as the Manifestation [‘Him
Whom God shall make manifest’]. However, Bahá’u’lláh cautioned him to not
divulge this truth at this time. He was a devoted follower until his death in
1881, and is credited as the first person to recognize the divinity of
Bahá’u’lláh. It is also interesting to note that his great-grandfather, Haji
Mulla Mihdi, wrote of the martyrdom of Imam Hysayn , which deeply touched the
Bab. - Mirza Aqa Jan
He was the amanuensis (secretary or scribe) of Bahá’u’lláh, and served him for
40 years. He met Bahá’u’lláh at the age of 16, and was among the first to be
aware of Bahá’u’lláh’s station as Manifestation of God. Mirza Aqa Jan was
honored to be present during the Revelations, and is described as writing so
rapidly that the sound of the pen was shrill, and the ink was not dry when the
page was completed. He is credited for recording and preserving many of the
Writings, but after Bahá’u’lláh’s death, he did not support the Covenant and
turned against Abdul Baha; he died in 1901. - Mirza Yahya
Mirza Yahya, Bahá’u’lláh’s younger half brother (also known as Subh-i-Azal)
was appointed to serve as the leader of the Babis after the Bab’s death. As he
was a teenager, being 13 years younger than Bahá’u’lláh, this appointment was
to divert attention from Bahá’u’lláh during the time of persecution. After
Bahá’u’lláh went into exile from Persia to Iraq (Baghdad), Mirza Yahya followed
to that city. However, the youth went into seclusion, kept his location and
identity a secret, and failed to provide leadership for fear of persecution at
a time many Babis were martyred. Mirza Yahya competed with Bahá’u’lláh by
claiming prophethood for himself, attempted to murder Bahá’u’lláh with poison,
and made false accusations against Bahá’u’lláh which lead to the imprisonment
at Akka. Mirza Yahya died in exile in Cyprus in 1912. - Siyyid Muhammad-i-Isfahani
This man influenced Mirza Yahya to oppose Bahá’u’lláh, and was known as the
Antichrist of the Bahá’í Revelation. He, as well as Mirza Yahya, married the
Bab’s widow for purposes of credibility. He was sent with the Bahá’ís to Akka,
where he continued to plot mob attacks against Bahá’u’lláh, resulting in his
murder by seven Bahá’ís, which caused further oppression to Bahá’u’lláh. - Abdul-Q’asim-i-Hamadani
He was a Muslim who was the only person to go with Bahá’u’lláh into the remote
areas of Kurdistan during His time of retreat there. Hamadani brought
Bahá’u’lláh money and supplies on occasion, and maintained the role of a
merchant. When Hamadani was killed in 1855, while traveling to bring supplies
to Bahá’u’lláh, news of his death indicated to the family the location of
Bahá’u’lláh. - Shaykh Ismail
Shaykh Ismail was the leader of the Khaledi Sufis at Sulaymaniyyih, who
recognized Bahá’u’lláh’s unusual gifts. He received a long poem of which 127 of
2000 verses were preserved as the others identified Bahá’u’lláh’s divinity too
directly for this early time of the Revelation. This work, called Poem of the
Dove, is an example of the Sufi style of writing used by Bahá’u’lláh until 1863
when His declaration was made. - Mirza Musa
Mirza Musa was Bahá’u’lláh’s younger brother, who helped to locate Him in
Sulaymaniyyih for His return to Baghdad in 1856. Also known as Aqay-i-Kalim, he
loyally served Bahá’u’lláh, hid the remains of the Bab in Tehran, lived in
exile with Bahá’u’lláh, served as communicator with officials and religious
leaders, and died in Akka in 1887. - Shaykh Sultan
This man, at the request of his son-in-law Mirza Musa, searched for Bahá’u’lláh
for two months, and accompanied His return to the family and followers in
