Mishkín-Qalam, the Faithful Calligrapher

A retelling based on the chapter on Mishkín-Qalam in Memorials of the Faithful by 'Abdu'l-Bahá. Words in quotation marks are the Master's own, from that book.

Before he met Bahá'u'lláh, Mishkín-Qalam was already a renowned calligrapher. 'Abdu'l-Bahá writes: "He was the leading calligrapher of Persia and well known to all the great; he enjoyed a special position among the court ministers of Tihrán, and with them he was solidly established." He "was famed throughout Asia Minor; his pen was the wonder of all calligraphers, for he was adept at every calligraphic style."

He first heard of the Cause of God in Iṣfahán, and set out to find Bahá'u'lláh. "He crossed the great distances, measured out the miles, climbing mountains, passing over deserts and over the sea, until at last he came to Adrianople. Here he reached the heights of faith and assurance; here he drank the wine of certitude." He stayed there for a time near Bahá'u'lláh, and wrote out the Most Great Name, Yá Bahá'u'l-Abhá, "with marvelous skill, in many different forms," and sent these calligraphs everywhere.

He was then directed to go to Constantinople. There, the Master writes, "the leading Persians and Turks received him with every honor at first, and they were captivated by his jet black, calligraphic art. He, however, began boldly and eloquently to teach the Faith." The Persian ambassador went to the Sultán's ministers and denounced him. "This man is an agitator," he told them, "sent here by Bahá'u'lláh to stir up trouble and make mischief in this Great City."

'Abdu'l-Bahá sets down what Mishkín-Qalam was actually doing: "Actually that mild and submissive man, in that throne city of Asia Minor, was occupied solely with his calligraphy and his worship of God. He was striving to bring about not sedition but fellowship and peace. He was seeking to reconcile the followers of different faiths, not to drive them still further apart. He was of service to strangers and was helping to educate the native people. He was a refuge to the hapless and a horn of plenty to the poor."

The ambassador had long-standing ties with the ministers. Spies were set around Mishkín-Qalam and reported to the Prime Minister that he was a troublemaker and a rebel. He was jailed and sent to Gallipoli, where he joined the company of Bahá'u'lláh's exiles. From there Bahá'u'lláh and His companions were sent to the prison of 'Akká, and Mishkín-Qalam to Cyprus. He was held prisoner in the citadel at Famagusta "from the year 85 till 94," years of the Islamic calendar.

When Cyprus passed out of Turkish hands he was freed, and he went to Bahá'u'lláh in 'Akká. There he went on producing his calligraphs, and "he was at all times joyous of spirit, ashine with the love of God, like a candle burning its life away, and he was a consolation to all the believers."

After the ascension of Bahá'u'lláh, "Mishkín-Qalam remained loyal, solidly established in the Covenant. He stood before the violators like a brandished sword. He would never go half way with them; he feared no one but God; not for a moment did he falter, nor ever fail in service." He later travelled to India. When 'Abdu'l-Bahá learned that he was growing helpless, He sent for him, and he came back to 'Akká, where he was the Master's close companion.

'Abdu'l-Bahá describes him as "a compendium of perfections: believing, confident, serene, detached from the world, a peerless companion." He adds: "For sincerity and loyalty he had no match, nor for patience and inner calm. He was selflessness itself, living on the breaths of the spirit." And: "If he had not been in love with the Blessed Beauty, if he had not set his heart on the Realm of Glory, every worldly pleasure could have been his."

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

'Abdu'l-Bahá. (1915). *Memorials of the Faithful*. Bahá'í Publishing Trust. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/memorials-faithful/