Moreover, the enemies and foes of ‘Abdu'l-Baha, never ceased
to plan and scheme to persecute and bring about his exile and banishment, and
to annihilate His Revelation. And these people had more general power than the
enemies of the former prophets.
One of the Divine Allegorical incidents was that
'Abdu'l-Baha was born in Teheran the same night upon which the Báb proclaimed
His Mission in Shiraz - that is, May 23rd, 1844. Baha'u'llah gave the name of
His father to 'Abdu'l-Baha. This name was Abbas but He always called Him Master
– “Aqa” - even when He was a little child.
The first few years of the life of 'Abdu'l-Baha were spent
amid the most tragic and dramatic events of the life of Baha'u'llah. He was the
center of the movement, every tragic event revolved around Him and His home was
the rendezvous of all the Baha'is. All the news and all that transpired in the
Cause was brought to Him. His home was well known as the headquarters of the
Movement and often groups of rowdies would throw stones and try to hurt the
inmates. When 'Abdu'l-Baha was a little child groups of urchins would surround
Him and try to stone Him. Even at the early age of eight or nine years
'Abdu'l-Baha had already witnessed the plotting of the enemies and had seen the
friends martyred and guillotined. Up to this age He had seen many headstones of
heroes and heroines who had gone to their death with radiant acquiescence.
Most of the time Baha’u’llah was absent from home traveling
in the interest of the Cause, and visiting the friends in prison. His property
was confiscated and both day and night His household was in danger, so there
was no opportunity for 'Abdu'l-Baha to go to school and learn the things which
other children have to learn.
While Baha’u’llah was going about or in prison, at a tender
age 'Abdu'l-Baha was the object of regard and reverence of His family; all
looked up to Him as the head of the family in spite of His youth.
At the age of nine the great exile began. The government
banished Baha’u’llah with His family in 1852 to the city of Baghdad. During a
long cold part of the journey 'Abdu'l-Baha was so thinly clad, His toes were
frozen twice and the effect was felt by Him all the days of His life. Often
when He was tired out during the hours of day or night His feet would itch and
ache.
During the twelve years of Baha’u’llah in Baghdad and
Sulaymaniyyih of Kurdistan and the cave of the Mount of Sar-galu where He went
into retirement for the purpose of uninterrupted communion with God,
'Abdu'l-Baha was the cause of happiness to His family as well as its hope.
In that period of time when ‘Abdu’l-Baha was between the age
of nine and twenty He associated with many theologians, mystical and
philosophical groups. He opened the treasures of His innate knowledge among
them, He entered into those deep subjects and elucidated them in such a clear
manner that they marveled at His unlimited fund of information and asked Him
from what source He had received it. He answered them in these symbolical
words: "I received them from my Father." Therefore, they titled Him -
"Eminent Wise Youth."
The physical general appearance of 'Abdu'l-Baha was very
pleasing. His face and form were beautifully proportioned and He was considered
a very handsome youth. He radiated a heavenly spiritual power and carried
Himself with kingly dignity. As He walked along the streets people admired His
carriage and physique, He had such strength and power in His bearing. One of
the qualities of the character of 'Abdu'l-Baha even when He was a youth was His
great spiritual fortitude. He had innate poise and balance which no vicissitude
could destroy; no one had ever seen Him angry and He was never moved or swerved
by any outside influence. His physical endurance astonished everyone. He seemed
like a great ocean without a ripple on its surface.
Another characteristic of 'Abdu'l-Baha worthy of emulation
was His extreme generosity. In this loving kindness He gave freely of
everything He had. It is related that in the home of Baha'u'llah there was a
beautiful rug upon which He used to sit. One day a poor Arab brought a load of
wood to the house. He saw the rug and was very much attracted by its beauty. He
handled it caressingly and exclaimed: "Oh, how wonderful it must be to
have such a splendid rug to sit upon!" 'Abdu'l-Baha heard him and said:
"If you like the rug, take it." The man would not believe it was
really a gift but for fear he would lose it he put it over his shoulder and
began to run, looking back every few minutes to see if anyone was coming to
take it away from him. 'Abdu'l-Baha said, "Go on, no one is going to take
it away from you." ‘Abdu'l-Baha had a wonderful sense of humor.
