The Longing of Shaykh Ṣádiq

*A retelling based on **Memorials of the Faithful** by 'Abdu'l-Bahá, the Master's own reminiscences of the believers of Bahá'u'lláh's circle. Words in quotation marks are His, as rendered into English.*

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Among the believers who emigrated to Baghdád, 'Abdu'l-Bahá remembers Shaykh Ṣádiq of Yazd, "a man esteemed, and righteous as his name, Ṣádiq." The name can mean truthful, loyal and just. "He was a towering palm in the groves of Heaven, a star flaming in the skies of the love of God."

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He reached the presence of Bahá'u'lláh during the years in 'Iráq. The Master writes: "He was love embodied, tenderness personified. Day and night, he commemorated God." He prayed constantly, and most of the time tears poured from his eyes. Bahá'u'lláh singled him out for special favour, "and whenever He turned His attention toward Ṣádiq, His loving-kindness was clear to see."

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One day word came that Ṣádiq was at the point of death. He was suffering from ileus, an abdominal pain and swelling. 'Abdu'l-Bahá went to his bedside, found him breathing his last, and hurried to Bahá'u'lláh to describe his condition. "Go," Bahá'u'lláh said. "Place your hand on the distended area and speak the words: 'O Thou the Healer!'"

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The Master went back. The swelling had grown to the size of an apple; it was hard as stone and in constant motion. He placed His hand upon it, turned to God, and repeated the words, "O Thou the Healer!" "Instantly the sick man rose up. The ileus vanished; the swelling was carried off."

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Shaykh Ṣádiq lived contentedly in 'Iráq until the day Bahá'u'lláh's convoy left Baghdád. He was told to stay. "As bidden, Ṣádiq remained behind in that city. But his longing beat so passionately within him that after the arrival of Bahá'u'lláh at Mosul, he could endure the separation no more." Without shoes or hat, he set out running beside the courier who was going to Mosul. In 'Abdu'l-Bahá's words, he "ran and ran until, on that barren plain, with mercy all about him, he fell to his rest."

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The Master ends with a prayer for him, that God would "perfume his dust in that desert place with musk, and cause to descend there range on range of light."

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*This is a retelling. For the full account, see "Shaykh Ṣádiq-i-Yazdí" in **Memorials of the Faithful** by 'Abdu'l-Bahá.*

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