The Covenant of Baha'u'llah
by Adib Taherzadeh
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chapter 16 | start page | single page | chapter 18 |  |
Chapter 17
Abdu'l-Bahá in Action
While all these calumnies were circulating in Akka and the neighbouring areas, Abdu'l-Bahá, through His exemplary life, dispelled the gloom resulting from the falsehoods which had been surrounding the community of the Most Great Name. During this time, when He Himself was the target of dire afflictions and sufferings, He cast upon everyone around Him the light of truth, of divine virtues and spiritual teachings.Although we can never understand the reality of Bahá'u'lláh, the Manifestation of God, or of Abdu'l-Bahá, the Most Great Mystery of God and the Centre of His Covenant, we can observe some of their superhuman characteristics. Unlike a human being whose mind can only deal with one subject at a time, Abdu'l-Bahá, who had all the powers of Bahá'u'lláh conferred upon Him, was free from this limitation. Usually a person becomes overwhelmed when afflicted by sufferings or faced with insurmountable obstacles. Under such circumstances even men of outstanding ability show their weakness and reveal their human frailty. They try to cope with one problem at a time, and they often seek the help of experts and advisors to help them make a decision.
Not so with Abdu'l-Bahá. In the first place He acted independently, for no individual was qualified to advise or assist Him in His manifold activities. His soul was not bound by the limitations of the world of humanity, and His mind was not overwhelmed when faced with a host of problems simultaneously. In the midst of calamities, when the ablest of men would have succumbed to pressure, He remained detached, while directing His attention to whatever He desired. This is one of the distinguishing characteristics of the Manifestation of God and His Chosen Ones. Bahá'u'lláh has explained this in the Kitab-i-Iqan, quoting the celebrated Islamic passage: 'Nothing whatsoever keepeth Him from being occupied with any other thing.'[1]
[1 See The Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh, vol. 1, pp. 262-3 and below, p. 206.]
Although the Manifestations of God and these specially chosen ones such as Abdu'l-Bahá feel the agony of sufferings inflicted on them by their enemies, and their human nature experiences pain both mental and physical, their souls are not affected by any man-made affliction. They abide in a realm far beyond the ken of mortal men, and wield the spiritual sceptre of authority and power with which they rule over humanity. These powers are at first hidden from the eyes of most people, but with the passage of time humanity observes the influence of their word and the spread of their Faith.
Thus we observe that at a time when Abdu'l-Bahá was suffering grievously at the hands of the Covenant-breakers and was continually confronted by the implacable enmity of His unfaithful brothers, He was occupied day and night with the promotion of the Cause throughout the world. Unaffected by the onslaught of the Covenant-breakers, His love and encouragement continued to be showered in great profusion upon the believers in both the East and the West. No amount of opposition was capable of deterring Him from His purpose. At a time when He was being attacked on every side by the Covenant-breakers, and the believers were dispirited and disconsolate, He cheered the friends, strengthened their faith, assured them of the invincibility of the Covenant and widened their vision to see the greatness of the Cause and its ultimate victory.
Abdu'l-Bahá's trusted secretary and confidant Dr Yunis Khan has left to posterity his reminiscences of the Master during this most turbulent period of His Ministry. The following is a summary translation of his celebrated memoirs.
"In those days when the showers of sedition and conspiracy were raining down, and the storms of tests and trials were blowing with fury, a fierce hurricane was raging around the Ark of the Cause of God. But it was the Centre of the Covenant who was at the helm. Through the potency of His words and the authority of His directives, He was navigating the Sacred Ark toward the shores of salvation. The sway of His pen and the influence of His utterances were both means whereby He was guiding the people to the highway of blissfulness and prosperity. In the same way that the traces of His pen are imprinted for all time upon the pages of His Tablets, His blessed words were engraved upon the hearts of those who were privileged to hear Him and their recollections were transmitted from heart to heart. His utterances in those days were as varied as His Writings.
"In His talks He often used to share with us many glad tidings of the future progress of the Cause of God. He likened our days of anguish and sadness to the early days of Christianity and Islam which had also been very turbulent; but these religions were later exalted in the land. Similarly, He assured us in clear terms of the ascendancy and victory of the Cause of Bahá'u'lláh... His utterances on the future of the Cause were delivered with eloquence and effectiveness and were imbued with a power and authority born of the heavenly realms such that they penetrated the depths of our hearts. Our souls were so assured and uplifted that we, His hearers, did not have to imagine forthcoming events. Rather, we found ourselves experiencing all the bountiful happenings of the future. The eternal glory and ultimate successes of the Cause of God were so vividly portrayed by Him that the passage of time was irrelevant, for we saw the past, present and the future at the same time. All of this was because the promises of the Master concerning the ascendancy of the Cause were absolutely clear, explicit and irrevocable... Now [after a few decades] many of the prophecies of Abdu'l-Bahá have already been fulfilled, for instance who could ever have imagined that the small village of Haifa would become, within so short a period, as foreshadowed by Abdu'l-Bahá, a great city and an important port..." [17-1]
Dr Yunis Khan describes how Abdu'l-Bahá, in the midst of intense suffering at the hand of the Covenant-breakers, earnestly prayed that yet more suffering and hardship might descend upon Him. As tribulations increased, His desire to bear them increased correspondingly. He often used to speak about illustrious martyrs such as Varqa, and then, in a joyous and excited tone, He would express His heartfelt desire to lay down His life in the path of Bahá'u'lláh. So moving were His words that all His loved ones who heard Him were overcome with emotion, their souls uplifted and their hearts filled with a new spirit of sacrifice in their readiness to follow in the footsteps of their Beloved.
