THE PRISONER OF AKKA

Saturday, August 01, 2009

The following hath been recorded concerning the merits of 'Akká, and of the sea, and of Aynu'l-Baqar (The Spring of the Cow) which is in 'Akká:

Abdu'l-'Aziz, son of Abdu'-Salam, hath related unto us that the Prophet -- may the blessings of God and His salutations be upon him -- hath said: "Akká is a city in Syria to which God hath shown His special mercy."

Ibn-i-Mas'ud -- may God be pleased with him -- hath stated: "The Prophet -- may the blessings of God and His salutations be upon Him -- hath said: 'Of all shores the best is the shore of Askelon, and 'Akká is, verily, better than Askelon, and the merit of 'Akká above that of Askelon and all other shores is as the merit of Muhammad above that of all other Prophets. I bring you tidings of a city betwixt two mountains in Syria, in the middle of a meadow, which is called 'Akká. Verily, he that entereth therein, longing for it and eager to visit it, God will forgive his sins, both of the past and of the future. And he that departeth from it, other than as a pilgrim, God will not bless his departure. In it is a spring called the Spring of the Cow. Whoso drinketh a draught therefrom, God will fill his heart with light, and will protect him from the most great terror on the Day of Resurrection.'"

Anas, son of Malik -- may God be pleased with him -- hath said: "The Apostle of God -- may the blessings of God and His salutations be upon Him -- hath said: 'By the shore of the sea is a city, suspended beneath the Throne, and named 'Akká. He that dwelleth therein, firm and expecting a reward from God -- exalted be He -- God will write down for him, until the Day of Resurrection, the recompense of such as have been patient, and have stood up, and knelt down, and prostrated themselves, before Him.'"

And He -- may the blessings of God and His salutations be upon Him -- hath said: "I announce unto you a city, on the shores of the sea, white, whose whiteness is pleasing unto God -- exalted be He! It is called 'Akká. He that hath been bitten by one of its fleas is better, in the estimation of God, than he who hath received a grievous blow in the path of God. And he that raiseth therein the call to prayer, his voice will be lifted up unto Paradise. And he that remaineth therein for seven days in the face of the enemy, God will gather him with Khidr -- peace be upon Him -- and God will protect him from the most great terror on the Day of Resurrection." And He -- may the blessings of God, -- exalted be He -- and His salutations be upon Him -- hath said: "There are kings and princes in Paradise. The poor of 'Akká are the kings of Paradise and the princes thereof. A month in 'Akká is better than a thousand years elsewhere."

The Apostle of God -- may the blessings of God and His salutations be upon Him -- is reported to have said: "Blessed the man that hath visited 'Akká, and blessed he that hath visited the visitor of 'Akká. Blessed the one that hath drunk from the Spring of the Cow and washed in its waters, for the black-eyed damsels quaff the camphor in Paradise, which hath come from the Spring of the Cow, and from the Spring of Salvan (Siloam), and the Well of Zamzam. Well is it with him that hath drunk from these springs, and washed in their waters, for God hath forbidden the fire of hell to touch him and his body on the Day of Resurrection."

The Prophet -- may the blessings of God and His salutations be upon Him -- is stated to have said: "In 'Akká are works of supererogation and acts which are beneficial, which God vouchsafed specially unto whomsoever He pleaseth. And he that saith in 'Akká: 'Glorified be God, and praise be unto God, and there is none other God but God, and most great is God, and there is no power nor strength except in God, the Exalted, the Mighty,' God will write down for him a thousand good deeds, and blot out from him a thousand evil deeds, and will uplift him a thousand grades in Paradise, and will forgive him his transgressions. And whoso saith in 'Akká: 'I beg forgiveness of God,' God will forgive all his trespasses. And he that remembereth God in 'Akká at morn and at eventide, in the night-season and at dawn, is better in the sight of God than he who beareth swords, spears and arms in the path of God -- exalted be He!"

The Apostle of God -- may the blessings of God and His salutations be upon Him -- hath also said: "He that looketh upon the sea at eventide, and saith: 'God is Most Great!' at sunset, God will forgive his sins, though they be heaped as piles of sand. And he that counteth forty waves, while repeating: 'God is Most Great!' -- exalted be He -- God will forgive his sins, both past and future."

The Apostle of God -- may the blessings of God and His salutations be upon Him -- hath said: "He that looketh upon the sea a full night is better than he who passeth two whole months betwixt the Rukn and the Maqam. And he that hath been brought up on the shores of the sea is better than he that hath been brought up elsewhere. And he that lieth on the shore is as he that standeth elsewhere."

