While the Báb was in Karbila, one of Siyyid Kazim’s disciples “marvelled at the evidences of piety and veneration which that youthful countenance evinced”

“I [Shaykh Hasan-i-Zunúzí] often felt the urge to seek alone the presence of that Háshimite Youth [the Báb] and to endeavour to fathom His mystery. I watched Him several times as He stood in an attitude of prayer at the doorway of the shrine of the Imám Husayn. So wrapt was He in His devotions that He seemed utterly oblivious of those around Him. Tears rained from His eyes, and from His lips fell words of glorification and praise of such power and beauty as even the noblest passages of our Sacred Scriptures could not hope to surpass. The words “O God, my God, my Beloved, my heart’s Desire” were uttered with a frequency and ardour that those of the visiting pilgrims who were near enough to hear Him instinctively interrupted the course of their devotions, and marvelled at the evidences of piety and veneration which that youthful countenance evinced. Like Him they were moved to tears, and from Him they learned the lesson of true adoration. Having completed His prayers, that Youth, without crossing the threshold of the shrine and without attempting to address any words to those around Him, would quietly return to His home. I felt the impulse to address Him, but every time I ventured an approach, a force that I could neither explain nor resist, detained me. My enquiries about Him elicited the information that He was a resident of Shíráz, that He was a merchant by profession, and did not belong to any of the ecclesiastical orders. I was, moreover, informed that He, and also His uncles and relatives, were among the lovers and admirers of Shaykh Ahmad and Siyyid Kázim. Soon after, I learned that He had departed for Najaf on His way to Shíráz. That Youth had set my heart aflame. The memory of that vision haunted me. My soul was wedded to His till the day when the call of a Youth from Shíráz, proclaiming Himself to be the Báb, reached my ears. The thought instantly flashed through my mind that such a person could be none other than that selfsame Youth whom I had seen in Karbilá, the Youth of my heart’s desire. 

- Shaykh Hasan-i-Zunúzí (Quoted by Nabil in ‘The Dawn-Breakers’, translated and edited by Shoghi Effendi)

The Báb attends a gathering of the disciples of Siyyid Kázim in Karbila

Three days later, I saw that same Youth [the Báb] arrive and take His seat in the midst of the company of the assembled disciples of Siyyid Kázim. He sat close to the threshold, and with the same modesty and dignity of bearing listened to the discourse of the Siyyid. As soon as his eyes fell upon that Youth, the Siyyid discontinued his address and held his peace. Whereupon one of his disciples begged him to resume the argument which he had left unfinished. ‘What more shall I say?’ replied Siyyid Kázim, as he turned his face toward the Báb. ‘Lo, the Truth is more manifest than the ray of light that has fallen upon that lap!’ I immediately observed that the ray to which the Siyyid referred had fallen upon the lap of that same Youth whom we had recently visited. ‘Why is it,’ that questioner enquired, ‘that you neither reveal His name nor identify His person?’ To this the Siyyid replied by pointing with his finger to his own throat, implying that were he to divulge His name, they both would be put to death instantly. This added still further to my perplexity. I had already heard my teacher observe that so great is the perversity of this generation, that were he to point with his finger to the promised One and say: ‘He indeed is the Beloved, the Desire of your hearts and mine,’ they would still fail to recognise and acknowledge Him. I saw the Siyyid actually point out with his finger the ray of light that had fallen on that lap, and yet none among those who were present seemed to apprehend its meaning. I, for my part, was convinced that the Siyyid himself could never be the promised One, but that a mystery inscrutable to us all, lay concealed in that strange and attractive Youth.

Several times I ventured to approach Siyyid Kázim and seek from him an elucidation of this mystery. Every time I approached him, I was overcome by a sense of awe which his personality so powerfully inspired. Many a time I heard him remark: ‘O Shaykh Hasan, rejoice that your name is Hasan [praiseworthy]; Hasan your beginning, and Hasan your end. You have been privileged to attain to the day of Shaykh Ahmad, you have been closely associated with me, and in the days to come yours shall be the inestimable joy of beholding “what eye hath seen not, ear heard not, nor any heart conceived.”’ 

