The Rise of Baha
10. Baha’s Sudden Flight to Suleymaniyya
Baha arrived in Baghdad upon expulsion from Iran, on “Jamad Thani 28, 1269 A.H. (April 8, 1853), Shoghi Effendi’s god passes by, P. 109.
Baha’s activities in Iraq from the time of his arrival in Baghdad till his removal to Istanbul on “Dhil Qa’da 14, 1279 A.H. May 3rd, 1863”, ibid, P. 133.
10.7 The Bayani’s Account on Baha’s Sudden Departure to Suleymaniyya
Let us now examine the other side of the picture, what the Bayanis have to say about Baha’s sudden flight to Kurdistan and return to Baghdad.
10.7.2. The Awakening of the Sleepers
The Tanbih-al-Naimin (The Awakening of the Sleepers) (P. 5): Baha had “an ordinate desire for universal sway” and “an idle fancy for throne” as exalted as the heavens”. He labored under the misapprehension that if the Shah of Iran were come to grief one day, he was bound to step into his shoes.
(PP. 7-8): Baha’s release from imprisonment following the attempt on the Shah’s life in August 1852 was subject to his expulsion from Iran.
(PP. 11-14), obsessed with his “inordinate desire” and “idle fancy”, during his stay in Baghdad, Baha uttered some remarks, which pointed to his “wickedness and insubordination” and exposed his “ulterior motives”. Believers of the first class who would not brook such “words and absurdities” called Subh-i-Azal’s attention thereto. “Reprimanded” by Subh-i-Azal for his attempt to “deviate the people of the Bayan from the fundamental Cause” and “re-enact the case of Samiri, Baha was strictly forbidden by him to make such statements in future.
With his ulterior motives thus disclosed, Baha took to flight towards Sulaymaniyya. For a time he associated with the leaders of various Orders in those regions, manoeuvring to create a position of ascendancy for himself. His labors came to naught. For a while he studied the occult science, wearied of life, and in his attempts to achieve his purpose, he appealed to Subh-i-Azal and prayed for forgiveness. Pardoned by him, he was brought back to Baghdad, and put in charge of his affairs.
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