Verily, the Apostle of God -- may the blessings of God, exalted be He, and His salutations be upon Him -- hath spoken the truth.

(Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 177-181)

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FROM PRISON CELL

If we study historical record and review the pages of Holy Writ, we will find that none of the Prophets of the past ever spread His teachings or promulgated His Cause from a prison. But Bahá'u'lláh upheld the banner ofthe Cause of God while He was in a dungeon, addressing the kings of the earth

from His prison cell,

severely arraigning them for their oppression of their subjects and their misuse of power…. The book containing these Epistles to the kings was published in India about thirty years ago….Some of the prophecies contained in them came to pass after two years; others were fulfilled after five, ten and twenty years. The most important prophecies relative to events transpiring in the Balkans are being fulfilled at the present time though written long ago…. While addressing these powerful kings and rulers He was a prisoner in a Turkish dungeon. (The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 427)

BAHA'U'LLAH THE GLORY OF GOD

Baha'u'llah was descended from Abraham by His wife Katurah, thus fulfilling the prophecy to Abraham that in Him would all the families of the earth be blessed. Mirza Husayn 'Ali, Who afterwards assumed the title of Baha'u'llah.. was the eldest son of Mirza 'Abbas of Nur, a Vazir or Minister of State. His family was wealthy and distinguished, many of its members having occupied important positions in the Government and in the Civil and Military Services of Persia. He was born in Tihran.. between dawn and sunrise on the 12th of November, 1817. He never attended school or college, and what little teaching He received was given at home. Nevertheless, even as a child He showed wonderful wisdom and knowledge. While He was still a youth His father died, leaving Him responsible for the care of His younger brothers and sisters, and for the management of the extensive family estates.. From childhood He was extremely kind and generous. He was a great lover of outdoor life, most of His time being spent in the garden or the fields. He had an extraordinary power of attraction, which was felt by all. People always crowded around Him. Ministers and people of the Court would surround Him, and the children also were devoted to Him. When He was only thirteen or fourteen years old He became renowned for His learning. He would converse on any subject and solve any problem presented to Him. In large gatherings He would discuss matters with the Ulama (leading Mullas) and would explain intricate religious questions. All of them used to listen to Him with the greatest interest." ('Abdul-Baha) When Baha'u'llah was twenty-two years old, His father died, and the Government wished Him to succeed to His father's position in the Ministry, as was customary in Persia, but Baha'u'llah did not accept the offer. Then the Prime Minister said: "Leave him to himself. Such a position is unworthy of him. He has some higher aim in view. I cannot understand him, but I am convinced that he is destined for some lofty career. His thoughts are not like ours. Let him alone." ('Abdul-Baha) Baha'u'llah loved people, especially children. He loved to be surrounded by them and they loved Him. From childhood He delighted in country life, in trees, in flowers and horseback riding. When the Bab declared His mission in 1844, Baha'u'llah, Who was then in His twenty-seventh year, boldly espoused the Cause of the new Faith, of which He soon became recognized as one of the most powerful and fearless exponents. He had already twice suffered imprisonment for the Cause, and on one occasion had undergone the torture of the bastinado, when in August, 1852, an event occurred fraught with terrible consequences for the Babis. One of the Bab's followers, a youth named Sadiq, had been so affected by the martyrdom of his beloved Master, of which he was an eyewitness, that his mind became deranged, and, in revenge, he waylaid the Shah and fired a pistol at him. Instead of using a bullet, however, he charged his weapon with small shot, and although a few pellets struck the Shah, no serious harm was done. The youth dragged the Shah from his horse, but was promptly seized by the attendants of his Majesty and put to death on the spot. The whole body of Babis was unjustly held responsible for the deed, and frightful massacres ensued. Eighty of them were put to death in Tihran with the most revolting tortures. Many others were seized and put into prisons, among them being Baha'u'llah.. >"..We were in no wise connected with that evil deed, and Our innocence was indisputably established by the tribunals. Nevertheless, they apprehended Us, and.. conducted Us, on foot and in chains, with bared head and bare feet, to the dungeon of Tihran.. We were confined for four months to a place foul beyond comparison.. The dungeon was wrapped in thick darkness, and Our fellow-prisoners numbered nearly a hundred and fifty souls: thieves, assasins and highwaymen. Though crowded, it had no other outlet than the passage by which We entered. No