- Shaykh Hasan-i-Zunúzí (Quoted by Nabil in ‘The Dawn-Breakers’, translated and edited by Shoghi Effendi)

Siyyid Kázim, accompanied by one of his disciples, visits the Báb in Karbila

One day, at the hour of dawn, I [Shaykh Hasan-i-Zunúzí] was suddenly awakened by Mullá Naw-rúz, one of his [Siyyid Kázim’s] intimate attendants, who, in great excitement, bade me arise and follow him. We went to the house of Siyyid Kázim, where we found him fully dressed, wearing his ‘abá, and ready to leave his home. He asked me to accompany him. ‘A highly esteemed and distinguished Person,’ he said, ‘has arrived. I feel it incumbent upon us both to visit Him.’ The morning light had just broken when I found myself walking with him through the streets of Karbilá. We soon reached a house, at the door of which stood a Youth, as if expectant to receive us. He wore a green turban, and His countenance revealed an expression of humility and kindliness which I can never describe. He quietly approached us, extended His arms towards Siyyid Kázim, and lovingly embraced him. His affability and loving-kindness singularly contrasted with the sense of profound reverence that characterised the attitude of Siyyid Kázim towards him. Speechless and with bowed head, he received the many expressions of affection and esteem with which that Youth greeted him.

We were soon led by Him to the upper floor of that house, and entered a chamber bedecked with flowers and redolent of the loveliest perfume. He bade us be seated. We knew not, however, what seats we actually occupied, so overpowering was the sense of delight which seized us. We observed a silver cup which had been placed in the centre of the room, which our youthful Host, soon after we were seated, filled to overflowing, and handed to Siyyid Kázim, saying: "A drink of a pure beverage shall their Lord give them." [Qur’án, 76:21]  Siyyid Kázim held the cup with both hands and quaffed it. A feeling of reverent joy filled his being, a feeling which he could not suppress. I too was presented with a cupful of that beverage, though no words were addressed to me. All that was spoken at that memorable gathering was the above-mentioned verse of the Qur’án. Soon after, the Host arose from His seat and, accompanying us to the threshold of the house, bade us farewell.

Siyyid Kazim becomes aware that the Báb is in Iraq

The Akhúnd [Mulla Husayn] reported with great care the details of what had transpired to Siyyid [Kazim] who smiled and recited this verse:

That winch my heart had understood in dreams

was hidden behind this veil, and is now found.

- ‘Mirza Habibu’llah Afnan (‘Tarikh Amr-i-Fars va Shiraz’, translated and annotated as ‘The Genesis of the Bábi-Baha’i Faiths in Shiraz and Fars’, by Ahang Rabbani) 

Mulla Husayn’s first encounter with the Báb in Iraq

The Báb arrived at the ‘Atabát.[1] His blessed stay in the ‘Atabát is an extensive story, but it will be related here briefly, as our attention is focused on events in Fars.

One day Mulla Husayn, who at that time was engaged in studies in the ‘Atabát under the tutelage of Siyyid [Kázim Rashtí], saw His Holiness [the Báb] while He was standing in prayer at the sanctuary of the Shrine of the Prince of Martyrs. He saw a young Siyyid, aged twenty-two, offering His supplications with an intense humility and rapture that was not to be observed previously among any of the ‘ulamá, the mystics, or the pilgrims [to that sacred Shrine]. He was carried away with petitioning God and performing the rites of pilgrimage. Mulla Husayn was astounded and attracted by his beauty and perfection. He approached [the Báb] and greeted Him. However, wrapped in devotions, His Holiness did not reply. Mullá Husayn moved to the back and waited there. Having completed the pilgrimage prayers in the inner sanctuary, [the Báb] went out to the courtyard, and to Mullá Husayn’s utter astonishment, repeated the pilgrimage prayers there.

Once more, Mullá Husayn approached and greeted Him. Being occupied with His prayers, [the Báb] did not respond, which further deepened the Akhúnd’s [2] wonder.

Spring of 1841: The Báb left Bushihr for Iráq

According to Mirzá Abu’l-Fadl of Gulpáygán, He journeyed to the holy cities of ’Iráq in the spring of 1841, stayed in ‘Iráq for nearly seven months and returned to His ‘native province of Fárs’ in the autumn of that year. 

