No Word but the Truth

A retelling based on The Dawn-Breakers by Nabíl-i-A'ẓam, translated and edited by Shoghi Effendi. Short phrases in quotation marks are words preserved in that account.

Ḥusayn Khán, the governor of Fárs, had already had one of the Báb's followers, Mullá Ṣádiq, scourged in Shíráz until the strokes numbered more than nine hundred, and then expelled from the city. His anger was not appeased. His cruelty, Nabíl writes, "found further vent in the assault which he now directed against the person of the Báb." He sent a mounted escort of his own trusted guard to Búshihr, on the coast, with emphatic instructions to arrest the Báb and bring Him to Shíráz in chains.

The leader of that escort, a member of the Nuṣayrí community, known as the sect of the 'Alíyu'lláhí, later told what happened, and Nabíl recorded his account.

After the third stage of their journey, in the midst of the wilderness, the riders met the Báb coming toward them on horseback. He wore a green sash and a small turban, after the manner of the siyyids who were in the trading profession, and an Ethiopian servant followed Him with His belongings. The Báb had lived for years in Búshihr, working in His uncle's business. A note in the book, quoting an early history, says that during that time He won the esteem of all the merchants He dealt with by His integrity and piety.

He greeted the horsemen and asked where they were going. The captain thought it best, as he admitted later, to conceal the truth. He replied that the governor had commanded them to conduct a certain enquiry in the neighbourhood.

The Báb smiled. "The governor has sent you to arrest Me. Here am I; do with Me as you please." By coming out to meet them, He added, He had shortened their march and made it easier for them to find Him.

The captain was startled, and marvelled at such candour. He could not understand why anyone would give himself up of his own accord to government officials and risk his life. He tried to ignore the Báb and was preparing to ride on, when the Báb came closer and spoke again.

He swore by the righteousness of Him Who created man that "all My life I have uttered no word but the truth, and had no other desire except the welfare and advancement of My fellow-men." Then He said: "I have disdained My own ease and have avoided being the cause of pain or sorrow to anyone. I know that you are seeking Me. I prefer to deliver Myself into your hands, rather than subject you and your companions to unnecessary annoyance for My sake."

"These words moved me profoundly," the captain said. He dismounted, kissed the Báb's stirrups, and begged Him to escape and flee from Ḥusayn Khán. He dreaded the governor's designs, and could not bear to be made the instrument of harm to "so innocent and noble a descendant of the Prophet of God." He said: "My companions are all honourable men. Their word is their bond. They will pledge themselves not to betray your flight." He urged the Báb to go to the city of Mashhad in Khurásán and not fall victim to "this remorseless wolf."

The Báb answered: "May the Lord your God requite you for your magnanimity and noble intention. No one knows the mystery of My Cause; no one can fathom its secrets. Never will I turn My face away from the decree of God. He alone is My sure Stronghold, My Stay and My Refuge." Until His last hour came, He said, none could assail Him, and when that hour came, how great would be His joy to quaff the cup of martyrdom in God's name. "Here am I; deliver Me into the hands of your master. Be not afraid, for no one will blame you."

"I bowed my consent," the captain said, "and carried out his desire."

The Báb rode on toward Shíráz, free and unfettered, ahead of His escort, which followed Him "in an attitude of respectful devotion." Nabíl writes that by His words He had disarmed the hostility of His guards and turned their arrogance into humility and love. They went straight through the streets to the seat of the government, and everyone who saw them pass marvelled at the sight.

There Ḥusayn Khán received the Báb with the utmost insolence and rebuked Him publicly. When the Báb answered him with a verse of the Qur'án, the governor ordered an attendant to strike Him in the face, and the blow was so violent that His turban fell to the ground.

This is a retelling. For the fuller account, see The Dawn-Breakers by Nabíl-i-A'ẓam, translated and edited by Shoghi Effendi.

Effendi), N. (. A. E. B. S.. *The Dawn-Breakers: Nabíl's Narrative of the Early Days of the Bahá'í Revelation*.