Arrangements for the marriage of the Báb to Khadijih Bagum

Some two months passed before the wedding could be arranged. Marriage feasts were held in the house of Mírzá ‘Ali, the father of Khadíjih Bagum, and in the house of the uncle of the Báb who had been His guardian. Shaykh Abú-Turáb, the Imám-Jum‘ih of Shíráz, presided over the ceremony and read the usual oration. As it was customary for a relative of the bridegroom to respond, His uncle, Hájí Mírzá Siyyid ‘Ali, accepted the suit. Later, the bride and the Groom were joined in wedlock in the house of the Báb Himself.

(Adapted from ‘Khadijih Bagum, The Wife of the Báb’ by Hand of the Cause Hassan Balyuzi)

Khadijih Bagum’s dream prior to her engagement to the Báb

…when the Báb had returned to Shíráz from His visit to the holy cities of 'Iraq, Khadijih Bagum dreamt that Fátimih, the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad, had come to ask for her hand in marriage to the Imam Husayn. Her mother, being told of this dream, rejoiced at the good fortune that awaited her daughter.

That very day, Khadíjih Bagum recalled, the mother of the Báb came to call on her mother, and His grandmother was also there… “After they were all seated I took sharbat (a fruit syrup) to them and left the room.”, Khadijih Bagum recounted.

To Khadíjih Bagum’s surprise, the mother of the Báb kissed her on the forehead before leaving. Seeing her puzzled look, her mother hastened to explain: “That kiss implied that she has asked for your hand in marriage to her Son. You see, the dream you had last night has come true.”

Khadíjih Bagum, hearing the news and being reminded of her wondrous dream, was greatly elated. The extraordinary respect and consideration which all the members of the family gave to the Báb, and the accounts of His demeanour and bearing which she had heard from her elders, had already convinced Khadíjih Bagum that her young Cousin stood head and shoulders above them all.

She recalled: ‘From that day I felt a great stirring within my heart. It seemed that the gate of God’s mercy and abundant bounty had been hung open before my face. I felt immeasurably proud of my coming union.'

(Adapted from Khadijih Bagum, The Wife of the Báb’ by Hand of the Cause Hassan Balyuzi)

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')