Kindness to an Unkind Governor

Some of the Governors of 'Akká were very kind to 'Abdu'l-Bahá, but others listened more to His enemies than to His friends and did very cruel things. For instance, some enemies of 'Abdu'l-Bahá at one time spread the rumor that He was building a strong fort on Mount Carmel. With the help of His many friends, they said, He would very soon take over all of Palestine and Syria, and the Turkish Government would be driven out.

It was true that 'Abdu'l-Bahá had many friends of all nationalities, but the so-called fort He was building was really the sacred Shrine of the Báb. The Government, however, believed the stories the enemies told, and 'Abdu'l-Bahá was once again strictly confined within the walls of the prison-city of 'Akká.

On one occasion an unfriendly Governor who hated the Bahá'ís decided to take over their shops and leave them with no means of making a living. So he gave orders to the police: "There are fifteen shops owned by Bahá'ís; go tomorrow morning early, lock them up and bring the keys to me."

'Abdu'l-Bahá called the Bahá'ís to Him that same evening and said, "Do not open your shops tomorrow, but wait and see what God will send to us."

The next morning, the Governor waited for the keys. The police came to him and said that the shops were closed. The Governor sent the police out again, and said, "Go and see if the shops are open." The police returned and said that the shops were still closed. They waited and waited. At ten o'clock the shops were still not open, although they were usually open for trade at seven in the morning. However, the Governor knew that the shops must open sometime, so he waited.

In the meantime, the Mufti, the chief religious leader of the town, came to the Governor. "How are you?" asked the Governor. "Quite well," the Mufti answered, "but very sad; because of a telegram from Damascus, I am full of sorrow."

The Governor took the telegram and was shocked to see the message. It was from the Governor-General in Damascus, and it said that the Governor had been removed from his office, and that the police should take him to Damascus immediately.

When 'Abdu'l-Bahá heard of the Governor's misfortune, He went to visit him. "You must not be sad because of this; everything in this world changes. Can I do anything for you?" He asked.

The Governor was really surprised at 'Abdu'l-Bahá's offer, but very grateful. He said, "Now that I am being taken away from them, there will be none to care for those I love. My dear family will be sad, lonely, and helpless, with nobody to counsel and aid them in their sore need."

'Abdu'l-Bahá said, "Do not be filled with grief, but tell me where you wish your family to go."

"If only they could go to Damascus!" he said.

"Now, trust in me, and let your heart be lightened of its distress," said 'Abdu'l-Bahá. "I will gladly send an honourable escort with your wife and children to Damascus; you will find that they will be there soon after your own arrival."

And so it was done. The Master sent the family with a trustworthy escort, and provided mules and everything needed for the journey. When the family arrived in Damascus the Governor was very happy. He asked the escort what the cost was for the journey. The escort answered, "It is nothing; I am but obeying the command of the Master."

The Governor then wished to give him a present for himself, but he said, "I desire no recompense: I am but obeying the Master's command, I can accept nothing."

When the Governor invited him to stay the night so he could rest and have some food, he said, "I obey the Master's command to return without delay."

"Then I pray you take a letter, which I will write at once to the Master," the Governor insisted. And he wrote the following letter:

"O 'Abdu'l-Bahá, I pray you pardon me. I did not understand. I did not know you. I have wrought you great evil. You have rewarded me with great good."

Source: Lady Blomfield, The Chosen Highway (on 'Abdu'l-Bahá in 'Akká); also Annamarie Honnold, Vignettes from the Life of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, no. 59; adapted in Varqa Children's Magazine, vol. 1, no. 5 (November 1981); via Baha'i Stories for Children (https://bahaistoriesforchildren.blogspot.com/2019/02/an-example-of-abdul-bahas-forgiving.html). On the rumor of a fort on Mount Carmel, see Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By, ch. XVII.

Various. *Baha'i Stories for Children*. https://bahaistoriesforchildren.blogspot.com/2019/02/an-example-of-abdul-bahas-forgiving.html