The Martyr Who Forgave

*A retelling for children of the account of Ḥájí Mullá Ismá'íl-i-Qumí in **Bahá'í Chronicles**, taken from Nabíl's **The Dawn-Breakers**.*

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Ḥájí Mullá Ismá'íl came from Faráhán, in Persia. While he was still very young he went to Karbilá, in 'Iráq, in search of the truth. He studied with the leading religious scholars of Najaf and Karbilá and sat at the feet of Siyyid Káẓim. What he learned there prepared him, a few years later in Shíráz, to recognize the Báb.

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He became known for his firm faith and his devotion. When the Báb called on His followers to go to Khurásán, he set out at once and joined the believers who were travelling to Badasht. There he was given the name Sirru'l-Vujúd. He could explain the verses of the Qur'án and the traditions of Islam with rare insight, and the other believers admired him for it.

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When the believers gathered to defend themselves in the fort of Shaykh Ṭabarsí, he was ill in bed and could not join them. By the time he recovered, the siege was over and his fellow believers there had been killed. From then on he worked harder than ever for the Faith, to make up for their loss.

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In 1850 he was arrested in Ṭihrán with other believers, and he was the third of the Seven Martyrs of Ṭihrán. Two companions had already been put to death before him. He looked towards them and cried: "Well done, beloved companions! You have turned Tihran into a paradise! Would that I had preceded you!"

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He took a coin from his pocket, gave it to the executioner, and asked him to buy something sweet for him. He ate a little and gave the rest to the man, saying: "I have forgiven you your act; approach and deal your blow. For thirty years I have yearned to witness this blessed day, and was fearful lest I should carry this wish with me unfulfilled to the grave."

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Then he raised his eyes to heaven and prayed that God would accept him. He was still praying when his life was ended.

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*This is a retelling for children. For the fuller account, see ["Haji Mulla Isma’il-i-Qumi"](/stories/bc-haji-mulla-isma-8217-il-i-qumi).*

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