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 »
Turkish Commissions of Investigation |
In 1904 and 1907 commissions were appointed by the
Turkish Government to inquire into the charges against
‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and lying witnesses gave evidence against Him.
59
‘Abdu’l-Bahá, while refuting the charges, expressed His entire
readiness to submit to any sentence the tribunal chose to impose.
He declared that if they should throw Him into jail, drag
Him through the streets, curse Him, spit upon Him, stone Him,
heap upon Him all sort of ignominy, hang Him or shoot Him,
He would still be happy.
|
Between the sittings of the Commissions of Investigation He
pursued His ordinary life with the utmost serenity, planting
fruit trees in a garden and presiding at a marriage feast with
the dignity and radiance of spiritual freedom. The Spanish
Consul offered to provide Him a safe passage to any foreign
port He cared to select, but this offer He gratefully but firmly
refused, saying that whatever the consequences, He must follow
in the footsteps of the Báb and the Blessed Perfection,
Who never tried to save Themselves or run away from Their
enemies. He encouraged most of the Bahá’ís, however, to leave
the neighborhood of ‘Akká, which had become very dangerous
for them, and remained alone, with a few of the faithful, to
await His destiny.
|
The four corrupt officials who constituted the last investigating
commission arrived in ‘Akká in the early part of the winter
of 1907, stayed one month, and departed for Constantinople,
after finishing their so-called “investigation,” prepared to report
that the charges against ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had been substantiated
and to recommend His exile or execution. No sooner had
they got back to Turkey, however, than the Revolution broke
out there and the four commissioners, who belonged to the
old regime, had to flee for their lives. The Young Turks established
their supremacy, and all political and religious prisoners
in the Ottoman Empire were set free. In September 1980
‘Abdu’l-Bahá was released was prison, and in the following
year ‘Abdu’l-Ḥamíd, the Sulṭán, became himself a prisoner.
|