Dawn-Breakers Introduction Questions
by Sandy Egerer
(arranged for the Orlando Nuñez Teaching Institute)
(Click here to go to the Introduction of the Dawn-Breakers.)
(Click here to go back to the study outline of the Dawn-Breakers.)
I. Study Questions (without answers)
II. Study Questions (with answers)
I. Study Questions (without answers):
1.The record of the history of the Bábís described as a sunburst at ___?
2. The Dawn-Breakers takes places in what century?
3. (T/F) Persia had always been a backwards country.
4. What form of government was Persia at that time?
5. What was the title of the leader of Persia?
6. (T/F) Persian leaders in the 19th century were known for their justice.
7. What was the Báb's title as expected by Muslims?
8. What does "the Báb" mean in English?
9. What is the name of the followers of Islám's Imáms?
These Muslims are awaiting the return of which two Imáms?
10. One:
11. Two:
Sunní Muslims await the coming of which two figures?
12. One:
13. Two:
14. What is the most prominent Book of the Báb (the laws of which the clergy didn't like for the changes they required)?
15. Who is another Manifestation of God Who was opposed by the clergy?
16. Who ordered the mass killing of the Bábís?
17. Who was the last major disciple remaining of the Bábís?
18. What year (in the Western calendar) did the Báb's Dispensation begin?
19. How many years after this date did the next Manifestation of God declare His Mission?
20. From what city did this latter Manifestation of God (publicly) proclaim His Mission?
Who were three world leaders to whom He wrote?
21. One:
22. Two:
23. Three:
24. Who came to the United States, Europe, and Egypt (the West) to promote the latest Manifestation of God's Faith?
25. What was the year of this latter Personage's Ascension?
26. Who wrote the Dawn-Breakers?
27. Where was he from?
28. Was this author older or younger than the two Manifestations of God just mentioned?
29. What was the name of the person who set out to join the companions at Tabarsí, who was close companions with a secretary of the Báb, who met Bahá'u'lláh, who was sent to teach in Persia, who was living in 'Akká at the time of Bahá'u'lláh's Ascension?
30. How did this latter individual die?
31. Where did he die?
32. Who assumed the titles of "King of Kings," "Center of the Universe","Shadow of God"?
What are the names of three successive sovereigns in Persia who each put to death their ministers out of jealousy?
33. One:
34. Two:
35. Three:
36. Which Sháh was said to have had over 1000 wives and more than 260,000 descendants (within a few generations)?
37. What was the expression in Persia to express frustration at the number of these descendants?
38. (T/F) Persian ministers were known for their virtue and liberal knowledge.
39. Life itself in Persia was said to consist mostly of an interchange of what?
40. What was said to be a national calamity in Persia?
41. What ecclesiastical title was given to descendants of Muhammad?
42. How did they show they were such descendants?
43. (T/F) Persian Jews were well-educated, wealthy, and led a rich cultural life.
44. A place of pilgrimage considered perhaps the most immoral city in Asia
45. What two words describe why this place was so immoral?
46. What place did Lord Curzon describe as having no confidence amidst the people for the government, no sense of duty or honor, no trust/cooperation for positive purposes, no credit in virtue or shame, no patriotism, and which opposed all progressive ide
47. Which Tablet/Book gives a tribute to the Báb stating He knew He would be martyred but persisted anyhow because He was a Source of Divine Grace?
48. Who wrote "Methinks patience was revealed only by virtue of their fortitude, and faithfulness itself was begotten by their deeds"?
49. Which Muslims were called the "Church of the Twelve"?
50. Who was the divinely-ordained successor of Muhammad who had to be obeyed?
51. Who was the Defender of the Faith, and elected by Muhammad's followers for his orthodoxy or administrative capacity?
52. What was the name of the first Imám?
53. What was the name of the second Imám?
54. What was the name of the third Imám?
55. What was the name of the twelvth Imám?
56. What is one of three titles identified with this latter Imám?
57. What happened to him according to Shí'ahs?
58. Who will be herald when he returns?
59. What is the title (in English) of those who spoke for the Imám during his initial hiding?
60. Who was the cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad?
61. To whom was this latter person married?
Who are two well-known children of this latter couple?
62. One:
63. Two:
64. What was the birthdate of Muhammad (day, month, and year A.D.)?
65. When was Muhammad's flight to Medina (A.D.)?
66. What was the name of religious law in Persia which dealt with personal affairs?
67. What was the name of the common law in Persia which was based on precedent and judged by civil tribunals for cases such as larceny and assault?
What were two possible punishments for the latter type of crime?
68. One:
69. Two:
70. The ultimate power of appeal was held by what individual or institution?
71. (T/F) Thankfully there was justice in Persia in the 19th century.
II. Study Questions (with answers):
1.The record of the history of the Babisdescribed as a sunburst at ___? Midnight .
2.Dawn Breakerstakes places in what century? 19th.
3. (T/F) Persia was always a backwards country. False.
4. What form of government was Persia at that time? Despotic/absolute monarchy/Muslim orthodoxy/church-state.
5. What was the title of the leader of Persia? Sháh.
6. (T/F) Persian leaders in the 19th century were known for their justice. False.
7. What was the Báb's title as expected by Muslims? The Qá'im.
8. What does "the Báb" mean in English? The Gate.
9. What is the name of the followers of Islám's Imáms? Shí'ah.
These Muslims are awaiting the return of which two Imáms?
