Secondary Retelling5 min●●○○○'Abdu'l-Bahá's ministry (1892–1921)
The Badasht Conference
Baha'i Stories for Children · 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
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It was the summer of 1848. The followers of the Báb, the
Bábís, were fiercely persecuted in Persia, the birthplace of their Faith. They
needed guidance and support. Bahá'u'lláh, Who, at that time, was a directing
force among the Bábís, decided to meet with His fellow believers. A group of
them gathered in the small village of Badasht in northern Persia.
Upon His arrival, Bahá'u'lláh rented three gardens, one for
Quddús, another for Táhirih, and the third one for Himself. The main purpose of
this gathering of Bábís, known as the Badasht Conference, was to consult about
the future of the Bábí Faith. Tents were put up in the three gardens to house
the eighty-one Bábís who had gathered at this most important event. From the
day they arrived to the day they left, for twenty-two days, they were all the
guests of Bahá'u'lláh.
Every day, Bahá'u'lláh revealed a new Tablet, which was chanted
every morning in this memorable gathering of Bábís. Through these Tablets,
Bahá'u'lláh discarded one after another of the established traditions of the
past. The Bábís were dismayed as they saw the ways they had worshiped, and many
of the teachings they had followed for so long, changed and discarded.
Baha'u'llah bestowed a new name on every believer at Badasht
without disclosing the identity of the person who had given those names. From
this time on, He became known as "Bahá" (Glory), Quddús (the Most
Holy) gained his title, and Táhirih (the Pure One).
The Bábís were in awe. They did not know the source of all
these Revelations. They wondered: Who wrote the Tablets? Who gave them the new
names? Some were guessing, each one to his own degree of understanding. Very
few, if any, thought Bahá'u'lláh was the author of the changes that were so
fearlessly introduced.
Baha'u'llah presided every day over the Conference of
Badasht, guiding the discussions and enlightening His fellow believers. Táhirih
and Quddús, encouraged by Baha'u'llah, discussed the future of the Bábí
Revelation. Táhirih wanted to declare its complete break from Islam. Quddús
rejected her views. Baha'u'llah did not take sides but let the two examine and
contemplate all aspects of this most important matter.
One day, Bahá'u'lláh was not feeling well and decided to remain in His garden. As soon as Quddús heard this news, he went to His presence. Gradually other believers came too and gathered around Him. Suddenly, a messenger from Táhirih came and addressed Quddús saying, "Tahirih wants to
meet with you in her garden."
"I do not wish to meet with her anymore! "
exclaimed Quddús bluntly.
The messenger refused to return without him. Suddenly,
Táhirih appeared at the door. Beautifully adorned, she stood serenely before
her companions. She was not wearing her veil, a requirement for women under the
laws of Islam.
Immediately, the men stood up in complete shock, as if
struck by lightning. An honorable woman appearing without a veil! How could
they gaze on the unveiled face of the one whom they considered the best example
of purity, honor, and modesty? Some were so outraged that they fled the place.
Some not only left the conference, but they also left the Faith they had been
ready to defend. Such was their degree of attachment to the traditions of the
past and their anger toward Táhirih's brave action!
Those who remained listened in complete awe to Táhirih's
eloquent speech delivered in a language highly resembling that of the Qur'an,
the Holy Book of Islam. In her address, she announced the dawn of a New Day.
She announced that this was the time to break away from the traditions of the
past. She ended her talk in her strong, melodious voice, declaring: "This
is the day in which the fetters of the past are burst asunder."
This incident changed the life of the Bábís. The change
involved all their manners and customs. It freed them from the obligation of
following the Muslim clergy. Yet they remained confused. Many of them wrote
letters to the Báb, asking for guidance. Each one of them received a Tablet
from Him reassuring them and confirming the changes. In regard to Táhirih's
unveiled appearance, He wrote, "What am I to say regarding her whom the
Tongue of Power and Glory [Bahá'u'lláh] has named Táhirih [the Pure One]."
By writing this, He also showed that Táhirih's appearance, unveiled in the
presence of men, was acceptable.
Baha'u'llah, with His love, wisdom, and patience, built
peace and harmony among the remaining believers at Badasht. The main objective
of the gathering was achieved; the future of the Bábí Faith was determined.
"The clarion-call of the new Order had been sounded...The way was clear
for the proclamation of the laws and precepts that were destined to usher in
the new Dispensation." (Nabil, the Dawn-Breakers)
(Written by Lily Ayman, illustrated by Jacki Ayorinde; ‘Core Curriculum for Spiritual Education’, by the United
States National Spiritual Assembly)
Source: Baha'i Stories for Children (https://bahaistoriesforchildren.blogspot.com/2017/08/the-badasht-conference.html).
Discuss this story
For adults
- Where do you see faith appearing — visibly or quietly — in this passage?
- How does this story complicate or deepen your understanding of children-stories?
- Where do faith and love meet in this story?
For teens
- What is one quality you'd want to carry forward from this account?
- Which line in this story surprised you the most?
For children
- What is one new word you learned in this story?
- What did Quddús do that was kind?
Reflection
- What single image from this story will stay with you?
- Where in your own life are you being asked to practice faith?
- Read the passage a second time, slowly. What did you notice that you missed the first time?
Comprehension quiz
Which source is "The Badasht Conference" 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 for Children*. https://bahaistoriesforchildren.blogspot.com/2017/08/the-badasht-conference.html
This story shares quotes with 145 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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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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