This is the story of Mulla Aliy-i-Bastami, one of the
Letters of the Living, "the first to leave the House of God (Shiraz) and
the first to suffer for His sake…" (The Báb, quoted by Shoghi Effendi,
‘God Passes By’) He was “one of the foremost disciples of Siyyid Kazim…. He was
endowed with such vast learning, and was so deeply conversant with the
teachings of Shaykh Ahmad, that many regarded him as even superior to Mulla
Husayn.” (Nabil, ‘The Dawn-Breakers’)
Following the death of their leader, Siyyid Kazim, Mulla Ali
and twelve other followers of Siyyid Kazim decided to follow the example of
Mulla Husayn and begin their search for the Promised One – as they were
instructed to do so by Siyyid Kazim. Mulla Husayn had just started his
spiritual preparation in retirement by praying and fasting for forty days. On
several occasions Mulla 'Ali approached Mulla Husayn to ask him where he was
going and what his destination would be. Every time he neared Mulla Husayn, he
found him so deeply wrapt in prayer that he felt it improper to venture a
question. Mulla 'Ali decided to retire in a like manner from the society of men
and prepare his own heart for the quest. His companions followed his example
with the exception of three who acted as their personal attendants.
As soon as the forty days were up, Mulla Husayn decided to
leave Karbila at once for Persia where he felt his search should begin. His
brother and nephew also accompanied him. An inner prompting led him to Bushihr
on the Persian Gulf. Though he could feel the sweet savors of His holiness the
Báb in Bushir something suddenly turned him like a compass needle to the north.
He set out at once on foot for the city of Shiraz. When he arrived at the gate
of the city, he directed his brother and his nephew, who had accompanied him,
to go to the prayer-house and await his return. "Something draws my heart
into the city," he said, "but I shall meet you for evening
prayers." A few hours before sunset, Mulla Husayn's eyes fell upon the Báb
and received an invitation to His House and became the first believer in the Bábi
Dispensation.
Shortly after Mulla Husayn had left Karbila, Mulla ‘Ali
accompanied by twelve companions also followed him towards Persia.
