A Traveler's Narrative
page 8
account of his observations to Mírzá Lutf-`Alí the chamberlain
in order that the latter might submit it to the notice of the late
king, while he himself journeyed to all parts of Persia, and in
every town and station summoned the people from the pulpit-tops
in such wise that other learned doctors decided that he
must be mad, accounting it a sure case of bewitchment.
Now when the news of the decisions of the doctors and the
outcry and clamor of the lawyers reached Zanján, Mullá
Muhammad-`Alí the divine, who was a man of mark possessed
of penetrating speech, sent one of those on whom he could
rely to Shíráz to investigate this matter. This person, having
acquainted himself with the details of these occurrences in
such wise as was necessary and proper, returned with some [of
the Báb's's] writings. When the divine heard how matters were
and had made himself acquainted with the writings, notwithstanding
that he was a man expert in knowledge and noted for
profound research, he went mad and became crazed as was
predestined: he gathered up his books in the lecture-room
saying, "The season of spring and wine has arrived," and
uttered this sentence: "Search for knowledge after reaching the
known is culpable." Then from the summit of the pulpit he
summoned and directed all his disciples [to embrace the
doctrine], and wrote to the Báb his own declaration and
confession.
The Báb in His reply signified to him the obligation of
congregational prayer.
Although the doctors of Zanján arose with heart and soul to
exhort and admonish the people they could effect nothing.
Finally they were compelled to go to Tihrán and made their
complaint before the late king Muhammad Sháh, requesting
that Mullá Muhammad-`Alí might be summoned to Tihrán.
So the royal order went forth that he should appear.
Now when he came to Tihrán they brought him before a
conclave of the doctors; but, so they relate, after many controversies
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