The distinguished 'Ali-'Askar was a merchant from Tabriz. He was much
respected in A_dh_irbayjan by all who knew him, and recognized for
godliness and trustworthiness, for piety and strong faith. The people of
Tabriz, one and all, acknowledged his excellence and praised his character
and way of life, his qualities and talents. He was one of the earliest
believers, and one of the most notable.
When the Trumpet first sounded, he fainted away, and at the second blast,
he was awakened to new life.(95) He became a candle burning with the love
of God, a goodly tree in the Abha gardens. He led all his household, his
other kindred and his friends to the Faith, and successfully rendered many
services; but the tyranny of the wicked brought him to an agonizing pass,
and he was beset by new afflictions every day. Still, he did not slacken
and was not dispirited; on the contrary, his faith, his certitude and
self-sacrifice increased. Finally he could endure his homeland no more.
Accompanied by his family, he arrived in Adrianople, and here, in
financial straits, but content, he spent his days, with dignity, patience,
acquiescence, and offering thanks.
Then he took a little merchandise with him from Adrianople, and left for
the city of Jum'ih-Bazar, to earn his livelihood. What he had with him was
trifling, but still, it was carried off by thieves. When the Persian
Consul learned of this he presented a document to the Government, naming
an enormous sum as the value of the stolen goods. By chance the thieves
were caught and proved to be in possession of considerable funds. It was
decided to investigate the case. The Consul called in Haji 'Ali-'Askar and
told him: "These thieves are very rich. In my report to the Government, I
wrote that the amount of the theft was great. Therefore you must attend
the trial and testify conformably to what I wrote."
The Haji replied: "Your Honor, _Kh_an, the stolen goods amounted to very
little. How can I report something that is not true? When they question
me, I will give the facts exactly as they are. I consider this my duty,
and only this."
"Haji," said the Consul, "We have a golden opportunity here; you and I can
both profit by it. Don't let such a once-in-a-lifetime chance slip through
your hands."
The Haji answered: "_Kh_an, how would I square it with God? Let me be. I
shall tell the truth and nothing but the truth."
The Consul was beside himself. He began to threaten and belabor
'Ali-'Askar. "Do you want to make me out a liar?" he cried. "Do you want
to make me a laughingstock? I will jail you; I will have you banished;
there is no torment I will spare you. This very instant I will hand you
over to the police, and I will tell them that you are an enemy of the
state, and that you are to be manacled and taken to the Persian frontier."
The Haji only smiled. "Jinab-i-_Kh_an," he said. "I have given up my life
for the truth. I have nothing else. You are telling me to lie and bear
false witness. Do with me as you please; I will not turn my back on what
is right."
When the Consul saw that there was no way to make 'Ali-'Askar testify to a
falsehood, he said: "It is better, then, for you to leave this place, so
that I can inform the Government that the owner of the merchandise is no
longer available and has gone away. Otherwise I shall be disgraced."
The Haji returned to Adrianople, and spoke not a word as to his stolen
goods, but the matter became public knowledge and caused considerable
surprise.
That fine and rare old man was taken captive in Adrianople along with the
rest, and he accompanied the Blessed Beauty to the Akka fortress, this
prison-house of sorrows. With all his family, he was jailed in the path of
God for a period of years; and he was always offering thanks, because the
prison was a palace to him, and captivity a reason to rejoice. In all
those years he was never known to express himself except in thankfulness
and praise. The greater the tyranny of the oppressors, the happier he was.
Time and again Baha'u'llah was heard to speak of him with loving kindness,
and He would say: "I am pleased with him." This man, who was spirit
personified, remained constant, true, and joyful to the end. When some
years had passed, he exchanged this world of dust for the Kingdom that is
undefiled, and he left powerful influences behind.
As a rule, he was the close companion of 'Abdu'l-Baha. One day, at the
beginning of our time in the Prison, I hurried to the corner of the
barracks where he lived--the cell that was his shabby nest. He was lying
there, running a high fever, out of his head. On his right side lay his
wife, shaking and trembling with chills. To his left was his daughter,
Fatimih, burning up with typhus. Beyond them his son, Husayn-Aqa, was down
with scarlet fever; he had forgotten how to speak Persian, and he kept
crying out in Turkish, "My insides are on fire!" At the father's feet lay
the other daughter, deep in her sickness, and along the side of the wall
was his brother, Ma_sh_hadi Fattah, raving and delirious. In this
condition, 'Ali-'Askar's lips were moving: he was returning thanks to God,
and expressing joy.
Praise be to God! He died in the Most Great Prison, still patient and
thankful, still with dignity and firm in his faith. He rose up to the
retreats of the compassionate Lord. Upon him be the glory of the
All-Glorious; to him be salutations and praise: upon him be mercy and
forgiveness forever and ever.