The opening scene of the initial act of this great drama was
laid in the upper chamber of the modest residence of the son of a mercer of
Shíráz, in an obscure corner of that city. The time was the hour before sunset,
on the 22nd day of May, 1844. The participants were the Báb, a twenty-five year
old siyyid, of pure and holy lineage, and the young Mullá Husayn, the first to
believe in Him. Their meeting immediately before that interview seemed to be
purely fortuitous. The interview itself was protracted till the hour of dawn.
The Host remained closeted alone with His guest, nor was the sleeping city
remotely aware of the import of the conversation they held with each other. No
record has passed to posterity of that unique night save the fragmentary but
highly illuminating account that fell from the lips of Mullá Husayn.
- Shoghi
Effendi (‘God Passes By’)
