Forty Years at the Coffee Service

*A retelling for children of the account of Husayn-Áqáy-i-Tabrízí in 'Abdu'l-Bahá's **Memorials of the Faithful**, as given in **Bahá'í Chronicles**.*

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Husayn-Áqá was the son of a respected merchant of Tabríz named 'Alí-'Askar. Full of love, he travelled with his father from Tabríz to Adrianople to be near Bahá'u'lláh. When Bahá'u'lláh was sent on as a prisoner to 'Akká, Husayn-Áqá chose to go with Him, gladly and of his own wish.

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From the day he arrived in the fortress of 'Akká, he took charge of the coffee service and waited on the friends. He did this for forty years.

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It was not easy work. Day and night, friends and strangers crowded the doors, and he served every one of them. In all those years he never offended anyone, and no one ever complained about him. 'Abdu'l-Bahá wrote that this was "truly a miracle," and that no one else could have kept such a record. He was always smiling, careful with every task he was given, and known as a man who could be trusted. When hard times came, he was patient.

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After Bahá'u'lláh passed away, some people broke His Covenant and tried to lead others away from 'Abdu'l-Bahá. Husayn-Áqá was bound to some of them by close family ties. Even so, he did not hesitate for a moment. 'Abdu'l-Bahá wrote that he "stood firm as a mountain."

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The Covenant-breakers also took his mother to the Mansion of Bahjí, where her daughter lived. They showered her with favors and kindness to shake her faith, and hid from her what they had done. When she realized the truth, she left at once and hurried back to 'Akká. She said, "I am the handmaid of the Blessed Beauty, and loyal to His Covenant and Testament." She said that kindness and family ties would not win her over, and she would not meet with them again.

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Husayn-Áqá never separated himself from 'Abdu'l-Bahá and was His constant companion. 'Abdu'l-Bahá wrote that his passing was a heavy blow, and that whenever He thought of him, He still grieved. Bahá'u'lláh had said more than once that Husayn-Áqá had been created to do this service.

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After forty years of serving, Husayn-Áqá died. He is buried in Haifa.

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*This is a retelling for children. For the fuller account, see ["Husayn-Áqáy-i-Tabrízí"](/stories/bc-husayn-aqay-i-tabrizi).*

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