When He was but a child He was taken to the mountains to see
his father's sheep. There were thousands of them; the shepherds gave Him a
feast. At the end of the day the chief shepherd came to 'Abdu'l-Baha and told
him He must make a present to the shepherds. 'Abdu'l-Baha said, "I have
nothing"- the man said, "But you must give something"- So
'Abdu'l-Baha said, "What about the
sheep?" - and he gave them all the sheep. When Baha'u'llah heard this He
laughed and said, "We will have to protect ‘Abdu'l-Baha from Himself, some
day He will give Himself away."
Another characteristic of 'Abdu'l-Baha was His sociability,
courtesy and politeness shown to all degrees of society. He associated with the
highest officials, and with people of all ranks, giving them His divine
knowledge and thereby raising them to a
higher level of comprehension. Likewise, He went among the most lowly in the
same attitude.
In the East people spend years and years of their time
trying to perfect themselves in penmanship. It is considered an art of the
highest order and a man will spend twenty to fifty years teaching people this
calling. 'Abdu'l-Baha's penmanship was so beautiful and so perfectly in
accordance with all the sacred writings of the East that samples of His work
were used to copy from. His knowledge of the Arabian and Persian writing was so
great that it seemed a miracle to the people though He never studied in His
life.
His range of vision was miraculous, and when talking to
Arabs they felt the utmost reverence for Him. With philosophers and learned men
He carried on conversation which astonished them. Without previous study on any
of these subjects He could understand and converse and raise the thought for
them to a much higher level than they themselves were able to reach.
When Baha’u’llah was sent forth to His second exile with His
family and followers for four months and had to travel through the most
inhospitable desert and villages in Mesopotamia, 'Abdu'l-Baha was constantly
protecting and helping Him.
During the exile of Baha’u’llah and His family for four
months in Constantinople and five years in Adrianople, the spiritual attraction
of 'Abdu’l-Baha in His association with many important people was manifested
more and more, and won them to Him in such a manner that they tried to remove
the difficulty of Baha'u'llah and help Him. For example, the Turkish Governor
of Adrianople became so intensely interested that he spent days and nights
listening to His conversations. When the order came for the next exile he was
unable to give it in person as he was too much affected by sorrow at parting
and was obliged to send the summons by letter.
When Baha’u’llah and a group of His followers were exiled to
Acre and were imprisoned in the barracks, as a result of the terrible climate
of the city and the loss of nourishing food, the very unhealthy water and
abominable conditions of the prison, they were all sick, and some of his
followers were relieved by death. Through these dire conditions 'Abdu'l-Baha
was untouched by disease and continually ministered to the needs of the
afflicted ones, giving them necessary remedies and cooking their food with his
own hands. Thus, through His protecting ministrations they all recovered.
After these two years of the terrible imprisonment of
Baha'u'llah in which no one of His followers was permitted to enter that city
to visit Him, and the nine years following when Baha'u'llah was confined to one
little house in Acre, through the instrumentality of 'Abdu'l-Baha and His
association with eminent people Baha'u'llah was finally, at the end of eleven
long years of imprisonment and hardship, permitted to leave the dreadful city
of Acca and go to a large comfortable house called Qasr-i-Bahji which had
beautiful gardens that were brought into existence by the efforts of
'Abdu'l-Baha. In this beautiful place Baha'u'llah spent the rest of His days,
but 'Abdu'l-Baha remained in Acre with His family meeting everyone, attending
to the solution of problems, interviewing statesmen, governors, lawyers, etc.,
in regard to different cases. To Him all people came for the solution of their
difficulties.
'Abdu'l-Baha protected the Cause from all objections and
opposition. Thus, Baha'u'llah was left free and unhampered to prepare His
message for the world and His followers were now able to visit Him.
One day of each week of His extremely busy life 'Abdu'l-Baha
went to visit Baha’u’llah at Bahji. On these occasions He always walked,
thereby showing his attitude of humility towards His Father. But after
Baha'u'llah told Him that He must ride, He obeyed Him. He would leave the city
of Acre riding, but as soon as Qasr-i-Bahji came into view He would dismount and
walk.
On the other hand, upon the recognized days of
'Abdu'l-Baha's visits to Qas-i-Bahji, Baha'u'llah would watch for His coming
from a second story window, and as soon as He saw Him approaching, He would
call to His household saying, "The Master is coming, go and meet
Him!" No sooner would Father and Son meet than one would witness the
utmost humility of the Son and utmost love and devotion of the Father, making
the most dramatic picture conceivable. At these times no one was permitted to
enter during Their conversation, not even the family. No one could understand
this mystery between Son and Father. It makes one recall the words of the Bible
where it is declared, "The Father is in the Son and the Son is in the
Father." There has never been in the world a relationship so sweet and
perfect, with so much trust and confidence on both sides. In every way
'Abdu'l-Baha was the prototype of Baha'u'llah. They were the same height, their voices were alike, and
their manner of discerning.
