The Mujtahid Who Knelt in Baghdád

A retelling based on Memorials of the Faithful, 'Abdu'l-Bahá's reminiscences of the believers of Bahá'u'lláh's time. Words in quotation marks are from that book.

In Najaf, among the disciples of the renowned mujtahid Shaykh Murtaḍá, there was, 'Abdu'l-Bahá writes, "a man without likeness or peer." His name was Áqá Muḥammad-i-Qá'iní. Bahá'u'lláh would later give him the title Nabíl-i-Akbar.

He became "the leading member" of Shaykh Murtaḍá's company of disciples, and he alone among them was given the rank of mujtahid, "for the late Shaykh Murtaḍá was never wont to confer this degree." He "excelled not only in theology but in other branches of knowledge, such as the humanities, the philosophy of the Illuminati, the teachings of the mystics and of the Shaykhí School." 'Abdu'l-Bahá writes: "He was a universal man, in himself alone a convincing proof."

His "eyes were opened to the light of Divine guidance." Having received his new rank, he left Najaf for Baghdád, where he "was honored with meeting Bahá'u'lláh." "Soon he was in such a state that he could rest neither day nor night."

One day, in the outer apartments reserved for the men, Nabíl "was reverently kneeling in the presence of Bahá'u'lláh" when two visitors came in: Ḥájí Mírzá Ḥasan-'Amú, a trusted associate of the mujtahids of Karbilá, and Zaynu'l-'Ábidín Khán, the Fakhru'd-Dawlih. The Ḥájí was astonished to see him kneeling there so humbly, for it was widely known that he was "unique among mujtahids" and the most favoured disciple of Shaykh Murtaḍá.

"Sir," he murmured, "what are you doing in this place?"

Nabíl answered, "I came here for the same reason you did."

Later Nabíl went to Persia and on to Khurásán. At first the Amír of Qá'in, Mír 'Alam Khán, honoured him and valued his company. But Nabíl could not hide his love for God. He taught the Faith in the Qá'in area and brought many people to it. The clergy, "envious and malevolent," sent their accusations to Ṭihrán, and Náṣiri'd-Dín Sháh "rose up in wrath." The Amír, afraid of the Sháh, turned on Nabíl, the city rose against him, and he was driven out.

In Ṭihrán he lived as a homeless fugitive. Watchmen searched the streets and alleys for him. He could no longer wear the turban of his rank, and he went about in a layman's hat so that he would not be recognized. In secret he went on teaching, and was "a guiding lamp to many souls."

He then went to Bukhárá and Ishqábád, still teaching. He met each seeker on his own ground: "He would guide the Illuminati by their own philosophical principles, and with the mystics he would prove the Divine Advent in terms of 'inspiration' and the 'celestial vision.'" He convinced the Shaykhí leaders by quoting the words of Shaykh Aḥmad and Siyyid Káẓim, and Muslim theologians with texts from the Qur'án and the traditions of the Imáms. In Bukhárá he became penniless "and a prey to many troubles, until at the last, far from his homeland, he died."

'Abdu'l-Bahá sets his life beside those of the celebrated clerics of his day. They, He writes, "will disappear without a trace. They will leave no name behind them, no sign, no fruit." But because Nabíl "stood steadfast in this holy Faith, because he guided souls and served this Cause and spread its fame, that star, Nabíl, will shine forever from the horizon of abiding light." He adds: "It is clear that whatever glory is gained outside the Cause of God turns to abasement at the end."

Near the end of His account He writes: "Of wide learning, at once a mujtahid, a philosopher, a mystic, and gifted with intuitive sight, he was also an accomplished man of letters and an orator without a peer. He had a great and universal mind."

This is a retelling. For the full account, see Memorials of the Faithful by 'Abdu'l-Bahá.

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