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.
10.2 Mirza Jawad’s Account on Baha’s Sudden Departure
Mirza Jawad’s account in his Historical Epitome, Materials for the Study of the BÁBi Religion by Prof. Browne.
(PP. 7-9): “Baha set himself in Baghdad to the elevation of the word and the diffusion of its lights with a zeal that could not be exceeded.
His efforts led to a general diffusion of the word, and this religion became famous throughout all regions more than it had been at first. Thereby was the fire of envy kindled in the heart of Mirza Yahya [Subh-i-Azal] and his companions, so that after about a year, in order to extinguish his fire, Baha determined to leave Baghdad, and so set out suddenly, without the knowledge of anyone, with a servant named Abu al-Jasim, for Suleymaniyya in Kurdistan. This happened in A.H. 1271 (1854), Baha being then thirty-eight years of age. The servant was killed after a few days at the hands of thieves, while he was travelling from one place to another on special business, so that Baha remained alone in the deserts and mountains ….
This period of absence endured two years or rather less … then arose Baha’s brother Musa entitled Kalim (the Interlocutor) and some others to make investigation and inquiries. They began, therefore, to ask for news and information from every traveller and sojourner until they found their way to Baha, and ascertained that he was in the mountains of Suleymaniyya in Kurdistan. Thereupon they sent Shaykh Sultan [i.e. the father-in-law of Mirza Musa], with a number of letters from the faithful in different lands, to wait upon him; and Baha returned to Baghdad in consequence of the urgent representations of above-mentioned (Shaykh Sultan), and his entreaties and prayers.
His arrival on the occasion effected a great improvement in the community and an important extension of the word, inasmuch as he devoted himself with all his energy to their purification and the improvement of their character and conduct both by tongue and by pen. His influence was far-reaching, his doings were noised abroad in all regions, and then hastened to him those members of the community who were scattered abroad throughout the lands.”
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.