Still another of those who emigrated from their native land to be near
Baha'u'llah was the great Nabil.(15) In the flower of youth he bade
farewell to his family in Zarand and with Divine aid began to teach the
Faith. He became a chief of the army of lovers, and on his quest he left
Persian 'Iraq for Mesopotamia, but could not find the One he sought. For
the Well-Beloved was then in Kurdistan, living in a cave at Sar-Galu; and
there, entirely alone in that wasteland, with no companion, no friend, no
listening soul, He was communing with the beauty that dwelt in His own
heart. All news of Him was completely cut off; 'Iraq was eclipsed, and in
mourning.
When Nabil discovered that the flame which had once been kindled and
tended there was almost out, that the believers were few, that Yahya(16)
had crawled into a secret hole where he lay torpid and inert, and that a
wintry cold had taken over--he found himself obliged to leave, bitterly
grieving, for Karbila. There he stayed until the Blessed Beauty returned
from Kurdistan, making His way to Ba_gh_dad. At that time there was
boundless joy; every believer in the country sprang to life; among them
was Nabil, who hastened to the presence of Baha'u'llah, and became the
recipient of great bestowals. He spent his days in gladness now, writing
odes to celebrate the praises of his Lord. He was a gifted poet, and his
tongue most eloquent; a man of mettle, and on fire with passionate love.
After a time he returned to Karbila, then came back to Ba_gh_dad and from
there went on to Persia. Because he associated with Siyyid Muhammad he was
led into error and sorely afflicted and tried; but like the shooting
stars, he became as a missile to drive off satanic imaginings,(17) and he
repulsed the evil whisperers and went back to Ba_gh_dad, where he found
rest in the shade of the Holy Tree. He was later directed to visit
Kirman_sh_ah. He returned again, and on every journey was enabled to
render a service.
Baha'u'llah and His retinue then left Ba_gh_dad, the "Abode of Peace," for
Constantinople, the "City of Islam." After His departure, Nabil put on the
dress of a dervish, and set out on foot, catching up with the convoy along
the way. In Constantinople he was directed to return to Persia and there
teach the Cause of God; also to travel throughout the country, and
acquaint the believers in its cities and villages with all that had taken
place. When this mission was accomplished, and the drums of "Am I not your
Lord?" were rolling out--for it was the "year eighty"(18)-- Nabil hurried to
Adrianople, crying as he went, "Yea verily Thou art! Yea verily!" and
"Lord, Lord, here am I!"
He entered Baha'u'llah's presence and drank of the red wine of allegiance
and homage. He was then given specific orders to travel everywhere, and in
every region to raise the call that God was now made manifest: to spread
the blissful tidings that the Sun of Truth had risen. He was truly on
fire, driven by restive love. With great fervor he would pass through a
country, bringing this best of all messages and reviving the hearts. He
flamed like a torch in every company, he was the star of every assemblage,
to all who came he held out the intoxicating cup. He journeyed as to the
beat of drums and at last he reached the Akka fortress.
In those days the restrictions were exceptionally severe. The gates were
shut, the roads closed off. Wearing a disguise, Nabil arrived at the Akka
gate. Siyyid Muhammad and his wretched accomplice immediately hurried to
the Governorate and informed against the traveler. "He is a Persian," they
reported. "He is not, as he seems, a man of Bu_kh_ara. He has come here to
seek for news of Baha'u'llah." The authorities expelled him at once.
Nabil, despairing, withdrew to the town of Safad. Later he came on to
Haifa, where he made his home in a cave on Mount Carmel. He lived apart
from friend and stranger alike, lamenting night and day, moaning and
chanting prayers. There he remained as a recluse, and waited for the doors
to open. When the predestined time of captivity was over, and the gates
were flung wide, and the Wronged One issued forth in beauty, in majesty
and glory, Nabil hastened to Him with a joyful heart. Then he used himself
up like a candle, burning away with the love of God. Day and night he sang
the praises of the one Beloved of both worlds and of those about His
threshold, writing verses in the pentameter and hexameter forms, composing
lyrics and long odes. Almost daily, he was admitted to the presence of the
Manifestation.(19)
This went on until the day Baha'u'llah ascended. At that supreme
affliction, that shattering calamity, Nabil sobbed and trembled and cried
out to Heaven. He found that the numerical value of the word
"_sh_idad"--year of stress--was 309, and it thus became evident that
Baha'u'llah foretold what had now come to pass.(20)
Utterly cast down, hopeless at being separated from Baha'u'llah, fevered,
shedding tears, Nabil was in such anguish that anyone seeing him was
bewildered. He struggled on, but the only desire he had was to lay down
his life. He could suffer no longer; his longing was aflame in him; he
could stand the fiery pain no more. And so he became king of the cohorts
of love, and he rushed into the sea.
Before that day when he offered himself up, he wrote out the year of his
death in the one word: "Drowned."(21) Then he threw down his life for the
Well-Beloved, and was released from his despair, and no longer shut away.
This distinguished man was erudite, wise, and eloquent of speech. His
native genius was pure inspiration, his poetic gift like a crystal stream.
In particular his ode "Baha, Baha!" was written in sheer ecstasy.
Throughout all his life, from earliest youth till he was feeble and old,
he spent his time serving and worshiping the Lord. He bore hardships, he
lived through misfortunes, he suffered afflictions. From the lips of the
Manifestation he heard marvelous things. He was shown the lights of
Paradise; he won his dearest wish. And at the end, when the Daystar of the
world had set, he could endure no more, and flung himself into the sea.
The waters of sacrifice closed over him; he was drowned, and he came, at
last, to the Most High.
Upon him be abundant blessings; upon him be tender mercies. May he win a
great victory, and a manifest grace in the Kingdom of God.