Baha'i Allegations Against Subh-i Azal - Abbas Effendi’s Account And Allegations
4. Abbas Effendi’s Account And Allegations
The Traveler’s Narrative: (P. 192):
“According to statements heard from sundry travellers and from certain great and learned men of that city [i.e. Edirne], they [i.e. the BÁBis] behaved and conducted themselves there also in such wise that the inhabitants of the district and the government officials used to eulogize them, and all used to show them respect and deference. In short since Baha was wont (P. 93) to behold intercourse with the doctors, scholars, magnates, and nobles, [thereby] attaining fame and celebrity throughout Roumelia, the materials of comfort were gathered together, neither fear nor dread remained. They reposed on the couch of ease, and passed their time in quietude, when one Sayyid Muhammad [of Isfahan] one of the followers (P. 94) [of the BÁB], laid foundation of intimacy and familiarity with Mirza Yahya [Subh-i-Azal] became the cause of vexation and trouble …. (P. 95) At all advents, how much soever some of the chiefs of the sect wrote admonitions and pointed out to him the path of discretion … (P. 97) yet still, the more they admonished him, the less did it affect him …. Then Sayyid Muhammad set out of the Istanbul to get his stipend, and opened the door of suffering. According to the accounts given, this matter caused (P. 98) the greatest sorrows and brought about cessation of intercourse. In Istanbul, moreover, he presumptuously set afloat certain reports, asserting, amongst other things, that the notable personage who had come from Iraq was Mirza Yahya Sundry individuals, perceiving that herein was excellent material for mischief –making and a means of the promotion of mutiny, ostensibly supported and applauded him, and stimulated and incited him [i.e. Subh-i-Azal] …. Such mischief-making and plots caused matters to become misapprehended and furthermore certain schemes got afloat which were regarded as necessary measures of self-protection; the expediency of banishing the BÁBis came under consideration; and all of a sudden an order came, and Baha was removed from (P. 99) Roumelia; nor was it known for what purpose or whiter they would bear him away. Diverse (P. 100) accounts were current in [men’s] mouths; and many exaggerations were heard [to the effect] that there was no hope of deliverance.”
(P. 155) “At all events in the beginning of the year one thousand two hundred and eighty five [A.H] [1968] they transferred Baha and all those persons who were with him in Edirne to the Prison of Acre, and Mirza Yahya to the fortress of Famagusta, and there they remained.”
Sir Abbas Effendi’s account of Baha’s activities during his sojourn in Edirne is not informative. Events that took place in Edirne are entirely suppressed in the narrative.
According to Sir Abbas Effendi “the BÁBis, reposed on the couch of ease”, whiling away the time “in quietude” were disturbed, when Sayyid Muhammad of Isfahan identified himself with Subh-i-Azal’s cause, and thereby “became a source of vexation and trouble”, which culminated in a further removal. Sayyid Muhammad, whom the Bahai hierarchy seeks to denigrate was one of the Point’s companions. His association with Subh-i-Azal goes back to the days of Iran, where he was appointed by the latter as one of the witnesses [i.e. spiritual guidance] of the Bayan. Sayyid Muhammad was one of the prominent Bayanis, section 5.13.1 refers, who remonstrated so vigorously with Baha for his tendency in innovation and relaxation that Baha had no alternative but to take flight to Kurdistan.
Baha’s appeal to Sayyid Muhammad during the Baghdad period speaks for itself. Baha writes: “May I be the sacrifice to the blessed existence of the Sar-Kar. Verily your servant, who is under your shadow [of protection], cries out to you in the language of the Ant (Quran, Sura xxvii) and prays for the wonders of your favor as you are in truth the friend of the distressed; and says: the blessedness is yours, since you have quaffed from the chalice of those who enjoy near access to god.” The Tanbih-al-Naimin, P.37. This historic appeal graces the old pages of old Bayani manuscripts. Sayyid Muhammad paid with his life for his loyalty to Subh-i-Azal. He was murdered in Acre by Baha’s men.
To read more about Baha's members of family, got to the main page, select 'Bahaism -> The Rise of Baha' and navigate through the index.