- Hand of the Cause Balyuzi ('The Báb - The Herald of the Day of Days')

Ready to leave Búshihr for Iraq, the Báb asked His uncles to come and take over the business from Him

According to him, [Hájí Mírzá Habibu’lláh] when the Báb decided to go on pilgrimage to the holy cities of ‘Iráq He wrote to His uncles in Shíráz asking them to come and take over the business from Him. His uncles, however, procrastinated, whereupon the Báb settled all the outstanding matters in Bushihr Himself, brought His books up to date, locked and sealed the door of the office and left the keys with the gate-keeper of the caravanserai, to be handed over to any one of His uncles. He informed His uncles of what He had done and explained that since they had not heeded His repeated pleas He had no other alternative, determined as He was to go on pilgrimage to the holy cities.[1] Hájí Mírzá Siyyid Muhammad was greatly perturbed lest their credit be damaged and their clients suffer serious loss. But Hájí Mírzá Siyyid ‘Ali assured him that their nephew would never do anything to compromise them and that all accounts would be found in perfect order. Hájí Mírzá Siyyid Muhammad hurried to Bushihr where a close inspection of the books satisfied him that nothing had been left to chance. 

- Hand of the Cause Balyuzi ('The Báb - The Herald of the Day of Days')

[1] The holy cities of ‘Iraq are: (i) Najaf and (2) Karbilá, which have within them the shrines of the first and the third Imams, respectively; (3) Kázimayn, in the close vicinity of Baghdád, which harbours the shrines of the seventh and the ninth imams; (4) Sámarrá, where the shrines of the tenth and the eleventh imams are situated.

The “torrid conditions” of Búshihr “did not deter the Báb” from “His devotions on Fridays”

Mullá Muhammad-i-Zarandí, Nabil-i-A'zam, lays particular stress on the Báb's strict regard for His devotions on Fridays. Even the torrid conditions of Búshihr, he states, did not deter the Báb. Writers of such histories as the Násikhut-Tavárikh hostile to the Báb, have alleged that long exposure to the severe heat of the sun in that seaport, while engaged in prayers, affected His mind. They have gone on to assert that it was this derangement of mind which led Him to make extravagant claims. But Hájí Mírzá Jání of Káshán refutes any suggestion that the Báb deliberately practised austerities, or that He found Himself a ‘murshid' (spiritual guide) to direct Him along such lines. 

- Hand of the Cause Balyuzi ('The Báb - The Herald of the Day of Days')

Another example of the Báb engaged in revealing Tablets while in Búshihr

Bushihr 1840

A.-L.-M. Nicolas maintains that the Báb was also engaged in writing and composing, during this period of His sojourn in Búshihr. He mentions a treatise, the Risáliy-i-Fighíyyih, having come from the pen of the Báb during those years. His statement is corroborated by Hájí Mírzá Habibu’lláh’s narrative:

"One day in Egypt during the time when Mírzá Abu’l- Fadl was occupied with writing his book, the Fara’id, we came to talk about the early years of the Báb, prior to His declaration, and the period when He was engaged in trading. Mírzá Abu’l-Fadl related the following to me:

'I myself heard the late Hájí Siyyid Javád-i-Karbilá’í say that when the Báb was pursuing the career of a merchant in Buúshihr, he... because of his friendship with the uncles of the Báb used to stay with them whenever he visited either Shiráz or Bushihr. One day Hájí Mírzá Siyyid Muhammad came to him with a request. "Give some good counsel to my nephew ...tell Him not to write certain things which can only arouse the jealousy of some people: these people cannot bear to see a young merchant of little schooling show such erudition, they feel envious." Háji Mirzá Siyyid Muhammad had been very insistent that Hájí Siyyid Javád should counsel the Báb to desist from writing. Hájí Siyyid Javád had however replied with these lines of verse: ‘The fair of face cannot put up with the veil; Shut him in, and out of the window will he show his visage,’ and had added: ‘We are earth-bound and He is celestial. Our counsel is of no use to Him.’” 

