Memorial of Jináb-i-Muníb

In Memorials of the Faithful, 'Abdu'l-Bahá remembers Jináb-i-Muníb of Káshán.

His name was Mírzá Áqá, the Master writes, "and he was spirit itself." He had been drawn to the Faith in the days of the Báb. He was a fine youth, handsome, full of charm and grace; a calligrapher second to none, a poet, and the possessor of a remarkable singing voice. In Persia he had been known for an easy and agreeable life.

During the years when Bahá'u'lláh resided in 'Iráq, Muníb left Káshán and hastened to His presence. He lived in a small and humble house, barely managed to subsist, and set about committing to writing the words of God.

In all this mortal world he had only one possession, his daughter; and even his daughter he had left behind in Persia, as he hurried away to 'Iráq.

When Bahá'u'lláh and His companions departed from Baghdád for Constantinople, Muníb went on foot. Though he had been used to comfort, "he gladly measured out the desert miles, and he spent his days and nights chanting prayers, communing with God and calling upon Him."

"He was a close companion of mine on that journey," the Master writes. "There were nights when we would walk, one to either side of the howdah of Bahá'u'lláh, and the joy we had defies description." Some nights Muníb would chant the odes of Ḥáfiẓ, among them the one that begins, "Come, let us scatter these roses, let us pour out this wine."

At the time of His departure from Constantinople, Bahá'u'lláh directed Muníb to return to Persia and promulgate the Faith. He went back and, over a considerable period, rendered outstanding services, especially in Ṭihrán. Then he came again to Adrianople and entered Bahá'u'lláh's presence, and he was made a prisoner with Him in the exile to 'Akká.

He was already feeble and ill when the party set out, but he would not remain behind in Adrianople for treatment; he wanted to lay down his life at the feet of his Lord. It took three men to carry him onto the ship. At sea he grew worse; the captain wanted him put off the ship, but at the friends' repeated pleas waited until they reached Smyrna. There the captain told the government agent accompanying the exiles that if they did not put the sick man ashore, he would do it by force. The friends were compelled to take Muníb to the hospital at Smyrna.

Before they carried him away, weak as he was and unable to utter a word, he dragged himself to Bahá'u'lláh, lay down at His feet, and wept. On the countenance of Bahá'u'lláh as well, the Master writes, there was intense pain. At the hospital the officials allowed the friends no more than an hour. They laid him on the bed, held him and kissed him many times, and then they were forced away.

"His grave is in Smyrna," the Master writes, "but it is off by itself, and deserted." He asks that the friends search for it, so that the neglected dust may become a much-frequented shrine.

A retelling based on Memorials of the Faithful by 'Abdu'l-Bahá (chapter "Jináb-i-Muníb"). For the fuller account, see the original.

'Abdu'l-Bahá. (1915). *Memorials of the Faithful*. Bahá'í Publishing Trust. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/memorials-faithful/