The Soldiers Who Would Not Fire

*A retelling for children, based on **The Chosen Highway** by Lady Blomfield, with details from **The Dawn-Breakers**. The words in quotation marks are as those books record them.*

1 / 9

On the 9th of July 1850, in the city of Tabríz, the Báb was brought out into the square of the army barracks. His enemies had decided to put Him to death. With Him was a young follower, Áqá Muḥammad-'Alí, who loved Him so much that he had begged to stay by His side.

2 / 9

The two of them were tied with ropes and hung against a wall. About ten thousand people crowded onto the roofs to watch. A regiment of seven hundred and fifty soldiers stood ready with their rifles. The order was given, the soldiers fired, and a great cloud of smoke hid the wall.

3 / 9

When the smoke cleared, the people could hardly believe their eyes. The young follower was standing there without a scratch. The bullets had cut only the ropes, and the Báb was gone. The crowd cried out, "The Siyyid-i-Bab has gone from our sight!"

4 / 9

Lady Blomfield writes that He was found in a room nearby, calmly writing. Soon He laid down His pen and said:

5 / 9

> It is finished. I am ready.

6 / 9

Nabíl's book tells it a little differently. Earlier that morning the Báb had been talking with His secretary when an official interrupted them, and the Báb had told the official that no one on earth could stop Him until He had said everything He meant to say. After the soldiers fired, He was found back in the room where He had spent the night, finishing that talk.

7 / 9

The order to fire was given again, but the soldiers laid down their arms, saying, "This thing is of God, we refuse to obey." Their commander, Sám Khán, took his men away and promised never again to do anything that would harm the Báb. Another regiment had to be brought in to carry out the order, and that day the Báb gave His life.

8 / 9

*This is a retelling for children. For the fuller account, see ["It Is Finished, I Am Ready"](/stories/ch-it-is-finished-i-am-ready).*

9 / 9