pen can depict that place, nor any tongue describe its loathsome smell.. God alone knoweth what befell Us in that most foul-smelling and gloomy place." (Baha'u'llah) At the time of the attempt on the Shah's life Baha'u'llah was staying at Lavasan as the guest of the Grand Vizir. Rejecting the protection and the good offices tendered Him, Baha'u'llah went to the headquarters of the Imperial Army at Niyavaran and was conducted thence under escort and in chains, bareheaded and with bare feet to Tihran. There He was taken at once to the Siyah-Chal, the most terrible of all the dungeons in the capital. Baha'u'llah in His Epistle to the Son of the Wolf gives the following description.. "The dungeon was wrapt in thick darkness, and Our fellow-prisoners numbered nearly a hundred and fifty souls: thieves, assassins and highwaymen. Though crowded, it had no other outlet than the passage by which We entered. No pen can depict that place, nor any tongue describe its loathsome smell. Most of these men had neither clothes nor bedding to lie on. God alone knoweth what befell Us in that most foul-smelling and gloomy place!" Such was the place and such the occasion which God chose for the Call of Baha'u'llah to the office of Prophethood Baha'u'llah describes this Call in the following words in His letter to the Shah: "O King! I was but a man like others, asleep upon My couch, when lo, the breezes of the All-Glorious were wafted over Me, and taught Me the knowledge of all that hath been. This thing is not from Me, but from One Who is Almighty and All-Knowing. And He bade Me lift up My voice between earth and heaven, and for this there befell Me what hath caused the tears of every man of understanding to flow... This is but a leaf which the winds of the will of Thy Lord, the Almighty, the All-Praised, have stirred." The attempt on the life of the Shah had taken place on 15 August, 1852; Baha'u'llah had been thrown into the Siyah-Chal almost immediately afterwards and about the middle of October this Divine Call had come.. Day and night, while confined in that dungeon, We meditated upon the deeds, the condition, and the conduct of the Babis, wondering what could have led a people so high-minded, so noble, and of such intelligence, to perpetrate such an audacious and outrageous act against the person of His Majesty.." (Baha'u'llah Almost every day one or more of them was tortured or put to death and the others reminded that their turn might come next. When the executioners came to fetch one of the friends, the one whose name was called would literally dance with joy, kiss the hands of Baha'u'llah, embrace the rest of his fellow believers and then hasten with glad eagerness to the place of martyrdom. Baha'u'llah.. was.. so ill that it was thought He would die. Instead, therefore, of sentencing Him to death, the Shah ordered that He should be exiled to Iraq.. They suffered terribly from the cold and other hardships on the long winter journey, and arrived in Baghdad in a state of almost utter destitution. As soon as His health permitted, Baha'u'llah began to teach inquirers and to encourage and exhort the believers, and soon peace and happiness reigned among the Babis. This, however, was short-lived. Baha'u'llah's half brother, Mirza Yahya, also known as Subh-i-Azal, arrived in Baghdad, and soon afterwards differences, secretly instigated by him, began to grow, just as similar divisions had arisen among the disciples of Christ. These differences (which later, in Adrianople, became open and violent) were very painful to Baha'u'llah.. About a year after coming to Baghdad, He departed alone into the wilderness of Sulaymaniyyih, taking with Him nothing but a change of clothes. Regarding this period He writes in the Book of Iqan.. We betook Ourselves to the wilderness.. From Our eyes there rained tears of anguish, and in Our bleeding heart there surged an ocean of agonizing pain.. notwithstanding these showers of afflictions and unceasing calamities, Our soul was wrapt in blissful joy.. for in Our solitude We were unaware of the harm or benefit, the health or ailment, of any soul. Alone, We communed with Our spirit, oblivious of the world and all that is therein. We knew not, however, that the mesh of divine destiny exceedeth the vastest of mortal conceptions, and the dart of His decree transcendeth the boldest of human designs.. Our withdrawal contemplated no return, and Our separation hoped for no reunion. The one object of Our retirement was to avoid becoming a subject of discord among the faithful.. Beyond these, We cherished no other intention.." (Baha'u'llah-Kitab-i-Iqan) "What pen can recount the things We beheld upon Our return! Two years have elapsed during which Our enemies have ceaselessly and assiduously contrived to exterminate Us. whereunto all witness." (Baha'u'llah- Kitab-i-Iqan) After His return from this retirement, His fame became greater than ever and people flocked to Baghdad.. to see Him.. The Mullas, however, took up a hostile attitude and persistently plotted to effect His overthrow.. he (emissary of Mullas) asked that some miracle should be produced as a proof. Baha'u'llah.. (declared) that if the Mullas would agree regarding some miracle to be performed, and