The Martyrdom of Ḥájí Sulaymán Khán

*A retelling based on **The Dawn-Breakers: Nabíl's Narrative** (trans. Shoghi Effendi), chapter 26, and the accounts of E. G. Browne quoted in Shoghi Effendi's notes to that chapter. Words in quotation marks are quoted from those pages.*

1 / 14

In August 1852, after an attempt on the life of Náṣiri'd-Dín Sháh, the Bábís of Ṭihrán were hunted down and many were put to death. Among those seized and thrown into prison was Ḥájí Sulaymán Khán.

2 / 14

He was the son of Yaḥyá Khán, an officer in the service of the father of Muḥammad Sháh, yet Nabíl says he showed "from his earliest years a marked disinclination to rank and office." As a young man he went to Karbilá, became a follower of Siyyid Káẓim, and there accepted the Báb when His call reached him through two of his friends.

3 / 14

Back in Ṭihrán he spent most of his time with the Báb's disciples, especially those who had survived the struggle at the fort of Ṭabarsí. He had even gone to Tabríz in the hope of saving the Báb's life. He and his father were so influential that the Amír-Niẓám left him unharmed.

4 / 14

Nabíl heard the account of his death from Áqáy-i-Kalím, who was present at a gathering in Ṭihrán when the official who had led Sulaymán Khán to his execution, the kad-khudá Mírzá Taqí, described what he had seen.

5 / 14

The Sháh had ordered Ḥájibu'd-Dawlih to look into the prisoner's case and, if he was innocent, to induce him to recant. If he agreed, his life would be spared. If he refused, he was to be put to death "in whatever manner he himself might desire." Ḥájibu'd-Dawlih found him innocent of the attempt on the Sháh. Told of the offer, Sulaymán Khán answered: "Never, so long as my life-blood continues to pulsate in my veins, shall I be willing to recant my faith in my Beloved!"

6 / 14

Asked how he wished to die, he said at once: "Pierce holes in my flesh, and in each wound place a candle." Nine candles were to be lighted, and he was to be led through the streets of Ṭihrán so that the people might "recognise the Light I have embraced." Afterwards his body was to be cut in two and hung on either side of the city gate, so that those passing beneath it "may witness to the love which the Faith of the Báb has kindled in the hearts of His disciples."

7 / 14

When the men hesitated, he tried to take the knife from the executioner to make the wounds himself, and they tied his hands behind his back. He then pointed out where the nine wounds should be made: two in his breast, two in his shoulders, one in the nape of his neck and four in his back. Mírzá Taqí said he bore it in silence until all nine candles were lit.

8 / 14

To the sound of drums and trumpets he was led through the market. Every few steps he stopped and called to the crowd: "What greater pomp and pageantry than those which this day accompany my progress to win the crown of glory!

9 / 14

Glorified be the Báb, who can kindle such devotion in the breasts of His lovers, and can endow them with a power greater than the might of kings!" When a breeze made the candles on his breast burn down into the wounds, he spoke to the flames: "You have long lost your sting, O flames, and have been robbed of your power to pain me."

10 / 14

Browne, in a passage Shoghi Effendi quotes, recorded that he sang and recited verses of poetry on the way, and that when the executioners mockingly asked why he did not dance if he found death so pleasant, he danced.

11 / 14

At the place of execution, outside the gate of Naw, he prostrated himself and prayed. Then he said to the executioner: "My work is now finished! Come and do yours!" He was still alive when his body was cut in two.

12 / 14

When Mírzá Taqí finished his account, one of the learned men listening, the Niẓámu'l-'Ulamá, wrung his hands and exclaimed, "How strange, how very strange, is this Cause!" He rose and left without another word.

13 / 14

*This is a retelling. For the full account, see **The Dawn-Breakers: Nabíl's Narrative**, translated by Shoghi Effendi, chapter 26.*

14 / 14