The Man Who Clapped for Joy

A retelling for children, based on 'Abdu'l-Bahá's memorials of Áqá Faraj and his companion Abu'l-Qásim in Memorials of the Faithful.

Áqá Faraj lived in the part of Persia then called Persian ‘Iráq. When he first heard of the coming of Bahá'u'lláh, 'Abdu'l-Bahá wrote, "he shook and trembled, clapped his hands, cried out in exultation and hastened off to ‘Iráq." There he came into the presence of Bahá'u'lláh and had the honour of serving Him. Then he went home to the town of Sultán-Ábád with the good news.

In Sultán-Ábád enemies of the Faith stirred up trouble, and some of the believers, who had no one to protect them, were killed. Áqá Faraj and his friend Abu'l-Qásim went into hiding. Then the two of them set out on foot for Adrianople, where Bahá'u'lláh was living in exile. They crossed plains and hills, often with nowhere to sleep and little to eat, and at last they reached the city. They arrived in the last days of Bahá'u'lláh's stay there, were made prisoners with the others, and travelled with Him to the prison of ‘Akká.

In ‘Akká Áqá Faraj served Bahá'u'lláh and was a comfort to the other believers. After Bahá'u'lláh's passing he remained true to the Covenant. 'Abdu'l-Bahá wrote that "in the domain of servitude he stood like a towering palm; a noble, superior man, patient in dire adversity, content under all conditions." He died strong in faith and devotion.

This is a retelling for children. For the fuller account, see "Memorial of Áqá Faraj".

'Abdu'l-Bahá. (1915). *Memorials of the Faithful*. Bahá'í Publishing Trust. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/memorials-faithful/