The Dervish

A story from The Dawn-Breakers:

Sometimes we don’t say what we mean clearly in our words, but may show what we really mean in another way. When this happens, it takes someone of an unusual gift to understand. See what happened when Bahá’u’lláh met a dervish.

One day after Bahá’u’lláh had received the wonderful message of the Báb, He was riding in the countryside. At this time, no one knew that Bahá’u’lláh was the Great Prophet promised by the Báb. This was still God’s secret.

As Bahá’u’lláh was riding, He saw a very strange man. He was squatting down beside his fire, cooking. He was a dervish. Bahá’u’lláh greeted him very kindly and courteously and asked the man what he was doing.

The dervish answered, “I am engaged in eating God. I am cooking God and am burning Him.”

Although Bahá’u’lláh knew this was impossible, He didn't laugh. He was pleased. He saw that this man spoke simply and honestly from his own belief and desire to be near to God. Bahá’u’lláh loved this strange man. Gently and lovingly He spoke to him, and told the dervish about the true nature of God.

Although many people might think he was a fool, this dervish had a very pure heart. Bahá’u’lláh, being very wise, saw this. The dervish was deeply touched by the powerful spirit of Bahá’u’lláh. He forgot completely his own old ideas when looking into the face of Bahá’u’lláh and listening to His words. He straightaway stood up, leaving his things behind him, and followed Bahá’u’lláh.

This dervish alone saw what no one else could see: that Bahá’u’lláh was a Prophet of God. As he followed Bahá’u’lláh on foot, he made up a poem:

Thou art the Day-Star of guidance.

Thou art the Light of Truth.

Unveil Thyself to men,

O Revealer of the Truth.

As the man wandered in the countryside chanting, his poem became very famous. People from all around would learn it and repeat it. But they never knew his secret: this wonderful love-poem was about Bahá’u’lláh, the messenger of God for this day!

(by Susan Allen; Brilliant Star magazine March-April 1986)

Source: Baha'i Stories for Children (https://bahaistoriesforchildren.blogspot.com/2024/06/the-dervish.html). The event is told in The Dawn-Breakers (Nabíl), chapter V, pp. 117–119, during Bahá'u'lláh's visit to Núr; the dervish's name was Muṣṭafá.

Various. *Baha'i Stories for Children*. https://bahaistoriesforchildren.blogspot.com/2024/06/the-dervish.html