Mullá Husayn, who anticipated being the chosen companion of
the Báb during His pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina, was, as soon as the latter
decided to depart from Shíráz, summoned to the presence of his Master, who gave
him the following instructions:
“The days of our companionship are approaching their end. My
Covenant with you is now accomplished. Gird up the loins of endeavour, and
arise to diffuse My Cause. Be not dismayed at the sight of the degeneracy and
perversity of this generation, for the Lord of the Covenant shall assuredly
assist you. Verily, He shall surround you with His loving protection, and shall
lead you from victory to victory. Even as the cloud that rains its bounty upon
the earth, traverse the land from end to end, and shower upon its people the
blessings which the Almighty, in His mercy, has deigned to confer upon you.
Forbear with the ‘ulamás, and resign yourself to the will of God. Raise the
cry: ‘Awake, awake, for, lo! the Gate of God is open, and the morning Light is
shedding its radiance upon all mankind! The promised One is made manifest;
prepare the way for Him, O people of the earth! Deprive not yourselves of its
redeeming grace, nor close your eyes to its effulgent glory.’ Those whom you
find receptive to your call, share with them the epistles and tablets We have
revealed for you, that, perchance, these wondrous words may cause them to turn
away from the slough of heedlessness, and soar into the realm of the Divine
presence. In this pilgrimage upon which We are soon to embark, We have chosen
Quddús as Our companion. We have left you behind to face the onslaught of a
fierce and relentless enemy. Rest assured, however, that a bounty unspeakably
glorious shall be conferred upon you. Follow the course of your journey towards
the north, and visit on your way Isfáhán, Káshán, Qum, and Tihrán. Beseech
almighty Providence that He may graciously enable you to attain, in that
capital, the seat of true sovereignty, and to enter the mansion of the Beloved.
A secret lies hidden in that city. When made manifest, it shall turn the earth
into paradise. My hope is that you may partake of its grace and recognise its
splendour. From Tihrán proceed to Khurásán, and there proclaim anew the Call.
From thence return to Najaf and Karbilá, and there await the summons of your
Lord. Be assured that the high mission for which you have been created will, in
its entirety, be accomplished by you. Until you have consummated your work, if
all the darts of an unbelieving world be directed against you, they will be
powerless to hurt a single hair of your head. All things are imprisoned within
His mighty grasp. He, verily, is the Almighty, the All-Subduing.”
(Chapter 3, of ‘The Dawn-Breakers’, by Nabil, translated and edited by Shoghi Effendi)
