This document was originally published in Behai Quarterly magazine, digitally reproduced at these pages: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Minor changes have been made to the original text to modernize the spelling, capitalization, and word usage. These edits do not significantly alter the meaning of anything that was written.

WHENEVER a mighty personage appears on earth and the news of his greatness spreads throughout the world, the intellectual people seek eagerly to be enlightened with knowledge of the daily actions of his life and of his teachings.

In the past, many pilgrims, especially historians, who came to this holy land and visited me, displayed an urgent fascination to know of the early life and actions of Bahaullah – glory be to him – and received such answers as time permitted on each occasion.

Lately, more inquiries have reached me by mail from friends far and near. Therefore I deem it necessary to impart to the people of the world my experiences, through my constant personal contact with Bahaullah during the period of years from my childhood to the years that I had the privilege to serve him as the inscriber of his utterances and promulgator of his teachings throughout the world.

Thus I will record herein his lineage, his early life and habits, his verbal messages to me and some of his teachings that I have copied from the numerous original volumes of his utterances in my possession. May the spirit of truth penetrate the citadels of the hearts, and the sun of reality illumine the minds of humankind.

His Lineage

Needless to speak of the lineage of Bahaullah, his life and teachings are sufficient proof of his greatness and far above family connections; but knowing the fascination of past inquirers and for the guidance of future historians, I will state it briefly.

He was a descendant of the royal dynasty of Kian, who ruled in Persia centuries ago. After careful search of records available during his visit to Mazanderan, the home of Bahaullah's ancestors, the well-known Persian historian Mirza Abul-Fazl Gulpaygani speaks with conviction of the family connection with the said Kian Dynasty. Indeed the prophecy of Zoroaster was fulfilled as he spoke of the coming of "Mah Abad from the Kian Dynasty."

The father of Bahaullah was Mirza Abbas Nuri, better known as Mirza Buzurg ("The Great") – scholar, theologian, and diplomat, politically powerful and socially prominent. He was connected with the government ministry and court for years, during the Qajar Dynasty, and to his last days served his country gallantly. He was calm, kind, and fearless, always ready to help the needy, and made hosts of friends during his life.

The mother of Bahaullah was Khanum Jani, well known socially in the capital of Persia. She was a great help to her spouse during his life and career, and very active in the progress of her sex.

His Birth and Early Life

Bahaullah was born in the city of Tehran, the present capital of Persia [modern-day Iran], on November 12, 1817, and in the same city grew to adulthood.

As a young man he associated with nobilities, court officials, and the celebrities of the day, and always served his father faithfully. He spent some of his early days in Mazanderan in the Nur district, the original home of his ancestors.

When the Bab proclaimed himself the new Teacher, his message appealed to Bahaullah and he became an active worker for the new cause, and left Tehran for Karbala, where he remained for a few months, then returned to Tehran.

The message of the Bab awakened the minds of the Persians, and thousands of learned people became his followers. This roused the anger of the Muslim doctors of theology (mullas), and fearing the loss of their leadership, they labored with all their might against this progressive new movement that was spreading rapidly throughout the land. Finally they succeeded in inducing the government to arrest the Bab and his devoted secretary and put them in prison, then suspend them both on a pole in the middle of the square in the city of Tabriz, and riddle their chests with hundreds of bullets.

After the Bab was put to death and two of his followers attempted the life of Shah Naser ad-Din, through the influence of the same agitators, Bahaullah was arrested by the government and imprisoned for a period of four months.

Then, through the protest of the Russian ambassador, Bahaullah was released from prison and officially vindicated of all accusations, but was requested to leave his native land, to satisfy the desire of the said mullas.

By mutual agreement between Russia, Turkey, and Persia, he was sent to Baghdad, which is located near the border of Persia. Bahaullah remained in Baghdad nearly twelve years. While in Iraq he secluded himself in the mountains of Sulaymaniya for two years, during which his whereabouts were unknown to all.

His Later Life and Ministry

After his return to Baghdad, Bahaullah proclaimed himself to be the promised one of whom the Bab had spoken, "He whom God shall manifest," the Glory of God. This proclamation renewed the new movement and the cause spread rapidly, in spite of the persecutions. In his epistle to the Shah of Persia, Bahaullah said, "I was asleep on my couch: the breaths of my Lord the Merciful passed over me and awakened me from sleep – to this bear witness the inhabitants of the realms of His Power and His Kingdom, and the dwellers in the cities of His Glory, and Himself the True."

After receiving this inspired message, Bahaullah arose with great power and energy, and devoted forty years of his life in revealing scriptures and uttering verses, through which he commanded his followers to hold fast to the garment of the Everlasting Father and worship God alone, to live in love and unity with each other and with all the people of the world.

He suffered hardship, calamity, and banishment to bring us from the darkness of ignorance to the light of knowledge. Through the influence of the ambassador of Persia in the Ottoman capital, engineered by the same agitating group of mullas, Bahaullah was invited to come to Constantinople [modern-day Istanbul], then the capital of Turkey, where he resided three months as the guest of the government, then was sent to Adrianople [Edirne] where he remained five years. He was then banished to the prison fortress of Akka [Acre, Israel], residing there for 25 years, until the time of his departure from this world on May 28, 1892.

His Dignity in Exile

Bahaullah was reared in luxury while living in Tehran, and on account of the high station of his father in government circles, he had the respect of all his associates. After he was divested of all earthly possessions and was requested to leave Persia, though in financial distress, he made the journey from Tehran to Baghdad with great dignity. He was contented under all conditions and invested himself with the garment of patience at all times.