Another of Abdu'l-Bahá's exhortations, according to Dr Yunis Khan, concerned the ordinance of teaching the Faith versus steadfastness in the Covenant. Of course, teaching the Cause of God is the most meritorious of all deeds and is described by Him as 'the head corner-stone of the foundation itself'. Teaching the Cause is the primary and the most vital duty of a believer. Yet during those perilous times when the Covenant-breakers were actively engaged in spreading their venomous propaganda within the community, and were trying with all their power to break up the unity of the Bahá'Ãs, the Master advised the believers that deepening the friends in the subject of the Covenant and assisting them to remain firm in their faith took precedence over teaching. He explained that Bahá'u'lláh had ordained that when serving the Faith one must act with wisdom, taking into consideration the particular circumstances existing at a given time.
He likened the work of the friends in those days to that of building a house while the Covenant-breakers were trying to raze it to the ground. In such circumstances, instead of adding another storey to the house, all efforts must be directed to the protection of the structure itself. He assured those who were privileged to hear Him of the advent of a day when the foundation of the Cause of God would be secure and safe, and promised that when that time came He would direct the believers to engage once again in actively teaching the Cause of God.
During those turbulent years when the Covenant-breakers were engaged in making mischief in the Holy Land, the believers' only refuge was the shelter of Abdu'l-Bahá's presence. He could be likened to a vast ocean at whose shores His loved ones gathered in order to receive a portion of its life-giving waters. Each believer received his share in accordance with his capacity. Some who had come empty-handed merely enjoyed seeing that vast and fathomless ocean. Others who had more capacity had come with a vessel in hand, and each one received a draught of the water of life. Still others, yet unsatisfied, immersed themselves in that ocean and found some of the inestimable pearls of wisdom and knowledge which lay concealed in its depths.
That ocean — the person of Abdu'l-Bahá — appeared in various forms on different occasions. At times it was calm, at others surging with mighty waves. When it was calm, every beholder would find himself in a state of joy and tranquillity. When its billowing waves surged, it cast gems of inestimable value upon the shores. At such times, the utterances of Abdu'l-Bahá captivated the hearts of His loved ones, who were carried away into spiritual realms utterly oblivious of their own selves and wholly devoted to Him. The effect of the presence of Abdu'l-Bahá upon the believers cannot be adequately explained by the above analogy. Suffice it to say that the pure in heart who attained His presence were transformed into a new creation; they became spiritual giants who championed the Cause of the Covenant and defended it with heroism and sacrifice.
Dr Yunis Khan in his memoirs asserts that the mere glance of Abdu'l-Bahá upon a believer released mysterious forces which at times were capable of transforming the life of the individual. This is a summary of his observations as he describes the various effects of the Master's glances:
"One glance, which thankfully did not appear except on rare occasions was that of wrath and anger. It reflected the wrath of God from which one had to flee for refuge to Him...
"There was a glance of love and compassion which was evident at all times. It conferred life and brought joy to everyone...
"Another glance was that which enchanted the hearts and attracted the souls. I observed many a time in the narrow and dark streets of Akka, that with one look, the strangers were so attracted to Abdu'l-Bahá as to follow Him until He dismissed them. This particular glance has many aspects which I am not in a position to describe...
"There was a glance by which He expressed His satisfaction and pleasure to a person, as if to say, 'I am pleased with you.' This glance was shown to both the obedient and the rebellious.
"Another glance was one which released great spiritual potency. If ever He cast such a glance upon a person, that person's greatest wish would have been granted, if he so desired. But who is it that in such an atmosphere could have any desire other than to seek the good-pleasure of His Lord? I myself have seen this type of a glance many a time. In this mood, one longs for sufferings in the path of God. And, some like Varqa have, under the influence of this glance, gone to the field of martyrdom.[1]
[1 For a story of his life see The Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh, vol. 4.]
"There was a glance through which a person realized that all that was hidden in his heart, whether of the past or of the future, was known to the Master.
"Above all, there was a glance which, if ever it was directed to an individual, caused that individual to become the recipient of knowledge and understanding. At one time we all saw two believers who were enchanted by this glance and became the possessors of divine knowledge. One was Fadil-i-Shirazi,[1] the other Shaykh Ali-Akbar-i-Quchani..."[2] [17-2]
[1 An outstanding teacher of the Faith.]
