Secondary Retelling3 min●●○○○'Abdu'l-Bahá's ministry (1892–1921)

How Baha’u’llah managed to evade Prime Minister’s persistent attempts to take possession of one of His properties through fraudulent means and evil designs

Baha'i Stories Blog · Read original

Studio narration for this story is coming — it’ll be generated by the cloud-TTS pipeline (voice: auto-selected from the source author).

When in Bahá'í history

1844'Abdu'l-Bahá (1892–1921)2026

One day, as he [Hájí Mírzá Aqásí, the Grand Vazír of Muhammad Sháh] was passing through the village of Quch-Hisar, which belonged to Bahá’u’lláh, he was so impressed by the charm and beauty of that place and the abundance of its water that he conceived the idea of becoming its owner. Bahá’u’lláh, whom he had summoned to effect the immediate purchase of that village, observed:

“Had this property been exclusively mine own, I would willingly have complied with your desire. This transitory life, with all its sordid possessions, is worthy of no attachment in my eyes, how much less this small and insignificant estate. As a number of other people, both rich and poor, some of full age and some still minors, share with me the ownership of this property, I would request you to refer this matter to them, and to seek their consent.” Unsatisfied with this reply, Hájí Mírzá Aqásí sought, through fraudulent means, to achieve his purpose.

So soon as Bahá’u’lláh was informed of his evil designs, He, with the consent of all concerned, immediately transferred the title of the property to the name of the sister of Muhammad Sháh, who had already repeatedly expressed her desire to become its owner.

The Hájí, furious at this transaction, ordered that the estate should be forcibly seized, claiming that he already had purchased it from its original possessor. The representatives of Hájí Mírzá Aqásí were severely rebuked by the agents of the sister of the Sháh, and were requested to inform their master of the determination of that lady to assert her rights. The Hájí referred the case to Muhammad Sháh, and complained of the unjust treatment to which he had been subjected.

That very night, the Sháh’s sister had acquainted him with the nature of the transaction. “Many a time,” she said to her brother, “your Imperial Majesty has graciously signified your desire that I should dispose of the jewels with which I am wont to adorn myself in your presence, and with the proceeds purchase some property. I have at last succeeded in fulfilling your desire. Hájí Mírzá Aqásí, however, is now fully determined to seize it forcibly from me.” The Sháh reassured his sister, and commanded the Hájí to forgo his claim. The latter, in his despair, summoned Bahá’u’lláh to his presence and, by every artifice, strove to discredit His name.

To the charges he brought against Him, Bahá’u’lláh vigorously replied, and succeeded in establishing His innocence. In his impotent rage, the Grand Vazír exclaimed: “What is the purpose of all this feasting and banqueting in which you seem to delight? I, who am the Prime Minister of the Sháhinsháh [King of Kings] of Persia, never receive the number and variety of guests that crowd around your table every night. Why all this extravagance and vanity? You surely must be meditating a plot against me.” “Gracious God!” Bahá’u’lláh replied. “Is the man who, out of the abundance of his heart, shares his bread with his fellow-men, to be accused of harbouring criminal intentions?” Hájí Mírzá Aqásí was utterly confounded. He dared no reply. Though supported by the combined ecclesiastical and civil powers of Persia, he eventually found himself, in every contest he ventured against Bahá’u’lláh, completely defeated.

- Nabil ('The Dawn-Breakers', translated and edited by Shoghi Effendi)

Source: Baha'i Stories Blog (https://bahaistories.blogspot.com/2020/02/how-bahaullah-managed-to-evade-prime.html).

Discuss this story

For adults

Read the closing lines once more. What single phrase stays with you?
What does the setting of this account contribute to its meaning?
What stands out about Bahá'u'lláh's response in this account?

For teens

How could the spirit of service show up in your week?
What does this story say about how to face hard moments?

Reflection

How does service show up in your life right now — and where is it being asked of you?
Is there someone in your life who would be helped by hearing this story?
Sit quietly for a moment after reading. What does this story stir in you?

Comprehension quiz

Which source is "How Baha’u’llah managed to evade Prime Minister’s persistent attempts to take possession of one of His properties through fraudulent means and evil designs" drawn from?
What period of Bahá'í history does this story belong to?
Which historical figure is featured most prominently in this story?
Which virtue does this story most clearly illustrate?

