Mullá Ṣádiq Led Through Shíráz

*A retelling based on 'Abdu'l-Bahá's memorial of Ismu'lláhu'l-Asdaq in **Memorials of the Faithful**. Words in quotation marks are 'Abdu'l-Bahá's own, as given in the published English translation.*

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Mullá Ṣádiq of Khurásán, later known as Ismu'lláhu'l-Asdaq, was a learned man long before he heard of the Báb. As a young man he joined the circle of Siyyid Káẓim and became one of his disciples. He had memorized a great number of Islamic traditions and mastered the teachings of Shaykh Aḥmad and Siyyid Káẓim.

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He was known in Persia for the purity of his life, "winning fame as Mullá Sádiq the saintly," and the people of Khurásán were strongly attached to him. As a teacher, 'Abdu'l-Bahá writes, "he spoke with such eloquence, such extraordinary power, that his hearers were won over with great ease."

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He became a believer in Shíráz, in the early days of the Faith, and was soon widely known as one. "And because he began to teach openly and boldly, they hung a halter on him and led him about the streets and bázárs of the city. Even in that condition, composed and smiling, he kept on speaking to the people. He did not yield; he was not silenced."

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When he was freed he left Shíráz for Khurásán and taught there, and then went with Mullá Ḥusayn to Fort Ṭabarsí. 'Abdu'l-Bahá describes the siege: the believers went eighteen days without food and lived on the leather of their shoes, yet when the army attacked they would spring to their feet and drive it back from their walls. Mullá Ṣádiq was taken prisoner at the fort and handed to the chiefs of Mázindarán to be led about and killed.

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When he had been brought in chains to the appointed place, "God put it into one man's heart to free him from prison in the middle of the night and guide him to a place where he was safe." Through all of it, the Master writes, "he remained staunch in his faith."

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Once free, he taught more widely than ever. He attained the presence of Bahá'u'lláh in ʻIráq, and again in the Most Great Prison in 'Akká. 'Abdu'l-Bahá numbers him among the Hands of the Cause of God. Bahá'u'lláh revealed many Tablets for him, among them a Tablet of Visitation after his passing. His tomb is in Hamadán.

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*This is a retelling. For the full memorial, see "Ismu'lláhu'l-Asdaq" in **Memorials of the Faithful** by 'Abdu'l-Bahá.*

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