Table of Contents
Section Two: Bahá’u’lláh’s Activities mid-1850 to mid-1852
Mid-1850: After the Martyrdom of the Báb
The Báb, knowing the imminence of the Manifestation of Bahá’u’lláh, had not appointed any successor. To divert the attention of the authorities, Mírzá Yahyá17_ACT15 was put forward, in name only, as the head of the Bábí community, while the real guidance and authority lay with Bahá’u’lláh.18_ACT15 After the Báb’s martyrdom, Bahá’u’lláh began to work to re-instill hope and give direction to the persecuted Bábí community. In the words of Nabíl:
He [Bahá’u’lláh] continued to devote Himself to the task of reviving the energies, of organising the forces, and of directing the efforts, of the Báb’s scattered companions. He was the sole light amidst the darkness that encompassed the bewildered disciples who had witnessed, on the one hand, the cruel martyrdom of their beloved Leader and, on the other, the tragic fate of their companions. He alone was able to inspire them with the needful courage and fortitude to endure the many afflictions that had been heaped upon them; He alone was capable of preparing them for the burden of the task they were destined to bear … 19_ACT15
Sadly, Mírzá Yahyá and his group of companions, in an effort to gain power, took steps that caused confusion in the Bábí community and gave excuses to the enemies of the Faith to further persecute it.20_ACT15
Mid-1851: Bahá’u’lláh goes to Karbalá’
With the martyrdom of the Báb and the suppression of the Bábí movements at Shaykh Tabarsí, Nayríz, Zanján and other parts of the land, the Grand Vazír, the Amír-Kabír, felt he had got the Bábí problem under control. The Amír-Kabír also knew Bahá’u’lláh, and, even though admiring His many capacities, thought of Him as a problem.21_ACT15 But even so, being a politician, he wanted to try and use Bahá’u’lláh
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