An actual incident
related by ‘Abdu’l-Baha:
A certain person violently molested and grievously injured a
certain Bábí. The victim unclosed his hand in retaliation and arose to take
vengeance, unsheathing his weapon against the aggressor. Becoming the object of
censure and reprimand of this sect, however, he took refuge in flight.
When he
reached Hamadán his character became known, and, as he was of the clerical
class, the doctors vehemently pursued him, handed him over to the government,
and ordered chastisement to be inflicted.
By chance
there fell out from the fold of his collar a document written by Bahá’u’lláh,
the subject of which was reproof of attempts at retaliation, censure and
reprobation of the search after vengeance, and prohibition from following after
lusts. Amongst other matters they found these expressions contained in it:
“Verily God is quit of the seditious,” and likewise: “If ye be slain it is
better for you than that ye should slay. And when ye are tormented have
recourse to the controllers of affairs and the refuge of the people; and if ye
be neglected then entrust your affairs to the Jealous Lord. This is the mark of
the sincere, and the characteristic of the assured.”
When the
governor became cognizant of this writing he addressed that person saying, “By
the decree of that Chief whom you yourself obey correction is necessary and
punishment and chastisement obligatory.”
“If,”
replied that person, “you will carry out all His precepts I shall have the
utmost pleasure in [submitting to] punishment and death.”
The
governor smiled and let the man go.
(‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘A Traveler’s Narrative’)
