Memorials of the Faithful
Nabíl-i-Akbar
One day, on the floor of the outer apartments reserved for the men, the honored Nabíl was reverently kneeling in the presence of
Bahá’u’lláh. At that moment
Ḥájí Mírzá Ḥasan-‘Amú, a trusted associate of the mujtahids of
Karbilá, came in with Zaynu’l-Ábidín
Khán, the Fa
khru’d-Dawlih. Observing how humbly and deferentially Nabíl was kneeling there, the Ḥájí was astonished.
“Sir,” he murmured, “what are you doing in this place?”
Nabíl answered, “I came here for the same reason you did.”
The two visitors could not recover from their surprise, for it was widely known that this personage was unique among mujtahids and was the most favored disciple of the renowned Shaykh Murtadá.
Later, Nabíl-i-Akbar left for
Persia and went on to
Khurásán. The Amír of Qá’in—Mír Álam
Khán—showed him every courtesy at first, and greatly valued his company. So marked was this that people felt the Amír was captivated by him, and indeed he was spellbound at the scholar’s eloquence, knowledge, and accomplishments. One can judge, from this, what honors were accorded to Nabíl by the rest, for “men follow the faith of their kings.”
Nabíl spent some time thus esteemed and in high favor, but the love he had for God was past all concealing. It burst from his heart, flamed out and consumed its coverings.
A thousand ways I tried
My love to hide—
But how could I, upon that blazing pyre
Not catch fire!
He brought light to the Qá’in area and converted a great number of people. And when he had become known far and wide by this new name, the clergy, envious and
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