A few days after Táhirih’s arrival at Tihrán, [circa 1848]
Bahá’u’lláh decided to send her to Khurásán in the company of the believers who
were preparing to depart for that province. He too had determined to leave the
capital and take the same direction a few days later. He accordingly summoned
Áqáy-i-Kalím and instructed him to take immediately the necessary measures to
ensure the removal of Táhirih, together with her woman attendant, Qanitih, to a
place outside the gate of the capital, from whence they were, later on, to
proceed to Khurásán. He cautioned him to exercise the utmost care and vigilance
lest the guards who were stationed at the entrance of the city, and who had
been ordered to refuse the passage of women through the gates without a permit,
should discover her identity and prevent her departure.
I [Nabil] have heard Áqáy-i-Kalím recount the following:
“Putting our trust in God, we rode out, Táhirih, her
attendant, and I, to a place in the vicinity of the capital. None of the guards
who were stationed at the gate of Shimírán raised the slightest objection, nor
did they enquire regarding our destination. At a distance of two farsangs
[Three miles roughly to a farsang or farsakh] from the capital, we alighted in
the midst of an orchard abundantly watered and situated at the foot of a
mountain, in the centre of which was a house that seemed completely deserted.
As I went about in search of the proprietor, I chanced to meet an old man who
was watering his plants. In answer to my enquiry, he explained that a dispute
had arisen between the owner and his tenants, as a result of which those who
occupied the place had deserted it. ‘I have been asked by the owner,’ he added,
‘to keep guard over this property until the settlement of the dispute.’ I was
greatly delighted with the information he gave me, and asked him to share with
us our luncheon. When, later in the day, I decided to depart for Tihrán, I
found him willing to watch over and guard Táhirih and her attendant. As I
committed them to his care, I assured him that I would either myself return
that evening or send a trusted attendant whom I would follow the next morning
with all the necessary requirements for the journey to Khurásán.
“Upon my arrival at Tihrán, I despatched Mullá Báqir, one of
the Letters of the Living, together with an attendant, to join Táhirih. I
informed Bahá’u’lláh of her safe departure from the capital. He was greatly
pleased at the information I gave Him, and named that orchard ‘Bagh-i-Jannat.’
[Garden of Paradise] ‘That house,’ He remarked, ‘has been providentially
prepared for your reception, that you may entertain in it the loved ones of
God.’
“Táhirih tarried seven days in that spot, after which she
set out, accompanied by Muhammad-Hasan-i-Qazvíní, surnamed Fata, and a few
others, in the direction of Khurásán. I was commanded by Bahá’u’lláh to arrange
for her departure and to provide whatever might be required for her journey.”
- Nabil (‘The Dawn-Breakers’, translated and edited by Shoghi
Effendi)