Baghdad. - Haji Mirza Musay-i-Javahiri
- Haji Mirza Hadi
Haji Mirza Hadi, father of Haji Mirza Musay-i-Javahiri, was a Persian nobleman
who migrated to Baghdad and sat at the feet of Bahá’u’lláh in humility despite
his wealth and position.Haji Mirza Musay-i-Javahiri, referred to as Letter of Eternity, provided the
house of Bahá’u’lláh in Baghdad. This building, called the House of God or Most
Great House is to be a site for pilgrimage - Shaykh Muhyid-Din and
- Shaykh Abdur-Rahman
Shaykh Muhyid-Din, a Sufi judge in Kurdistan, was in correspondence with
Bahá’u’lláh upon His return to Baghdad . Bahá’u’lláh wrote The Seven Valleys in
reply to his question.Shaykh Abdur-Rahman, the leader of the Qadiriyyih Sufis, received the Four
Valleys in correspondence from Bahá’u’lláh. - Mirza Aqay-i-Rikab-Saz
This man, an early martyr of the Faith, was the recipient of the Tablet of the
Verse of Light, as he had requested that Bahá’u’lláh interpret the isolated
letters at the chapter beginnings of the Qur’an. He was devoted to the Bab,
unshakable in his faith despite persecution, and did meet Bahá’u’lláh in Iraq. - Shaykh Salman
Shaykh Salman, a faithful disciple from the village of Hindiyan, received the
tablet The City of Unity. His original name was Shaykh Khanjar prior to being
named Salman by Bahá’u’lláh. This name was chosen in replication of Muhammad
giving the name Salman to a beloved follower named Ruz-bih.Shaykh Salman had an important and essential role in dissemination of the
Writings in Persia when Bahá’u’lláh was exiled to Baghdad in Iraq. This man,
known as “Messenger of the Merciful,” was the first messenger to come to Iraq
from Persia, and continued the courier function for 40 years. He traveled
thousands of miles on foot, delivering letters to Bahá’u’lláh and returning
with tablets to the believers, despite active searches along the border to
block the communication. In later years, he continued this function for Abdu’l
Baha.Shaykh Salman had stamina, endured hardship and mistreatment, and lived in
poverty. Although illiterate and unable to read the messages, he had spiritual
depth and wisdom, and was known for his purity of heart. For protective
reasons, the names of recipients of the tablets were not written on them.
Shaykh Salman would have someone read the messages to him, and through
understanding of the content, he would know the person to receive it.
Throughout his years of service, this simple and primitive man never lost a
single message to confiscation. His wisdom was so respected that his judgment
was honored in decisions to allow audiences of the believers with Bahá’u’lláh.
[Revelations of Bahá’u’lláh, vol. 1, pages 109-114] - Mirza Muhammad-i-Vazir
- Maryam
Mirza Muhammad-i-Vazir was a cousin of Bahá’u’lláh’s. The tablet The Exalted
Letters was written in his memory, for his grieving wife Havva and sister
Maryam, for their consolation. This deceased cousin was “the very first among
the family of Bahá’u’lláh to have been converted by Him to the Babi Faith in
the province of Nur in 1844.” [Revelations of Bahá’u’lláh, vol.1, pages 122-3]
Maryam assisted in Bahá’u’lláh’s care after His release from prison in the
Siyah-Chal. She was active in His care, and was a devoted follower. Although
family responsibilities prevented her from ever seeing Bahá’u’lláh again after
His exile, He wrote to her with sincere affection, and named her Crimson Leaf.
After her death, Bahá’u’lláh wrote a special tablet in her membory. - Princess Shamsi-i-Jihan
The Tablet of the Test was written in honor of Princess Shams-i-Jihan, also
known as Fitnih. She came to be a believer through her friendship with Tahirih.