Responding to the order of the government, Bahaullah, accompanied by his household and some of his followers, proceeded from the city of Baghdad to the other side of the [Tigris] river, remaining in the Garden of Najib Pasha [known to Bahais as the Garden of Ridvan] for a period of twelve days, delivering the new divine message to all who came.

During these twelve days, thousands of persons of all classes, government officials, representatives of other nations, theologians, merchants, and the masses as well, came to his presence, paying him homage and wishing him farewell.

The news of his departure spread rapidly and caused such a commotion among the populace that Namigh Pasha, then governor of Iraq, deemed it his duty to pay him his respects also, calling on him in person, accompanied by another high official – though Bahaullah was his prisoner.

During the journey from Baghdad to Constantinople, which lasted about four months, he was cordially received by the people of the countryside wherever he camped, and was respected and loved by all. While confined in the fortress of Akka, not being permitted to leave the city gate, he was in great distress. However, he commanded his followers to be patient and satisfied with the will of God; and to his last days on earth, he taught us to free ourselves from the bondage of earthly possessions, and to direct our efforts to the progress of humankind.

His Language

The native language of Bahaullah was modern Persian (Farsi). He also spoke the Arabic language fluently. The numerous volumes of his utterances that he left for the world bear witness to this statement. He spoke Mazanderani also, which is Persian of a different dialect, spoken in the Mazanderan province of his ancestors.

His Clothing

As far back as I can remember, Bahaullah adorned his head with a high-crowned round hat called a taj, made of fine felt, covered with materials embroidered with silk of the same shade – some were all white, others all red, green or gray – wound at the lower part with a small white turban. For informal occasions he wore a small cap called an arakcheen, similar to the taj except shorter and lighter in weight.

He dressed in soft, light and pleasing shades. His outer robe, called a jubba, was of fine camel hair in natural or gray color. Under this he wore a second robe called a ghaba in white or gray, wound at the waistline with a white Persian belt called a chaal. His undergarments consisted of two pieces, always in white, white hose and handmade slippers.

His Diet

Bahaullah was very moderate in food. He partook of Persian prepared food consisting of sweets, fruits, vegetables, and some meat. He drank tea, milk, fruit juice, and very little coffee.

In his early days he smoked a Persian water pipe called a nargilet, but no cigarettes. However, while still a young man, he began to abstain from smoking entirely. I remember when we were brought to the prison of Akka, and housed in the army barrack, he addressed me one day and said, "Do not get the smoking habit." Although this was but advice, it impressed me so strongly that I never had any desire for smoking.

His Recreation

Bahaullah enjoyed the open spaces, fresh air and natural views. In the spring when the hills and valleys were covered with a green carpet, occasionally we were fortunate enough to spend the entire day with him either in the Paradise Garden or the orchard called Juneina [near Akka, after Bahaullah was allowed to leave the prison fortress and live under house arrest], usually leaving at daybreak and returning after sunset, and often in the moonlight. I recollect many such wonderful days that I was privileged to arrange. He admired fragrant roses and used attar of rose and rose water frequently.

Bahaullah spent most of his last twelve years in the Palace of Bahja ("Joy"), which is located on a hill near Akka, surrounded with miles of open fields. Here he passed into Eternity and his shrine is located next to the palace that he occupied.

His Daily Routine

Bahaullah was an early riser, usually at daylight. His breakfast consisted of a small cup of tea and dry rusk (a biscuit or twice-baked bread), served after sunrise. The pilgrims were then called to his presence, the audience lasting for an hour or longer. This was followed by the appearance of the inscriber, to take dictations, until the approach of lunch time.

While revealing utterances to the scribe, Bahaullah walked slowly back and forth in the large chamber he occupied. On other occasions, he wrote his holy writings in his own handwriting while sitting on a divan.

After lunch he retired a while; then the scribe was called to his presence again for dictation, lasting until afternoon tea was served. Again friends and pilgrims came to his presence to receive counsel, advice, and instructions.

Supper always was served around 9 p.m., and generally he retired before midnight.

This was his daily routine. In his later years, only the followers were granted the privilege to come to the presence of Bahaullah, as his entire time was devoted to revealing scriptures and uttering verses for the enlightenment of mankind.

Conclusion

I hereby invite my brothers and sisters in humanity and all seekers after truth throughout the world, to come and partake of from the spiritual food that is hidden in the volumes of the teachings of Bahaullah in my possession still unpublished. My entire library is open for your study, and today the people of the world are in need of the knowledge contained therein. In this invitation my desire lies only in the elevation of the thoughts of humankind, and the progress of my brothers and sisters in humanity. [Unfortunately, it is not known what became of the unpublished writings of Bahaullah to which Ghusn-i-Akbar refers.]

Bahaullah said, "O people of Baha, you have been and are the rising-places of love and the dawning-places of the grace of God. Pollute not the tongue with execration and reviling anyone, and protect the eye from that which is unseemly. Show what you possess; if it is accepted, the aim is attained. If otherwise, opposition would be futile; leave him to himself and turn to God, the Protector, the Eternal. Be not the cause of grief and much less the cause of corruption and strife. It is hoped that you arise and grow under the protection of the tree of divine grace, and do that which God has wished. You are all the leaves of one tree and the drops of one sea."

With careful study of his utterances, humanity will realize the greatness of Bahaullah. His teachings are in harmony with science, useful in our daily affairs, and satisfying our every need.

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