10. One: The 12th Imám (Muhammad).
11. Two: Imám Husayn.
Sunní Muslims await the coming of which two figures?
12. One: Jesus Christ.
13. Two: Imám Mihdí.
14. What is the most prominent Book of the Báb (the laws of which the clergy didn't like for the changes they required)? The Bayán.
15. Who is another Manifestation of God Who was opposed by the clergy? Jesus Christ.
16. Who ordered the mass killing of the Bábís? Mírzá Taqí Khán.
17. Who was the last major disciple remaining of the Bábís? Bahá'u'lláh.
18. What year (in the Western calendar) did the Báb's Dispensation begin? 1844.
19. How many years after this date did the next Manifestation of God declare His Mission? 19.
20. From what city did this latter Manifestation of God (publicly) proclaim His Mission? Baghdád.
Who were three world leaders to whom He wrote?
21. One: Napoleon III
22. Two: The Presidents of the United States
23. Three: Queen Victoria /Shah of Persia/ the Pope, etc.
24. Who came to the United States, Europe, and Egypt (the West) to promote the latest Manifestation of God's Faith? 'Abdu'l-Bahá.
25. Whatwasthe year of this latter Personage's Ascension? 1921.
26. Who wrote the Dawn-Breakers? Nabíl (Nabíl-i-Zarandí).
27. Where was he from? Zarand (Persia).
28. Was this author older or younger than the two Manifestations of God just mentioned? Younger.
29. What was the name of the person who set out to join the companions at Tabarsí, who was close companions with a secretary ofthe Bab, who met Bahá'u'lláh, who was sent to teach in Persia, who was living in 'Akká at the time of Bahá'u'lláh's Ascension? Nabíl.
30. How did this latter individual die?Upon the passing of Bahá'u'lláh he threw himself into the sea and drowned.
31. Where did he die? The sea of 'Akká.
32. Who assumed the titles of "King of Kings," "Center of the Universe","Shadow of God"? The Sháh of Persia.
What are the names of three successive sovereigns in Persiawho each put to death their minister out of jealousy?
33. One: Fath 'Alí Sháh.
34. Two: Muhammad Sháh.
35. Three: Násiri'd-Dín Sháh.
36. Which Sháh was said to have had over 1000 wives and more than 260,000 descendants (within a few generations)? Fath 'Alí Sháh.
37. What was the expression in Persia to express frustration at the number of these descendants? "Camels, fleas, and princesexisteverywhere!"
38. (T/F) Persian ministers were known for their virtue and liberal knowledge. False.
39. Life itself in Persia was said to consist mostly of an interchange of what? Presents.
40. What was said to be a national calamity in Persia? Enormous retinues of servants/attendants.
41. What ecclesiastical title was given to descendants of Muhammad? Siyyid.
42. How did they show they were such descendants? By wearing a green turban.
43. (T/F) Persian Jews were well-educated, wealthy, and led a rich cultural life. False.
44. A place of pilgrimage considered perhaps the most immoral city in Asia Mashhad.
45. What two words describe why this place was so immoral? Temporary marriages.
46. What place did Lord Curzon describe as having no confidence amidst the people for the government, no sense of duty or honor, no trust/cooperation for positive purposes, no credit in virtue or shame, no patriotism, and which opposed all progressive ideas? Persia.
47. Which Tablet/Book gives a tribute to the Báb stating He knew He would be martyred but persisted anyhowbecause Hewas a Source of Divine Grace? The Kitáb-i-Íqán (of Bahá'u'lláh)
48. Who wrote "Methinks patiencewasrevealed onlyby virtue of their fortitude, and faithfulness itself was begotten by theirdeeds"? Bahá'u'lláh.
49. Which Muslims were called the "Church of the Twelve"? Shí'ahs.
50. Who was the divinely-ordained successor of Muhammad who had to be obeyed? The Imám(s).
51. Who was the Defender of the Faith, and elected by Muhammad's followers for his orthodoxy or administrative capacity? The Caliph.
52. What was the name of the first Imám? 'Alí.
53. What was the name of the second Imám? Hasan.
54. What was the name of the third Imám? Husayn.
55. What was the name of the twelvth Imám? Muhammad.
56. What is one of three titles identified with this latter Imám? Imám Mihdí (Hidden Imám)/ "The Proof of God," "The Remnant of God".
57. What happened to him according to Shí'ahs? He disappeared/went into hiding.
58. Who will be heraldwhen he returns? Jesus Christ.
59. What is the title (in English) of those who spoke for the Imám during his initial hiding? Gates.
60. Who was the cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad? 'Alí.
61. To whom was this latter person married? Fátimih
Who are two well-known children of this latter couple?
62. One: Hasan.
63. Two: Husayn.
64. What was the birthdate of Muhammad (day, month, and year A.D.). August 20, 570 AD
65. When was Muhammad's flight to Medina (A.D.)? 622 AD.
66. What was the name of religious law in Persia which dealt with personal affairs? Shar'.
67. What was the name of the common law in Persia which was based on precedent and judged by civil tribunals for cases such as larceny and assault? Urf.
What were two possible punishments for the latter type of crime?
68. One: payment of restitution
69. Two: A thrashing. (if money is not available for restitution)
70. The ultimate power of appeal was held by what individual or institution? The Sháh.
71. (T/F) Thankfully there was justice in Persia in the 19th century. False.
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