Except the House of God

*A retelling based on **Memorials of the Faithful** by 'Abdu'l-Bahá. Words in quotation marks are as they appear in that book.*

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Sulaymán Khán, who was given the title Jamálí'd-Dín, was born in Tunúkábán into an old family of that region. 'Abdu'l-Bahá writes that he was "cradled in wealth, bred to ease." As a young man he went to Tihrán, hoping to rise above all his fellows and become a leader. In Tihrán, however, "the fragrance of God was borne his way." After that, 'Abdu'l-Bahá writes, the seat of honour was no different to him from the place where people took off their slippers at the door.

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He went as a pilgrim to the Most Great Prison and entered the presence of Bahá'u'lláh, Who then allowed him to travel to India to teach. In India he went from city to city raising the call, and "became one of God's farmers, scattering the holy seed of the Teachings." Through him a considerable number of people accepted the Faith. When he came back to the Holy Land, Bahá'u'lláh had already passed away. He grieved, but remained loyal to the Covenant.

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Not long before His passing, Bahá'u'lláh had said: "Should someone go to Persia, and manage to convey it, this message must be delivered to Amínu's-Sultán." Amínu's-Sultán was the Prime Minister of Persia, and he had once helped Bahá'í prisoners. The message told him that this service "will not be forgotten," and continued:

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"O Amínu's-Sultán! Every house that is raised up will one day fall to ruin, except the house of God; that will grow more massive and be better guarded day by day. Then serve the Court of God with all your might, that you may discover the way to a home in Heaven, and found an edifice that will endure forever."

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After Bahá'u'lláh's passing the message was delivered.

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'Abdu'l-Bahá records another service of the Minister's. In Ádhirbayján, clerics had hunted down a believer, Áqá Siyyid Asadu'lláh, in Ardabíl and plotted to kill him. The Governor, by a ruse, saved him by sending him in chains to Tabríz, and from there to Tihrán. In Tihrán Amínu's-Sultán gave the prisoner sanctuary in his own office.

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One day, when the Minister was ill, Násiri'd-Dín Sháh came to visit him, and the Minister spoke so warmly of his captive that the Sháh, as he left, showed Asadu'lláh great kindness. At an earlier time, 'Abdu'l-Bahá observes, such a prisoner would have been sent straight to the gallows.

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Later Amínu's-Sultán lost the Sovereign's favour and was banished, in disgrace, to the city of Qum. 'Abdu'l-Bahá then sent Sulaymán Khán to Persia with a prayer and a letter. The prayer asked God's aid for the fallen Minister. The letter said: "Prepare to return to Tihrán. Soon will God's help arrive; the light of grace will shine on you again; with full authority again, you will find yourself free, and Prime Minister. This is your reward for the efforts you exerted on behalf of a man who was oppressed."

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From Tihrán, Sulaymán Khán went to Qum and, as he had been instructed, lived in a cell in the shrine of Fátimih. When relatives of Amínu's-Sultán came to the shrine, he asked after the Minister and said he wished to meet him. The Minister sent for him. Sulaymán Khán went, "placing all his trust in God," met him in private, and gave him 'Abdu'l-Bahá's letter.

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The Minister rose and received it "with extreme respect." Then he said: "I had given up hope. If this longing is fulfilled, I will arise to serve; I will preserve and uphold the friends of God." He spoke of his gratitude and joy, and added: "Praise be to God, I hope again; I feel that by His aid, my dream will come true."

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When Sulaymán Khán took his leave, the Minister wanted to give him money for the journey. Sulaymán Khán refused, and despite the Minister's insistence would accept nothing.

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He had not yet reached the Holy Land on his way back when Amínu's-Sultán was recalled from exile and made Prime Minister again, with full authority. At first he did support the believers. But toward the end, when the believers of Yazd were being put to death, he was neglectful. He neither helped nor protected them, nor would he listen to their repeated pleas, until all of them had been killed. Then he too was dismissed, a ruined man. "That flag which had flown so proudly was reversed," 'Abdu'l-Bahá writes, "and that hoping heart despaired."

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When 'Abdu'l-Bahá wrote, the letter and the prayer were in the possession of the Minister's family.

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Sulaymán Khán lived on in the Holy Land, near the Holy Shrine, keeping company with the believers until his death.

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*This is a retelling. For the fuller account, see **Memorials of the Faithful** by 'Abdu'l-Bahá, "Sulaymán Khán-i-Tunúkábání."*

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