A Knighthood for the Master

When you stand in the gardens at Mazra'ih near 'Akká, you can see the mountains that hold the Druze village of Abu-Sinan, where the Bahá'ís of the Holy Land found refuge during the dangerous times of World War I.

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During this war, the British and the Turks were fighting to control the Holy Land. When the war began, people feared that Haifa and 'Akká would be bombarded, so 'Abdu'l-Bahá moved the Bahá'ís and His family to the village of Abu-Sinan.

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But He Himself had work to do. He stayed on in 'Akká with one attendant, while on Mount Carmel the veteran Hájí Mírzá Ḥaydar-'Alí, a courageous soul who feared nothing but the displeasure of God, remained alone in the pilgrim house. It was almost impossible for 'Abdu'l-Bahá to continue His correspondence with Bahá'ís all over the world—hardly any mail went in or out of Haifa, and no pilgrims could travel to the war zone—so He turned His energies to easing the sufferings of the people of Haifa and 'Akká.

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Meanwhile the enemies of the Faith had spread lies about 'Abdu'l-Bahá to the Turkish military commander, Jamál Páshá, and he declared that he would crucify 'Abdu'l-Bahá when he returned victorious from his campaigns.

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The oppression of the Turks and a plague of locusts had caused local famine, so in the tremendous heat of the season (which was enough to take one's breath away!), 'Abdu'l-Bahá traveled to Tiberias and supervised the raising of wheat on the fertile land around the Sea of Galilee. He maintained a system of distributing the wheat to the people of Haifa and 'Akká, arranged for its transport by camel, and devoted His time to caring for the victims of the war.

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At the end of the war, the tide was turning very definitely in favor of the British, and 'Abdu'l-Bahá's life was in even more peril, as the Turks desperately held on in Haifa and threatened to crucify Him and His family on Mount Carmel.

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Some British Bahá'ís received an urgent message that 'Abdu'l-Bahá's life was in grave danger, and they hurried to get help from the British officials, who responded by having a telegram sent from the British government in London to General Allenby of the British army in the Holy Land: "Extend every protection and consideration to 'Abdu'l-Bahá, His family and His friends, when the British march on Haifa."

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When General Allenby took Haifa, he sent a cable back to London: "Have to-day taken Palestine. Notify the world that 'Abdu'l-Bahá is safe."

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In April of 1920, 'Abdu'l-Bahá received a high honor from the British government. He was knighted, becoming Sir 'Abdu'l-Bahá 'Abbás. This knighthood was bestowed upon Him in recognition of His work during the war to relieve the people's hunger and distress.

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'Abdu'l-Bahá accepted the knighthood as a gift from a "just king", but never used the title "Sir", and even on the day of His knighthood, He refused to allow a fuss to be made over Him.

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The British officials were all gathered in Haifa to honor 'Abdu'l-Bahá, and an imposing motor-car had been sent to bring Him to the ceremony. But the Master could not be found. People were sent in every direction to look for Him, when suddenly, from an unexpected side, He appeared, alone, walking His kingly walk.

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His faithful servant Isfandiyár, who for many years had driven the Master on errands of mercy, stood sadly looking at the elegant motor-car. At a sign from 'Abdu'l-Bahá, the old servant rushed off to harness the horse and brought out his simple carriage, and in it 'Abdu'l-Bahá was driven to the garden where the ceremony was held. And that's how He arrived: humble yet kingly, wearing already the invisible crown of honor won by Him for steadfastly working to serve others.

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