August 1842: Marriage of the Báb with Khadíjih-Bagum

After a few months in Shiraz He declared His intention of going once again to ‘Iraq. His mother, alarmed and agitated by this decision, once more sought the aid of her brother. Their efforts resulted in the marriage of the Báb to Khadíjih-Bagum, daughter of Hájí Mírzá ‘Ali, the paternal uncle of His mother. The marriage took, place in August 1842. Khadíjih-Bagum had two brothers: Hájí Mírzá Abu’l-Qásim and Hájí Mírzá Siyyid Hasan, and both of them, though not counted among His followers in His lifetime, have a place in the story of the Báb. The descendants of these two brothers-in-law of the Báb, and the descendants of His maternal uncles, are known as the Afnán (the Twigs). 

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

1842: The Báb’s uncle persuaded Him to return to Shiraz

According to Hájí Mírzá Habíbu’lláh’s narrative, as the sojourn of the Báb in the holy cities lengthened into months, His mother, anxious to have her only son back in Shíráz, asked her brother, Hájí Mírzá Siyyid ‘Ali, to go to ‘Iraq and persuade Him to return. He could not deny his sister’s request, but when he reached ‘Iráq he found that his nephew, who had once been his ward, was unwilling to leave the holy cities. Thereupon he appealed to Hájí Siyyid Javád-i-Karbilá’í for help, who was at first reluctant to lend his support, not wishing to lose the company of the young Shírází Siyyid whom he had over the course of years so tremendously admired. However, when he learned that His mother was greatly concerned, he consented to intervene. At last the Báb complied with their request and agreed to return. 

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

1844: A disciple of Siyyid Kázim in Karbilá hears the news of the Báb’s Declaration in Shiraz

…the day when the call of a Youth from Shíráz, proclaiming Himself to be the Báb, reached my [Shaykh Hasan-i-Zunúzí, a disciple of Siyyid Kázim] 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. …later on I journeyed from Karbilá to Shíráz, I found that He had set out on a pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina. [October 1844] I met Him on His return [December 1844] and endeavoured, despite the many obstacles in my way, to remain in close association with Him. 

- Shaykh Hasan-i-Zunúzí ([a disciple of Siyyid Kázim], quoted by Nabil, ‘The Dawn-Breakers', translated and edited by Shoghi Effendi)