A Dream of Sticks of Dynamite

Later, in 1907, four members of a second Commission of investigation arrived by ship from Turkey. ‘A few days before its arrival ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had a dream, which He recounted to the believers, in which He saw a ship cast anchor off ‘Akká, from which flew a few birds, resembling sticks of dynamite, and which, circling about His head, as He stood in the midst of a multitude of the frightened inhabitants of the city, returned without exploding to the ship.’

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The members of the Commission remained in ‘Akká for approximately a month. They went to look at the stone edifice on the mountain. They asked ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to appear before them. Now, He refused to do so. Furious, the chairman wanted an ‘order from the Sulṭán to have Me hanged at the gate of ‘Akká,’ ‘Abdu’l-Bahá later said in London. The ship stood ready to carry ‘Abdu’l-Bahá away with the Commission members. The Master remained calm and confident.

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He even told the believers who were yet in ‘Akká, ‘The meaning of the dream I dreamt is now clear and evident. Please God this dynamite will not explode.’

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Then, mysteriously, one day the Commission’s ship began to leave the harbour in Haifa and move towards ‘Akká. The Bahá’ís and family of the Master were filled with anguish on learning of this. They feared the Master would be taken aboard and carried away. Meanwhile, He was ‘pacing, alone and silent, the courtyard of His house.’ But at dusk, wonder of wonders, the ship had obviously changed its direction. She was heading directly for Constantinople.

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There had been an attempt on the life of the Sulṭán. When the Commission submitted its report to him, it was not even considered, as the Sulṭán and his government were ‘too preoccupied to consider the matter’. Some months later the ‘Young Turk’ Revolution of 1908 freed all political and religious prisoners of the old regime. This included ‘Abdu’l-Bahá—free at last in 1908! In 1909 the Sulṭán himself was deposed.

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