In 1266 A.H.(6) the trusted messenger, _Sh_ay_kh_ Salman, first heard the
summons of God, and his heart leapt for joy. He was then in Hindiyan.
Irresistibly attracted, he walked all the way to Tihran, where with ardent
love he secretly joined the believers. On a certain day he was passing
through the bazar with Aqa Muhammad Taqiy-i-Ka_sh_ani, and the farra_sh_es
followed him and discovered where he lived. The next day, police and
farra_sh_es came looking for him and took him to the chief of police.
"Who are you?" the chief asked.
"I am from Hindiyan," replied Salman. "I have come to Tihran and am on my
way to _Kh_urasan, for a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Imam Rida."
"What were you doing yesterday," the chief asked, "with that man in the
white robe?"
Salman answered, "I had sold him an 'aba the day before, and yesterday he
was to pay me."
"You are a stranger here," the chief said. "How could you trust him?"
"A money-changer guaranteed the payment," Salman replied. He had in mind
the respected believer, Aqa Muhammad-i-Sarraf (money-changer).
The chief turned to one of his farra_sh_es and said, "Take him to the
money-changer's and look into it."
When they reached there the farra_sh_ went on ahead. "What was all this,"
he said, "about the sale of an 'aba and your vouching for the payment?
Explain yourself."
"I know nothing about it," the money-changer replied. "Come along," said
the farra_sh_ to Salman. "All is clear at last. You are a Babi."
It happened that the turban which Salman had on his head was similar to
those worn in _Sh_u_sh_tar. As they were passing a crossroads, a man from
_Sh_u_sh_tar came out of his shop. He embraced Salman and cried: "Where
have you been, _Kh_ajih Muhammad-'Ali? When did you arrive? Welcome!"
Salman replied, "I came here a few days ago and now the police have
arrested me."
"What do you want with him?" the merchant asked the farra_sh_. "What are
you after?"
"He is a Babi," was the answer. "God forbid!" cried the man from
_Sh_u_sh_tar. "I know him well. _Kh_ajih Muhammad-'Ali is a God-fearing
Muslim, a _Sh_i'ih, a devout follower of the Imam 'Ali." With this he gave
the farra_sh_ a sum of money and Salman was freed.
They went into the shop and the merchant began to ask Salman how he was
faring. Salman told him: "I am not _Kh_ajih Muhammad-'Ali."
The man from _Sh_u_sh_tar was dumbfounded. "You look exactly like him!" he
exclaimed. "You two are identical. However, since you are not he, give me
back the money I paid the farra_sh_."
Salman immediately handed him the money, left, went out through the city
gate and made for Hindiyan.
When Baha'u'llah arrived in 'Iraq, the first messenger to reach His holy
presence was Salman, who then returned with Tablets addressed to the
friends in Hindiyan. Once each year, this blessed individual would set out
on foot to see his Well-Beloved, after which he would retrace his steps,
carrying Tablets to many cities, Isfahan, _Sh_iraz, Ka_sh_an, Tihran, and
the rest.
From the year 69 until the ascension of Baha'u'llah in 1309 A.H.,(7)
Salman would arrive once a year, bringing letters, leaving with the
Tablets, faithfully delivering each one to him for whom it was intended.
Every single year throughout that long period, he came on foot from Persia
to 'Iraq, or to Adrianople, or to the Most Great Prison at Akka; came with
the greatest eagerness and love, and then went back again.
He had remarkable powers of endurance. He traveled on foot, as a rule
eating nothing but onions and bread; and in all that time, he moved about
in such a way that he was never once held up and never once lost a letter
or a Tablet. Every letter was safely delivered; every Tablet reached its
intended recipient. Over and over again, in Isfahan, he was subjected to
severe trials, but he remained patient and thankful under all conditions,
and earned from non-Baha'is the title of "the Babis' Angel Gabriel."
Throughout his entire life, Salman rendered this momentous service to the
Cause of God, becoming the means of its spread and contributing to the
happiness of the believers, annually bringing Divine glad tidings to the
cities and villages of Persia. He was close to the heart of Baha'u'llah,
Who looked upon him with especial favor and grace. Among the Holy
Scriptures, there are Tablets revealed in his name.
After the ascension of Baha'u'llah, Salman remained faithful to the
Covenant, serving the Cause with all his powers. Then, as before, he would
come to the Most Great Prison every year, delivering mail from the
believers, and returning with the answers to Persia. At last, in _Sh_iraz,
he winged his way to the Kingdom of glory.
From the dawn of history until the present day, there has never been a
messenger so worthy of trust; there has never been a courier to compare
with Salman. He has left respected survivors in Isfahan who, because of
the troubles in Persia, are presently in distress. It is certain that the
friends will see to their needs. Upon him be the glory of God, the
All-Glorious; unto him be salutations and praise.