- Hand of the Cause Balyuzi ('The Báb - The Herald of the Day of Days')

The Báb’s first Tablet: ‘Risaliy-i-Fiqhiyyih’ [Epistle of Jurisprudence]

He was already predisposed to meditation and inclined to be silent, while his fine face, the radiance of his glance as well as his modest and contemplative mien drew, even at that early date, the attention of his fellow-citizens. Though very young, he felt an invincible attraction to matters of religion, for he was barely nineteen when he wrote his first work, the ‘Risaliy-i-Fiqhiyyih’ in which he reveals a true piety and an Islamic effusion, which seemed to predict a brilliant future within the law of Shí’ite orthodoxy. It is probable that this work was written at Búshihr, for he was sent there by his uncle at the age of eighteen or nineteen to look after his business interests. 

- A. L. M. Nicolas (“Siyyid ‘Alí-Muhammad dit le Báb,” pp. 188–189; Footnotes to Chapter 3 of the Dawn-Breakers provided by Shoghi Effendi)

An example of how the Báb “announced that He would change many of the accepted ways” in the society – ‘Abdu’l-Baha explains

During one of my [Mirza Habibu’llah Afnan] journeys to the sacred presence of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, He spoke one day about the time the Báb stayed [in Búshihr] and of his commercial activities. He stated:

“During His stay in Búshihr, the Báb achieved extraordinary things and thoroughly demolished the foundation of people's corrupt practices. The merchants of Búshihr had a custom that after a deal had been concluded they would renege and barter to receive a considerable discount. Some of them came to His Holiness, negotiated purchase of indigo dye, and bought a very large quantity. After they had

sealed the bargain and moved the lots of indigo to their own office, they returned to renege and bargain. His Holiness did not accept and said, “You made a bargain, signed papers, and the transaction has been completed. I will not give a discount and will not renegotiate." They insisted. He replied, "What I said is final.” They pleaded, “It is the custom of the country.” He responded, “Many of these customs are wrong and will soon be abolished.” No matter how much they insisted, He would not agree. The merchants were obstinate, and at last He said, "[If] the price is high, return the merchandise as I will not barter.” They insisted, “It is the custom here.” He replied, “I wish to put an end to this custom." They insisted, "If a merchant has bought commodities and moved them to his warehouse, and then returns them, he will forfeit his standing with merchants.” "It is your choice," He told them, "accept the terms and refrain from re-negotiation.” Again they insisted, "But this is the custom of the realm." Yet again. He reminded them, "I am ending this custom.””

‘Abdu’l-Baha continued relating:

In Búshihr the Báb attended gatherings at which virtues of Imám Husayn were being extolled

With what assiduous care He [the Báb] attended those gatherings at which the virtues of the Siyyidu’sh-Shuhada’, the Imám Husayn, were being extolled! With what attention He listened to the chanting of the eulogies! What tenderness and devotion He showed at those scenes of lamentation and prayer! Tears rained from His eyes as His trembling lips murmured words of prayer and praise. How compelling was His dignity, how tender the sentiments which His countenance inspired! 

- Hájí Siyyid Javád-i-Karbilá’í (Quoted by Nabil, ‘The Dawn-Breakers’, translated and edited by Shoghi Effendi)

“In the Báb physical beauty was joined to that of the spirit.”

In the Báb physical beauty was joined to that of the spirit. His hair was black and His dark brown eyes shone like stars. His features were symmetrical and His face most luminous. His carriage was majestic, yet simple and humble. The purity of His character was such that even His enemies could find no fault with Him. It would be hard to imagine a life more spotless, more devoted to love for humanity. He reflected the light of the spirit and radiated to those around Him such wonderful spiritual life that His superiority was generally recognized, and He was shown utmost honor and respect. When He entered a room He was given the seat of honor and others, involuntarily, waited for Him to speak first. He was full of happiness, contentment and resignation; so it seemed as if the Spirit of God were shining from that young body. 