Cite this story

Various. *Baha'i Stories Blog*. https://bahaistories.blogspot.com/2020/02/how-bahaullah-managed-to-evade-prime.html

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This story shares quotes with 94 other stories

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Also in
- 1844: A lonely youth’s encounter with Bahá’u’lláh by a roadside in Mazindaran and his amazing recognition of His station— Various, Baha'i Stories Blog
- 1848: Baha’u’llah describes the consternation that seized the Bábís when Tahirih suddenly appeared unveiled at the conference of Badasht— Various, Baha'i Stories Blog
- 1851 Karbilá, Iraq: A disciple of the Báb becomes the first person to whom Baha'u'llah confided His Divine Mission – as was prophesied by the Báb in 1848— Various, Baha'i Stories Blog
- A believer’s eagerness to provide financial assistance to Baha’u’llah – but chose a wrong method— Various, Baha'i Stories Blog
- A funny incident while in the company of the Master— Various, Baha'i Stories Blog
- …and 89 more

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Bahá'u'lláh Shoghi Effendi #stories #family

How Baha’u’llah managed to evade Prime Minister’s persistent attempts to take possession of one of His properties through fraudulent means and evil designs

Baha'i Stories Blog · Read original

Studio narration for this story is coming — it’ll be generated by the cloud-TTS pipeline (voice: auto-selected from the source author).

When in Bahá'í history

1844'Abdu'l-Bahá (1892–1921)2026

- Nabil ('The Dawn-Breakers', translated and edited by Shoghi Effendi)

Source: Baha'i Stories Blog (https://bahaistories.blogspot.com/2020/02/how-bahaullah-managed-to-evade-prime.html).

Discuss this story

For adults

Read the closing lines once more. What single phrase stays with you?
What does the setting of this account contribute to its meaning?
What stands out about Bahá'u'lláh's response in this account?

For teens

How could the spirit of service show up in your week?
What does this story say about how to face hard moments?

Reflection

How does service show up in your life right now — and where is it being asked of you?
Is there someone in your life who would be helped by hearing this story?
Sit quietly for a moment after reading. What does this story stir in you?

Comprehension quiz

Which source is "How Baha’u’llah managed to evade Prime Minister’s persistent attempts to take possession of one of His properties through fraudulent means and evil designs" drawn from?
What period of Bahá'í history does this story belong to?
Which historical figure is featured most prominently in this story?
Which virtue does this story most clearly illustrate?

Cite this story

Various. *Baha'i Stories Blog*. https://bahaistories.blogspot.com/2020/02/how-bahaullah-managed-to-evade-prime.html

All four formats →

This story shares quotes with 94 other stories

“clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;”
Also in
- 1844: A lonely youth’s encounter with Bahá’u’lláh by a roadside in Mazindaran and his amazing recognition of His station— Various, Baha'i Stories Blog
- 1848: Baha’u’llah describes the consternation that seized the Bábís when Tahirih suddenly appeared unveiled at the conference of Badasht— Various, Baha'i Stories Blog
- 1851 Karbilá, Iraq: A disciple of the Báb becomes the first person to whom Baha'u'llah confided His Divine Mission – as was prophesied by the Báb in 1848— Various, Baha'i Stories Blog
- A believer’s eagerness to provide financial assistance to Baha’u’llah – but chose a wrong method— Various, Baha'i Stories Blog
- A funny incident while in the company of the Master— Various, Baha'i Stories Blog
- …and 89 more

Record yourself reading this story

Recording stays on this device only. Nothing is uploaded.

QR Slides Email

Bahá'u'lláh Shoghi Effendi #stories #family

How Baha’u’llah managed to evade Prime Minister’s persistent attempts to take possession of one of His properties through fraudulent means and evil designs

Related stories

1844: A lonely youth’s encounter with Bahá’u’lláh by a roadside in Mazindaran and his amazing recognition of His station

1848: Baha’u’llah describes the consternation that seized the Bábís when Tahirih suddenly appeared unveiled at the conference of Badasht

1848: Baha’u’llah suffered the humiliating bastinado punishment

1851 Karbilá, Iraq: A disciple of the Báb becomes the first person to whom Baha'u'llah confided His Divine Mission – as was prophesied by the Báb in 1848

How Baha’u’llah managed to evade Prime Minister’s persistent attempts to take possession of one of His properties through fraudulent means and evil designs

Related stories

1844: A lonely youth’s encounter with Bahá’u’lláh by a roadside in Mazindaran and his amazing recognition of His station

1848: Baha’u’llah describes the consternation that seized the Bábís when Tahirih suddenly appeared unveiled at the conference of Badasht

1848: Baha’u’llah suffered the humiliating bastinado punishment

1851 Karbilá, Iraq: A disciple of the Báb becomes the first person to whom Baha'u'llah confided His Divine Mission – as was prophesied by the Báb in 1848