would sign and seal a document to the effect that on the performance of this miracle they would confess the validity of His mission and cease to oppose Him, He would furnish the desired proof or else stand convicted of imposture.. They feared the truth and fled from the daring challenge. This.. only spurred them on to devise fresh plots.. The Consul General of Persia in Baghdad.. sent repeated messages to the Shah to the effect that Baha'u'llah was injuring the Muhammadan religion more than ever.. and that He ought therefore to be banished to some more distant place.... as in any) crisis.. He remained calm and serene, encouraging and inspiring His followers and writing imperishable words of consolation and guidance.. the Hidden Words were written at this time.. and.. The Book of Iqan.. toward the end of His sojourn at Baghdad. (1862-1863) After much negotiation, at the request of the Persian Government, an order was issued by the Turkish Government summoning Baha'u'llah to Constantinople.. His followers.. besieged the house of their beloved leader to such an extent that the family encamped in the Garden of Najib Pasha outside the town.. while the caravan was being prepared for the long journey.. on the first of these twelve days (April 22 to May 3, 1863, nineteen years after the Bab's Declaration).. Baha'u'llah announced.. that He was the One Whose coming had been foretold.. >..On the 21st of April, for a period of twelve days, Baha'u'llah.. instituted the great feast of Ridvan.. He assumed before His followers and the wide world the supreme authority which He had received from the Most High at the time of His Call. Now it was that Jesus Christ ascended His throne in the power of God the Father. Now it was that He took upon Himself the sceptre of the fullness of God's might and thus set Himself as Supreme Overlord of all that is in heaven and on earth. The journey to Constantinople lasted between three and four months, the party consisting of Baha'u'llah with members of His family and twenty-six disciples.. after four months they were again moved.. to Adrianople. The journey.. although it lasted but a few days was the most terrible.. Snow fell heavily most of the time, and as they were destitute of proper clothing and food, their sufferings were extreme. About this time (August 1868-in Akka) Baha'u'llah wrote.. to.. the crowned heads of Europe, the Pope, and the Shah of Persia. Later, in His Kitab-i-Aqdas He addressed other sovereigns, the rulers and Presidents of America, the leaders of religion in general and the generality of mankind. To all, He announced His mission and called them to bend their energies to the establishment of true religion, just government and international peace. In His letter to the Shah He powerfully pleaded the cause of the oppressed Babis and asked to be brought face to face with those who had instigated their persecution.. Badi, the young and devoted Baha'i who delivered the letter.. was seized and martyred with fearful tortures.. ...How many calamities have descended, and how many will descend! I walk advancing toward the Mighty.. while behind me glides the serpent. My eyes rain down tears until My bed is drenched; but my sorrow is not for myself. By God, my head longeth for the spears for the love of its Lord, and I never pass by a tree but my heart addresseth it (saying), "O would that thou wert cut down in my name and my body were crucified upon thee.." (Baha'u'llah) ...Verily He answereth him who prayeth unto Him, and is near unto him who calleth on Him. And we ask Him to make this dark calamity a buckler for the body of His saints. (Baha'u'llah) ...Baha'u'llah and His followers, about eighty to eighty-four.. men.. women and children, were imprisoned in the army barracks. The place was dirty and cheerless in the extreme.. Malaria, dysentery and other diseases soon broke out.. Three succumbed.. ...This rigorous imprisonment lasted for over two years, during which time none of the Baha'is were allowed outside the prison door, except four men, carefully guarded, who went out daily to buy food.. ....visitors were rigidly excluded. Several of the Baha'is of Persia came all the way on foot.. but were refused admittance.. How many calamities have descended, and how many will descend! I walk advancing toward the Mighty.. while behind me glides the serpent. My eyes rain down tears until My bed is drenched; but my sorrow is not for myself. By God, my head longeth for the spears for the love of its Lord, and I never pass by a tree but my heart addresseth it (saying), "O would that thou wert cut down in my name and my body were crucified upon thee.." (Baha'u'llah) At last the imprisonment was mitigated. A mobilization of Turkish troops occurred and the barracks were required for soldiers. Baha'u'llah (and) His family were transferred to a house by themselves and the rest of the party were accommodated in a caravanserai in the town. In a small room near that in which He was imprisoned, thirteen.. of.. both sexes, had to accommodate themselves.. From the time Baha'u'llah.. left the barracks, visitors were allowed to see them, and gradually the severe restrictions.. were left in abeyance, although now and then reimposed.. Even