The First Builder of a House to Unify Man

*A retelling based on **Memorials of the Faithful** by 'Abdu'l-Bahá, which includes a memorial of Ḥájí Mírzá Muḥammad-Taqí, the Afnán. Words in quotation marks are 'Abdu'l-Bahá's as translated in that book.*

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Ḥájí Mírzá Muḥammad-Taqí, the Afnán, was a cousin of the Báb. His title was Vakílu'd-Dawlih. 'Abdu'l-Bahá writes that he was among those who "after one reading of the Book of Íqán, became believers." He cried out, "Lord, Lord, here am I!", left Persia, and "sped over the mountains and across the desert wastes, not pausing to rest until he came to Baghdád." There he entered the presence of Bahá'u'lláh. His face was so comely and luminous that the friends in 'Iráq called him "the Afnán of all delights."

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He returned to Persia and taught the Faith. In Yazd he was outwardly a merchant, but, 'Abdu'l-Bahá writes, "His only aim was to exalt the Word of God." Even his enemies said of him: "There is none to compare with this man for his words and acts, his righteousness, trustworthiness, and strong faith; in all things he is unique; what a pity that he is a Bahá'í!" Bahá'u'lláh often spoke of His satisfaction with the Afnán, and those around Him were certain "that he would in future initiate some highly important task."

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After the ascension of Bahá'u'lláh the Afnán served even more. "He gave up his comfort, his business, his properties, estates, lands, hastened away to 'Ishqábád and set about building the Mashriqu'l-Adhkár; this was a service of very great magnitude, for he thus became the first individual to erect a Bahá'í House of Worship, the first builder of a House to unify man."

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Shoghi Effendi records in **God Passes By** that the building was begun in 1902 and that the Afnán personally supervised it and gave his entire resources to it. 'Abdu'l-Bahá describes the work: "For a long period in 'Ishqábád, he had no rest. Day and night, he urged the believers on. Then they too exerted their efforts, and made sacrifices above and beyond their power; and God's edifice arose, and word of it spread throughout East and West.

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The Afnán expended everything he possessed to rear this building, except for a trifling sum. This is the way to make a sacrifice. This is what it means to be faithful."

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Afterward he went to the Holy Land and spent his last days "in the shelter of the Shrine of the Báb," praying. 'Abdu'l-Bahá remembers him with affection: "The Afnán was an uncommonly happy man. Whenever I was saddened, I would meet with him, and on the instant, joy would return again." He died close by the Shrine of the Báb, and his loss "deeply grieved 'Abdu'l-Bahá." His grave is in Haifa.

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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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