The Dawn-Breakers Study Outline
Chapter 17
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.
Yahyá Khán, however, also fell under His charm. The Kurds living there, who were even more notorious than the Máh-Kú inhabitants for their fanaticism & hatred of shí'ahs, were also transformed by His loving influence. They would stop every morning before work and gaze at His prison, invoking His name and blessing and prostrating themselves to be refreshed with His remembrance. They related His wonders and their dreams of Him.
Yahyá Khán did not refuse anyone admittance. The increasing visitors could not be accommodated in Chihríq alone, leading Iskí-Shahr, an hour away, to be used for lodging.
The Báb's provisions were bought from there. The Báb refused some honey which He deemed to be priced too high. He declared that He as their Example was a merchant and that they must neither neither defraud nor be defrauded as He was not duped by the shrewdest men nor did He act ungenerously towards the meanest and most helpless. He insisted that honey of superior quality and cheaper price be brought to Him.
A number of eminent siyyids (including the fervid & distinguished proponents Mírzá Muhammad-'Alí and his brother Búyúk-Áqá), 'ulamás, and officials of Khuy had espoused His Cause. This and the stream of seekers & believers disturbed the government.
(303) A prominent official of high literary ability, later surnamed Dayyán by the Báb, had vehemently denounced Him to those who sought to convert him. He had a dream, however, which he did not recount to anyone and which moved him to ask the Báb 3 things relating to 2 Qur'ánic verses.
(304) He was asked to submit this written request. A few days later he received in the Báb's handwriting, a detailed description of his dream and the exact text of those verses. This converted and moved him who had been unused to walking to walk on foot up the steep, stony path to the castle, refusing a horse. His meeting confirmed him further in his fiery ardour until his death.
The Báb expressed wish to 40 companions should compose a treatise using verses and traditions to establish the validity of His Mission. His wishes were immediately obeyed, and Dayyán won His highest admiration prompting the Báb to bestow this name on him and reveal the Lawh-i-Hurúfát in his name, a Tablet which He declared was sufficient proof of His station as no learning could have produced it. This Tablet, which seemingly dealt merely as an exposition of the science of Jafr (a divination science) alluded to what Bahá'u'lláh later unveiled as a reference to the time required to elapse before Man-Yuzhiruhu'lláh (Him Whom God will make manifest") would appear (19 years).
Dayyán's father was induced by his son's zeal to report to the Vazír how his son had been converted, had neglected his State duties, and had ably championed the new Cause.
An Indian dervish accepted the Báb upon meeting Him, was named Qahru'lláh, and displayed a warm enthusiasm, tenacious conviction, and charm to all he met, causing their acknowledgement of the Faith's power, even to ascribe to him the station of a Revealer, which he completely denied.
He related how as an exalted navváb in India, he dreamt of the Báb Who won his heart, had him divest himself of his gorgeous attire, left his native land, and met Him in Chihríq.
The news of the dervish's conversion (and Dayyán's) led the Kurdish leaders in Chihríq to reach Tabríz and then Tihrán when orders were issued for His transfer to Tabríz.
The Báb had 'Azím tell Qahru'lláh to return to India on foot & serve there with the same ardor he came to Persia. The Báb had Mírzá 'Abdu'l-Vahháb-i- Turshízí (in Khuy) to go to Urúmíyyih where He would soon meet Him. 'Azím was to go to Tabríz, inform Siyyid Ibráhim-i-Khalíl of His arrival and that the fire of Nimrod would be kindled there at no risk, however, to the friends.
Qahru'lláh left and warned those who wished to join him that they could never endure the trials that would afflict them as he was told to return alone. He refused money and clothing and with his staff returned to his country on foot.
(306) Muhammad-'Alíy-i-Zunúzí (Anís) heard of His message in Tabríz, longed to meet Him in Chihríq and sacrifice himself in His path. His stepfather, Siyyid
(307) 'Alíy-i-Zunúzí objected and confined him until He reached Tabríz and was taken back to Chihríq.
Shaykh Hasan-Zunúzí related that after 'Azím's dismissal he was to collect all His available Tablets revealed during His incarceration and bring them to Siyyid Ibráhím-i-Khalíl living in Tabríz who was to conceal & preserve them.
He also related that Anís' stepfather lamented his son's seeming loss of reason & the reproach and shame brought on him. He tried to have him conceal his convictions. When Shaykh Hasan visited him, he witnessed Anís' continuous tears until one day he saw him joyful. Anís told him that His Beloved had beheld his face and he gazed on His countenance. He had tearfully besought Him during His return to Chihríq to dispel his gloom and look on His face that he almost lost consciousness. He heard the voice of the Báb and was bidden to arise. He beheld His face which smiled as He looked at him, and he threw himself at His feet. He was told to rejoice as the hour was to come when He would be suspended before the multitude and that none but him would share the martyrdom with Him. He woke immersed in a joy which wiped away all sorrows, with the Báb's assurance ringing in his ears and His smile in his mind. He expressed his conviction that His pledge could no longer be delayed. Shaykh Hasan urged him to be patient & conceal his emotions while Anís told him not to divulge the secret and kept his patience with Siyyid 'Alí. Shaykh Hasan secured his release from his stepfather. The youth kept his serenity and joy with his parents and kinsmen, so much so that at his martyrdom the people of Tabríz wept & bewailed his loss.
The Declaration of the Báb's Mission
(Condensed Summary of Chapter 17)
Cross-References for Chapter 17