It was the time of day when the shadows were lengthening. The heat of the sun was nowhere near as intense as it had been some hours earlier, although the buildings and the streets were radiating the heat they had stored from the hottest part of the day. Shiraz was filled with the usual hustle and bustle of a city its size. People were coming and going, tied up in their own concerns and urgencies. The young Merchant left His home and entered her streets. He made His way to the city limits and went out through the main gate. Although He had had no information from anyone, He knew that a traveller would soon arrive and He must be there to greet him. The young man whose arrival He anticipated would be in need of refreshment after his journey from Bushihr in the South.
The traveller was no ordinary personage. He was a Mulla, a scholar, a man of piety and deep religious conviction. His tutor and religious instructor, who had recently passed away, had not only given him a thorough grounding in the teachings of his Faith, Islam, but had instilled in him and his fellow students the conviction that the promised time was imminent… that time when the promised “Qá’im”, which means “He who ariseth” would appear. In fact, the young Mulla was acutely aware of the intense feeling of anticipation that was rife throughout his native land and far beyond. When he arrived at the city outskirts, he had instructed his two travelling companions to proceed directly to the Mosque, where he intended to join them later. The young Merchant saw the traveller coming toward the city gate. He approached him, gave His greeting and invited him to return to His humble dwelling to refresh himself after his journey. This young man was a stranger, but the Mulla was deeply impressed with His demeanour and felt compelled to follow Him. As they walked through the streets the sun was dropping quickly and darkness was beginning to enfold them. They arrived at the young Merchant’s home, entered and proceeded to an upstairs room. Here, when they were settled the Host called for water to be brought to allow His guest to wash after his journey. This having been done he prepared tea and offered it to his guest.
After refreshment and hospitality had been offered and graciously accepted, the Merchant inquired of His guest, “ Whom, after Siyyid Kázim,“ referring to the Mulla’s tutor, “do you regard as his successor and your leader?” “Our beloved teacher, prior to his death, instructed us to depart, to spread far and wide in our quest to seek and find the Promised One. None do I follow, nor none do I seek but Him.” replied the Mulla, slightly shocked that this hospitable stranger already knew of his association with the late Siyyid Kázim. After a brief pause the young Man further inquired, “Has your teacher given you any detailed indications as to the distinguishing features of the Promised One?” The Mulla, without hesitation, recited a comprehensive list of features, characteristics and traits. He referred to the Promised One’s illustrious lineage, His personal habits and even the fact that He was between twenty and thirty years old! The young Merchant paused again and then, looking His guest squarely in the eye, with a vibrant voice declared, “Behold! All these signs are manifest in Me!” He addressed, in turn, each one of the signs that the Mulla had listed and was able to demonstrate that each of them was indeed applicable to Him.
Somewhat taken aback the Mulla whose name was Husayn, remembered the two tests, which he himself had devised many months previously. These tests, he had determined, would let him assess whether or not this youthful Merchant, or anyone, had any right to claim to be the Promised One who was so eagerly expected. As these thoughts formed in his head, his Host spoke again, asking if it wasn’t possible that He was indeed the One to whom Siyyid Kázim had referred.
Mulla Husayn drew his belongings to him, found and presented a document. This was his own attempt to address and understand difficult religious concepts and theologies. He knew that the One he was seeking would be of such holiness that He would be able to enlighten his thinking on these most complex issues. His Host thumbed the pages scanning a few passages. He quietly and calmly began to speak. In a very brief time, and with both poise and charm He addressed all the questions and problems with which the Mulla had been struggling. Instantly Mulla Husayn’s thoughts centred on his second test. Before he could open his mouth to speak His companion’s voice filled the room… “The chapter of Joseph, (peace be on him!) In the name of the merciful and compassionate God. ALIF LAM RA”, He began. This was the very text from his Faith’s holy book, the Koran, that his teacher, the late Siyyid Kázim, had foretold that the Promised One would reveal a commentary on… absolutely unasked! Here was the final proof!
The young merchant continued His commentary as the Mulla sat spellbound and totally absorbed by both His words and His presence. “This night, this very hour will, in days to come, be celebrated as one of the greatest and most significant of all holy festivals” came the words of the Báb, his Host, the Qá’im, the Promised One. They prayed together, they talked and prayed and prayed and talked, the Mulla totally absorbed and engrossed by his circumstances.
“Ash’hado La Ella El’ Allah (I proclaim that there is only one God.)”. The summons to prayer being called from the minaret of the Mosque startled Mulla Husayn. Had he spent the whole night here? Where had the time gone? What of his travelling companions? A wave of contentment swept over him. The call to prayer announced the dawn of a new day. Here in the City of Shiraz he had found the Object of his quest. This was the dawn of no ordinary day… This was the dawn of the Day of Fulfilment of prophecy… the Day which would change the future of all humankind.
Colin Rogers John McCann Study Circle
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