when the imprisonment was at its worst, the Baha'is were not dismayed, and their serene confidence was never shaken.. Baha'u'llah wrote to some friends, "Fear not. These doors shall be opened. My tent shall be pitched on Mount Carmel, and the utmost joy shall be realized.".. in due course it was literally fulfilled. The story of how the prison doors were opened.. in the words of 'Abdul-Baha..: >..He passed the remark: "I have not gazed on verdure for nine years. The country is the world of the soul, the city is the world of bodies." When I heard indirectly of this saying I realized that He was longing for the country, and I was sure that whatever I could do.. would be successful. There was.. a man very much opposed to us. I said: "Pasha, you have left the palace empty.." He replied: "I am an invalid.. If I go there.. I am cut off from my friends." I said: "..let it to us." I got the house for about five pounds per annum.. For two years He remained in that charming and lovely spot. Then it was decided to remove to another place.. an epidemic disease had broken out at Bahji, and the proprietor of the house fled away in distress, with all his family, ready to offer the house free of charge to any applicant. We took the house at a very low rent, and there the doors of majesty and true sovereignty were flung wide open. Having in His earlier years of hardship shown how to glorify God in a state of poverty and ignominy, Baha'u'llah in His later years at Bahji showed how to glorify God in a state of honor and affluence. The offerings of hundreds of thousands of devoted followers placed at His disposal large funds which He was called upon to administer.. The Blessed Perfection and His family lived in simple and modest fashion.. luxury was a thing unknown.. Near His home the believers prepared a beautiful garden called Ridvan, in which He often spent.. days.. or even weeks, sleeping at night in a little cottage in the garden. Occasionally He went further afield. He made several visits to 'Akka and Haifa, and on more than one occasion pitched His tent on Mount Carmel, as He had predicted.. The time of Baha'u'llah was spent for the most part in prayer and meditation, in writing the Sacred Books, revealing Tablets, and spiritual education of the Friends. In order to give Him entire freedom for this.. 'Abdul-Baha undertook the arrangement of all other affairs, even meeting the Mullas, poets, and members of the Government. All.. were.. satisfied.. and.. became.. friendly.. towards Him through their acquaintanceship with His son (whose) attitude caused them to understand the station of His father. >"..Though I dimly suspected whither I was going and whom I was to behold (for no distinct intimation had been given to me), a second or two elapsed ere, with a throb of wonder and awe, I became definitely conscious that the room was not untenanted. In the corner where the divan met the wall sat a wondrous and venerable figure.. The face of him on whom I gazed I can never forget, though I cannot describe it. Those piercing eyes seemed to read one's very soul; power and authority sat on that ample brow; while the deep lines on the forehead and face implied and age which the jet-black hair and beard.. seemed to belie. No need to ask in whose presence I stood, as I bowed myself before one who is the object of a devotion and love which kings might envy and emperors sigh for in vain!.. "Praise be to God that thou has attained!... Thou has come to see a prisoner and an exile... We desire but the good of the world and happiness of the nations; yet they deem us a stirrer up of strife and sedition worthy of bondage and banishment... That all nations should become one in faith and all men as one brothers; that the bonds of affection and unity between the sons of men should be strengthened; that diversity of religion should cease, and differences of race be annulled-- what harm is there in this?... Yet so it shall be; these fruitless strifes, these ruinous wars shall pass away, and the 'Most Great Peace' shall come... Do not you in Europe need this also? Is not this that which Christ foretold?... Yet do we see your kings and rulers lavishing their treasures more freely on means for the destruction of the human race than on that which would conduce to the happiness of mankind... These strifes and this bloodshed and discord must cease, and all men be as one kindred and one family... Let not a man glory in this, that he loves his country; let him rather glory in this, that he loves his kind..." (E.G. Browne-Traveller's Narrative) simply and serenely did Baha'u'llah pass the evening of His life on earth until, after an attack of fever, He passed away on the 29th of May, 1892, at the age of seventy-five. Among the last Tablets He revealed was His Will and Testament, which He wrote with His own hand and duly signed and sealed. Nine days after His death the seals were broken.. 'Abdul-Baha was constituted His father's representative..

THE PRISONER OF AKKA

Saturday, August 01, 2009

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FROM PRISON CELL

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BAHA'U'LLAH THE GLORY OF GOD

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