Ustad 'Ali-Akbar, the Cabinet-Maker,(61) was numbered among the just, a
prince of the righteous. He was one of Persia's earliest believers and a
leading member of that company. From the beginning of the Cause a trusted
confidant, he loosed his tongue to proclaim the Faith. He informed himself
as to its proofs, and went deep into its Scriptures. He was also a gifted
poet, writing odes in eulogy of Baha'u'llah.
Exceptionally skilled in his craft, Ustad produced highly ingenious work,
fashioning carpentry that, for intricacy and precision, resembled mosaic
inlay. He was expert in mathematics as well, solving and explaining
difficult problems.
From Yazd, this revered man traveled to 'Iraq, where he achieved the honor
of entering the presence of Baha'u'llah, and received abundant grace. The
Blessed Beauty showered favors upon Ustad 'Ali, who entered His presence
almost every day. He was one of those who were exiled from Ba_gh_dad to
Mosul, and he endured severe hardships there. He remained a long time in
Mosul, in extremely straitened circumstances but resigned to the will of
God, always in prayer and supplication, and with a thankful tongue.
Finally he came from Mosul to the Holy Shrine and here by the tomb of
Baha'u'llah he would meditate and pray. In the dark of the night, restless
and uneasy, he would lament and cry out; when he was supplicating God his
heart burned within him; his eyes would shed their tears, and he would
lift up his voice and chant. He was completely cut off from this dust
heap, this mortal world. He shunned it, he asked but one thing--to soar
away; and he hoped for the promised recompense to come. He could not bear
for the Light of the World to have disappeared, and what he sought was the
paradise of reunion with Him, and what his eyes hungered to behold was the
glory of the Abha Realm. At last his prayer was answered and he rose
upward into the world of God, to the gathering-place of the splendors of
the Lord of Lords.
Upon him be God's benediction and praise, and may God bring him into the
abode of peace, as He has written in His book: "For them is an abode of
peace with their Lord."(62) "And to those who serve Him, is God full of
kindness."(63)