Chapter Six

Before the Báb had left on His pilgrimage, he had told his friends that He would return by way of 'Iráq, and would stop in the city of Karbilá. Therefore, as Naw-Rúz* of 1845 came near, many Bábís gathered in Karbilá to welcome Him. Soon after Naw-Rúz, however, they received a message from Him that he had had to change His plans. He had gone directly to His home in Shíráz. He asked all those who wished ro see Him to travel to Isfahán, to the north of Shíráz, and wait there for further instructions. This the faithful ones did. On the way, they met Mullá Husayn, who travelled with them.

After a few days in Isfahán, the news came to them that Shíráz was greatly upset by the Báb's arrival, and it was dangerous for anyone to enter the city to see Him. When Mullá Husayn heard this, he was in no way put off. He quietly told a few of his companions what he was going to do. He took off his robes and his turban, and put on the clothes worn by people of a diferent part of Írán. Making himself look like a horseman, he and his brother and nephew set out at an unexpected hour for Shíráz.

As they came near to the gate of Shíráz, Mullá Husayn told his brother to enter the city in the dark of night and go straight to the Báb's uncle and ask him to tell the Báb that they had arrived. On the  next day, Mullá Husayn received the happy news that the Báb's uncle would meet him outside the gate of the city an hour after sunset. That night the Báb's uncle met Mullá Husayn at the time arranged, and took him to his home safely. Several times, rhe Báb came at night to visit Mullá Husayn at his uncle's home. They stayed together the entire night and spoke of many things. In a few days' time, the Báb gave Mullá Husayn permission to invite the believers from Isfahán to come to Shíráz gradually, find places to live in the city as travellers, and take whatever jobs they could find.

Some of those who came to Shíráz to see the Báb were not very strong believers in His Faith. They thought that by becoming Bábís they would be given special favours and power. When they saw that the Báb had chosen Mullá Husayn as His favourite desciple at that time, they became very jealous. They started to whisper things against Mullá Husayn to his companions. These whisperings did not effect Mullá Husayn's companions in any way, however, except to make them stay away from those who were trying to make the trouble. Little by little, the trouble-makers found that they were no longer part of the faithful group, so they pulled themselves away completely and joined the enemies of the Báb in Shíráz. They caused so much trouble in the city that in the end the city authorities forced them to leave. But this did not stop their jealousy or their plans.

Soon, the people of Shíráz began to protest because Mullá Husayn had come back, so much so, that the Báb finally had to ask all His followers except one to leave the city. When the believers left, the Báb had a quiet time for a while, and some wonderful souls became believers. But in time, many people began coming to the Báb again, and the clergy and the enemies convinced the Government of Írán that the Báb must either be put in prison or killed. The Government decided to put Him in the prison of Máh-Kú in the mountains of north-western Írán.

When the Báb sent His followers out of Shíráz, He told Mullá Husayn to go back to Khurásán to continue his teaching. Early in 1848, he decided he must visit the Báb in prison, so he left Mashhad and started to walk to Tihrán. Some of his friends tried to give him a horse and carriage to make the journey easier, but he said, "I have promised God that I would walk the whole distance which separates me from my Beloved." He even tried to get his servant, Qambar-'Alí, to return to Mashhad, but he refused. So, together they walked the entire distance of hundreds of kilometres.

On the way to Máh-Kú, Mullá Husayn went through many towns. In each town he was greeted by the happy believers. When he reached Tihrán, he showed such a fine character and love for the Faith that people said that even if no one else were to help him, he would be able to establush the Faith in Írán by himself. the greatest thing which happened to Mullá Husayn in Tihrán was his meeting with Bahá'u'lláh. He was taken to visit Bahá'u'lláh very quietly, and nobody knows what Bahá'u'lláh told him in that interview.

From the meeting with Bahá'u'lláh, Mullá Husayn went on to the prison of Máh-Kú to see the Báb. He arrived there on the evening of the fourth Naw-Rúz after the declaration of the Báb. Mullá Husayn was met near the prison by 'Alí Khán, the prison-keeper. 'Alí Khán had brought a horse for Mullá Husayn to ride the rest of the way, but Mullá Husayn told him, "No, I have promised God that I would make the whole of my journey on foot." So, Mullá Husayn walked up the mountain to visit the holy Prisoner in His prison.

Until this time, the Báb had not been allowed to have any visitors spend the night with Him in the prison, but 'Alí Khán was so impressed with Mullá Husayn that he said to the Báb, "If it is Your wish to have Mullá Husayn stay with You this night, I am ready to let him stay, as I have no will of my own. No matter how long You want him to saty with you, I will carry out Your command." This is how the Báb was able to have Mullá Husayn with Him on the fourth Naw-Rúz after His declaration, and for nine days after that.

During Mullá Husayn's stay with the Báb, more and more deciples began to arrive, and they were immediately brought to the Báb without any trouble. the Báb spoke many beatiful things to Mullá Husayn during those wonderful days, and Mullá Husayn was very happy again. He also received many instructions from the Báb, telling him all the things that were going to happen in the future. The last words the Báb said to Mullá Husayn were, "A few days after your departure from this place, they will transfer Us to another mountain. Ere you arrive at your destination, the news of Our departure from Máh-Kú will have reached you."

Mullá Husayn started on his journey to Mázindarán, as commanded by the Báb.

The words of the Báb about His transfer were true. Someone from Máh-Kú sent a report to the Government telling them that 'Alí Khán was too friendly to the Báb, and that day and night more and more people were coming to visit Him. The report even said that 'Alí Khán wanted his daughter to marry the Báb, but the Báb had refused. Naturally, when Hájí Mírzá Áqásí, the Chief Minister, heard this, he ordered the Báb to be sent to an even worse prison--- the Castle of Chihríq.

On the way to Mázindarán, Mullá Husayn passed through many towns and villages. he stopped in every one of them, gathered the faithful believers together, gave them the Báb's love and greetings, and inspired them to increase their teaching and remain strong in His way. In Tihrán, Mullá Husayn again had the privilege of being with Bahá'u'lláh for a short time. From Bahá'u'lláh he received the courage and strength to carry him through the last difficult days of his life.