Tea in the Meadows of 'Akká
'Abdu'l-Bahá, Memorials of the Faithful, (1915), Bahá'í Publishing Trust · Read original
When in Bahá'í history
A retelling for children of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's account of Muḥammad-‘Alí of Iṣfahán in Memorials of the Faithful, as given on Bahá'í Chronicles.
Muḥammad-‘Alí of Iṣfahán was one of the earliest believers. Before he heard of the Faith he was among the most respected men of his city. His house was open to every stranger, rich or poor, and he was known for his good humor and generosity.
When he became a believer, his house became a place where the friends gathered day and night to hear the sacred verses chanted. For a long time no one harmed him, because he was a relative of the Imám-Jum'ih, the cleric who led the Friday prayers in Iṣfahán. In the end even the Imám-Jum'ih sent him away. "I can protect you no longer," he told him. "You are in grave danger. The best thing for you is to leave here, and go on a journey."
So Muḥammad-‘Alí went to ‘Iráq and came into the presence of Bahá'u'lláh. He had little to live on there, but he was happy and content, and he got on well with everyone.
When Bahá'u'lláh was sent from Baghdád to Constantinople, Muḥammad-‘Alí went with Him, and on to Adrianople. 'Abdu'l-Bahá writes that whatever happened, he remained the same. In Adrianople he ran a small business that did surprisingly well.
From Adrianople he went with Bahá'u'lláh to the fortress of ‘Akká and was put in prison there. For the rest of his life he was one of Bahá'u'lláh's fellow prisoners.
He spent those years in great happiness. In the mornings he worked at a little business until noon. In the afternoons he would wrap his samovar in a dark pouch made from a saddlebag and go out to a garden, a meadow or a field to have his tea. Sometimes he was at the farm of Mazra'ih or in the Riḍván Garden, and sometimes at the Mansion, where he had the honor of attending on Bahá'u'lláh.
He took notice of every blessing that came his way. "How delicious my tea is today," he would say. "What perfume, what color! How lovely this meadow is, and the flowers so bright!" He used to say that everything, even air and water, had its own special fragrance.
People said that even kings were not as happy as he was. "He is completely free of the world," they would say. "He lives in joy." 'Abdu'l-Bahá wrote with wonder that here was a prisoner who knew comfort, peace and joy.
Muḥammad-‘Alí lived to be past eighty. He received many Tablets from Bahá'u'lláh, and his grave is in ‘Akká.
This is a retelling for children. For the fuller account, see "Muḥammad-‘Alí-i-Isfahání".
Cite this story
'Abdu'l-Bahá. (1915). *Memorials of the Faithful*. Bahá'í Publishing Trust. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/memorials-faithful/
Record yourself reading this story
Recording stays on this device only. Nothing is uploaded.
Related stories
Four Brothers Who Needed No Teacher
Four brothers living near Bahá'u'lláh's house in Baghdad were drawn to Him by watching Him come and go, and later bore captivity in Mosul with patience. ‘Abdu'l-Bahá remembers each of them and their uncle.
The Prayer Carpet and the Two Brothers
Two brothers who shared Bahá'u'lláh's exile died in each other's arms in the ‘Akká barracks, and He gave up His prayer carpet to pay for their burial. ‘Abdu'l-Bahá also recalls their brother Pahlaván Riḍá.
The Merchant Who Would Not Lie
When a Persian Consul pressed him to testify that thieves had stolen far more than his few goods, the Tabríz merchant ‘Alí-‘Askar refused to lie; later, in the ‘Akká prison with his stricken family, he never ceased giving thanks.
From Tabríz to the Most Great Prison
Hounded by his own relatives and friends in Ádhirbáyján for his faith, Hájí Áqá of Tabríz fled with his family to Adrianople, shared the exiles’ imprisonment in ‘Akká, and died there near Bahá’u’lláh.