Muhammad-'Ali of Isfahan was among the earliest of believers, guided to
the Faith from its very beginning. He was one of the mystics; his house
was a gathering place for them, and the philosophers. Noble, high-minded,
he was one of Isfahan's most respected citizens, and served as a host and
sanctuary for every stranger, rich or poor. He had verve, an excellent
disposition, was forbearing, affable, generous, a boon companion; and it
was known throughout the city that he enjoyed a good time.
Then he was led to embrace the Faith and caught fire from the Sinaitic
Tree. His house became a teaching center, dedicated to the glory of God.
Day and night the believers flocked there, as to a lamp lit by heavenly
love. Over a long period, the sacred verses were chanted in that house and
the clear proofs set forth. Although this was widely known, Muhammad-'Ali
was not molested, because he was a kinsman of the Imam-Jum'ih of Isfahan.
Finally, however, things came to such a pass that the Imam-Jum'ih himself
sent him away, telling him: "I can protect you no longer. You are in grave
danger. The best thing for you is to leave here, and go on a journey."
He left his home then, went to 'Iraq, and entered the presence of the
world's Desired One. He spent some time there, progressing every day; he
had little to live on, but was happy and content. A man of excellent
disposition, he was congenial to believers and others alike.
When Baha'u'llah and His retinue left Ba_gh_dad for Constantinople,
Muhammad-'Ali was in His company, and continued on with Him to the Land of
Mystery, Adrianople. Not one to be inconstant, he maintained his
characteristic immutability of heart. Whatever happened, he remained the
same. In Adrianople as well, his days passed happily, under the protection
of Baha'u'llah. He would carry on some business which, however trifling,
would bring in surprisingly abundant returns.
From Adrianople, Muhammad-'Ali accompanied Baha'u'llah to the fortress of
Akka, was put in jail there, and was numbered among Baha'u'llah's fellow
captives for the rest of his life, achieving that greatest of all
distinctions, to be in prison with the Blessed Beauty.
He spent his days in utter bliss. Here, too, he carried on a small
business, which occupied him from morning till noon. In the afternoons he
would take his samovar, wrap it in a dark-colored pouch made from a
saddlebag, and go off somewhere to a garden or meadow, or out in a field,
and have his tea. Sometimes he would be found at the farm of Mazra'ih, or
again in the Ridvan Garden; or, at the Mansion, he would have the honor of
attending upon Baha'u'llah.
Muhammad-'Ali would carefully consider every blessing that came his way.
"How delicious my tea is today," he would comment. "What perfume, what
color! How lovely this meadow is, and the flowers so bright!" He used to
say that everything, even air and water, had its own special fragrance.
For him the days passed in indescribable delight. Even kings were not so
happy as this old man, the people said. "He is completely free of the
world," they would declare. "He lives in joy." It also happened that his
food was of the very best, and that his home was situated in the very best
part of Akka. Gracious God! Here he was, a prisoner, and yet experiencing
comfort, peace and joy.
Muhammad-'Ali was past eighty when he finally departed to eternal light.
He had been the recipient of many Tablets from Baha'u'llah, and of endless
bounty, under all conditions. Upon him be the glory of God the Most
Glorious. Upon him be myriads of heavenly blessings; may God favor him
with gladness forever and ever. His luminous grave is in Akka.
'ABDU'S-SALIH, THE GARDENER
Among those who emigrated and were companions in the Most Great Prison was
Aqa 'Abdu's-Salih. This excellent soul, a child of early believers, came
from Isfahan. His noble-hearted father died, and this child grew up an
orphan. There was none to rear or care for him and he was the prey of
anyone who chose to do him harm. At last he became adolescent, and older
now, sought out his Well-Beloved. He emigrated to the Most Great Prison
and here, at the Ridvan, achieved the honor of being appointed gardener.
At this task he was second to none. In his faith, too, he was staunch,
loyal, worthy of trust; as to his character, he was an embodiment of the
sacred verse, "Of a noble nature art thou."(12) That is how he won the
distinction of being gardener at the Ridvan, and of thus receiving the
greatest bounty of all: almost daily, he entered the presence of
Baha'u'llah.
For the Most Great Name was held prisoner and confined nine years in the
fortress-town of Akka; and at all times, both in the barracks and
afterward, from without the house, the police and farra_sh_es had Him
under constant guard. The Blessed Beauty lived in a very small house, and
He never set foot outside that narrow lodging, because His oppressors kept
continual watch at the door. When, however, nine years had elapsed, the
fixed and predetermined length of days was over; and at that time, against
the rancorous will of the tyrant, 'Abdu'l-Hamid, and all his minions,
Baha'u'llah proceeded out of the fortress with authority and might, and in
a kingly mansion beyond the city, made His home.
Although the policy of Sultan 'Abdu'l-Hamid was harsher than ever;
although he constantly insisted on his Captive's strict confinement--still,
the Blessed Beauty now lived, as everyone knows, with all power and glory.
Some of the time Baha'u'llah would spend at the Mansion, and again, at the
farm village of Mazra'ih; for a while He would sojourn in Haifa, and
occasionally His tent would be pitched on the heights of Mount Carmel.
Friends from everywhere presented themselves and gained an audience. The
people and the government authorities witnessed it all, yet no one so much
as breathed a word. And this is one of Baha'u'llah's greatest miracles:
that He, a captive, surrounded Himself with panoply and He wielded power.
The prison changed into a palace, the jail itself became a Garden of Eden.
Such a thing has not occurred in history before; no former age has seen
its like: that a man confined to a prison should move about with authority
and might; that one in chains should carry the fame of the Cause of God to
the high heavens, should win splendid victories in both East and West, and
should, by His almighty pen, subdue the world. Such is the distinguishing
feature of this supreme Theophany.
One day the government leaders, pillars of the country, the city's
'ulamas, leading mystics and intellectuals came out to the Mansion. The
Blessed Beauty paid them no attention whatever. They were not admitted to
His presence, nor did He inquire after any of them. I sat down with them
and kept them company for some hours, after which they returned whence
they had come. Although the royal farman specifically decreed that
Baha'u'llah was to be held in solitary confinement within the Akka
fortress, in a cell, under perpetual guard; that He was never to set foot
outside; that He was never even to see any of the
believers--notwithstanding such a farman, such a drastic order, His tent
was raised in majesty on the heights of Mount Carmel. What greater display
of power could there be than this, that from the very prison, the banner
of the Lord was raised aloft, and rippled out for all the world to see!
Praised be the Possessor of such majesty and might; praised be He,
weaponed with the power and the glory; praised be He, Who defeated His
foes when He lay captive in the Akka prison!
To resume: 'Abdu's-Salih lived under a fortunate star, for he regularly
came into the presence of Baha'u'llah. He enjoyed the distinction of
serving as gardener for many years, and he was at all times loyal, true,
and strong in faith. He was humble in the presence of every one of the
believers; in all that time he never hurt nor offended any one. And at the
last he left his garden and hastened to the encompassing mercy of God.
The Ancient Beauty was well pleased with 'Abdu's-Salih, and after his
ascension revealed a Visitation Tablet in his honor, also delivering an
address concerning him, which was taken down and published together with
other Scriptures.
Upon him be the glory of the All-Glorious! Upon him be God's gentleness
and favor in the Exalted Realm.