Mulla Husayn was still in Mashhad during the conference of
Badasht as a guest of the Governor-General of the province of Khurasan - where
he was treated with courtesy and consideration. After leaving the camp of the
Governor-General, he was preparing his anticipated trip to Karbila when a
messenger arrived bearing to him the Báb’s turban and conveying the news that a
new name, that of Siyyid ‘Alí, had been conferred upon him by his Master.
“Adorn your head,” was the message, “with My green turban,
the emblem of My lineage, and, with the Black Standard unfurled before you,
hasten to the Jazíriy-i-Khadrá, [literally: ‘Verdant Isle’] and lend your
assistance to My beloved Quddús.”
As soon as that message reached him, Mullá Husayn arose to
execute the wishes of his Master. Leaving Mashhad for a place situated at a
farsang’s distance [about 3 miles] from the city, he hoisted the Black
Standard, placed the turban of the Báb upon his head, assembled his companions,
mounted his steed, and gave the signal for their march to the Jazíriy-i-Khadrá.
His companions, who were two hundred and two in number, enthusiastically
followed him. That memorable day was July 21st, 1848.
Wherever they tarried, at every village and hamlet through
which they passed, Mullá Husayn and his fellow-disciples would fearlessly
proclaim the message of the New Day, would invite the people to embrace its
truth, and would select from among those who responded to their call a few whom
they would ask to join them on their journey.
The news of the approach of Mulla Husayn along with now more
than three hundred Bábís to the town of Barfurush, the hometown of Quddus,
alarmed the leading cleric. The widespread and growing popularity of Mulla Husayn,
the circumstances attending his departure from Mashhad, the Black Standard
which waved before him -- above all, the number, the discipline, and the
enthusiasm of his companions, combined to arouse the implacable hatred of that
cruel and overbearing mujtahid. He incited the residents of Barfurush by saying that
Mulla Husayn and his companions were “enemies [that] stand at our very doors, ready to
wipe out all that we cherish as pure and holy in Islam! Should we fail to
resist them, none will be left to survive their onslaught.” He induced the
inhabitants of that town to make every possible preparation for the coming
encounter by arming themselves with whatever weapon they could find
or devise, and to set out at day break from Barfurush, fully determined
to face and slay the enemies of their Faith and to plunder their property.
About three miles from Barfurush, Mulla
Husayn and his companions encountered their enemies. A multitude of people,
fully equipped with arms and ammunition, had gathered, and blocked their way. A
fierce expression of savagery rested upon their countenances, and the foulest
imprecations fell unceasingly from their lips. The companions, in the face of
the uproar of this angry populace, made as if to unsheathe their swords.
"Not yet," commanded their leader; "not until the aggressor
forces us to protect ourselves must our swords leave their scabbards." He
had scarcely uttered these words when the fire of the enemy was directed
against them. Six of the companions were immediately hurled to the ground.
"Beloved leader," exclaimed one of them, "we
have risen and followed you with no desire except to sacrifice ourselves in the
path of the Cause we have embraced. Allow us, we pray you, to defend ourselves,
and suffer us not to fall so disgracefully a victim to the fire of the
enemy." "The time is not yet come," replied Mulla Husayn;
"the number is as yet incomplete." A bullet immediately after pierced
the breast of one of his companions, a siyyid from Yazd who had walked all the
way from Mashhad to that place, and who ranked among his staunchest supporters.
At the sight of that devoted companion fallen dead at his
feet, Mulla Husayn raised his eyes to heaven and prayed:
"Behold, O God, my God, the plight of Thy chosen
companions, and witness the welcome which these people have accorded Thy loved
ones. Thou knowest that we cherish no other desire than to guide them to the
way of Truth and to confer upon them the knowledge of Thy Revelation. Thou hast
Thyself commanded us to defend our lives against the assaults of the enemy.
Faithful to Thy command, I now arise with my companions to resist the attack
which they have launched against us."
Unsheathing his sword and spurring on his charger into the
midst of the enemy, Mulla Husayn pursued, with marvellous intrepidity, the
assailant of his fallen companion. His opponent, who was afraid to face him,
took refuge behind a tree and, holding aloft his musket, sought to shield
himself. Mulla Husayn immediately recognized him, rushed forward, and with a
single stroke of his sword cut across the trunk of the tree, the barrel of the
musket, and the body of his adversary. One historian recorded that Mulla Husayn used his left hand on this occasion. The astounding force of that stroke
confounded the enemy and paralysed their efforts. All fled panic-stricken in the
face of so extraordinary a manifestation of skill, of strength, and of courage.
This feat was the first of its kind to attest to the prowess
and heroism of Mulla Husayn, a feat which earned him the commendation of the
Báb. Quddus likewise paid his tribute to the cool fearlessness which Mulla
Husayn displayed on that occasion. He is reported to have quoted, when informed
of the news, the following verse of the Qur'án: "So it was not ye who slew
them, but God who slew them; and those shafts were God's, not thine! He would
make trial of the faithful by a gracious trial from Himself: verily, God
heareth, knoweth. This befell, that God might also bring to naught the craft of
the infidels."
Notwithstanding his slender and fragile frame and trembling
hand, an eye witness recorded, such were his valour and prowess on that day
that whosoever had eyes to discern the truth could clearly see that such
strength and courage could only be from God, being beyond human capacity....
Then I saw Mulla Husayn unsheathe his sword and raise his face towards heaven,
and heard him exclaim: 'O God I have completed the proof to this host, but it
availeth not.' Then he began to attack us on the right and on the left. I swear
by God that on that day he wielded the sword in such wise as transcends the
power of man.
(Adapted from ‘The Dawn-Breakers’, by Nabil, translated and
edited by Shoghi Effendi; ‘Baha’u’llah – The King of Glory’, by Baluzi, and
Foot-Notes of 'The Dawn-Breakers')
