Abdu’l-Karim was an Egyptian merchant of considerable
wealth, who had heard the story of the new Revelation, and accepted it with the
ardor of his eager temperament. After some time he felt that he could not be
content without seeing the Messenger of God whose presence in the world had
stirred his heart. So he wrote a letter to Acca, where Baha’u’llah, the new
Manifestation of God, was and begged permission to visit Him.
Baha’u’llah’s answer greatly surprised him. He was told that
he could come to Acca, but first he must put himself in a position where he
owed no man anything.
Abdu’l-Karim had carried on his business for many years in
the customary Oriental fashion, sending his caravans across the desert laden
with a precious freight of riches. He had established lines of credit
everywhere, and probably never dreamed of doing business on a cash basis. His
commerce was constantly expanding and perhaps he was not too scrupulous in his
dealings. We may be certain it had not occurred to him that his interest in the
new Day of God would require him to revise his approach to doing business with
his fellow man. A successful merchant is apt to fall into the habit of
considering his own advantage first. Naturally Abdu’l-Karim was absorbed in the
conduct of his rapidly broadening trade connections, for he was a man of fifty
years when this momentous influence came into his life.
Abdu’l-Karim accepted without hesitation the required
stipulation. Before all else he wanted to see the Manifestation of God, and
everything became of secondary importance in comparison with this event.
He began, therefore, to arrange his affairs with this point
in view. Previously he had thought only of expansion, of increase. Now his one
desire was to reach the condition where he would owe no man anything. So he
began to pay off his debts. As money came in, instead of investing it again, he
paid a debt with it, until at length, after five years, he had attained his
goal, and he did not owe a penny to anyone!
But in this careful accounting of outlay and income his business had dwindled away to nothing. His longing to see the Blessed Perfection had completely absorbed him, so that the love of wealth had died out of his heart, and at the moment of realization he had just enough money left to pay a deck passage on the steamer to Haifa, and leave in his wife's hands a sum sufficient to provide for the family expenses during his absence. But he did not hesitate. The wealthy merchant had never before traveled except as a first-class passenger. As he stepped across the gang plank to board the ship, a shawl draped across his arm which was his only protection from the weather, dropped into the water, and at that season the nights were chill! Nevertheless, he went on with a light heart. Was he not near the consummation of all his hopes? His soul was alive with prayer, and he did not know the wind was chill!
Meanwhile Baha’u’llah informed His family that they were
about to receive a most honored guest, greater than any that had yet crossed
His threshold. He sent an emissary with a carriage to the dock at Haifa, which
is the seaport of Acca, with strict orders to bring this noble guest to Him
without delay. But characteristically He told the attendant nothing as to the
real character of the man he was to meet.
The attendant watched carefully the disembarkation of
passengers at the landing of the steamer. He was looking eagerly for an
ambassador with a noble retinue, for a prince with many orders upon his breast,
for a personage resplendent in broadcloth and jewels. But no such individual
stepped upon the quay. In fact, the passengers seemed an especially polyglot
assemblage, and the emissary paid no attention to the shabby looking
middle-aged man, who glanced about in disappointment, as if expecting someone,
and then seated himself quietly upon a bench.
Abdu’l-Karim had been assured that someone from the household
of the Manifestation would come in search of him, though he had not written
warning of his expected arrival. He had no money to pay the necessary carriage
hire to Acca. His faith had carried him so far, but now it suddenly failed him,
and he sat forlornly upon the bench, while clouds of black despair settled over
him.
The emissary returned alone to Acca, and reported that the
guest had not appeared. He thought it strange, for he knew that Baha’u’llah’s
vision was never mistaken, and he was familiar with all that transpired about
Him. The Blessed Perfection looked keenly at His emissary as the message was
delivered, and replied:
"Ah, your eyes were not far seeing enough to recognize
my princely guest. I will send the Master (‘Abdu’l-Bahá) to find him. He has
clearer vision."
So ‘Abdu’l-Bahá made his way to the dock, and though the
quick twilight of the Orient had fallen before he reached the spot, he knew
immediately the disappointed figure huddled upon the bench. This was the royal
guest his Father expected!
He quickly introduced himself, explaining that the individual
sent to meet the stranger, had failed to find him. Then he added:
"Do you wish to go on to Acca tonight, or will you wait
until morning?"
It was customary for pilgrims to spend some hours in prayer
and purification before entering the presence of Baha’u’llah, and Abdu’l-Karim
had faithfully accomplished his duty in this regard. But sitting alone and
neglected during the long afternoon, bitter thoughts had invaded his
consciousness. He looked back regretfully to the fortune he had lost in
preparation for what? For this day of waiting alone and penniless for a
possible interview with a fictitious prophet! So events had painted themselves
in his anguished soul, but in the presence of the gentle messenger who had
sought him at last, suspicion vanished, and he longed for hours of prayer to
wash the stain of doubt from his tormented inward self.
Abdu’l-Bahá knew instinctively that his new friend would not
wish to seek a hotel at his expense, so finding that he preferred to wait until
morning for the journey to Acca, he unbuttoned the long cloak that enveloped
him, seated himself beside the pilgrim, and wrapped both in its ample folds. So
they passed the night praying together, lost in that ecstasy of prayer that
brings realization.
Then in the morning they turned toward Acca, and
Abdu’l-Karim going to the Blessed Perfection with a radiant heart found full
reward in His lovely presence for the five lonely years of seeking that had
prefaced his pilgrimage.
We may be certain also that his inward wealth became so
great he quite forgot the flatness of his pocketbook!
(Adapted from ‘The Oriental Rose’, by Mary Hanford Ford)
