Sweeping the Threshold at Dawn
'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 Ḥaná-Sáb in Memorials of the Faithful, as given on Bahá'í Chronicles.
Áqá Muḥammad was a man of dignity and rank in Iṣfahán, and one of the earliest believers there. From the beginning he was known as a lover of the Most Great Light. 'Abdu'l-Bahá says that he shut his eyes to this world and the next, and opened them to "the beauty of Him Who is the embodiment of all that is lovable."
Once he became a believer he could no longer rest. He guided a number of people to the Faith and stayed loyal to it. He suffered terrible persecution for his faith, but he did not falter.
In Iṣfahán he won the trust of two brothers, later known as the King of Martyrs and the Beloved of Martyrs, and for some years he served them as a trusted attendant. The King of Martyrs was often pleased with him and said of him, "This man is one of those souls who are at rest; he is indeed well-pleased with his Lord, and well-pleasing unto Him. His faith is unalloyed, he loves God, he has a good character, and leads a good life. He is also an agreeable companion, and an eloquent one."
After the King of Martyrs was put to death, Áqá Muḥammad stayed on in Iṣfahán for a while, mourning him. Then he went to ‘Akká, to the Most Great Prison. Bahá'u'lláh received him, and he won the high honor of sweeping the ground about the Threshold of Bahá'u'lláh's house. He was patient, and a true friend to all.
After Bahá'u'lláh passed away, Áqá Muḥammad's grief gave him no rest. Every day at dawn he rose and swept the ground about the house of Bahá'u'lláh, "his tears pouring down like rain, chanting prayers as he worked."
He could not bear the separation for long, and before much time had passed he died as well. His tomb is in ‘Akká.
This is a retelling for children. For the fuller account, see "Muḥammad Ḥaná-Sáb".
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/
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