Shaykh Maḥmúd of 'Akká

A retelling based on Adib Taherzadeh’s The Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, vol. 3.

Shaykh Maḥmúd-i-‘Arrábí was a native of ‘Akká and one of its religious leaders when Bahá’u’lláh was exiled there in 1868. When he was about ten years old, an old Shaykh revered by his father had a vision of the coming of the Promised One to ‘Akká. In the presence of the boy’s father he told Maḥmúd that the two of them were old men and would not live to see that day, but that Maḥmúd would, and bade him watch for the coming of the Lord. He even said that the Promised One would speak Persian and live in an upper room at the top of a long flight of stairs.

Maḥmúd grew up learned and pious, and seldom thought of the vision. When Bahá’u’lláh came to ‘Akká, described by the authorities as an evil man and the “God of the Persians”, it never occurred to the Shaykh that He might be the One foretold. He resented the Government for sending such a prisoner to his city and wanted to be rid of Him.

One day he saw ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in the mosque, seized Him by the hand and demanded whether He was the son of God. The Master replied that it was the Shaykh who was saying so, not He, and reminded him of the Islamic Tradition that bids the faithful be charitable toward a guest even though he be an infidel. The Shaykh softened toward ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, but he still could not accept the presence of the exiles in ‘Akká.

He hid a weapon under his cloak and went to the barracks meaning to kill Bahá’u’lláh. Because he was an influential man, the guards agreed to his request and went to tell Bahá’u’lláh who had come. The message came back that he should cast away the weapon and then he might come in. The Shaykh was astounded, for he was sure no one had seen it, and he went home.

Some time later he came again, without a weapon, knowing he was strong enough to kill with his bare hands. This time the answer was that he should first purify his heart, and then he might come in. He could not bring himself to go in that day.

Later he dreamt that his father and the old Shaykh appeared to him and reminded him of their vision of the coming of the Lord. After this he went again to the barracks and met ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, whose words went to his heart, and he was brought into the presence of Bahá’u’lláh. The majesty of His countenance overwhelmed the Shaykh. He saw the prophecy fulfilled, prostrated himself at Bahá’u’lláh’s feet and became an ardent believer.

For the rest of his life he served the Faith. He helped pilgrims enter the walled city to attain the presence of Bahá’u’lláh, sometimes having ropes lowered to pull them up over the walls, and sometimes bringing one in at night disguised as his servant, carrying a lantern before him. He also compiled the Islamic traditions concerning ‘Akká and its future.

A retelling based on Adib Taherzadeh, The Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, vol. 3 (George Ronald, 1983), pp. 65–8. Taherzadeh notes that the words attributed to Bahá’u’lláh are reported, not exact. For the fuller account, see the original.

Taherzadeh, A.. (1983). *The Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh (Vol. 3 — 'Akká, the Early Years)*. George Ronald.