The Two Carpenters of Káshán

*A retelling drawn from **Memorials of the Faithful**, 'Abdu'l-Bahá's reminiscences of the believers in Bahá'u'lláh's circle. Phrases in quotation marks are 'Abdu'l-Bahá's own words in that book.*

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Among the believers 'Abdu'l-Bahá remembers in *Memorials of the Faithful* are two carpenters, Ustád Báqir and Ustád Aḥmad. They were brothers, "of pure lineage," from Káshán in Persia. "From the time when both became believers each held the other in his embrace." To God's call, "Am I not your Lord?" they replied, "Yea, verily!"

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For a time they stayed in their own country, "respected by friend and stranger alike, known to all for righteousness and trustworthiness, for austerity of life and the fear of God." When "the oppressor stretched forth his hands against them, and tormented them beyond endurance," they emigrated to 'Iráq, "to the sheltering care of Bahá'u'lláh." 'Abdu'l-Bahá calls them "two most blessed souls."

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From 'Iráq their paths divided. Ustád Aḥmad went to Adrianople and then with Bahá'u'lláh's party to the Most Great Prison in 'Akká. Ustád Báqir stayed in 'Iráq, was taken as a prisoner to Mosul, and later came from Mosul to 'Akká.

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"In the prison," 'Abdu'l-Bahá writes, "they worked at their craft, keeping to themselves, away from friend and stranger alike. Tranquil, dignified, confident, strong in faith, sheltered by the All-Merciful, they happily spent their days." He adds: "These two were firm believers, loyal, patient, at all times thankful, at all times supplicating God in lowliness, with their faces turned in His direction. During that long stay in the prison they were never neglectful of duty, never at fault. They were constantly joyful, for they had drunk deep of the holy cup."

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Ustád Báqir died first, and some time afterward his brother followed him. The friends mourned them and prayed that they would be forgiven and favoured by the grace of Bahá'u'lláh. 'Abdu'l-Bahá closes His account by saying that "the Blessed Beauty was well pleased with them both."

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

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