These were enough to make clear that the glory of God was
shining in Him, and would continue to shine in Him after the ascension of His
Father. Yet Baha'u'llah wrote in almost all of His writings, clearly as well as
symbolically, of His station. In the "Tablet of Beirut" He calls Him
the "Mystery of God." Particularly, in the Most Holy Book He said
emphatically that the people must turn their faces towards 'Abdu'l-Baha who was
the Branch of the everlasting tree. He also declared that 'Abdu'l-Baha held the
keys which would open the Holy Tablets and Holy Books.
Finally, He proclaimed the station of the Center of the
Covenant, 'Abdu'l-Baha, in the Tablet of the Covenant, which He sealed and gave
'Abdu'l-Baha. In nine days after the ascension of Baha'u'llah, in 1892, the
seal was broken by 'Abdu'l-Baha amid the group of Baha'i friends and it was
read by them.
Thus 'Abdu'l-Baha ascended the throne of the Covenant of
Baha'u'llah and the glory of His Father began to shine through Him, to guide,
like a shepherd the children of men to the oneness of God and the brotherhood
of man.
Verily, it seemed that Baha'u'llah had not departed but His
sovereignty was still living in the garment of servitude. The pen of
'Abdu'l-Baha began to move for all the world, spreading the breath of life in
the utmost humility and kindness as did the pen of Baha'u'llah in the form of
lordship and command.
Now at this time 'Abdu'l-Baha, with His great executive
power, began to establish the Cause of God in the hearts of humanity. He sent
more teachers and workers to different parts of the globe, and a new life was
manifested among the friends. Thousands of epistles, perfect jewels of wisdom
and knowledge concerning the affairs of life and about religion and divine
philosophy, were revealed by Him to the world.
All these activities increased the envy of the enemies of
the Cause. They had thought that at the passing of Baha’u’llah everything would
come to an end. Now, however, witnessing the renewed power and strength in
'Abdu'l-Baha they increased in activity and numbers, and a new group whose
jealousy had lain dormant in Baha'u'llah's lifetime now arose against
‘Abdu'l-Baha.
Those who merely met Him visiting the prisons, entertaining
the governor, officials and other guests, and who saw the increasing number of
pilgrims from different countries, would hardly suspect that enemies of the
Cause existed; for though their persecution continued day after day for years.
'Abdu'l-Baha tried to lead His enemies and those envious of Him with the utmost
kindness into the path of unity and service. But their envy was too great, and
they paid no heed to His advice, opposing Him more and more, till at last
'Abdu'l-Baha left Acre and His family and went alone to Tiberius and to
Elijah's cave in Mount Cannel, there to supplicate and commune with God.
Humanity always rejects its educators, choosing to follow
personal desires, even distorting religious teaching into an excuse for
disobedience, and those who are regarded as foremost in religious matters are
dominated by their pride to deny a Saviour. Nearness to God and His
Manifestation is a spiritual union, not a physical relationship. A spiritual
soul, however remotely situated from a Manifestation, can nevertheless be more
closely attached to that Manifestation than anyone related only by ties of
blood. The foremost followers of a religious teaching are like mirrors before a
sun, but as their light is reflected and not self-created, should they turn
from the sun their light will cease to shine. Thus, Baha'u'llah said, a
spiritual Educator is a divine balance, and the people of the world are weighed
by Him.
The efforts of 'Abdu'l-Baha's enemies were known only to
those few who were intimately close to Him. In spite of the fact that
'Abdu'l-Baha refrained for the time being from teaching the Cause of
Baha'u'llah on account of official prejudice against it, the people through His
counsel and guidance began to recognize His great station.
'Abdu'l-Baha worked with such ease, assurance and poise that
He gave confidence to all who visited Him. The doors of His house were never
closed; they remained open from sunrise to sunset. All manner of people came to
Him to adjust their problems. Men and women poured constantly in and out of the
house, for 'Abdu'l-Baha was always ready to uplift and counsel the
downtrodden.
Different religious leaders and government officials came to
Him to present their questions. Even the Arab Bedouins and their sheiks had the
greatest devotion and respect for Him, journeying great distances to see Him.