She had an audience with Bahá’u’lláh, and was named The Leaf of Paradise. - Siyyid Jafar-i-Yazdi
- Haji Muhammad-Taqi
- Zaynu’l Abidin Khan
- Shaykh Abdul Husayn-i-Tihrani
- Mirza Buzurg Khan
The tablet Suriy-i-Nush was revealed in honor of Siyyid Jafar-i-Yazdi, who was
a distinguished divine taught the Faith by Vahid, an early Babi. Since Siyyid
Jafar was eloquent and highly respected, his public teaching resulted “in a
great multitude” joining the Faith. Subsequently, the government and religious
leaders joined in persecution with resulting martyrdom of many, including
Vahid. Siyyid Jafar was captured and treated with disgrace, despite his
position, by Zaynu’l Abidin Khan, the Governor of Nayriz, who was intent on
torturing the remaining Babis.The military presence required for persecution of the Babi’s had resulted in
food shortage in the area. As the hungry people came to acquire their allotment
of corn, they were required to spit on Siyyid Jafar’s face. Despite this
degradation, “he remained calm and resigned throughout his ordeal and
manifested a spirit of sublime joy and love and thankfulness towards those who
offended him.” To those who hesitated to engage in this action against him,
Siyyid Jafar encouraged them as he knew of their needs. Later, he was subjected
to public beatings, which continued daily until observers contributed money as
a “ransom” to temporarily stop the abuse. [Revelations of Bahá’u’lláh, vol. 1,
pages 138-141]Siyyid Jafar’s companion, Haji Muhammad-Taqi, was a wealthy and respected man
from Nayriz. He served the function of a banker in his community, and provided
funds for the Babis. He applied his funds for propagation of the message of the
Bab and supported Vahid and his followers during the persecution of the Babi
community. Although he survived the siege of the fort, his properties were
confiscated, and he was tortured daily by being thrown into a pool and then
beaten by sticks and poles until the water was red with blood. This continued
until the governor’s wife, after a significant dream, secretly arranged for
their escape. They both later were able to visit with Bahá’u’lláh and receive
His blessings directly.In the Suriy-i-Nush Tablet, Bahá’u’lláh refers to Shaykh Abdul
Husayn-i-Tihrani, an evil and vindictive enemy who allied with Mirza Buzurg
Khan, the Persian Consul in Baghdad. These men hired an assassin, who twice
intended to shoot Bahá’u’lláh, but could not commit the murder and dropped the
gun. These men also organizaed a meeting of the religious leaders in opposition
to the Babi’s , but were afraid to meet directly with Bahá’u’lláh themselves.
In this Tablet, they are described as wicked and depraved. Their schemes
eventually influenced the Shah to request the Ottoman government to move
Bahá’u’lláh from Baghdad into further exile. [Revelations of Bahá’u’lláh, vol.
1, pages 143-147] - Siyyid Mirza Husayn-i-Mutavalli
Siyyid Mirza Husayn-i-Mutavalli was the recipient of the Tablet
Shikkar-Shikan-Shavand. This man was a Babi who had been with 300 others under
the leadership of Quddus at the Tabarsi fort, where they were attacked and
starved. When the army was retreating, Siyyid Husayn betrayed the Babis by
sending a message to the commander regarding their weakness and small numbers.
As this resulted in resumption of attacks, he then deserted to the enemy. He is
known for striking Quddus before the leader’s martyrdom. However, he again
rejoined the Babi’s, was with Bahá’u’lláh in the prison of Siyah-Chal, came to
Baghdad, and later was a supporter of Mirza Yaya. - Siyyid Yusuf-i-Sidihi
Siyyid Yusufi-i-Sidihi was a wise and learned religious leader of the Shi’ahs
in Najaf. This man was honored by the Tablet The Essence of Mysteries, which
was written in answer to a series of questions he posed regarding the
fulfillment of prophesy of Islam. Based on this Tablet, he recognized the
divinity of Bahá’u’lláh. The answers so impressed him, that upon a later
meeting with Bahá’u’lláh he became a Babi, and was then rejected by his friends
who threw him out of their house. - Khal-i-Akbar or Haji Mirza Siyyid Muhammad
The Book of Certitude was revealed in Persian and Arabic in 1862 in Baghdad to
the eldest maternal uncle of the Bab, Haji Mirza Siyyid Muhammad, also known as
Khal-i-Akbar. This man was not convinced that his nephew was the Promised One
of Islam, and was not converted until Bahá’u’lláh answered his specific
questions.
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