Áqá ‘Alí of Qazvín

A retelling for children, based on 'Abdu'l-Bahá's memorial of Áqá ‘Alíy-i-Qazvíní in Memorials of the Faithful, as given in Bahá'í Chronicles.

Áqá ‘Alí was one of the earliest believers. At the very beginning of the Faith he came to love the Báb and began to teach. He worked at his craft from morning till dark, and almost every night he had friends to supper. Through these suppers he brought many seekers to the Faith.

Then Áqá ‘Alí learned of Bahá'u'lláh and arose to proclaim His Cause. Every night there was a gathering. Holy verses were read, prayers were chanted, and the good news was shared. 'Abdu'l-Bahá wrote that he was "a magnanimous being, with open hand and heart."

In his home city of Qazvín, enemies of the Faith caught him and beat him, and he suffered from the effects for the rest of his life. 'Abdu'l-Bahá wrote that "his only crime was to have become a believer, and his only sin, to have loved God."

Later Áqá ‘Alí set out with his family for the prison-city of ‘Akká. The journey was full of hardships, but he longed so much to see Bahá'u'lláh that he found them easy to bear.

At first he had enough money and lived comfortably. Later he became very poor. Most of the time he ate only bread, and instead of tea he drank from a running brook. Still he was happy and content. His great joy was to come into the presence of Bahá'u'lláh. 'Abdu'l-Bahá remembered: "He was always smiling, always silent; but at the same time, his heart shouted, leapt and danced."

He was often in the company of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, who wrote that he never changed: he was "stable, constant, firmly rooted as the hills." He spent his days in ‘Akká in prayer, often admitted to the presence of Bahá'u'lláh, until the end of his life.

This is a retelling for children. For the fuller account, see "Áqá ‘Alíy-i-Qazvíní".

editors, B. C.. *Bahá'í Chronicles*. https://bahaichronicles.org/aqa-aliy-i-qazvini/