They regarded Him as a holy patriarch and received from Him gifts, both
spiritual and material. Such was His influence that His simple word was
willingly obeyed by them when often governmental authority failed.
The fame of 'Abdu'l-Baha's generosity and love became such a
protection that frequently visitors traveling through the desert to Him were
not only free from Bedouin attacks, but were also accorded safe conduct.
His simplicity of life forbade His personal use of the
costly gifts pressed upon Him by His friends in many countries, and He
preferred to pass on these offerings to people in need.
A wonderful sight at
Acre was to be seen every Friday morning before the house of 'Abdu'l-Baha. From
early morning the square would be crowded with the poor, the aged, and
cripples, men, women and children. 'Abdu'l-Baha would come out with some of His
friends, and the people would crowd round Him, yet reverently, like children
round a father. He would move from one to another, speaking kindly advice and comfort and putting· money into their
hands. He was especially kind to widows and their children.
It was indeed a miracle that a prisoner, persecuted and
faced with opposition from so many powerful authorities, could thus gain such
influence over all kinds of people with spiritual weapons only. As long as
'Abdu'l-Baha lived the people felt perfect confidence in the future, no matter
what happened. They felt He was a divine father to whom they could go at all
times, a master to whom they could turn at any moment. He continually
ministered to their sufferings, often choosing to go on His errands of love at
night.
But all the time His enemies had been watching their
opportunity to vent their jealousy.
They secretly sent many false reports to the Government in Constantinople, and
circulated forged letters purporting to have been issued by 'Abdu'l-Baha. Each
time the governor or other officials of the prison city were changed, they
would bribe them to unite with them in their opposition to 'Abdu'l-Baha. But
although disheartened by these continuous intrigues, 'Abdu'l-Baha's power rose
supreme above such hatred and won over those officials whom His enemies had
persuaded to oppose Him.
During this time of persecution, surrounded by spies and
enemies, 'Abdu'l-Baha accomplished the difficult task of having the remains of
the Báb brought from Persia to Haifa. He had constructed the shrine on Mount
Carmel which was to be the resting place of the body of the Báb. This edifice
was made the subject of a new attack. With the cooperation of a few of the
prison officials 'Abdu'l-Baha's opponents sent false information to the Government
that He was building a fortress on Mount Carmel and had so much influence with
surrounding and foreign powers that the Turkish Government would not be able to
withstand His power. This false report caused the Sultan such alarm that he
ordered 'Abdu'l-Baha to be either drowned or exiled to the heart of the African
desert.
His friends, anxious for His safety, begged Him to leave
Acre; but saying that it was His duty to stay, He sent them away to different
places in Egypt, and disregarding all threats, remained with certain members of
His family in Acre.
When the Governmental Investigation Committee arrived in
Acre the enemies of 'Abdu'l-Baha associated with them to induce them to make a
false report. Accordingly, without visiting 'Abdu'l-Baha or finding out His
version, information was sent that the rumors were true. While these plots were
progressing and the atmosphere was tingling with suspicion, everyone was amazed
to see that 'Abdu'l-Baha was planting trees and building a house as though nothing
would happen.
When the judge sent for 'Abdu'l-Baha to present Himself in
court the sorrow of the friends was unbearable. They feared He might be taken
away immediately and they would never see Him again. But 'Abdu'l-Baha reassured
them, saying that His greatest joy and happiness would be to be hanged there in
Haifa.
Baha'u'llah had a wonderful felt cap or headdress which was
called a crown and this had been treasured by 'Abdu'l-Baha after the ascension
of the Blessed Perfection. Several times the friends had suggested that 'Abdu'l-Baha should wear this but He always replied, "There would be but
one occasion to wear it - if I were to be crucified." At this time He
asked the family to have the headdress ready.
When 'Abdu'l-Baha entered the court He found the charges and
false testimony prearranged. After admonishing His accusers for persecuting the
Cause of Truth as had always been done in former ages He said, "If you
desire to condemn me, I am ready and willing to sacrifice my life and will sign
any indictment you prepare, for it will bring me great happiness to be martyred
as were the promulgators of Truth before me."
Just at this darkest hour, when events were most ominous for
'Abdu'l-Baha and the Cause, the whole situation changed with a miraculous
suddenness. The revolution of 1908, by the Young Turk Party, brought entire
freedom to Him who had been the world's Greatest Prisoner.
- Jinab-i-Fadil (Star of the West [The Baha’i Magazine],
vol. 15, no. 3, 1924)
