And again among those who left their homeland were two carpenters, Ustad
Baqir and Ustad Ahmad. These two were brothers, of pure lineage, and
natives of Ka_sh_an. From the time when both became believers each held
the other in his embrace. They harkened to the voice of God, and to His
cry of "Am I not your Lord?" they replied, "Yea, verily!"
For a time they stayed on in their own country, occupied with the
remembrance of God, characterized by faith and knowledge, respected by
friend and stranger alike, known to all for righteousness and
trustworthiness, for austerity of life and the fear of God. When the
oppressor stretched forth his hands against them, and tormented them
beyond endurance, they emigrated to 'Iraq, to the sheltering care of
Baha'u'llah. They were two most blessed souls. For some time they remained
in 'Iraq, praying in all lowliness, and supplicating God.
Then Ustad Ahmad departed for Adrianople, while Ustad Baqir remained in
'Iraq and was taken as a prisoner to Mosul. Ustad Ahmad went on with the
party of Baha'u'llah to the Most Great Prison, and Ustad Baqir emigrated
from Mosul to Akka. Both of the brothers were under the protection of God
and free from every earthly bond. In the prison, they worked at their
craft, keeping to themselves, away from friend and stranger alike.
Tranquil, dignified, confident, strong in faith, sheltered by the
All-Merciful, they happily spent their days. Ustad Baqir was the first to
die, and some time afterward his brother followed him.
These two were firm believers, loyal, patient, at all times thankful, at
all times supplicating God in lowliness, with their faces turned in His
direction. During that long stay in the prison they were never neglectful
of duty, never at fault. They were constantly joyful, for they had drunk
deep of the holy cup; and when they soared upward, out of the world, the
friends mourned over them and asked that by the grace of Baha'u'llah, they
should be favored and forgiven. These two were embosomed in bounty, and
Divinely sustained, and the Blessed Beauty was well pleased with them
both; with this provision for their journey, they set out for the world to
come. Upon them both be the glory of God the All-Glorious; to each be a
seat of truth(39) in the Kingdom of Splendors.