The Governor was reluctant to tell Bahá’u’lláh that the order had come for…
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When in Bahá'í history
'Akká (today: Acre, Israel)
The Governor was reluctant to tell Bahá’u’lláh that the order had come for still another banishment. He explained this to Sarkar-i-Aqa* (‘Abdu’l-Bahá), and we were told that we had three days to prepare for the journey to Akka. Then we learnt that we were all to be separated. Bahá’u’lláh to one place, the Master to another, and the friends to still another place. I well remember, as though it were only yesterday, the fresh misery into which we were plunged; to be separated from our Beloved; and He, what new grief was in store for Him? He accepted all vicissitudes with His calm, beautiful smile, cheering us with wonderful words. One of the friends, Karbila'i Jafar, in despair at the threatened separation, attempted to kill himself; he was saved, but was too ill to travel. Bahá’u’lláh refused to leave him unless the Governor of Adrianople undertook to have him well cared for, and sent after us when he should be recovered. This was done, and forty days after we arrived at Akká, Karbila'i Jafar joined us.
Source: Lady Blomfield, The Chosen Highway
Collected from bahaistories.com (Subject: bahaullah-exile).
Discuss this story
For adults
- What stands out about Lady Blomfield's response in this account?
- What might Lady Blomfield's example ask of us in our own circumstances?
- If you were to share this story aloud at a devotional gathering, which sentence would you read first?
For teens
- How could the spirit of devotion show up in your week?
- What does this story say about how to face hard moments?
Reflection
- What single image from this story will stay with you?
- How does devotion show up in your life right now — and where is it being asked of you?
- Is there someone in your life who would be helped by hearing this story?
Comprehension quiz
Which source is "The Governor was reluctant to tell Bahá’u’lláh that the order had come for…" drawn from?
Where does this story take place?
What period of Bahá'í history does this story belong to?
Which historical figure is featured most prominently in this story?
Cite this story
Various. *bahaistories.com archive*. https://bahaistories.com/subject/bahaullah-exile
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