Secondary Retelling5 min●●○○○'Abdu'l-Bahá's ministry (1892–1921)
How the death warrant for the Báb was obtained from three leading priests in Tabriz
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When in Bahá'í history
1844'Abdu'l-Bahá (1892–1921)2026
Tabríz (today: Tabríz, Iran)
The Báb was engaged in a confidential conversation with
Siyyid Husayn, one of His closest followers, who had been serving as His secretary.
Husayn had been with the Báb throughout His imprisonment. The Báb was giving
him last minute instructions.
"Confess not your Faith," the Báb advised Husayn.
"Thereby you will be enabled, when the hour comes, to convey to those who are
destined to hear you, the things of which you alone are aware."
The Báb was
thus engaged when the chief-attendant arrived. He insisted upon the Báb's
immediate departure. The Báb turned and rebuked the chief-attendant severely.
"Not until I have said to him all those things I wish
to say," the Báb warned, "can any earthly power silence me. Though
all the world be armed against Me, yet shall they be powerless to deter Me from
fulfilling, to the last word, My intention."
The chief-attendant was amazed at such a bold speech on the part of a prisoner. However, he still insisted that the Báb accompany him with no further delay. The conversation with Husayn was left unfinished. The Báb and the eighteen-year-old boy who was to die with Him were led, one by one, into the presence of each of three doctors of law. The guards made certain that the irons about the neck and wrists were secure. To the iron collar about the Báb's neck they tied a long cord which was held by another attendant. Then, so that everyone could see Him in His humiliation, they walked Him about the town. They led Him through the streets and the bazaars, overwhelming Him with blows and insults. [1] He was paraded publicly, as Christ had been, an object of derision.
To the people of Tabriz the Báb was no longer triumphant. He
was to die. He was being humbled and degraded just as the Prime Minister had
planned. The crowds packed the streets along which he was led. The people
climbed upon each other's shoulders the better to see this Personage Who was so
much talked about. What a pity He was so powerless, they said. Quite obviously
this could not be a Man of God, and certainly not the Promised One.
The followers of the Báb who were in the crowd scattered in all directions. They were trying to arouse among the onlookers a feeling
of pity or sympathy which might help them save their Master.
Jesus had entered Jerusalem hailed on all sides, with palm
leaves strewn in His path, only to be mocked and reviled in that same Jerusalem
within the week. In like manner the glory that had attended the Báb's first
triumphant entry into Tabriz was now forgotten. This time the crowd, restless and
excitable, flung insulting words at Him. They wanted to be entertained with
miracles and signs of wonder, and the Báb was failing them. They pursued Him as
He was led through the streets. They broke through the guards and struck Him in
the face. When some missile hurled from the crowd would reach its mark, the
guards and the crowd would burst into laughter.
The Báb was then brought before the priest who had
previously incited the clergy to scourge Him. As soon as he saw the Báb approaching, he seized the
death-warrant and thrust it at the attendant. "No need to bring him into my presence," he
cried. 'This death warrant I signed long ago, the very day I saw him at that gathering here in
Tabriz. He is the same man I saw then, and has not since surrendered any of his
claims. Take him away!"
The other priests in turn also refused to meet the Báb face
to face. Their hatred of Him had increased since the day of His previous
triumph over them.
“We are satisfied that it is right to pronounce the sentence
of death," they said. "Do not bring him into our presence." The chief-attendant, having
secured the necessary death-warrants, delivered the Báb into the hands of Sam
Khan, the leader of the regiment that was to execute Him.
(Adapted from ‘Release the Sun’, by William Sears)
[1] Comte de Gobineau, Les Religions et les
Philosophies dans l’Asie
Centrale, p. 220.
Source: Baha'i Stories Blog (https://bahaistories.blogspot.com/2014/05/obtaining-death-warrant-for-bab-from.html).
Discuss this story
For adults
- If you were to share this story aloud at a devotional gathering, which sentence would you read first?
- What in your own life does this story bring to mind?
- Where do faith and justice meet in this story?
For teens
- If you were in William Sears's place, what might you have done?
- What does this story teach about faith?
Reflection
- Take one line from this story and let it stay with you today.
- What in this account feels timely? What feels timeless?
- How does faith show up in your life right now — and where is it being asked of you?
Comprehension quiz
Which source is "How the death warrant for the Báb was obtained from three leading priests in Tabriz" drawn from?
Where does this story take place?
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/2014/05/obtaining-death-warrant-for-bab-from.html
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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