The Dawn-Breakers Study Outline
Chapter 10
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.
He wrote a letter when approaching Isfáhán asking where He might reside.
(199) After reading the beautifully penned & courteous letter, the governor (Mu'tamid) instructed the Imám-Jum'ih (leading ecclesiastic) to generously receive the Báb in his home.
(201) He was ceremoniously received by the brother of and the Imám-Jum'ih himself.
(201) Due to these honors, His admirers even sought to obtain the water of His ablutions for their healing power.
The Imám himself was so enamoured as to attend to him personally, pouring the water over His hands.
(201) The Imám-Jum'ih requested a commentary on the Súrih of Va'l-'Asr to which the Báb agreed. He rapidly revealed an illuminating interpretation dwelling from after supper until midnight on the meaning of the first letter of that Súrih. He recited the homily before the commentary confounding and charming His hearers who afterwards kissed the hem of His garment. An eminent mujtahid, Mullá Muhammad-Taqíy-i-Harátí declared His power to reveal 1/3 of the Qur'án in such a short time to be greater than the cleaving of the moon.
As His fame grew, many came to see Him out of curiosity, to deepen their Faith, or for remedies. The governor himself visited and while seated in the presence of the most brilliant accomplished divines of Isfáhán, requested a proof in support of the Nubuvvat-i-Khássih (Muhammad's "Specific Mission") to which He assented (by asking whether he preferred a written or oral testimony) although none of the divines had been able to respond to it.
He immediately consented to respond in writing and filled about 50 pages on origin, character, and influence of Islám as well as the relation to the Qá'im and return of the Imám Husayn. The governor proclaimed his new-found faith in Islám and adjourned the meeting.
Many sought secretly to undermine His influence but many spread wild rumors which reached Hájí Mírzá Áqásí. He was afraid the Báb might befriend the Sháh leading to his downfall possibly through an interview set up by the friend of the tender-hearted Sháh, the governor.
He wrote to criticize the Imám-Jum'ih for not opposing the "contemptible movement," leading the Imám not to become disrespectful but to curtail the number of visitors. The Grand Vazír incited the previously ignored 'ulamá of Isfáhán with favors leading Muhammad-Mihdí to slander Him from his pulpit.
Upon learning of this, the governor invited the Imám-Jum'ih, the Báb, and a few others. One guest sought to discourage others from attending by anticipating His victory at producing the truth & appealing to their fears of being exposed.
One guest heeded this and others ignored it, posing Him philosophical and religious questions. Mírzá Hasan admitted his lack of comprehension while Muhammad Mihdí was dissatisfied with His explanation and was cut short of contending with him by the governor who had him conducted home.
The governor expressed his fears for the Báb and decided to keep Him at his home despite the Sháh's orders for Him to be delivered to him, until circumstances would permit.
He met the Báb every day & translated one of His works from Arabic to Persian but later was overcome by fear and severed his connections with believers.
He was offered a banquet of such magnitude before transferring to the governor's home such that no official had received. The King and Beloved of Martyrs were boys and serving at the time. They received special attention from the Báb. He gave Mírzá Ibráhím an apple He had been served and said that the wish of his brother (and wife) to have a child would be fulfilled. Their child was eventually married to 'Abdu'l-Bahá.
These honors incited the 'ulamás to gather and sign His death warrant. 2 of them refused to sign it. However, through his cowardice, the Imám-Jum'ih claimed that although He was pious and loyal, He was devoid of judgment by His contempt for worldly things.
The Mu'tamid sought to nullify their verdict by escorting Him with 500 of his own bodyguard horsemen to Tihrán with them gradually returning until 20 remained, 10 of whom would go to collect taxes and the rest should bring the Báb back in disguise. The governor waited on Him personally for 4 months.
The Mu'tamid arranged for the Báb to meet with a few of His followers and convey the security of His person. He gave certain writings to Siyyid Husayn- i-Yazdí and Shaykh Hasan-i-Zunúzí for transcription.
The Mu'tamid expressed his intention to win the support of the Sháh, to have the Grand Vazír dismissed, to win the marriage of the Báb with a sister of the Sháh. The Báb praised his noble intent but declared that the poor and lowly would spread His Cause and that his own death was immanent. The Mu'tamid had left his possessions to the Báb but Gurgín Khán destroyed his will and stole his properties.
He expressed his fear at the successorship of Gurgín Khán as to how it would affect the Báb. The Báb reassured him His fate was in the hands of God and could alter His fate but had chosen to be afflicted for God's purpose. As his joy & understanding increased towards his death, he died in peace.
The Báb dismissed Siyyid Husayn-i-Yazdí and Mullá 'Abdu'l-Karím after describing His host's soon-to-be fate, having them tell the believers to scatter, and await His decree.
Gurgín Khán was informed of His protection and honors and sent a letter to the Sháh informing him of the concealment of the Báb by the governor. The Sháh understood the Mu'tamid's intention, however, and summoned the Báb to the capital in disguise and with his protection. Gurgín Khán summoned Muhammad Big to deliver Him secretly and anonymously to the capital.
The Báb left per these instructions soon after midnight.
The Declaration of the Báb's Mission
(Condensed Summary of Chapter 10)
A. The Báb's fame grew as He rapidly revealed beautiful and captivating writings. The governor requested a commentary which the brightest divines could not devise to which the Báb complied and stunned him into truly accepting Islám and His power.
A. Manúchihr Khán invited some 'ulamá to meet Him; a few did and among these a few acknowledged His power. The antagonism that resulted led the governor to transfer the Báb to his own home. B. At a banquet offered for Him, He gave an apple He had been served to enable them to have a child. Their child was married to 'Abdu'l-Bahá. C. Such honors incited the 'ulamá to sign His death warrant to which, besides 2 individuals, even the Imám-Jum'ih cowardly claimed the unsoundness of the Báb's mind.
A. The Báb had the believers disperse as the governor was about to die. The Sháh had the Báb escorted to the capital through Gurgín Khán who sent Muhammad Big to covertly deliver Him there.
Cross-References for Chapter 10