Secondary Retelling5 min●●○○○'Abdu'l-Bahá's ministry (1892–1921)
Mírzá Músá: Bahá’u’lláh’s faithful brother, also known as Áqáy-i-Kalím – a brief account of his life by 'Abdu'l-Baha
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When in Bahá'í history
1844'Abdu'l-Bahá (1892–1921)2026
Shíráz (today: Shíráz, Iran)
Like a bright lamp, he shone out in that Household. He
wished neither rank nor office, and had no worldly aims at all. His one supreme
desire was to serve Bahá’u’lláh, and for this reason he was never separated
from his Brother’s presence. No matter what torments the others inflicted, his
loyalty equaled the cruelty of the rest, for he had drunk the wine of
unadulterated love.
Then the voice was heard, crying out of Shíráz, and from a
single utterance of Bahá’u’lláh’s his heart was filled with light, and from a
single gust that blew over the gardens of faith, he caught the fragrance. At
once, he began to serve the friends. He had an extraordinary attachment to me,
and was at all times concerned for my well-being. In Tihrán he occupied himself
day and night with propagating the Faith and gradually became well known to
everyone; habitually he spent his time in the company of blessed souls.
Bahá’u’lláh then left Tihrán, journeying to Iraq, and of His brothers the two who were in His company were Áqáy-i-Kalím and Mírzá Muhammad-Qulí. They turned their faces away from Persia and the Persians, and closed their eyes to comfort and peace; in the Beloved’s path they chose with all their hearts to bear whatever calamity should be their lot.
Thus they arrived in Iraq. During the days when Bahá’u’lláh
had vanished from sight, that is, when He was on the journey to Kurdistán,
Áqáy-i-Kalím lived on the edge of an abyss; his life was constantly in danger,
and each day that passed was worse than the one before; still, he bore it all,
and knew no fear. When at last the Blessed Beauty returned out of Kurdistán,
Áqáy-i-Kalím resumed his post by the Holy Threshold, rendering every service
within his power. For this he became known far and wide. At the time when
Bahá’u’lláh left Baghdad for Constantinople, Áqáy-i-Kalím was with Him and
continued to serve along the way, as he did on the further journey from Constantinople
to Adrianople.
It was during the sojourn in this latter city that he
detected from Mírzá Yahyá the odor of rebellion. Day and night he tried to make
him mend his ways, but all to no avail. On the contrary, it was astonishing
how, like a deadly poison, the temptings and satanic suggestions of Siyyid
Muhammad worked on Mírzá Yahyá, so that Áqáy-i-Kalím finally abandoned hope.
Even then he never ceased trying, thinking that somehow, perhaps, he could
still the tempest and rescue Mírzá Yahyá from the gulf. His heart was worn away
with despair and grief. He tried everything he knew. At last he had to admit
the truth of these words of Saná’í:
If to the fool my lore you’d bring,
Or think my secrets can be told
To him who is not wise—
Then to the deaf go harp and sing,
Or stand before the blind and hold
A mirror to his eyes.
When all hope was gone, he ended the relationship, saying:
“O my brother, if others are in doubt as to this affair, you and I both know
the truth. Have you forgotten the loving-kindness of Bahá’u’lláh, and how He
trained us both? What care He took with your lessons and your penmanship; how
constantly He saw to your spelling and your composition, and encouraged you to
practice the different calligraphic styles; He even guided your copy with His
own blessed fingers. Who does not know how He showered favors on you, how He
brought you up in the haven of His embrace. Is this your thanks for all His
tenderness—that you plot with Siyyid Muhammad and desert the shelter of
Bahá’u’lláh? Is this your loyalty? Is this the right return for all His love?”
The words had no effect whatever; on the contrary, with each passing day, Mírzá
Yahyá disclosed a greater measure of his concealed intent. Then at the end, the
final rupture took place.
From Adrianople, Áqáy-i-Kalím went on with the convoy of
Bahá’u’lláh, to the fortress of ‘Akká. His name was specifically listed in the
Sultán’s decree, and he was condemned to perpetual banishment. He devoted all
his time in the Most Great Prison to serving Bahá’u’lláh, and had the honor of
being continually in his Brother’s presence, also keeping company with the
believers; until at last he left this world of dust and hastened to the holy
world above…
Mírzá Músá was indeed a true brother to the Blessed Beauty;
this is why he remained steadfast, under all conditions, to the very end. Unto
him be praise and salutations, and the breath of life, and glory; upon him be
mercy and grace.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a talk; ‘Memorials of the Faithful’)
Source: Baha'i Stories Blog (https://bahaistories.blogspot.com/2018/12/mirza-musa-bahaullahs-faithful-brother.html).
Discuss this story
For adults
- Read the closing lines once more. What single phrase stays with you?
- What might Bahá'u'lláh's example ask of us in our own circumstances?
- If you were to share this story aloud at a devotional gathering, which sentence would you read first?
For teens
- How could the spirit of devotion show up in your week?
- What does this story say about how to face hard moments?
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 devotion show up in your life right now — and where is it being asked of you?
Comprehension quiz
Which source is "Mírzá Músá: Bahá’u’lláh’s faithful brother, also known as Áqáy-i-Kalím – a brief account of his life by 'Abdu'l-Baha" 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/2018/12/mirza-musa-bahaullahs-faithful-brother.html
This story shares quotes with 74 other stories
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Also in
- A pilgrim reports in 1920 how busy ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was replying to numerous letters from around the world— Various, Baha'i Stories Blog
- An example of how man is unable to prevent God from executing His will— Various, Baha'i Stories Blog
- An example of love and compassion shown by Munirih Khanum (‘Abdu’l-Baha’s wife)— Various, Baha'i Stories Blog
- Bahá’u’lláh’s departure for the Garden of Ridván— Various, Baha'i Stories Blog
- Baha’u’llah visits Mulla Husayn and his companions at Fort Tabarsi— Various, Baha'i Stories Blog
- …and 69 more
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