The Crying Woman in the Crowd
Mírzá Maḥmúd-i-Zarqání, Mahmúd's Diary, (1998), George Ronald · Read original
When in Bahá'í history
A retelling for children, based on Mahmúd's Diary (entry of 14 April 1912).
One Sunday in April 1912, 'Abdu'l-Bahá was invited to speak at a big church in New York called the Church of the Ascension. About two thousand people were there.
He spoke to them about how all the people of the world are meant to be united. When He finished, He chanted a prayer. Mírzá Maḥmúd, who travelled with Him and wrote down what happened each day, said the prayer touched the hearts of everyone listening.
As 'Abdu'l-Bahá left the church, group after group of people hurried towards Him. The Bahá'ís sang "Alláh-u-Abhá," and many people asked Him to bless them.
In the middle of the crowd was a woman who was crying. She was holding on tightly to the edge of His robe. She was so full of feeling that she could not say a word.
'Abdu'l-Bahá gave her His love and kindness. He spoke loving, comforting words to her until she was calm.
Mírzá Maḥmúd wrote that it was a great day. Not one of the two thousand people was disappointed, and everyone went home smiling.
This is a retelling for children. For the fuller account, see "The Woman Who Held His Robe".
Cite this story
Maḥmúd-i-Zarqání, M.. (1998). *Mahmúd's Diary*. George Ronald. https://bahai-library.com/zarqani_mahmuds_diary
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