Smiling Through the Streets of Shíráz

*A retelling for children of the account of Ismu'lláhu'l-Aṣdaq (Mullá Ṣádiq-i-Khurásání) in 'Abdu'l-Bahá's **Memorials of the Faithful**, as given in **Bahá'í Chronicles**.*

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Mullá Ṣádiq was known all over Persia for his pure life, and people called him "Mullá Ṣádiq the saintly." He was a great scholar, and the people of the province of Khurásán loved him. 'Abdu'l-Bahá wrote that when he taught the Faith he spoke with such power that his hearers were easily won over.

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He became a believer in Shíráz in the early days of the Faith of the Báb, and he began to teach openly and boldly. For this, his enemies hung a halter on him and led him through the streets and bazaars of the city. Even then he stayed calm and kept smiling, and went on speaking to the people. He did not give in, and he was not silenced.

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When he was set free, he left Shíráz and went to Khurásán to teach there. Then he travelled with Mullá Ḥusayn, the first to believe in the Báb, to Fort Ṭabarsí.

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At the fort, the believers were surrounded by an army that fired cannon at them without end. For eighteen days they had no food. They lived on the leather of their shoes, and when that was gone they had only water. Each morning they drank a mouthful and lay down, weak with hunger. Yet whenever the army attacked, they sprang to their feet and drove the soldiers back from the walls.

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At last Mullá Ṣádiq was taken prisoner. He was bound in chains and handed over to local chiefs, who meant to kill him. But in the middle of the night, a man set him free and led him to a safe place. Through all these trials he stayed firm in his faith.

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Once he was free, he taught more widely than ever. He met Bahá'u'lláh in Iraq, and again in the prison city of 'Akká, and received His favor. Many Tablets were revealed for him by Bahá'u'lláh, who gave him the title Ismu'lláhu'l-Aṣdaq. 'Abdu'l-Bahá wrote that he "always taught cheerfully," and that he answered even angry people "gently and with good humor." He also wrote that Mullá Ṣádiq "was like a surging sea, a falcon that soared high."

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His grave is in Hamadán.

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*This is a retelling for children. For the fuller account, see ["Ismu’lláhu’l-Asdaq (Mullá Ṣádiq Khurasani)"](/stories/bc-ismu-llahu-l-asdaq-mulla-sadiq-khurasani).*

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