- Jinab-i-Fadil (Star of the West, vol. 14, no. 7, October 1923)

An example of the Báb’s undeviating fairness in business transactions

His [the Báb’s] scrupulous attention to detail and His undeviating fairness in transactions became widely known in the region. A man who had consigned to Him some goods to sell was astonished to find, when he received his money, that it was more than could be obtained at current prices. He wanted to return some of it. The Báb told him that it was only fair and just that he should be given that particular sum, because his goods would have fetched exactly that amount had they been offered for sale when the market was at its best. 

- Hand of the Cause Balyuzi ('The Báb - The Herald of the Day of Days')

A certain man confided to His care a trust, requesting Him to dispose of it at a fixed price. When the Báb sent him the value of that article, the man found that the sum which he had been offered considerably exceeded the limit which he had fixed. He immediately wrote to the Báb, requesting Him to explain the reason. The Báb replied: ‘What I have sent you is entirely your due. There is not a single farthing in excess of what is your right. there was a time when the trust you had delivered to Me had attained this value. Failing to sell it at that price, I now feel it My duty to offer you the whole of that sum.’ However much the Báb’s client entreated Him to receive back the sum in excess, the Báb persisted in refusing. 

- Hájí Siyyid Javád-i-Karbilá’í (Quoted by Nabil, ‘The Dawn-Breakers’, translated and edited by Shoghi Effendi)

The Báb “associated with all strata of society” while in Búshihr

In Búshihr the Báb “associated with all strata of society, including the ‘ulamá, the merchants, and the shopkeepers, and dealt with all in such wise that they were very satisfied and grateful in every respect. In every gathering and assembly, men praised His splendid qualities.” 

- ‘Mirza Habibu’llah Afnan (‘Tarikh Amr-i-Fars va Shiraz’, translated and annotated as ‘The Genesis of the Bábi-Baha’i Faiths in Shiraz and Fars’, by Ahang Rabbani)   

circa 1838: The Báb “took over the complete management of the trading-house” in Búshihr

Unfortunately records of the years that the Báb spent in Búshihr are scant. We cannot be certain as to the exact dates when He took over the complete management of the trading-house and when He retired. Hájí Mu’inu’s-Saltanih of Tabríz states in his chronicle that the Báb assumed direct responsibility at the age of twenty. If that statement be correct, the period during which He acted on His own was quite brief. 

- Hand of the Cause Balyuzi ('The Báb - The Herald of the Day of Days')

The Báb indicates that He lived in Shiraz for the first 15 years of His life and in Búshihr for 5 years

Thou art aware, O My God, that since the day Thou didst call Me into being out of the water of Thy love till I reached fifteen years of age I lived in the land which witnessed My birth [Shíráz]. Then Thou didst enable Me to go to the seaport [Búshihr] where for five years I was engaged in trading with the goodly gifts of Thy realm and was occupied in that with which Thou hast favoured Me through the wondrous essence of Thy loving-kindness. 

- The Báb (‘Selections from the Writings of the Báb)

The Báb indicates that He “began the occupation of commerce…from the age of ten”

A.Q. Afnán suggests that based on extensive family correspondence examined by him, the Báb began to work in His uncle’s office at the age of ten, and it was at the age of fifteen—the age of maturity in Islamic law—that He moved to Bushihr.

The same information is provided by the Báb Himself in the Kitab-i-Fihrist:

“After My childhood had passed, by the will of God, I began the occupation of commerce as this was decreed by God, and I commenced this from the age of ten.” 

(Provisional translation, Footnotes to ‘The Báb in Shiraz, An Account by Mírzá Habíbu’lláh Afnán’, provided by Ahang Rabbani)

 

At the age fifteen the Báb joined His uncle-guardian in business and afterwards moved to Búshihr

According to Hájí Mirza Habíbu’lláh’s narrative, He [the Báb] joined Hájí Mirza Siyyid ‘Ali, His uncle-guardian, in business when He was fifteen years old, [Islamic law specifies fifteen as the age of maturity] and shortly afterwards moved to Búshihr. Pages of commercial accounts which He kept put it beyond doubt that the Báb left Shiraz for Búshihr when He was nearly sixteen. There can be little doubt that at an early age the Báb took over the complete management of the trading-house in Búshihr. 

- Hand of the Cause Balyuzi ('The Báb - The Herald of the Day of Days')