One day, as he [Hájí Mírzá Aqásí, the Grand Vazír of
Muhammad Sháh] was passing through the village of Quch-Hisar, which belonged to
Bahá’u’lláh, he was so impressed by the charm and beauty of that place and the
abundance of its water that he conceived the idea of becoming its owner.
Bahá’u’lláh, whom he had summoned to effect the immediate purchase of that
village, observed:
“Had this property been exclusively mine own, I would
willingly have complied with your desire. This transitory life, with all its
sordid possessions, is worthy of no attachment in my eyes, how much less this
small and insignificant estate. As a number of other people, both rich and
poor, some of full age and some still minors, share with me the ownership of
this property, I would request you to refer this matter to them, and to seek
their consent.” Unsatisfied with this reply, Hájí Mírzá Aqásí sought, through
fraudulent means, to achieve his purpose.
So soon as Bahá’u’lláh was informed of his evil designs, He,
with the consent of all concerned, immediately transferred the title of the
property to the name of the sister of Muhammad Sháh, who had already repeatedly
expressed her desire to become its owner.
The Hájí, furious at this transaction, ordered that the
estate should be forcibly seized, claiming that he already had purchased it
from its original possessor. The representatives of Hájí Mírzá Aqásí were
severely rebuked by the agents of the sister of the Sháh, and were requested to
inform their master of the determination of that lady to assert her rights. The
Hájí referred the case to Muhammad Sháh, and complained of the unjust treatment
to which he had been subjected.
That very night, the Sháh’s sister had acquainted him with
the nature of the transaction. “Many a time,” she said to her brother, “your
Imperial Majesty has graciously signified your desire that I should dispose of
the jewels with which I am wont to adorn myself in your presence, and with the
proceeds purchase some property. I have at last succeeded in fulfilling your
desire. Hájí Mírzá Aqásí, however, is now fully determined to seize it forcibly
from me.” The Sháh reassured his sister, and commanded the Hájí to forgo his
claim. The latter, in his despair, summoned Bahá’u’lláh to his presence and, by
every artifice, strove to discredit His name.
To the charges he brought against Him, Bahá’u’lláh
vigorously replied, and succeeded in establishing His innocence. In his
impotent rage, the Grand Vazír exclaimed: “What is the purpose of all this
feasting and banqueting in which you seem to delight? I, who am the Prime
Minister of the Sháhinsháh [King of Kings] of Persia, never receive the number
and variety of guests that crowd around your table every night. Why all this
extravagance and vanity? You surely must be meditating a plot against me.”
“Gracious God!” Bahá’u’lláh replied. “Is the man who, out of the abundance of
his heart, shares his bread with his fellow-men, to be accused of harbouring
criminal intentions?” Hájí Mírzá Aqásí was utterly confounded. He dared no
reply. Though supported by the combined ecclesiastical and civil powers of
Persia, he eventually found himself, in every contest he ventured against
Bahá’u’lláh, completely defeated.
- Nabil ('The Dawn-Breakers', translated and edited by Shoghi Effendi)
