8. HIS HOLINESS THE GREAT BÁB Mirzá Abul-Fadl, p 43-44 The Crown Prince of Persia, who was afterwards entitled Nassir Udh-Din Shah, was, at the time, the governor of Azerbeyjan. In order to,enquirer into the matter and silence the clergy, he summoned the Báb back to Tabriz. When He reached Tabriz for the second time, the Crown Prince called some of the prominent clergy to meet the Báb in his presence. A compulsory and unjust discussion and dispute took place. This discussion is recorded by the historians of each side in a different way; but from the account given by the Bábs opponents, although it is a very inaccurate record, it may be discovered that the purpose of the prominent clergy has not been to make a thorough inquiry, but only to dispute in a contemptuous manner, and to deride and threaten Him. After much clamor and outcry, it was decided to beat and chastise Him. But the Farrashes of the government refused to carry out His sentence. Therefore Mirza-Ali-Askar the Sheik Ul-Islam of Tabriz, who was one of the prominent Seyds and doctors, determined to execute this sentence; so he brought Him into his own house, and applied the rods with his own hands. After this, they sent Him a second tome to the fortress of Chih-rik; subjected Him go a rigorous incarceration and strictly prohibited people from converse with Him. In those days, the appearance of the Báb was the chief topic discussed throughout Persia and Irak-Arabi. Consequently, commotion and clam our wee continual, and fierce discussions would take place between the Moslems and the Bábs followers. For the Moslem clergy do no deal gently with one they feel is alien to their own religion, no matter who they may be; nor do they converse with him in a sprit of courtesy, respect and humanity. Even in the course of controversy, their words are very often full of contempt and derision, and are reinforced by curses and execrations. Finally the Persian clergy unanimously decided to eradicate and suppress the Báb and His people. Some of the governors in Persia being tyrants, ready to plunder and pillage the inhabitants, availed themselves of this decision, and in some parts of Persia, they even began immediately to murder and rob the Babís. They did not refrain from murdering children and women. The local governors and even some of the ministers assisted the enemies of the Babís with regular soldiers, and the political heads joined with the civil chiefs in destroying and suppressing these people.
Posted on: Fri, 25 Oct 2013 15:39:53 +0000
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