Untaught Wisdom and the Call of the Báb

*A retelling based on **A Traveller's Narrative**, ʻAbdu'l-Bahá's history of the Báb, first published without His name and translated by E. G. Browne. Words in quotation marks are from that translation.*

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A Traveller's Narrative introduces Bahá'u'lláh without at first naming Him: "from the beginning of the manifestation of the Báb there was in Tihrán ... a Youth of the family of one of the ministers and of noble lineage, gifted in every way, and adorned with purity and nobility." His ancestors were men of note in Persia, "yet He was not of a race of doctors or a family of scholars."

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From His early adolescence He was known among the families of the ministers "for single-mindedness, and was from childhood pointed out as remarkable for sagacity." He did not, "after the fashion of His ancestors, desire elevation to lofty ranks nor seek advancement to splendid but transient positions." The common people held Him in "a wonderful esteem," and in gatherings "He had a marvelous speech and delivery."

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He had received little schooling.

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The narrative says that "notwithstanding lack of instruction and education," when as a young adult He spoke in gatherings where "questions of divinity and points of metaphysic were being discussed," before many learned men, "all those present were amazed, accounting this as a sort of prodigy beyond the discernment natural to the human race." He was "the hope of His kindred and the unique one of His family and race, nay, their refuge and shelter." Yet because He wore the kuláh, the lambskin hat of a layman, with His hair falling to His shoulders, "no one imagined that He would become the source of such matters."

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Then the Báb's claim became known. "When the question of the Báb was noised abroad signs of partiality appeared in Him." He told His relatives and the members of His household first, and then "occupied His energies by day and night in inviting friends and strangers." He worked to strengthen the young community of believers and "strove by all means to protect and guard these people."

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From Ṭihrán He went to Mázindarán, where He spoke "in assemblies, meetings, conferences, inns, mosques, and colleges." One day, the narrative records, four learned divines of Núr heard Him explain the new teaching and asked Him to accept them into His service. The chief divine of Núr, Mullá Muḥammad, then sent two of his ablest scholars to defeat Him in argument. When they heard Him, they gave up "altar and chair, pulpit and preferment, wealth and luxury," and set themselves to serve His aims, "even inviting the chief divine to tender his allegiance."

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When Bahá'u'lláh later met Mullá Muḥammad himself, the divine consulted an augury on whether to debate with Him. The augury was unfavourable, and he excused himself, putting the discussion off to another time.

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*This is a retelling. For the full account, see **A Traveller's Narrative** by ʻAbdu'l-Bahá.*

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