[2 He was martyred during Abdu'l-Bahá's Ministry.]
It can be seen from these reminiscences that the person of Abdu'l-Bahá strengthened the faith of His loved ones who attained His presence through the spiritual powers conferred upon Him by Bahá'u'lláh, and thus enabled them to withstand the onslaught of the Covenant-breakers. This privilege was the experience of those believers who were resident in the Holy Land and the pilgrims who arrived from time to time. But the great majority of the friends who were living in other parts of the world received their spiritual sustenance from the Master through the innumerable Tablets which flowed from His pen.
Again we turn to Dr Yunis Khan's memoirs for a glimpse of the manner in which Abdu'l-Bahá wrote Tablets or dictated them in the presence of the believers.
"There are various accounts by Bahá'à pilgrims and visitors concerning the revelation of Tablets by Abdu'l-Bahá. Some have said that at the time of revelation their souls were transported into realms of the spirit while their whole beings were shaking with excitement. Others have testified that they saw with their own eyes that while the Master was entertaining believers and non-believers and speaking to them in Turkish He was, at the same time, dictating His Tablets in Arabic and the secretary was taking down His words. Some have said that they saw the Master Himself writing Tablets in Arabic while speaking in Turkish to the friends. Others have seen Him writing a Tablet in His own hand in Persian, while at the same time dictating one to His secretary in Arabic. Some speak of the unusual speed of His writing as well as the majesty of His utterances. There are no exaggerations in the above statements. Each person has described his observations in accordance with his own understanding...
"The revelation of Tablets had a greater effect on the believers than other experiences in the presence of Abdu'l-Bahá. His Tablets were written in the following manner. Whenever Abdu'l-Bahá was freed from His various daily engagements, He summoned Mirza Nuru'd'Din, His secretary, and began dictating to him. At times He would simultaneously review the Tablets previously revealed, inscribed and ready for His signature. It was on such occasions that He wrote and dictated at the same time. He was truly the embodiment of the verse: 'Nothing whatsoever keepeth Him from being occupied with any other thing.' There was no thought or action which could distract Him.
"As the revelation of Tablets continued, the believers, who were usually gathered in the room below, or in the Pilgrim House, or walking in the streets of Akka, were all eager to attain the presence of the Master and hear His words as He dictated to His secretary in answer to letters He had received. When summoned, they would arrive and be seated. After greeting them lovingly, the revelation of Tablets would begin. Sometimes He would dictate in a loud, clear voice, sometimes He would chant His dictation in the same melodious voice as He chanted the Tablet of Visitation at the Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh. As a result of this marvellous experience, those present were immersed in the sea of astonishment. Some would find that their questions were answered, and some learned a lesson from this heavenly experience. As the revelation of the Tablets continued, all became exhilarated and turned their hearts and souls to the Kingdom on high.
"But alas, such meetings of fellowship and love would often be interrupted by visiting strangers. The house of the Master was open to all. There being no guards posted at the gate, people would come in. If the new arrivals were not antagonistic toward the Faith and were worthy to listen to the exalted words of the Master, then after welcoming them and showing His loving kindness to each one, He would resume dictating His words to His secretary. But if they were not worthy, or if they overcrowded the room, the Master dismissed the believers and dealt with the situation as He deemed proper. This was how Abdu'l-Bahá dictated to His secretary.
"But most of the time He wrote the Tablets with His own hand in the circumstances described above. Whenever He was free, He would take the pen and begin to write. But as He did not wish the believers who were assembled in the room to become tired or bored, He would talk to them while He was writing... As others arrived, He would welcome each and shower upon all His loving kindness, and yet His pen was moving. Occasionally he would read aloud what He was writing. There were also periods of silence. The Master, as He continued to write, often broke the silence saying: 'Talk among yourselves, I will be able to hear you.' However, the believers were so carried away by His peerless Beauty that they would remain silent.
"Only the new arrivals, those who had not been invited, such as some Arab Shaykh, or an Ottoman dignitary, would break the silence. After the usual greetings and words of welcome which befitted the guests, the pen of Abdu'l-Bahá would begin to move while He conversed with them. Whenever there was silence, He would ask the newly arrived guest to broach a subject and discuss it together. Then He Himself entered the conversation... Sometimes the guests conducted heated arguments and yet throughout the noise and clamour they created, the Master's Pen kept on moving on His Tablets...
"My purpose in describing the revelation of the Tablets in detail is to enable the people to appreciate the manner in which these Tablets, which uplift the souls and exhilarate the hearts, were written under such difficult and trying circumstances. Another amazing aspect of these Tablets is that it was not only the believers, who heard the Master reciting them, who were inspired, but also the deniers and mischief-makers, who were deeply moved and humbled by this experience." [17-3]
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