The Stolen Saddlebag

One day, when the Báb had dismounted close to a well [on His way to Mecca] in order to offer His morning prayer, a roving Bedouin suddenly appeared on the horizon, drew near to Him, and, snatching the saddlebag that had been lying on the ground beside Him, and which contained His writings and papers, vanished into the unknown desert. His Ethiopian servant set out to pursue him, but was prevented by his Master, who, as He was praying, motioned to him with His hand to give up his pursuit. “Had I allowed you,” the Báb later on affectionately assured him, “you would surely have overtaken and punished him. But this was not to be. The papers and writings which that bag contained are destined to reach, through the instrumentality of this Arab, such places as we could never have succeeded in attaining. Grieve not, therefore, at his action, for this was decreed by God, the Ordainer, the Almighty.” Many a time afterwards did the Báb on similar occasions seek to comfort His friends by such reflections. By words such as these He turned the bitterness of regret and of resentment into radiant acquiescence in the Divine purpose and into joyous submission to God’s will.

• Nabíl (‘The Dawn-Breakers’, translated and edited by Shoghi Effendi, p. 132)

Source: Bahá'í Stories Blog (https://bahaistories.blogspot.com/2020/09/an-example-of-operation-of-will-of-god.html).

Various. *Baha'i Stories Blog*. https://bahaistories.blogspot.com/2020/09/an-example-of-operation-of-will-of-god.html