This knight of the battlefield was one of the most learned of seekers
after truth, well versed in many branches of knowledge. For a long time he
was in the schools, specializing in the fundamentals of religion and
religious jurisprudence, and making researches into philosophy and
metaphysics, logic and history, the contemplative and the narrated
sciences.(90) He began, however, to note that his fellows were arrogant
and self-satisfied, and this repelled him. It was then that he heard the
cry out of the Supreme Concourse, and without a moment's hesitation he
raised up his voice and shouted, "Yea, verily!"; and he repeated the
words, "O our Lord! We have heard the voice of one that called. He called
us to the Faith--'Believe ye on your Lord'--and we have believed."(91)
When he saw the great tumult and the riots in Yazd, he left his homeland
and went to Najaf, the noble city; here for safety's sake he mingled with
the scholars of religion, becoming renowned among them for his own wide
knowledge. Then, listening to the voice from Ba_gh_dad, he hastened there,
and changed his mode of dress. That is, he put a layman's hat on his head,
and went to work as a carpenter to earn his living. He traveled once to
Tihran, returned, and sheltered by the grace of Baha'u'llah was patient
and content, rejoicing in his garb of poverty. In spite of his great
learning he was humble, self-effacing, lowly. He kept silent at all times,
and was a good companion to every sort of man.
On the journey from 'Iraq to Constantinople, Mirza Ja'far was one of
Baha'u'llah's retinue, and in seeing to the needs of the friends, he was a
partner to this servant. When we would come to a stopping-place the
believers, exhausted by the long hours of travel, would rest or sleep.
Mirza Ja'far and I would go here and there to the surrounding villages to
find oats, straw and other provisions for the caravan.(92) Since there was
a famine in that area, it sometimes happened that we would be roaming from
village to village from after the noon hour until half the night was gone.
As best we could, we could procure whatever was available, then return to
the convoy.
Mirza Ja'far was patient and long-suffering, a faithful attendant at the
Holy Threshold. He was a servant to all the friends, working day and
night. A quiet man, sparing of speech, in all things relying entirely upon
God. He continued to serve in Adrianople until the banishment to Akka was
brought about and he too was made a prisoner. He was grateful for this,
continually offering thanks, and saying, "Praise be to God! I am in the
fully-laden Ark!"(93)
The Prison was a garden of roses to him, and his narrow cell a wide and
fragrant place. At the time when we were in the barracks he fell
dangerously ill and was confined to his bed. He suffered many
complications, until finally the doctor gave him up and would visit him no
more. Then the sick man breathed his last. Mirza Aqa Jan ran to
Baha'u'llah, with word of the death. Not only had the patient ceased to
breathe, but his body was already going limp. His family were gathered
about him, mourning him, shedding bitter tears. The Blessed Beauty said,
"Go; chant the prayer of Ya _Sh_afi--O Thou, the Healer--and Mirza Ja'far
will come alive. Very rapidly, he will be as well as ever." I reached his
bedside. His body was cold and all the signs of death were present.
Slowly, he began to stir; soon he could move his limbs, and before an hour
had passed he lifted his head, sat up, and proceeded to laugh and tell
jokes.
He lived for a long time after that, occupied as ever with serving the
friends. This giving service was a point of pride with him: to all, he was
a servant. He was always modest and humble, calling God to mind, and to
the highest degree full of hope and faith. Finally, while in the Most
Great Prison, he abandoned this earthly life and winged his way to the
life beyond.
Greetings and praise be unto him; upon him be the glory of the
All-Glorious, and the favoring glances of the Lord. His luminous grave is
in Akka.