A new version of the Bahá’í Reference Library is now available. This ‘old version’ of the Bahá’í Reference Library will be replaced at a later date.
The new version of the Bahá’i Reference Library can be accessed here »
Mírzá Muḥammad, the Servant at the Travelers’ Hospice 106 |
This youth of God was
from Iṣfahán, and from an
early age was known to its leading divines for his excellent
mind. He was of gentle birth, his family was known and
respected, and he was an accomplished scholar. He had
profited from philosophy and history alike, from sciences
and arts, but he thirsted after the secret of reality, and
longed for knowledge of God. His feverish thirst was not
allayed by the arts and sciences, however limpid those
waters. He kept on seeking, seeking, carrying on debates
in gatherings of learned men until at last he discovered
the meaning of his longing dream, and the enigma, the
inviolable secret, lay open before him. Suddenly he caught
the scent of fresh flowers from the gardens of the splendor
of God, and his heart was ashine with a ray from the Sun
of Truth. Whereas before, he was like a fish taken from
the water, now he had come to the wellspring of eternal
life; before, he was a questing moth; now he had found
the candle flame. A true seeker after truth, he was instantly
revived by the supreme Glad Tidings; his heart’s eye was
brightened by the new dawn of guidance. So blinding was
the fire of Divine love that he turned his face away from
his life, its peace, its blessings, and set out for the Most
Great Prison.
107
|
In Iṣfahán he had enjoyed every comfort, and the world
was good to him. Now his yearning for Bahá’u’lláh freed
him from all other bonds. He passed over the long miles,
suffered intense hardships, exchanged a palace for a prison,
and in the ‘Akká fortress assisted the believers and attended
upon and served Bahá’u’lláh. He who had been
waited upon, now waited on others; he who had been the
master was now the servant, he who had once been a
leader was now a captive. He had no rest, no leisure, day
or night. To the travelers he was a trusted refuge; to the
settlers, a companion without peer. He served beyond his
strength, for he was filled with love of the friends. The
travelers were devoted to him, and the settlers grateful.
And because he was continuously busy, he kept silent at
all times.
|
Then the Supreme Affliction came upon us and the absence
of Bahá’u’lláh was not to be endured. Mírzá Muḥammad
could not stay quiet, day or night. He wasted
away, like a candle burning down; from the fiery anguish,
his liver and heart were inflamed, and his body could bear
no more. He wept and supplicated day and night, yearning
to soar away to that undiscovered country. “Lord, free
me, free me from this absence,” he would cry, “let me
drink of reunion’s cup, find me a lodging in the shelter of
Thy mercy, Lord of Lords!”
|
At last he quit this dust heap, the earth, and took his
flight to the world that has no end. May it do him good,
that cup brimming with the grace of God, may he eat
with healthy relish of that food which gives life to heart
and soul. May God lead him to that happy journey’s end
and grant him an abundant share in the gifts which shall
then be bestowed.
1
|
1. | For some of these Arabic phrases, see Qur’án 3:170; 4:12, 175; 5:16, 17; 11:100, 101; 28:79; 41:35. [ Back To Reference] |